In Preaching Articles: "Joy In Christ"

New Year, New Adjective: "Christ-Exalting”

By John Piper on Dec 27, 2022

My aim here is to encourage you to make “Christ-exalting” the featured adjective in your prayers. Let me explain what I mean. Then I’ll give you three reasons why I think this would be a great New Year’s resolution.

Scripture: Philippians 1:20, 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

Tags: Personal Growth, exalting christ, daily prayer, new years, Christ Centered, New Years Resolution, Prayer, Resolution  (view more)  (view less)

The Lost Art Of Feasting

By David Mathis on Nov 4, 2022

"Most of us have never given any serious thought to what it might mean to feast with Christ-honoring intentionality."

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 10:31, 1 Timothy 4:4-5, Luke 14:13, Romans 14:5-6

Tags: Thanksgiving, Fellowship, Community, feast, Christian Joy, give thanks, thank god, Thanksgiving Holiday, community, fellowship  (view more)  (view less)

What A Rabbi Taught Me About Keeping Christ In Christmas

By SermonCentral .com on Dec 12, 2024

When people come to your church this Christmas season, they want to hear the story of Jesus. Give them what they came for.

Tags: Christmas, Culture, set apart, incarnation of Jesus, culture  (view more)  (view less)

How To Worship In Times Of Sorrow

By Paul Baloche on Feb 11, 2021

Some of the hardest yet most inspiring times of worship occur during funerals. The raw emotions of sadness and loss are mixed with a sense of hope and eternal perspective.

Scripture: Psalm 42:5-6

Tags: Sorrow, Worship, Joy, Funeral

Joni Eareckson Tada’s Advice For When You Don’t Wake Up Feeling Happy

By Randy Alcorn on Aug 30, 2022

It’s true that we can’t make ourselves happy in God any more than a seed can make itself grow. But we’re not just seeds. We’re greenhouse farmers who can make sure the seed is planted, watered, and fertilized.

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9, 1 Corinthians 3:6

Tags: Perseverance, happiness, Joy, Hope, Depression, Sorrow, Melancholy, Fighting for Joy, Up lift  (view more)  (view less)

Preacher: Don't Forget The Benediction

By Ray Hollenbach on May 8, 2025

There's a rich vein of life even in the verses that close each Epistle. Have you ever preached a benediction?

Scripture: Jude 1:24-25, 1 Timothy 4:1-2, 2 Timothy 2:1-3, Ruth 4:1-15, 1 Corinthians 15:58  (view more)  (view less)

Tags: Preaching, benediction, benefit, preaching, Joy  (view more)  (view less)

How Can We Give Thanks In All Circumstances?

By Jon Bloom on Nov 3, 2022

"There is only one way. And Jesus both is the way (John 14:6) and shows the way."

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Tags: Grace, Thanksgiving, Joy, Hope, Christian Joy, Thanksgiving Holiday, giving thanks, in all things, grace  (view more)  (view less)

10 Traits Of Joyful Pastors

By SermonCentral .com on Jul 5, 2025

Follow the example of these leaders. You'll find joy in the midst of the hard work and long hours of pastoral ministry.

Tags: leader, Leader, Joy, Preaching, preach, preaching  (view more)  (view less)

Sunday's Message Is For Babes In Christ And Old Saints: Can You Reach Them All?

By SermonCentral .com on Oct 13, 2021

Ask pastors what their toughest regular assignment is, and speaking a message that ministers to everyone is at or near the top of the list.

Scripture: Romans 8:28-30, 1 Peter 4:5-10

Tags: preaching, Preaching, Learning, language, Result  (view more)  (view less)

Joe Mckeever: Why Preachers Are The Way They Are

By Joe Mckeever on Aug 26, 2021

This Q & A answers, "Why are all preachers nuts?" and other things people want to know.

Tags: Joy, Preaching, Funeral, Preacher, Weeping, preaching, preacher  (view more)  (view less)

Faith That Changed The Culture How Luther Inspired Music, Charity, And Abolition

By Michael Reeves on Oct 18, 2022

Through the Reformation, a tidal wave of social and cultural improvement was unleashed.

Tags: give generously, Philanthropy, culture, God's Grace, Christian Joy, Reformation, Church History, Freedom in Christ, justified by faith, Music, Culture, Slavery  (view more)  (view less)

Adjusting To Reality: Loss And The Christian Life

By Joe Mckeever on Feb 4, 2020

Earlier this year, author and pastor Joe McKeever lost his beloved wife of more than 50 years, Margaret. In this moving article, he reflects on what it means to "adjust" to the new reality--and how faith requires an adjustment, as well.

Scripture: Ephesians 5:14-17

Tags: death in Christ

A Question Pastors Need To Hear From Jesus

By Lance Witt on Jun 13, 2022

Ultimately, if God is not working in you, the joy of his work through you will be short-lived.

Scripture: Mark 10:46-52

Tags: leadership, pastoral leadership, soul care, receiving, Leadership  (view more)  (view less)

We Need A Theology Of Rest

By Lance Witt on Jul 27, 2023

You don’t have to be running at an insane pace to be running on empty. I think the primary issue here isn’t the size of your ministry or the pace of your ministry. The PRIMARY issue has to do with the health of your soul (your interior life).

Scripture: Proverbs 14:8, Exodus 33:14-15, Jeremiah 6:16

Tags: Wisdom, Rest, endurance with joy, spiritual leadership, entering God's rest  (view more)  (view less)

"Get To" Vs. "Have To"

By Lance Witt on Apr 13, 2022

I am not exempt from the needs of my humanity simply because I am a pastor or ministry leader.

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Tags: pastor, endurance with joy, rest in Jesus, fixing eyes on Jesus, Pastor  (view more)  (view less)