Rediscovering Joy: Returning to Our First Love

Today, we gathered in the presence of God, recognizing that His Spirit is not just something we encounter in a church service, but Someone who goes with us into every part of our lives. We began by praying for those in our community who are suffering, especially Otto and his family, believing that God’s healing power is still active today. We practiced the biblical act of anointing with oil and laying on of hands, not as a magical ritual, but as an act of obedience and faith, trusting the Holy Spirit to move in ways beyond our understanding.

We then turned to a question that is both honest and uncomfortable: Why are so many Christians unhappy? Scripture makes it clear that the fruit of a life in Christ should be joy, peace, and fulfillment, yet many believers seem to live in a state of discontent. We explored Romans 7, where Paul contrasts the fruit of the Spirit with the fruit of death, and we acknowledged that even those who have been saved can still bear the wrong kind of fruit if they do not address the roots of past hurts, sin, and unresolved issues.

The reality is that happiness in Christ is not automatic. Some remain unhappy because they continue in habitual sin, others because they live in disobedience, and still others because they seek fulfillment in things other than God. But beneath all these issues lies a deeper problem: many have forgotten their first love. We can become so busy doing good things for God that we lose sight of the wonder and gratitude that marked our early days with Him. The call is to return to that first love, to remember what life could have been without Jesus, and to let that remembrance fill us with joy and gratitude.

True happiness for the believer is found not in circumstances, achievements, or even religious activity, but in daily picking up our cross, remembering the grace that saved us, and living in the reality of God’s love. When we do this, our lives become marked by a deep, abiding happiness that is not shaken by the ups and downs of life. We ended by inviting those who have never experienced this relationship with Jesus to respond, and by praying for a fresh outpouring of God’s love and happiness on all who seek Him.

Key Takeaways

• 1. The Presence of God Is Meant to Go With Us God’s presence is not confined to a church building or a moment of worship; it is meant to be a constant reality in our lives. When we gather, we acknowledge His nearness, but we are also called to carry that awareness into every situation—whether it’s a time of need, suffering, or joy. This ongoing presence is what empowers us to live differently and to be a light wherever we go. [39:44]
• 2. Healing and Obedience Are Acts of Faith, Not Formula When we anoint and pray for healing, we do so not because of a special ritual or object, but out of obedience to God’s Word and faith in His power. The act itself is a declaration that we trust the Holy Spirit to work in ways we cannot control or predict. True breakthrough often comes not from the act itself, but from the heart of surrender and unity it produces among God’s people. [42:13]
• 3. Unhappiness in the Christian Life Often Points to Deeper Roots Many Christians struggle with unhappiness because they have not dealt with the roots of past sin, trauma, or disobedience. Salvation is the beginning of a new life, but it does not automatically erase the need to address what lies beneath the surface. Digging up these roots is hard work, but it is necessary if we are to bear the fruit of joy and peace that God intends for us. [69:13]
• 4. The Loss of First Love Is the Core Issue At the heart of spiritual dryness and unhappiness is often a loss of our “first love”—that initial wonder and gratitude for what Jesus has done. We can become so focused on what our lives “should” look like that we forget what they “could” have been without Christ. Returning to our first love means daily remembering the grace that saved us and letting that memory rekindle our joy. [80:16]
• 5. True Happiness Is Found in Daily Surrender and Gratitude Happiness in Christ is not about perfect circumstances or personal achievement, but about daily picking up our cross and remembering the life we have been rescued from. When we focus on what God has done, and the blessings He has given—both spiritual and practical—our hearts are filled with gratitude and joy that transcends our situation. This is the mark of a life truly transformed by grace. [86:53]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [39:44] - Acknowledging God’s Presence and Need
• [40:40] - Otto’s Story and the Power of Corporate Prayer
• [42:13] - Anointing, Healing, and Obedience
• [43:31] - Faith for Healing Today
• [45:07] - Praying for Otto’s Family
• [45:39] - Hope and Commitment to God’s Hands
• [61:41] - Burning Questions Series Introduction
• [62:44] - Why Are Christians Unhappy?
• [64:04] - Expository vs. Topical Teaching
• [65:54] - Romans 7: Fruit of God vs. Fruit of Death
• [67:17] - You Reap What You Sow
• [69:13] - Roots of Unhappiness and the Need for Healing
• [70:39] - The Oxymoron of Unhappy Christians
• [72:56] - Sin, Disobedience, and Fulfillment
• [76:50] - The Forgotten First Love
• [80:16] - Revelation 2: Returning to First Love
• [81:21] - Should vs. Could: The Perspective Shift
• [83:53] - The Call to Pick Up Our Cross
• [86:53] - Gratitude for God’s Blessings
• [89:25] - God’s Sovereignty and Our Response
• [90:45] - Invitation to New Life in Christ
• [92:12] - Prayer for Fresh Joy and Love
• [94:28] - Receiving God’s Happiness
• [95:03] - Closing and Worship

Bible Reading

Romans 7:4-6 (ESV) — > 4 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God.
> 5 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.
> 6 But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code.

Revelation 2:2-5 (ESV) — > 2 “I know your works, your toil and your patient endurance, and how you cannot bear with those who are evil, but have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not, and found them to be false.
> 3 I know you are enduring patiently and bearing up for my name’s sake, and you have not grown weary.
> 4 But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.
> 5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.”

Observation Questions

1. In Romans 7, what are the two types of “fruit” that Paul contrasts, and what do they represent?
2. According to Revelation 2, what does Jesus commend the church for, and what does He have against them?
3. The sermon described the act of anointing with oil and laying on of hands for healing. What was emphasized as the real reason for doing this, according to the message? ([42:13])
4. What are some reasons the sermon gave for why Christians might be unhappy, even though they are saved? ([01:12:56])

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean to “bear fruit for God” versus “bear fruit for death” in the context of a Christian’s daily life? How might this show up in someone’s attitude or actions?
2. The sermon said that “happiness in Christ is not automatic.” Why might someone who is a Christian still struggle with unhappiness, according to both Romans 7 and the sermon? ([01:09:13])
3. In Revelation 2, Jesus says the church has “abandoned the love you had at first.” What does it look like for a believer to lose their “first love,” and how might that affect their joy? ([01:20:16])
4. The message talked about the difference between focusing on what life “should” be versus what it “could” have been without Jesus. Why is this perspective shift important for experiencing gratitude and happiness? ([01:21:21])

Application Questions

1. The sermon challenged us to carry an awareness of God’s presence into every part of our lives, not just church. What is one area of your daily routine where you tend to forget about God’s presence? How could you remind yourself this week? ([39:44])
2. When you face a need—like sickness, stress, or anxiety—do you tend to rely on your own strength, or do you invite others to pray and support you? What would it look like to practice obedience and faith in these moments, as described in the sermon? ([42:13])
3. The message said that many Christians are unhappy because they haven’t dealt with the “roots” of past sin, trauma, or disobedience. Is there an area in your life where you sense there are still “roots” that need to be addressed? What is one step you could take toward healing? ([01:09:13])
4. Think back to your own “first love” moment with Jesus. When was the last time you remembered what your life could have been without Him? How can you intentionally recall and celebrate that this week? ([01:20:16])
5. The sermon talked about daily “picking up our cross” and remembering the grace that saved us. What does “picking up your cross” look like for you right now? Is there a specific habit or mindset you need to surrender? ([01:23:53])
6. The pastor encouraged everyone to do an “inventory” of God’s blessings, both spiritual and practical. Take a moment to list three things God has given you that you’re grateful for. How does focusing on these change your outlook? ([01:26:53])
7. If you feel spiritually dry or unhappy, what is one practical way you can return to your “first love” this week? Is there a spiritual practice, relationship, or memory you want to revisit to rekindle your joy? ([01:20:16])