John 7 - You Can't Choose Joy

In the nineteenth message of our series through the Gospel of John, Pastor Richard turns our attention to John 7 and the powerful declaration of Jesus at the Feast of Tabernacles: “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink.”  

In a world that often reduces joy to something we can manufacture or “choose” on our own, this message challenges the popular idea that joy is simply a matter of willpower or positive thinking. Instead, Scripture reveals a deeper truth: true joy is not something we create—it is something we receive.  

As Jesus stands in the midst of one of Israel’s most joyful and symbolic celebrations, He redirects the attention of the crowd from ritual, tradition, and memory to Himself as the true source of life. Drawing on the imagery of water, harvest, and God’s presence dwelling with His people, Pastor Richard explains how the Feast of Tabernacles points forward to the ultimate fulfillment found in Christ.

This message explores the tension between human limitation and divine fullness. While we often find ourselves running dry—trying to bring strength, hope, and encouragement to others in our own ability—Jesus offers something greater: living water that flows from within, never running out, and never depending on our own strength. 

Through John 7, along with Old Testament imagery, we are invited to see Jesus not only as the fulfillment of Israel’s hopes, but as the ongoing source of joy, life, and spiritual renewal. At the height of celebration, Jesus declares that real satisfaction is found in Him alone.