Sermons on Outside Looking In At Joy:

Where Community And Joy Reside

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 23, 2024

A sermon for the fourth Sunday of Advent, year C

December 22, 2024 Rev. Mary Erickson Hope Lutheran Church Luke 1:39-55 Where Community and Joy Reside Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Today we meditate on the scriptural passage known as “the visitation.” The newly pregnant ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

Called To Order, Called To Joy

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 13, 2023

The most important way that joy becomes strength is by knowing who we are, and whose we are, and why we are.

Why did they weep? Why did the people of Jerusalem grieve when Ezra read the word of God to them? The people of Jerusalem had just achieved a major victory: rebuilding the wall around the city which had been destroyed during their seventy years of captivity in Babylon. They had foiled their ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10, Isaiah 43:1-8, Leviticus 11:45

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Go Out In Joy And Peace

Contributed by Robert Leroe on Jun 30, 2025

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free.

Isaiah 55 is a poem that starts like a commercial. God appears as a street vender in the marketplace near a river, eager to sell his goods, but with a big difference. What He’s offering is free. His merchandise--wine and milk--represent life’s blessings. Milk is a symbol of nourishment, wine a ...read more

Denomination: Congregational

Divine Visitation That Births Joy Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jul 11, 2025

When God visits an individual, a family, or a nation, He doesn’t come empty-handed—He brings joy, healing, deliverance, and fulfilment.

DIVINE VISITATION THAT BIRTHS JOY By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Luke 1:39-45 Supporting Texts: Psalm 16:11, Genesis 21:1-7, Isaiah 12:3, Acts 8:5–8, Zephaniah 3:17 INTRODUCTION: Divine visitation is one of God’s strategies for changing the course of human events and destinies. When God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Assembly Of God

An Anthem Of Praise - A Kings Joy

Contributed by Arlen Payne on Jul 12, 2025

This is the second part of a two part series. Psalm 20 and 21 go together. Psalm 20 is a prayer (song) that was spoken (or sung) before a battle. Psalm 21 is the praise of victory following a battle.

A King’s Joy Psalm 21:1-7 Intro. Psalm 20 was “An Anthem of Prayer” Prayed before going into battle Pray before going into hard times. Psalm 21 is a “An Anthem of Praise” A song for after the battle A song of joy and praise. The king here is King David. He is rejoicing in God ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10, Philippians 4:4, Psalm 118:24

Denomination: Baptist

"Good Tidings Of Great Joy!” Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Dec 5, 2022

After the return of Christ, all those who are a part of God’s kingdom will rejoice. They will be clothed with salvation, belong to God’s redeemed and living in harmony by God’s standard. It must have been simply marvelous for Isaiah to see what God had planned for Judah and Jerusalem.

Sermon – “Good Tidings of Great Joy!” Scripture: Isa 61:1 “The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released, and prisoners will be freed. 2 He has sent ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-11, Luke 4:17-21

Denomination: Methodist

The Joy Of Being In God's Embrace SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 7, 2023

Have you ever pondered the wonders that unfold in God's presence? David provides a vivid illustration of this concept.

Have you ever wondered what happens in God’s presence? David gives a clear picture of that very idea. In Psalm 16, he describes eleven benefits that come from spending time in God’s presence. Let’s explore these benefits together. When we take refuge in God, He places a hedge of protection around ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

Topics: Prayer, Adoration

Finding Strength In Divine Joy SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 8, 2023

The joy of the Lord is our strength. Weeping may endure for the night but joy comes in the morning.

The topic of today's sermon is joy. We all experience discouragement and bad days, but God has provided us with joy to strengthen us. Psalm 30:5 says that weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning. Isaiah 61:3 tells us that God gives us beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Topics: Joy, Strength, Endurance

Easter Joy: Celebrating The Resurrection SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 8, 2023

An engaging Easter Sunday sermon, inspired by 'The Story' from Randy Frazee and Max Lucado, celebrating the joy and hope brought by the Resurrection.

The first Easter Sunday was great because the previous Saturday had been terrible. The enemies of Christ thought they had put an end to his movement. They believed his work was a failure. On that Saturday, Christ was in the grave. His life was over, his voice silenced, and his miracles ceased. The ...read more

Scripture: Mark 16:1-14

Topics: Easter, Resurrection

Thanks Giving

Contributed by John Beehler on Nov 20, 2002

Who do we owe our thanks to?

Thanks Giving The story is told of two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my friend?" The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5, Isaiah 28:24-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Thankful Heart

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 28, 2002

what it means to have a thankful heart

Dec. 3, 2000 Colossians 3:15-17 “A thankful heart” INTRODUCTION Eight things to be thankful for: Be grateful... * for automatic dishwashers. They make it possible to get out of the kitchen before the family comes in for their after-dinner snacks. * for husbands who attack small ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas And The Cross

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 8, 2021

It is possible to look forward to a merry Christmas in full awareness that we live in a world of misery. Just as there is nothing inconsistent with taking medicine to feel better in a world of sickness, so there is nothing inconsistent with a merry spirit in a world of misery.

Dr. Samuel Upham, a theological professor and a man of great learning, was dying. The family was gathered around his bed and someone said I believe he is already dead. Someone else said his feet are still warm and nobody ever dies with warm feet. Dr. Upham opened one eye and said, "Joan of ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-2

Encouragement - 4 Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 4, 2025

Looking at various views of biblical encouragement

Encouragement Judges 6, Hebrews 3 October 5, 2025 There’s a story about a farmer who planted bamboo seeds. After planting them, he watered them faithfully every day. Days and weeks went by and nothing grew. Month after month — nothing. His friends mocked him, telling him he was wasting his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-13, Ephesians 5:17-18, Judges 6:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Get Stressed Out!

Contributed by Edward Frey on Oct 11, 2002

The promise of forgiveness and salvation in Christ Jesus tempers our lives with joy and hope.

The population of this country is 200 million people. 84 million are retired. That leaves 116 million to do the work. There are 75 million in school, which leaves 41 million to do the work. Of this total, there are 22 million employed by the federal government. That leaves 19 million to do the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Lutheran

A Prayer At New Year's

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Jan 2, 2002

Even in tumultuous times God’s people have every reason to offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for all of the gifts he pours out on us daily!

“We Will Never Forget.” Like never before that phrase has a chilling significance. Perhaps that phrase crystallizes the events of the year 2001. While it is a year that we’ve vowed never to forget, strangely it’s also the one we wish we had never experienced. So we look forward to a new year ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7

Denomination: Lutheran