Sermons on The Joy Before Jesus:

"What Makes God Smile?"

Contributed by Marilyn Murphree on Aug 19, 2004

What are things in our life that can make the smile of God present upon our lives.

Iliff and Saltillo UM Churches August 22, 2004 “What Makes God Smile?” Psalm 119:135 Msg. Bible “Smile on me, your servant; teach me the right way to live.” Numbers 6:25 NLT “May the Lord smile on you.” INTRODUCTION: Have you ever thought of God as a HARSH God toward you? Maybe someone who ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:135, Numbers 6:25

Denomination: Methodist

Training For Reigning

Contributed by Doug Morrell on Dec 5, 2005

We are never to feign happiness in pain, but if we are growing in Christ-likeness, we should be demonstrating a more eternal, positive perspective (considering it pure joy), because we are realizing that we are training for reigning.

Depth of character is realized under pressure. Anyone can be a Christian when things go well, but how do you do when a little pressure, a little pain, a little discomfort, criticism or gossip, a sick child, loss of income, are applied? When your fruit is squeezed, what kind of juice comes forth? We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Count Your Blessings

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Oct 1, 2002

God has given you millions of dollars in quantifiable blessings. Add up the cost of replacing your liver, your heart, your lungs. . .

B vCOUNT YOUR BLESSINGS For the Christian, gratitude should be a life attitude. “Count Your Blessings” was written by one of the prolific gospel song writers of the past century, a Methodist lay preacher named Johnson Oatman. In addition to his preaching and the writing of more than 5,000 hymn ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 103:1-10

Denomination: Church Of God

I Would Be Happy If ---?

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Sep 22, 2006

Do we have a real understanding of what happiness and joy are? Can joy be a choice? On what does your joy hinge?

I WOULD BE HAPPY IF ---- ? By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com A marriage can be made in heaven, but we must learn to maintain it here on earth. Can marriage become a duel instead of a duet? I. CAN HAPPINESS AND JOY BE A CHOICE? A. Let us ask some questions and you ponder the answers ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Living A Life Of Contentment

Contributed by Jason Cole on Nov 26, 2007

we live in a society which craves more yet we are called to be content, how can we be content when we feel we need more.

Living A Life of Contentment John Ortberg’s book "When the Game is Over It All Goes Back in the Box" was a special help and thought sparker. Introduction: There is a disease that many people have here. The men who have this disease can walk into their garage and look at their car which is less ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-13

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Being Thankful By Thursday

Contributed by Mike Fogerson on Aug 6, 2003

Being thankful is critical to being a whole/well person.

"Being Thankful By Thursday" November 24, 2002 FBC, Chester, Illinois Mike Fogerson, Speaker Introduction: A. The world celebrates Easter with Easter bunnies & Easter eggs & new clothes & spring breaks - heralding the coming of spring. But Easter is a holy day for Christians, ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Baptist

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

A Prayer At New Year's

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Jan 2, 2002

Even in tumultuous times God’s people have every reason to offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for all of the gifts he pours out on us daily!

“We Will Never Forget.” Like never before that phrase has a chilling significance. Perhaps that phrase crystallizes the events of the year 2001. While it is a year that we’ve vowed never to forget, strangely it’s also the one we wish we had never experienced. So we look forward to a new year ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7

Denomination: Lutheran

Better Way Is Aways God's Way!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Sep 1, 2009

BETTER WAY IS AWAYS GOD’S WAY! In this sermon outline we point out how that the sufferings of the cross paid for a better way for us. Jesus had joy in providing a better way. He is the Way, Truth and the Life!

BETTER WAY IS AWAYS GOD’S WAY! In this sermon outline we point out how that the sufferings of the cross paid for a better way for us. Jesus had joy in providing a better way. He is the Way, Truth and the Life! Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so ...read more

Gratitude

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Mar 1, 2001

Year C. 1st Sunday of Lent March 4th, 2001

Year C. 1st Sunday of Lent March 4th, 2001 Lord of the Lake Lutheran Church Web page http://lordofthelake.org By The Rev. Jerry Morrissey, Esq., Pastor E-mail pastor@southshore.com DEUTERONOMY 26:1-11 Heavenly Father we recognize that we are truly dependent on You alone for everything. ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 26:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

An Attitude Of Gratitude

Contributed by John Beehler on Oct 11, 2001

When was the last time you thanked God for all that He has done for you?

An Attitude of Gratitude One day a woman was rushing home from a doctor’s appointment. The doctor had been somewhat delayed at the hospital, and the lab work took a little longer than usual so by the time she left the clinic she was running quite a bit behind schedule. She still had to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Living Together In Personal Thanksgiving Series

Contributed by Kenneth Henes on Jun 23, 2004

Paul cites for us one attitude and one action that enable us to live together in personal thanksgiving.

LIVING TOGETHER IN PERSONAL THANKSGIVING Philippians 4:10-20 INTRODUCTION A. We have much to be thankful for in America, yet we are not always thankful. 1. "If the rich young ruler was rich, what am I?" by William Boice. Dear Lord, I have been re-reading the record of the Rich Young Ruler and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Keys To Joy-- Thanksgiving 4 Of 4 Series

Contributed by David Hodgin on Dec 2, 2005

Living with joy is not easy, but if we pursue joy as God instructs we we can live the joy filled life!

Bible verses mentioned in today’s message 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Hebrews 13:15 Jeremiah 2:32 Acts2:1-4 Romans 12:2 Proverbs 14:12 Matthew 5:21-44 Philippians 4:4-7 1Th 5:16 Be joyful always; 1Th 5:17 pray continually; 1Th 5:18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Believing Is Seeing - Part 2 Series

Contributed by J. Yeargin on Feb 17, 2003

See if you can relate to the blind man, his healing, and his growing relationship with Christ.

BELIEVING IS SEEING Part Two Let’s go back to the story we looked at a couple of weeks ago. The story found in John 9 about the healing of the man who was born blind. I want to look at the remaining verses of this chapter. It is a story of the 1. Resistance that this man met with the people that ...read more

Scripture: John 9:8-12

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Attitude Is Everything

Contributed by Chris Coker on May 4, 2004

Attitude is everything when it comes to following God.

I think that explains what Steve Martin is gray head? But if you think about it we can relate to that can’t we? Kids are screaming, bad day at work, getting bad news from the doctor, and the never ending bills, someone cutting you off on the Interstate, all these things and 1,000 can cause us to ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ