Cultivating True Joy

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 _______________________.

1. Joy is something directed ______________________.

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

1. Joy cannot be _________________________.

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/___________________________.

B. We are bombarded with attempts to ________________________ joy.

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

C. Our culture equates happiness with ______________________.

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 _________ & 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 ________________________.

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

2. Worship ________________ 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 ______________________.

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?



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 _______________________. 1. Joy is something directed ______________________. B. Real joy is not something we pursue for its own sake. 1. Joy cannot be _________________________. 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/___________________________. B. We are bombarded with attempts to ________________________ joy. 1. Much of our culture is totally centered on gratifying our desires. C. Our culture equates happiness with ______________________. 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 _________ & 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 ________________________. 1. In worship, we focus on God & what He does for us. 2. Worship ________________ 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 ______________________. 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?