Perusing Christ: The Path to True Joy

In his sermon, Elder Clarke explores the nature of true and everlasting joy as found only in Christ, contrasting it with the fleeting, conditional happiness the world offers. He opens by sharing a personal story of grief and anger after losing a close friend to addiction, illustrating how pain and loss can rob even believers of joy until they learn to “grieve with hope” in God’s presence .

Elder Clarke then asks why so many Christians experience conditional joy, offering three core reasons:

We don’t love Christ – Joy is a byproduct of pursuing Christ, not a goal in itself. True joy abides in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11) and requires repentance and abiding in the Vine (John 15) .

We don’t hate the world – Good things (career, family, entertainment) can become idols that displace Christ, squeezing out joy (1 John 2:15–17; Luke 10:41–42)

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We don’t remember – Believers are prone to forget God’s past faithfulness (Psalm 106:7; Deut. 6:12), so we need practices that keep our hearts anchored in joy.

To combat forgetfulness and sustain joy, Elder Clarke outlines seven “means of grace” that serve as spiritual road-signs:

Prayer – Cultivates daily dependence on God

Corporate Worship – Weekly gathering to rejoice together

The Sacraments – Baptism and the Lord’s Supper as tangible reminders of Christ’s work

Fellowship – Deep, loving relationships that bear one another’s burdens

Obedience – Keeping Christ’s commands out of love, which leads to full joy (John 15:10–11)

Evangelism – Sharing the gospel and recalling the joy of salvation

Family Worship – Regular devotions that cultivate joy in the home

Elder Clarke closes by urging listeners to integrate these practices into a “liturgical life,” ensuring that joy remains full-time, unshaken by trials, and contagious to others.