Sermons on Outside Looking In At Joy:

Christian Optimism

Contributed by Richard Tow on Nov 17, 2003

Using quotes from sailors who survived the sinking of USS Indianapolis this sermon demonstrates how perspecive and point of reference impacts our state of happiness. Several reasons for Christian Optimism are discussed.

Christian Optimism II Tim. 1:12 6-23-02 On July 16, 1945 the USS Indianapolis left the San Francisco Bay carrying mysterious box to Tinian, a small island in the west Pacific. Nobody knew that in the box was the Atomic Bomb that the Enola Gay would soon drop on Hiroshima. After making the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 84:11-12, 2 Timothy 1:12

Denomination: Charismatic

Watch Yer Mouth

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Nov 22, 2000

A devotion for young believers

“I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES; HIS PRAISE SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MY MOUTH. 2 MY SOUL SHALL MAKE ITS BOAST IN THE LORD; THE HUMBLE SHALL HEAR IT AND REJOICE. 3 OH, MAGNIFY THE LORD WITH ME, AND LET US EXALT HIS NAME TOGETHER.” Have you ever made a New Year’s resolution? Well, I ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:1-3

Denomination: Orthodox

Praise The Father!

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Apr 13, 2005

Praising the Father for His blessings in our lives

These verses tell us about the many blessings we have from the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Several years ago the Los Angeles Times reported the story of an elderly man and wife who were found dead in their apartment. Autopsies revealed that both had died of severe malnutrition, although ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:3-6

Denomination: Baptist

Be Thankful Unto Him

Contributed by Sam Peters on Feb 27, 2007

Things to be thankful for.

Be thankful unto Him Ps 100:1-4 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. 3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-4

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

Showing Our Thanks

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 6, 2007

We can give thanks in 1)Praise of God’s Eternatlity 2) The Perception of our Frailty and 3) The Plea for God’s Steadfast Love

Thanksgiving is a time when we can formally recognize and give thanks for the obvious and more abstract things that shape our lives here in Canada. The first recognized Canadian thanksgiving was held in 1578, at least forty years earlier than that of our friends to the south. In a misguided ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-17

Denomination: Other

Boast In The Lord

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Sep 28, 2001

Christians boast loudly and proudly in what their Savior has done for them.

“My dad is bigger than your dad.” “I’ve got Nintendo 64 and you don’t.” “I scored more points than you.” Any of these phrases sound familiar? Maybe you’ve heard them from the mouths of your kids. Or maybe you have uttered a phrase like that sometime in your life. It seems that childhood is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31

Denomination: Lutheran

Rejoice! Seven Words To Live By

Contributed by Don Jones on Nov 11, 2006

Message focuses on how we can be joyful in this world. (Thanksgiving Message)

Rejoice! Seven Words to Live By Philippians 4:4-9 Pastor Don Jones Introduction The last few weeks we have been looking at God’s Word concerning the abundant life. Stand on the solid rock Jesus Christ, love the Lord, love others, and today rejoice. Philippians 4:4 says, Rejoice in the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

How To Have A Joyful Life

Contributed by Kenneth Anthony on Apr 2, 2007

Most people spend their lives searching for happiness. Joyful living is optimal. Sermon explores four ways how to have a joyful life.

How to Have A Joyful Life If you ask people what they want out of life, they will tell you that they just want to be happy. I wonder this means. Think about a moment. What makes you happy? Personally, all the things that make me happy are dependent on other people, and other things that are ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Orthodox

How To Get Better - Not Bitter

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Everyone has a tendency to grow bitter with life’s difficulties. Bitterness is like a cancer that deteriorates the mind and heart. If left unchecked, this tendency can eventually poison a person’s perspectives toward just about everything. Even the writer

Everyone has a tendency to grow bitter with life’s difficulties. Bitterness is like a cancer that deteriorates the mind and heart. If left unchecked, this tendency can eventually poison a person’s perspectives toward just about everything. Even the writer of Hebrews wrote, "See to it that no one ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Open The Wells

Contributed by Richard Francis on Mar 29, 2008

Our hearts can be wells of salvation, open by faith in Jesus Christ and allowing the waters of life to flow into the lives or all those we meet and know as we walk our lives on this earth, no better reason for being than that.

Wells We don’t tend to think much of wells these days do we We just turn a tap and there’s the water, who needs a well? Holes in the ground with a puddle of muddy water at the bottom, taking effort to draw the water up and potentially having a serious health risk if not looked after properly. But ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Use Five Kernels Of Corn

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Dec 9, 2003

Every believer has reasons to give thanks to God.

"How To Use Five Kernels Of Corn" (Adapted from a message by Bruce Howell) Psalm 103:1-5 Thanksgiving Message Chester’s FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker INTRODUCTION: A The Pilgrim fathers who landed at Plymouth Rock over 300 years ago knew nothing of the affluent times which ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Of Contentment Series

Contributed by Don Jaques on Jun 17, 2004

CONTENTMENT COMES WHEN YOU…1. Rely upon Christ for the power to prevail over circumstances. 2. Trust in God’s power to provide for all your needs.

Becoming a Joy-FULL Person 7. The Secret of Contentment Philippians 4:10-23 June 12/13, 2004 INTRO: I have a confession to make. I hate the ice cream man. He takes a nice content moment and turns it into cravings for something my children don’t need and can’t afford – and turns contentment into ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Life Of Praise Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 7, 2000

Christianity is much more than an academic exercise or an experiential happening – it is a lifestyle.

A LIFE OF PRAISE 1 Peter 4:1-11 Introduction: 1. How much commitment does it take to be a Christian? Christianity is much more than an academic exercise or an experiential happening – it is a lifestyle. There is clear teaching in the New Testament thatGod wants more than rote obedience, he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What It Means To Give Thanks!

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Nov 26, 2003

Thanksgiving is time recognized by the United States Government to Give thanks to the Lord God Almighty. Yes it is a religious holiday and as you study the history of this day you see it clearly is about giving thanks to the Lord for all his provision in

What it means to Give Thanks Thesis: Thanksgiving is time recognized by the United States Government to Give thanks to the Lord God Almighty. Yes it is a religious holiday and as you study the history of this day you see it clearly is about giving thanks to the Lord for all his provision in our ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5, Psalm 145:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational