Sermons on Joy In Persecution:

"Developing Joy" Series

Contributed by Matt Kyzer on Mar 26, 2003

Every Christian has the capacity to have "Joy" within his or her lives, Gal 5 tells me that. It tells me that "Joy" is a vital part of my make-up when I become a Christian and cannot be separated from my "Christian Character."

“Developing Joy” Gal 5:22, John 15:1ff Introduction: Last week we started our series "Developing Character" (PP#1) and tackled the issue of "Obedience" to God. If you remember I said that outside of obedience to God you are settling for second best in your life. We looked at three areas of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Of Joy

Contributed by John Gaston on Mar 17, 2016

The difference between happiness and joy. Why is joy so important? 4 Basic Ingredients of joy.

THE SECRET OF JOY Neh. 8:10 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: Fishing Tourney Coming Up Saturday 1. What do you get when you cross a banker with a fish? A loan shark! 2. What do monsters eat? Fish & ships! 3. Why do fish always know how much they weigh? Because they have their own scales. 4. Who cleans ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

No Greater Joy Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Mar 14, 2010

Joy is the heritage of the believer. If we do not have joy in our Christian walk, it is either because we do not know the author of joy, or we are disobedient to His will.

“Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. For I rejoiced greatly when the brothers came and testified to your truth, as indeed you are walking in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:2-4

Denomination: Baptist

Surprised By Joy

Contributed by Tom Lovorn on Apr 10, 2001

The same joy that surprised the followers of Christ in the upper room that first Easter can bring us joy that is permanent, powerful, and plentiful.

Near the end of the nineteenth century a little church high on the cliffs at the entrance to the English Channel was destroyed by a hurricane. A few weeks later, a British Admiral came to ask the pastor if they intended to rebuild the church. The clergyman explained that they were a poor ...read more

Scripture: John 16:19-20, Luke 24:41

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Joy Series

Contributed by Larry Turner on May 11, 2014

Jesus did not pray for us to have worldly joy but rather to have his joy. What does his joy look like and what can destroy it?

We are now four weeks past Palm Sunday and three weeks past Easter. However, today I want us to go back to the last night Jesus had with the disciples. He washes their feet to teach them humility and servant hood. He begins to reveal to them the fact that He must die. He gives them the promise of ...read more

Scripture: John 17:13

Denomination: Foursquare

Cost Of Service Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 20, 2009

The cost of serving Christ includes insult, rejection and death for some, but those who want to be powerfully used by Christ must pay the price.

Cost of Service (Mark 6:1-29) Linda, who teaches first grade in Dallas Texas, has an interesting job, especially when it comes to helping children adjust to their first whole day of school. Little Ryan was used to going home at noon in kindergarten; so when it was time to go to lunch with the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"Gain The Proper Perspective On Suffering” Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Apr 27, 2009

If one is going to live according to the principles & promises laid out here by our Lord in the beatitudes, he will suffer rejection from the world. Yet, through it all, he can be doubly blessed.

In the Beatitudes, Jesus describes the qualities found in the lives of those who are truly happy. Not in the temporary, circumstantial sense which the world talks about, but in the eternal, ultimate sense which the world knows nothing about. He tells us that true happiness comes when one gains the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 31, 2011

In this lesson, we cover the principles for living for Christ, so that we may received the best blessings, even in the worst of persecution.

Introduction: A. I like this picture – Don’t you know that that car never saw it coming! 1. In some respects life is unpredictable and we need to learn to expect the unexpected. 2. When it comes to the Christian life, there is not much that is unexpected. 3. Jesus tried to prepare us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Handcrafted By God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 17, 2012

Is God bending, shaping, or polishing me right now? What’s my attitude: Am I thanking and praising God, or am I complaining about the process? Trials are intended not to provoke us but to prove us. See the present from the perspective of the future. Look

Opening illustration: The Steinway piano has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt—and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Through Praise Pt. 3 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Mar 29, 2019

God desires to interact with us through praise which encompasses prayer and worship as well. We can discover with the help of the Lord joy in the journey of life – even when we face illness, death, persecution, trials and hardship.

Series: We need to find joy in the journey! Thesis of series: Joy needs to be experienced in the journey of life! But Joy, like any other attitude, can come and go. It is not guaranteed simply because we are born again believers because storms will blow in and out of our lives. We must put ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:15, Psalm 150:1-6, Psalm 145:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Peter's Description Of The Victorious Christian Life. Series

Contributed by Stuart M Guthrie on Aug 9, 2012

Today we talked about living the Victorious Christian life, by showing our desire for the Attitude of Jesus, showing our desire for Gods will and showing our desire for the eternal hope.

1 Peter 4:1-6 (Peter’s description of the victorious Christian Life) August 7, 2012 Introduction: Prayer: Well I hope that you all had a wonderful week and I hope that as we look at this passage this morning that you would be ever the better. We have been studying through 1 Peter now for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It's Not All Bad!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 21, 2016

Sometimes when we look at certain Bible passages we get the feeling that only suffering and persecution awaits the true believer in Jesus. Nothing could be further from the truth! Even in the midst of trials we can have joy and peace and hope! PTL!!

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (Please look up this Scripture as we will read it in a few minutes) As I was thinking of last weeks sermon we had spoken about the death of James, the brother of John and the miraculous deliverance of Peter from prison and of the fact that there is a great wave of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

Christian Confidence

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Oct 16, 2023

Can we have confidence and joy in the midst of severe trials? Paul addresses that in Philippians 1.

Intro Paul and Timothy, probably as stenographer, wrote to help the saints in Philippi to find confidence and joy in the midst of persecution. It was an established church, mature enough to have the oversight of a team of elders. In those days the terms bishop or overseer, pastor or shepherd, and ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The God Who Is Worth Suffering For - Matthew 5:10-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2024

Usually when someone mistreats us because of our righteousness, we think we’re doing well if we simply endure it without getting angry or depressed. But Jesus calls us to far more than that. We are to rejoice greatly! This message will help you do that.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

The Formula For Joy

Contributed by Luke Oakes on Jan 2, 2008

My purpose is to show that God loves us and wants us to be filled with His joy.

The Formula for Joy We all have moments that define our lives. For me, one of these moments began the week after I graduated high school. You see my dad has always been there for me, but I have not always been there for him. I remember that week I decided to join the Navy and leave the house. ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Holiness