Sermons on Maximize Joy:

How To Be Thankful

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Sep 7, 2006

Do you know that you have been called to be thankful? In fact the Apostle Paul says that we are "always" to be thankful. Join Pastor Steve as he shares "How to Be Thankful" from 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, the Apostle Paul says to the believer"s at Thessalonica, "Rejoice always; pray without ceasing: in everything give thanks; for this is God"s will for you in Christ Jesus." God"s will is that we always "rejoice, pray and give thanks." Erwin Lutzer, said, "You can learn to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Following Hard After The Lord.

Contributed by Gerald Van Horn on Sep 12, 2006

How beautiful are the Words of the Lord in this Psalm.

Following Hard After The Lord Scripture setting Psalms 63:1-11 Text. Psalms 63:8 “My soul followeth hard after Thee.” How beautiful the Words of the Lord. David the king of Israel utters them. This Psalm is a song that he sang to the Lord. It was often sung by Israel. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Be Joyful Always Series

Contributed by James Jack on Nov 30, 2007

The key to being joyful always and being thankful in all circumstances is to humbly rely on God.

A few weeks ago James Rogers, our senior minister, spoke about songs he hated. I’ve got a number of songs I hate. I can’t really share them with you now because they’ve normally got some sort of profanity in the title as well as in the lyrics themselves. Then there’s the songs that I just can’t get ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Anglican

Rejoice In The Lord's Promises

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Dec 19, 2007

Advent 3(B) - Rejoice in the Lord’s promises of freedom and gladness.

REJOICE IN THE LORD’S PROMISES (Outline) December 16, 2007 - ADVENT 3 - Isaiah 61:1-3 INTRO: At different times and in different places the Lord finds it necessary to give believers certain directives for their lives. This is necessary because as believers we do not always do what ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Is It Bragging Or Praising?

Contributed by Tony Abram on Dec 20, 2007

Is it Bragging or Praising? We are living in a day when many people are lovers of self rather than lovers of God. People love themselves but forget to love God and their neighbor. In this outline we share a few types of bragging and praising examples.

Is it Bragging or Praising? We are living in a day when many people are lovers of self rather than lovers of God. People love themselves but forget to love God and their neighbor. In this outline we share a few types of bragging and praising examples. I know myself that I rather hear praise ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:3

"Hallelujah!” – A Word For Every Occasion

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Dec 31, 2007

Because of God’s great love for us, we can say "Hallelujah!" no matter what we’re facing in life.

How do you identify a Canadian? If you’re traveling outside the country, you’ll easily recognize the college student from the U of A, the office worker from Ottawa, and the family from Fernie by the “patch” – that Canadian flag sewn on backpacks hoisted by just about everyone who hails from the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

A Lazy, Hazy Day Series

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Oct 27, 2007

Sermon #4 in a series about joy from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Previously preached for another congregation, but reworked and retooled for this series.

A lazy, hazy day Phil 4:10-23 Goal: How to find contentment and peace so that we can enjoy life. Intro: I grew up in South Louisiana…less than a 20 mile distance from the Gulf of Mexico…and more often than not the weather could be described as hot and humid. Obviously the heat and humidity would ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Baptist

Descending Into Greatness Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

Putting others before ourselves will bring us to our knees. Learning to give ourselves away is also the first step to a deeper experience of true joy.

There is something that stirs deeply within us when a man or woman gives up their life for another. A few decades ago Roger Rosenblatt wrote a moving tribute in Time Magazine. It was about a passenger on Air Florida Flight 90 that crashed into the Potomac River. The nameless 50-some-year old man ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Working Out Our Salvation Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

Scripture teaches the Christian life involves both God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It’s not one or the other; it’s both.

From the earliest days of the church, the relationship between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of believers has been debated. Is the Christian life essentially a matter of passive trust or of active obedience? Is it all God’s doing, all the believer’s doing, or a combination of both? ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get Risky For God Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

We all need someone who can speak truth into our lives, whatever the cost. We also need to be that someone for another friend. Such relationships, based on hearts united in Christ, form bonds that allow us to risk great things for God.

Introduction I don’t know about you, but it’s easy for me to forget that the letters in the New Testament were first written as real letters. They deal with real life and real people—but I can forget that. I mean I don’t write letters that sound anything like Paul’s letter to the church in Rome! My ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Highest Priority Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a short or a long time, it’s good to take stock of your goals and priorities.

Introduction Many of the New Testament letters were written to address problems in the churches. A good illustration is 1 Corinthians when Paul offers counsel on issues like division in the church, immorality, lawsuits among believers, spiritual gifts and the resurrection. 1 Corinthians deals with ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Ultimate Endgame Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Nobody’s perfect. The words are both true and of some comfort. But as Christ followers the Good News is far better. Jesus is perfect. and if we pursue him passionately, that rubs off on us in this life.

Introduction Billy Graham is now in his late 80’s and he suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His worldwide evangelism ministry has spanned more than sixty years. Awhile back, Billy was invited to speak at a luncheon in North Carolina. After many wonderful things were said about him, Billy stepped to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Pursuit Of Happiness? Series

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Nov 6, 2007

Sermon 3 of a 4 part series on the book of Philippians. This sermon is about 2/3 my original thought combined with some great points from Pastors Ed Young and Troy Dobbs.

The Pursuit of Happiness? Phil. 3:10-21 Intro: Sing “If you’re happy and you know it clap your hands” We live in a country where we believe that there is a God given right for us to seek out our own happiness. In fact in our country’s Declaration of Independence, we are told that each person has ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-21

Denomination: Baptist

Why Praise The Lord?

Contributed by Richard Schwedes on Nov 7, 2007

With Psalm 150 as the basis this sermon explores highlights two main points of why Christians not matter who they are can always praise God.

1 Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens. 2 Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness. 3 Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, 4 praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 150:1-6

Denomination: Lutheran

In All Things Be Thankful

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Nov 13, 2007

A topical Thanksgiving sermon utilizing a few great illustrations found here on Sermon Central along with thoughts of my own.

"In All Things Be Thankful" Ephesians 5:20 Back during the dark days of 1929 (The Great Depression), a group of ministers in the Northeast, all graduates of the Boston School of Theology, gathered to discuss how they should conduct their Thanksgiving Sunday services. Things during that time were ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 5:20

Denomination: Baptist