Sermons on Maximize Joy:

Unwrapping A Strange Gift

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 6, 2018

This series of messages addressed the "gift" of suffering. I have included the notes from several messages on the topic.

Chico Alliance Church UNWRAPPING A STRANGE GIFT REVIEW Paul is in prison simply for preaching the resurrected Christ in a pagan world and a religious world blinded to the truth of a transformed life. From a seemingly negative circumstance, he is able to continually live the joy of the Lord. I ask, ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The King In Tears Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 16, 2021

There is no doubt at all that Palm Sunday was one of the most emotion filled days of history. Jesus wept on other occasions, but his tears here say something different.

Little Bobbie listened with deep interest to the story of the Prodigal Son right up to the happy ending when the son returned; the fatted calf was killed, and the house was filled with music and dancing. Then he suddenly burst into tears. "Why what is the matter Bobbie?" exclaimed his ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:29-48

Your Soul Is Hungry--Feed It - Mark 12:28-30 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 19, 2025

What does it mean to love God specifically with your soul? What is the soul, exactly, and how does one love with it?

Mark 12:28 One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" 29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the ...read more

Scripture: Mark 12:28-30

"Role-Model Saints" Rms Pt 15 Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jul 14, 2007

Paul in chapter 12 tells us that we must be role models saints for this world and not act worldly but instead act like living sacrifices to Jesus. This in turn will make us a hero in the eyes of Kingdom of God.

“Role – Model Saints” Romans part 15 Opening Illustration: From Blue Fish TV – Mother Teresa a Hero for the faith! Thesis: Paul in chapter 12 tells us that we must be role models saints for this world and not act worldly but instead act like living sacrifices to Jesus. This in turn will make us a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Perks Of Being God's Children Series

Contributed by Brian Atwood on Mar 17, 2008

Three of the many incredible benefits of being God’s children.

We’re in the series, “Made to Count, Am I Living a Life that Matters?” and so far we’ve seen that FELLOWSHIP and LOVE are integral parts of making our lives matter. If we want to live in a way that brings both recognition to God and significance and meaning and joy to our lives we need ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 3:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

Sell Out And Buy Up! Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Aug 17, 2012

How the parable of the hidden treasure and the parable of the pearl represent two different ways people come into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

INTRODUCTION Matthew 13 contains seven parables about the Kingdom of heaven. Today we’re going to examine the short twin parables of the treasure buried in the field and the valuable pearl. As we talk about the Kingdom of heaven, you must remember only thing necessary for a kingdom is a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Baptist

Expect To Be Persecuted For Your Faith In Jesus Christ - Part 8 Of 8 Series

Contributed by Guy De Swardt on Apr 2, 2010

Part 8 of 8 on the Beattitudes.

The Perfect Standard For Life Expect To Be Persecuted For Your Faith In Christ - Part 8 of 8 Reading: Matthew 5v10-12 As we look at this final Beatitude, we come to a very strange contradiction, because it talks about the relationship between persecution and joy. It’s like saying, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

Not Holding Back Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 26, 2009

True treasure is found only in Christ.

Not Holding Back Matthew 13:44-46 Rev. Brian Bill 7/26/09 [Demonstrate use of metal detector] Because people have always been fascinated with the idea of finding hidden treasure, NBC has produced a reality-based TV show called “Treasure Hunters.” While I’ve not seen the show, here’s the promo: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:44-46

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Persistence Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 9, 2014

There is a great blessing in store for God’s people who REFUSE to give up. There is great power in persistence.

INTRODUCTION Paul’s first letter to church at Thessalonica was full of encouragement to be ready for the return of Christ. He reassured them that their loved ones who died won’t miss the big event—they’ll actually be the first act! Most scholars think there is less than a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Our Final Foe Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 24, 2016

When you've lost someone you love, hurt, hope, and inherit God's richest blessings even in the place of pain.

Three friends were hanging out one day, and their conversation grimly turned to the issue of death. One of the friends asked the others, “What would you like people to say about you at your funeral?” One friend answered, “I would want people to say, ‘He was a great ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 23:1-20

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Table For Two!

Contributed by Ernie Arnold on Jul 30, 2019

This sermon is about the reality of being able to sit with Jesus enjoy a meal with Our Shepherd in the midst of all our enemies – the world, the Devil and the flesh.

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6; John 10:10-11; 1 Peter 5:8 Theme: Table for Two! This sermon is about the reality of being able to sit with Jesus enjoy a meal with Our Shepherd in the midst of all our enemies – the world, the Devil and the flesh. INTRO: Grace and peace from God our Father, Son ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, John 10:10-11, 1 Peter 5:8, Matthew 13:24-30, Galatians 5:17, Matthew 26:41, Colossians 2:15  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Nazarene

Commentary On 1 John Chapter 1 Series

Contributed by John Lowe on May 30, 2021

The author is John, son of Zebedee—the apostle and the author of the Gospel of John and Revelation. He was a fisherman, one of Jesus’ inner circle (together with James and Peter), and “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 13:23).

Tom Lowe AUTHOR “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Text-1 John, Chapter 1 (KJV) The Word of Life (Luke 24:36-43; John 20:19-23) 1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Parables Of Lost Sheep, Coin, Son Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Oct 22, 2017

The background for this parable is that multitudes of publicans and sinners came to hear the Lord Jesus. The Pharisees and scribes began to murmur, to criticize Him because of this. They were shocked that He would welcome them and even eat with them.

Jerusalem Lesson: Parables of Lost Sheep, Coin, Son (1 Peter 2:25) Luke 15:1-32 This chapter has probably got the best-loved parable that our Lord told; we call it the parable of the Prodigal Son. The background for this parable is that multitudes of publicans and sinners came to hear the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Will Perfect That Which Concerns Me

Contributed by Tesh Njokanma on Nov 19, 2021

The worst thing that can happen to anyone is for the mercy of God to depart from the person. But when the mercy of God is on you and with you, you can be confident, you can be assured, that God will certainly perfect ALL that concerns you.

Our text for today’s message is Psalm 138:8 which says ‘The Lord will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord endures forever; do not forsake the works of Your hands’. This Psalm is a Psalm of David. When David said the Lord will perfect that which concerns him, he wasn’t praying to God. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 138:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Messages Of Comfort And Counsel To American People Series

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Sep 14, 2001

This is a collection of sermons to comfort and counsel hurting Americans after this tragedy of terrorist attacks on World Trade Center and the Pentagon.

MESSAGES OF COMFORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE SUFFERING ******************************************************* MESSAGE-1 DIFFICULT SEASONS IN THE LIFE OF A CHRISTIAN OUTLINE 1.SEASONS OF SORROW 2.SEASONS OF SHAME 3.SEASONS OF SUFFERING 4.SEASONS OF SHAKING 5.SEASONS OF SEARCHING 6.SEASONS OF ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal