Sermons on Joy Stealers:

Jesus Gave Thanks-- Thanksgiving 2 Of 4 Series

Contributed by David Hodgin on Nov 22, 2005

A small serving with gratitude is more filling than an abundance served with bitterness.

Continuing through the month of November, we will look at the theme of thankfulness. Many things in life can pull us down and it is difficult to maintain an attitude of thankfulness, but with God’s help, we can do it. There is a story told of two old friends, Bob and Dan, who bumped into one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

The Sheep And The Goats

Contributed by Paul Humphrey on Nov 23, 2005

This is a sermon for Christ the King Sunday (Sunday before Thanksgiving) on the parable of the sheep and the goats.

Christ the King Sunday 2005 Sunday before Thanksgiving 2005 Dr. Paul G. Humphrey A man urgently needed to get to town. So he went to a neighbor who happened to be a pastor and asked to borrow his horse. The pastor obliged but told the man that there were some special instructions required for ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: United Methodist

Remembering You're Not On Your Own Series

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Nov 30, 2005

2nd in series on restoring the joy in a Christian’s life. Sermon begins in Psalms but is built around Jeremiah passage.

RESTORING THE JOY Part 2: Remembering You’re Not On Your Own - Read Psalm 137:1-4 In this passage, we find that Israel had been invaded by the Babylonians. The Babylonians pillaged their country. They killed a lot of people; and then took the leaders and whatever young men looked like ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:4-14

Denomination: Baptist

What's So Great About Gratefulness?

Contributed by Don Jaques on Dec 1, 2005

When we choose to give thanks to God in all circumstances, we reap the benefits of God’s blessings. The hearer will understand WHY he/she should give thanks to God and be motivated to develop the discipline of grateful living.

INTRO In “The Hiding Place”, Dutch woman Corrie ten Boom wrote of her family’s experience undergoing the trial of concentration camps under the Third Reich in World War II. Though not Jews themselves, she, her father, and her sister, Betsie, were sent to a series of prison camps for harboring Jews ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keys To Joy-- Thanksgiving 4 Of 4 Series

Contributed by David Hodgin on Dec 2, 2005

Living with joy is not easy, but if we pursue joy as God instructs we we can live the joy filled life!

Bible verses mentioned in today’s message 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Hebrews 13:15 Jeremiah 2:32 Acts2:1-4 Romans 12:2 Proverbs 14:12 Matthew 5:21-44 Philippians 4:4-7 1Th 5:16 Be joyful always; 1Th 5:17 pray continually; 1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

A Philosophy Of Gratitude-- Thanksgiving 3 Of 4 Series

Contributed by David Hodgin on Dec 2, 2005

A right philosophy is one that is overflowing with thankfulness. Gratitude is nothing less than the key to happiness.

A Philosophy of Gratitude—Thanksgiving 3 of 4 Col 2:6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, Col 2:7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Col 2:8 See to it that no one takes you captive ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-8

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

Stopping Sin In It's Tracks Series

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Dec 5, 2005

6th in series on restoring joy. Addresses the problem of sin in a Christian’s life.

RESTORING THE JOY Part 6: Stopping Sin in it’s Tracks I thank the Lord that I had the pleasure of growing up in a godly family, with great parents. Thanks to that, I have many joyous memories of my childhood. Growing up in the country, over the years we had just about any kind of animal you can ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

Next Thing You Know Series

Contributed by Jeff Skinner on Dec 5, 2005

We must remian connected to the source of life if we asre to bear fruit and serve our purpose.

Next Thing you know Open with the song- If you have some teens consider having them ham it up during the song-illustrate joy/happiness Note: Several days before locate some kudzu or another plant and leave it somewhere that it will shrivel and die. Why is my Kudzu Dying? 1. No longer ...read more

Denomination: Holiness

Why Be Thankful?

Contributed by Rick Sunstrom on Dec 7, 2005

Discover why we should be thankful to God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances.

Why Be Thankful? In recognition of the holiday before us, I thought it would be appropriate to talk about being thankful. I’d like to begin with a story. In regions of Mexico hot springs and cold springs are found side by side, and because of the convenience of this natural phenomenon the women ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Give Thanks! (Thanksgiving)

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Jul 13, 2004

In Psalm 9, David’s psalm of thanksgiving, the King reveals for us how to live a more thankful and appreciative life: by Witnessing, Worshipping, and Waiting.

Give Thanks! by Scott R. Bayles, preacher Church of Christ ------------------------------------------------------ Among the lessons Viktor Fankl learned in the Nazi death-camp, Auschwitz, was to take time to be thankful and to count your blessings. He wrote that prisoners in the camp dreamed at ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 9:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

The Path To God's Joyful Presence Part Iii Series

Contributed by A.t. Stewart on Jul 23, 2004

Their is a path to God’s joyful presence revealed in Psalm 16

The Path to God’s Joyful Presence PT 3 Ps 16:4-6 I.THIS MONTH WE ARE GIVING SPECIAL EMPHASIS TO SEEKING GODS PRESENCE A. Our verse of the month comes from Ps 16. and deals with the joy of His presence (Read) II. THERE ARE SEVERAL CRUCIAL TRUTHS ABOUT THE BELIEVER’S JOY THAT WE MUST CONTINUALLY ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:6-11

"What Makes God Smile?"

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Aug 19, 2004

What are things in our life that can make the smile of God present upon our lives.

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches August 22, 2004 “What Makes God Smile?” Psalm 119:135 Msg. Bible “Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live.” Numbers 6:25 NLT “May the Lord smile on you.” INTRODUCTION: Have you ever thought of God as a HARSH God toward you? Maybe someone who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:135, Numbers 6:25

Denomination: Methodist

The Case For Nehemiah Series

Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Aug 22, 2004

Joy in the Christian Life is one of the most important benefits and qualities we can have, but our life must be lived according to God’s Will and Purposes for us to have that joy. Lessons from Nehemiah can help us have that joy.

Who’s the shortest man in the Bible? = Nehemiah = "Knee-high-miah" + But if you study the life of Nehemiah nothing could be further from the truth + He’s one of the giants of the Old Testament = He’s among the best of the best + And yet how familiar are we with him? = How often have you heard a ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Sep 9, 2004

I want to bring to you a few basic principles about worship. And, why it is important for each of us to have the right attitude towards worshipping God.

Opening: Psalms 100 We all know that this Thursday is Thanksgiving. We will be taking out time to be with our families, and hopefully take on an “Attitude of Gratitude”. Being grateful to God for His many blessings is important. Many of us should be experts in this field of thanking God. It ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:20-23

Denomination: Assembly Of God