Sermons on Joy And Meaning:

New Beginnings

Contributed by Terry Hovey on May 16, 2025

They lived in fear, but rather than starting immediately on rebuilding the wall for protection, they instead built an altar and began to worship. They worship despite their fear of the surrounding people! They worship because they are afraid!

New Beginnings Ezra 3 You know, I used to be into refinishing old furniture, but not so much anymore. It takes time, a lot of work, and space and the proper tools to do the job well. Terri and I have an old wooden bed with matching wash cabinet with a really old tilt mirror and another old dresser ...read more

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Allow Your Past Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The third thief: "Your Past."

DON’T ALLOW YOUR PAST TO ROB YOUR JOY A. I Timothy 1:12-16 (READ and COMMENT) ILLUSTRATION: In 1955, the New York Yankees chose 22 year-old John Malangone as the probable REPLACEMENT for VETERAN catcher Yogi Berra. Though he could THROW a BALL from HOME PLATE and HIT the left field FENCE 368 ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It's A Good Hurt

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Sep 4, 2008

A message on the good that can come from suffering.

IT’S A GOOD HURT 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Pastor Brian Matherlee I recall a “Far Side” cartoon that has a cowboy filled with arrows and he says to his partner, “It hurts Clem….but it’s a good hurt.” What good can come from suffering? 1. God is the Father of compassion and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Suffering

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Jun 30, 2016

To share that the road to greatness always passes through suffering.

A man found a cocoon of the emperor moth and took it home to watch it emerge. One day a small opening appeared, and for several hours the moth struggled but couldn't seem to force its body past a certain point. Deciding something was wrong, the man took scissors and snipped the remaining bit of ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:3-6

Denomination: Other

Comanded To Praise

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Feb 3, 2010

The Word of God to the believer is to praise the Lord--in all kinds of situations--Praise Him

Commanded To Praise Psalms 100:1-100:5 1Make a joyful shout to the LORD, all you lands! 2Serve the LORD with gladness; Come before His presence with singing. 3Know that the LORD, He is God; It is He who has made us, and £not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Suffering Series

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Feb 27, 2011

Is there an aswer to the cause of suffering? The worlds philosophys either deny the reality of suffering or say it must be dealt with until the release of death. The Christian worldview provides neither denial of evil nor disability in dealing with its

Intro: There are supposedly more Christians in the world today than ever before. There are more churches, Christian organizations, and ministries. Is our world the better for it? Morally, spiritually, socially it seems every place you turn the world is getting worse. Libya, Egypt, the Middle ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10

Denomination: Baptist

"unshakeable - Forging Strength In The Fires Of Adversity"

Contributed by Bishop, W. F. Houston, Jr. on Jul 29, 2024

In a world filled with challenges and trials, we are called to stand firm in our faith, finding joy and growth even in the midst of hardship.

Focal Scripture: James 1:2-4 (CSB) "Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Other

Kingdom Keys - Luke Series

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jan 12, 2024

Joy comes to us when we surrender our will, for the will and power of our Father, His Son and The Holy Spirit

So maybe you’ve heard it said, ‘read your bible’ so you tried and failed. Our hope as leaders is that all of us will pick up God’s word and come to understand the true nature of God. After all, the bible is God’s Word curated over centuries detailing His nature, His will, the meaning of life and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, Genesis 3:1-10, Leviticus 6:1-7, Exodus 22:1, Exodus 22:4, Luke 19:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Details

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Dec 23, 2020

The Good News of great joy proclaimed by the angel over 2,000 years ago is still Good News and still a source of everlasting joy.

You can spend this Christmas focusing on the many things you can be grateful for. And you can marvel that the God of the universe cares about the details of your life. He cares about the stress, frustration, anxiety and heartache you may be experiencing this holiday season. He cares about your ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-12, Jeremiah 29:11, John 3:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Jesus Praying For Us? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Apr 13, 2022

Jesus prays for His disciples and for those who will believe through them. What does He pray?

REVEALING THE HEART: You can learn a lot about someone from how they pray for you. - John 17:9. - I learn a lot about people when I ask “what’s the most important thing I can be praying for you?” That tells me a lot about what their priorities and loves are. - Do they ask for prayer for their ...read more

Scripture: John 17:9-21

Denomination: Baptist

The Wonder Of Summer

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Jun 20, 2022

In light of the fact that God knows me, God’s with me, God made me, we say, “God search me. Dig deep into me. Know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. Understand what’s going on.” And the prayer is that God will lead us, guide us, in the way of everlasting. You can’t outrun His love.

Today we're talking about the "Summer" season of life. A time of creation. A time for things that are new. A season that many of us, myself included look forward to all year. Things like going to the beach, going on vacation somewhere, spending time outside in nature, trips to see ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Love Your Loserness - James 1:9-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 12, 2021

We all have those areas in our lives where we feel like … losers. Most people respond by trying to feel good about themselves, but there’s a better way.

James 1:9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-11

Never A Man Spake Like This Man

Contributed by Arlen Payne on Jul 3, 2002

When the rulers sent deputies to arrest Jesus they returned without him saying "Never a man spake like this man".

Never a Man Spake John 7:37-44 Intro: Jesus had been speaking in Jerusalem -He had caused quite stir. John 7:37-44 -Some believed vs.41 (this is the Christ) -Some doubted. (It can’t be) vs 41-42 -There was great division. Vs. 43 -Some wanted Him dead. Vs 44 -The Pharisees had send ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-44

Denomination: Baptist

One Is Bad - One Is Good

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Mar 11, 2009

A message comparing the horrifying attributes of hell to the wondrous goodness of heaven.

I read a news article the other day that said over 50% of society believes in a heaven, but less than 40% believe in a hell. There is a discrepancy in those numbers because everyone wants to go someplace good, and we all recognize that heaven is a good place. Likewise, we do not want to go any ...read more

Scripture: John 14:3

Denomination: *other

The Christmas Story And The Coming Of Hope

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 30, 2011

The world can only offer wishful thinking. Only Christ offers a hope that has substance.The Christmas story may be familiar to us, but how did the ancient prophets envision what the story of the coming Messiah would look like? To understand that we have t

Purpose: To show how Christ's first coming gives us hope. Aim: I want the listener to embrace and rejoice in the hope Christ brings. INTRODUCTION: For centuries many Christian churches have celebrated the four Sundays before Christmas as the Season of Advent. Advent means "coming" or "arrival." ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:5-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible