Sermons on Joy In The City:

Three Cheers From Jesus Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on Jul 6, 2025

Christian joy is rooted in the presence and promises of Jesus Christ. His repeated command to His followers is not, “Shape up,” but, “Cheer up.” The gospel is good news. Jesus gives us three great reasons to rejoice: forgiveness, fellowship, and final victory.

SERMON TITLE: Three Cheers from Jesus (Based on Chapter 1 of Vance Havner’s The Secret of Christian Joy)* Key Texts: Matthew 9:2 – "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Mark 6:50 – "Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid." John 16:33 – "Be of good cheer; I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:2, Mark 6:50, John 16:33

Denomination: Pentecostal

Is Serving God A Sacrifice? Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 6, 2025

“Sacrifice” for God is appropriate only when driven by joy. God must always remain the benefactor when we serve.

Review “Seeking” is the effort we put forth to fulfill longing and desire for God. And for seeking to work, God, rather than something else, must be the object of the desire and seeking, and the seeking must be earnest. Such earnestness comes in large measure from emotion – both negative and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:2

Joyful Praise! - Psalm 63:3-5,7,11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 14, 2025

God commands us to have joy that moves the mouth and body. Such joy is not under our direct control, but attainable.

Review So far we have studied six ways to love God more. In this lesson we examine number seven – express your joy. If you want to have more love for God, more desire for Him, more delight in Him; then verbally express the love and desire and delight you already have. Or to say all that in a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:3-11

Faith That Works

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 9, 2025

True faith flows from love, not fear—transforming obedience from duty into joy, and belief into self-giving action that reveals Christ.

Introduction — A Love That Moves You A few months ago, a young man named Daniel was driving home from work late one evening when he saw smoke billowing from a house on the corner of his street. Most people would have slowed down, maybe called 911, and waited for someone else to handle it. But ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:6, James 2:17-18, Matthew 5:40-41, Matthew 7:22-23, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

From Empty To Full Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 10, 2025

The story that began with famine ends with fullness—because the Redeemer who restores Naomi’s arms still turns our emptiness into enough.

(When Grace Finishes the Story) Introduction — The Last Scene Every good story ends where it began—but nothing looks the same. When we opened this book, we found famine, funerals, and tears in Moab. Now we end with a baby in Bethlehem. The story that began with emptiness ends with enough. If ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:5, Philippians 1:6, Ephesians 3:20, Revelation 21:5

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Better Together

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 17, 2025

Faith alive through love turns duty into delight and fear into joy, showing the world what Jesus looks like.

Introduction — A Love That Moves You A few months ago, a young man named Daniel was driving home from work late one evening when he saw smoke billowing from a house on the corner of his street. Most people would have slowed down, maybe called 911, and waited for someone else to handle it. But ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:6, James 2:17, Matthew 5:41, John 15:13, Romans 5:8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Easy Street Preacher

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 19, 2025

The gospel calls us from comfort to courage—leaving Easy Street to follow Christ on the narrow road where joy and purpose meet.

1 · Welcome to Easy Street There’s a neighborhood in almost every town called Easy Street. Zillow says the homes are cozy, the lawns are trimmed, and the HOA guarantees peace and quiet—no barking dogs, no loud parties, and certainly no uncomfortable conversations. Everyone wants to live ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:24-26, Joshua 1:9, Hebrews 12:6, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Philippians 3:8-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Mother's Day 2020

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 23, 2025

A mother's tears.

A. INTRODUCTION 1. A mother’s tears: nothing so tender, so convicting, so touching and so powerful. Why? ? Because mothers are more tender and gentler than any others ? Because mothers care deeper than any others ? Because all life comes from mothers ? Because mothers have great hopes for the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:17, Ecclesiastes 3:4, Psalm 126:6

Denomination: Baptist

What Would Make Heaven Hell?

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 26, 2025

Heaven is joy only for hearts transformed by Jesus. Without holiness, God’s presence becomes torment. Christ alone gives us a heart fit for heaven.

Heaven. The word alone sounds like comfort. Endless peace. Reunions. Rest. Joy without sorrow. Life without loss. Every funeral reminds us of it. Every aching heart hopes for it. If you asked the average person today what they believe about eternity, most would say something like, “Oh, sure, I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:13-14, Hebrews 12:14, Ezekiel 36:26, Romans 8:5, Revelation 22:11  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

So Near -- So Far

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 28, 2025

Older brothers get lost at home—close to God yet far from His heart—but the Father invites them inside to enjoy His joy.

INTRODUCTION – MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND Today our nation pauses to remember those who gave their lives for freedom. For many, Memorial Day is a date on the calendar; for me, it is a name. My older brother Bob, now laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery, reminds me that freedom always carries a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32, Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 8:15-17, Psalm 103:10-13, Galatians 4:6-7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

When God Sings Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 8, 2025

God rejoices over His children with singing; His unending melody of love began at creation, triumphed at Calvary, and continues through redeemed hearts

1 – The Unthinkable Sound We sing to God every Sabbath. We open our hymnals, follow the notes, and hope our voices find the right pitch before the second verse ends. Singing feels natural to us — after all, that’s what worshippers do. But Zephaniah flips the page. He says God sings. That’s not ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17, Matthew 26:30, Revelation 15:3, Psalm 32:7, Isaiah 62:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Here Comes Da Judge Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 11, 2025

(The Judge With Nail-Scarred Hands) The Judge bears the scars of our defense; His verdict is mercy, and His justice ends in joy for the redeemed.

1 · When the Courtroom Comes to Town You’ve seen the memes. The judge walks in, everyone stands, and somewhere in your head a voice says, “Here comes da judge!” But the funny thing is— every one of us already has a court date. Not a traffic ticket, not detention for cutting class, but a date ...read more

Scripture: John 5:22-24, Revelation 1:17-18, John 8:10-11, Revelation 22:12, Romans 8:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

We've Come Too Far To Turn Back Now

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Oct 30, 2010

This message is a celebration and refocusing message for my congregation as we enter into our new sanctuary.

We Have Come Too Far To Turn Back Now Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16 Introduction: My message this morning is a simple one and it is titled: “We’ve Come Too Far To Turn Back Now.” Last week Jackie told us that we must look forward and that we cannot look back on where we were. ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:13-16

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Happens When We Help Spread The Gospel? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 6, 2017

1. Miracles will be multiplied (vs. 4-7). 2. Joy will be justified (vs. 8). 3. Deceit will be defeated (vs. 9-12). 4. Souls will be saved (vs. 12).

What Happens When We Help Spread the Gospel? Acts 8:4-12 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - Nov. 10, 2013 INTRODUCTION: *What is our most important mission as a church? In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus put it this way: 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-12

Denomination: Baptist

Robbed Of The King-1

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Apr 12, 2011

1 of 2. Jesus wept over Jerusalem’s lack of discernment in the midst of her visitation. Our Savior is grieved over a lack of discernment in spiritual matters. But Why? 7 faults of spiritual ignorance. Spiritual ignorance Robs us of...

ROBBED Of The KING-I—Luke 19:41-48 Attention: Bob in supermarket/Elderly lady with a sweet, graceful, grandmotherly air about her, following him around staring at him. "Pardon me young man," she said, "I’m sorry if my staring at you has made you feel uncomfortable. It’s just that you look so much ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:41-48

Denomination: Baptist