Sermons on Joyful Anticipation:

Status Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Feb 25, 2019

Our status as unique children of God – in contrast to unbelievers – carries with it a host of implications.

Status (I John 2:28-3:3) 1. A not-so-bright woman noticed that her coworker has a thermos, so she asks her what it's for. She responds, "It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold." The not-so-bright woman immediately buys one for herself. The next day, she goes to work and proudly ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Advent Hope: A Light In The Darkness - The Promise Of Hope - Isaiah 9:2 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 25, 2024

We often see hope as something uncertain—a wish for better days ahead. But biblical hope is different. It’s not a wish; it’s a confident expectation rooted in the promises of God.

Advent Hope: A Light in the Darkness - The Promise of Hope - Isaiah 9:2 Theme: Jesus, the Light of the World, brings hope in the darkness. Key Verse: Isaiah 9:2 – “The people who walk in darkness will see a great light. For those who live in a land of deep darkness, a light will ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7, Luke 1:26-38, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 9:2, Luke 1:31-33, John 8:12  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Waiting For Christmas

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Dec 28, 2010

It’s obvious why kids look forward to Christmas. But today we’re going to look at two people who were looking forward in eager anticipation for a much different reason.

INTRODUCTION: Remember when you were a kid and you couldn’t wait until Christmas arrived? When my brother and I were young, my Mom would have this Christmas calendar with cotton balls stuck to each of the squares. Each day we took turns taking a cotton ball off. We were excited to do so ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:22-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

More Than Others

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 2, 2005

3 Types of Christians: The SPECTATOR is just there to observe; the ANTICIPATOR is expecting real blessings but not doing anything; the PARTICIPATOR is busy doing the work. Free PowerPoint Template at website.

More Than Others Mt. 5:46, 47 http://www.gbcdecatur.org/sermons/MoreThanOthers.html "For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? . . ."--Matt. 5:46, 47. In the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:46-47

Denomination: Baptist

In Memoriam Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Feb 2, 2008

In Communion, the people of God declare fellowship with one another because of fellowship with Christ, renew their anticipation of the return of the Saviour, and remember His sacrifice. This message focuses on remembering the Saviour.

1 CORINTHIANS 11:23-25 IN MEMORIAM “I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.’ In the same way also ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 11:23-25

Denomination: Baptist

New King, Same Lord Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 23, 2009

This sermon marks the middle point of our series on the life of David. So in this lesson we look backward and forward and we anticipate the lessons we will be learning in the rest of the series.

Introduction: A. The story is told of a time when the Pope had just finished a tour of the Napa Valley and was taking a limousine to San Francisco. 1. As the Pope talked with the chauffeur, he admitted that he had always wanted to drive a limo, but had never had the chance. 2. The chauffeur ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Some Folks Don't Know About Christmas

Contributed by Curtis E. Nester on Dec 27, 2013

Explores what people should know about the birth of Jesus and how many are not aware of the true meaning of Christmas. Why we should be anticipating the second advent of Christ

TITLE: What Some Folks Don't Know About Christmas TEXT: Galatians 4:4-5 INTRO: For 74 years, Russia had no official Christmas holiday. The Communists replaced the Bethlehem star with the red star. They banned Christmas trees and turned Christmas into a holiday celebrating Father Frost. Then, in ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 4:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

Living While Waiting

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 5, 2025

Because the Day of the Lord will come suddenly, our anticipation of that Day must shape this day—so we strive to be holy, think rightly, watch carefully, and grow steadily.

Introduction This morning we’re reading the final words of Peter’s final letter to the church. His burden is simple and weighty: that we live holy lives that honor the Lord Jesus and are not swept away by the immorality, false teaching, and scoffing around us. How do we do that in a world soaked ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:11, 2 Peter 3:10

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Building A Church Of Thessalonica For The 21st Century | Part 2 | The Second Coming Of Jesus | Dr. Madana Kumar Series

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Jan 26, 2024

In this part of the series Dr. Madana Kumar, looks into that hope and the anticipation that we can have because of the Second Coming of Jesus which was one of the reasons for the Thessalonian church to thrive.

Building a Church of Thessalonica for the 21st century | Part 2 | The Second Coming of Jesus This is a part 2 of the series on 1& 2 Thessalonians. In the first part , we looked at the historical background of formation of the Church at Thessalonica and explored several reasons why we should ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5, Revelation 21:1-5, 1 Corinthians 15:24-26, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-2, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4, 2 Thessalonians 2:7-9, 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Admit One Lost Sheep

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 2, 2025

Luke 15 follows sooner after Jesus tells the story about a great Banquet, in which the “poor, the maimed, the lame, and the blind” replace the anticipated guest at a great feast.

“Admit One Lost Sheep” “Then Jesus told them this parable: 4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Doesn’t he leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6 and goes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:3-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy To The World

Contributed by Marc Phillips on Dec 18, 2015

We should carry our Joy in everything we do. Our joy is a gift of the Holy Spirit and when we are less than joyful we are squashing that spirit. Joy to the World is not just for Christmas, but for all year long!

Scripture is shared from the NASB... We just sang Joy to the World as a praise song, and I think we did a pretty good job of it. I’d like to try this exercise together if you would indulge me for a moment. Let’s sing that first verse again, only let’s do it with a scowl or a ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

Be Amazed Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 20, 2013

1) The Amazing Song of Moses (Revelation 15:3a), 2) The Amazing Song of the Lamb (Revelation 15:3b-4a), 3) The Amazing song of the Nations (Revelation 14:b).

Christmas music tends to separate people into two camps: people tend to either love it or hate it. For those who hate it, they will often either just tune it out, or just turn the channel for this one time of year. Even for those who love Christmas music, it tends to be a one a year delicacy. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 15:3-4

Denomination: Other

Short Takes In Scripture

Contributed by Steve Shepherd on Nov 17, 2008

Our text gives us six short takes in scripture. 1- Be joyful 2- Pray continually 3- Give thanks 4- Build fire 5- Test everything

INTRO.- Short takes. What is this? I assume it’s the idea of taking a short look at some subject. It could be a short or brief look at politics. No, we don’t want to go there because it seems that there is nothing short when it comes to politics; not speeches, not conventions, not debates, etc. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Christ's Righteousness Shines Through His Church

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jan 18, 2006

Epiphany 2(C)- Christ’s righteousness shines through his church: a church which is a royal crown of splendor and a church which is united to Jesus in a blessed, joyful marriage.

CHRIST RIGHTEOUSNESS SHINES THROUGH HIS CHURCH January 15, 2006 -- Epiphany 2 -- ISAIAH 62:1-5 * * * * * * * * * * Dear Fellow-Redeemed & Saints in the Lord: Believers, Christians, are now the ones to lives as lights in this world. We are the ones ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 62:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran

That Your Joy May Be Full

Contributed by Olafenwa John Ishola on Jun 16, 2014

In a world full of various challenges and troubles, living a joyful life becomes impossible without the help of God. Only Jesus can help us live a life full of joy.

Joy drives out all forms of bitterness that may have existed in your life in times past. It is a light that drives out the darkness of sorrow. Joy is what keeps you smiling everyday of your life, making all your days devoid of sorrow. Everyone desires to live a life full of joy, but it is evident ...read more

Scripture: John 16:24

Denomination: *other