Sermons on Joy In Pain:

Jesus Unwrapped

Contributed by Jane Willis on Dec 25, 2004

What is the hurry to pack away the creche and baby Jesus? Lets leave him out as a reminder of the great joy of the Christmas season.

Jesus Unwrapped Matthew 2: 13-15 An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up," he said, "take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14So he got up, took the child and his mother during ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-15

Denomination: Congregational

Listen For Love Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 5, 2019

In our text God speaks in different tones that I hope will bring us comfort and joy, to know we are loved by God.

LISTEN FOR LOVE   Isaiah 40:1-11 Introduction It is a traditional English Christmas carol, one of the oldest carols, dating back to the 16th century, the name of its author long unknown. In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol this song stirred irritation of Ebeneezer Scrooge,  causing him ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When God Remembers The Rejected

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Oct 19, 2025

God never forgets His children; when He remembers the rejected, He turns their sorrow into songs of joy and their reproach into rejoicing.

WHEN GOD REMEMBERS THE REJECTED By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 30:22-24 Key Verse: “And God remembered Rachel, and God hearkened to her, and opened her womb.” — Genesis 30:22 Supporting Texts: 1 Samuel 1:19-20; Isaiah 49:15-16; Psalm 136:23; Exodus 2:24; Luke ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 30:22-24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2019

This was a funeral for a woman who had struggled with disease for several years. Every time she went to see the doctor she asked her daughter to play the song "Lord, I hope this day is good."

(prior to the sermon the funeral home played the old Country hit “Lord, I hope this day is good.”) OPEN: Kay was a wonderful woman who struggled with a terrible disease that ultimately took her life. Every day that she had to go to see the doctor she’d ask her daughter to play the song we just ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Zion's Coming Salvation

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 23, 2016

Isaiah 62:6-12 shows us that God's goal is for people all over the world to enter into his joy.

Scripture Today is Sunday, December 25. It is the day in which we particularly remember the birth of Jesus Christ. During Advent, I have preached a series of messages on the Old Testament Scripture Readings that I am calling, “Advent in Isaiah.” Isaiah ministered to a people who had drifted away ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Trials Are Life - Giving And Life - Changing

Contributed by Gregory Mc Donald on Oct 16, 2002

James is calling us to a new way of thinking in times of trials. Consider it pure joy, because the Lord is there every step of the way

TRIALS “ARE” LIFE-GIVING AND LIFE CHANGING JAMES 1:2-4 Pastor Greg Mc Donald How many here have ever seen a golf ball...or held one in your hand? Probably all of you. Well, did you know that when they first manufactured golf balls, they made them smooth. But later on it was discovered that ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Firm In Faith PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 12, 2023

To explore and understand the power of faith in our lives, and how it can serve as our guiding light, source of strength, and bringer of joy.

Good morning, dear friends. We gather here today to explore and discuss the profound theme of faith in our lives. As we delve into the core of our Christian belief, let's take a moment to reflect on the words of a renowned Christian author, Oswald Chambers, who once said, "Faith is deliberate ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:8-11

Topics: Living Faith

How To Become Wise

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Dec 16, 2015

Hebrew scholars in Jesus’ day clearly expected Bethlehem to be the birth place of the Messiah. These men were from Persia whose knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures could be traced back to the time of Daniel.

How to Become Wise Matthew 2: 1-2, 10-11 Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, 2 saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Funeral Sermon: From Mourning To Gladness Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 5, 2025

Just as the Psalmist declares, “Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing,” we too can trust that God will lift our hearts from sorrow and bring us to a place of peace.

FUNERAL SERMON: FROM MOURNING TO GLADNESS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Psalm 30:11 (KJV) Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness. INTRODUCTION: In moments of sorrow, the human heart seeks solace, seeking to understand why ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

The Time Has Come To Pray #7 Series

Contributed by Larry Brincefield on Jan 14, 2004

1. Joy 2. Holiness 3. Evangelism (3 qualities at all Christians SHOULD portray, yet so few do)

December 16, 2003 Title: The Time Has Come...to Pray Text: John 17:13-19 Introduction 1. On these Wednesday Evenings, we have been observing Christ... we have been onlookers, much like those early disciples... watching Christ as He prays to His Father... listening and learning... drawing ...read more

Scripture: John 17:13-19

Denomination: Nazarene

Minors' Lessons That Have Major Impact Vi: Joy - Learned From "who Knows" Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Sep 16, 2019

Christians need a renewal of vows to be and do what God would have His people to be and do, for which are promised positive outcomes that bring glory to God and rejoicing by God's people.

MINORS’ LESSONS THAT HAVE MAJOR IMPACT VI: JOY – Learned from “Who Knows?” Based on Zechariah 9-14 They had been through so much. Throughout their entire history, the people of God fought for survival. It ...read more

Dare To Believe Again Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on Mar 12, 2003

Mary Magdalene’s grief turns to joy when she meets the resurrected Jesus. Jesus calls our name into our grief as well.

Dare to Believe Again – “Up From The Grave: Lent Series” John 20:10-18 March 8/9, 2003 Intro: All of us have had “decisive moments” in our lives – moments which change the direction of our life in a decisive way. They are moments etched in our memories, ones we’ll never forget. Some are ...read more

Scripture: John 20:10-18

Denomination: Baptist

Trusting In The Futures Series

Contributed by Larry Thompson on Mar 19, 2015

Decisions we make today impact our future for His kingdom; Pain may play a role in your future; truth today will transform your future; pleasing God is the purpose of your future

DEFINING MOMENTS – PART THREE TRUSTING IN THE FUTURES JOSHUA 24:14-18 - DR. LARRY L. THOMPSON (2015) Introduction: (Pastor opens with story of visit by President of Insurance Company – “You’ve just made the biggest mistake in your life!”) Cody Delistraty has ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 24:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

Move Forward Series

Contributed by Bala Samson on Mar 4, 2013

When God sets us free, we will not just walk out but we shall leap like calves! To leap is bouncing in the air with joy!

Move forward! Malachi 4:2 “But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” When God sets us free, we will not just walk out but we shall leap like calves! To leap is ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 4:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Grape Expectations (2) Series

Contributed by James Westervelt on Apr 17, 2002

In order to have a maximum yield, grape vines need lots of sunlight, just the right amount of rain, and pruning at the right time....Since chastening and pruning are both painful, how can we distinguish between them?

GRAPE EXPECTATIONS part 2 Last week we started learning about the "cultivation of grapes." In order to have a maximum yield, grape vines need lots of sunlight, just the right amount of rain, and pruning at the right time. If a branch is bearing no fruit, the vinedresser picks ...read more

Scripture: John 15:7-14, John 10:10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational