Sermons on Choosing Joy:

Arise, Shine! Your Light Has Come

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Jan 2, 2020

The Jews were to rejoice at the coming of the Messiah - meant to be their pride and joy. So are we, even in the midst of darkness.

January 5, 2020 Isaiah 60:1-6 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord is dawning upon you. 2 Look, darkness covers the earth, and deep darkness covers the peoples, but the Lord will dawn upon you, and his glory will be seen over you. 3 Nations will walk to your light, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 60:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Whatever Price Is Required Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on May 8, 2021

To get the joy of Christ, we have to be willing to imitate Him in His life and even in His death.

What are the commandments of Jesus that we are supposed to keep, and why are they important? We have to start with the understanding that God is good, and never evil. He loves us, and wants only good for us. He is all-benevolent. St. John tells us: “In this is love, not that we loved God but that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-4, 1 John 4:7-10, John 15:9-17

Denomination: Catholic

The God Who Exchanges Ashes For Beauty Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Oct 12, 2025

God specializes in transforming sorrow into joy, shame into glory, and ashes into beauty for those who trust Him.

THE GOD WHO EXCHANGES ASHES FOR BEAUTY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Isaiah 61:1-3 Key Verse: “To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The God Who Makes You Laugh Again Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Dec 8, 2025

A revelation of God’s power to turn prolonged sorrow, shame, and disappointment into laughter, joy, and open celebration.

THE GOD WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH AGAIN By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 21:1-7 Key Verse: “And Sarah said, God hath made me to laugh, so that all that hear will laugh with me.” — Genesis 21:6 Supporting Texts: Psalm 126:1-2; Isaiah 61:7; Job 8:21; Luke 1:37; Habakkuk ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-7

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Go And Tell

Contributed by Bala Samson on May 27, 2024

You were not blessed for you and your family to enjoy the benefits, God wants you to share the joy.

Go and tell Luke 8:39 "Return to your house and describe what great things God has done for you." So he went away, proclaiming throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” When the man delivered from thousands of demons begged Jesus that he may stay with Him, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:39

Denomination: Pentecostal

Trusting God In Tough Times

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Jan 24, 2025

Life is full of changes—seasons of joy, challenges, and uncertainty—all under God's control.

Scripture Reference: Daniel 2:21 (AMP) "It is He who changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and greater knowledge to those who have understanding." Introduction • Open with reflection on how life is full of changes—seasons ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 2:21, Ecclesiastes 3:1, Psalm 31:15, Isaiah 43:19, Psalm 75:6-7, Daniel 4:17, Revelation 11:15, Proverbs 9:10, James 1:5, Colossians 1:9-10, Psalm 103:19, Romans 12:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Church Of God

God Of Restoration Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 9, 2025

Our God is a Restorer by nature. He restores time, health, joy, resources, relationships, dignity, and purpose.

GOD OF RESTORATION By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Joel 2:25-27 Supporting Texts: Jeremiah 30:17, Isaiah 61:7, Job 42:10-12, Psalm 126:1-6, Zechariah 9:12 INTRODUCTION: There are seasons in life when people experience loss—of time, opportunities, relationships, health, resources, or dignity. ...read more

Scripture: Joel 2:25-27

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Path To Palm Saunday

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

Palm Sunday is a time for us to prepare our hearts for the agony of His Passion and the Joy of His Resurrection.

Opening illustration: Watch a video clip on contemporary ’Palm Sunday.’ Let us read Matthew 21 and pick up the story from verse 1 going down to verse 11. Historical Background: Even today church folks get confused with Palm Sunday. On this Passover day, when Jesus came riding into town, there had ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 21:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Nov 8, 2020

How do you go from deep despair to the heights of joy? Psalm 22 holds the key.

“ … when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), they offered [Jesus] wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when He tasted it, He would not drink it. And when they had crucified Him, they divided His clothes among themselves by casting lots; then they sat down there and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:32-46

Denomination: United Methodist

The Fear Of God Series

Contributed by Tim White on Jun 28, 2020

The most undertaught, major theological topic today is the fear of God. But studying it brings great joy and assurance.

The Fear of God. 1 Peter 1:17-19 • The Fear of God is one of the least taught major topics in Christianity. • No one alive has spent more time studying and writing about the fear of God than my dear friend, Kinney Mitchell. • It is mentioned more than 45 times in the Bible, the fear of God, the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:17-19

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Love

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Oct 19, 2022

God wants us to live in the blessing, joy and peace of knowing that we’re his beloved children.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5; 1 John 4:9-18 (selected verses) I spent a summer while I was in seminary as a student minister at Acadia National Park in Maine, where I was assisted by a young volunteer named Martha. Martha was an old soul, wise beyond her years. I say that because during that summer ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 4:9-18, 1 Corinthians 4:3-5

God's Greatest Gift To The World PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 27, 2023

Explores the profound gift of God's grace, the joy of salvation, and God's generosity, particularly celebrated during Christmas.

Welcome, dear friends, to this splendid gathering of hearts yearning for the divine word. It's a blessing to see each one of you here today, united in our common love for our Lord and Savior. Our gathering today is not by chance, but by divine appointment. We find ourselves here, in this sacred ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Topics: Redemption, Gift, God

Living In The Goodness Of God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 7, 2024

This sermon encourages finding joy and refuge in God's eternal goodness, rather than in worldly possessions or status.

Welcome, dear friends. We gather here today, not as strangers but as family, bound together by the love of our Lord and Savior. We assemble, not as individuals but as a community, united by the shared belief in the goodness of our God. We are here to celebrate, to reflect, and to respond to that ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-2

Topics: Thankfulness

A Life Of Grace And Service PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 16, 2024

Encourages Christians to embrace the joy of giving generously, reflecting Christ's love and service, as a fundamental aspect of their faith.

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a joy to see all of you gathered here today, ready to receive the nourishing word of our Lord. I trust that you all come with hearts open, ready to be filled with the divine wisdom that only our God can provide. We are gathered here today to talk about ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:28, 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Topics: Giving, Serving

Do What He Says PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 21, 2024

This sermon emphasizes the joy and fulfillment found in obedient discipleship, viewing God's commands not as burdens but as opportunities for blessings.

Good morning, beloved. It is truly a blessing to be in the presence of the Lord with all of you today. We are gathered here, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment. Our Father, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, has drawn us together to hear His word and to grow in our understanding ...read more

Scripture: John 2:3

Topics: Do, He Says