The Source of True Joy

John 15:9-17

We started this year looking at anxiety through the lens of the Word of God.

Now we have moved to a topic that often is the result of handling our anxiety biblically.

I think there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding biblical joy.

People tend to think I have joy if I feel happiness.

Although joy and happiness are connected, joy is the action where as happiness is a result.

Just as love is an action verb, so is joy.

We more often use rejoice as the action verb, but it we are talking about the same thing.

There is a difference between happiness, which can be fleeting, and abiding joy.

If you have children, do you remember those Christmas mornings when they would wake up and open their presents and they were so happy!

But the happiness proved to be fleeting, didn’t it!

How many trips to the Share Shop have we taken to get the toys that are never played with anymore, sometimes not often after that first day.

But the lasting joy of watching your children open the gifts, watching them grow, watching them mature.

There is a big difference.

Jesus is speaking to His disciples here in this passage, in the upper room.

This is just before He is arrested, tried and crucified.

He is teaching His disciples in these last moments He has with them.

He emphasizes abiding with Him, obedience to His commandments and the fullness of joy that comes from a relationship with Him.

True joy does not come from circumstances, possessions or achievements, but from abiding in Christ.

A thriving plant starts with strong roots, grows through nourishment and flourishes when well-tended.

In the same way, joy is not instantaneous—it develops through abiding in Christ.

Just as a plant grows in stages, true joy develops in our lives through abiding in Christ.

Let’s examine three key sources of true joy found in our relationship with Jesus.

I. Joy Is Rooted in Christ’s Presence

9 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. 10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

If we have any hope of having true joy, we are going to have to find ourselves rooted in the presence of Christ.

First notice:

A. Christ’s Love Nourishes Joy

Just as a plant cannot grow without rich soil, joy cannot exist apart from Christ’s love.

Abiding and continuing in Christ’s love will give us the nourishment we need to be able to have joy.

His love is unconditional, unchanging and unwavering.

Romans 8:38–39 KJV

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

When we are deeply rooted, nothing remove the joy of being loved.

When we dwell, and meditate on the love of Christ we joy will grow in us.

If you are lacking joy in your life do a google search on the love of God.

There are some great tools out there to research the Bible and get answers.

Use them!

B. Abiding in Christ Strengthens Our Roots

A healthy plant draws nutrients from its roots; we draw joy from abiding in and obeying Christ.

5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

Jesus said, John 15:10

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

So we see a part of abiding is keeping His commandments.

When we obey Christ, and all that He prompts us to do, we will abide in His love.

Be careful not to read this as saying that His love is conditional on our obedience.

He is saying when we obey we abide in His love— we live in His love.

A healthy plant draws nutrients form its roots; we draw joy from rooting ourselves in Christ.

Disobedience uproots our joy.

David sinned against God.

He lusted after Bathsheba, he committed adultery, then murdered to cover his sin.

Once confronted with His sin, David repented.

He asked the Lord to…

Psalm 51:12 KJV

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with thy free spirit.

Because David disobeyed, he no longer had joy.

Are your spiritual roots deeply growing in Christ’s love?

Are you reading your Bible daily and praying so that you can be obedient to what he wants you to do?

When joy is firmly rooted in Christ, it begins to grow as we walk in obedience.

II. Joy Grows through Obedience

11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

Jesus says, I am speaking these words that my joy might remain in you.

What words?

10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

Just as a plant grows stronger with proper nourishment, our joy matures and deepens as we walk in obedience to Christ.

Growth requires the right conditions—water, sunlight, and care.

Likewise, joy thrives when we follow Christ’s Word and love others as He commanded.

A. Obedience to Christ’s Word

Our capacity grows the more we obey.

Just as a plant needs sunlight and nutrients, our joy grows when we obey Christ’s Word.

Psalm 119:165 KJV

165 Great peace have they which love thy law: And nothing shall offend them.

When we live a life where nothing offends us, nothing can steal our joy!

A plant cannot grow without proper food, and neither can our joy.

1. Obedience Aligns Our Lives with God's Will

A plant bends toward the light to maximize growth.

When we submit to God’s will, our hearts are aligned with His purposes, making joy more abundant.

A gardener prunes a tree so that it grows strong.

Similarly, God may “prune” us through obedience, removing distractions that hinder joy (John 15:2).

2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.

2. Disobedience Stunts Joy’s Growth

A plant deprived of nutrients becomes weak and fruitless.

Sin, rebellion, and neglect of God’s Word rob us of joy.

David’s joy diminished when he sinned but was restored through repentance.

Is there an area of disobedience hindering your joy?

B. Obedience in Loving Others

12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.

A healthy tree bears fruit; obedience produces love, which leads to joy.

Jesus commands us to love one another as He has loved us.

The more we grow in Christ, the more naturally love and joy flow from us (Galatians 5:22).

Galatians 5:22 KJV

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

1. Selfless Love Yields Greater Joy

Serving others leads to joy, just as a fruitful tree brings delight to those who eat from it.

Acts 20:35 KJV

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

A fruit tree does not bear fruit for itself but for others.

Similarly, our love and service bring joy to those around us.

2. Broken Relationships Can Hinder Joy

Just as diseased branches hinder a tree’s growth, bitterness and unforgiveness hinder our joy.

So we need to prune those branches off!

Forgive, ask God to remove bitterness.

Jesus commands us to love one another, because love fosters unity and joy.

1 John 4:7–8 KJV

7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

How can we exercise this?

Read God’s Word daily—this is the “water” for joy’s growth.

Are you actively feeding your joy through obedience?

Look for opportunities to serve and love selflessly.

Are you bearing fruit through loving others?

Confess sin, reconcile relationships, and allow joy to flourish.

Are there any weeds (sin, bitterness) that need to be removed?

As joy grows through obedience, it ultimately flourishes in our deep friendship with Christ.

III. Joy Flourishes in Friendship with Christ

13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. 14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. 17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.

Just as a tree flourishes when it reaches full maturity, joy reaches its fullest expression in our deep and abiding relationship with Christ.

He does not call us mere servants; He calls us friends.

This divine friendship is where joy blossoms, producing a harvest of peace, confidence, and fulfillment.

A. Brings Blossoms of Joy

A healthy tree blossoms, bringing beauty and fruitfulness.

Likewise, friendship with Christ produces deep and abiding joy.

Jesus offers a personal, intimate friendship to every believer.

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

Imagine being personally invited to a royal banquet.

A king invites you personally as his guest.

This is the joy of being a friend of the King of Kings.

Oh the joy of being personally invited into friendship with Christ, the King of Kings!

Psalm 16:11 KJV

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: In thy presence is fulness of joy; At thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Notice a couple perks that we receive by being the friend of Jesus…

1. True Friendship with Christ Brings Security

Unlike human friendships that can fade, Jesus' love is eternal and unchanging.

Romans 8:35 KJV

35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

Nothing can sever our relationship with Him.

A thriving tree withstands storms because of its strong roots.

Friendship with Christ anchors our joy, even in life's storms.

2. Friendship with Christ Means Knowing His Heart

Jesus shares His plans and purposes with His friends (John 15:15).

15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.

A servant obeys out of duty, but a friend obeys out of love and understanding.

1 Corinthians 2:9–10 KJV

9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.

Friendship with Christ allows us to know God’s will and experience His joy.

Are you seeking a deeper relationship with Christ, or just a surface-level connection?

B. Prayer Sustains Our Joy

A tree cannot flourish without water, and our joy cannot flourish without prayer.

Jesus gives His friends the privilege of coming directly to the Father in prayer (John 15:16).

16 … that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Prayer refreshes and strengthens our joy, just as water revives a wilting plant.

1. Prayer Keeps Our Joy Alive

Prayer realigns our hearts with God’s will, removing the distractions and burdens that rob us of joy.

Philippians 4:6–7 KJV

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

A plant deprived of water will wither and die.

A Christian deprived of prayer will see their joy fade.

2. Prayer Bears the Fruit of Answers

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

Answered prayer brings joy and confidence in God’s faithfulness.

1 John 5:14 KJV

14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

Are you maintaining a consistent prayer life, or is your spiritual soil dry?

Move beyond just serving—delight in knowing Him personally.

Are you embracing friendship with Christ?

Water your joy daily by spending time with Christ.

Are you sustaining your joy through prayer?

A thriving relationship with Christ overflows into joy-filled living.

Are you bearing the fruit of this friendship?

Can I point something else out that is just absolutely amazing?

Jesus says…

16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you …

How amazing is that?

I have had friends that I sought out, and I have had friends who sought me out.

Let’s be honest…it is a real joy when someone seeks us out to be our friend!

We feel wanted, loved, cared about.

Now see the real picture here!!!

Jesus, the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Savior of the World has chosen you!

You didn’t choose Him!!!

That ought to spark some joy, or else your sparker is busted!

Conclusion

Just as a tree starts with roots, grows, and eventually flourishes with fruit, so does our joy when it is cultivated in Christ.

Throughout this passage, Jesus has shown us the full process of developing, deepening, and delighting in true joy:

Joy is Rooted in Christ’s Presence –

Just as strong roots anchor a tree, abiding in Christ secures our joy.

2. Joy is Growing Through Obedience –

Like a well-tended plant, joy thrives when we obey Christ and love others.

3. Joy is Flourishing in Friendship with Christ –

A tree that blossoms bears fruit, just as our joy flourishes in a close relationship with Jesus.

Without Christ, joy withers.

With Christ, joy thrives and bears fruit.

Jesus desires that our joy be full (John 15:11), not shallow, fleeting, or fragile.

A well-cultivated spiritual life produces deep, abundant joy that remains through every season of life.

Ask yourself:

Are your roots deep?

Are you daily abiding in Christ through His Word and prayer?

Is your joy growing?

Are you obeying Christ’s commands and bearing fruit in love?

Is your joy flourishing?

Are you fully embracing your friendship with Christ, delighting in His presence, and sustaining your joy through prayer?

If your joy feels weak or withered, return to the source—Christ Himself.

Get near Him, and spend time with Him!

Pray today, asking God to deepen your relationship with Him and to restore the fullness of joy He has promised.

Take action by committing to obedience, love, and a deeper communion with Christ.

The prison was dark, damp, and filled with the stench of suffering. The iron shackles clamped tightly around their ankles, cutting into their skin, reminders of the brutal beating they had just endured. Paul and Silas sat in that Roman jail, their backs torn from the whips, their bodies aching with pain.

By all appearances, this should have been a night of despair. No one would have blamed them for crying out in misery or questioning why God had allowed this to happen. But instead of weeping, they began to sing.

At first, their voices may have been faint, trembling from exhaustion. But as their focus turned to the Lord, their praise grew stronger. The damp walls echoed with the sound of hymns lifted to heaven.

The other prisoners stirred in their chains, listening in wonder. Who were these men? How could they sing in such a place? Joy—real, unshakable joy—was radiating from them, even in the heart of suffering.

Then suddenly, the ground trembled. The walls shook violently, dust and stone crumbling from above. The prison doors flung open. Chains fell from the wrists and ankles of every prisoner. Freedom had come, but not just from the breaking of iron. The jailer, trembling, rushed in.

He had heard their songs. He had seen their faith. And now, overwhelmed by the power of God, he fell at their feet and cried out, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”

That night, Paul and Silas led him and his entire family to Christ. Their joy had not just sustained them—it had changed lives.

Is Your Joy That Unshakable?

Paul and Silas’ joy was not tied to comfort, circumstances, or control.

It was deeply rooted in Christ, so much so that even in suffering, it grew and flourished—and ultimately bore fruit in the life of a lost soul.

What about you?

Is your joy unshakable, even in trials?

Is it growing, even in difficulty?

Is it flourishing, leading others to Christ?

No prison can chain true joy—the joy that is rooted in Christ, growing through obedience, and flourishing in friendship with Him.

So this morning, let the world hear your song—not because life is easy, but because Christ is enough.

Their chains were fastened tight Down at the jail that night Still Paul and Cylus would not be dismayed They said, "It's time to lift our voice, Sing praises to the Lord Let's prove that we will trust Him, come what may."

God wants to hear you sing When the waves are crashing round you When the firey darts surround you When despair is all you see God wants to hear your voice When the wisest man has spoken And says your circumstance is as hopeless as can be That's when God wants to hear you sing

He loves to hear our praise On our cheerful days When the pleasant times out weigh the bad, by far But when suffering comes along And we still sing Him song That is when we bless the Father's heart

God wants to hear you sing When the waves are crashing round you When the firey darts surround you When despair is all you see God wants to hear your voice When the wisest man has spoken And says you circumstance is as hopeless as can be That's when God wants to hear you sing