Joy Through Confession, Repentance, and Belief in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Confession as a Gateway to Joy

Confession is more than just admitting wrongdoing; it is an acknowledgment of the truth of Christ's coming and His role as our Savior. This act of confession prepares our hearts to receive the joy of the Lord by removing barriers that hinder our relationship with Him. Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 serves as a powerful example of how confession can lead to joy. Despite being in exile, Daniel's prayer life was marked by confession, repentance, and belief, not just for himself but for all of Israel. This kind of prayer life is essential for making room in our hearts for the joy of Christ, especially in the cluttered Christmas season. By confessing our sins and acknowledging Christ's coming, we open ourselves to the joy that God desires for us. [09:11]

Daniel 9:4-5 (ESV): "I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, 'O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.'"

Reflection: Is there a specific sin or barrier in your life that you need to confess to God today to experience His joy more fully?

Day 2: Repentance and Making Room for Christ

Repentance involves actively making room in our hearts for Jesus by turning away from sin and towards the Savior. It is a vital step in experiencing the joy of the Lord, as it clears the clutter that can accumulate in our hearts. Daniel's example teaches us that repentance is not just for unbelievers but is a vital practice for all Christians. Through repentance, we can remove the obstacles that sin creates and embrace the joy that God desires for us. As we journey through this Advent season, let us make room in our hearts for the joy of Christ by repenting of our sins and believing in His promises. [10:15]

Isaiah 55:6-7 (ESV): "Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near; let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, that he may have compassion on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon."

Reflection: What is one specific area of your life where you need to make room for Christ by turning away from sin today?

Day 3: Belief in God's Promises

Belief in the promises of God is essential for experiencing His joy. Daniel's prayer life was marked by a deep belief in God's word, which fueled his hope and joy even in exile. We are called to mine God's promises for our own lives and trust in His faithfulness. This belief is not passive but requires active engagement with God's word and a commitment to trust in His promises. As we reflect on the coming of Christ during the Advent season, let us renew our belief in God's promises and allow them to fill us with hope and joy. [36:04]

2 Peter 1:3-4 (ESV): "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire."

Reflection: What is one promise of God that you need to hold onto today, and how can you actively trust in His faithfulness?

Day 4: The Role of Prayer in Experiencing Joy

Prayer is a powerful tool that moves the heart of God and aligns our hearts with His will. Daniel's prayers of confession, repentance, and belief were instrumental in bringing about God's promises and experiencing His joy. Through prayer, we can align our hearts with God's will and open ourselves to the joy that He desires for us. As we reflect on the coming of Christ during the Advent season, let us commit to a life of prayer that seeks to align our hearts with God's will and experience His joy. [41:56]

Colossians 4:2-3 (ESV): "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison."

Reflection: How can you incorporate more intentional prayer into your daily routine to align your heart with God's will and experience His joy?

Day 5: Living as Lights in the Darkness

As Christians, we are called to be lights in the darkness, pointing others to the joy of Christ. Daniel's life serves as an example of how to live faithfully in a world that often opposes God's ways. We are to be agents of redemption, seeking the welfare of our communities and sharing the joy of the Lord. As we reflect on the coming of Christ during the Advent season, let us commit to being lights in the darkness, pointing others to the joy of Christ and seeking the welfare of our communities. [16:36]

Matthew 5:14-16 (ESV): "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Reflection: What is one specific way you can be a light in your community today, pointing others to the joy of Christ?

Sermon Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound themes of confession, repentance, and belief as pathways to experiencing the joy of Christ, especially during the Advent season. We delved into Daniel 9, a chapter that, while often associated with apocalyptic prophecy, is deeply rooted in the joy of the coming Messiah. Advent, meaning "appearing," is a time to reflect on the coming of Christ and the hope, peace, and joy He brings. We lit the candle of joy, reminding ourselves that true joy is not dependent on circumstances but is deeply rooted in our relationship with Christ.

Daniel's prayer in chapter 9 is a powerful example of how confession and repentance prepare our hearts to receive the joy of the Lord. Despite being in exile, Daniel's prayer life was marked by confession, repentance, and belief, not just for himself but for all of Israel. This kind of prayer life is essential for making room in our hearts for the joy of Christ, especially in the cluttered Christmas season. We discussed three ways to tap into this joy: confessing our sins and acknowledging Christ's coming, repenting by making room in our hearts for Jesus, and believing in the promises of God.

Daniel's example teaches us that confession, repentance, and belief are not just for unbelievers but are vital practices for all Christians. These are weapons of spiritual warfare that help us declutter our hearts and make room for the joy of the Lord. We are reminded that sin creates barriers to experiencing joy, and through confession and repentance, we can remove these obstacles and embrace the joy that God desires for us.

As we journey through this Advent season, let us make room in our hearts for the joy of Christ by confessing our need for Him, repenting of our sins, and believing in His promises. Let us be like Daniel, who, despite his circumstances, kept his eyes fixed on the Lord and pointed others to Him. May we, too, be lights in the darkness, ambassadors for Christ, and agents of redemption in our world.

Key Takeaways

1. Confession as a Pathway to Joy: Confession is not just about acknowledging sin but also about recognizing the truth of Christ's coming and His role as our Savior. It prepares our hearts to receive the joy of the Lord by removing barriers that hinder our relationship with Him. [09:11]
2. Repentance and Making Room for Christ: Repentance involves actively making room in our hearts for Jesus by turning away from sin and towards the Savior. It is a vital step in experiencing the joy of the Lord, as it clears the clutter that can accumulate in our hearts. [10:15]
3. Belief in God's Promises: Belief in the promises of God is essential for experiencing His joy. Daniel's prayer life was marked by a deep belief in God's word, which fueled his hope and joy even in exile. We are called to mine God's promises for our own lives and trust in His faithfulness. [36:04]
4. The Role of Prayer in Experiencing Joy: Prayer is a powerful tool that moves the heart of God and aligns our hearts with His will. Daniel's prayers of confession, repentance, and belief were instrumental in bringing about God's promises and experiencing His joy. [41:56]
5. Living as Lights in the Darkness: As Christians, we are called to be lights in the darkness, pointing others to the joy of Christ. Daniel's life serves as an example of how to live faithfully in a world that often opposes God's ways. We are to be agents of redemption, seeking the welfare of our communities and sharing the joy of the Lord. [16:36]
** [16:36]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[06:16] - Advent and the Coming of Christ
[08:23] - Joy in Daniel 9
[09:11] - Confession and Joy
[10:15] - Repentance and Making Room
[11:24] - The Heartbeat of Joy
[12:24] - Beyond Sentimentality
[13:27] - Daniel's Context and Prayer
[15:29] - Daniel's Influence in Babylon
[16:36] - Living as Lights in Darkness
[18:18] - The Power of Prayer
[19:42] - Confession and Intercession
[21:15] - Extreme Ownership and Leadership
[23:10] - The Barricades of Sin
[24:38] - Transgression and Joy
[26:12] - Anxiety, Depression, and Sin
[27:54] - The Gospel's Power to Declutter
[29:31] - The Barricades of Anxiety
[30:17] - Blame and Confession
[31:12] - God's Goodness and Confession
[32:09] - Solomon's Prayer and God's Promise
[36:04] - Mining God's Promises
[38:31] - Calling on God's Mercy
[41:56] - The Power of Desperate Prayer
[42:38] - God's Sovereignty and Our Responsibility
[44:15] - Aligning with God's Mission
[45:32] - Gabriel's Revelation and God's Love
[47:12] - The Year of Jubilee
[48:04] - The Symbolism of Sevens
[48:57] - Jesus and the Ultimate Jubilee
[49:58] - Gabriel's Vision and Prophecy
[51:18] - Understanding the Vision
[52:46] - The Ultimate Jubilee
[54:30] - Practical Steps to Joy
[56:11] - Confession and the Advent
[58:45] - Repentance and Joy
[61:14] - Embracing the Savior

Sermon Clips

"Make room in your heart for Jesus. Let every heart, or let earth receive her king, and let every heart prepare him room. There's something that you need to do that's active in this. And then three, believe. Join the praise choir of creation. We just read about it in Luke 2. And then nature sing." [00:10:56] (27 seconds)

"Like we're living not as an anti-culture of rage, nor as a subculture in hiding, but as a cross-culture of hope, agents of redemption, seeking the welfare of the city by pointing to our king, the king of kings, Jesus Christ. And so we get a glimpse of what fueled Daniel's light in the dark here in Daniel 9." [00:17:04] (26 seconds)

"Daniel's prayer here taps into the very heart of God through what's called intercession, intercessory prayer, standing in the gap. Look at verse 8. To us, O Lord, belongs open shame, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against you. Remember, again, he's declaring this for all Babylon to hear." [00:23:10] (26 seconds)

"See, that's what transgression means. It's a refusal, a willful refusal to follow the Lord as Lord. It's a willful disobedience. Knowing what God desires, but then willfully saying no, and then continuing down a different path. Convincing yourself that, oh, you know, eh, I can get away with this. It isn't a big deal. Is it?" [00:24:08] (30 seconds)

"Guys, grace doesn't just ignore sin. It pays for it. But it's only received through confession, repentance, and belief in Christ, who's the source of joy everlasting. These barriers, these barricades that say, ah, I'm gonna do my own thing, that you're like just saying no to God's lordship, which is saying no to his joy." [00:28:25] (22 seconds)

"Daniel is digging through the Bible and he's drawing out these profound promises from God and he's claiming them for his own moment in time for God's glory, for his kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. And that's not just prosperity. That's not just prosperity gospel stuff, guys. This is Christianity." [00:44:58] (18 seconds)

"While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel and presenting my plea before the Lord, my God, for the holy hill of my God, while I was speaking in prayer, the man, or he's an angel we know, Gabriel, in the form of a man, Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first came to me in swift flight." [00:45:32] (25 seconds)

"How do we do this? How do we make room for joy? Confess. Confess. You're not confessing to me. This is not some religious power play where I'm trying to hold something over your head. That's that anxiety barricade that you're hiding behind. This is to the Lord. Like remember Christ has already come." [00:54:30] (20 seconds)

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