Sermons on Joy When Poor:

When Life Isn't Perfect

Contributed by Vic Folkert on Apr 19, 2002

God loves imperfect people, protecting them from greater evil and offering them salvation

WHEN LIFE ISN’T PERFECT—Deuteronomy 21-25 (read 24:1-15) (1st church—Susan: can’t stay in marriage—5 kids, limited education, no job, no house) Sometimes life isn’t perfect! Maybe not that bad— maybe were blessed with stable family growing upàemotionally, relationally ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 24:1-15

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Mountain Top Experiences

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Feb 21, 2023

We will huff and puff going up a hill, but joy happens when reach the top!

The “mountaintop experience,” Matthew 17:1-9 1. The Disciples Follow Jesus up to the mountain • If you ever climbed a mountain it’s not easy huffing and puffing all the way. Small short hills cause me to huff and puff • Following Jesus is not easy one might say there’s a lot of huffing and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:1-9

Denomination: Methodist

Laughter

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Oct 26, 2022

Today we are going to talk about “Laughter.” If we define laughter, we might say it is the quick breath resulting in a series of short vowel-like sounds usually "ha-ha," "ho-ho" or "hee-hee" which we call laughter.

Laughter “Then was our mouth filled with laughter.” Psalm 126:2 “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh.” —Psalm 2:4 Intro: A elderly couple were home The wife softly said to her husband Do you remember when we used to just sit and you would hold my hand The man reached over and held her ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:2, Psalm 2:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

No Pain, No Gain Series

Contributed by Dr. George Calhoun on Oct 25, 2008

C.S. Lewis wrote: “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Luke 8: 40-56 What motivates you to make changes in your life? Think back to a time when you made a change in your life and ask the question, “What motivated me to make that change?” I’ve always been interested in what motivates people to make changes in their lives so this past week I did a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:40-50

Denomination: Baptist

When My Strength Runs Out

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 15, 2025

When human strength collapses, divine life begins; Christ replaces effort with indwelling power, transforming weakness into the vessel of grace.

Introduction — When the Tank Is Empty There comes a point in every believer’s life when the gears grind and the fuel gauge hits E. You can quote all the right verses. You can teach Sabbath School, preach a fine sermon, smile in the foyer, and still feel like your soul is running on fumes. Some ...read more

Scripture: Romans 7:18-25, Galatians 2:20, 2 Corinthians 12:9, Romans 8:1-4, Matthew 11:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Chose To Live Mediocre Lives

Contributed by Samuel M on Aug 5, 2024

This generation's preachers live lavish lifestyles, and they help the needy and poor. Whereas the previous generation of preachers lived mediocre lives and supported the poor and needy. They chose to live mediocre lives because they could easily connect and relate to the poor and those in need.

This generation's preachers live lavish lifestyles and houses, and they help the needy and poor. Whereas the previous generation of preachers lived mediocre lives and supported the poor and needy. They chose to live mediocre lives because they could easily connect and relate to the poor and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:17-19

The God Who Is Worth Suffering For - Matthew 5:10-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2024

Usually when someone mistreats us because of our righteousness, we think we’re doing well if we simply endure it without getting angry or depressed. But Jesus calls us to far more than that. We are to rejoice greatly! This message will help you do that.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Why So Sad?

Contributed by Keith Peters on Jul 9, 2011

Describes God's desire and provision for our Joy.

Why so Sad? REFLECTION: Jesus clearly claimed that one purpose of His coming was to bring a fulfilling and abundant life to His disciples (John 10:10) ye most of us stumble along the narrow road too often defeated and dejected. We often excuse such attitudes by citing our circumstances, whether ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11

Denomination: Baptist

Sermon On The Plain

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 10, 2022

Have you noticed that Jesus often contradicts popular ideas, because He taught us to worship God also with our minds? Perhaps He gave the Sermon on the Plain after the Sermon on the Mount. It contains some contrasting thoughts. Let’s look at Luke 6:17-26.

Prelude Have you noticed that Jesus often contradicts popular ideas, because He taught us to worship God also with our minds? Perhaps He gave the Sermon on the Plain after the Sermon on the Mount. It contains some contrasting thoughts. Let’s look at Luke 6:17-26. A Level Plain “And He came down ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-26

Denomination: Baptist

Where's Lazerus

Contributed by John Gullick on Aug 12, 2018

A sermon about the poor man at the gate of the rich man.

Where’s Lazerus???????????? Luke 16:19 Where's Wally? is a British series of children's puzzle books created by English illustrator Martin Handford. The books consist of a series of detailed double-page spread illustrations depicting dozens or more people doing a variety of amusing things at a ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Letter To The Church In Smyrna

Contributed by Claude Alexander on May 20, 2020

The church poor by wordly standards but rich by heavenly standards.

Letter to the church in Smyrna Rev. 2: 8-11 The Book of Revelation is an example of apocalyptic literature, a type of Jewish-Christian writing that flourished especially between 250 BC and 150 AD. The chief example in the Old Testament is Daniel 7-12. This type of literature communicates about ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

A "Lot" Of Choices Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 10, 2014

Lot's poor choices give us a negative example for life.

A “Lot” of Choices Genesis 13:1-12 • We have a lot of choices in this life. • Everyone remembers the choice Joshua laid out for the Israelites. • Jos 24:15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Mary's Song

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Dec 16, 2021

What does mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss Mary’s Song in Luke 1:39-55.

What does mercy, helping the poor and feeding the hungry have to do with celebrating the birth of Jesus? Let’s discuss Mary’s Song in Luke 1:39-55. Luke includes three songs written like Psalms, Mary’s Song, Zechariah’s Song, and Simeon’s Song. Spirit-Filled “Now Mary arose in those days and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Baptist

Anticipate The Prophecy Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 11, 2020

In Zephaniah 3:14-20, the prophet wants people of all time to long for the joy of the presence of God. He calls us to experience the 1) Rejoicing in the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:14), 2) Reasons for the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:15–17), 3) Realizing the Prophecy (Zephaniah 3:18-20).

Zephaniah 3:14–20 [14] Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel! Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem! [15] The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies. The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Denomination: Other

The Missing Ingredient Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 25, 2021

The Biblical ideal of godliness is, in both the Old and New Testament, a life of joy.

Edna Ferber makes a character in one of her novels say, "I like people with a splash of splendor in their makeup." Many people would be surprised to know that this is what should characterize every believer in Jesus. The world often gets a perverted concept of Christ just because ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11