How Can We Get Some Joy? By John Carson

Devotional

Day 1: The fleeting nature of worldly joy versus true, lasting joy.

Many things in life can bring a temporary sense of happiness, from a new possession to a kind word from a friend. Yet, these sources of joy are inherently temporary and will inevitably fade, leaving us searching for the next thing. When life is difficult, the very idea of joy can feel distant and unattainable. Lasting joy is not found in our circumstances but is discovered in a different, more permanent source. [01:22]

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:11, ESV)

Reflection: What is one thing you have recently looked to for happiness that ultimately left you feeling empty or wanting more? How might this point you toward your need for a more lasting source of joy?

Day 2: The courageous and loving pursuit of people in relationships.

Genuine, deep relationships are a profound gift, reflecting our design to be known and to know others. Such connections are built over time with care and intentionality, creating a bond where individuals can share life together. Yet, we live in a broken world where sin inevitably impacts our interactions with one another, causing hurt and creating distance. The call to pursue people is a call to engage lovingly even when relationships are messy and difficult. [07:13]

Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. (2 Corinthians 7:2-3, ESV)

Reflection: Is there a relationship in your life that feels strained or distant, and what would it look like for you to take a step toward that person this week, motivated by love rather than a desire for a particular outcome?

Day 3: The transformative power of godly grief that leads to repentance.

There is a crucial difference between being sorry we got caught and being genuinely grieved over our sin. Worldly grief is self-focused, rooted in pride or embarrassment, and ultimately leads to death. Godly grief, however, is a work of the Holy Spirit, causing us to mourn how our sin has dishonored God. This godly sorrow is not an end in itself but is the pathway that leads to true repentance and life. [13:04]

For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10, ESV)

Reflection: When you consider a recent failure or sin, are your feelings about it primarily centered on the consequences for you, or on how it affected your relationship with God and others? What might help you move toward a godly grief?

Day 4: Repentance as a turning from sin and toward God.

Repentance is far more than simply saying, "I'm sorry." It is an active about-face, a decisive change of direction. It involves agreeing with God about the nature of our sin, turning away from that path, and walking instead toward Him in pursuit of holiness. This turning is not a one-time event but a continual posture of the heart for every believer, realigning our lives with the rule and reign of King Jesus. [17:12]

Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out, that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. (Acts 3:19-20a, ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you have been doing what is right in your own eyes, and what would a practical "about-face" look like for you in that area this week?

Day 5: The abundant joy that blossoms from restored relationships.

The hard work of pursuing people and pursuing repentance is not without its reward. Just as a farmer labors to reap a harvest, we can experience the profound joy that comes from reconciliation. This joy is not merely personal; it overflows to encourage others and testifies to the power of the gospel at work. A community marked by repentance is a community that experiences the refreshing comfort and deep, abiding joy of restored relationships with God and one another. [24:46]

Therefore, we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. (2 Corinthians 7:13, ESV)

Reflection: When have you witnessed the joy of a restored relationship, either in your own life or in the life of someone else? How does that experience encourage you to engage in the difficult work of pursuit and repentance?

Sermon Summary

The passage frames joy as rooted not in fleeting comforts but in gospel-driven repentance that restores relationships and renews the soul. Paul defends his ministry, reveals deep affection for the Corinthians, and recounts the anxiety caused by an unanswered meeting until Titus arrived with encouraging news. That report showed the Corinthians responding with sorrow that led to genuine change—a sorrow described as godly grief rather than mere worldly regret. Godly grief, produced by the Spirit and focused on God’s honor, turns sorrow into an about-face: recognition of sin, agreement with God’s assessment, and a deliberate turning toward holiness.

Three practical steps emerge for repairing fractured bonds. First, pursue people—build relationships marked by sacrificial care and honest accountability so truth can land in a context of love. Second, pursue repentance—speak truth in love to bring godly grief that produces repentance and salvation, distinguishing it from shame-driven remorse that only hardens hearts. Third, reap joy—when repentance takes root, spiritual burdens lift, confidence and affection are restored, and the community celebrates the visible work of the gospel through changed lives.

The text contrasts two kinds of grief through biblical examples: Paul’s radical conversion as fruit of godly grief and Judas’s despair as the bitter outcome of worldly regret. Repentance receives a clear definition: an about-face that stops the descent into sin, confesses it, and turns back toward the Lord. The narrative warns against making idols of comfort, success, or control—those substitutes for Christ steal true joy. Instead, the kingdom’s call matters: surrender the self-kingdom, welcome the reign of Christ, and allow the Spirit to transform embarrassment into life-producing sorrow.

Practical application centers on honest relationships and personal reckoning. Invest in people deeply enough to speak truth lovingly. Set aside time for prayer and reflection, invite pastoral or communal support, and allow the gospel to do the rebuilding that human effort cannot complete. When repentance happens, the community experiences renewed affection, baptisms, and rejoicing—proof that true and lasting joy springs from gospel repentance.

Key Takeaways

1. Pursue people with sacrificial care Genuine restoration begins in relationships where truth arrives inside love. Deep, long-term investment lays the groundwork for honest confrontation, allowing accountability to land without defensiveness. Relationships built on mutual vulnerability create the environment where repentance becomes possible and sustainable. [05:31]
2. Allow godly grief to lead Godly grief focuses on dishonoring God rather than personal embarrassment; it exposes sin to the Spirit’s sanctifying work. Such grief catalyzes repentance that produces life and reconciliation, whereas shame-driven remorse protects the self and leads to further ruin. Learning the difference reframes correction as mercy rather than attack. [12:45]
3. Repentance is an about-face Repentance means stopping a sinful course, agreeing with God about the sin, and turning decisively toward him. This active change of direction reorders loyalties, dethrones self-rule, and repositions joy in God rather than in temporary goods. True repentance reconnects the heart to the kingdom’s trajectory. [16:52]
4. Reap joy through restored relationships When repentance takes root, spiritual weariness gives way to refreshment and communal confidence grows. Visible change encourages others, validates faithful correction, and produces celebrations like baptisms that testify to gospel power. Joy becomes the harvest of hard, humble work in community. [23:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:20] - Palm Sunday and Joy
[00:50] - Examples of Fleeting Joy
[01:22] - Joy That Fades
[02:17] - When Joy Feels Distant
[02:43] - True Joy: Gospel Repentance
[02:59] - Series Context: 2 Corinthians
[04:33] - Painful Letter and Titus Report
[05:31] - Three Steps Overview
[06:01] - Pursue People in Love
[10:23] - Pursue Repentance; Grief Types
[16:52] - Repentance Defined: An About-Face
[23:25] - Reap Joy: Restored Relationships
[26:27] - Call to Action and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading
2 Corinthians 7:2–16 (ESV)
Make room in your hearts for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I do not say this to condemn you, for I said before that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. I am acting with great boldness toward you; I have great pride in you; I am filled with comfort. In all our affliction, I am overflowing with joy. For even when we came into Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were afflicted at every turn—fighting without and fear within. But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, and not only by his coming but also by the comfort with which he was comforted by you, as he told us of your longing, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced still more. For even if I made you grieve with my letter, I do not regret it—though I did regret it, for I see that that letter grieved you, though only for a while. As it is, I rejoice, not because you were grieved, but because you were grieved into repenting. For you felt a godly grief, so that you suffered no loss through us. For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death. For see what earnestness this godly grief has produced in you, but also what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what punishment! At every point you have proved yourselves innocent in the matter. So although I wrote to you, it was not for the sake of the one who did the wrong, nor for the sake of the one who suffered the wrong, but in order that your earnestness for us might be revealed to you in the sight of God. Therefore we are comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. For whatever boasts I made to him about you, I was not put to shame. But just as everything we said to you was true, so also our boasting before Titus has proved true. And his affection for you is even greater, as he remembers the obedience of you all, how you received him with fear and trembling. I rejoice, because I have complete confidence in you.

Observation questions

What specific emotions does Paul express in this passage, and how do they change from the beginning to the end?
According to verses 9–10, what are the two different outcomes produced by godly grief and worldly grief?
What evidence does Paul give in verses 13–16 that the Corinthians’ repentance was genuine?
How does Paul describe his relationship with the Corinthians in verse 3? [07:13]

Interpretation questions

Why is it significant that Paul distinguishes between godly grief and worldly grief? What does this reveal about the nature of true repentance?
How does the arrival of Titus and his report function as a turning point in Paul’s emotional state and the letter’s tone?
In what ways does genuine repentance affect not only the individual but also the community, as seen in this passage?
Paul says the Corinthians received Titus “with fear and trembling” (v. 15). What might this suggest about their attitude toward God and His correction? [24:09]

Application questions

When was the last time you experienced grief over sin? Was it more focused on how your actions affected you or how they dishonored God? What helped you move toward godly grief? [13:59]
Is there a relationship in your life where you need to courageously “pursue people” by speaking truth in love, even if it’s uncomfortable? What would it look like to do that with humility and grace? [11:37]
Repentance is described as an “about-face”—stopping, agreeing with God about sin, and turning toward Him. Is there a specific area in your life where God is calling you to make that turn today? [16:52]
How can you create space this week—through prayer, reflection, or community—to allow the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you’re still living as “king of your own heart”? [19:02]
When have you seen repentance lead to restored joy—either in your own life or in someone else’s? How did that experience strengthen your confidence in the gospel? [25:03]
What are some substitutes for Christ—like comfort, control, or success—that you might be tempted to make ultimate sources of joy? How can you actively reorient your heart back to Him? [22:26]
In what practical ways can you invest in relationships where mutual vulnerability and accountability become a normal part of caring for one another’s souls? [07:42]

Sermon Clips

What a shift in tone as we read that passage. So if we look back at verse five, Paul described himself as having no rest. He said he was afflicted at every turn, that he was fighting without, and he had fear within. Now we see Paul's lack of rest turn to comfort. We see his affliction turn to joy. His spirit, instead of being filled with fighting and fear, is now refreshed. That's the power of repentance. That's the power of the gospel changing people's lives. That's the power of restored relationships. [00:24:15] (47 seconds) #RepentanceTransforms

So this passage today, it affects us personally, but it also affects us corporately as well. And my hope, my prayer is that if we're personally focused on repenting, there will be a church that repents well also. There will be a church of restored relationships. Because repentance brings us joy, and it lets us experience the freedom of the gospel. Because repentance puts our joy back in God. Repentance proves that the gospel is true, that the gospel changes lives. So I invite you this this morning to step into repentance and experience the joy of the freedom in Christ because true joy is found in gospel repentance. [00:28:59] (54 seconds) #ChurchRepentance

Jesus came and he said, I came that you may have life and have an abundant life to the full. Jesus was came saying, I want your heart. What did Israel do? They, in effect, said, no. Thank you, Jesus. We wanna stay in control of our own hearts. We'd we'd really rather you just get rid of the Romans, and we'd rather stay in control of our own little kingdoms. So their response to god's invitation was not to surrender their lives to the king of kings, but instead to put him to death on a cross. [00:18:21] (41 seconds) #SurrenderNotControl

So this morning, church, I wanna ask you, if you're honest with yourself, who is the king of your heart? If we rewrote the verse from Judges, for you, would it say, in those days, there was no king in John's life. John did whatever was right in his own eyes. Because that's the exact problem that Paul wrote to address in his painful letter to the Corinthians. The Corinthians hadn't turned in repentance. They were living to do what was right in their own eyes. [00:19:02] (37 seconds) #KingOfYourHeart

So church, let's do the hard work of pursuing people to help them pursue repentance so that the church can reap a bountiful harvest of joy. Our true joy this morning is found in gospel repentance because we're finding our joy in the Lord. So Paul, he loved the Corinthians. We've seen how he loved the Corinthians enough to speak difficult truth into their lives. He loved them, served them, labored alongside them. So this morning, I wanna ask you, are you investing in people? Do you know people well enough where you're actually in a position to speak truth into their lives? [00:26:27] (52 seconds) #InvestInRelationships

So once we've put in the hard work, it's time to reap the harvest. Right? Just as the hardworking farmer works all year to reap the harvest, once we've put in the hard work of pursuing people and pursuing repentance, we get to reap the joy of a restored relationship both with God and with people. So in verse 13, Paul says, therefore, we're comforted. And besides our own comfort, we rejoiced still more at the joy of Titus because his spirit has been refreshed by you all. [00:23:16] (36 seconds) #ReapJoyThroughRepentance

So if I asked you this question, could you commit that sin again if you knew without a shadow of a doubt that you wouldn't get caught, would you do it again? And if the answer to that question is yes, then that's worldly grief. So we all know worldly grief. We've all given the half hearted, I'm sorry, when we're not actually sorry. That is what Paul's talking about when he says worldly grief. Godly grief, however, is focused on God. [00:13:25] (40 seconds) #WorldlyVsGodlyGrief

And so all of those things, while they're good, if we're honest, they don't bring us true and lasting joy, do they? That joy fades. Your new car is eventually not so new anymore. Over time, you've spent all that extra money that you earned. And your kids, it doesn't take too long for your kids to prove to you that they are not always so obedient. And then maybe for some of you this morning, you stepped into church and joy is far from your mind. Maybe life's been beating you up recently, and you're sitting there thinking, joy, seriously? Like, I'm just trying to survive. [00:01:22] (46 seconds) #JoyIsNotFromThings

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How Can We Get Some Joy? By John Carson

Devotional

Day 1: The fleeting nature of worldly joy versus true, lasting joy.

Day 2: The courageous and loving pursuit of people in relationships.

Day 3: The transformative power of godly grief that leads to repentance.

Day 4: Repentance as a turning from sin and toward God.

Day 5: The abundant joy that blossoms from restored relationships.

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

How Can We Get Some Joy? By John Carson

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