Sermons on Rediscovering Joy:

Be Encouraged

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on Feb 26, 2008

There are so many things we can be discouraged about. But we are called to be encouraged. Why?

Passage: 2 Timothy 1:1-7 Intro: Living in the world, it is easy to be discouraged. 1. things don’t always go as we planned. 2. a few people are happy this Super Bowl Sunday, but most football fans are discouraged because their team isn’t playing and probably won’t next year, either. 3. jobs ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Lesson From The Potato Series

Contributed by Ken Pell on Sep 27, 2007

A basic approach to life for the Christian should be celebration of the presence of Christ.

A LESSON FROM THE POTATO Matthew 9:14-17 Sermon Objective: A basic approach to life for the Christian should be celebration of the presence of Christ and that, like him – we should too, be everywhere spreading his love. Supporting Scripture: Isaiah 51:11-12; Luke 19:35-40; 2 Corinthians 5:16-18; ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 9:14-17

Denomination: Nazarene

It's Fun Being A Christian

Contributed by Chris Layton on Oct 1, 2007

This is an idea I received while listening to a cassette of Bro. Bob Harrington "The Chaplain of Bourbon Street" He is a dynamic speaker and a great man of God.

There are some who do not completely understand the joy we have in being Christians. A lot of people are like a little boy who went to see his grandfather…. My friends, God did not save us to let us sit and sour. He expects us too be an example to a lost and dying world of His love. Too many times, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:25-34

Denomination: Baptist

Showing Our Thanks

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Oct 6, 2007

We can give thanks in 1)Praise of God’s Eternatlity 2) The Perception of our Frailty and 3) The Plea for God’s Steadfast Love

Thanksgiving is a time when we can formally recognize and give thanks for the obvious and more abstract things that shape our lives here in Canada. The first recognized Canadian thanksgiving was held in 1578, at least forty years earlier than that of our friends to the south. In a misguided ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:1-17

Denomination: Other

The Best Reason To Give Thanks

Contributed by Jonathan Mcleod on Oct 11, 2007

Give thanks because God’s love for us is eternal. It didn’t have a beginning and it will not have an end.

Two attitudes toward thanksgiving: • Blessings are seen as coming from US, not GOD. Bart Simpson’s Thanksgiving prayer: “Dear God, we paid for this stuff ourselves, so thanks for nothing.” Prayer by the character Charlie Anderson (Jimmy Stewart) in the movie Shenandoah: “Lord, we cleared this ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 16:34

Denomination: Baptist

"A-Life" In Christ

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Oct 13, 2007

Through our salvation in Christ, we are made alive in Him. Through His death, we find our life. Not only are we made alive through Christ’s death, but we begin a new life in Him, thus making us "A-life" in Christ. The sermon explores what it means to

“A-Life” in Christ Colossians 2:6-15 Stephen H. Becker, M.Div. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church July 29, 2007 9th Sunday After Pentecost Friends, you and I are alive and have “a-life” in Christ! In our reading today from Colossians, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Christians in the young Church ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15

Denomination: Lutheran

Joyful, Prayerful, Thankful Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 22, 2007

God has specific plans for your life, but our priority is following His broader will which reflects His desire for every believer. Paul informs us that is is God’s will that we practice three habits; when we do, they have positive consequences on our

Joyful, Prayerful, Thankful (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) 1. A young fellow by the name of Sammy liked to hang out at Mom and Pop’s Grocery Store. Pop didn’t know what Sammy’s problem was, but the other boys would tease him all the?time, calling him Slow Sammy, and punching him on the shoulder as they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Lazy, Hazy Day Series

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Oct 27, 2007

Sermon #4 in a series about joy from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Previously preached for another congregation, but reworked and retooled for this series.

A lazy, hazy day Phil 4:10-23 Goal: How to find contentment and peace so that we can enjoy life. Intro: I grew up in South Louisiana…less than a 20 mile distance from the Gulf of Mexico…and more often than not the weather could be described as hot and humid. Obviously the heat and humidity would ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Baptist

Descending Into Greatness Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

Putting others before ourselves will bring us to our knees. Learning to give ourselves away is also the first step to a deeper experience of true joy.

There is something that stirs deeply within us when a man or woman gives up their life for another. A few decades ago Roger Rosenblatt wrote a moving tribute in Time Magazine. It was about a passenger on Air Florida Flight 90 that crashed into the Potomac River. The nameless 50-some-year old man ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Working Out Our Salvation Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

Scripture teaches the Christian life involves both God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It’s not one or the other; it’s both.

From the earliest days of the church, the relationship between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of believers has been debated. Is the Christian life essentially a matter of passive trust or of active obedience? Is it all God’s doing, all the believer’s doing, or a combination of both? ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get Risky For God Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

We all need someone who can speak truth into our lives, whatever the cost. We also need to be that someone for another friend. Such relationships, based on hearts united in Christ, form bonds that allow us to risk great things for God.

Introduction I don’t know about you, but it’s easy for me to forget that the letters in the New Testament were first written as real letters. They deal with real life and real people—but I can forget that. I mean I don’t write letters that sound anything like Paul’s letter to the church in Rome! My ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Highest Priority Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a short or a long time, it’s good to take stock of your goals and priorities.

Introduction Many of the New Testament letters were written to address problems in the churches. A good illustration is 1 Corinthians when Paul offers counsel on issues like division in the church, immorality, lawsuits among believers, spiritual gifts and the resurrection. 1 Corinthians deals with ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Ultimate Endgame Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Nobody’s perfect. The words are both true and of some comfort. But as Christ followers the Good News is far better. Jesus is perfect. and if we pursue him passionately, that rubs off on us in this life.

Introduction Billy Graham is now in his late 80’s and he suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His worldwide evangelism ministry has spanned more than sixty years. Awhile back, Billy was invited to speak at a luncheon in North Carolina. After many wonderful things were said about him, Billy stepped to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Celebrate And Live Your Faith

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Sep 26, 2008

Do you have joy in your life? Not happiness or contentment but joy. Is there a wellspring in you that overflows every now and then with praise for God, praise for what Jesus has done with you as a person.

Celebrate and Live Your Faith Reading - Leviticus 23:1-14 Study – Chapter 23 Are you the kind of person that gets excited about belonging to Jesus? Do you find there are times in your life when you celebrate your faith rather than live it? Maybe my questions confuse you. After all we are all ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 23:1-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Holiday Heart Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Apr 8, 2008

God’s people are to marked by thankful hearts and lives.

Scripture Introduction I discovered “Holiday Heart Syndrome” from the electro-cardiologist who was a member of our church. Over the holidays, people often eat and drink more than usual. The sudden excess can cause an otherwise healthy heart to develop an abnormal rhythm, a fast and ineffective ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 107:1-43

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed