Sermons on Epistle Of Joy:

Saying No To Selfishness Series

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Jul 3, 2001

I talk about how to turn a selfish life into an unselfish one.

Saying No To Selfishness 6-30-01 Opening Illustration: Some things just rob our joy. For instance waking up in the morning because you have to go to the bathroom. As you get up you look at the clock and realize you woke up 20 minutes before your alarm was to go off. How you wished you had those ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Tenth Leper

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Jul 6, 2001

We ought to live and worship and serve in such a way that our lives become a Te Deum of gratitude to God!

The Tenth Leper Scripture Reading: Luke 17:11-19 Text: Luke 17:17 A man stood writing at the post office counter one day when an older man shuffled up to him with a postcard in his hand. “Sir,” the older man said, “would you please address this postcard for me?” The first man gladly consented, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19, Luke 17:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Been There, Done That, Got The T-Shirt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 9, 2001

This sermon was done while peeling off T-shirts, one by one. The focus is that the presence of the Lord in our lives, as an active participant, drives out cynicism and preserves our joy.

I wish I had bought stock in the T-shirt industry. Of the making of souvenir T-shirts there is no end. People are using T-shirts to send all sorts of messages. Some T-shirts advertise products. Some T-shirts identify the work places. Some focus on the club memberships. And then some T-shirts ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoice In The Lord / Put No Confidence In The Flesh Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 14, 2001

REJOICING IN CHRIST MEANS TURNING OUR BACK ON EVERYTHING THAT WOULD EXALT OUR FLESH

BIG IDEA: REJOICING IN CHRIST MEANS TURNING OUR BACK ON EVERYTHING THAT WOULD EXALT OUR FLESH I. (:1) REMEMBER THE COMMAND A. Point of Emphasis -- "Finally, my brethren" Carson: "What Paul is doing is picking up the theme of rejoicing he introduced in 2:17-18." Gromacki: "… designates an abrupt ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

New Song Of Celebration Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Oct 18, 2000

BREAK OUT OF YOUR RUT AND SING A NEW SONG OF SHOUTS OF JOY

BIG IDEA: BREAK OUT OF YOUR RUT AND SING A NEW SONG OF SHOUTS OF JOY Important theme throughout the Psalms: 33:3 "Sing to Him a new song" 40:3 "He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to out God" 96:1 "Sing to the Lord a new song" 98:1 "Sing to the Lord a new Song, For He has done ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Jesus' Joy Gave Him Strength

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Without the joy of the Lord any ministry can become a burden. Believers soon learn that in the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures forever more. (Psa. 16:11) Joy works as a magnet to bring other people to faith in C

Without the joy of the Lord any ministry can become a burden. Believers soon learn that in the presence of the Lord is fullness of joy and in His right hand are pleasures forever more. (Psa. 16:11) Joy works as a magnet to bring other people to faith in Christ. Yet, Jesus knew that eternal joy ...read more

Scripture: John 15:10-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Overcome Hurts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Many people who suffer from mental, emotional, or social pain internalize their grief. Anger begins when we feel hurt because of disappointments, frustrations, or the actions of another person. Instead of turning one’s rights, worries & expectations over

1. Many people who suffer from mental, emotional, or social pain internalize their grief. Anger begins when we feel hurt because of disappointments, frustrations, or the actions of another person. Instead of turning one’s rights, worries & expectations over to the Lord we tend to refuse to admit ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:3-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Get Better - Not Bitter

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Everyone has a tendency to grow bitter with life’s difficulties. Bitterness is like a cancer that deteriorates the mind and heart. If left unchecked, this tendency can eventually poison a person’s perspectives toward just about everything. Even the writer

Everyone has a tendency to grow bitter with life’s difficulties. Bitterness is like a cancer that deteriorates the mind and heart. If left unchecked, this tendency can eventually poison a person’s perspectives toward just about everything. Even the writer of Hebrews wrote, "See to it that no one ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Manage Conflicts

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Why Try to Manage Conflicts? - Some conflicts are beyond our ability to resolve so learn to do what is within our area of responsibility and leave the rest of pressures to the Lord’s control

1. Why Try to Manage Conflicts? - Some conflicts are beyond our ability to resolve so learn to do what is within our area of responsibility and leave the rest of pressures to the Lord’s control. (I Pet. 5:7,8) 2. Every conflict situation has thc potential for making us bitter or better (Heb. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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