Sermons on Refining The Body:

Rejoicing

Contributed by Lou Nicholes on May 25, 2005

In this passage Paul resumed the story that he left in 2:13, where he said he went to Macedonia to look for Titus. Though Paul still had many problems and hardships to face, he found comfort and joy in the ministry God had given to him.

THOUGHTS ABOUT THE PASSAGE: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., was a member of the U.S. Supreme Court for 30 years. His mind, wit and work earned him the unofficial title of “the greatest justice since John Marshall.” At one point in his life, Justice Holmes explained his choice of a career by saying: ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:2-7

Denomination: Baptist

Regardless Rejoicing

Contributed by Charles Mallory on Aug 10, 2006

Having it all or losing it all, rejoicing in any and every situation should be a natural part of a Christian’s life.

WE HAVE QUITE A FEW UNIQUE SAYINGS IN OUR CULTURE THAT HELP US DIFFERENTIATE BETWEEN A PESSIMIST AND AN OPTIMIST. SAYINGS SUCH AS “A PESSIMIST SEES THE GLASS AS HALF-EMPTY WHILE THE OPTIMIST SEES IT AS HALF FULL” OR “THE OPTIMIST IS THE ONE WHO CAN ENJOY THE SCENERY EVEN WHEN THEY HAVE TO TAKE A ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-18

Denomination: Free Methodist

With An Expected End In Mind

Contributed by John Dickey on May 16, 2006

That’s where you’ll find your peace – when you know Him and believe Him, when you know that despite desperate or discouraging circumstances, the end of the story is coming and it’s perfect.

It was a low point for Abraham, perhaps the lowest. The ‘father of faith’ was despairing. You see, he had heard the voice of the Lord while living in Ur –a place where the moon god (now known as Allah) was worshipped. But, the true and living God had spoken to him, telling him to ‘forsake ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 14:13-24

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Count My Trials And Struggles All Joy?

Contributed by Robert Coats on May 29, 2006

The Apostle James dropped a bombshell in his letter to Christians

Count my trials and struggles all joy? James 1:2-4 Are you going through any trials, temptations, tribulations, testings, or struggles? Then my brothers and sisters…count it all joy. Pastor what are you saying? How can I find joy in my struggles? You do not know what I am going through? Well ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Church Of God

The Disease Of Discouragement

Contributed by Keith Crouch on Nov 14, 2004

Discouragement is something that many of us face from time to time and God’s word shows us several things about this in the life of Elijah.

The Disease of Discouragement I Kings 19:1-17 I. The Cause of Discouragement (v. v. 1-3) A. We Miss the Real Cause of Our Discouragement 1. Elijah’s Discouragement Was Contagious 2. Elijah’s Discouragement Was Unfounded B. We See Four Primary Causes of Discouragement 1. We Listen to Negative ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of Habakkuk

Contributed by Bramwell Hayes on Nov 16, 2004

The joy of Habbakkuk, its source and how it can be applied to our lives.

The joy of Habakkuk Hab 3:16-19 16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he cometh up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops. 17 Although the fig ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:16-20

Denomination: Salvation Army

Rejoice About It

Contributed by Patrick Ziegler on Jan 23, 2005

Every person should rejoice in Jesus.

Rejoice About It Philippians 4:4 January 23, 2005 – Vision Sunday Subject: Rejoicing Central Theme: When should we rejoice? Objective: Every person should rejoice because of three D’s of Jesus. Introduction: Today is a day that I have been looking forward to for some time. I enjoy being able to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Denomination: *other

Why Me, Lord?

Contributed by Bruce Ball on Feb 4, 2005

A look at the trials in our lives, why we have them, how we should use them, and keeping a proper perspective as we go through them.

How many of us have found ourselves with burdens that affect our lives? In reality, we all have our hardships, don’t we? Have you ever wondered why God lets His children suffer such unpleasantries? Let me give you a little hint. It has to do with our huge egos that think we are the ones in ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3

Denomination: *other

Finding Joy In Serving Christ Part Ii Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 17, 2007

Why does God command us to work for rewards? Whom will Christ reward?

Finding Joy in Serving Christ Part II II Timothy 4:8 Purpose: To describe the importance of loving Christ. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in their future rewards from Christ, or surrender to Christ. REVIEW: 1:1-2:13 I. How Should a Christian React to Stress? 2:14-26 II. How Should a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 4:8

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Are We Having Fun Yet?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Jun 9, 2007

Some look for great joy when they reach their final destination. GOD’S PLAN IS TO LOVE THE JOURNEY AS WE GO. IF WE LOVE THE JOURNEY WE WILL LOVE THE DESTINATION. You don’t need a change of position, you need a change of heart, a change of attitudes to fin

ARE WE HAVING FUN YET? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I do this in two parts. Your life can become so mundane that it seems like an endless trap. If you have lost the joy in your family and home, hard times lie ahead. We must search God’s word and see the value of joy and seek God’s ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:5

Denomination: Assembly Of God

I Won't Complain

Contributed by Lacy Scott on Oct 27, 2007

Stop complaining.

I WON’T COMPLAIN Exodus 15:22-25/Exodus 16:2-4 Brothers and sisters as I attended my sister-in-law’s funeral yesterday everyone seemed to have the same thing to say about her. Everyone remembered her as a loving soul that never had anything negative to say about anybody and even through all her ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God When Disaster Strikes?

Contributed by Warren Lamb on Oct 28, 2007

In the midst of the emotional shock wave that has swept across our nation due to the still-burning fires in Southern California throughout this past week, finding that place where the Providence and grace of God merges with massive devastation and extreme

Can we trust and rely on God all the time, in every circumstance? What about when disaster strikes? Is He really there? Is He really listening? Does He really care and answer? In the midst of the emotional shock wave that has swept across our nation due to the still-burning fires in Southern ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord Is My Portion Series

Contributed by Gregory Neill on Jan 17, 2007

Part 5 in a series on Lamentations. Jeremiah finds hope in the midst of tragedy.

The Lord is My Portion Lamentation 3:19-39 I. Introduction A. A Bad Start 1. The Millennium and Tragedy a) The Y2K scare and the talk of the end of times – Great if you were a water salesman or a generator salesman. This shook our faith in technology. b) The Presidential election of 2000 that was ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:19-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To React To Persecution Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Jan 31, 2007

Exposition of 1 Peter 3:13-17

Text: 1 Peter 3:13-17 Title: How to React to Persecution Date/Place: LSCC, 11/27/05, AM I. INTRODUCTION A. Opening illustration: the persecution of the insurance companies, the suffering of the bricklayer—ill file B. Background to passage: Peter again takes up the subject of Christians being ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

The Hardest Thing In The World

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 5, 2007

The hardest thing in the world is to consider suffering and trials a gift from God.

The Hardest Thing in the World James 1:1-4 February 4, 2007 Have you ever felt like you’d been body slammed by life? I remember Christmas vacation of my sophomore year in high school. For some reason, the wrestling coach decided that we needed to practice. We practiced for 3 or 4 days of that ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-4

Denomination: Methodist