Why do we rejoice?

​Why do we rejoice? The Bible tells us to take up our cross.
Mike talked about self-denial and the joy of the Lord.
Enjoy this message, but more so, do everything God asks including the joy part.
The song at the end is "House Of The Lord" by Phil Wickham.

Philippians 4:4|NLT 1996 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice!
Matthew 10:38|NLT 1996
38 If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine.
Matthew 16:24-26|NLT 1996
24 Then Jesus said to the disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross, and follow me.
25 If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find true life.
26 And how do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul in the process? Is anything worth more than your soul?
John 14:6-7|NLT 1996
6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.
7 If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him and have seen him!"
Matthew 11:28-30|NLT 1996
28 Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle, and you will find rest for your souls.
30 For my yoke fits perfectly, and the burden I give you is light."
John 12:49|NLT 1996 49 I don't speak on my own authority. The Father who sent me gave me his own instructions as to what I should say.
Psalms 16:11|NLT 1996 11 You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.

Hebrews 12:2|NLT 1996
2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven.
Hebrews 1:9|NLT 1996
9 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else."
Psalms 45:7|NLT 1996
7 You love what is right and hate what is wrong. Therefore God, your God, has anointed you, pouring out the oil of joy on you more than on anyone else.
John 15:11|NLT 1996
11 I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow!
John 16:24|NLT 1996
24 You haven't done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.
1 Peter 1:8-9|NLT 1996
8 You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy.
9 Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
Nehemiah 8:10|NLT 1996
10 And Nehemiah continued, "Go and celebrate with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared. This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!"