Sermons on Joy When Poor:

Jacob-When He Came Back To Bethel Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on May 9, 2022

Jacob had met the LORD at Bethel when he fled from Esau, his brother. Now, some twenty years later, he's on his way back to Bethel but things are much different than before.

Foreword: Full disclosure, there is a message on this site, which I prepared, called “Back to Bethel” in a series about Bethel experiences. This message here is not a rehash of the previous message, but, as both messages are based on the same text, some overlap in probably unavoidable but is ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 35:1-7, Leviticus 8:24, Genesis 28:10-22, Deuteronomy 21:10-14

Denomination: Baptist

When Catastrophes Happen, Whom Do We Blame?

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 6, 2025

When something really bad happens, we look for a scapegoat to take the blame. For lots of troubles, our response is to blame God, praying “why did you do this to us, Lord?”

Friday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time 2025 What has happened so that the prophet Joel tells the priests of the Jerusalem temple to weep and wail? Why is the house of God deprived of grain offering and wine offering? If we look not here in chapter 2 of the prophecy, but go back to ...read more

Scripture: Joel 1:13-15, Joel 2:1-2, Psalm 9:2-3, Psalm 9:6, Psalm 9:16, Psalm 9:8-9, Luke 11:15-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Happy Are The Sad - Matthew 5:4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 3, 2024

No one feels good after a failure. But how is the sorrow of a child of God different? And why does Jesus pronounce a blessing on people who feel that way? This message will help you draw near to God through times of hardship.

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 5:4

You’re Alive! Act Like It - Ecclesiastes 9:2-10:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 26, 2025

It’s better to be alive in a painful life than to be dead. This passage explains why and teaches us how to seize the day and enjoy life through relationships and work.

9:1 Indeed, I took all this to heart and explained it all: the righteous, the wise, and their works are in God's hands. People don't know whether to expect love or hate. Everything lies ahead of them. 2 Everything is the same for everyone: there is one fate for the righteous and the wicked, ...read more

What Happens When Jesus Comes To Town?

Contributed by Monty Newton on Feb 4, 2013

God's love is large enough to embrace and include everyone.

Title: What Happens When Jesus Comes to Town? Text: Luke 4:21-30 Thesis: God’s love is large enough to embrace and include everyone. Introduction A syndrome is a group of symptoms that collectively indicate or characterize a disease, psychological disorder or other abnormal condition. If ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Became Weak: Advent #1 Series

Contributed by Steven Simala Grant on May 11, 2007

in God’s Kingdom, the powerful things come through what our world would describe as weakness.

When God Became Weak: Advent #1 Philippians 2:5-8 December 4, 2005 Intro: Peter writes, in 1 Pet 2:9-12, “9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-8

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Our Way When We Are Lost

Contributed by Gerald Van Horn on Sep 19, 2006

It’s easy to find directions with the technology of the Computor

Finding Directions For Life Text: Proverbs 15:24 “The way of life is above to the wise, that he may depart from hell beneath.” It’s easy to find directions with the technology of the computer. Some Atlas’ are very little help for they need up-dating ever so often. ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 15:24

Denomination: Assembly Of God

That Your Joy Might Be Full: A Sermon For The 3rd Sunday In Advent

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Dec 9, 2023

Today is the 3rd Sunday in Advent in which we think about joy. What is joy? In particular, what is Christian joy? How is this connected to hope, peace, and love, the other themes we reflect upon in this season?

That Your Joy Might be Full: A Sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Advent 1 John 1:1–4 NKJV That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life—the life was manifested, and we have ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Be Nominal When We Can Be Phenomenal?

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 7, 2025

God calls us to an abundant life as more than conquerors.

Why Be Nominal When We Can Be Phenomenal? Romans 8:37; John 10:10; 1 Peter 2:9 A little boy goes into a bakery with endless options but settles for the smallest sugar cookie, even after being offered anything in the shop. Point: Many believers approach God the same way—settling for the bare ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:37, John 10:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

No Secret Christians

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 20, 2008

Our desire to keep it secret that we are Christians will have to be revised when we receive joy from a redemptive fellowship. when we become informed about our faith, and when we learn to live conscious of the presence of Christ.

Before I begin, I do have some instructions for our ushers. Can I get the ushers to help us make sure we are truly ready for this experience? First, gentlemen, please make sure all the windows are sealed tight. We don’t want any sound to seep out to the outside world. And then will you please ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

An Open Letter Of Encouragement

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jun 28, 2007

When we are down and out, when things are against us, when lifes trials come our way, and try to steal our joy...We have a choice... Because there IS a Light at the end of the tunnel. Put a Song in your Heart.

A Letter of Encouragement Psalm 42-43 There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Put a song in your heart to carry you through. When we are down and out, when things are against us, when lifes trials come our way, and try to steal our joy... We have a choice... <This is an actual letter of ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When You Can't Find God

Contributed by Dr. Jerry N. Watts on Jul 27, 2009

From the the life of Job we can learn what to do when God is silent.

When You Can’t Find God Job 23:1-10 * Every time this country goes to war, sadly, we always find ourselves with a list of unaccounted for service people. We call these people “missing in action”, which we have shortened to MIA. Regardless of the reason(s), they cannot be found and accounted for. ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

When Your World Is Turned Upside Down

Contributed by Paul Wallace on Apr 23, 2008

When our world is turned upside down we need God’s truth to guide us, instead of our feelings.

When Your World is Turned upside Down Psalms 34 and; 1 Samuel 21:10-15 1 A psalm of David, regarding the time he pretended to be insane in front of Abimelech, who sent him away. I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. 2 I will boast only in the LORD; let all who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-22

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Did It Mean When Jesus Came?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 6, 2014

Jesus’ birth was the most significant day in history. What made it so significant?

WHAT DID IT MEAN WHEN JESUS CAME? Jesus’ birth was the most significant day in history. What made it so significant? 1) It was the day love was born. John 3:16, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:12-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What To Do When You Are Running On Fumes

Contributed by Melvin Maughmer, Jr. on Aug 29, 2021

My wife as soon as her gas tank hits half a tank, she says it’s time to get gas but me on the other hand will drive my truck till I nearly run out of gas. Being tired and weary is a physical symptom that indicates the body needs rest and refreshment.

What to do when you are running on fumes! By Bishop Melvin L. Maughmer, Jr. OPENING: - My wife as soon as her gas tank hits half a tank, she says it’s time to get gas but me on the other hand will drive my truck till I nearly run out of gas. My gas gage will say empty, but I have on my dash an ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1, John 4:6-8, 1 Samuel 7:15-17, 1 Samuel 8:6, 1 Samuel 10:1  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Apostolic