Sermons on Joy And Meaning:

Gospel Centered Prayer Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on May 7, 2023

Paul tells the Philippians what he prays for them and gives us a model to pray for each other.

Technicolor Joy A Study in Philippians 1:9-11 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church 5-07-2023 I Pray for You I love country music. Not the twangy old country but new country. Friday night, I went and saw Thomas Rhett and Cole Swindell at the Peoria Civic Center. Both of these ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Religion And Politics - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 23, 2025

One of the most aggravating parts of living in a fallen world is dealing with corruption in government and other authorities who misuse their power—especially when that abuse of power hurts you personally. This passage teaches us how to keep enjoying life even in the face of abuse of authority.

8:1 Who is like the wise person, and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed. 2 Keep the king's command because of your oath made before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence, and don't persist in a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:1

Don't Give Up...great Things Take Time

Contributed by John Daniel Johnson on Sep 30, 2018

True believers can't give up. That what we feel is a setback is only a setup for the Savior to step through. Don't give up...great things take time!

Scripture Reference: Psalm 137:1-4 Preached at Mount Zion Baptist Church on June 10, 2018 Delivered by Rev. John Daniel Johnson Introduction: Israel had been in captivity as slave in Egypt. After nearly 400 years of captivity, they were allowed to leave and follow Moses to the Promised Land of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

Choices

Contributed by Samuel Fulkerson on May 2, 2013

I think the happiest people on earth are those who have a close relationship to the Christ. Where are you choices leading you to try and find happiness? In a place or in a person?

Quotes: “Choose your love. Love your choice.” ― Thomas S. Monson “We are our choices.” ― Jean-Paul Sartre “Alice came to a fork in the road. 'Which road do I take?' she asked. 'Where do you want to go?' responded the Cheshire Cat. 'I don't know,' Alice ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:1-16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas, Treasure Or Celebrate?

Contributed by J Jeffrey Smead on Dec 12, 2013

Is that what I do? Do I 'keep Christmas.well? I have a feeling that many of us do not. Maybe we do not how to keep Christmas. We do not know how to Treasure Christmas, so we just celebrate it.

For those not familiar with an Anglican Service, there are Four Scripture readings prior to the message. Those assigned for this day are Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14 and Luke 2:1-20. Let Us Pray..... O' Heavenly Father.... I thank-you for all those gathered here this night. May you fill ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Bring It On

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 21, 2011

Too often, we run from challenges. Yet the people we love to read about in the Bible are impressive because they battled challenges. If God sends you on stony paths, He will provide you with strong shoes.

Opening illustration: A TV program on the History Channel featured the world’s most extreme airports. The one that caught my attention is no longer open, but it is one I had flown into. I agree that Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport was definitely a thrill ride for passengers and surely a challenge for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:22-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bridge Builder: Lost People Matter To God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

This shepherd was able to rejoice with his friends and neighbors because his lost sheep was found. He was overjoyed with the rescue of this one, lost sheep.

Opening illustration: Did you ever have a kid in your neighborhood that always hid so good nobody could find him? We did. After a while we would give up on him and go off, leaving him to rot wherever he was. Soon or later he would show up all-mad because we didn’t keep looking for him. And we would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

All Ye Jigs And Juleps, Praise The Lord

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 3, 2010

The whole created order finds joy in the coming of Christ. It’s time we truly celebrated, either by doing something good for ourselves or by helping someone else.

The psalm which we just read together was paraphrased many years ago by Archbishop Cranmer as a great hymn of praise, used for generations in the Church of England. Its Latin name is "Benedicite omnia opera": "Bless the Lord, all ye works of the Lord". This hymn is a long recitation of many of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 148:1-14

Denomination: Baptist

For The Lord Watches Over The Way Of The Righteous

Contributed by Jose R. Hernandez on Apr 9, 2011

Developing and nurturing a defeatist attitude is something that we can’t afford to do. We can’t develop and nurture a defeated mind, because to do so will stop us from seeing and appreciating the blessings that God pours out upon His people.

Seeing what’s happening around us, in other words, the conflicts and wars in the Middle East; the financial problems in Europe; and the financial problems here in the U.S., where the government is at the brink of a shut down, unemployment continues to grow, and foreclosures continue to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Surprise!

Contributed by Paul Decker on Apr 8, 2007

Jesus brings joy out of our mourning.

SURPRISE! John 20.1-18 S: Resurrection C: Life, light, hope Pr: JESUS BRINGS JOY OUT OF OUR MOURNING. TS: We will find in our study of John 20.1-18 how God is an expert in performing the unexpected. Type: Inductive I. DARKNESS (1) II. INVESTIGATION (2-7) III. BELIEF (8-10) IV. MOURNING ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Unlocking Mystical Communion With God - Psalm 63:9-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 15, 2025

How to enjoy God in both the destiny and the journey

Christianity is all about mystical fellowship with the Trinity, which is always available as we realize and enjoy God’s actions upon us. Draw near to God by joining Him at His side. 1) Delight in Your destiny with God so much that being en-route brings you joy (the trials are achieving the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:9-11

How To Be Blessed Beyond Measure

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Oct 17, 2014

This message explains why we do not have blessings or joy in our lives and how we go about getting those blessings from God. To do so, we use the passage found in PSALM 1:1-6 as our main authority.

My father used to tell us boys that everyone has someone who is in authority over them. He said that every soldier has a sergeant; every worker has a foreman; and then with a wink, he would add, “And every husband has a wife.” And even though he was joking when he said that, he ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6

Denomination: *other

A Joyous Prediction Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Dec 19, 2011

Continuing our Christmas series on joy we begin in Genesis Chapter 3 and follow the revelation of God, through the book of Isaiah, of the Messiah He will bring to restore His creation to Himself.

Joy Series, Part 3 Genesis 3:15 – Isaiah 53:12 Introduction “A Joyous Prediction” Want to share with you a photo I found this week, “King Size Bed” - Recap of last 2 week’s messages: - 1. What steals joy the fastest? The afflictions others bring upon us ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Can't Help It Series

Contributed by Charles Jones on Apr 11, 2013

When David succeeded in the getting the Ark of the Covenant returned to Israel, he was so excited and happy that he stripped his clothes to his loin cloth and danced naked in the streets, leaping and jumping and shouting with joy. That''s the way we f

I Can't Help It By Charles C Jones Psalm 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad Psalm 126:3 Some People Ask Why Are You So Full Of Joy? Why Are We So Joyful? That''s a mystery to those outside of our faith. Whether we enjoy the best of health or whether we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Finding Peace In A Chaotic World Series

Contributed by Chuck Gohn on Jul 1, 2022

This sermon focuses on the day-to-day anxiety that we all experience, and Paul’s formula for experiencing peace in a chaotic world. The peace that is available to everyone through Jesus Christ.

I have a quick question for you. How many of you have ever heard the phrase ‘Helicopter Parent’? Helicopter parenting, for those of you who don’t know, is basically when a parent or parents take an excessive amount of interest in their child or their teenager’s problems. I was thinking that ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-9, 1 Peter 5:7, Matthew 6:6

Denomination: Christian Church