Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

Celebrate God's Grace This New Year's Eve

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 4, 2002

Isaiah invites us to look back on a year of God’s grace drawing to a close and to look ahead to another year of God’s grace that is just beginning.

In the ancient calendar used by the Romans, from which our calendar was created, the name of each month had a meaning. For example the month of February was so named because that was the time of the year for a feast called Februa. Some of the months were named for the false gods that the Romans ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9, Isaiah 63:1, Isaiah 63:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Got Fruit?part 5(Joy) Series

Contributed by Joe Bedy on Jan 23, 2002

Joy comes through our spirit being led by the Holy Spirit to bear good fruit.

Joe Bedy Central Christian Church January 22 2002 The Spiritual Life Part 5 (Joy) Who can define JOY for us tonight? Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, Gal 5:23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. We ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22, Ecclesiastes 53:2-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God Blesses Who?

Contributed by Steve Hereford on Jan 25, 2002

What kind of man does God bless? Or what kind of people does God bless? We are reading today "God bless America." Is America in a place spiritually and morally where God can bless it?

What kind of man does God bless? Or what kind of people does God bless? We are reading today "God bless America." Is America in a place spiritually and morally where God can bless it? Let’s examine God’s blessing and its conditions. This passage, according to verse 6, is illustrating "the way of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Thankful Heart

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 28, 2002

what it means to have a thankful heart

Dec. 3, 2000 Colossians 3:15-17 “A thankful heart” INTRODUCTION Eight things to be thankful for: Be grateful... * for automatic dishwashers. They make it possible to get out of the kitchen before the family comes in for their after-dinner snacks. * for husbands who attack small ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Baptist

Recovering A Sense Of Balance Series

Contributed by Eric Sellgren on Feb 25, 2002

Jesus uses our relationships to heal us - a Sermon in a series on RELATIONSHIPS.

I want to tell you the story of John Charters. I found his story in a newspaper some time back. John was one of those jet-setting high flyers that make so many people envious. He had a beautiful home in Surrey, a glamorous wife, a large expensive car - you know the picture. But one day John had an ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

"I Just Love People" Series

Contributed by Eric Sellgren on Feb 25, 2002

Or are you afraid of them? - A Sermon in a series on RELATIONSHIPS.

Some time ago Jill (my wife) and I attended a workshop given by the Sacred Dance Group at Longmead in Dorset, England. At one session we were asked, "What things do you find enjoyable?" ( Later we were going to praise God for them in movement as well as words). One girl said, "The colour of the sky ...read more

Scripture: John 2:23-25

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Cleaning Out The Sludge

Contributed by Jim Kane on Mar 10, 2002

How then do we overcome discouragment, disappointment, and resentment?

Gladys Thornapple is fixing lunch when in walks her son, Wilberforce, all decked out in his baseball outfit. Mom asks, "How did Little League go?" Wilberforce growls, "Terrible, I struck out three times." Trying to console her son, Mom says, "That’s all part of the game, honey." Wilberforce ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 27:1-46

Denomination: Church Of God

La Iglesia Perseguida

Contributed by Ralph Mendez on Mar 13, 2002

Esmirna fue una iglesia muy perseguida pero esto mismo le ayudo a mantenerse con vida hasta el dia de hoy.

ESMIRNA LA IGLESIA PERSEGUIDA . Y escribe al ángel de la iglesia en ESMIRNA: El primero y postrero, que fue muerto, y vivió, dice estas cosas: Yo sé tus obras, y tu tribulación, y tu pobreza (pero tú eres rico), y la blasfemia de los que se dicen ser Judíos, y no lo son, mas son sinagoga de ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Apostolic

I Would Be Happy If...? Series

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 28, 2002

To live in daily happiness and Joy, we must make the right decisions.

I WOULD BE HAPPY IF? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com I often ponder, -- I would be happy if ? -- Then I try to fill in the blank. I have asked friends, what would it take to make you happy? The answer varies greatly, but after accepting the answer, I press would you be happy ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 17:22, Nehemiah 8:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Lord Of The Dance

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Oct 28, 2001

Get back your dance once again and rejoice in the Lord!

I. Dancing in the Ditch? A. Text: II Kings 3:9-20 B. There were only two reasons why people danced in the OT (1) At a time of celebration because of a victory. (2) Or in the presence of God (as with David and the Ark of the Covenant). C. Dance represents joy. D. The Psalmist David spent much time ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:9-20

Grumpy Old Christians

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 31, 2001

There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News!

Grumpy Old Christians Thesis: There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News! Texts: Phil. 4:8 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Handle Difficult Times

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 15, 2001

This is a devotional given to my leadership board for the month of November.

How to Handle Difficult Times Selected Passages November 13, 2001 Three Ways to handle difficult times I. Be Thankful 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 A. God has blessed us The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Mark 12:30-31

Denomination: Church Of God

Looking For Pennies

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 19, 2001

Looking for Pennies (story from Annie Dillard) is important because: 1. The created world is a window into the heart of God. 2. The created world provides opportunities to praise the goodness of God. 3. The created world is a source of joy for thankful

Annie Dillard, in her wonderful Pulitzer Prize winning book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, tells a story about pennies. It was in her chapter entitled “Seeing” that I read her wonderful childhood story. I will let her tell it in her own words: “When I was six or seven years old, growing up in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Methodist

How Can I Ever Thank You?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 20, 2001

Gratitude of the Believer demonstrated in Christian walk.

HOW CAN I EVER THANK YOU LORD? Colossians 2:6-7 Introduction: Andrae Crouch in his song My Tribute wrote, "How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me. Things so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Gratitude

Contributed by David Swensen on Nov 20, 2001

Life is tough. As a result, there is need for us to reach out & touch a life. The heart that regularly gives thanks is the heart that serves God by faithfully ministering to others.Such is the power of gratitude

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE Colossians 3:12-17 INTRODUCTION Mildred Hondorff, a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines, Iowa, tells of life-changing experience she had with a pupil. Supplementing her income by teaching piano lessons she taught a “musically challenged” pupil ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist