Sermons on Designed For Joy:

Turing Trials Into Triumphs Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 7, 2021

The first subject that James addresses in his letter is how to face our trials. His suggestion is shocking: we should welcome our trials with joy. But his reason for the suggestion makes sense when you understand things from God's perspective.

A. In Max Lucado’s book, In The Eye Of The Storm, he tells a story about a parakeet named Chippie. 1. Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming -one second he was peacefully perched in his cage, and the next he was sucked in, washed up and blown over. 2. The problem began when Chippie’s owner ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Job 5:7, Job 23:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ending Well Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Oct 5, 2022

We’ve spent 36 weeks covering a letter containing some of the grandest mysteries of the Almighty and His love for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Truth be told, we could start again and discover even more truths. This is the joy of studying Scripture.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org Watch this message at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/159060 This is it. We have reached the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus. We’ve spent 36 weeks covering a letter containing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:19-24

Denomination: Brethren

Seeking Jesus Among The Dead

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on Jul 5, 2022

Mary is despondent when she goes to the tomb the second time not knowing where the body of Jesus lay and she is confronted by the angels and then by Jesus. Her sorrow turns into joy and then she is given a command to go and share the good news of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

“SEEKING JESUS AMONG THE DEAD?” JOHN 20:11-18 1. The DISTRESS of Mary Magdalene. (v. 11) Psalm 50:15; Matthew 26:75; Mark 5:38-39; 14:72; 15:40; 16:1-5, 10; Luke 7:38; 8:52; 22:62; 23:28; 23:55-24:3; 24:10, 12; John 11:31, 33; 14:27-28; 16:6, 20-22; 20:5; Acts 9:39; 21:13; Romans 12:15; 1 ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

A Rapture Viewpoint - More Perspective Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 17, 2023

I think it is sad that many Christians do not understand the Rapture or have not been taught it, or reject it. It is the blessed hope held to tenaciously by the early Church. There is a joy in knowing the Lord will soon take me (His Church/Bride) home when He comes.

A RAPTURE VIEWPOINT - MORE PERSPECTIVE THE LORD WILL NOT CALL HIS CHURCH TO HEAVEN Not really. He will not call from heaven and the saints go home. He opens the door in heaven according to Revelation 4:1 and there is a cry, “Come up here!” It is one of the joys of scripture when we compare ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, Revelation 22:20, 2 Timothy 4:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A New Song Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

God is infinite, and therefore, only infinite creativity is worthy of Him, and adequate to glorify His name. It is also essential to keep joy alive in the worshipper. Variety is the spice of life, and a new song is like a tonic that lifts and enables us to feel afresh the love that is always there.

It is easy for us to do what the psalmist urges us to do, "Sing to the Lord a new song." The number of new songs to sing today is enormous. Back in 1891 Dr. Julian in his famous Dictionary of Hymnology examined four hundred thousand hymns, and he did not cover them all. There are, ...read more

The Magnanimity Of God’s Love

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 4, 2024

As we gather this Christmas Sunday, there is a tension in the air, one that is often masked by the lights, the decorations, and the festive songs. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Christmas—the gifts, the food, the joy. But do we ever stop to reflect on the true weight of this season?

The Magnanimity of God’s Love December 22, 2024 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Psalm 24:3-10 John 1:14, 3:16 Introduction: The Tension of Christmas As we gather this Christmas Sunday, there is a tension in the air, one that is often masked by the lights, the decorations, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:3-10, John 1:14, John 3:16

Denomination: Brethren

All Because Of His Grace Series

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Jun 9, 2025

We often easily say, “All because of His grace,” when we experience good things. But what about when we face difficulties? The Bible teaches us to remain thankful and acknowledge God’s grace in every situation, both in joy and sorrow:

ALL BECAUSE OF HIS GRACE Several Bible verses affirm that everything is because of God’s grace, including: Romans 3:24: “And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

House Of Mourning Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Dec 8, 2003

One of God’s purposes for our lives is that we enjoy them., but it is not the ONLY purpose. He wants to deepen us, and that comes not so much from joy as it does facing the sober realities of life. Facing life’s realities opens us up to receive wisdom,

Sober Thoughts and Balanced Living OR What Does A Mature Person Look Like? (Ecclesiastes 7:1-22) 1. The gift of enjoyment is a wonderful gift. 2. But remember that from chapter 3, “a time to weep and a time to laugh.” 3. We have to take the good with the bad; like Job, we have to say, “The Lord ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 7:1-22

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Fruit That Is Never Out Of Season: Peace Series

Contributed by John Maxwell on Aug 10, 2006

Paul teaches us that, "The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace," and that’s what we’re going to highlight today, the peace, "patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Let’s talk about p

FRUIT THAT IS NEVER OUT OF SEASON PEACE Galatians 5:22,23 John Maxwell INTRODUCTION: Today I want to continue my series on Fruit That is Never Out of Season. Let’s look at what Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22,23 about the fruit of the spirit. Let’s begin there. Paul teaches us that, "The fruit ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Joyful Transition From Law To Grace Series

Contributed by Gordon Weatherby on Apr 30, 2013

The man Saul of Tarsus had lived much of his life under the law. After a miraculous encounter with Jesus Christ, He came to have faith in Christ. Ananias was sent to tell Saul his need for salvation. The joy Paul experienced in going from life under the

THE JOYFUL TRANSITION FROM LAW TO GRACE 1 Timothy 1:8-17 http://chirb.it/c97Hmn INTRODUCTION: 1.) With the greatest of joy and excitement, one of the old Sunday School choruses proclaims: “It’s bubbling, it’s bubbling, it’s bubbling in my soul; there’s singing, and laughing, since Jesus ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:8-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Blessed Are They Who Walk According To The Law Of The Lord

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Oct 20, 2013

What does God’s Word do for us? 1- God’s Word keeps us pure 2- God’s Word helps us to know God 3- God’s Word brings joy to our hearts

INTRO.- ILL.- A collector of rare books ran into an acquaintance who told him he had just thrown away an old Bible that he found in a dusty, old box. He happened to mention that Guten-somebody-or-other had printed it. "Not Gutenberg?" gasped the collector. "Yes, that was it!" "You idiot! ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:1-16, Psalm 119:105

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Have Faith And Pray

Contributed by Craig Condon on Jun 5, 2015

Our Christian life is not to be confined to a closet. Our belief must be revealed in our practice. If we walk in Christ, then we must act as Christ would act because Christ is in us-our hopes, our love, our joy and our lives. We are Christ's reflection.

At first glance, the reading from Hosea 1:2-10 doesn't seem to make sense. Would God really ask a prophet to marry a prostitute? Well, the answer is yes he can, and yes he did. You see, this was part of God's plan, and we all know that God's ways are not our ways, and sometimes God's ways don't ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:2-10

Denomination: Anglican

For This Purpose I Was Born Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 23, 2018

Jesus' testimony before Pilate spoke of the purpose of His coming. Though we speak of joy and peace in Christ, it is essential that He came to bring salvation. This He has done through presenting His life as a sacrifice. Those who believe are ushered into His Kingdom.

“Pilate entered his headquarters again and called Jesus and said to him, ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’ Jesus answered, ‘Do you say this of your own accord, or did others say it to you about me?’ Pilate answered, ‘Am I a Jew? Your own nation and the chief priests have delivered you over to me. ...read more

Scripture: John 18:33-37

Denomination: Baptist

The Sermon On The Mount (Part 17) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 20, 2020

What does worry accomplish for us? Nothing. It robs us. It robs our joy, our peace, our patience, our ability to trust and rely on God. It robs our ability to think rationally and find solutions to our problems. No wonder Jesus tells us to not worry.

THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT (part 17) Matthew 6:25-34 I did a sermon a couple of years ago titled, Be in the Now. It's about being in the moment. One of the points I made involved the extended version of the Serenity Prayer. In it, we see this line, "Living one day at a time, enjoying one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:25-34, 1 Peter 5:7, Philippians 4:6-7, Luke 10:41-42

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Being A Family Of God

Contributed by Derek Geldart on May 16, 2021

In the following sermon I am going to examine Apostle Paul’s thanksgiving prayer to the church of Philippi and suggest the foundation of a great church honors Christ through thanksgiving, mutual love, joy, unity of purpose, and steadfast devotion to carry on a good work until He returns!

Being a Family of God Philippians 1:3-5 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 While most people remember where they were when they got news of the twin towers falling, they are also unlikely to forgot where they were when they first heard of the Covid-19 outbreak in Wuhan, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist