Sermons on Optimistic Outlook:

Sermon On The Distinction Of Joy & Happiness

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 21, 2025

Joy is defined in the dictionary as a feeling of great pleasure and exultation, whereas happiness is regarded as a state of elation or cheerfulness.

Adela Rogers St. Johns, a female American journalist and novelist once remarked: “Joy seems to me a step beyond happiness - happiness is a sort of atmosphere you can live in sometimes when you're lucky. Joy is a light that fills you with hope and faith and love." John 15:11 reminds us: ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22, John 14:16, 1 Peter 5:7, Romans 16:17

When The Trumpet Sounds PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 28, 2023

Explore the significance of the Lord's trumpet, the rapture of believers, and the comfort these truths provide.

Good morning, Church. Today's sermon is going to delve into some deeply profound and comforting truths found in the Word of God. We're going to be looking at the significance of the sounding of the trumpet of the Lord and the rapture and comfort of the believers. These passages speak to the hope we ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:51-54, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Topics: Trumpet, Resurrection

The Rugged Path To Glory Series

Contributed by David Welch on Sep 8, 2004

Part 13 of the Romans series dealing with the necessity of trials in achieveing glory.

Chico Alliance Church August 26, 2001 Pastor David Welch “The Rugged Path to Glory” Romans 5:2-8 Review I. Receive the gift of God’s righteousness by faith 1-5 A. God proves every man needs His righteousness 1-3 B. God explains and illustrates His way to righteousness 3:21-4:25 C. Justification ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:2-8

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

How Stubborn Are We? Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Jun 16, 2009

How stubborn are we as a fellowship? Are we going to continue to stand in God’s way? Or are we going to join Him in reaching this community with His forgiveness, love and salvation? Are you ready and willing to serve Christ “outside” your comfort zone? Pe

Sermon Brief Date Written: May 13, 2009 Date Preached: May 17, 2008 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Sermon Series: Are We Ready to Love – Reaching Out? Sermon Title: How Stubborn Are We? Sermon Text: Acts 10:1-48 (ESV) entire chapter 28 And he said to them, "You ...read more

Scripture: Acts 10:1-48

Denomination: Baptist

"Praise Is Not A Luxury.”

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jul 6, 2002

July 14, 2002 -- EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST --Proper 10 Psalm 65:[1-8] 9-14 (Psalm 65: [1-8] 9-13 NRSV) Your paths overflow with plenty. (Ps. 65:12) Color: Green Title: “Praise is not a luxury.”

July 14, 2002 -- EIGHTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST --Proper 10 Psalm 65:[1-8] 9-14 (Psalm 65: [1-8] 9-13 NRSV) Your paths overflow with plenty. (Ps. 65:12) Color: Green Title: “Praise is not a luxury.” Psalm 65 This psalm is usually categorized as one of thanksgiving, yet the word “thanks” never ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 65:1-14

Denomination: Lutheran

Don't Give In To Evil! Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Jan 2, 2004

We must have the courage to go a different way.

DON’T GIVE IN TO EVIL! Matthew 2:1-12 S: Wise Men Th: Courage at Christmas Pr: WE MUST HAVE THE COURAGE TO GO THE DIFFERENT WAY. ?: How? How do we do it? KW: Temptations (to avoid) TS: We will find in our study of Matthew 2:1-12 three temptations to avoid so that we have the courage to go the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

"The Unity That Produces Joy.” Series

Contributed by John Hamby on May 25, 2004

Mesage four in series on "Restoring the Joy" a study of Philippians. In this message on unity we examine its motivation, the means of attaining it and the model of Christ.

Restoring the Joy Sermon # 4 “The Unity that Produces Joy.” Philippians 2:1-11 Over the last few weeks in our series “Restoring the Joy” we have seen how circumstances may cause us to lose our joy but and that in reality it is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

How To Overcome A Critical Spirit

Contributed by Jim Erwin on Dec 13, 2007

You can be someone who steps forward. You can look at the positive and the good and how something could be. This is the right way to handle a critical spirit in your own life.

How to Overcome a Critical Spirit Numbers 13:16-33 Near the end of C. S. Lewis’s "Chronicles of Narnia" Aslan the Lion takes Lucy, Edmund, Peter and everyone to the New Narnia--to what we would call "heaven" or the New Creation. It is a place of astonishing light and beauty; a place where every ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

Let God's Word Work Its Medicine In Your Emotions

Contributed by Paul Fritz on May 23, 2005

"All your anxiety, all your care.Bring to the mercy seat, leave it there;Never a burden He cannot bear,Never a friend like Jesus." No matter what happens, you can find joy in the Lord and His word.

Let God’s Word Work Its Medicine in Your Emotions (Proverbs 4:22,23) Today, so many people are hurting with emotional pain, put-downs, feelings of fear and anger. People who are hurt tend to want to hurt others. What a joy to know that He heals the broken-hearted and sets the ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 4:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pray Like A Girl! Series

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 14, 2009

It is an insult that is still used today on playgrounds across the globe. Little boys testing their strength and dexterity against one another revert back to this proverbial slap in the face by throwing down the gauntlet of this time proven stab. However

“Like a Girl” Pray Like A Girl I. Introduction For those of you last who were out last week I started a new series called “Like a Girl!” I challenged us to reevaluate what most of us have thought of as an insult for years when I challenged you to “Fight Like a Girl!” Not some hands flailing in ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 1:11-19

Denomination: Pentecostal

180 At The Big House Series

Contributed by Peter Loughman on Jan 13, 2010

Christians are not immune to pain and disappointment and attempting to look on the bright side of life is not going to make the pain go away.

Olympic bronze medalists are happier then Olympic silver medalists….so says Dr. Vicki Medvec from the Kellogg School of Management, at Northwestern University. Medvec studied Olympic medalists and she discovered that bronze medalists were indeed happier than silver medalists. Here's what ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-40

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Eternity Is Now Series

Contributed by Tom Owen on Dec 7, 2010

Learning how to be the church in today's world through learning from the book of Acts.

[2] How long is eternity? Think about it. Just how long is eternity? Can we even wrap our minds around how immeasurable the eons of time will be in eternity? I think we’re such a time-obsessed culture that it’s hard for us to imagine anything besides finite time. Think about it, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 3:11-26

Denomination: Baptist

I Think Myself Happy

Contributed by John Gaston on Jun 8, 2017

Our perspective on life's difficult events - seeing a positive meaning and purpose in them - can determine whether we view God and life positively. It is our choice whether we are positive or negative. Paul chose to be positive.

I THINK MYSELF HAPPY Acts 26:2 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. A lady from the big city of Philadelphia came to Texas. She wanted to go on a horseback ride in the Guadalupe Mountains. She said to the cowboy guide, "Can you get me a nice gentle pony?" 2. "Shore," said the cowboy. "What kind of a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 26:1-2

Denomination: Assembly Of God

An Unexpected Hero

Contributed by Bret Bone on Sep 13, 2011

Ten years ago today I think we would all agree that the events that happened on Sept. 11 marked us as a nation and individuals for a lifetime.

An Unexpected Hero Slide Watch movie trailer…U-tube World Trade Towers (Nicholas Cage 2min…) Ten years ago today I think we would all agree that the events that happened on Sept. 11 marked us as a nation and individuals for a lifetime. Every American alive that day will forever ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-13

Developing The Ability To Bless Series

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Apr 8, 2013

Very few of us know how the inner workings of a combustible engine or a TV, but our lack of understanding doesn’t prevent us from driving cars or watching TV. We may not understand the technicalities of the scriptural teachings on blessings, but is more i

Developing The Ability to Bless October 28, 2012 Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A Very few of us know how the inner workings of a combustible engine or a TV, but our lack of understanding doesn’t prevent us from driving cars or watching ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:5

Denomination: Baptist