THE MAIN IDEA
Joy comes naturally when Christ is alive in our hearts.

REJOICE BECAUSE OF THE SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD
If God is sovereign and God has a plan, we can be absolutely certain that He will accomplish His plan. God’s plan is to reconcile the world to Himself in Christ Jesus. And His purpose for us it to fill the earth with His glory in Christ Jesus through God-fearing, God-honoring, God-worshiping, God-loving communities and families, the church. And the reason that God’s sovereignty is a cause for rejoicing is because He has called us to participate with Him in His great plan of salvation for the world, which is guaranteed to succeed. Even the most powerful people in the world are subject to God’s sovereign plan (Romans 13:1). And that is a good reminder for us in this election year. Because no matter who gets elected, we know that God is in control, and He calls us to live at peace with everyone. Where there is peace, there is joy, especially as we participate with God in His sovereign plan.

REJOICE BECAUSE OF THE HOUSE OF GOD
After the dedication of the temple, the Jewish people had a place to celebrate the Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread. And so they did, and they did so with great joy! They celebrated with joy for eight days straight. Apparently, God loves it when His people get together and party. Of course, they weren’t just partying; they were also worshiping. But in the Bible, there doesn’t seem to be much of a distinction between worshiping and partying for the people of God! A life of worship is a life of rejoicing in Christ, especially when we rejoice together as the house of God. God is continually at work in our Canvas community—this house of God. He has been using us and He will continue to use us to renew the hope of Jesus Christ and His church in the South Bay. And seeing God at work, using us to fulfill His purpose, is cause for great joy, and so may that joy overflow into celebration in this house of God in Jesus’s name.

REJOICE BECAUSE OF THE SON OF GOD
The Jewish people celebrated with joy seven days straight because God had filled them with joy by moving the heart of Cyrus to release the exiles and even to help them rebuild the house of God. And all of this joyous celebration comes immediately after the Passover celebration. Passover commemorates the salvation of Israel from their bondage in Egypt, because God had moved the heart of pharaoh to release the Israelites. God has delivered Israel from their enemies over and over again. And Passover was always a part of some revival that was sparked by remembering God’s deliverance of His people. That is exactly why God commanded His people to celebrate Passover—so that they would remember— and not just remember, but also trust that God would always deliver His people. Such remembrance engages faith. This world really is a broken mess because of sin. And sometimes, maybe often, we go through some heavy trials and struggles. But then we can remember what God has done for us through His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, and Him crucified, resurrected, and returning.

Discussion: What things give you joy? How does that joy measure up to the joy of knowing Jesus?