John Gill emphasizes the profound love believers have for Jesus Christ, whom they have not seen with their physical eyes but have embraced through the Gospel. This love is rooted in the recognition of Christ's excellencies and the grace He offers, leading to a deep, spiritual affection that transcends mere sight. Despite not seeing Him, believers maintain a strong faith, relying on Him for salvation and experiencing a joy that is indescribable and full of glory. This joy is a reflection of their relationship with Christ and a foretaste of the glory to come, distinguishing it from transient worldly happiness.

Thomas Brooks emphasizes that true repentance involves turning away from sin and towards God, highlighting the difference between Peter's sorrow for offending Christ and Judas's regret for his punishment. He illustrates that genuine repentance requires a complete rejection of sin, likening it to a flood that drowns even our dearest attachments. Brooks asserts that every sin must be viewed as toxic and repulsive, leading to a heartfelt sorrow for having grieved God. He concludes that the deepest joys arise from the most profound tears of repentance, as they ultimately lead to spiritual joy and restoration.

John Gill emphasizes that spiritual joy is a fruit of the Spirit, deeply rooted in the believer's relationship with God, rather than in worldly pleasures or achievements. He explains that true joy arises from knowing God, experiencing His love, and understanding the work of Christ, including His incarnation, atonement, and resurrection. Gill encourages believers to rejoice in their covenant relationship with God and the assurance of salvation, which brings profound joy even amidst trials. He highlights that this joy is constant, unspeakable, and ultimately rooted in the eternal promises of God. The preacher calls for a recognition of the sources of joy in the life of a believer, urging them to embrace and cultivate this spiritual joy.

A.B. Simpson explores the significance of Timnath-Serah, the city of the sun, as a metaphor for the highest possibilities in the Christian life. He emphasizes that Joshua, a selfless leader, received this inheritance as a gift from his people, symbolizing the joy, grace, and presence of Christ available to believers. The sermon highlights the importance of dwelling in this city, which represents spiritual joy, divine healing, and unbroken communion with God. Simpson encourages believers to build their lives in this city by opening themselves to God's light and love, and to actively seek their inheritance through prayer and faith. Ultimately, he calls for a life filled with the warmth and power of Christ, leading to a vibrant and fulfilling Christian experience.

Charles Finney addresses the topic of worldly amusements, emphasizing that true communion with God should extinguish the desire for worldly pleasures. He argues that a genuine Christian life is marked by a repulsion towards worldly entertainments, as they distract from the spiritual joy found in a relationship with God. Finney warns that seeking enjoyment in worldly amusements misrepresents the essence of Christianity and can lead to a loss of credibility among the unconverted. He shares personal experiences to illustrate that a deep spiritual life brings a higher form of enjoyment that renders worldly pleasures unsatisfactory. Ultimately, he calls Christians to live above the world, demonstrating that true happiness is found in God alone.