Sermons on Joy In The City:

Religion And Politics - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 23, 2025

One of the most aggravating parts of living in a fallen world is dealing with corruption in government and other authorities who misuse their power—especially when that abuse of power hurts you personally. This passage teaches us how to keep enjoying life even in the face of abuse of authority.

8:1 Who is like the wise person, and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed. 2 Keep the king's command because of your oath made before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence, and don't persist in a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:1

The Strength Of A Man

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Dec 6, 2013

Nelson Mandela, a man of strength in the fight for freedom that dealt with poverty and disparagement in South Africa which resonated to the lands of the peoples of the world.

The Strength Of A Man by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (12/6/2013) “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report” (Hebrews 11:1-2, King James Version [Faith in the fathers of old]). Greetings in ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-40

Denomination: Friends

Christmas Eve Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Dec 24, 2021

The joy of Christ coming into the world, God with us.

Christmas Eve December 24, 2021 Christmas is such a great time of the year. It’s filled with a little more excitement and energy than in the middle of February and March. Yet, as excited as we are about Christmas, it’s easy to gloss over the Christmas story because we’ve heard it over and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:14-16, Matthew 2:20, Matthew 2:23

Denomination: Baptist

Obession

Contributed by Walter Rogers on Apr 3, 2007

You are Jesus’ Obession, ’the joy set before Him that helped Him endure the cross was the joy of having you in heaven.’ (Heb 12:2)

Obsession Sermon Outline Aldergrove SDA Church, Oct 16, 2004 PMC Chapel, Thurs March 16, 2006 source: http://ministry.wikia.com/wiki/Obession_Sermon Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. Gut ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Adventist

Does Preaching Still Matter?

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Sep 14, 2013

Ezra's sermon to a weary people brought them joy and renewed strength to serve the Lord. Preaching today is no different. God's Word will bring joy and delight to those who sincerely seek Him.

We have a new pulpit! Today is our first Sunday to share this new piece of furniture. It was carefully selected to replace our old pulpit which was built by Herb Perkins over 30 years ago. We wanted to have something smaller, easier to move and more contemporary in design. This pulpit has both ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bring It On

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 21, 2011

Too often, we run from challenges. Yet the people we love to read about in the Bible are impressive because they battled challenges. If God sends you on stony paths, He will provide you with strong shoes.

Opening illustration: A TV program on the History Channel featured the world’s most extreme airports. The one that caught my attention is no longer open, but it is one I had flown into. I agree that Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport was definitely a thrill ride for passengers and surely a challenge for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:22-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Offerings: The Test Of Our Faith

Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 18, 2012

Perhaps nothing brings greater joy and also tests our relationship with God like offerings. Let's see how God used offerings as the ultimate test for His friend Abraham.

A certain mom & dad worked hard and saved to pay for their son to go to college. He blew off his freshman year. He was irresponsible, didn't study, made terrible grades, squandered his money, & finally came back home. His parents told him, “If you decide to go back to school you’ll ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Celebrate Christmas All Year Series

Contributed by Duane Smith on Jul 21, 2010

Christmas is great but it has to last more then one day. This message is intended to encourage us to celebrate Christmas all year long by worshipping our Savior every day of our lives.

CHRISTMAS FROM THE GOSPELS, Part 4 Celebrate Christmas All Year Matthew 2:1-11 INTRODUCTION: A. Matthew 2:1 Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 1. Three kings are often associated with Christ ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Through Prayer Pt 8 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 27, 2019

Jesus was filled with joy and this inner joy came from His relationship with God the Father through prayer. Prayer and inner joy are linked together because prayer opens a door to the presence and guidance of the Lord.

Series: Find joy in the journey through Prayer! Scripture: Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Thesis: Jesus was filled with joy and this inner joy came from His relationship with God the Father through prayer. Prayer and inner joy are linked together ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12, 1 Chronicles 4:10, John 16:7-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Lose Your Praise

Contributed by Apostle Bobby Hogan on Sep 19, 2011

One of the greatest weapons we have as a child of God is our praise, the devil knows this to be true and will do everything possible to silence you.

“And Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 18:20-21

Denomination: Pentecostal

I Can't Help It Series

Contributed by Charles Jones on Apr 11, 2013

When David succeeded in the getting the Ark of the Covenant returned to Israel, he was so excited and happy that he stripped his clothes to his loin cloth and danced naked in the streets, leaping and jumping and shouting with joy. That''s the way we f

I Can't Help It By Charles C Jones Psalm 126:3 The LORD hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad Psalm 126:3 Some People Ask Why Are You So Full Of Joy? Why Are We So Joyful? That''s a mystery to those outside of our faith. Whether we enjoy the best of health or whether we are ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

God’s Laughter, & Ours

Contributed by Kelly Durant on Jun 2, 2015

The conclusion here is that God is not happy with people that entertain their selves with laughter while they ignore cleansing their selves from their own sins indifferent to recognize the suffering in the world and how each of us need God.

God’s Laughter, & Ours by Kelly Durant 7-27-14 Psalm 126:2 “Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.” 2. A little ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:2

Denomination: Salvation Army

The Practice Of Celebration Series

Contributed by Matthew Stoll on Dec 4, 2007

In this last of the practices we find that the final product of the spiritual disciplines is joy in the Lord and we need to express joy in celebration.

We’ve finally come to the end of our series focusing on the practices God has given us to grow spiritually. We’ve looked at the practices of prayer, reading and reflecting upon God’s Word, following the guidance of the Holy Spirit, living simply and giving generously, serving others, confession, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11

Denomination: Methodist

Why Worry?

Contributed by Steve Kinnard on Feb 2, 2019

It’s hard to be full of joy when everything is wrecking, But if you keep your JOY everything will work out

Why Worry YOU CAN Be Happy (PROVERBS 17:22) ILLUS: Alarm clock didn’t go off A case of the depressed blues is headed your way You’re late for work, have a flat tire, try to take wife’s car it wont start she left the lights on, Get the jumper cables jump it off, in a hurry, Blue light special ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Gideon Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 14, 2022

Gideon was the son of Joash, from the Abiezrite clan in the tribe of Manasseh and lived in Ephra (Ophrah). As a leader of the Israelites, he won a decisive victory over a Midianite army despite a vast numerical disadvantage, leading a troop of 300 "valiant" men.

Gideon Facts – Things You Should know Successor • Abimelech Parent(s) • Joash (father) Italics indicate individuals not explicitly described as judges Book of Joshua • Joshua Book of Judges ...read more

Scripture: Judges 6:11-22

Denomination: Baptist