In this podcast, John Mark Comer explores the pursuit of joy in a world filled with sorrow and grief. He discusses the challenges of finding joy, the birth of Jesus and the good news it brings, and the concept of Advent. Comer also shares insights on cultivating joy through prayer, gratitude, and deliberate choice.
Joy is a choice and an act of defiance against negativity and fear.
The gospel message is about the long-awaited appearance of Jesus, the King, who brings the kingdom of God characterized by eternal joy.
Deep dives
Cultivating Joy in the Midst of Suffering
In this podcast episode, the speaker explores the concept of joy and how to cultivate it in our lives, especially in the midst of suffering. Drawing from the teachings of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4, he outlines three steps to growing in joy: giving thanks, drawing near to God in prayer, and curating our thought life. By practicing gratitude, seeking God's presence, and focusing our minds on what is true, noble, pure, and lovely, we can develop joy as a foundational emotion. The speaker acknowledges that while joy doesn't come naturally to everyone, it can be learned and expanded through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit.
The Gospel of the Kingdom and the Joy it Brings
This podcast episode delves into the essence of the gospel and its relationship to joy. The speaker highlights the often misunderstood nature of the gospel, emphasizing that it is not just about personal salvation or earthly blessings, but about the long-awaited appearance of the Messiah who brings the kingdom of God. He discusses the biblical theology of the kingdom, describing it as an age characterized by God's rule of peace, justice, and eternal joy. The gospel message is that Jesus is the long-awaited King, the embodiment of God himself, who has come to usher in this kingdom. The speaker encourages listeners to embrace the good news of the gospel and live as citizens of the kingdom, finding joy in their relationship with Jesus and the hope of his second coming.
The Active Choice of Joy
In this podcast episode, the speaker explores the active choice of joy and how it is not solely dependent on circumstances or emotions. Drawing from the writings of the apostle Paul in Philippians 4, he explains that joy is an act of defiance against fear, anxiety, and negativity. The speaker emphasizes the importance of practicing gratitude, drawing near to God in prayer, and curating our thought life to focus on what is true, noble, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy. He emphasizes that joy is a deliberate decision, a discipline of the mind and heart, and a moral obligation. While acknowledging that joy may not come naturally for everyone, the speaker encourages listeners to cultivate joy as an inner disposition by choosing to rejoice in the Lord always, even in the midst of trials and suffering.
Living in the Tension of Sorrow and Joy
In this podcast episode, the speaker addresses the tension between sorrow and joy that exists in the Christian life. He acknowledges the reality of human suffering, anxiety, and disappointment, but also highlights the possibility of experiencing true joy as followers of Jesus. Drawing from the teachings of the apostle Paul, he explains that joy is not the absence of sorrow, but rather the ability to hold both sorrow and joy in dynamic tension. The speaker outlines three key steps to cultivating joy: giving thanks, drawing near to God in prayer, and curating our thought life. He encourages listeners to open their hearts to suffering, trust in God's work of healing and renewal, and choose joy as an act of defiance against the enemies of the soul. The goal is to become people of love, joy, peace, and hope as we apprentice under Jesus and experience the inner transformation of our character.
Are you happy? Many of us aren't. Yet Martin Luther once said "a Christian should be happy." And Rick Howe argued that "the pursuit of joy is a moral obligation." In a world filled with sorrow and grief, John Mark shows us how the coming of Jesus gives us a path to pursue joy and how we can hold it in tandem with the pain of our lives.
Key Scripture Passages: Luke 2v1-20
This podcast and its episodes are paid for by The Circle, our community of monthly givers. Special thanks for this episode goes to: Autumn from Austin, Texas; Joshua from Shreveport, Louisiana; Hollie from Meridian, Idaho; Derrick from Portland, Oregon; and Cadyn from Sachse, Texas. Thank you all so much!
If you’d like to pay it forward and contribute toward future resources, you can learn more at practicingtheway.org/give.
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