1. The joy of the LORD shall be my strength

2. His First Appearance John 20:10-18

3. His First Appearance  Was to one who mourned…deeply (vs. 10-15)

6. Blessed are those who mourn… for they will be comforted

7. His First Appearance  Was to one who mourned…deeply (vs. 10-15)  Came in Christ’s timing (vs. 16)

8. "The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out....and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice.” - John 10:2-4

9. Abram, called by name (Gen 15:1)...Moses, called by name (Exodus 3:4)...Samuel, called by name (I Samuel 3:10) …Jeremiah, called by name (Jeremiah 1:11...) Amos, called by name (Amos 7:8)...Saul, called by name (Acts 9:4) ….you!

10. His First Appearance  Was to one who mourned…deeply (vs. 10-15)  Came in Christ’s timing (vs. 16)  Resulted in pure delight (vs. 16-17)

12. " Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to Him, clasped his feet and worshiped Him.“ Matthew 28:9

13. o John 6:62 - - What if you see the Son of Man ascend to where He was before? o John 16:7 - - But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you: but if I go, I will send Him to you.

14. o John 16: 28 - - I came from the Father and entered the world; now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father. o John 17:11 - - I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you, Holy Father... o John 17:13 - - I am coming to You now...

16. "Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." John 20:29

17. "Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” I Peter 1:8-9

18. His First Appearance  Was to one who mourned…deeply (vs. 10-15)  Came in Christ’s timing (vs. 16)  Resulted in pure delight (vs. 16-17)  Ignited a joyous witness (vs 18)

20. Being a joyous witness - How NOT to begin:  What if I say something wrong?  I don’t know what to say!  If I don’t say something NOW, Christ will be disappointed in me.  What if I can’t answer their questions?

21. Being a joyous witness – DO begin:  By drawing close to Him  Confess and turn from known sin  Meditate on His Word  Pray for open doors  Allow the overflow of your relationship with Christ to spill out

24. The joy of the LORD shall be my strength