Marty Blackwelder
Sunday March 21, 2021

Notes
Let’s Finish With Joy
Reverend Marty Blackwelder
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Hebrews 12:1–3 KJV
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with
patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider him that endured
such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
2 Corinthians 4:8–9 KJV
We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
Psalm 30:5 KJV
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
Psalm 34:19 KJV
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: But the Lord delivereth him out of them all.
John 16:33 KJV
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
Philippians 4:6–7 KJV
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
II Corinthians 11:23-28 MSG
Are they servants of Christ? I can go them one better. (I can’t believe I’m saying these things.
It’s crazy to talk this way! But I started, and I’m going to finish.) 24 I’ve been flogged five
times with the Jews’ thirty-nine lashes, 25 beaten by Roman rods three times, pummeled
with rocks once. I’ve been shipwrecked three times, and immersed in the open sea for a
night and a day. 26 In hard traveling year in and year out, I’ve had to ford rivers, fend off
robbers, struggle with friends, struggle with foes. I’ve been at risk in the city, at risk in the
country, endangered by desert sun and sea storm, and betrayed by those I thought were my brothers. 27 I’ve known drudgery and hard labor, many a long and lonely night without sleep,
many a missed meal, blasted by the cold, naked to the weather. 28 And that’s not the half of
it, when you throw in the daily pressures and anxieties of all the churches.
Acts 20:24 KJV
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
Philippians 4:8 KJV
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 KJV
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Revelation 22:12 KJV
And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV
The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; 23 they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
Philippians 3:13 KJV
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
Psalm 5:11 NKJV
But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You.
Psalm 32:11 NKJV
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Psalm 35:27 NKJV
Let them shout for joy and be glad, Who favor my righteous cause; And let them say continually, “Let the Lord be magnified, Who has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.”
Psalm 126:1–3 NKJV
When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream.
2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.” 3 The Lord has done great things for us, And we are glad.
Proverbs 17:22 NKJV
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
Ecclesiastes 3:4 KJV
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; A time to mourn, and a time to dance;
Acts 13:52 NKJV
And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
John 15:11 KJV
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
Romans 15:13 KJV
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Ephesians 5:18 KJV
And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;
1 Peter 1:8 KJV
Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory
Job 5:22 NKJV
You shall laugh at destruction and famine, And you shall not be afraid of the beasts of the earth.