Sermons on Maximize Joy:

A New Song Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 5, 2021

God is infinite, and therefore, only infinite creativity is worthy of Him, and adequate to glorify His name. It is also essential to keep joy alive in the worshipper. Variety is the spice of life, and a new song is like a tonic that lifts and enables us to feel afresh the love that is always there.

It is easy for us to do what the psalmist urges us to do, "Sing to the Lord a new song." The number of new songs to sing today is enormous. Back in 1891 Dr. Julian in his famous Dictionary of Hymnology examined four hundred thousand hymns, and he did not cover them all. There are, ...read more

Ending Well Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Oct 5, 2022

We’ve spent 36 weeks covering a letter containing some of the grandest mysteries of the Almighty and His love for us through Jesus Christ our Lord. Truth be told, we could start again and discover even more truths. This is the joy of studying Scripture.

Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Hagerstown, MD www.mycrossway.org Watch this message at: https://mycrossway.churchcenter.com/episodes/159060 This is it. We have reached the conclusion of Paul’s letter to the Church in Ephesus. We’ve spent 36 weeks covering a letter containing ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:19-24

Denomination: Brethren

Seeking Jesus Among The Dead

Contributed by Naveen Balakrishnan on Jul 5, 2022

Mary is despondent when she goes to the tomb the second time not knowing where the body of Jesus lay and she is confronted by the angels and then by Jesus. Her sorrow turns into joy and then she is given a command to go and share the good news of Jesus' resurrection from the dead.

“SEEKING JESUS AMONG THE DEAD?” JOHN 20:11-18 1. The DISTRESS of Mary Magdalene. (v. 11) Psalm 50:15; Matthew 26:75; Mark 5:38-39; 14:72; 15:40; 16:1-5, 10; Luke 7:38; 8:52; 22:62; 23:28; 23:55-24:3; 24:10, 12; John 11:31, 33; 14:27-28; 16:6, 20-22; 20:5; Acts 9:39; 21:13; Romans 12:15; 1 ...read more

Scripture: John 20:11-18

Denomination: Baptist

Turing Trials Into Triumphs Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jun 7, 2021

The first subject that James addresses in his letter is how to face our trials. His suggestion is shocking: we should welcome our trials with joy. But his reason for the suggestion makes sense when you understand things from God's perspective.

A. In Max Lucado’s book, In The Eye Of The Storm, he tells a story about a parakeet named Chippie. 1. Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming -one second he was peacefully perched in his cage, and the next he was sucked in, washed up and blown over. 2. The problem began when Chippie’s owner ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4, Job 5:7, Job 23:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Wine Maker

Contributed by Chris Beam on Feb 16, 2015

Don't seek miracles. Follow Jesus. And if you follow Him long enough and far enough, you'll find yourself in the middle of some miracles! The God who turned water into wine, can turn sadness to joy, fear to faith, and death to life.

The Wine Maker Series: The Grave Robber John 2:1-11
 Everybody has days that will define the rest of their lives. Days that will leave us different than we were the day before. Choosing which college to attend or what to major in, getting married, having kids, the death of a loved one, ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Blessed In Christ Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Jul 10, 2014

Life is hard, even for Christians. In those difficult times we can sometimes forget the blessings we have in Christ. But when we start to see the bigger picture and understand how we are blessed in Christ, we can truly live in the joy of those blessings.

Ok, I want to start with a question. Do you know where you are? That is kind of a funny question, isn’t it? Because of course you know where you are. But the reality is, that sometimes, we may not fully understand where we are until we see the bigger picture of our location and the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Prayer Of Your Leader Series

Contributed by Jesse Stevens on May 30, 2019

This is the prayer of any leader of a group of believers. It is Paul's desire for the church in Philippi. To know that we have peace from God; There is joy in partnering with others; We should develop a passionate affectionate for one another; And, I need to pray for a love that abounds.

The prayer of your leader Philippians 1:1-11 Philippians because it hits on so many different topics hat I wanted to share with you, not only today, but in the weeks to come. As you reflect on the passage this morning, it reflects how I feel about this church, this community, and you as ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Adventist

How To Overcome The Winter Blues!

Contributed by Derek Geldart on Jan 6, 2019

Want to figure out how to cure the winter blues? The cold weather and all those bills can really get a person down but if we remember we are the Lord's portion by sovereign choice, by purchase, by conquest and by faith we can leap for joy!

The Lord’s Portion Deuteronomy 32:9, Ephesians 1:3-14 Online Sermon: http://www.mckeesfamily.com/?page_id=3567 To see where the quotes were used and to see a live video go to the above website As frosted air forces its way into our lungs and our teeth chatter as we jar our frozen car door ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 32:9, Ephesians 1:3-14

Denomination: Baptist

A Rapture Viewpoint - More Perspective Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Feb 17, 2023

I think it is sad that many Christians do not understand the Rapture or have not been taught it, or reject it. It is the blessed hope held to tenaciously by the early Church. There is a joy in knowing the Lord will soon take me (His Church/Bride) home when He comes.

A RAPTURE VIEWPOINT - MORE PERSPECTIVE THE LORD WILL NOT CALL HIS CHURCH TO HEAVEN Not really. He will not call from heaven and the saints go home. He opens the door in heaven according to Revelation 4:1 and there is a cry, “Come up here!” It is one of the joys of scripture when we compare ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 1 Corinthians 15:50-54, Revelation 22:20, 2 Timothy 4:8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Magnanimity Of God’s Love

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Dec 4, 2024

As we gather this Christmas Sunday, there is a tension in the air, one that is often masked by the lights, the decorations, and the festive songs. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of Christmas—the gifts, the food, the joy. But do we ever stop to reflect on the true weight of this season?

The Magnanimity of God’s Love December 22, 2024 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship Psalm 24:3-10 John 1:14, 3:16 Introduction: The Tension of Christmas As we gather this Christmas Sunday, there is a tension in the air, one that is often masked by the lights, the decorations, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 24:3-10, John 1:14, John 3:16

Denomination: Brethren

All Because Of His Grace Series

Contributed by Saumiman Saud on Jun 9, 2025

We often easily say, “All because of His grace,” when we experience good things. But what about when we face difficulties? The Bible teaches us to remain thankful and acknowledge God’s grace in every situation, both in joy and sorrow:

ALL BECAUSE OF HIS GRACE Several Bible verses affirm that everything is because of God’s grace, including: Romans 3:24: “And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Easter Egg Hunts Should Be Held In Graveyards Series

Contributed by Fr Mund Cargill Thompson on Apr 27, 2024

A lot of grumpy bunkem occurs in outraged articles in the press about how our country isn't like what is was in the "good ol' Christian days" - but these grumpy ol' codgers have forgotten the truth and joy of the Easter message!

What stories have you seen about Easter in the news? {take any suggestions} Two jumped out at me - and both of them were about Easter Eggs. In the first story a Doctor Andrew Kelso had written an article advising people not to scoff all their Easter Eggs in one go. There was an uproar. He can’t ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18, Mark 16:1-8, Isaiah 11:6-9

Denomination: Anglican

Drawn By Beauty

Contributed by Brian Williams on Sep 27, 2023

Where does beauty come from and why are we attracted to it? Why do we as human beings desire to make beautiful creations? The existence of objective beauty points to a God of beauty who loves His creation and desires to give us joy and pleasure.

Today I will be speaking about how objective beauty points us to the Creator God. We’ll be looking at Psalm 27:4 and Psalm 96:6. One thing I have asked from the LORD, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD and to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 27:4, Psalm 96:6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Hope Out Of Darkness

Contributed by Austin W. Duncan on Sep 26, 2025

At Cadillac Mountain, dawn hits that ridge before the rest of the country. Isaiah 9 speaks to a people in predawn darkness and promises a light that breaks in. Advent says that light has a name, Jesus, and His coming turns yokes into freedom, fear into joy, and night into morning.

You know, I recently had the chance to take a trip to Acadia National Park in Maine. And there's this place there, Cadillac Mountain in Acadia National Park - where you can be the first person in America to see the sunrise. Imagine that. Wouldn’t that be cool to be able to say that you were one ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 9:2-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Unbreakable Promise

Contributed by Paul Dayao on Aug 19, 2025

Unpacking one of the Bible's most powerful promises, this sermon on Romans 8:28 reveals how God sovereignly works all things—from our greatest joys to our deepest sorrows—together for the ultimate good of those who love Him.

Title: God's Unbreakable Promise Text: Romans 8:28 Introduction: Life is filled with moments that leave us asking, "Why?" Why did this tragedy happen? Why am I going through this suffering? Why did that relationship fall apart? We look at the circumstances of our lives, and so often ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Baptist