Sermons on Choosing Joy:

Cross Purposes 3: Redemption Series

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Dec 13, 2019

Redemption is like purchasing a slave to free them. Jesus 1) made a personal investment, and 2) paid a price. We are free as we 1) recognize our worth, and 2) chooses to be slaves of God.

CROSS PURPOSES 5: REDEMPTION For the past 4 weeks, we have been asking, “Why did Jesus Christ, the Son of God, die on the cross for us?” We keep asking the same question, because the cross impacts our lives in so many ways, that we can’t exhaust them all: The cross shows the love of God. ...read more

Scripture: John 8:31-36, Philippians 2:6-8, Leviticus 25:47-49, Mark 10:45, 1 Peter 1:18-19, Exodus 6:6-7, 1 Peter 2:16, Romans 6:16-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Victory In Jesus Sermon V: The Final Battle Fought And Won Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Feb 2, 2020

Choices in life define us in the present and determine our future. Choosing to believe in and proclaim our Lord's death, burial and resurrection is to be alive to God and to rest assured of the truth of His promises.

VICTORY IN JESUS: THE FINAL BATTLE FOUGHT AND WON QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS YOU WERE AFRAID TO ASK On June 18, 1815, a watchman stood in the tower of England’s Winchester Cathedral gazing anxiously out to sea. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:1-40

Walking In The Shadow Of Darkness

Contributed by Nettie J Pennington on Nov 19, 2020

When we walk in the shadow of darkness, we know right but choose to do wrong. We are sojourners who know the Word of God and are familiar with how deeds driven by the flesh can lead to ungodliness.

When we walk in the shadow of darkness, we know right but choose to do wrong. We are sojourners who know the Word of God and are familiar with how deeds driven by the flesh can lead to ungodliness. People walking this leg of the journey are witnesses to the fact that “People's desires make ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:19, Ecclesiastes 7:17

Denomination: Other

The Temptation Of Pleasing People Series

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Apr 11, 2021

When we start out wanting to serve God it is so easy to get distracted by what will please the people around us. But we have to choose one or the other, please God or please people.

I had quite a dream last night. Spring training hasn’t even started yet, but in my dream I saw the final game of the 2007 World Series. It was in Wrigley Field. The Cubs were winning in the bottom of the 9th. Two outs, bases loaded. Kerry Woods is on the mound, looking to cap a phenomenal ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

The Choices God Makes

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Mar 17, 2022

Scripture uses the term “the elect” to describe Christians. That word (eklogç) has the meaning of picking or choosing. Christians are the chosen ones of God. He made the choice, and He set the standard for the choice.

Alba 3-13-2022 THE CHOICES GOD MAKES Romans 9:6-33 It's not fair! That is a cry from many people about situations that don’t go their way! Today in our society there are many who have taken this to a new level! Someone will say, “It’s not fair that little Johnny’s team has to lose, so let’s ...read more

Scripture: Romans 9:6-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Who Pushed Me?

Contributed by Suzan Aturo Mugabi on Aug 2, 2021

Every one of us has been through situations that you wouldn’t have willingly accepted if you had the opportunity to choose, yet they later turned out to work for your greater good.

Like Joseph in the Bible, some of us need an extra push to realize our God given dreams and potentials. A story is told of a rich man who had a beautiful daughter ready for marriage. The father of the young lady organized a contest for his daughter. He sent word to his townsmen inviting all those ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:12-34

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Life Or Death. The Choice Is Yours

Contributed by Steve Sheek on Jan 10, 2022

Delivered at Tree of Life Messianic Congregation Houston 8 Jan 22. Israel had the choice to put the blood on the doorposts in Egypt. The Blood meant life. We all have choices. Choose Life.

20220108 Parsha Bo – Life or Death The choice is yours Blessing Torah Portion Exodus 10:1-9 Haftarah Jeremiah 46:13-20 Brit Chadashah John 1:29-34 The fifteenth reading from the Torah is named Bo (??), which means "Come or in context can mean Go." The title comes from the first ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 12:7, Isaiah 53:7, 1 Peter 1:19

Denomination: *other

Diminshing Returns: When The Secondary Becomes Primary Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Because of their love for God, they choose to leave the comforts they had preferred for the rigors of rebuilding their home land. They were zealous for the house of God and they had left many of their friends, family members, and comfortable lives behind.

Throughout the month of October, our church celebrates our 125-year heritage. And as we celebrate all that God has done for us, we know that God is continuing to do a great work even now. This past week a young man emailed me the following message: “Scott, I just felt the need to let you know ...read more

Scripture: Haggai 1:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

An Intense (And Harsh) Introduction – Ruth, Part 1 Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Oct 12, 2022

When you choose to rebel against God, bad things can/do happen - however, God is still faithful to Himself and each of us has an opportunity to return to Him (and find comfort)!!

“An Intense (and harsh) Introduction” – Ruth, Part 1 Ruth Sermon Series, Part 1 Ruth 1:1-10 Introduction - Author of Ruth is unknown; some suggest prophet Samuel (11th century BC) -- However, there is no significant proof to give it solely to Samuel -- Many suggest it was around 5th century BC ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:1-10, 2 Timothy 4:3, Deuteronomy 23:3-6, Isaiah 25:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Predicting The Future

Contributed by Michael Koplitz on May 2, 2023

Predicting your future can be done when you choose between Light and Darkness. A life with Jesus or a life with Satan. Jesus' choice was Satan or God. Good thing he selected God!

Predicting the Future John 12:26-37 Rev. Dr. Michael H. Koplitz John 12:27 “Now My soul has become troubled; and what shall I say, Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. 28 “Father, glorify Your name.” Then a voice came out of heaven: “I have both glorified ...read more

Scripture: John 12:26-37

Denomination: United Methodist

A Mind To Work

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 12, 2022

Disapproval and discouragement can result from ridicule. We should choose not to respond in the same manner or to become discouraged when we are ridiculed for our faith or criticized for doing what we know is right.

Many years prior to Nehemiah’s time, the Northern Kingdom had been conquered and many were taken captive to other lands. The conquering nation introduced prisoners from other lands, which led to intermarriage with the few Israelites. This blending of the races produced the people known as the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 4:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Hope In God's Faithfulness Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 8, 2023

Psalm 42:5 encourages us to reflect on our inner struggles and, like the psalmist, choose to put our hope in God. In Him, we find an unshakable anchor, a source of unwavering hope

"Hope in God's Faithfulness" Introduction: Greetings, dear congregation. Today, we turn our hearts to Psalm 42:5 in the New Living Translation, which provides a message of hope and trust in the midst of life's trials. Point 1: The Cry of the Soul Scripture: Psalm 42:5a (NLT) - ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 42:5, Lamentations 3:22-23, Isaiah 66:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Visionary View: Don't Hide In Plain Sight Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Sep 10, 2023

When we choose not to hide in plain sight, we become catalysts for change. Our visibility allows God's love to flow through us, touching the lives of those around us.

"Visionary View: Don't Hide in Plain Sight" Today, we delve into the concept of not hiding in plain sight, a vital message rooted in the New Living Translation of the Bible. Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT): "You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Isaiah 41:10, Matthew 5:14, Matthew 5:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

I'm All Out Of Options

Contributed by Michael Blitz on Jun 29, 2025

We like having choices, but how we find God is not one. In Naaman's story and Luke 9 we find we can only come to God the way He chooses.

All Out of Options Good Morning. Today we have 2 lessons about making a Choice to either follow God, or not. …And we like having choices, but we are not always good at actually executing on them. Steph shared a picture of a child’s menu, where all the meals were renamed “I don’t know,” “I don’t ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 5:1-14, Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Anglican

The Bible Says: The Living Word Of God

Contributed by Perry Hancock on Jul 1, 2025

This sermon presents the truth that the Bible is more than an instruction manual to be read. It is the Living Word of God. The purpose of the sermon is to have believers and non-believers commit to reading the Bible and choosing it as the sole guide for their lives.

The Bible Says: The Living Word of God Text: Hebrews 4:12 Introduction Today we are going to look at some amazing truths about the Bible. Throughout the message I’m going to tell you about my little red Bible. When I was six years old, my parents gave me this copy of God's Word. Every time ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:12

Denomination: Baptist