Sermons on Joy In The City:

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

God Blesses Who?

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Jan 25, 2002

What kind of man does God bless? Or what kind of people does God bless? We are reading today "God bless America." Is America in a place spiritually and morally where God can bless it?

What kind of man does God bless? Or what kind of people does God bless? We are reading today "God bless America." Is America in a place spiritually and morally where God can bless it? Let’s examine God’s blessing and its conditions. This passage, according to verse 6, is illustrating "the way of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Lord Of The Dance

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Oct 28, 2001

Get back your dance once again and rejoice in the Lord!

I. Dancing in the Ditch? A. Text: II Kings 3:9-20 B. There were only two reasons why people danced in the OT (1) At a time of celebration because of a victory. (2) Or in the presence of God (as with David and the Ark of the Covenant). C. Dance represents joy. D. The Psalmist David spent much time ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:9-20

Grumpy Old Christians

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 31, 2001

There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News!

Grumpy Old Christians Thesis: There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News! Texts: Phil. 4:8 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

Real Happiness Series

Contributed by Steve Smith on Aug 28, 2007

In the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus begins by teaching his disciples what real happiness is.

INTRODUCTION - In the OT, the 10 Commandments were given as instructions for living. - Paul, in Galatians 3, shares that the purpose of the 10 Comm are to expose sin. - Jesus in Matthew called his first disciples and then immediately began to teach them - He uses one word, “Blessed”. GRK word ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Giving Praise To Our Deliver

Contributed by Frederick Baker Ii on Sep 3, 2007

Encourage message on giving Praise where it is needed.

Type of Sermon: Textual/Topical Purpose: Encouragement to Both Saints and Sinners Theme: Giving Praise to Our Deliver Scripture Reading: Psalm 40:1-3 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry. He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 40:1-3

Denomination: *other

The Happy Man

Contributed by Gerald Van Horn on Sep 3, 2007

David knew the secret of happiness and he shares it with us..

The Happy Man by Gerald Van Horn Psalms 34:8 and 22 David wrote this Psalm many years ago. He was in very difficult circumstances and yet found a source of happiness. There is a lot of Christians who feel that to be a child of God means unhappiness. That is not true. God wants His people to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:8-22

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Would Be Happy If ---?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 22, 2006

Do we have a real understanding of what happiness and joy are? Can joy be a choice? On what does your joy hinge?

I WOULD BE HAPPY IF ---- ? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com A marriage can be made in heaven, but we must learn to maintain it here on earth. Can marriage become a duel instead of a duet? I. CAN HAPPINESS AND JOY BE A CHOICE? A. Let us ask some questions and you ponder the answers ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Filled With Excitement

Contributed by Donnie De Loney on Sep 29, 2006

This sermon points us to neglected areas in many lives-Excitement, excited living and walking the Christian life with expectation.

Filled with excitement PSALMS 122:1, “ I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go into the house of the LORD.” INTRO: We sang a song some years ago that said: Get all excited, go tell everybody that Jesus Christ is King, Repeat…. Jesus Christ is the King of Kings. We have ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Cause Me To Hear Joy And Gladness

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Sep 30, 2006

When joy and gladness are lacking it can be evidence of broken spiritual bones. How to get the joy back.

Cause Me to Hear Joy and Gladness Psalm 51:8 Psalms 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice. 1. Broken bones 2. Cause me to hear joy and gladness 3. Broken bones rejoicing 1. Broken bones David had broken bones, a word picture of the deepest of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Overcoming Regrets Series

Contributed by Kent Wise on Oct 13, 2006

Sermon tells the believer about how regrets take away your joy.

Overcoming Regrets 1st Thessalonians 5:12-22 February 26, 2006 1st Thessalonians 5:12ff 12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22

Denomination: Methodist