Sermons on Joyful Anticipation:

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

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

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

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

Unprofitable Servant? That's Our Joy And Privilege

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Oct 1, 2025

What Jesus and the Church teach is not how to get extra points on our heavenly report card.

Twenty-seventh Sunday in Course 2025 If we were to survey a thousand websites asking the question, “what’s wrong with the world,” we’d probably get at least a thousand different responses. But the best one I’ve ever seen came a hundred years ago from the British essayist and poet, G.K. Chesterton. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:6-8, 1 Timothy 1:13-14, Luke 17:5-10, Exodus 17:1-7, Psalm 95:1-9, Habakkuk 1:2-3, Habakkuk 2:2-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Go! And Rejoice Always - Philippians 4:4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 13, 2025

In Christ, joy is not optional—it’s essential. It’s a witness to the world that our God is greater than our circumstances.

Go! And Rejoice Always Philippians 4:4 (NLT) – “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Introduction: A Command That Seems Impossible If I were to stand before you today and say, “Be joyful—always,” some of you might smile politely, while others might think, “Dean, that’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Habakkuk 3:17-18, John 15:9-11, Nehemiah 8:10, Romans 5:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Will Christians Go Through The Tribulation Period? (I) Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Dec 15, 2020

This is the first of a series exploring the question: Will Christians go through the Tribulation Period? A sound foundation for answering the question must first be laid. This message addresses the Method being used to interpret biblical prophecy.

The rapid changes we have experienced in 2020 has caused many of us to think more about the end times. Think about how dramatically the world has changed since March. It makes one wonder what changes are coming in the days ahead. Will the pace of change continue? Will it slow down? Will it ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 10:4, 1 Timothy 5:18, Deuteronomy 25:4, Psalm 57:4, Galatians 5:25, 2 Peter 1:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Charismatic

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 15, 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

One For The Road

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 16, 2025

God meets us when the journey is too long and provides grace for every step, but His grace is never permission to remain the same; it is power to move forward in joyful obedience.

Introduction – When the Trip Feels Too Far Have you ever started on a trip and realized part way through that you just didn’t plan for how long or how hard it would be? Maybe you packed light for a hike and then found the trail twice as steep as the guidebook said. Maybe you took a family ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 14:24-26, Matthew 19:8, Acts 17:30-31, Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 1:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

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