Sermons on Real Joy:

The Gift That Takes A Lifetime To Unwrap

Contributed by Jimmy Dillon on Nov 1, 2007

Looks at the real gift of Christmas and how wonderful it is to unwrap it every day of our lives.

THE GIFT THAT TAKES A LIFETIME TO UNWRAP Luke 2:1-20 INTRODUCTION This is one of the most wonderful times of the year…today it’s Christmas Eve and many are waiting with anticipation to see what gifts we get Many are wrapped in beautiful wrapping paper, and then decorated with bows, and tensil, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20, Luke 2:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Nominal Christrians

Contributed by Greg Burcham on Feb 12, 2017

This sermon seeks to define what a "real Christian" looks like as opposed to the world's definition.

Nominal Christians When I was a kid, the Apollo missions were in the news daily. I still remember sitting in front of our little black and white TV watching Neil Armstrong take that first step onto the surface of the moon. Having watched all of the launches, I remember a saying the astronauts would ...read more

Scripture: Romans 10:10

Denomination: Baptist

Christmas Gifts

Contributed by Robert Fox on Dec 18, 2006

What is the real meaning of Christmas gifts? Real gifts are costly to give, and accepting them means accepting the responsibility that comes with them. Especially the kinds of gifts God gives. Student Ministry PowerPoint format.

Christmas Gifts Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift! (2 Corinthians 9:15) This lesson was originally presented in PowerPoint format to a High School student ministry. If you have questions or would like a copy of the original PowerPoint, send me an email at ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15

Denomination: Baptist

Success In Life And Eternity! Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Mar 10, 2015

Success! It is something that everyone would want, but what really is success? Can you be successful at something without really having “success”? What is real success and how can we experience real success both in life and eternity?

Success in life and eternity Living successfully means living as a Servant Living successfully means living by the Spirit Living successfully requires knowing God’s Word Living successfully means being Like Jesus Slide 1 Success! If you asked someone if they wanted to be successful, I am ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Glory Road Series

Contributed by Rev Dr Randall M Deal Sr on Mar 29, 2009

When tempted with discouragement, make your story about God’s glory!

Dear Discouraged – Part 8 “THE GLORY ROAD” 1 Peter 4 (NASB) Dr. Randy Deal Review: Part 1: Remember God’s amazing grace! Part 2: Dare to be different! Part 3: Remember who GOD says you are! Part 4: Our integrity will be tested by how we respond to temptation, authority and suffering! Part 5: Have ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

My Sediments Exactly

Contributed by Michael Hollinger on Jun 19, 2007

We must be in the Word of the Lord regularly to renew our joy.

Long Branch Baptist Church Halfway, Virginia; est. 1786 Tuesday, June 12, 2007 Enter to Worship Prelude David Witt Meditation Psalm 30:1 – 5 Invocation Michael Hollinger *Opening Hymn #705 “It is Well with My Soul” Welcome & Announcements Morning Prayer [See Insert] *Hymn #541 “The Joy of ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:9-12

Denomination: Baptist

God's Visitation Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 3, 2016

Wait on God and experience the joy of fulfilled promises and answered prayer.

A couple had two boys, 8 and 10, who were always getting into trouble. The parents were sure that if any mischief occurred in the community, their two young sons were involved. They didn’t know what to do with their boys. Then the mother heard about a clergyman who'd been successful in ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:1-21

Denomination: Evangelical Free

To Live Is Christ

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 18, 2011

How do we balance our own pursuit of meaning and happiness with the call to live as Kingdom people? What role does suffering have in the Christian life and why in the world are we called not only to believe in Jesus but to suffer for him? A little bait an

This dates me, I know, but I can sometimes relate to Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoons. Like the one where Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. As usual, Lucy has the floor, delivering one of her lectures. She says, "Charlie Brown, life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it so ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Enduring Faith

Contributed by John Harper on Feb 3, 2009

Faith and endurance go together. Faith is not faith without endurance. Let’s stop bragging about our faith, and let’s live out a faith that will endure any situation that we may face.

“ENDURING FAITH” Hebrews 11:30-40 January 25, 2009 Pastor John L. Harper Warden Assembly of God Introduction: A small boy riding a bus home from Sunday school was very proud of the card he had received, which had a picture and a caption that read: “Have Faith in God.” Then to his dismay the card ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:30-40

Denomination: Pentecostal

Somethings Never Change

Contributed by Robert Butler on Jul 15, 2020

Never confuse the gospel with personal preferences, traditions and secondary issues

Today, we move to the book of Jude. So as you're pulling it up on your phone, tablet or paperback technology. Let me give you the context. The book is written by Jude, Jesus' half brother from a different father. He, like James, came to an understanding of Jesus as the Messiah after ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:1-15, 2 Timothy 3:16, Jude 1:22-23, Genesis 4:1-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy And Privilege Of Serving Jesus (John 3:22-36; 4:1-3) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 15, 2022

Whatever ministry we "have," is God's gift to us. If I decrease, it's okay. I point people to Jesus. Also, bonus discussion: part of "faith" is obedience (John 3:36)

Today's passage is a little tricky. I'll try to talk slowly. I'll try to not lose you. But if you get lost about parts, I'd be happy to give you my manuscript, or answer any questions afterward. Let's start this morning by rereading John 3:1-5 (NRSV, lightly modified): 3 ...read more

Scripture: John 3:1-36, John 4:1-3

Living A Life Of Goodness And Peace And Joy In The Holy Spirit (How Christian Ought To Behave)

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 24, 2022

To preserve the unity and influence of the church, believers must offer mutual acceptance in non-essentials of the Christian faith. They should also resist the temptation to judge one another or condemn one another for what we believe about non-essentials tenets of the faith.

Sermon “Living a Life of Goodness and Peace and Joy in the Holy Spirit” Scripture Lesson: Romans 14:1-17 “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:1-19, Luke 6:37, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 4:2-3, 2 Corinthians 13:1, Colossians 3:15, Hebrews 12:14  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Trick Or Treat - Reformation Sunday

Contributed by Spencer Homan on Mar 31, 2011

This is a sermon done on Halloween/Reformation Sunday. Dressed as a pirate. Oh joy!

1 John 1:5-10 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have ...read more

Scripture: 1 John 1:5-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

If You Only Knew

Contributed by Bruce Howell on Apr 22, 2003

A real understanding of who Christ really is can result in dramatic change, as in the case of this Samaritan woman.

If You Only Knew John 4:1-10 1 The Pharisees heard that Jesus was gaining and baptizing more disciples than John, 2 although in fact it was not Jesus who baptized, but his disciples. 3 When the Lord learned of this, he left Judea and went back once more to Galilee. 4 Now he had to go through ...read more

Scripture: John 4:1-10

Denomination: Wesleyan

Measure Upon Measure – Sorrow – The Restoration Of God - Part 8 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 4, 2025

What a ruined state lives are in with devastating sorrow. Sorrow is a result of the fall but what JOY results from the work of Christ. Our faith can be underpinned by an inexpressible joy, bathed in the glory of God. Jesus has done wonderful things changing sorrow into joy.

MEASURE UPON MEASURE – SORROW – THE RESTORATION OF GOD - Part 8 In the last message we continued these consequences of sin resulting from Adam’s fall in Eden. Firstly we did guilt and shame, then separation, then the curse, and now we continue sorrow. Sin caused so much destruction but we also ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 1:12, John 20:20, Mark 14:11, John 16:20-22, 1 Peter 1:8-9, John 15:11, Isaiah 35:10, Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 2:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational