Sermons on Outside Looking In At Joy:

What Does Christianity Look Like?

Contributed by Don Schultz on Jul 14, 2004

The parable of the Good Samaritan surprises - it’s not what you’d expect, as a picture of Christianity - but it works.

Luke 10:25-37 WHAT DOES CHRISTIANITY LOOK LIKE? Have you ever been surprised when you have met someone in person, surprised by the way that person looked? During the fair, the local radio station personalities are there, and you’re able to see what they look like. And almost always, you’ll hear ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:25-37

Denomination: Lutheran

Do You Think To Thank?

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 28, 2002

Most of us forget to be thankful simply because we do not think about what the gift cost and our own need for what is offered.

November 19, 2000 Luke 17:11-19 “Do you think to thank?” INTRODUCTION To All Ye Pilgrims: Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

Whitewashed Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Aug 30, 2012

Christians can't settle for lives whitewashed on the outside--looking good. Our lives need to be inwardly transformed.

Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 “Whitewashed” INTRODUCTION Most of us spend a fair amount of time making ourselves look good on the outside. Here, in Arizona, we may not be into suits and ties for men, or business attire for women. We may not live the credo, “dress for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-23

Denomination: Lutheran

Living In Joy Sermon Iv: Past, Present And Future Of Living In Joy With Christ Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 4, 2020

With God's help and the steady support of Christian friends, we live in real joy by appreciating the blessings of our past, by actualizing opportunities in the present, and by anticipating our glorious transformation in the future.

THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF LIVING IN JOY WITH CHRIST A famous historian was asked by a seminary student to summarize human history in as few words as possible. Expecting a summation worthy of a Pulitzer prize, the student awaited the historian’s response ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-21

You People Are Awesome! Series

Contributed by Michael Mays on Sep 11, 2021

Most everyone likes looking at pictures in family photo albums, because there are always a couple that make us smile every time we look at them. Paul has similar feelings as he begins this letter to the church at Philippi.

I. Intro A. Who likes to look at pictures in family photo albums? Are there some photos that make you smile every time you look at them? What about every time you think about them? B. We enjoy singing here so much—whenever people ask us what we do, we tell them—but among all the things we’re part ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Living In Joy Sermon Vi: Discovering The Joy In Life's Situations Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Mar 4, 2020

With God's help and the steady support of Christian friends, we live in real joy by discovering the good in life's situations - as varied as they are - by trusting God to provide, then by giving God the glory for our contentment.

DISCOVERING THE JOY IN LIFE’S SITUATIONS In a certain third world country, a Jewish man complained to his rabbi, “Life is unbearable for me and my family. There are nine of us living in one room. What can I do?” ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

Don’t Look At Me! Series

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Feb 28, 2011

We will look at some problems with projection (focusing on someone else's sin). My hope is that after looking at these problems, we will get real with God and allow His kindness to lead us to repentance and a changed life in the areas we may have tried to

Don’t Look at Me! Romans 2:1-5 1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. 2 Now we know that God's judgment against those who do such ...read more

Scripture: Romans 2:1-5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Are You Looking For The New Year

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Jun 22, 2018

A discussion of expectations for the New Year

WHAT ARE YOU “LOOKING FOR”? SCRIPTURE: Titus 2:13 “Looking for (4327 wait for) that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ;” Hebrews 10:26 “For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more ...read more

Scripture: Titus 2:13, Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Christmas Uncluttered "Uncluttered Joy: Choosing Joy When Life Gets Crowded” Series

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Dec 11, 2025

To teach that true joy comes from Christ, not circumstances, and must be chosen intentionally.

You ever notice how December has some of the most ridiculous emotional swings of the whole year? One minute you’re sipping peppermint mocha feeling festive… next minute you’re one burned batch of cookies away from throwing the whole tree in the yard. Everybody talks about Christmas joy like it’s ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:15-20

Denomination: Other

Don't Look Back Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Apr 3, 2025

Life can sometimes feel like we are trapped in the past, weighed down by painful memories or regrets. We often find ourselves unable to move forward from past hurts. The Good News is that God offers us a new beginning in Christ.

In Great Expectations, Charles Dickens paints the picture of a woman, Miss Havisham, whose life was shattered on her wedding day. Left at the altar, jilted, humiliated, and heartbroken, Miss Havisham’s life stopped. The clocks in her house ceased ticking, the wedding cake became covered in cobwebs, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:12-14

Television & Movies: Look Out For That Pothole! Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Nov 29, 2004

Four tests to apply to what you want to watch.

Life in the Fast Lane Television & Movies: Look Out For That Pothole! Romans 6:12-20 Woodlawn Baptist Church November 28, 2004 Introduction Tonight as we continue on in our series titled Life in the Fast Lane, remember that each of these messages has dealt with some pressure that society or ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12-20

Denomination: Baptist

"Oh Look, A Squirrel" A Sermon On Distractions

Contributed by Calvary Callender on Jul 8, 2010

Sometimes we as Christians get distracted by things in our lives. This sermon takes a look at Mary's statement of belief in Jesus and then withdrawing from that statement when she is distracted by her surroundings.

Introduction: When I was in 6th grade all of my friends were getting girlfriends and I wanted to have one too. The only problem was that all the girls I liked already had a boyfriend. There was one girl that ran around in the same group as I did and her name was Tina. I remember Tina very well, ...read more

Scripture: John 11:28-37

Denomination: Nazarene

The Prodigal Father: Looking At The Older Brother Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Feb 20, 2014

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: The Prodigal Father: Looking at the Older Brother

Being an Authentic Follower of Jesus: The Prodigal Father: Looking at the Older Brother Luke 15:25-32 September 20, 2009 We have seen that ‘prodigal’ means being characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure, to be lavish, or extravagant. More than anyone else in this parable, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:25-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Does Authority Look Like?

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Sep 4, 2016

Go back in time with me for a minute, the day you were Born-Again into the Family of God you received spiritual authority. On that day, you were made new a creation in Jesus Christ; Moreover, you inherited the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

What Does Authority Look Like? Luke 10:16-20NASB In Moody Monthly, the author recounted his experience of watching a wildcat in a zoo. "As I stood there," he said, "an attendant entered the cage through a door on the opposite side. He had nothing in his hands but a broom. Carefully closing the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:16-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Looking For Love In All The Wrong Places

Contributed by Chris Talton on Feb 21, 2002

Rahab was looking for love and created a lot of past that she needed to get past. This is the first in a 2 part message.

February 17, 2002 Hebrews 11:31; Josh 2 “Looking for love in all the wrong places” INTRODUCTION I like the story about a Seminary student who wanted to have a scriptural basis for everything he did. He felt he was on solid ground if he could quote Bible book, chapter & verse to okay his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:31, Joshua 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist