1. The Climb Journey towards holiness “Joy that Lasts!” Psalm 126 “Joy that Lasts!” Psalm 126

2. The Climb: Journey to Holiness Lasting joy is found in the person and work of the Lord

3. The Climb: Journey to Holiness "In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and to put it in writing: "This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: "'The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah." Anyone of his people among you— may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD, the God of Israel, the God who is in Jerusalem and may their God be with them." Ezra 1:1-3

4. The Climb: Journey to Holiness 1. 1. Joy is expressed through praise Joy should be one of the primary characteristics of a life changed by God

5. The Climb: Journey to Holiness 1. 1. Joy is expressed through praise. "Some Christians are sadly prone to look on the dark side of everything and to dwell more upon they have gone through than upon what God has done for them. Ask for their impression of the Christian life and they will describe their adversities and the sinfulness of their hearts, yet with scarcely any allusion to the mercy and help which God has provided to them." Charles Spurgeon

6. The Climb: Journey to Holiness 1. 1. Joy is expressed through praise. Praise celebrates God's attributes and actions.

7. The Climb: Journey to Holiness 2. 2. Joy is explained through proclamation "Let your light shine before men that they may see your good deed and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:16

8. The Climb: Journey to Holiness 2. 2. Joy is explained through proclamation Our story (testimony) communicates God’s truth "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope (and joy) that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect." 1 Peter 3:15

9. The Climb: Journey to Holiness 2. 2. Joy is explained through proclamation Our story (testimony) communicates God’s truth Our story (testimony) confronts Satan’s lies

10. The Climb: Journey to Holiness “Places, whether homes or vacation spots, are like a mirage. To a person thirsting for fulfillment they look like a quenching pool of water. Yet once we reach them we find only sand - and the 10,000 other tourists who beat us to the spot." Gary Smalley

11. The Climb: Journey to Holiness 3. 3. Joy becomes extended through prayer "Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O Lord. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known." Habakkuk 3:2 Past joy fuels future hope and expectations

12. The Climb: Journey to Holiness Joy becomes extended through prayer Joy is expressed through praise Joy is explained through proclamation