Sermons on Designed For Joy:

Thanks Giving

Contributed by John Beehler on Nov 20, 2002

Who do we owe our thanks to?

Thanks Giving The story is told of two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5, Isaiah 28:24-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Developing True Thankfulness

Contributed by Michael Fogaras on Nov 24, 2002

What were the four desires of the first century church that God would add to their number daily?

DEVELOPING TRUE THANKFULNESS ACTS 3:44-47 INTRODUCTION: As we come to this time of year there are many celebrations coming up. In just a few days we will be celebrating Thanksgiving. This is usually a time when we gather together with family and friends and reflect on the goodness of God. We ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:44-47

Denomination: Pentecostal

Give Thanks: You Are Cleansed And Free

Contributed by Eloy Gonzalez on Nov 26, 2002

Thanksgiving Day: We are cleansed and made pure through Jesus’ Cross and Resurrection. This blessing far surpasses any trials and burdens that may come into our lives!

There’s a story of a man who lived in Budapest. He goes to the rabbi and complains, “Life is unbearable. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?” The rabbi answers, “Take your goat into the room with you.” The man just couldn’t believe what he heard. But the rabbi insists. “Do ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Lutheran

The Human Harp Of Praise

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Nov 29, 2002

The role that praise plays in personal and corporate worship.

The Human Harp of Praise I will sing a new song to you, O God; on the ten-stringed lyre I will make music to you, Psalm 144:9 Mark Twain had a bad habit of spicing his conversation with profanity. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 144:9

Denomination: Wesleyan

Thanksgiving Catalogue

Contributed by John Beehler on Dec 1, 2002

A Thanksgiving Eve sermon

Thanksgiving Catalogue The biggest Thanksgiving killer, is the day after when Christmas shopping begins in earnest and we stop thinking about what we have and start thinking about what we want. Many of us like to peruse the Christmas catalogue looking at all the neat ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5, Psalm 1:1-5

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Advent Iii, Year B

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Dec 5, 2002

Paul exhorts us to "rejoice always." True joy and rejoicing is a gift recieved vis-a-vis our relationship with Christ.

Sermon for Advent III, Yr B Dec 15, 2002 Based on I Thess 5:16 Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson A woman was sitting on her living room couch one day when a black snake slithered past. The woman, who was deathly afraid of snakes, dashed to the bathroom to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Lord Of The Dance

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Oct 28, 2001

Get back your dance once again and rejoice in the Lord!

I. Dancing in the Ditch? A. Text: II Kings 3:9-20 B. There were only two reasons why people danced in the OT (1) At a time of celebration because of a victory. (2) Or in the presence of God (as with David and the Ark of the Covenant). C. Dance represents joy. D. The Psalmist David spent much time ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:9-20

Grumpy Old Christians

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 31, 2001

There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News!

Grumpy Old Christians Thesis: There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News! Texts: Phil. 4:8 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fruit Of The Spirit - Joy - Part 2

Contributed by Jason Frazier on Nov 6, 2001

Talks about what it means to have joy. Includes an exhaustive outline on every reason the Bible gives to have joy. A great resource & encouragement for pastors

TEXT: Galatians 5:22-25 The Fruit of the Spirit - Part 2: Joy Last week, we started this series on the Fruit of the Spirit as we talked about “Love.” We talked about the different Greek words for love & their differences. There is so much attention paid to love & its variations. However, as we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Handle Difficult Times

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 15, 2001

This is a devotional given to my leadership board for the month of November.

How to Handle Difficult Times Selected Passages November 13, 2001 Three Ways to handle difficult times I. Be Thankful 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 A. God has blessed us The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Mark 12:30-31

Denomination: Church Of God

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

Remembering You're Not On Your Own Series

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Nov 30, 2005

2nd in series on restoring the joy in a Christian’s life. Sermon begins in Psalms but is built around Jeremiah passage.

RESTORING THE JOY Part 2: Remembering You’re Not On Your Own - Read Psalm 137:1-4 In this passage, we find that Israel had been invaded by the Babylonians. The Babylonians pillaged their country. They killed a lot of people; and then took the leaders and whatever young men looked like ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-14

Denomination: Baptist

What's So Great About Gratefulness?

Contributed by Don Jaques on Dec 1, 2005

When we choose to give thanks to God in all circumstances, we reap the benefits of God’s blessings. The hearer will understand WHY he/she should give thanks to God and be motivated to develop the discipline of grateful living.

INTRO In “The Hiding Place”, Dutch woman Corrie ten Boom wrote of her family’s experience undergoing the trial of concentration camps under the Third Reich in World War II. Though not Jews themselves, she, her father, and her sister, Betsie, were sent to a series of prison camps for harboring Jews ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational