Sermons on Designed For Joy:

Jesus Is The Resurrection

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Jun 20, 2018

Saints Jesus arrives in our lives as “The Resurrection and the Life” willing and ready to restore our broken souls and heal our hearts. A restored life, a new life, a restored hope, a new and eternal faith that leads to eternal life. Just trust Him.

I am the Resurrection and the Life John 11:17-27 Message: Disappointment in our relationship with God is something that every Christian has had to deal with. It comes from our failure to understand that God’s ways are not our ways. Isaiah 55:8-9 8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-27, Isaiah 55:8-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Necessity Of The Holy Spirit

Contributed by Richard Tow on Aug 12, 2024

Message explores seven ways the church must be empowered by the Holy Spirit. The consequence of not having this empowerment is identified, and believers are called up to be filled with the Spirit in accordance with Ephesians 5:18.

Intro Have you ever felt like you did not have what it takes to live the Christian life? Have you ever felt overwhelmed with the challenges of life? What do you do when you feel like circumstances are pressing in on you with almost irresistible force? Perhaps you have never experienced those ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-17, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 17:6, 2 Timothy 3:1-6, Isaiah 12:3, Romans 8:26-28, Isaiah 55:1-2, James 1:5, Acts 15:1-28, Mark 16:15-18, Revelation 3:14-22  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

The Insider Threat

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Mar 5, 2024

Jude gives us the prescription to be built up in Christ. No imposter is going to worm their way into your church or home when you live like this.

An insider threat occurs when someone inside a company or organization with authorized access uses their inside position to cause harm to that organization or government or even, if you could believe it inside a church and generally among the wider Christian body. This was a problem in the early ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Benefits Of Holiness Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Feb 6, 2021

What are the benefits of living a holy life by the Grace of God and with His indwelling Holy Spirit? They are many!

Holiness - The Benefits of Holiness Please stand with me as we go over our current memory Scripture: Matthew 5:3-5 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:46, Psalm 11:5, Proverbs 21:21, 2 Chronicles 16:7-9, 2 Chronicles 16:9, Matthew 5:9, Romans 6:22, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 1 Peter 3:12, Hebrews 12:14-29  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Ministry Partnerships-1(2025)

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 11, 2025

1 of 6. Elizabeth & Mary shared their experiences as ministry partners in God’s service. Ministry partnerships foster an atmosphere for sharing experience in God’s service. But What exactly do those partnerships in God's service share? Ministry partnerships share...

MINISTRY PARTNERSHIPS-I—Luke 1:39-40(:39-56) RECAP: Around Christmas, 2023, Salem was met with a series of sermons entitled, ‘MEETING The DEMANDS For GOD’s PLAN’(Lk. 1:26-38). In those sermons, we looked into some early events surrounding the birth of Jesus thru the eyes of Luke. And there we ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-40, Luke 1:39-56

Denomination: Baptist

Experiencing Christmas All Year Round Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Apr 7, 2024

Jesus went from the heights of glory to the depths of shame. He went from the wonders of heaven to the wickedness of earth. He went from exaltation to humiliation. He had experienced coronation in Heaven before Christmas only to experience the curse on this earth.

Christmas is in high gear at Cross Church and allow me to say to wish you a very merry Christmas! Thank you for joining me for a Christmas sermon series entitled, A Timeless Christmas. Christmas is by far and away America’s most popular holiday. I bet it’s even your personal favorite holiday. Nine ...read more

Scripture: John 1:9-13, Psalm 4:7, Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist

Part 34: Wisdom About Worship Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 11, 2025

1. We need wisdom about our help for worship (vs. 1-2). 2. We need wisdom about our hero for worship (vs. 1-7). 3. We need wisdom about our heart for worship (vs. 7-11).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 34: Wisdom about Worship Psalm 95:1-11 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared November 11, 2025) BACKGROUND: *Today our focus is on worship, and nothing is more important in Christian life than heartfelt worship of the LORD! God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 95:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Navigating Life's Challenges

Contributed by Polimetla Joy on Jan 30, 2023

Join me in exploring how to face life's challenges with confidence in God. We will look at biblical principles for triumphing over trials.

Understanding Trials - Life will have struggles, but God uses them to grow us. They reveal areas to improve and create endurance, character, and perseverance. Trusting God's Will - In difficult times, it's normal to question, but trust God has a purpose and plan. He sees the big picture ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Philippians 4:13, Isaiah 41:10

Rebuilding And Restoring: 50 Years Of God's Renewal

Contributed by Jm Raja Lawrence on Aug 14, 2025

Fifty years ago, our church began with faith and a vision. Today, we celebrate God’s work of rebuilding and restoring, a legacy of hope that continues to shape our future.

Rebuilding and Restoring: 50 Years of God's Renewal A Sermon for Our 50th Church Anniversary Isaiah 61:4, Nehemiah 2:18, Matthew 16:18 Introduction Fifty years ago, a small group of believers planted a seed of faith in this community. With little more than trust in God and a shared vision, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:4, Nehemiah 2:18, Matthew 16:18, Psalm 127:1, 1 Corinthians 3:11, 1 Corinthians 3:9, Ephesians 2:19-22, Nehemiah 4:17, Ephesians 3:21, Hebrews 12:28, Nehemiah 2:17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Obedience Plus Passion Equals…strike The Ground.

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Feb 6, 2022

We have a tendency to want Joy without sacrifice. We won't character without suffering. We won't success without failure. We won't gain without pain. We want a testimony without a test. We want it all, without going all in. However it does not work that way, and you know it.

Obedience Plus Passion Equals…Strike the Ground. 2 Kings 13:14-19AMP We have a tendency to want Joy without sacrifice. We won't character without suffering. We won't success without failure. We won't gain without pain. We want a testimony without a test. We want it all, without going ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 13:14-19, 2 Timothy 1:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

Jesus Prays For Us

Contributed by Michael Stark on May 18, 2018

An exposition of Jesus' High Priestly Prayer presented in John 17.

“[Jesus] lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

A Christmas Hope Worth Waiting For Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Nov 6, 2021

All over the world, people recognize the power of Christmas. The reason why Christmas is “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” is because God keeps His promise.

Merry Christmas to you and a big “hello” to our 11 a.m. service. I’m worshipping with Cross Church today, and hopefully, the technology you’re seeing causes all of us to focus on the message rather than the messenger. If you have a Bible, turn with me to Isaiah 11. We have asked you to share your ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Gaining A Heart Of Wisdom Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 16, 2021

Life is short! We must invest our time in that which is of eternal value. All that glitters is not gold. The vanities of this world are of much less value than "gaining a heart of wisdom" (Ps. 90:12). This message leads into Jesus's parable about finding a treasure in Matthew 13:44.

What do you value most in life? The question is not what you should value most. The question is what do you value most in life? The answer to that question is not found in what we say we value. The answer is found in how we invest our lives—how we invest the precious minutes, hours, and days of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 36:1-12, James 4:14, Luke 12:22-31, Matthew 6:19-33, Luke 10:20, Matthew 13:1-11, 2 Corinthians 2:7-10, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, Proverbs 4:1-9, Psalm 19:1, Proverbs 9:10, Matthew 13:44-46, 1 John 4:8-16, Psalm 90:1-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

Swimming In The Baptistery

Contributed by Josh Foster on Feb 18, 2014

It’s an adventure. It’s a good-thing! It’s a joy-to-follow Jesus because so-long-as you’re following Him, …that-just-means that you’re close to His heart and He’s close to yours! And isn’t that exactly-where we wanna be!?!

Walkin’ with Jesus: Swimmin’ in the Baptistery Scripture Text: Mark 10.35-45 INTRODUCTION We need the “meat” of the gospel. We need the stuff that’ll sustain and prepare-us for the long-journey of following Jesus. And that’s-why He teaches James-and-John ~ ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:35-45

Denomination: Nazarene

What Is Your Willoughby?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jan 5, 2018

One of my favorite episodes of The Twilight Zone is "A Stop At Willoughby". It's about a man who is so unhappy with his life that he dreams of little town where life is easy. There are many Christians who are like the story's main character.

When I was growing up one of my favorite programs was The Twilight Zone. I have been accused of, from time to time, still living in the Twilight Zone! That’s okay. One of my favorite episodes is “A Stop at Willoughby”. The story is about a guy named Gart Williams. Now in my best Rod Sterling ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 10:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational