Sermons on Pray With Joy:

Are You A People Pleaser Or God Pleaser?

Contributed by Lola Olanrewaju on Sep 2, 2017

Everyone loves to be loved by others! We often go to great lengths to please people so they will like us. There are Christians who attempt to please people and eventually got it all wrong.

  Paul said in (Gal.1:10) "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ” Everyone loves to be loved by others! We often go to great lengths to please people so they will like us. There ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

Turning Today’s Sorrows Into Tomorrow’s Joys Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 21, 2010

God promises lasting joy and peace to all who hope in Christ Jesus.

Scripture Introduction When the Apostle Paul taught pastoral ministry to young Timothy, he drew specific attention to preaching to the wealthy: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Don't Worry! Be Happy!!

Contributed by Casey Campbell on Feb 11, 2013

One of the greatest indictments against modern evangelical Christians today, is that we are like a bunch of grumpy old men; marked by pessimism and more interested in pushing political agendas and in winning intellectual arguments than in offering a unive

One of the greatest indictments against modern evangelical Christians today, is that we are like a bunch of grumpy old men; marked by pessimism and more interested in pushing political agendas and in winning intellectual arguments than in offering a universal vision of hope and working to change ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Baptist

God Ain't Done With Me Series

Contributed by John Bright on Jan 16, 2021

Working through the book of Philippians using consecutive expository preaching.

Series: Philippians Sermon: “God Ain’t Done with Me” Philippians 1:3-8 A sermon for June 21, 2020 Pastor John Bright Philippians 1 “3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, 5 for your fellowship in the gospel from the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-8, 2 Corinthians 8:1-4, Ephesians 3:1-7

Denomination: Methodist

Joy For The Downcast Soul - Psalm 42-43 Pt.1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 9, 2025

These two psalms are the diary of a desperate man. They are in the Bible to teach us how to handle times of discouragement, depression, sorrow, and the downcast soul.

Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, ...read more

God Uses Ordinary People: Stephen Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 31, 2008

God loves to do the extraordinary with the ordinary.

God Uses Ordinary People: Stephen Acts 6-7 Rev. Brian Bill 8/31/08 Nine-year-old Jericho Scott is a good baseball player – too good, it turns out because Jericho is a pitcher with a 40-mile-an-hour fastball. He throws so hard that the Youth Baseball League of New Haven, Connecticut told his coach ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

7 Things That Help You Smile

Contributed by Bruce Lee on Jun 3, 2025

Today we are going to talk about “7 Things That Help You Smile.”

7 Things That Help You Smile “Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces are never covered with shame.” Psalms 34:5 Intro: Today we are going to talk about “7 Things That Help You Smile.” The most well rounded people you will ever meet have learned to have happiness, and victory, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Singing Loud For All To Hear…

Contributed by Charles Wilkerson on Dec 21, 2021

A survey of the ‘happiest nations’ show Afghanistan coming in dead last which shouldn’t surprise anyone.

A survey of the ‘happiest nations’ show Afghanistan coming in dead last which shouldn’t surprise anyone. But close to it is Zimbabwe. The list varies by the measure used to judge happiness. First century Israel the reason was quite clear. Rome was in charge even when it came to their faith. High ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11, Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Every Day With Jesus Is Sweeter Than The Day Before

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 9, 2022

Look at this text verse careful, I want you to show you two things that perhaps you have never seen in this verse before.

1) First, notice He says something about (His joy) “My JOY” 2) Secondly, notice He says something about “Our joy.” What I want you to see HIS JOY and OUR joy is suppose to be the same. God wants us to have the same kind of joy that He has. He wants that joy to REMAIN in us seven days a ...read more

Scripture: John 15:11

Denomination: Baptist

In His Presence My Cup Runs Over

Contributed by Sherry Proskine on Aug 20, 2008

We all want to be happy. We try hard to hold onto happiness. But, happiness is dependent on happenings. There’s something far more outlasting available to us--Joy.

Open: Ever notice when your cup of happiness is full, someone always bumps your elbow? You’re no longer happy. Maybe even a little wet! That little action just stole your Happy away. Why? Because happiness is dependent on "happenings". What goes on around you--circumstances—they dictate ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Jesus Turned A Funeral Into A Celebration

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Jun 30, 2008

Jesus made it clear in His teachings that you are not really ready to live until you have faced the reality of death.

Jesus Turns a Funeral into a Celebration (Theme for this message came from "Outflow" by Sjogren and Ping) Luke 7:11-17 Can you imagine the shock of the widow of Nain and the crowd surrounding the funeral procession when Jesus walked up and stopped the procession? Jesus saw the widow and had ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Free Methodist

Let Us Rejoice - For He Has Turned Sorrow Into Rejoicing Series

Contributed by Dustin T Parker on May 2, 2010

In view of the cross and resurrection - we have to see it - for us to realize that our sorrow now - is not permanent - but joy-filled

Let us Rejoice - He turns sorrow to Rejoicing Let Us Rejoice, For He has made Sorrow – Dance! John 16:12-22 † IN HIS NAME † May the Grace, the Mercy and Peace that God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ has poured out on you through the Spirit, create is us the ability to rejoice and ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Genuine Faith In The Midst Of Trials Series

Contributed by Guy Glass on Feb 8, 2016

This is the first message in a series through the book of James. This messages is the first looking at the subject of genuine faith when we face persecution.

GENUINE FAITH – PART 1 GENUINE FAITH IN THE MIDST OF TRIALS JAMES 1:1-4 JAMES, A SERVANT OF GOD AND OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, TO THE TWELVE TRIBES SCATTERED AMONG THE NATIONS: GREETINGS. 2  CONSIDER IT PURE JOY, MY BROTHERS, WHENEVER YOU FACE TRIALS OF MANY KINDS, 3  BECAUSE YOU KNOW THAT THE ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

A Christmas Prayer From The Christian Heart

Contributed by Gregg Bitter on Dec 6, 2009

As the Apostle Paul prays, his heart goes out to his fellow Christians. What can we learn for our prayer-life from the Apostle? Parts: A. Remember the deep bond of fellowship in Christ Jesus. B. Pray that love overflows in knowledge.

Text: Philippians 1:3-11 Theme: A Christmas Prayer from the Christian Heart A. Remember the deep bond of fellowship in Christ Jesus B. Pray that love overflows in knowledge Season: Advent 2c Date: December 6, 2009 Web page: ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

From Weeping To Rejoicing

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on May 16, 2013

He will turn our mourning into rejoicing.

Psa 126:1 A Song of degrees. When the LORD turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Psa 126:2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The LORD hath done great things for them. Psa 126:3 The LORD hath done ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 126:1-6

Denomination: Pentecostal