Sermons on Stealers Of Joy:

"i Am" Declarations Of Jesus - Sermon V - "the Door" Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on Aug 26, 2019

There are many "doors of discovery" in life, but only One leads to eternal life. There's no greater business to be in than that of helping someone discovers Jesus the Way to God, life, happiness, joy!

GREAT “I AM” DECLARATIONS OF JESUS Who was Jesus? You will recall that He himself asked that question of His closest followers. First, He asked them, “Who do folks say I am?” Then He asked them a pointed question, “Who do YOU say I ...read more

Scripture: John 10:9

Happy Are The Humble -- Part 2 Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 29, 2019

If you want to be truly happy, demonstrate humility in mercy, purity, making peace, and accepting persecution.

Orla Shup, of Albion, Pennsylvania, was babysitting her pastor’s 3-year-old daughter, playing their favorite game together, Go Fish. One evening, after winning several rounds, the little girl kept bragging about how good she was. Jokingly, Shup said to her, “I'm going to have to teach you a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

What Is Heaven Like? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Death is a one-way door to give your entrance into a personal welcome of tremendous joy or the first wave of gloom and regret. Hell is your default destination and getting to Heaven is a choice. For those who follow Jesus Christ, Heaven maybe as near as your next week.

One day an older man was speaking to a student about his future plans. He asked the young man, “Tell me, what are your plans after you graduate from law school?” The young man said, “I would like to get a job with a good firm and start making some money.” The older man said, “Sounds good. Then ...read more

Scripture: Luke 21:33, Matthew 5:5, Revelation 21:4, Job 19:26-27, Matthew 6:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Moving From Pain To Praise

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 8, 2025

Life is full of challenges, and sometimes, pain can feel overwhelming. However, as believers, we are called to move from pain to praise, trusting that God is working all things together for our good.

MOVING FROM PAIN TO PRAISE By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 29:31-35 Supporting Texts: Psalm 30:5, Isaiah 61:3, Romans 8:28, Habakkuk 3:17-19 INTRODUCTION: Life is full of challenges, and sometimes, pain can feel overwhelming. However, as believers, we are called to move from pain ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 29:31-35, Psalm 30:5, Isaiah 61:3, Romans 8:28, Habakkuk 3:17-19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How To Follow Jesus--Though Persecuted Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

How we regard difficulties and persecutions will have everything to do with whether we respond positively or negatively to them. Surprising to us, the very things designed by men to destroy faith cause it to thrive, when we have a godly attitude.

Jeanie and I recently read a book with a provocative name—The Insanity of God—by the pseudonymous author Nip Ripken. Of course, the title elicits the question, what is insane about God—a question the author never directly answers, but only becomes evident upon contemplation of his message. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Denomination: Bible Church

Nourishment On Our Journey To The Mountain

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Aug 8, 2024

That story always reminds me of the critical scenes in book 3 of Tolkien’s Ring Trilogy, when the lembas bread nourishes Sam and Frodo on their way to Mount Doom.

Nineteenth Sunday in Course 2024 Saint Paul was one of the greatest Christian thinkers of his day or any other day, and we see it clearly in his letter to the Church of Ephesus. He has just told us to put off our old nature, prone to selfishness and sin, corrupted by uncontrolled lusts for money, ...read more

Scripture: John 6:41-51, Ephesians 4:30-32, Ephesians 5:1-2, Psalm 34:2-9, 1 Kings 19:4-8  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Work And Rest Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Aug 29, 2024

If you want to enjoy God-honoring, fulfilling work, then work in His power, and rest with His blessing.

John Ortberg tells an old story about a mother who walks in on her six-year-old son and finds him sobbing. “What's the matter?” she asks. ”I've just figured out how to tie my shoes.” “Well, honey, that's wonderful. You're growing up, but why are you crying?” “Because,” he says, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 31:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Sukkot - Feast Of Tabernacles, The Ingathering

Contributed by William Akehurst on Sep 25, 2021

The Feast of Tabernacles, families create outdoor living space to eat their meals and rest, spending as much time as possible in this outdoor “booth”. As I look to the open sky, I am reminded to “Look up, for your redemption draws near.” But to understand the INGATHERING, this means so much more!

2021.09.19. Feast of Tabernacles – Sukkot, the Ingathering William Akehurst, HSWC Sukkot – The Feast of Tabernacles Note: Monday night 9/20 is the Harvest Moon. A Full moon that will brighten the evening as if daylight. (See Zechariah 14:7) During the Feast of Tabernacles, families create an ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, Acts 3:19-21, Zechariah 14:1-20, Exodus 23:16, Zechariah 14:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thankful Prayer - Philippians 4:5-7 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 16, 2022

Three strategies for fighting the bad kind of anxiety

Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:5-7

There Will Be Great Rejoicing In Heaven Over A Sheep And Lost Coin.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Sep 12, 2022

The parables of the lost are all about lost sinners returning to the Lord. There is also another message in these parables that give us direct access to God, if you only but look.

Prayer: My I speak in the name of the father, son and holy ghost, and let the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in your sight, Amen, Thanks Martyn. On a different note, today’s sermon is on the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the lost son. … Last ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Denomination: Episcopal

We Have A Problem Called Pride Series

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Feb 7, 2005

Sin is real. So is salvation. But we can’t really understand the joy of salvation until we understand the depths of sin from which we have been saved.

We Have a Problem Called Pride Luke 18:10-13 February 6, 2005 In 1994, I was the Annual Conference Secretary of Global Ministries. It was in that capacity that I joined a survey team to Louisiana in the wake of Hurricane Andrew. Three of us went down to determine how best our Annual Conference ...read more

Scripture: Luke 18:10-14

Denomination: Methodist

Rivers Of Living Water

Contributed by James May on Feb 13, 2005

Jesus is the only source of real peace, joy and eternal life. The world has nothing that can compare. Jesus wants to give you a life that is filled with "rivers of living water".

RIVERS OF LIVING WATER by Pastor Jim May John 7:37-53, "In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But ...read more

Scripture: John 7:37-53

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How Do You Recognize Faith?

Contributed by William Mouser on Mar 11, 2005

The "Faith Hall of Fame" shows us how we recognize faith -- not by the success or failure of those who have it, nor by their joy or sadness, but by the way they clothed their faith in works.

18th Sunday in Trinity Hebrews 11:1-39 "How do you recognize faith?" Many years ago, a pornography case came before the United States Supreme Court. Justice Potter Stewart said this: “I shall not today attempt further to define [obscenity]; and perhaps I could never succeed in intelligibly ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:1-39

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Making Your Summer Count For Christ!

Contributed by Jess Bousa on May 10, 2005

Summer can be a time of joy or disaster. Setting Godly standards, being a Godly influence, and building Godly relationships are the basic elements in makeing one’s summer count for Christ!

Pray First: (I have some information in front of me that I feel is extremely important!) Today is May 11th: Seniors: 1. 1,987,200 seconds till summer 2. 33,120 minutes till summer 3. 552 Hours till summer 4. 23 days (June 3rd) Everybody else: 1. 1,036,800 seconds 2. 17,280 minutes 3. 720 ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 1:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Devastation To Resurrection

Contributed by Mike Hays on Apr 2, 2002

Jesus had promised that He would overcome the grave, but those who loved Him so could not understand how pain and sorrow could ever translate into joy and salvation.

Devastation To Resurrection John 20:1-16 It had been a week of emotion. There was the fever pitched frenzy of adoring crowds lining the streets, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” as they welcomed Jesus on Palm Sunday. While the excitement lingered, the crowd ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ