Sermons on Choosing Joy:

The Burden Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

In this last beatitude Jesus provides His disciples with a defensive weapon to penetrate the fog of persecution. He promises great reward in heaven to those who will press on in the dark, knowing the light is still shining beyond.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

My Foot Almost Slipped - Dealing With Doubt As A Child Of God

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Oct 4, 2020

Have you ever been to the point where you find yourself struggling not with right and wrong, not with rather democratic or republican, not with Pepsi or Coke, but struggling with what you have been taught and believe in your heart and what you are experiencing in your life.

“My Foot Almost Slipped” Dealing with the Temptation of Doubt as a Child of God By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - Today I want to deal with something that we all have either had to face or at some time will have to face and that is the temptation of doubt. QUESTIONS:- Have you ever ...read more

Denomination: Apostolic

Christmas Expectations Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 8, 2021

There is no other holiday like Christmas, where expectation is so much a part of it's celebration. We look forward to Christmas, longer, and with greater anticipation, then all other holidays combined.

Henry McCushy, of the Texas Employment Commission, said they had a hard time getting men to be department store Santa Clauses, one year. The reason was, the high percentage of children who were kicking Santa in the shins for not coming through the year before. They expected Santa to live up to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-32

Go! And Rejoice Always - Philippians 4:4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 13, 2025

In Christ, joy is not optional—it’s essential. It’s a witness to the world that our God is greater than our circumstances.

Go! And Rejoice Always Philippians 4:4 (NLT) – “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Introduction: A Command That Seems Impossible If I were to stand before you today and say, “Be joyful—always,” some of you might smile politely, while others might think, “Dean, that’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Habakkuk 3:17-18, John 15:9-11, Nehemiah 8:10, Romans 5:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Don't Turn Back

Contributed by John Harper on Jan 2, 2009

We must not turn away from Christ and back to our sin. If we do this we are rejecting the only salvation from sin.

“DON’T TURN BACK” Hebrews 10:26-39 December 7, 2008 Pastor John L. Harper Warden Assembly of God 1 Corinthians 11:23-31 (King James Version) King James Version (KJV) 23For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:26-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

Something Has To Give Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Jan 28, 2014

A book sermon to introduce a series through Philippians - looking at it from the perspective of our stewardship. Genuine joy involves a personal decision to have godly priorities.

It had been a hard winter in the Appalachian area. The snow had piled up deeper and deeper, the mercury dropped, rivers froze, people suffered. The Red Cross was using helicopters to fly in supplies to residents. One crew had been working day after day--long hours. They were on their way home late ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is Happiness? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 11, 2021

Both Jesus and Paul make it clear that it is more than a right to be happy, it is a duty. It is part of our commitment to Christ to overcome all that would make us unhappy.

Epictetus, the ancient philosopher said, "If a man is unhappy, this must be his own fault, for God made all men to be happy." A Christian writer, St. Bernard, said something similar. "Nothing can work me damage except myself; the harm that I sustain I carry about with me, and never ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Thru Prayer Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Sep 8, 2019

Jesus was filled with joy and this inner joy came from His relationship with God the Father through prayer. Prayer and inner joy are linked together because prayer opens a door to the presence and guidance of the Lord.

Opening Video: Selah “We Must Not” Sermon: Find joy in the journey through prayer! Scripture: Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Thesis: Jesus was filled with joy and this inner joy came from His relationship with God the Father through prayer. Prayer and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12, John 17:1-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cheer In A Cheerless World

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Aug 11, 2014

The world has joy and happiness directly proportional to circumstances. Real true joy is not dependent on things but rather on the person of Jesus Christ

BAD NEWS TODAY Vilolence & death around the world Ukraine/ Russia & Crimea Warfare death of innocents MH17 Nigeria Boko Haram size towns & children W. Africa Ebola epidemic out of control Israel/Gaza - Hamas keeps rejecting cease-fire Iraq Isis murder & butchery Hurricanes & tornadoes Flooding & ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Baptist

The Praise Of Laughter Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 19, 2021

The Bible links laughter to joy and to feasting, and these are both vast subjects in the Bible, making laughter a major aspect of the godly life.

Have you ever praised God for the enjoyment of laughter? Some of the greatest of God's people have. When Theodore Cuyler, the American preacher, visited the great London preacher, Charles Spurgeon, they told each other the crazy things that happened in their respective ministries. They ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Where Is God When I Hurt? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 22, 2012

Does God care when His people suffer? Does He desert them in their sorrow? A message to encourage the suffering saint by redirecting our gaze to the Master in our sorrow.

“As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a great ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Let Us Rejoice - For He Has Turned Sorrow Into Rejoicing Series

Contributed by Dustin T Parker on May 2, 2010

In view of the cross and resurrection - we have to see it - for us to realize that our sorrow now - is not permanent - but joy-filled

Let us Rejoice - He turns sorrow to Rejoicing Let Us Rejoice, For He has made Sorrow – Dance! John 16:12-22 † IN HIS NAME † May the Grace, the Mercy and Peace that God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ has poured out on you through the Spirit, create is us the ability to rejoice and ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Genuine Faith In The Midst Of Trials Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 8, 2016

This is the first message in a series through the book of James. This messages is the first looking at the subject of genuine faith when we face persecution.

GENUINE FAITH – PART 1 GENUINE FAITH IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS JAMES 1:1-4 JAMES, A SERVANT OF GOD AND OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES SCATTERED AMONG THE NATIONS: GREETINGS. 2  CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHENEVER YOU FACE TRIALS OF MANY KINDS, 3  BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Ipray Series

Contributed by Perry Greene on Jun 1, 2016

This is the final lesson in this series. It shows the opportunity we have to express joy, gratitude and God's glory through prayer.

1. Practice Champion golfer, Bobby Jones once said, "Have you ever noticed how much golfers practice? Smart businessmen have been quick to take advantage of that, developing public driving ranges where we can practice driving the ball, & putting greens where we can practice our putting." "But why ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jesus Was Dead And Now He Lives Series

Contributed by Leighton (Lee) Vary on Oct 27, 2016

Sunday Morning and the women approach the tomb where Jesus was. They encounter the angel, they encounter Jesus. The women - the last to leave the place where Jesus lay and the first to return. The conspiracy of the Roman guard and the Jewish leadership.

I. Introduction A. One man commented, I was a little taken aback when I got my receipt from the funeral parlor for my father’s funeral, on the bottom of the receipt, after the bill, it read, “Thank you. Please come again.” B. Andrew was watching his father, a Vicar, write a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-15

Denomination: Baptist