1st Sunday - Communion - There's Joy For The Journey - Pas. B.O. Morris, Sr.

Devotional

Day 1: Joy for the Journey

There is a deep and abiding joy available to those who seek Jesus, a joy that endures through every season and circumstance. The Magi traveled far, following the star with hope and expectation, and when they finally saw the sign pointing to Christ, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. This joy is not dependent on perfect circumstances or the absence of hardship, but is rooted in the presence of Jesus Himself. Even when life brings loss or disappointment, the joy found in Christ remains steadfast and unshakable. Let your heart be encouraged that there is joy for your journey, no matter where you find yourself today. [41:34]

Matthew 2:8-12 (NASB)
"And he sent them to Bethlehem and said, 'Go and search carefully for the Child; and when you have found Him, report to me, so that I too may come and worship Him.' After hearing the king, they went their way; and the star, which they had seen in the east, went on before them until it came and stood over the place where the Child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. After coming into the house they saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell to the ground and worshiped Him. Then, opening their treasures, they presented to Him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned by God in a dream not to return to Herod, the magi left for their own country by another way."

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to rediscover the joy that comes from seeking and finding Jesus, even if your journey has been long or difficult?

Day 2: Worship Changes Your Walk

True worship is transformative; when you encounter Jesus and offer Him your worship, it changes the direction of your life. The Magi, who once relied on their own understanding and the guidance of stars, left by a new route after meeting Christ, demonstrating that worship leads to new paths and new priorities. When Jesus becomes your joy, your worship will eventually change your walk—old habits lose their hold, and new desires take root. This change may not be instant or perfect, but genuine worship always leaves a mark on your journey. Let your worship today open you to the new direction God has for you. [01:03:33]

Romans 12:1-2 (ESV)
"I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by

Sermon Summary

I walked into the sanctuary not feeling like myself, but the Lord met us with a simple, steady reminder: there’s joy for the journey. From Matthew 2:8–12, we traced the road of the Magi—outsiders drawn by a star, passing through a palace where motives were mixed, and arriving in a house where everything changed. Herod wanted information he could weaponize, but the wise men wanted a King they could worship. That contrast matters. You can be in the same room, hear the same Scripture, sing the same song—and still be moving toward very different ends. We need discernment for that.

The text says they rejoiced when they saw the star—before they ever laid eyes on Jesus. That means God gave them joy as a traveling companion, not a finish-line prize. Some of us want to delay praise until every prayer is answered, but the Magi teach us to rejoice when God gives direction, not only when we see outcomes. And when they finally arrived, they didn’t negotiate, compare, or perform. They fell down. They worshiped. They opened treasure. Real worship lays down what we cling to. It is both posture and offering.

Then God redirected them. Having worshiped, they went home another way. That’s not just a geography change—it’s a discipleship change. Worship will always adjust your route. I think of Sister Alberta, who lost almost everything and yet could stand up and say, “I still have joy.” That’s not denial. That’s a deep knowing: my circumstances can fluctuate, but my Christ is not unstable. Joy in Jesus steadies the steps.

I challenged the room—not to watch worship from a distance, not to wait for the phone recap—but to bring our whole selves before the King. The ones who traveled the farthest often praise the loudest because they remember every mile. We prayed for those carrying heavy loads, we welcomed those seeking a church home, and we came to the table to remember the One who came to us first. Advent begins with a star and ends at a house where worship changes people. If you’ll follow the Light, you’ll find joy in the journey—and you won’t go back the same way you came.

Key Takeaways

1. Joy shows up before arrival God gave the Magi joy at the sight of the star, before they ever reached the child. Joy isn’t just a reward at the end; it’s grace that helps us keep going when we’re not there yet. Celebrate guidance, not just outcomes. Rejoicing is how we travel faithfully through uncertainty. [40:51]
2. Discern motives in holy spaces Herod talked about worship while planning harm, proving that proximity to sacred things doesn’t guarantee a surrendered heart. Don’t confuse religious language with holy intent. Ask the Spirit to sharpen your discernment so you aren’t steered by flattery or fear. Integrity matters more than access. [46:25]
3. Worship bows low and gives freely The wise men fell down and opened their treasures—posture and offering as one act. Authentic worship surrenders both pride and possession, because love without cost is only sentiment. When Christ is the treasure, our lesser treasures find their rightful place. Giving becomes glad, not grudging. [41:34]
4. Worship will change your walk After encountering Jesus, the Magi went home by another route. Real worship re-maps your habits, priorities, and pathways. God’s warnings and whispers redirect the willing heart, often away from what is convenient toward what is faithful. If He has your worship, He will have your steps. [63:33]
5. Choose joy beyond circumstances Testimony after testimony reminds us: joy isn’t the denial of pain; it’s the refusal to surrender to it. You can lose much and still keep what the world can’t take—joy rooted in Christ. This joy steadies your hands for today and opens your mouth in praise while you wait. [49:39]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
- Matthew 2:8–12 (ESV)
8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search diligently for the child, and when you have found him bring me word, that I too may come and worship him.”
9 After listening to the king they went on their way. And behold, the star that they had seen in the east went before them until it came and stood over the place where the child was.
10 When they saw

Sermon Clips

When you read the Bible, you'll discover that the Magi follow stars. They get their direction from astrology, but note after worshiping Jesus that they got a brand new manager. You make Jesus your joy. Worship will eventually change your walk. Of your joy, your worship will eventually change your walk. You'll be able to say the places I used to go, I don't go no more. [01:03:27] (63 seconds) #NewJoyNewWalk

I said I was going to teach today, but I feel like preaching. I don't know about you, but when I look back over this year, I got so much that I got to give God praise for. When I look back over this year, thank you, Lord, and sat back to it, I still have joy. Had to deal with some losses, but I still have joy. [00:49:30] (56 seconds) #PraiseThroughLoss

It sounds like that's a reasonable request, but the problem is King Herod has an alternative agenda. That King Herod knows that they are going to worship Jesus, but King Herod really wants to kill Jesus. Can I just tell you, even in church, sometimes you can be in the same atmosphere, but have two different agendas. Is there anybody here that can recognize that all of us are not moving in the same direction? [00:46:43] (32 seconds) #SameChurchDifferentAgendas

I don't know about you, but when I look back over this year, I got so much that I got to give God praise for. When I look back over this year, thank you, Lord, and sat back to it, I still have joy. Had to deal with some losses, but I still have joy. I'm trying to get to the message. [00:49:33] (63 seconds) #StillHaveJoy

We pick up on Herod saying, what I want you boys to do is follow that star and find where it lands. And when you get there to worship the king, I want you to come back and tell me so that I can go and give God praise. It sounds like that's a reasonable request, but the problem is King Herod has an alternative agenda. That King Herod knows that they are going to worship Jesus, but King Herod really wants to kill Jesus. [00:46:25] (36 seconds) #HerodsDeception

Can I just tell you, even in church, sometimes you can be in the same atmosphere, but have two different agendas. Is there anybody here that can recognize that all of us are not moving in the same direction? Some are going for righteousness, and some are trying to be ratchet. I know all of y'all are saved now, sanctified and feared with the Holy Ghost, but just keep it real. Some of y'all still ain't really figured out whether you love Jesus or not. [00:47:01] (45 seconds) #NotAllMovingTheSameDirection

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1st Sunday - Communion - There's Joy For The Journey - Pas. B.O. Morris, Sr.

Devotional

Day 1: Joy for the Journey

Day 2: Worship Changes Your Walk

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

1st Sunday - Communion - There's Joy For The Journey - Pas. B.O. Morris, Sr.

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