Sermons on Christian Joy:

Seven Ways To Lose A (Spiritual) Fight

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 22, 2005

What exactly is Paul getting at with each of these things that God has given us? This message tries to dig out the importance of each.

- This passage is often preached, yet I never felt like I understood what exactly Paul was getting at with each piece that’s mentioned. What are the specific needs? What are the specific dangers? What specifically has God given us? - In preparing, I tried to dig deeper. For instance: “having ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

How Free Are You? Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

As Christians we consider ourselves to be free - but in fact we fall into slavery very easily - slavery to legalism. What is legalism and its corallary labelism?

Do you feel free? Free in Christ? Did you know that you although you may feel free you may have enslaved yourself - to what you ask? To legalism. Not possible. Yes - it’s a lot easier than you think. Winning freedom over legalism is what Galatians is all about. We’re going to learn what ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 1:1-24

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Living By Trust - Not By Effort Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

What happens after we are saved? Sometimes we treat salvation like a car wash - God cleans us up and then tells us not to get dirty again. But is that really grace?

I can’t lift very much - I don’t know how much I bench press - and even though I exercise fairly regularly, I don’t consider myself buff. But if I had a human exoskeleton I sure could be! This machine is designed to turn ordinary men into supermen - you wear it around you and is made of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 2:1-21

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Purpose Of The Law Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

What is the purpose of the Law - its like an external supervisor. Grace gives us in internal partner to make us like God - not just obey external rules.

Why are there speeding tickets? They exist because people drive faster than the posted limit - they are a notice that you’ve broken the law and have displeased the authorities and must pay for it. If no one ever drove too fast there’d be no need for tickets. Or if you always rode in a bus with ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:19-29

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Giving Up On Grace Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

We like to do things our own way. God often times is much too slow for our schedule ? or He doesn?t do things the way we would ? so we short circuit His work by coming up with our own, much better plan - but that can mean giving up on grace.

Do you ever read The Family Circus? I always like the ones where the Mom and Dad tell their oldest son to go get the mail or something - and instead of walking out the door and down the driveway and back - he goes out his window, around back, through the garden, plays with the dog, jumps the ...read more

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Helping The Fallen Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

What happens when you sin? Legalism tells us to look down on that brother because they "failed." But in Galatians, Paul gives us a new way to help those who have fallen.

We left off last week by comparing the acts of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit. Though we all want the latter, we often act in the former. Finding freedom from legalism and the condemnation it brings doesn’t mean you immediately cease from sin. Our goal is still to be like Christ - and we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:1-18

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

Living A Life Of Love Series

Contributed by Tom Fuller on Apr 25, 2005

How we act and how we speak to each other really does matter to God. You may be just mirroring what you see people doing and saying around you - but is it right?

The cover story of the September 14th issue of Newsweek magazine is very revealing about our culture today. The story is entitled: "How to say no to your kids." What I found interesting wasn’t the tips of saying "no" but on why it’s so hard for parents to do it. Some statistics jump off the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-20

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

The Start Of Decay Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 27, 2005

This is the 1st sermon in the series "Living In Times Of Spiritual Decay".

Series: Living In Times Of Spiritual Decay[#1] THE START OF DECAY Judges 1:1-2:5 As many times as I have been to doctors, had shots, etc…; I have never disliked those things worse than having to go to the dentist. A couple of years ago, our family dentist hired a dental hygienist and things ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Groaning Or Growing Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 27, 2005

This is the 4th sermon in the series "Living In Times Of Spiritual Decay".

Series: Living In Times Of Spiritual Decay[#4] GROANING OR GROWING? Judges 6-8 Introduction: As we have been studying, the Israelites would do o.k. while the judge was living; but as soon as the judge died they would start worshipping other gods. As we come to Judges 6 we find the same ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

D.i.y. Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Apr 27, 2005

This is the 7th sermon in the series "Living In Times Of Spiritual Decay".

Series: Living In Times Of Spiritual Decay[#7] D.I.Y. Judges 17:1-18:31 Introduction: My wife had control over the television Saturday as I was trying to prepare for this sermon. You don’t have to worry about me being distracted because she was watching some bad shows. Every 30 minutes for ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Who Will Deliver Me! Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Apr 28, 2005

The law of God is perfect, but we are not. Trying to live up to God’s standards with our own steam is an impossible task. Before power comes freedom! ...Free from sin, free from death, even free from the law!

If I were to take a long piece of super-duper duct tape and stick it firmly to your hairy arm, how would you prefer to have it removed if you only had these two choices: Slowly, pulling out one hair at a time, or suddenly, ripping it off instantly? Most of us would prefer a quick rip. Well, when ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Dare Not Ever Forget Who You Are

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 29, 2005

Looks at how to learn to live like a winner.

Victory always assumes an opponent. You are victorious over or against something or someone. We accomplish living like a winner in the face of temptation and adversity. Today we are going to take an in depth look at our battle against temptation and the tempter. As we learn in the Bible the ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:26-29

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can You Believe What They Did? Series

Contributed by Jeremy Houck on Apr 30, 2005

When we judge others we reveal a lot about our relationships with Christ and our heart in general.

Can You Believe What They Did? – Judging Matthew 7:1-6 This week I was reading an article about a meeting that occurred during a seminar among some leading professors at some of our leading universities. During an open forum one professor reported that at his school the most damaging charge one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Essentials For Life And Life Eternal

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Apr 30, 2005

This message is one that describes some things that are essential to remember for the believer to live the abundant life.

Essentials for Life & Life Eternal Romans 5:1-9 I. We Have Peace With God (v. 1) “…we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” – v. 1 A. Peace concerning being an enemy of God “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Through The Valley

Contributed by Glenn Branham on Apr 30, 2005

Uses Psalm 23 as the outline for the funeral sermon with life application.

Psalm 23:1-6 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal