Sermons on Maximize Joy:

Christ's Desire

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Apr 18, 2011

How sad that many of us miss the joy and blessing that can be ours by knowing and doing what Christ desires. What is Christ’s desire for you and me?

Christ’s Desire Luke 13:31-34; 19:41-42 Christ’s desire for Israel was that they might have known Him in an intimate relationship as their Messiah. Several days before His triumphal entry into Jerusalem, He expressed that desire when He said after being confronted by some Pharisees, O ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:31-34

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus – The Healing, Restoring Compassion Of God

Contributed by Michael B. Perrott on Feb 11, 2009

Jesus heals the leper that he may experience the joy of being restored to those that love him. Here we are challenged to work for healing and restoration in the world, with the compassion of Christ

Mark 1:40-45 ‘Jesus – the Healing, Restoring Compassion of God’ I wonder how many of you enjoy going to the theatre, the cinema, or perhaps watching TV drama? I personally like watching drama, thrillers, full of suspense and tension! You know, when the audience is not sure what is going to ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Two

Contributed by Scott Ridout on Jul 2, 2009

A sermon from a series entitled, "Five" focusing on the five things the pastors of Sun Valley want for their congregation members. This message relates the joy and necessity of sharing your faith.

Today, we are in our second week in a series we creatively called five. And we are talking about five things that we as pastors at Sun Valley want not from you, but for you. Five things that if they were true of your life, would take your experience of God, your perspective on life and I believe, ...read more

Scripture: Philemon 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

Children Of Light

Contributed by Ed Lu on Aug 10, 2019

Entitlement becomes our constant companion to rationalize what’s right is wrong and unless I am the beneficiary of love, peace and joy then something is terribly wrong with the Church.

Children of Light (John 12:35-36) Many expect to be given God than they are to search for God. They want to be handed all the blessings of peace, prosperity, and providence which somehow they think God represents but they fall short of diligently seeking Him. That if I do what the pastor ...read more

Scripture: John 12:35-36

Denomination: Baptist

Ugly Christmas Sweater Series

Contributed by Rev. Timothy Porter on Dec 20, 2020

Christmas is meant to be a time of joy and happiness based upon the birth of our Savior, Jesus. Too often, this fact gets lost in ugly thoughts, words, motives, and actions.

Ugly Christmas Sweater Week 1: Ugly Thoughts PASTOR TIMOTHY PORTER Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25 // Philippians 4:4-8 // Luke 2:8-11 INTRODUCTION: Today we begin a mini series for the Christmas season called Ugly Christmas Sweater. Maybe you have a tradition like many people ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Preparation For The Visitation Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Dec 15, 2014

The story of Mary and Joseph in the first Christmas teaches us about the greatest gift that God has given to us - His Son Jesus, and salvation, joy, peace and hope.

PREPARATION FOR THE VISITATION THE BIG IDEA: The story of Mary and Joseph in the first Christmas teaches us about the greatest gift that God has given to us - His Son Jesus, and salvation, joy, peace and hope. • Christmas is all about celebrating Jesus – the Saviour of the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Denomination: *other

Do You Believe That I Love You?

Contributed by Daniel J. Little on Mar 5, 2012

Believing that God loves you and turning to Him for help moves His heart with joy. This kind of weakness and need results in the blessing that comes to those who are poor in spirit.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT I (GOD) LOVE YOU? Pastor Daniel J. Little - The Landmark Church, Binghamton, NY adfontes.djl@gmail.com 2 Corinthians 8:9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:9

Denomination: *other

Lesson #15 Title: Consider Paul's Imprisonment As A Reason To Rejoice Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 17, 2018

It is because Paul knows that his friends are united with him in the great work of advancing the cause of Christ in the world that he can greet even the prospect of death with undaunted joy.

Date: 9/18/18 Lesson #15 Title: Consider Paul's Imprisonment as a Reason to Rejoice Scripture: (Philippians 2:17-18, NIV) (17) But even if I am being poured out like a drink offering on the sacrifice and service coming from your faith, I am glad and rejoice with all of you. (18)So you too should ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

Who Do You Say Jesus Is?

Contributed by Thomas Clawser on Sep 2, 2017

Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom. In similar fashion, Jesus grants me the joy of sharing the Gospel as He desires, guides and allows. You have the same opportunity.

What exactly do you believe about Jesus? In my seminary days, our first semester in Systematic Theology dealt with that question. Our professor described Jesus as “the proleptic, salvific, hidden appearance of the eschatological kingdom of God”. Did you get that? Take notes; there might be a test ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: Other

We Were Like Those Who Dreamed

Contributed by John Gaston on Nov 10, 2016

Psalm 126 chronicles the joy of their return from captivity, their prayers for others still in bondage, and God's instruction to plant the seed of the Gospel, even in tears, for a great harvest will come.

WE WERE LIKE THOSE WHO DREAMED Ps. 126:1-6 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: THE CATCH 1. Ever since the firm he worked for went bankrupt, Benny has been looking for a job. Many months pass without success but then, one day, Benny rushes back home to his wife Cindy with a big smile on his face. 2. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Piercing The Spiritual Shadow

Contributed by James Snyder on May 3, 2016

My journey in the Christian life brings me to the point of piercing the spiritual shadow and discovering the presence of God. To walk in his presence is the greatest joy associated with the Christian life.

(Song of Solomon 2: 3-3: 16) The Christian life is the most wonderful and exciting and satisfying life there is but then on the other hand it is also the most frustrating, exhausting and trying life. This is why religion is so popular today. Religion says if you do this and that and if you ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Lords Marvelous Change

Contributed by Charles Jones on Jan 1, 2022

Salvation is a change which we often try to describe but cannot express, the only way we can describe it is that God filled us with joy unspeakable and full of glory.

The Marvelous Change He Changed My Life 1Pe 2:9 "But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light"—1Pe 2:9. But you are a chosen race, a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Shame

Contributed by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid on Dec 7, 2015

Prayer of forgiveness, repentance, and good faith yields deliverance out of shame to receive double your portion in joy everlasting through the grace of Christ Jesus that sustains us.

SHAME by Dr. Gale A. Ragan-Reid (December 7, 2015) “For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them” (Isaiah 61:7, King James ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:7

Denomination: Friends

Restless Hearts Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 24, 2019

The active atheist's life is not only meaningless,. . . but tragic in the worst sense, because, absent a miracle, he turned his back on a free offer of eternal joy.

Seventh Sunday in Course 2019 For the Catholic Students Group Today our Office readings begin a series from the book of Ecclesiastes, or Qoheleth, which means “the Teacher.” It is one of the best-known of the Wisdom books of the OT, purportedly written by King Solomon, who, at least in his youth, ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:1-18, 1 Corinthians 15:45-49, Psalm 103:1-13

Denomination: Catholic

The Zacchaeus Principle

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Nov 4, 2022

Leading others to Christ is a persistent and consistent call to patiently engage others with the Gospel that will convince them to "come down out of the tree with joy" like Zacchaeus.

WE ARE CALLED TO MAKE DISCIPLES IN OBEDIENCE TO OUR COMMAND OF THE GREAT COMMISSION OF JESUS. WE ARE ALL GIFTED WITH THE ABILITY TO LEAD OTHERS TO CHRIST. AS WE ARE REMINDED, 1 PETER 3:15-16, “IF SOMEONE ASKS ABOUT YOUR HOPE AS A BELIEVER, ALWAYS BE READY TO EXPLAIN IT. BUT DO THIS IN A GENTLE AND ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:1-10, 1 Peter 3:15-16, Ephesians 4:2-32, Romans 10:13-15

Denomination: Free Methodist