Sermons on The Joy Before Jesus:

Lessons From Prison

Contributed by Don Campbell on Jan 12, 2026

Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians while imprisoned in Rome, not knowing whether he would be released or executed (Phil 1:21-26). Despite his imprisonment and the cloud hanging over him, these three epistles were filled with hope and joy:

LESSONS FROM PRISON The Attitude of Gratitude INTRODUCTION A. Some people perpetually cry, “Why me, Lord?” B. Paul wrote Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians while imprisoned in Rome, not knowing whether he would be released or executed (Phil 1:21-26). C. Despite his imprisonment and the ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:3-6, Galatians 5:2-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don't Allow Stress Rob Your Joy Series

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Feb 13, 2007

Philippians is commonly called the "Book of Joy". But Paul presents several thieves that try to rob us of our joy. The fourth thief: "Stress."

DO NOT ALLOW STRESS TO ROB YOUR JOY A. Have you ever had one of those days when nothing seems to go RIGHT? ILLUSTRATION: The ALARM CLOCK doesn’t go off leaving you only 15 minutes to get to WORK. After getting ready you RUSH to your CAR only to discover a FLAT TIRE. You hurriedly CHANGE the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

O Taste & See That The Lord Is Good

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 10, 2024

God wants more than for us to hear about the goodness of God from someone else, He wants us to taste it for ourselves! Come to His table and be fed to the full!

O TASTE & SEE THAT THE LORD IS GOOD Ps. 34:8 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: IT’S BEEN TOO LONG 1. When a Lady asked her friend if she was planning to attend church, she just shook her head. "I haven't gone in a long time," she said. 2. "Besides, it's too late for me. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:8

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hope Springs Eternal Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 11, 2020

The hope that Jesus has to offer us is “living” or “eternal” hope. Our hope doesn’t stop at the grave because our lives don’t stop at the grave, amen?

He called me “Peter” … His “Rock.” Some “rock” I turned out to be. How many times did He try to warn us? As recently as two weeks ago, He tried to explain to us what would happen when we reached Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. What He said would happen was just too horrible to believe … ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9, Luke 24:38-39, Luke 24:44, Revelation 21:4

Denomination: United Methodist

Ministry Heart

Contributed by Nate Herbst on Dec 31, 2008

Joy in ministry is not only possible but guaranteed if we’re doing what He has called us to with the right motives and heart - this message to Christian workers will encourage you in the battle!

Eph.3:7-8 - “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ.” Mt.3:11, Mk.1:7, Lk.3:16, Jn.1:27, Acts ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:7-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"joy's Light Outshines Mere Happiness"

Contributed by John Huyser on Dec 20, 2022

Compared to the other holidays, why is it significant the words Merry and Christmas are tied together?

This morning, seeking joy’s light, I selected a prophecy from the minor prophet Habakkuk. Given his prophecies are unfamiliar, a quick overview is in order. Habakkuk lived in Israel’s Southern Kingdom as the countdown clock to the Babylonian invasion and their exile was hitting 0. The Northern ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 3:17-19

Seven Happy People

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 24, 2006

Unlike joy, happiness is temporary...based on ’happenstance’. But God tells us 7 ’circumstances’ which will lead us to happiness more often. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

SEVEN HAPPY PEOPLE John 13:17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7HappyPeople.html John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Which kind of Christian are you? Humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? Attitude determines altitude! God isn’t here just to keep you out of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:17

Denomination: Baptist

Can These Dry Bones Live Again?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jan 1, 2024

How many dry bones can we find in our lives and in our churches?

I have a bone to pick with you. In the valley of dry bones, we can learn something about ourselves and our local churches. Let us take a moment to find out what these dry bones can tell us. Some Bible scholars, theologians, teachers, or preachers may say that the translation of this chapter ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God's Greatest Gift

Contributed by Fred Sigle on Dec 20, 2007

Christmas Sermon. Along with Jesus come the gifts of Love, Joy, and Peace.

GOD’S GREATEST GIFT A. Christmas can be a STRESSFUL time of year, especially if you, like many of us, wait until the last minute to BUY your GIFTS. 1. The song says, "Tis the season to be jolly," but have you been to WALL MART? ILLUSTRATION: My family and I have gone Christmas SHOPPING at ...read more

Scripture: John 3:16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"i Was Glad When They Said Unto Me, "let Us Go Into The House Of The Lord."

Contributed by Christopher Arch on May 16, 2020

I preached this sermon our first Sunday back to worship after the Covid pandemic.

Title: “I Was Glad When They Said Let Us Go to the House of the Lord. Script: Psalm 122 Type: Expos./Event Where: 5-17-20 Intro: What brings you joy? This is a personal question and I am sure there are a variety of answers. For some it is a relationship or upcoming wedding. For some, it ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

If Heaven Ain't A Lot Like Iowa

Contributed by Rev Ken Shedenhelm on Jun 20, 2013

The joy and love and peace that awaits us in heaven is beyond our imagination! It supersedes anything we have known on earth.

People often ask me about heaven. Will my grandpa and grandma be there? Will they be the same age- will they like the same things they like(d) on earth? How about my little poodle, "Itty Bit"? Will my pets and my friends be in heaven? From time to time, I am asked these questions and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 20:27-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Elijah's Last Words Before He Left This Earth Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Oct 31, 2024

Elijah received word from the LORD that it was time for him to go to Heaven. This message speaks of Elijah's last words before he took that journey to Heaven.

Introduction: Elijah was one of only two humans to ever leave this earth without dying. The only other was Enoch, who “. . . walked with God: and he was not; for God took him (Genesis 5:24, KJV)”. Full disclosure, I believe in the pre-tribulation rapture position, meaning, that according to 1 ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 2:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Choosing To Rejoice! Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Jun 16, 2016

This is the second sermon in this series on the Fruit Of The Spirit.

Fruit of The Spirit – Joy Choosing to Rejoice! Today we continue our series on the fruit of the Spirit. Let us go ahead and read our text: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Desert Will Rejoice: Finding Joy In God's Promise An Advent Sermon On Isaiah 35:1-10

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 12, 2025

During Advent, we wait. We prepare. And sometimes, if we're honest, we wonder if the waiting will ever end. Isaiah's audience was familiar with the concept of waiting.

Introduction During Advent, we wait. We prepare. And sometimes, if we're honest, we wonder if the waiting will ever end. Isaiah's audience knew something about waiting. Exiled, discouraged, surrounded by spiritual desert—they needed a word of hope. And God gave them not just hope, but a ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

How To Understand Death On This Side Of Eternity Series

Contributed by Grant Adams on Apr 24, 2024

Only as we include God and His Word can we have peace and hope. Psalm 116:15, “Precious in the sight of the Lord.”

Paul spoke of our future home in 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, 6-8. Jesus spoke about our home in Heaven in John 14:1-6. I have often said, “Life is a continual adjustment, but not for the deceased.” They have made their last adjustment. Hebrews 9:27 says, “Once to die…” I wonder how many adjustments Martha ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 9:27, 2 Corinthians 5:1-2, John 14:1-6

Denomination: Baptist