Sermons on Joy In Pain:

3 More Than Stuff Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Dec 11, 2025

Christmas tells us that more presents equal more joy… but is that really true? In this message, we explore the story of the shepherds in Luke 2:1–20 and see how they discovered a joy far better than anything the world could wrap. Real joy isn’t something you open — it’s Someone you meet.

INTRODUCTION It’s great to be able to share our Christmas series Beyond the Hype — looking at how God invites us into something so much deeper and longer-lasting than the pressure-filled version of Christmas the world often sells us. Today we’re looking at a theme we all know too well this time of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Enjoy Your Ice Cream Cone - Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, 2:24-25 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 11, 2025

No matter how wisely you live, you can’t control outcomes. The world calls it bad luck. Christians call it hard providence. Whatever you call it, this sermon will help you learn how to enjoy whatever moment of God’s perfect plan you are currently in.

Ecclesiastes 1:1 The words of the Preacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem. 2 "Absolute futility," says the Preacher. "Absolute futility. Everything is futile." 3 What does a man gain for all his efforts that he labors at under the sun? 2:24 There is nothing better for man ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-3, Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

Third Sunday Of Advent, Year A: Gaudete Sunday--John The Baptist: Danger And Beauty Of The Barren Places

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 2, 2022

It is just these types of lonely, painful moments that Jesus wants to redeem. John the Baptist got ministered to in prison by Jesus. He answered John’s question and complimented him to others.

A bedraggled little man once walked the streets of an Italian town 100 years ago. Many of the townspeople saw his pallid face, often tearful, as he stumbled along the cobblestone streets and narrow alleys. One day a kind soul, witnessing the man’s misery, came up to him, hoping to lift his sad ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1, Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Catholic

Watch Out For The Shortcuts! Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Apr 4, 2008

47th in a series from Ephesians. Shortcuts in our walk with God rob us of the joy of the journey.

We seem to always be in such a hurry that as a culture, we have fallen in love with shortcuts. My earliest recollection of taking shortcuts goes back to when we used to walk to school each morning. You know – 5 miles, uphill each way, through the snow – in Tucson! Actually it was more like half a ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Gift PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 2, 2023

To explore the gifts of testing, patience, and joy and how they serve to mature us and deepen our relationship with Christ.

Good morning, church family. You know, as Christians, we often hear about the gifts of the Spirit, but how often do we consider the gifts of testing, patience, and joy? In a world where instant gratification is the norm, these gifts may seem like anything but. However, as we delve into James ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-16

Topics: Tests, Challenges

The Storm Is Over

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Nov 5, 2025

“The Storm Is Over” is a message of hope and restoration, declaring that every season of trouble, pain, and delay has come to an end, and a new season of peace and divine breakthrough has begun.

THE STORM IS OVER By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Mark 4:35-41 Supporting Texts: Psalm 107:28-30; Isaiah 43:2; Nahum 1:7; John 16:33; Acts 27:21-25 Key Verse: “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.” — Mark ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Far Better Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 20, 2023

Message 3 in our series through Philippians as we pause to center our focus on what Paul describes as "far better" (Bonus Message on Heaven).

Have you ever noticed that life is always better when a vacation is on the horizon? It’s just a fact of life. When you’re going on a long trip you may contact a travel agency or you surf the net or talk to friends who have had a great experience somewhere. So you begin to look at pictures. You ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-6, Revelation 21:15-17, Romans 8:23, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52, Philippians 1:23-24  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Smokeless Tobacco Addicts Are Same As Smoking Cigarette Addicts. Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on May 27, 2024

Smokeless tobacco is not significantly different from cigarette smoke in terms of harmful effects on the body.

Smokeless tobacco is not significantly different from cigarette smoke in terms of harmful effects on the body. Both contain harmful chemicals like nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, which can lead to: The pungent aroma of smokeless tobacco lingers in the air, a potent reminder of its harmful ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:16-20, Matthew 18:19-20, Isaiah 59:2

The Holy Way

Contributed by Marianne Unger on Dec 12, 2007

There is only one way to true happiness, joy, love, peace, and contentment...it is the Holy, Heavenly Highway!

The Holy Way Scripture: Isaiah 35:4-10 When I read today’s Old Testament Lesson on Wednesday, the day I set aside to prepare my sermons, many images came to my mind…the most obvious was the Wizard of Oz. I pictured the “Yellow Brick Road” that Dorothy, The Tin Man, The Lion, the Scarecrow, and ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:4-10

Denomination: *other

Rtd - Pt. 2 - Apathy Angina Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 24, 2019

Religion promises life and then it sickens! It steals hope, joy and eventually life! Are you contaminated with an RTD? The cure is

I. Introduction It was the morning of December 7th, 1941. There were 353 Japanese airplanes diving and strafing the American battleships and military sites in Pearl Harbor. The results of the "surprise" attack were devastating. 8 battleships sunk. 6 major airfields destroyed. And the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 11:37-46

Denomination: Pentecostal

Inspiration This Day Series

Contributed by Onaefe Edebi on May 2, 2014

'This Day' is a daily series on practical inspirational guide for living your best life with joy, peace and fulfilment.

This Day: "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Have you ever felt like time is racing against you? And truly , time is an expert runner. He doesn't get tired at any lap and never slows down; not even for a split second. That's how we often are driven to ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Being On Jesus' World Series Team

Contributed by Jay Winters on May 30, 2006

A short sermon using baseball images to explain how Christians can feel pain despite Christ’s High Priestly prayer "protect them from the evil one."

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, the Holy Three in One who provides your place in the Church and won’t give it away to anyone beside you. It was a nightgame. I was 11 years old and playing catcher. The pitcher threw to the outside of the strike zone and to my ...read more

Scripture: John 17:11-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Are You Living, Or Are You Dying? Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 1, 2017

My dorm mate used to say, "Are you living, or are you dying?" His saying brings up a point. What is living? As Paul sits in a dark, dank, depressing prison cell, he gives us and the Philippians an answer.

Are you living, or are you dying? One of my dormmates, Josh, would tell me that all the time. He would say that to encourage me to get out of my room, to stop studying, and to go have some fun, which, in his definition, would be living. Then what is dying? Well, that is what I was doing, and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14, Philippians 1:19-26

Denomination: Lutheran

A Future Worth Looking Forward To PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 3, 2023

Explores the promise of a new heaven and earth, emphasizing the hope and joy we have in God's faithful and true promises for eternity.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to gather together in the house of the Lord, isn't it? To come together as one family, united in our love for Christ, to seek His face and to hear His Word. We find ourselves today on the threshold of a new exploration in the book of Revelation, specifically ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-8

Topics: Encouragement, Better Times

Your Silence Is Your Sermon

Contributed by Katherine Gilstrap on May 17, 2023

Silence is essential for growth in the spiritual life every season of our lives has its joys and its challenges

Silence is essential for growth in the spiritual life every season of our lives has its joys and its challenges -MAGNIFY THE NEGATIVE- -Details to our pain but short version to our joy -Some folk ANOINTED TO TALK-SHARE -At the wrong or worst times -Example- sleep or watching a game -IT TAKES ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:7, Matthew 26:62-63

Denomination: Other