Sermons on Outside Looking In At Joy:

Where Is The Joy?

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 29, 2008

Every human heart cries out for joy, but few ever find it. Relationships crumble because there is no joy. Family fights begin when joy is missing. God made us to be happy, but we have lost our way. In our text Jesus shows us the way to joy, so let�s loo

John 16:20-24; 17:13-17 Purpose: To see God’s blueprint for happiness. Aim: I want the listener to focus on God’s eternal joy and enjoy God now. INTRODUCTION: Every human heart cries out for joy, but few ever find it. Relationships crumble because there is no joy. Family fights begin when joy is ...read more

Scripture: John 16:20-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Gift Of Joy Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on May 16, 2017

To have real joy I must stay connected to Jesus.

I’m not going to ask for a show of hands, but how many of you feel like this this morning. [Show “Keep Calm. It’s only Christmas” meme] The truth is that in spite of the words of the famous Andy Williams song that tells us that Christmas is the “the most wonderful time of the year”, the reality ...read more

Scripture: John 15:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Got Joy? Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Nov 5, 2007

The way of the world seems to focus on pleasing ourselves or pursuing a life of ease. But that brings no lasting satisfaction. God is so much bigger and has so much more for us, no matter our circumstances.

Introduction Years ago, Robert Fulghum wrote a profound essay. This is how it began. “Most of what I really need to know about how to live…I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand box at nursery school. These are the things I ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Advent: Joy

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Dec 9, 2007

The good news of great joy for all people is shocking news that we dare not get used to.

Humans are complex creatures, aren’t we? Those we love we tend to hurt. We love God and yet we sin against God. We have goals and aspirations that are noble and strong , and yet we get tripped up by our own weakness along the way to fulfilling our goals. We can never seem to outrun the allure of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-44

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of Giving

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Aug 8, 2022

'The Joy of Giving' - 2 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 6-11 sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Generous Sowing (vs 6) (2). Cheerful Giving (vs 7) (3). Abundant Blessing (vs 8-11) SERMON BODY: Ill: • The Inuit people live in the northern part of Alaska, • When missionaries first tried to translate the Bible into their language, • They found they had a problem with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Brethren

The Journey Of Joy

Contributed by John Newton on Dec 17, 2023

Three perspectives on joy from Isaiah

As I was preparing to preach this week, I considered giving my sermon the title “Getting Serious About Joy”. Then I thought better of it and came up with “Joy Is No Laughing Matter”. All joking aside, were you aware that joy is currently the subject of a high-level academic examination? Nine years ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Episcopal

The Joy Of God

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Dec 28, 2005

God can give us a joy that lasts forever

Two weeks ago I finally gave in and started getting a subscription to the Boston Globe. I was tired of repeatedly feeling dumb because people would tell me about stuff that was going on in the world and I hadn’t even heard about it. Some people kept telling me, just go online or watch the news, ...read more

Scripture: John 16:17-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy In Generosity Series

Contributed by Steve Pearman on Jul 21, 2025

The joy of living with open hands and hearts

Introduction Over the past few weeks, we’ve been exploring how we can “enjoy life” — not just survive it. We’ve talked about the joy of relationships, new life, and last week we looked at the joy of contentment. We discovered that contentment isn’t about having everything we want — it’s about ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

The Joy Of Giving Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Mar 22, 2007

When God builds a Church, it is marked by joyful giving

INTRODUCTION  START WITH VIDEO SLIDE  SLIDE #1  Comedian Flip Wilson told a story about a preacher and his church. A preacher was trying to get his people to be more enthusiastic about their church. The preacher said in his sermon: "If this church is going to get anywhere, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy To The World

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Dec 12, 2020

The angel proclaimed ‘good news of great joy.’ Sounds great! But what exactly is this good news? What kind of joy should we experience? Do you have that joy?

In the lead-up to Christmas this year we’re focusing on four great themes: hope, peace, joy and love. Many churches have Advent candles and they associate these four themes with the first four Advent candles. The fifth candle is for Jesus. The last two Sundays we looked at hope and peace; today ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-11, Luke 2:23, Luke 1:50, Luke 1:54, Luke 1:72, Luke 1:76-78  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy In The Suffering

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Jan 25, 2023

Today we will be in the book of Colossians. About a month ago, something in Colossians caught my eye, that I wanted to share with you today. In the last month I’ve read Colossians several times. I’ve read it 5-6 times in the last week alone. I’m talking about all 4 chapters y’all!

This morning we’ll be looking at a particular passage in Colossians, and specifically one verse. Before we get started, I have to ask: • Did you read any scripture this past week for the first time, or • did you see familiar scripture with new eyes? • And equally, if not more important, did you ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29, Acts 9:10-16

Enjoy The Joy

Contributed by Dan Borchert on Aug 29, 2002

If we have Christ, we should have joy. There is nothing wrong with enjoying the joy. Joy is found in Christ

3 John 1-4 Enjoy the Joy Introduction A. When is the last time you saw someone smile just for no reason? B. When is the last time you went to the store and the clerk actually seemed happy to be working? C. When is the last time you walk in your boss’s office and he seemed to be in a good ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:1-4

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

The Joy Of Reconciliation

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Aug 20, 2017

As Joseph reconnects with his brothers, he models for us three steps toward reconciliation: 1) Turn away from revenge. 2) Test for repentance. And 3) Trust in God's sovereignty. Judah's sacrifice reminds us of our Savior Jesus who reconciled us to God.

Genesis 45:1-15 The Joy of Reconciliation We are covering the amazing story of the Old Testament character of Joseph in two Sundays. The actual story covers 14 chapters of Genesis. I urge you to read it on your own. It is a fascinating account of the worst kind of betrayal and the most amazing ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 45:1-15, Romans 12:19, Deuteronomy 32:35, Proverbs 19:21, Romans 8:28  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In Humility Series

Contributed by Ryan Akers on May 7, 2009

Easter message on the humility of Christ and how you and I must mirror that same humility as Christians.

Parts of this message were taken from Mark Driscoll’s sermon on the same topic. This week is a very difficult sermon to preach. In the passage we will eventually look into this morning Paul will speak to us on the most difficult attribute for any human to possess, humility. I would just like to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

Joy And Pain

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Feb 14, 2024

How are your current trials (pain) preparing you for not only what you need today (or tomorrow), but what others may need today (or tomorrow) as well? This is a quick devotional that will encourage believers to "reframe" their pain.

Joy and Pain What do the words joy and pain mean to us as believers? How is it that these words go together? James 1 is a place to start in considering these questions. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3, Galatians 6:2, Romans 8:28