Cultivating True Joy

Introduction:

In John 15:8-11, we find that Christians lead life connected to the vine – the true vine – Jesus Christ. Our goal is to bear fruit of the spirit. See Galatians 5:22-24. These verses tell us what a loving relationship will produce: joy. There are several things in John 11 that Jesus can teach us about joy. Important things that we need to understand.  When we learn this – I think it will radically improve our spiritual lives.

I. Could we have a flawed understanding of joy?

A. 15:11 – Jesus wants a relationship w/us so that His joy in us and our joy in Him may be complete.

1. Joy is something directed outward.

B. Real joy is not something we pursue for its own sake.

1. Joy cannot be manufactured.

C. How?

1. We know that true joy can thrive even in suffering and difficulty.

2. 15:2 –branches are pruned so that they may become more fruitful.

3. Js. 1:2-4

D. The more we are drawn out of ourselves – toward God – and toward each other – the more likely we are to cultivate joy.

II. Modern society has it all backwards.

A. Too often…joy is associated with w/pleasure.

B. We are bombarded with attempts to manufacture joy.

1. Much of our culture is totally centered on gratifying our desires.

C. Our culture equates happiness with excess.

1. The endless pursuit of happiness does not necessarily lead to joy.

2. Excess can prevent us from being thankful for what we have.

3. Keep going down a road where joy is choked out by fear & worry.

D. With all of this, it is easy for us to see that the world has got it wrong.

III. How can we cultivate true joy?

A. How can we create & sustain the kind of environment that allows us to find joy in our relationships and spiritual life?

B. Joy thrives in worship.

1. In worship, we focus on God & what He does for us.

2. Should inspire us to praise and honor God for who He is.

a) Worship leads to a spirit/attitude/expression of joy.

b) Expressed in everything we do in worship. (S, P, P, LS, G)

c) Psa. 122:1

C. Joy is created in contentment.

1. W/o contentment, none of us can experience joy.

2. Philippians 4:11-13 - What did contentment produce?

Conclusion:

A. Let’s go back to John 15:8-11.

1. True joy comes out of a relationship with Jesus Christ.

2. It is in Him that we can find joy & in Him that His joy may be made complete.

B. Do you have a relationship with Him?