Sermons on Real Joy:

A Meditation On The Parable Of The Prodigal Son

Contributed by Dan Funk on Aug 23, 2014

I believe Jesus is drawing our attention to the father and his compassion and joy in order to give us a a deeper understanding of the nature of God and His Kingdom; of our calling to be instruments of His life-giving compassion, and to share in His joy.

We heard in today’s Gospel reading the Parable of the Prodigal Son, and I am sure most of us have read and heard it numerous times. And we all perhaps have lost count of the sermons we have heard on this parable. You may be wondering what on earth I can say on this that is new or unique. I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Anglican

Fairweather Friend Or Best Friend Forever (Bff)

Contributed by Howard Gunter on May 4, 2018

Understanding Christ's example of "friend".

Mid-week Message/Devotion May 6, 2018 John 15:9-17 Fairweather Friend or Best Friend Forever (BFF) Yesterday, I was shopping for colored sand at Hobby Lobby for the sand ceremony in an upcoming wedding. As I strolled the aisles, I was approached by a beautiful young lady, who ran up to me, ...read more

Scripture: John 15:9-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Gift Beyond Description

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Nov 6, 2001

Paul said, "Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift." Why does Paul call Jesus "indescribable?" I think that there are at least four reasons.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER CENTRAL CHRISTIAN, BROWNSVILLE, TX A. My text this morning is 2 Corinthians 9:15. It is a short verse, only 8 words long. Listen as the apostle Paul says, "Thanks be unto God for His indescribable gift." This is the time of year when we are ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15, 2 Corinthians 9:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Is The Truth About Trials And Temptations? Series

Contributed by Chad Bolfa on Aug 5, 2008

Today from this passage the Apostle Peter is going to tell us the truth about trials and temptations.

What is the Truth about Trials and Temptations? Am service July 13th 2008 1 Peter 1:6-9 Introduction As I began preparing this message I began to really think deep into the thought the “Truth about Trials and Temptations”, and I thought this about life. Life should come with a list of side ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Baptist

Life Is Like A Motorcycle

Contributed by Denn Guptill on Aug 10, 2008

Wrote this message for a "Bring Your Bike to Church Day" friend event

Life is a Bike (This was written for our annual Bring Your Bike to Church Day) As you can tell from the video and from some of the rides out front there are all kinds of motorcycles. Some are really nice and cost a lot of money and some are just basic transportation. But they are all ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 20:1-9

Denomination: Wesleyan

Five Keys To Giving Thanks Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Nov 13, 2007

This is a sermon of Thanksgiving. My prayer is that God is thanked – with joy and gladness – with thankfulness and gratitude – and with a heart dependent on Him.

Five Keys To Giving Thanks What Do You Think of When You Think of Thanksgiving? Eating, Football, Long Weekend, Shopping, History, or Family? Thanksgiving is much more than any of this. True thanksgiving is not just a day for food, football, and family. It’s not just a holiday every fourth ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5, Romans 11:36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Dynamic Church Worships Joyfully Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Aug 5, 2008

God renews our hearts so we feel what is true.

Scripture Introduction If you hang around churches for awhile, you will likely find that our emotions do not always match our profession. Creeds containing truths which thrilled a previous generation are mumbled like a 9-year old boy explaining why he was playing baseball inside the house. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 7:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Dealing With Disappointment Series

Contributed by Thomas Cash on May 18, 2004

In spite of what seems to be insurmountable problems, we find strength by clinging to God.

Dealing With Disappointment 2 Chronicles 36, Daniel 1 (First in the series Dare to be a Daniel) Introduction: He lived a life of dashed hopes and shattered dreams. His mother died when just a boy. He had to work in the fields to help his family. He only attended school sporadically, but read ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:1-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why And How We Rejoice And Be Thankful Always?

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Apr 29, 2005

Why and how can and should we rejoice and give thanks in whatever circumstances. Why, because of the gospel. How, by, while holding to the gospel, keeping the new commandment

Why and how do we rejoice and give thanks? As I share the word of God with you, I pray that you and I may experience "being Spirit-filled." I am very confident that we would experience that as we pay all our attention to the word of God, which I am going to share. The bible says, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Habakkuk 3:17-18, 1 Corinthians 2:2, John 15:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Hope Of Glory Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jun 10, 2009

Learning from Paul’s personal testimony to the Colossian CHurch

When I was at university—I sweated and groaned and struggled to get through my studies. One day a mate left an major project we were working on in the train. He rang every station from Hornsby to Campbelltown hoping it was handed in. Alas, our major assignment was gone forever! After the lecturer ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Wedding Banquet Series

Contributed by Mark Eberly on Jun 30, 2009

A parable about Israel and Israel’s response to God’s kingdom. God has sent us an invitation. Will we respond? Will we respond appropriately?

The Parables of Jesus The Wedding Banquet Matthew 22:1-14 June 28, 2009 This is considered by many scholars to be an extremely difficult parable. Some see the parable of the great feast or great banquet in Luke 14 as a parallel account. While there are several similarities such as the open ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:1-14

Denomination: Church Of God

When The Church Prays

Contributed by Craig Benner on Oct 9, 2011

God uses different means to bring us to our knees. When we really fervently pray, mighty things will take place. Let the church rise to her full potential by collectively calling on His name.

WHEN THE CHURCH PRAYS Acts 12:1,5-18 In the last few verses of chapter 11, we see a great revival in Antioch. There the disciples were first called christians. The Spirit had done a great work in their lives, in that they laid aside enough of their carnal self to become identified as ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-18

Denomination: Pentecostal

He Is My Everything Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Nov 14, 2011

Introducing Philippians, the most joyful letter in the New Testament. And the joy is all about Jesus.

There are three New Testament books that are letters written from jail: Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians. I don’t know if anyone here has been to jail or prison, but I have... not as a resident or inmate, but as a minister. My cousin Phillip Melson, whom some of you may remember when he came ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

An Eternal Weight Of Glory Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2011

We should be grateful for God’s earthly, physical blessings and protection, but we should be even more grateful for the eternal blessings he gives us.

An Eternal Weight of Glory (2 Corinthians 4:7-18 with Psalm 116) My view is that 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 is based on Psalm 116 (the 2 Cor. passage is a midrash). See if you agree. The “starting text,” Psalm 116:3-19 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Rx For Discouragement Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 18, 2011

If we want to overcome discouragement and despair, then we must believe the good news, believe God’s Word, and be with God’s people on a regular basis.

An optimist and a pessimist were at the coffee shop where the optimist commented, “Isn’t this a wonderful, bright, sunny day?” The pessimist replied, “Yea, but if it doesn’t stop soon, all the grass, flowers and crops will dry up. Two days later, it’s ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical Free