Sermons on Joy In The City:

There Is A Light: Christmas Eve Service

Contributed by Bruce Rzengota on Dec 28, 2009

Christmas Eve Candle Light and Carols Service

There is a Light Christmas Eve Candlelight Service PREPARATIONS: The advent wreath with the Christ candle lit is in the center of the congregation. Candles for each section People come in the dark, candle-lit sanctuary as an instrumental prelude is playing. INSTRUMENTAL PRELUDE Piano plays ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-12

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

"A Better Discipline" Series

Contributed by Rob Petersen on Jul 1, 2009

No matter the context, God’s discipline shows his Father’s heart for us.

DOMINANT THOUGHT: No matter the context, God’s discipline shows his Father’s heart for us. PURPOSE: - Head: For the people to understand that God cares for us as a father cares for his children. - Heart: For the people to have confidence and hope in God’s promises through tough times. - Hands: ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Strength In Weakness Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 7, 2009

God does not promise nations or his children a charmed life, but he does prmise to give us strength, be with us in the struggle, and see us safe to the other side.

2 Corinthians 12:2-10 “Strength in Weakness” INTRODUCTION “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” We have all heard ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Cost Of Service Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Sep 20, 2009

The cost of serving Christ includes insult, rejection and death for some, but those who want to be powerfully used by Christ must pay the price.

Cost of Service (Mark 6:1-29) Linda, who teaches first grade in Dallas Texas, has an interesting job, especially when it comes to helping children adjust to their first whole day of school. Little Ryan was used to going home at noon in kindergarten; so when it was time to go to lunch with the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 6:1-29

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Sovereign Hand

Contributed by Chris Surber on Sep 25, 2009

God is worthy of trust and adoration!

The Sovereign Hand, Job 1:1; 2:1-10 Introduction In times of trials, heartache, despair, it is altogether too easy to believe that we are the only one with problems, isn’t it? When the trials come our way it is easy to lose sight of the sovereign provision and care of God. It is in the hard ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The King Who Is Our Bread

Contributed by Greg Nance on Sep 28, 2009

Jesus makes the claim that his body and blood are our food and drink if we would live. A look at John 6 helps us see deeply into the meaning of life and suffering and joy.

(The audio of this sermon includes reading John 6 as well as other important content not in the notes) In Greek mythology, King Tantalus was punished in the underworld by being chained in a lake. Its waters reached to his chin but receded whenever he bent down to satisfy his burning thirst. Over ...read more

Scripture: John 6:35-51

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Out With The Old, In With The New

Contributed by Gerald Steffy on Oct 7, 2009

“Jesus revealing power forced a new decision for His kingdom people: choosing between old or new ways of doing things & between fasting for show or fasting for refreshing."

OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW Luke 5:33-39 Proposition: “Jesus revealing power forced a new decision for His kingdom people: choosing between old or new ways of doing things & between fasting for show or fasting for refreshing." Objective: My purpose is to challenge God’s people to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 5:33-39

Denomination: Baptist

Why In The World Is This Happening To Me?

Contributed by Moy Hernandez on Oct 26, 2009

We must consider it all joy when we face trials and tribulations because God is trying to get our attention. He is attempting to restore His purpose in us, He is trying to increase our patience because He wants us to mature so that we may be restore back

One of the most difficult questions at times of troubles is the question of why. Now it is question that comes easy, but it is one that is often a difficult one to answer. Why did this have to happen now? Why in the world is this happening to me? Perhaps some of us have been taught that it is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-6

Denomination: Salvation Army

Expresiones De Gozo

Contributed by Craig Benner on Oct 28, 2009

La felicidad es del momento, y temporal, pero el gozo verdadero es un regalo perpetuo.

EXPRESIONES DE GOZO Todo el mundo anhela la felicidad de la vida, pero a Dios, le importa más que tú obtienes el gozo. La felicidad es del momento; temporal, provisional. El gozo es un regalo perpetuo. Jn. 16:22 También vosotros, por cierto, tenéis angustia ahora; pero yo os veré otra vez. Se ...read more

Scripture: John 16:21-22

Denomination: Pentecostal

Glory In Persecution [rated - R]

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 6, 2009

The time is coming when Christians will be persecuted right here. How do I know it? I have already traveled that road before. How will you deal with it? Let us not try to run and find a way to escape persecution but face it like Jesus did.

Opening illustration: Video clip of persecuted Christians worldwide. Let us turn to 1 Peter 4 and check out what to expect while being persecuted for Christ. Introduction: In the nature of things persecution must have been a much more daunting experience for Gentiles than it was for the Jews. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Be Like Jesus (10)

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Jan 8, 2010

We need to aspire to be like Jesus

INTRODUCTION  SLIDE #1  I want you to look closely at the title to the message for today.  Be like Jesus.  All of us at one time or another has wanted to be like someone, we have had someone we were exposed to that inspired us to want to emulate them.  Today ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faithful Wounds

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Jan 11, 2010

God is working through everything that happens in the lives of those who love Him to help us become more like Jesus.

Faithful Wounds Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend…. [NIV: Wounds from a friend can be trusted….] Romans 8:28-29 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-29

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Thanksgiving Days

Contributed by Daniel Austin on Jan 21, 2010

Let our Thanksgiving Days be public, purposeful, passionate, and perpetual in remembering the One from whom all blessings flow.

Thanksgiving Days 11/26/06 AM Reading: Psalms 100 Introduction What do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving Day? For some Thanksgiving Day is all about the food. Turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, yams, mmm good! For others, Thanksgiving Day means FOOTBALL!!! They stay glued to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Being A Good Lover Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Jan 31, 2010

Complete joy come from loving others as Jesus loves us.

“Renewable Energy: Being A Good Lover” John 14:15-24 & 15:9-17 In her book “Smoke on the Mountain”, Joy Davidman told of a missionary in a dark corner of Africa where the men had a habit of filing their teeth to sharp points. The missionary was working hard at trying to ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Bread Of Adversity, Cup Of Affliction, Begone!

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 2, 2010

For Black History Month: The "world the slaves made" (Genovese) was one they chose to make, seeing hope and possibility in what God had done and in following the Teacher, Christ. He ate the bread of adversity and drank the cup of affliction, but rose in

By the light of the flickering bonfire you could see them. Gathering from the little cabins down by the creek, coming up the road from the brush arbor, a few of them on a creaky old wagon pulled by two mules. Something exciting was happening here tonight! Their laughter told you, too, that this ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 30:18-22

Denomination: Baptist