Sermons on Designed For Joy:

God Just Wants Me To Be Happy Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jun 21, 2023

This is a common myth that is repeated often - it indicates that our personal happiness is the paramount good - what God wants more than anything else. Like each of the myths we will explore, there is a kernel of truth in there - but it is overcome by the misunderstanding of the saying.

- MYTHS CHRISTIANS SOMETIMES BELIEVE - God Just Wants Me To Be Happy Introduction We are continuing our series of Myths Christians Sometimes Believe. In the last message, we talked about the myth that “God Won’t Give Me More Than I Can Handle.” Our myth in this message is a common one: “God Just ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Galatians 5:22, Ephesians 5:15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Paul’s List Of Thanks

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 21, 2023

There are at least 5 areas that Paul thanked God about in his letters. Those are: salvation, Pentecost, power to overcome, believers, and the Lord’s Supper. Let's thank God for these!

PAUL’S LIST OF THANKS 1 Thess. 5:18 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Did you hear about the Redneck who called Butterball’s Thanksgiving Turkey Talk-Line to tell the operator he’d cut his turkey in half with a chain saw and wanted to know if the oil from the chain would adversely affect the turkey. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Christmas

Contributed by Charles Newcomb on Nov 26, 2023

The Word was Made Flesh

[Sermon Hymn God Rest You Merry] The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us. In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen. Those words from Saint John’s unfolding of the great mystery of the Incarnation are inscribed in Latin on the cornerstone of this building: Et ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1

Denomination: Anglican

Christmas Peace

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Dec 4, 2023

On this 3rd Sunday of Advent, God speaks to our hearts about Christmas Peace. The Apostle Paul explained God’s peace as a “peace that surpasses all understanding.” But let’s take a few moments today and look at peace as presented to us in God’s Word.

Today marks the 3rd week of Advent. Our Advent season began with us talking about Christmas HOPE. We learned that our HOPE is in the fact that our Savior has come. God showed us that the reality of Christmas is the fact that our Savior has come. The miracle of Christmas is also that our Savior ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:38-42, Luke 2:13-14, Isaiah 9:6, John 14:27, Acts 10:36  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Title: The Power Of Jesus's Christmas Story: Reflecting On Hope, Love, And Redemption

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 11, 2023

Beyond the familiar nativity scenes and carols, the narrative of Jesus's arrival has incredible significance, touching hearts and transforming lives. The power of Jesus's Christmas story can be seen through its profound themes of hope, love, and redemption.

Introduction: The Christmas season is a time of joy and celebration, but amidst the glittering lights and festive cheer lies a profound story of power and meaning—the story of Jesus's birth. Beyond the familiar nativity scenes and carols, the narrative of Jesus's arrival has ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-14

Denomination: Methodist

Unexpected Gift

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Dec 19, 2023

Israel was expecting a Messiah but not like the Messiah that came.

“Unexpected Gift” Luke 2:1-20 1. Today’s reading there was some expected things needed done • It was expected that all Israel be registered for tax purposes • It was expected that Joseph go to Nazareth in Galilee to Judea, to the city of David called Bethlehem, because he was descended from the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Methodist

"god's Invitation To Joy And Contentment" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Dec 19, 2023

It has been said many times that we have more things now than any other time in history. We are indeed fortunate people, yet for many of us, there is one critical thing that is missing… Contentment.

“God’s Invitation to Joy” Philippians 4:1-9 It has been said many times that we have more things now than any other time in history. There are 195 countries in our world and the United States is ranked number one in economy. Aren’t you glad we live here? We are indeed fortunate people, yet for ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Laughter

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Oct 26, 2022

Today we are going to talk about “Laughter.” If we define laughter, we might say it is the quick breath resulting in a series of short vowel-like sounds usually "ha-ha," "ho-ho" or "hee-hee" which we call laughter.

Laughter “Then was our mouth filled with laughter.” Psalm 126:2 “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.” —Psalm 2:4 Intro: A elderly couple were home The wife softly said to her husband Do you remember when we used to just sit and you would hold my hand The man reached over and held her ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:2, Psalm 2:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keeping Our Faith During The Hard Times

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Oct 26, 2022

We've probably all been through hard times at least once. It's difficult even to think of joy in those trying moments, yet James wrote that believers should consider trials joyous.

Hard times. We've probably all been through hard times at least once. It may be a financial loss that caused the hard times. It may be a job loss that caused the financial loss. It may be a relational loss - breaking up with someone we thought would be a lifelong friend. When these hard ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Precious Seed Series

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 3, 2022

God's ability for reestablishing life is outside our ability to grasp. We should be patient as we pause and wait upon God.

God's ability for reestablishing life is outside our ability to grasp. Woodlands burn to the ground and can develop back. Broken bones recuperate. Indeed, even anguish and grief are anything but a long-lasting condition. Our tears can be seeds that will develop into a harvest of joy and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Promises Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Dr. Dave Hartson on Dec 12, 2022

God is totally trustworthy when He makes a promise.

Introduction This sermon is going to start off a little different from my usual sermons because right from the beginning, I am going to share with you a Scripture. It is found in the Book of Micah Chapter 5. Please stand as we read just one verse-verse two. Micah 5:2 (NKJV) The Coming Messiah 2 ...read more

Scripture: Micah 5:2

Denomination: Baptist

"joy's Light Outshines Mere Happiness"

Contributed by John Huyser on Dec 20, 2022

Compared to the other holidays, why is it significant the words Merry and Christmas are tied together?

This morning, seeking joy’s light, I selected a prophecy from the minor prophet Habakkuk. Given his prophecies are unfamiliar, a quick overview is in order. Habakkuk lived in Israel’s Southern Kingdom as the countdown clock to the Babylonian invasion and their exile was hitting 0. The Northern ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

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

"this Is The Day The Lord Has Made”

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 18, 2020

The two challenges to joy are adversity and ingratitude. It takes a choice to rejoice; I WILL be glad and rejoice in it! Circumstances don’t determine joy, it comes from the Lord, in spite of circumstances.

"THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE” Psalm 118:20-24 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE SOUR INTERVIEW 1. Some people have a knack for picking things. Hannah went to a citrus Farm and asked Henry, the manager, if there are any jobs available at the farm. 2. He told her that the only job ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 118:20-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Encourage Series

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Jul 19, 2021

We could use a daily dose of something else, too. We’ll call it a spiritual and emotional vitamin: the vitamin of encouragement.

Last week we began a series of messages concerning relational living and we discussed the impact of LOVE on any relationship. Today we take the next step to better our relationships by talking about ENCOURAGEMENT. What a great way to strengthen any relationship by offering encouragement. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Acts 9:26-28, Acts 11:21-26, Hebrews 10:23-24

Denomination: Baptist