Sermons on Internal Joy:

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

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

The Power Of Gratitude

Contributed by David Swensen on Nov 20, 2001

Life is tough. As a result, there is need for us to reach out & touch a life. The heart that regularly gives thanks is the heart that serves God by faithfully ministering to others.Such is the power of gratitude

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE Colossians 3:12-17 INTRODUCTION Mildred Hondorff, a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines, Iowa, tells of life-changing experience she had with a pupil. Supplementing her income by teaching piano lessons she taught a “musically challenged” pupil ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

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

Count Your Blessings

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Oct 1, 2002

God has given you millions of dollars in quantifiable blessings. Add up the cost of replacing your liver, your heart, your lungs. . .

B vCOUNT YOUR BLESSINGS For the Christian, gratitude should be a life attitude. “Count Your Blessings” was written by one of the prolific gospel song writers of the past century, a Methodist lay preacher named Johnson Oatman. In addition to his preaching and the writing of more than 5,000 hymn ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-10

Denomination: Church Of God

Praise He Is Worthy Of

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Oct 1, 2002

What can we do to render to God a thanks, praise, or worship that will approach what He is truly worthy of?

AN UNCOMPARABLE PRAISE FOR A INCOMPREHENSIBLE GOD WHY TO PRAISE THE LORD: FOR SUSTAINING LIFE: Let everything that has breath, praise the Lord (Psalms 150) FOR INFINITE MERCY: O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (Psalms 136:1) FOR ABIDING ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:12-26

Denomination: Church Of God

Do It With Thy Might

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Oct 1, 2002

Challenge to the congregation to give God the best of your talents and labor.

There was a young boy who was the son of a drifter. This boy worked as a store clerk for a while, but the store failed. He bought a partnership in another store, but it failed also. He ran for legislature and lost both times. He ran for vice-president and lost. He became the 16th President of the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:4-11, Ecclesiastes 10:4

Denomination: Church Of God

Don't Get Stressed Out!

Contributed by Edward Frey on Oct 11, 2002

The promise of forgiveness and salvation in Christ Jesus tempers our lives with joy and hope.

The population of this country is 200 million people. 84 million are retired. That leaves 116 million to do the work. There are 75 million in school, which leaves 41 million to do the work. Of this total, there are 22 million employed by the federal government. That leaves 19 million to do the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

Develop A Winnng Attitude

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Oct 15, 2002

The Apostle Paul in the book of Philippians gives excellent counsel on how to develop a winning attitude in life.

Develop A Winning Attitude Philippians 3:12-14 The Apostle Paul gives helpful counsel in the book of Philippians on how to develop a winning attitude. Both of our boys and one daughter played little league baseball. When they were on Little League teams we were in Taylor, Michigan planting a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-8, Philippians 3:12-13

Denomination: Free Methodist