Sermons on Rediscovering Joy:

Holy Day Inn Keeper Series

Contributed by Bradley Boydston on Dec 8, 2001

Christmas Eve parable/sermon featuring the first ever Christmas letter written by an ancient inn keeper, and recently rediscovered in the Stockholm University Library archives.

"She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger because there was no room in the village inn." (Luke 2:7, NLT)" Over the years various traditions have developed around the innkeeper and we’ve imagined quite a bit about him. Often we’ve thought of him as a ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: *other

Scattered To Find What Mattered

Contributed by Brian Buriff on Jun 28, 2006

In the midst of the penalty (for avenging the violation against his sister Dinah), Levi and his descendants (the Levites) rediscover God’s purposes

INTRODUCTION A. Read Genesis 34:1-4, 11-17, 25-26 B. Read Genesis 49:5-7 I. BATTERED A. Dinah Was Battered – Her Purity Forcibly Taken From Her By Foreign Prince B. Covenant Symbol (Circumcision) Was Battered – Abused By Jacob’s Sons C. Males Of The City Were Battered – Terrible ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 34:1-26

Denomination: Church Of God

God's Amazing Grace

Contributed by Trae Durden on Jan 25, 2015

Re-discover grace as God intended. Grace was as much a part of God's charecter before creation and in the Old Testament as it is now under the Law of Christ.

God’s Amazing Grace Luke 17:10 Everyone who is saved will be saved by the grace of God. There will be no one saved without the grace of God. Grace is so constituted in God’s character that there is no way to know Him without knowing His grace. Like 1 John 4:8, when we are told God ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Missional Church Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jun 23, 2014

A sermon on the need to reach the community outside the church (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter 8 Mission Focused)

HoHum: The Blues Brothers were on "a mission from God" to save from foreclosure the Catholic orphanage in which they grew up. Like the Blues Brothers, we need to believe and know that we are on a mission from God. In recent years there has been a renewed emphasis on the missional nature and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Cross And A Covenant Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 7, 2014

A sermon on how the church is reflected in the OT covenants (Material adapted from Daniel Overdorf's book, Rediscovering Community, chapter one- Covenant Graced)

HoHum: Daniel Overdorf- I visited a friend in the hospital. He had neared the end of an extended battle with cancer. The chemotherapy had taken most of his ability to think. I read some Scripture passages to him about God’s promises, unsure if he even heard me, then I prayed. As I turned ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 12:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What Matters Most Sermon V: Staying Occupied With The Joy In Your Heart Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 5, 2020

True meaning in life is found by mature Christians who make the most of the joy Christ their Savior put in their hearts as they share their joy with others.

MAKING THE MOST OF GOD-GIVEN TIME: STAY OCCUPIED WITH THE JOY IN YOUR HEART Lewis Bates became an agnostic while attending Ohio State University in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio, but then he went to a Billy Graham Crusade, which interrupted his march toward atheism and led him ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:10-20

Do I Have To? Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Dec 2, 2004

This morning we will answer 2 simple questions; why should I give and how should I give. (Rediscovering An Essentail Truth - part 2)

“Do I Have To?” Recovering An Essential Truth – part two Today is our second week in a 3 week series called, “Recovering An Essential Truth” – a series about stewardship and giving… Now, last week I shared with you 5 reasons why NOW – was the time for me to talk about giving & stewardship…. ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 1:6-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Restoring Unity

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 2, 2003

The Corinthians church had some unity issues. Paul gives them some help here in rediscovering the unity that was their’s, but that had become a thing of the past.

Passage: I Corinthians 1:10-17 Intro: There has been an atmosphere of division in our land for decades 1. abortion, fiscal policy, size of government, morals,…you name it! 2. election troubles in FL, Pres. Bush comes in under a cloud 3. but all that has changed now, and there is a spirit of unity ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Words Of Christmas

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 14, 2001

What do you think about when you think of Christmas? What words pop into your mind? Home? Family? Gifts? Crowds? Jesus? Food? Santa Claus? All of these, & more, I imagine!

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2014) Why does Christmas seem to be so much more important than all the other holidays of the year? Why is so much attention given to Christmas? Mother's Day, Father's Day, 4th of July are important holidays, but put ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25, Luke 1:37-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The First Christmas Gifts

Contributed by Scott Hippler on Dec 3, 2001

What are you giving this Christmas? Where did all of this gift giving begin?

What are you giving this Christmas? I didn’t say getting, I said giving. What are you giving this Christmas? For the past few weeks I have been asking that question to almost everyone that I run into and have gotten some interesting answers and some great ideas. One Scrooge gave me a one-word ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38, John 3:4-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Abiding Presence

Contributed by Roger Spaugh on Oct 18, 2000

Encouragement for those suffering from loss of loved ones, or loss of a dream.

Mankind has struggled with many things. Probably the most difficult of these is adversity. Every since Adam and Eve were cast from the garden, mankind has faced adversity. It has come in many different ways and in many different forms. But regardless of the method, the struggle is just as real. It ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

It's Time To Sing A New Song

Contributed by John Baker on Jan 12, 2006

This sermon was preached as a celebration sermon to celebrate our large outreach activity of a live nativity we present to our community each year.

Title: It’s Time to Sing a New Song Place: Oakdale Wesleyan Church Date: January 9th, 2005 Subject: Celebration Sunday of Christmas Experience Introduction It’s time to sing a new song. Have you ever gotten an old song just stuck in your head and its not a song that brings joy and gladness to ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-9

Denomination: Holiness

Seven Happy People

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 24, 2006

Unlike joy, happiness is temporary...based on ’happenstance’. But God tells us 7 ’circumstances’ which will lead us to happiness more often. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

SEVEN HAPPY PEOPLE John 13:17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7HappyPeople.html John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Which kind of Christian are you? Humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? Attitude determines altitude! God isn’t here just to keep you out of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:17

Denomination: Baptist

I'm So Excited (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Greg Cooper on Jul 15, 2002

THE WORLD DOESN’T NEED ANY MORE LONG FACED CHRISTIANS. THEY NEED SOME ONE EXCITED ABOUT WHAT GOD CAN DO AND IS DOING.

TITLE: I’M SO EXCITED TEXT: PSALMS 122:1 INTRO: In the 80’s there was a song that said: “I’m so excited and I just can’t hide it; I’m about to lose control; and I think I like it.” We have come here today to Celebrate the presence of our God in our lives. We have a reason to be excited ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

I'll Thank God All By Myself!

Contributed by Pastor Dempsey Daniels on Oct 24, 2003

I’ll Thank GOD All By Myself!

I’ll Thank GOD All By Myself! Luke 17:11-19 When we deal with Luke, we deal with a book authored by one who didn’t experience a walking - talking relationship with Jesus Christ. Luke never saw Jesus open a blinded eye or case a deaf ear to hear. But he believed in Jesus anyway. Even though he was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist