Sermons on Leap For Joy:

The Difference A Child Makes: Mary

Contributed by Stephen Aram on Dec 16, 2019

Hear from Mary herself what the Christmas story meant to her.

Good morning! My name is Mary. I am the mother of Jesus. My journey in life has embraced the good and the beautiful and also the painful, but always God has been with me. My son and my savior is no longer with us, but his disciple, John has taken care of my needs and been like a son to me since ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, Luke 1:46-55

Do What He Says PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Jan 21, 2024

This sermon emphasizes the joy and fulfillment found in obedient discipleship, viewing God's commands not as burdens but as opportunities for blessings.

Good morning, beloved. It is truly a blessing to be in the presence of the Lord with all of you today. We are gathered here, not by coincidence, but by divine appointment. Our Father, in His infinite wisdom and boundless love, has drawn us together to hear His word and to grow in our understanding ...read more

Scripture: John 2:3

Topics: Do, He Says

Letting Go Of Loneliness

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Apr 4, 2005

Loneliness and feelings of abandonment can rob us of life’s joys. The Bible offers clear paths that we can take to overcome loneliness and regain the joy of life.

Psalm 22:1-2, 19-21, 27-31 “Letting Go of Loneliness” INTRODUCTION In the book, Clan of the Cave Bear, by Jean Auel, the main character Aila commits an unpardonable sin. She is a woman, but she likes to hunt, which is the domain of the men. The Clan passes a death sentence on her, and cast ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:1-31

Denomination: Lutheran

The Great Impressionist Series

Contributed by Curry Pikkaart on Aug 15, 2013

Good impressionists are a joy to watch, and they command our attention. But the greatest impressionist of all is not a joy to watch, but still commands our attention. We meet him in the book of Revelation.

“The Great Unveiling: The Great Impressionist” Revelation 12:1-13:18 I’m always captivated by good impressionists – people who can mimic the voices, quirks, and facial nuances of others. It’s a tremendous talent and takes a great amount of study and work to do it ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Partnering With One Another PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 27, 2023

Explore the interconnectedness of partnering with God in proclaiming the Gospel, fellowship in suffering, and the joy of knowing Christ, emphasizing that our joy, purpose, and strength come from our union with Christ.

Good morning, family! We're going to be diving into a passage from the book of Philippians today – a passage that speaks about partnering with God in proclaiming the Gospel, fellowship in suffering, and the joy of knowing Christ. It's interesting how all these elements are interconnected, and as we ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:6-8

Topics: Fellowship, Suffering

Overflow Of Love

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Aug 4, 2008

Paul and Silas demonstrated how to overflow with love. God also calls us to overflow with His love.

Overflow of Love Acts 16:25-31 In Acts 16 Paul is on his third missionary journey. Paul traveled through Galatia and Phrygia and stopped overnight in Troas. During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” Acts 16:9 The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-31

Denomination: Free Methodist

A Song Of Thanksgiving

Contributed by T. Michael Crews on Feb 16, 2001

The Why, What, and Who of Gratitude

A SONG OF THANKSGIVING My four-year-old likes to say the blessing at mealtimes, usually repeating the same short prayer: "Thank you, God, for this gracious food. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen." One evening, however, he thanked the Lord for the birds, the trees, each of his friends, and asked ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 92:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed Are The Hurting Series

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jun 19, 2005

A look at the Beatitudes and how an understanding of the Kingdom of God, present and future, helps us to face the difficulties of life.

Mary Lewis tells this story: “Alexander M. Sanders, Jr., is the Chief Judge of the South Carolina Court of Appeals. When his daughter Zoe graduated from the University of South Carolina in 1992, he told this story that happened when she was just three years old. Sanders came home from work one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:20-23, Luke 6:27-31

Denomination: Methodist

Announcing The Lord's Coming Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Oct 13, 2016

Mary, as her song indicates, did look at the big picture, but maybe even better, she looked at her Lord. She is a servant of the Lord. She is in his hands; she lives for his glory. What more does she need to know when she knows him?

Luke 1:26-56 Announcing the Lord’s Coming 12/12/04 D. Marion Clark Introduction The last judge of Israel was Samuel. His mother, Hannah, had been barren. Finally, the Lord answered her prayers and granted her a son who was named Samuel. In gratefulness, she “lent him to the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-56

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Choosing Your Lamb - Peer Pressure

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Apr 29, 2006

Peer pressure - the Psalm Sunday entry - shouts of joy - cries for Crusifiction - Made bigger by peer pressure.

Choosing your lamb - Peer pressure Mark 11:1-11 A little boy was sick on Palm Sunday and stayed home from church with his mother. His father returned from church holding a palm branch. The little boy was curious and asked, "Why do you have that palm branch, dad?" "You see, when Jesus came into ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:1-11

Denomination: Congregational

Jesus' Ministry

Contributed by Jerry Cosper on Mar 25, 2024

Jesus gives us a glimpse of what life is like in God's kingdom. He teaches us that true happiness isn't what the world thinks.

In our journey to Easter Sunday, we continue in the book of Luke. Last week we talked about Jesus's mission. Today we will take a look at Jesus's actual ministry in Luke 6. In today’s passage, Jesus gives us a glimpse of what life is like in God's kingdom. He teaches us that true ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-36

Denomination: Baptist

Sometimes Only A Party Will Do

Contributed by Bradley Hall on Jul 19, 2002

Fellowship is fine, but the miraculous joy of Easter requires something more.

Please note: The “Party Rules” herein referred to are taken in large part (and without permission) from P.J. O’Rourke’s Modern Manners, Chapter 19: Real Parties. We still tell the story in my family of how my great-grandfather and my great-grandmother -- Dad Benson and Mama Benson -- John and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Firmly Planted Series

Contributed by Bryn Macphail on Nov 14, 2000

There is a fullness of joy available for those who delight in God's Word.

Firmly Planted Psalm 1 Why the Psalms? Why should we study the Psalms? The reason I think we should study the Psalms comes from our New Testament reading: Revelation, chapter 2, verses 2 through 5. In Revelation 2, Jesus is giving a message to the church at Ephesus. Jesus begins with some very ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-6, Revelation 2:2-5

An Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 27, 2000

Learning to be grateful and letting create joy, contentment and the desire to share.

There was an article in the local paper where I used to live about a couple who had been living on welfare and food stamps from 1983 to 1991. They had drawn a great deal of money from the welfare system, before it was discovered through a welfare fraud investigator, that the couple had stocks, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:6-16

Denomination: Methodist

Overcoming Anxiety, Stress, & Anger

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

1. Appropriate the fact that the joy of the Lord is your spiritual strength.

1. Appropriate the fact that the joy of the Lord is your spiritual strength. 2. Remember the promises of Jesus who said, "THESE THINGS ARE WRITTEN TO YOU (OBEY MY COMMANDMENTS) SO THAT MY JOY MAY BE IN YOU & YOUR JOY MAY BE FULL." - JOHN 15;11 3. Pray and praise and rejoice knowing that Paul ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational