Sermons on Joy In Persecution:

How To Handle Difficult Times

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 15, 2001

This is a devotional given to my leadership board for the month of November.

How to Handle Difficult Times Selected Passages November 13, 2001 Three Ways to handle difficult times I. Be Thankful 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 A. God has blessed us The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Mark 12:30-31

Denomination: Church Of God

Looking For Pennies

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 19, 2001

Looking for Pennies (story from Annie Dillard) is important because: 1. The created world is a window into the heart of God. 2. The created world provides opportunities to praise the goodness of God. 3. The created world is a source of joy for thankful

Annie Dillard, in her wonderful Pulitzer Prize winning book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, tells a story about pennies. It was in her chapter entitled “Seeing” that I read her wonderful childhood story. I will let her tell it in her own words: “When I was six or seven years old, growing up in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Methodist

How Can I Ever Thank You?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 20, 2001

Gratitude of the Believer demonstrated in Christian walk.

HOW CAN I EVER THANK YOU LORD? Colossians 2:6-7 Introduction: Andrae Crouch in his song My Tribute wrote, "How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me. Things so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Gratitude

Contributed by David Swensen on Nov 20, 2001

Life is tough. As a result, there is need for us to reach out & touch a life. The heart that regularly gives thanks is the heart that serves God by faithfully ministering to others.Such is the power of gratitude

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE Colossians 3:12-17 INTRODUCTION Mildred Hondorff, a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines, Iowa, tells of life-changing experience she had with a pupil. Supplementing her income by teaching piano lessons she taught a “musically challenged” pupil ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

He Worshipped

Contributed by Richard Rutledge on Nov 20, 2001

Job’s first reaction to the devastating news of his servants was to worship.

Job 1:13-20 Text: He Worshipped Perhaps of all the accounts given us in Scripture, few paints a more vivid picture of total devastation and tragedy as the story of Job. Most of you are familiar with this passage but for the benefit of those who may not be, let me share a little background. Job ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lighten Up!

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Dec 5, 2001

A message encouraging Christians to live lives characterized by joy rather than grumpiness.

Lighten Up! Various Scriptures Introduction We all like being around people who are generally upbeat, don’t we? I mean, if you had your choice of being with someone who had a smile or someone who looked like he was weaned on sour lemons, who would you most likely pick? I’d pick the smiley guy ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23, Matthew 7:12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Rejoice In The Lord

Contributed by Steve Gladwell on Dec 29, 2001

How christians can be joyful.

Rejoice in the Lord! Sometimes, you make the most amazing discoveries when you are preaching. When I received the preaching plan for this quarter and discovered which passage I was to preach on, I was reminded once again, about how God listens and remembers all that goes in this place. The last ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

It'a Time To Dance

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Dec 31, 2001

Sometimes in this life we need to dance before the Lord like David did so that God gets the glory. But there will be critics!

It’s time to dance! Thesis: Sometimes in this life we need to dance before the Lord like David did so that God gets the glory. But there will be critics! Texts: 2 Samuel 6 The Holy Bible, New International Version 2 Samuel 6:1 (NIV) 1David again brought together out of Israel chosen men, thirty ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:4-12, 2 Samuel 6:1-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Prayer At New Year's

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Jan 2, 2002

Even in tumultuous times God’s people have every reason to offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for all of the gifts he pours out on us daily!

“We Will Never Forget.” Like never before that phrase has a chilling significance. Perhaps that phrase crystallizes the events of the year 2001. While it is a year that we’ve vowed never to forget, strangely it’s also the one we wish we had never experienced. So we look forward to a new year ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7

Denomination: Lutheran

Reasons For Rejoicing Series

Contributed by William Rushing on Jun 20, 2002

This is the second sermon in a series on Philippians. This sermon looks at reasons for rojoicing at the preaching of the Gospel.

I. Introduction a. In times like these we need reasons to rejoice. b. Paul writes to the church at Philippi three reasons to rejoice. c. These same reasons are true today. d. So the question is, Why Should We Rejoice? II. The first reason to rejoice is the Preaching of the Gospel through ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:15-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Joyful Christian

Contributed by Troy Mason on Aug 23, 2002

A call to be joyful in our walk with the Lord

The Joyful Christian Psalm 100 Introduction: Several years ago, the #1 song on the pop charts was titled “Don’t Worry, Be Happy”. It had a snappy, tropical sort of beat, and left people with the feeling that everything was okay. It left them feeling relaxed and good about themselves and their ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1

Denomination: Baptist

Let Your Balloons Sail Free

Contributed by Karl Eckhoff on Aug 26, 2002

Seeing how God has acted to give us all we have and how He has kept His promises we’re moved to offer Him thanks and praise.

Pentecost 14 A Exodus 6:2-8; Romans 11:33-36 Let Your Balloons Sail Free! Based on Joachim Neander’s Hymn: Praise to the Lord, the Almighty 08/25/02 “Hallelujah! Praise the Lord.” These are not expressions that ordinarily used in the Lutheran Church. Not because there’s anything wrong with ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 6:2-8, Romans 11:33-36

Denomination: Lutheran

What Would Jesus Say To Those Whose Well Has Run Dry?

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 30, 2002

This message on reclaiming joy in your life deals with the sources of joy as well as paths toward recovering joy in your life.

- When we’re stressed and distressed by the state of our lives, we find ourselves in pathetic condition: - we’re irritated by even the smallest inconveniences and problems, - we rarely laugh, - we’re quick to snap at people, - we flop into bed each night, exhausted, - we have no joy in our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:12, Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

El Gozo Indecible Del Creyente

Contributed by Stephen Boldin on Sep 12, 2002

Como un Cristiano puede y deber tener gozo indecible.

Introduccion: Este es indudablemente uno de los mas preciosos textos que se encuentran en todo el Nuevo Testamento. Se presenta en una gran explosión de rebosado y abundante gozo. Un cuidadoso estudio de este texto, revela que hay cinco grandes fuentes de este gozo indecible del creyente: 1) ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Delight Greatly In The Lord

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jan 12, 2003

CHRISTMAS 2(C) - Believers delight greatly in the Lord because they are clothed with garments of salvation and can also share God’s crown of glory.

DELIGHT GREATLY IN THE LORD ISAIAH 61:10---62:3 JANUARY 5, 2003 ISAIAH 61:10-62:3 10I delight greatly in the LORD; my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran