Sermons on Joy In The City:

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

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

Christians That Produce Christ-Like Fruit

Contributed by Terry Vaughan on Jan 1, 2002

In this message you will see three things that we need to bear fruit for the Lord Jesus.

WESTSIDE BAPTIST CHURCH PASTOR: TERRY VAUGHAN SERMON TITLE: CHRISTIANS THAT PRODUCE CHRIST -LIKE FRUIT “For God so Loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

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

Boast In The Lord

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Sep 28, 2001

Christians boast loudly and proudly in what their Savior has done for them.

“My dad is bigger than your dad.” “I’ve got Nintendo 64 and you don’t.” “I scored more points than you.” Any of these phrases sound familiar? Maybe you’ve heard them from the mouths of your kids. Or maybe you have uttered a phrase like that sometime in your life. It seems that childhood is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Honor And Glory To Our Patient King!

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Oct 1, 2001

We are moved to honor and glorify our King because of his incredible patience - both directly in the life of the Apostle Paul and as his pattern for our lives as well.

Osama bin Laden. That may be the most reviled name in America today. That name arouses anger and incites rage in many American hearts. For many Americans that name represents the physical manifestation of evil. I’m guessing that the thoughts of many Americans concerning Osama and his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: Lutheran

Living Out Life With God Living In Us

Contributed by John Stensrud on Jul 1, 2001

An expository sermon based on a series preached at Immanuel Baptist Church, Elgin, IL in 2001.

Message Title: “Living Out Life with God Living In Us” Philippians 2.12-18 Delivered on July 1, 2001 at Immanuel Baptist Church by Pastor John Stensrud. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18, Philippians 2:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Will Accomplish His Purposes For Me Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 3, 2001

THE LORD’S WORD OF PROMISE FUELS OUR CONFIDENCE AND OUR THANKSGIVING

TITLE: THE LORD WILL ACCOMPLISH HIS PURPOSES FOR ME (MY LIFE WILL NOT BE AN UNFINISHED BOOK) BIG IDEA: THE LORD’S WORD OF PROMISE FUELS OUR CONFIDENCE AND OUR THANKSGIVING INTRODUCTION: Important to understand 2 Samuel 7 = God’s Word of Promise to David about the kingdom of David that would ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:1-8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Saying No To Selfishness Series

Contributed by Lynn Floyd on Jul 3, 2001

I talk about how to turn a selfish life into an unselfish one.

Saying No To Selfishness 6-30-01 Opening Illustration: Some things just rob our joy. For instance waking up in the morning because you have to go to the bathroom. As you get up you look at the clock and realize you woke up 20 minutes before your alarm was to go off. How you wished you had those ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Introduction Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 3, 2001

PAUL INTRODUCES HIS STABILIZING TEACHING TO THE COLOSSIANS WITH THANKSGIVING, A REMINDER, AND A PRAYER ON THEIR BEHALF

BIG IDEA: PAUL INTRODUCES HIS STABILIZING TEACHING TO THE COLOSSIANS WITH THANKSGIVING, A REMINDER, AND A PRAYER ON THEIR BEHALF (:1-2) GREETING A. Author 1. Paul – The Authority of Leadership – His Divine Calling a. Based on his elevated office = “apostle of Jesus Christ” 1) elevated by ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

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

Been There, Done That, Got The T-Shirt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 9, 2001

This sermon was done while peeling off T-shirts, one by one. The focus is that the presence of the Lord in our lives, as an active participant, drives out cynicism and preserves our joy.

I wish I had bought stock in the T-shirt industry. Of the making of souvenir T-shirts there is no end. People are using T-shirts to send all sorts of messages. Some T-shirts advertise products. Some T-shirts identify the work places. Some focus on the club memberships. And then some T-shirts ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Training For Reigning

Contributed by Doug Morrell on Dec 5, 2005

We are never to feign happiness in pain, but if we are growing in Christ-likeness, we should be demonstrating a more eternal, positive perspective (considering it pure joy), because we are realizing that we are training for reigning.

Depth of character is realized under pressure. Anyone can be a Christian when things go well, but how do you do when a little pressure, a little pain, a little discomfort, criticism or gossip, a sick child, loss of income, are applied? When your fruit is squeezed, what kind of juice comes forth? We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational