Sermons on Choosing Joy:

Why Bethlehem?

Contributed by Charles Holt on Jun 2, 2001

This is a Christmas theme emphasizing God’s wisdom and purpose in choosing Bethlehem as the birthplace of Jesus and lessons for us.

Charles W. Holt email: cholt@gt.rr.com WHY BETHLEHEM? Scripture reading: Luke 2:1-7 Of all the cities, towns and villages in Palestine why did the Lord God choose such an unheard-of hamlet as Bethlehem for the birth of the greatest figure ever to enter into human history? If a site selection ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

In What? Christ's Network - The Church Series

Contributed by Mark Green on Mar 8, 2007

The participant will be inspired to embrace life in the local church and choose one life question to begin asking in their life.

Maybe it’s been a while since you have experienced the joy of throwing rocks in a lake. But if you think back you will remember how fun it is. I know my sons and I can hardly walk by a lake without stopping to throw stones in it. And being boys, it quickly escalates to seeing who can find and throw ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Scary Movie: Fear Of Death #4 Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Oct 25, 2019

Salvation is a gift from God

How do I overcome this nagging feeling that there must be more to life than death? Image: (two minute video clip of Movie deaths and followed by fears from the congregation) For your information those fears listed at the end of our video this morning were fears we texted that we hoped and prayed ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 12:13, 1 Corinthians 15:26, Daniel 12:2-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Gift We Can't Refuse Series

Contributed by Todd Leupold on Apr 28, 2010

How we respond to the true meaning and significance of Christmas is – as we'll see this morning – a choice between choosing the blessings of a Holy and Loving God committed to honor His rules and expectations; OR choosing instead a life under the auspices

“WHY CHRISTMAS IS A GIFT WE CAN'T REFUSE” 2nd In Series: “Why Christmas Is Not Optional” Rev. Todd G. Leupold, Perth Bible Church, 12/20/2009 AM INTRODUCTION: This Christmas season we are taking a closer look at why “Christmas” - in it's truest and purest ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Ready For Christmas

Contributed by Horace Wimpey on Dec 4, 2014

We all get ready for Christmas in different ways. most of this is material. Mary's song models for us how we should prepare ourselves spiritually for Christmas.

Getting Ready For Christmas Luke 1: 46-55 Intro: Have you noticed that Christmas is coming? We started our service this morning with the lighting of the candles for the second Sunday of Advent. A time of preparation and anticipation. . I watched as my Pam and her nieces and my son D J’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist

To Live Is Christ

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 18, 2011

How do we balance our own pursuit of meaning and happiness with the call to live as Kingdom people? What role does suffering have in the Christian life and why in the world are we called not only to believe in Jesus but to suffer for him? A little bait an

This dates me, I know, but I can sometimes relate to Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoons. Like the one where Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. As usual, Lucy has the floor, delivering one of her lectures. She says, "Charlie Brown, life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it so ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don’t Lose Your Song! Series

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Apr 29, 2013

Do not go the next 20 years allowing the same things to steal your joy. Change your approach. Learn to live in that joy.

For more sermons visit our: Website: https://cityharvestag.com/sermons/?sermon_topics=cross Podcast : https://city-harvest-sermons.simplecast.com/episodes/your-work-matters Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CityHarvestA... Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cityharvestag/ YouTube: ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A Heart Of Gratitude

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Aug 23, 2025

Why we should be Worshiping with joy and thanksgiving in every season. Things we can do that would enable us to worship with Joy

There’s a story about a man who spent most of his days complaining about life. The bills kept piling up, his car stayed in the shop more than in the driveway, and the weather seemed to always be working against him. Every conversation seemed to circle back to how bad things were. One day, a ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gift Of The Thorn

Contributed by Dasol Kang on Sep 20, 2025

Sometimes the greatest gifts God gives us are the weaknesses we would never choose for ourselves.

INTRO If we took an inventory of everything that we say in our prayers, we would likely find that the vast majority of our prayers fall into one of two simple prayers. The first category is the “Gimmie” prayer. You know the “gimmie” prayer well. “Lord, gimme that parking spot right up front. And ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Gift Beyond Description

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 6, 2001

Paul said, "Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift." Why does Paul call Jesus "indescribable?" I think that there are at least four reasons.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. My text this morning is 2 Corinthians 9:15. It is a short verse, only 8 words long. Listen as the apostle Paul says, "Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift." This is the time of year when we are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 9:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Feeling Kind Of Empty?

Contributed by Michael Bates on Dec 31, 2023

Feeling unhappy and empty inside? Trying to find ways to fill those empty voids? Material possessions and wealth brings only temporary happiness. God, though, will fill your emptiness with eternal joy, love, and pleasure.

Please open your Bibles to Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 and lets all read together: The Emptiness of Pleasure 1 I said to myself, “Go ahead, I will test you with pleasure; enjoy what is good.” But it turned out to be futile. 2 I said about laughter, “It is madness,” and about pleasure, “What does ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 2:1-11, Philippians 4:19

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Great Impressionist Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 15, 2013

Good impressionists are a joy to watch, and they command our attention. But the greatest impressionist of all is not a joy to watch, but still commands our attention. We meet him in the book of Revelation.

“The Great Unveiling: The Great Impressionist” Revelation 12:1-13:18 I’m always captivated by good impressionists – people who can mimic the voices, quirks, and facial nuances of others. It’s a tremendous talent and takes a great amount of study and work to do it ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

When Life Seems Hopeless

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on May 24, 2012

Here are three truths we can learn from Abijah`s experience when we face overwhelming difficulty or when life seems hopeless

When Life Seems Hopeless 2 Chronicles 13 Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, decided to tax the people more than ever and the people rebelled. The rebellion was led by a man named Jeroboam who wasn’t faithful to the Lord. The result of the rebellion was a split Israel. Jeroboam was king of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 13:1-22, 2 Chronicles 13:5-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Stay In The Will Of God

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Aug 5, 2003

Twice Jesus was offered the world. He declined, choosing to stay in the Father’s will.

“HOW TO STAY IN THE WILL OF GOD” By: Dr. Dennis Deese - www.dennisdeese.com JOHN 6:15 Colossians 1:9-11 For this cause we also, since the day we heard [it], do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled (CONTROLLED) with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom ...read more

Scripture: John 6:15

Do You Need A Best Friend?

Contributed by Glenn Newton on Aug 23, 2003

The awesome truth that God wants a personal, intimate relationship with us, if we will choose Him.

Do You Need a Best Friend? Pastor Glenn Newton August 10, 2003 RO 5:6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:6-11

Denomination: Nazarene