Sermons on Designed For Joy:

Looking For Pennies

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 19, 2001

Looking for Pennies (story from Annie Dillard) is important because: 1. The created world is a window into the heart of God. 2. The created world provides opportunities to praise the goodness of God. 3. The created world is a source of joy for thankful

Annie Dillard, in her wonderful Pulitzer Prize winning book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, tells a story about pennies. It was in her chapter entitled “Seeing” that I read her wonderful childhood story. I will let her tell it in her own words: “When I was six or seven years old, growing up in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Methodist

How Can I Ever Thank You?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 20, 2001

Gratitude of the Believer demonstrated in Christian walk.

HOW CAN I EVER THANK YOU LORD? Colossians 2:6-7 Introduction: Andrae Crouch in his song My Tribute wrote, "How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me. Things so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

He Worshipped

Contributed by Richard Rutledge on Nov 20, 2001

Job’s first reaction to the devastating news of his servants was to worship.

Job 1:13-20 Text: He Worshipped Perhaps of all the accounts given us in Scripture, few paints a more vivid picture of total devastation and tragedy as the story of Job. Most of you are familiar with this passage but for the benefit of those who may not be, let me share a little background. Job ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lighten Up!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 5, 2001

A message encouraging Christians to live lives characterized by joy rather than grumpiness.

Lighten Up! Various Scriptures Introduction We all like being around people who are generally upbeat, don’t we? I mean, if you had your choice of being with someone who had a smile or someone who looked like he was weaned on sour lemons, who would you most likely pick? I’d pick the smiley guy ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 7:12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Rejoice In The Lord

Contributed by Steve Gladwell on Dec 29, 2001

How christians can be joyful.

Rejoice in the Lord! Sometimes, you make the most amazing discoveries when you are preaching. When I received the preaching plan for this quarter and discovered which passage I was to preach on, I was reminded once again, about how God listens and remembers all that goes in this place. The last ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

It'a Time To Dance

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 31, 2001

Sometimes in this life we need to dance before the Lord like David did so that God gets the glory. But there will be critics!

It’s time to dance! Thesis: Sometimes in this life we need to dance before the Lord like David did so that God gets the glory. But there will be critics! Texts: 2 Samuel 6 The Holy Bible, New International Version 2 Samuel 6:1 (NIV) 1David again brought together out of Israel chosen men, thirty ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:4-12, 2 Samuel 6:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Christians That Produce Christ-Like Fruit

Contributed by Terry Vaughan on Jan 1, 2002

In this message you will see three things that we need to bear fruit for the Lord Jesus.

WESTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR: TERRY VAUGHAN SERMON TITLE: CHRISTIANS THAT PRODUCE CHRIST -LIKE FRUIT “For God so Loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Prayer At New Year's

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Jan 2, 2002

Even in tumultuous times God’s people have every reason to offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for all of the gifts he pours out on us daily!

“We Will Never Forget.” Like never before that phrase has a chilling significance. Perhaps that phrase crystallizes the events of the year 2001. While it is a year that we’ve vowed never to forget, strangely it’s also the one we wish we had never experienced. So we look forward to a new year ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7

Denomination: Lutheran

Celebrate God's Grace This New Year's Eve

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 4, 2002

Isaiah invites us to look back on a year of God’s grace drawing to a close and to look ahead to another year of God’s grace that is just beginning.

In the ancient calendar used by the Romans, from which our calendar was created, the name of each month had a meaning. For example the month of February was so named because that was the time of the year for a feast called Februa. Some of the months were named for the false gods that the Romans ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9, Isaiah 63:1, Isaiah 63:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

How Can I Count My Blessings?

Contributed by Larry Wise on Dec 1, 2000

Keeping my perspective when times get tough.

How Can I Count My Blessings? I Peter 4:12-19 So, how was your Thanksgiving this year? Consider Job. He has come to represent the epitome of suffering. His children were killed in an accident. He is financially ruined. He has been stricken with an incurable illness--and is in such constant ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Joyful Reminder

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 14, 2000

A books survey message of Philippians

A Joyful Reminder Philippians Survey October 18, 1998 Morning Service INTRODUCTION I. Dr. Victor Frankl A. Imprisoned by the Nazis because he was a Jew: The nazi killed his wife, his children and his parents, Nazis stripped him of his clothes and cut off his wedding band B. Frankl’s Response: “You ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-2

Denomination: Church Of God

Things I Am Thankful For

Contributed by Bo Dunford on Jan 5, 2001

God has been so good to us and we should be thankful to Him

1CHRON.16:7-14 AND V.34-36 "THINGS I AM THANKFUL FOR" A) Thanksgiving is a time to count your blessings and give thanks to God! * Everyday should be thanksgiving, but praise God for this day each year that reminds us to take a day for special thanks to our God! * 1Thes.5:18 "In everything give ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:7-14, 1 Chronicles 16:34-36

Denomination: Baptist

Why Be Joyful?

Contributed by Eric Shrewsberry on Jan 16, 2001

One of the most consistent and nagging questions we encounter in our life is the question, "Why?" Almost no other question has us bothered, frustrated, angry or frightened than the question, "Why?"

Why Be Joyful? Philippians 4:4-7 I. One of the most consistent and nagging questions we encounter in our life is the question, "Why?" Almost no other question has us bothered, frustrated, angry or frightened than the question, "Why?" A. You remember when we’re children, one of the first ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: *other

Grace Discerned: Gratitude Demonstrated

Contributed by Dana Chau on Sep 3, 2001

When we discern God’s grace, we will demonstrate gratitude to God.

We are looking at Psalm 116 this morning. The content and relationship described in this Psalm cause one to think that the psalm writer is King David. This psalm is a personal testimony of thanksgiving to God. Over 30 times, the writer uses "I," "me," and "my." The words contrast the difficulties ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 116:1-19

Denomination: *other

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain Series

Contributed by Craig Simonian on Sep 4, 2001

This sermon demonstrates that the abundant life really can only happen in Christ.

FOR TO ME, TO LIVE IS CHRIST, TO DIE IS GAIN 1. If we could interview anyone… - I wouldn’t have chosen Paul b/c intimidation. Now I see him as a man who loved J. - Tell us about yourself, Paul? - Can you tell us your favorite HS story? - What were some of your toughest times? - How would ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:19-20