Sermons on Joyful Sounds:

When Christmas Came To Bethlehem

Contributed by Abraham Shanklin on Jun 24, 2003

Something can happen when Christ comes to your Bethlehem. Something will change you from what you were to what you can become.

WHEN CHRISTMAS CAME TO BETHLEHEM Scripture Reference: Matthew 2.1-16; Luke 2:1-15 INTRODUCTION A small boy was writing a letter to God about the Christmas presents he badly wanted. "I’ve been good for six months now," he wrote. But after a moment’s reflection he crossed out "six months" and wrote ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-16, Luke 2:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"His Terrible Swift Sword" Series

Contributed by Clark Tanner on May 21, 2004

The sword of the Spirit is God’s weapon to do His work in us, and our weapon against the enemies named in verse 12 (#23 in The Christian Victor series)

“…and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” “Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on.” - Julia Ward ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:17

Denomination: Orthodox

Living Together By The Right Pattern Series

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 23, 2004

There are two reasons we need to live by the right pattern: the first is negative; the second is positive.

LIVING TOGETHER BY THE RIGHT PATTERN Philippians 3:17-4:1 INTRODUCTION A. How Christine lays out a pattern to sew by: 1. She spreads it out on the table, and I will come home to find the dining room table taken over by her material as she cuts out a pattern. 2. The items she is cutting out do ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joys False Or Complete Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 10, 2004

For Epiphany: As Richard Foster wrote about "Money, Sex, and Power", is it possible the Wise Men’s gifts are warnings to Jesus and His family about these things? Complete joy comes from what Jesus did with these issues.

Who we are and what we have are two entirely different things, but we confuse them. We insist on identifying who we are by what we have. Who we are and what we have are not the same thing. We are more by far than the material goods we possess. And yet everywhere we are identified by our stuff. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11, Matthew 2:11-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Passion, Ash Wednesday And Lent

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Feb 21, 2004

What to learn as The Passion of the Christ movie opens on Ash Wednesday.

Did you hear about the lady who shut down the US and Canadian border? Apparently Canadian customs officials found a grenade in the glove compartment of a 28-year-old woman¡¦s Ford Explorer as she crossed the border on last Monday. Due to the current tensions re: terrorist activities, this created ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

El Roi - God Who Sees Me Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Dec 2, 2003

5th message in series. This was preached by associate minister Steve Higgs. Many times we say, “God is watching you.” We often think of him as a proverbial Santa, “he know’s when you are sleeping, he knows when you’re awake, he knows if you’ve been bad

The God Who Sees Me by Steve Higgs Genesis 16 As many of you may know, my mother passed away when I was a senior in high school. It was the result of a brain aneurysm and happened very quickly, and was very tragic. Over the course of the grieving process a lot of people said a lot of helpful and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 16:7-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Introduction To 2 Thessalonians Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Dec 10, 2003

Three comments Paul makes about the church.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-4 Introduction In our study of 1st Thessalonians, we became quite acquainted with this wonderful group of believers from the city of Thessalonica. I want you to take a stroll with me back through what we have learned about them so far. There is something very satisfying about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

How To Prepare For Easter

Contributed by Bob Hostetler on Mar 13, 2002

A different kind of Palm Sunday message, one that looks forward to Easter

How to Prepare for Easter Scripture: Luke 19:28-44, Matthew 21:1-11 We all prepare for things in our own ways. For example, Gary Manka exercises 6 days a week for about ninety minutes. His routine starts with prayer, followed by a lengthy set of stretching exercises. He says sometimes ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44, Matthew 21:1-11, Luke 19:28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Contentment

Contributed by Ian Barker on Apr 1, 2002

"My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Contentment is learning that the Lords Grace is enough.

2 Cor 12:9 "My Grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Today I would like to talk about contentment and how we can make the Lords grace sufficient for us. Genesis 1:26… 26 Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Denomination: Brethren

Living Beyond Fear

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 14, 2001

There are two sources for fear: when we are caught up in something we did not count on, and when we are not in control. There are two ways in which living in Christ helps us live beyond our fears: knowing that He is completely trustworthy, and doing as He calls us to do.

Did anything frighten you this morning? Did you feel any kind of fear? Before you answer “No” too quickly, consider that we cannot live without fear. We cannot live without fear. You do not want to get rid of fear entirely. You must be afraid of some things, or else you will be in trouble. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

Put Your Pencils Down

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Sep 1, 2001

A Labor Day and Communion message, dealing with the sources of satisfaction in work. Designed for audience participation.

Labor Day, and school is starting again. I wonder, do they still do the same things as when I was in school? Do they still have the same rituals? Maybe not. Things do change. Dodgeball, for example. Now that was THE game in my day. You had the right to throw the ball as hard as you could and ...read more

Scripture: John 17:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Culture Shifts:the 'progressive' Generation

Contributed by Tammy Garrison on Jan 21, 2002

Our culture would have us to believe there is a sea of ’truths’ to choose from in determining our beliefs and ethics. The 10 Commandments hold for us ultimate truth & meaning from an ancient past towards an eternal future.

Exodus 20:1-11 Bibliography: Culture Shifts, Lesson 4 Over the last several weeks we have been exploring the changes that have taken place in our culture over the last forty years. Many have begun this new year with commitments (New Year Resolutions, if you will) to strive towards being more ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 20:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Hidden Treasure

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jun 2, 2002

No act of faith or obedience, whether great or small, whether seen or unseen, will go unrewarded.

This morning, I’d like to address a simple question: Is it worth it? Is the payoff worth the cost, is the potential reward worth the risk? We face that question all the time, for the simple reason that everything has a cost. Nothing is free. Even gifts usually come with some kind of strings ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44

Denomination: Baptist

Who Is Our God And Who Are We Series

Contributed by Charles Scott on Jun 24, 2002

The nature of our God and of ourselves is revealed in God’s acts in history that culminate in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

WHO IS OUR GOD? And, who are we. The readings from Holy Week sums up the heart of our faith and reveals God to us. In your private devotions this week, please re-read the last chapters of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John that retell the events from the Triumphal Entry of Christ in to Jerusalem for ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Our God Will Make All Things New Series

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Jun 4, 2003

EASTER 5(C) - Our God will make everything new by providing believers with a heavenly home for eternal living.

OUR GOD WILL MAKE ALL THINGS NEW REVELATION 21:1—6 MAY 18, 2003 REVELATION 21:1-6 1Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. 2I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 21:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran