Sermons on Maximize Joy:

Smyrna - The Suffering Church Series

Contributed by David Moore on Aug 29, 2008

This sermon presents the church at Smyrna as the suffering church, and show God’s purpose in suffering.

Smyrna - The Suffering Church Text: Revelation 2:8-11. Introduction: In our first study of the seven churches we examined the church at Ephesus, the fallen church, this morning, we leave Ephesus behind and travel forty miles North up the coast of modern Turkey where we come to the ancient city of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Called To Suffer Series

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Sep 2, 2008

Jesus presents a clear description of what it is followers are to be like internally and how they are to live outwardly in the Sermon on the Mount

Continue series on SOTM- Mtt 5-7- Called to Suffer. SOTM begins w/beatitudes-last time-looked at 1st four Lets review the beatitudes (slide for each one) Clarify something I said about the 3rd beatitude- Blessed are the gentle, for they shall inherit the earth. V5 Talked about- individually, we ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-12

Denomination: Charismatic

What Is Our Mission?

Contributed by Timothy Craver on Sep 2, 2008

Looks at how Jesus was faithful to His mission and how we are to do the same.

Let me pose a hypothetical situation to you this morning: Let’s say I was to make an offer to you. I would offer to give you two free plane tickets to anywhere in the world. Would you take it? Well, there’s one catch – what if I didn’t tell you where you were going before you got on the plane? ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28

Denomination: Brethren

It's A Good Hurt

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Sep 4, 2008

A message on the good that can come from suffering.

IT’S A GOOD HURT 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 Wednesday, August 27, 2008 Pastor Brian Matherlee I recall a “Far Side” cartoon that has a cowboy filled with arrows and he says to his partner, “It hurts Clem….but it’s a good hurt.” What good can come from suffering? 1. God is the Father of compassion and ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

What Trials Do Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Dec 22, 2008

Suffering is a part of the Christian’s life.

1. Who really likes all the trials & testings? a. I don’t know too many people that would jump and say, “I do Pastor Ed. I love them. Give me more!” b. After all, they are often irritating times of sorrow & sadness, & difficult times of problems & pain. c. But whether we like them or not, trials ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From "Ow!” To "Ooh!”; "Arrgh!” To "Aaah!” Groaning Will Give Way To Glory

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Jul 7, 2008

The life of a Christian is often hot to handle that we may be tempted to even pack it in. But the Apostle Paul urges us not to do so for our groaning will give way to glory.

I have a loonie here that I want to give away. Who wants it? Before I give it to you I want to burn off some of the germs that are on this coin. (Hold coin in candle flame with a pair of pliers for a couple of seconds.) Done. Go ahead. Take the coin. Did your fingers get burned? No? That’s good. I ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Lutheran

Hope - Our Strength

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Jul 11, 2008

"while the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." Helen Keller Today we will see that: Our Present Sufferings Will Not Last – (v. 18) Our Promised Future Will Not End – (v. 23) Our Patient Hope Will Be Our Strength (v. 25)

Introduction: What are you going through today? Do you feel like giving up, throwing up your hands and quitting? Do you struggle with… · Financial Burdens – Can meet the bills · Physical Burden’s – Sick or struggling with addiction · Relational Burden’s – Broken marriage, friendship or ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15-25

Denomination: Orthodox

Trading Sorrow For Singing

Contributed by Tim Patrick on Jul 14, 2008

This sermon examines God’s desire to trade His joy for our guilt, sadness, and discouragement.

In the mid 80’s I had the opportunity to make a mission trip to Brazil. We went to Manaus, in the upper Amazon basin. We met a little boy named Pablo. He followed us around most of the week. On our final day, Pablo came to see us off. As we were preparing to board our bus and start the trip home an ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

Extreme Living

Contributed by Joseph Stapleton on Apr 28, 2009

In a world of Extreme life, we as Christians can live Extreme also

EXTREME LIVING Attitude is Everything (All my sermons use illustrations from Sermon Central and all Scripture is NIV unless otherwise noted) In our world there seems to be a need to take things to another level. When I was younger I enjoyed sports, now there is EXTREME sports. Our world is ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

While You Were Away

Contributed by Kenneth Tankersley on Jun 13, 2009

MAYBE YOU HAVE BEEN INFORMED OF SOMETHING EXCITING THAT HAPPENED WHILE YOU WERE AWAY. THE BIBLE TELLS OF MANY WHO MISSED A BLESSING BECAUSE THEY WERE AWAY AND NOT WHERE THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

CBC WHILE YOU WERE AWAY TEXT: Ps 16:11 Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. INTRODUCTION: YOU MAY RECALL, THE LITTLE NOTE PADS, USED FOR YEARS TO INFORM SOMEONE OF PERTINENT ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:11

Denomination: Baptist

Paul's Heart Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2009

Even from prison Paul experiences the joy of being a Christian and love for the church.

“Paul’s Heart” Today we begin our series in Philippians. You may remember that I have called the Book of Philippians, the “antidepressant” book of the Bible. I have found that every non-medicinal method I learned as a counselor for treating depression and anxiety is covered in this book. So while ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Is The God You Worship A Happy God?

Contributed by Robbie Phillips on Jul 21, 2009

Rejoice in God (as He does in you)

Is the God you worship a happy God? “Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and I will praise you…” Psalm 43:4 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.” ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 43:4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Satan's War Against God's Followers Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 8, 2009

The American church has been mostly exempt from persecution for more than 200 years. Could it be that we too have become lazy along the way? The fifth seal talks about those who have died for the Lord rather than live for the world. If you were given th

Revelation 6:9-11; 12:10-17 Purpose: To describe how and why martyrs die. Aim: I want the listener to accept persecution as a privilege. INTRODUCTION: The early church suffered much persecution. But from the death of Severus in 211 until the reign of Decius in 240, about 30 years, the church ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Saved From What?

Contributed by Curt Cizek on Mar 9, 2009

Paul gives us a couple of shocking truths that greatly impact our lives. He tells us from what we are saved and what to do when we are suffering. Absolutely shocking but totally life-changing!

-We talk in the Christian church, especially the protestant church, about salvation -However, I don’t think that we really know what we are talking about sometimes -Salvation means that we were in danger -What was the cause of our danger? -Or maybe better yet, from what did Jesus save us? -Most ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

One Is Bad - One Is Good

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Mar 11, 2009

A message comparing the horrifying attributes of hell to the wondrous goodness of heaven.

I read a news article the other day that said over 50% of society believes in a heaven, but less than 40% believe in a hell. There is a discrepancy in those numbers because everyone wants to go someplace good, and we all recognize that heaven is a good place. Likewise, we do not want to go any ...read more

Scripture: John 14:3

Denomination: *other