Finding True Joy in Jesus This Christmas Season

Devotional

Day 1: True Joy is Rooted in Christ

True joy is not a fleeting emotion tied to material possessions or circumstances. It is a deep, abiding sense of fulfillment that comes from a relationship with Jesus. Unlike worldly joy, which is temporary, true joy is everlasting and transformative. This joy is a profound gift from God, made complete in us through Jesus. It is not something we can manufacture or purchase; it is a gift that surpasses all others. The world often tries to sell us a version of joy that is based on temporary satisfaction, but the joy that comes from Christ is enduring and life-changing. [33:33]

"Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation." (Habakkuk 3:17-18, ESV)

Reflection: What are some areas in your life where you have been seeking joy in temporary things? How can you begin to shift your focus to find joy in your relationship with Jesus today?

Day 2: Connection to the True Vine

Jesus describes Himself as the true vine, and we are the branches. Our connection to Him is essential for bearing fruit, including joy. This relationship is not about perfection but about remaining in Him and allowing His life to flow through us. When we are connected to Jesus, we are able to experience a joy that is not dependent on external circumstances. This joy is a natural outcome of a life deeply connected to Him, offering a profound sense of peace and fulfillment even in the darkest times. [39:08]

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:4-5, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you strengthen your connection to Jesus, the true vine, this week? What practical steps can you take to remain in Him daily?

Day 3: Joy Amidst Sorrow

One of the true tests of joy is its presence in times of sorrow. True joy does not eliminate sorrow but can coexist with it, providing strength and hope in difficult times. This joy is a gift from Jesus, who offers it freely to those who remain connected to Him. It is a joy that transcends circumstances, offering a profound sense of peace and fulfillment even in the darkest times. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is a natural outcome of a life deeply connected to Jesus. [47:07]

"For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Psalm 30:5, ESV)

Reflection: Think of a recent time of sorrow in your life. How did you experience joy during that time, and how can you cultivate a deeper sense of joy in future challenges?

Day 4: The Source of True Joy

The amount of joy we experience is directly related to the source we depend on for it. When we rely on things or people to provide joy, we often find ourselves disappointed. True joy comes from Jesus, who offers a complete and fulfilling joy that surpasses all others. Our challenge is to recognize where we are placing our hopes and expectations and to realign them with the source of true joy, which is found in a life connected to Jesus. [51:00]

"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 are some sources you have been relying on for joy that have left you disappointed? How can you begin to seek joy in Jesus instead?

Day 5: Aligning Expectations with Jesus

Our expectations often determine our level of disappointment. When we expect things or people to provide joy that only Jesus can give, we set ourselves up for disappointment. Recognizing this helps us realign our expectations and seek joy in the right places. By placing our hope and trust in Jesus, we can experience a joy that is complete and fulfilling, surpassing all others. [55:07]

"Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God." (Psalm 42:11, ESV)

Reflection: Reflect on your current expectations for joy. Are there any that need to be realigned with Jesus? How can you adjust your expectations to find true joy in Him?

Sermon Summary

In today's gathering, we explored the profound concept of joy, especially as it relates to the Christmas season and our spiritual lives. We began by acknowledging the commercial world's attempts to define and sell joy, often reducing it to material possessions or fleeting experiences. However, true joy, as described in the Bible, is something far deeper and more enduring. It is not a mere byproduct of circumstances or possessions but is rooted in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The season of Advent, which means "arrival," reminds us of the anticipation of Jesus' coming, bringing with Him hope, peace, love, and joy. The prophet Isaiah spoke of a joy so overwhelming that it would overtake those who experience it, a joy that is everlasting and transformative. This joy is not something we can manufacture or purchase; it is a gift from God, made complete in us through Jesus.

Jesus' teachings in John 15 reveal that He is the true vine, and we are the branches. Our connection to Him is essential for bearing fruit, which includes experiencing true joy. This joy is not dependent on external circumstances but is a natural outcome of a life deeply connected to Jesus. It is a joy that can coexist with sorrow, offering a profound sense of peace and fulfillment even in the darkest times.

We are often tempted to seek joy in things that cannot truly satisfy—possessions, achievements, or even other people. Yet, these are mere shadows of the true joy that Jesus offers. Our challenge is to recognize where we are placing our hopes and expectations and to realign them with the source of true joy, which is found in a life connected to Jesus.

Key Takeaways

1. **True Joy vs. Worldly Joy:** True joy is not a fleeting emotion tied to material possessions or circumstances. It is a deep, abiding sense of fulfillment that comes from a relationship with Jesus. Unlike worldly joy, which is temporary, true joy is everlasting and transformative. [33:33]
2. The Vine and the Branches: Jesus describes Himself as the true vine, and we are the branches. Our connection to Him is essential for bearing fruit, including joy. This relationship is not about perfection but about remaining in Him and allowing His life to flow through us. [39:08]
3. Joy in Sorrow: One of the true tests of joy is its presence in times of sorrow. True joy does not eliminate sorrow but can coexist with it, providing strength and hope in difficult times. This joy is a gift from Jesus, who offers it freely to those who remain connected to Him. [47:07]
4. The Source of Joy: The amount of joy we experience is directly related to the source we depend on for it. When we rely on things or people to provide joy, we often find ourselves disappointed. True joy comes from Jesus, who offers a complete and fulfilling joy that surpasses all others. [51:00]
5. Expectations and Disappointments: Our expectations often determine our level of disappointment. When we expect things or people to provide joy that only Jesus can give, we set ourselves up for disappointment. Recognizing this helps us realign our expectations and seek joy in the right places. [55:07]
** [55:07]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[05:00] - Introduction to Joy
[10:30] - Commercialization of Joy
[15:45] - Advent: The Arrival of Joy
[20:00] - Isaiah's Prophecy of Joy
[25:30] - The True Vine and Joy
[30:00] - Joy vs. Worldly Happiness
[35:00] - Jesus' Teachings on Joy
[40:00] - Joy in Sorrow
[45:00] - The Source of True Joy
[50:00] - Expectations and Disappointments
[55:00] - Finding Joy in Jesus
[60:00] - Conclusion and Blessing

Sermon Clips

The purpose of a vine is to bear fruit and the person who's tending the vine, he does that because he wants to. He does the delicate work of pruning away things. What I also want to point out is this. [00:40:19] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

The true test of the true joy, at least one of the true tests is, can it be present in sorrow? And there are, according to Jesus, no substitutions. There are no good imitations. There are no generic brands that are just as good as the real thing. [00:49:28] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

If you got that job, the one that really identifies and validates you as a human being, that really puts you in the light, you're the person we needed, would that give you everything that you hoped it would give you, the complete kind of fullness of life? [00:51:50] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Sometimes we're asking another person to give to us all of the joy, the fullness of our life that we were anticipating to have, and it's really not on any of those other things. We're the ones being unreasonable. [00:52:48] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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