Sermons on Joy In Persecution:

Lessons From Prison

Contributed by Don Campbell on Jan 12, 2026

Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians while imprisoned in Rome, not knowing whether he would be released or executed (Phil 1:21-26). Despite his imprisonment and the cloud hanging over him, these three epistles were filled with hope and joy:

LESSONS FROM PRISON The Attitude of Gratitude INTRODUCTION A. Some people perpetually cry, “Why me, Lord?” B. Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians while imprisoned in Rome, not knowing whether he would be released or executed (Phil 1:21-26). C. Despite his imprisonment and the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-6, Galatians 5:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

First Christmas In Bethlehem PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 21, 2023

This sermon explores the joy and transformation brought by Jesus' birth, emphasizing our dependence on God's Spirit for understanding and living out His Word. Key

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ. It is indeed a wonderful blessing to gather together, united in our faith, and eager to immerse ourselves in the Word of God. Today, we stand on the cusp of a great revelation, ready to welcome the wisdom that God has prepared for us. We are ...read more

Topics: Joy, Start Here

Rejoice, Be At Peace, And Think Excellently PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Mar 5, 2024

This sermon explores how to pursue divine joy, promote peace within the congregation, and ponder on praiseworthy things, as guided by Philippians 4:2-9.

Welcome, beloved brothers and sisters in Christ, to this blessed gathering where we come to share in the love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. We come together, not as strangers, but as a family united under the banner of His grace and mercy. We come to learn, to grow, to be transformed by the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:2-9

Topics: Divine Joy, Peace

Hope Part 3 "good Friday" Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 18, 2019

Hope is a significant key to finding in the journey of life because it is a wonderful gift from God. Hope will become a source of strength, power and courage in the face of life’s severest trials. Hope will bring you joy when you think there is no joy!

Series: Find Joy in the Journey Scripture Text Series: Phil. 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Sermon 2: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3, Hebrews 6:19-20, Romans 15:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Is There A Pink Candle (An Advent Sermon About Joy)

Contributed by James Jackson on Dec 9, 2025

Week 3 of Advent is Joy. The Christmas story shows us Joy promised, joy delayed, and joy expressed.

Why’s There a Pink Candle? (An Advent Sermon About Joy) James Jackson / General Adult   Every year during the month of December, we have the Advent wreath onstage. This is my ninth Christmas season as your pastor, and I know we've had it as long as I've been here, and I checked ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Scattering Series

Contributed by Troy Walliser on Nov 6, 2020

Even if the future of the church in America looks like VERSES 1-3, God can still bring about VERSE 8.

The Scattering Acts 8:1-8 My favorite movies are those with plot twists at the end. When what happens at the end of a movie, you never saw coming at the beginning. And when the ending is revealed it's kind of like, "oh, everything makes sense now." I think the first time I vividly ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Prince Caspian: Confidence Without Evidence Series

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Jan 21, 2009

Faith, by definition, requires us to move beyond our senses and our reason into an area that cannot be proven.

Prince Caspian: Confidence without evidence 1 Peter 1:8-9 The children are confronted with a choice. They don’t know which way to go to get across the gorge and meet Prince Caspian. Earlier in the story, Lucy sees Aslan, and points him out to the others. He is guiding them a specific but hidden ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8-9

Denomination: Mennonite

Job As A Man Of God

Contributed by Carl Palatino on Apr 30, 2013

In times of suffering there is a man of God that we could consider as part of our encouragement to press on and face the trials and suffering.

JOB AS A MAN OF GOD Introduction: The book of Job has no concrete evidence that Job wrote it while it is possible that may Job written it. Job means “hated” or “the much persecuted.” Perhaps “Job” was a nickname his friends gave him during his suffering. Three ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Unprofitable Servant? That's Our Joy And Privilege

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 1, 2025

What Jesus and the Church teach is not how to get extra points on our heavenly report card.

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Course 2025 If we were to survey a thousand websites asking the question, “what’s wrong with the world,” we’d probably get at least a thousand different responses. But the best one I’ve ever seen came a hundred years ago from the British essayist and poet, G.K. Chesterton. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:6-8, 1 Timothy 1:13-14, Luke 17:5-10, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95:1-9, Habakkuk 1:2-3, Habakkuk 2:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

In Christ - You Can Be Joyful Series

Contributed by Allan Quak on Mar 7, 2018

By directing our attention to of joy Paul equips us with a strategy to face the difficult circumstances in life. We cannot do this in our own strength, or by pretending, but only by having a deep seated trust in the Lord and His work in our lives.

You can listen to the full message here:- http://www.nec.org.au/index.php/listen-to-a-sermon-series/in-christ-you-can/ Message Philippians 4:4 In Christ - You Can be Joyful The book of Philippians can be described as a book that tells us how to be joyful and rejoice. What is interesting however ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Psalm 32:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Counting The Cost Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Nov 17, 2021

It’s costly to follow Christ, but the cost is worth it.

This week I was working on this message at a McDonald’s when I met a man who told me to keep the sermon short. Did one of you put him up to this? Before leaving, he passed along some words of wisdom: “The brain can only absorb what the seat can endure.” I’m going to take that to heart today, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 19:21-41

Denomination: Baptist

Let Us Worship And Bow Down (Iv): In Joy

Contributed by Ken Gehrels on Dec 5, 2001

A message on worship - where the source of true fulfillment comes from, well beyond the outer form.

Let Us Worship And Bow Down (IV): In Joy Bible Reading: Psalm 100 John 15: 1-17 PREPARED BY KEN GEHRELS PASTOR CALVIN CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH NEPEAN, ONTARIO Let Us Worship And Bow Down (IV): In Joy p.1 I’d like to invite you to go back with me, for a moment, to the opening of our service this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5, John 15:1-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How To Experience Joy In The Midst Of Trials (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Tony Miano on Dec 8, 2000

Today we’re going to look at how our knowledge of the Truth and the maturity of our faith can determine the level of joy we can experience, even when life seems to be hitting us over the head with a hammer.

How To Experience Joy During Trials (Part 2) James 1:3-4 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano Pico Canyon Community Church November 12, 2000 A Little Levity: With the dust settling from our recent elections, I had an opportunity to review some sound bites that were overlooked by mainstream media. One ...read more

Scripture: James 1:3-4

Denomination: *other

When You Feel You Are Missing The Fullness Of Joy

Contributed by Ed Pruitt on Jun 16, 2005

The Causes and Cure of Spiritual Weariness

WHEN YOU FEEL YOU ARE MISSING THE FULLNESS OF JOY Part one The Causes and Cure of Spiritual Weariness - Pastor Ed Pruitt Sunday July 30, 2000 Freedom To Obey God! Romans 6:15-23 15 So since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does this mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Paul now ...read more

Scripture: Romans 6:15-23

Denomination: Church Of God

Don't Allow Circumstances Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The first thief: "Difficult Circumstances."

DON’T ALLOW CIRCUMSTANCES ROB YOUR JOY A. For the next few weeks we’re going to take a look at CHRISTIAN JOY and the THIEVES that try to ROB us of our JOY from the book of Philippians. 1. Now to some people the phrase “CHRISTIAN JOY” is an OXYMORON--in their mind these two words CONTRADICT ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-24

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ