Sermons on The Progess Of Joy:

Been There, Done That, Got The T-Shirt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 9, 2001

This sermon was done while peeling off T-shirts, one by one. The focus is that the presence of the Lord in our lives, as an active participant, drives out cynicism and preserves our joy.

I wish I had bought stock in the T-shirt industry. Of the making of souvenir T-shirts there is no end. People are using T-shirts to send all sorts of messages. Some T-shirts advertise products. Some T-shirts identify the work places. Some focus on the club memberships. And then some T-shirts ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

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

Fruit Of The Spirit - Joy - Part 2

Contributed by Jason Frazier on Nov 6, 2001

Talks about what it means to have joy. Includes an exhaustive outline on every reason the Bible gives to have joy. A great resource & encouragement for pastors

TEXT: Galatians 5:22-25 The Fruit of the Spirit - Part 2: Joy Last week, we started this series on the Fruit of the Spirit as we talked about “Love.” We talked about the different Greek words for love & their differences. There is so much attention paid to love & its variations. However, as we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

He Worshipped

Contributed by Richard Rutledge on Nov 20, 2001

Job’s first reaction to the devastating news of his servants was to worship.

Job 1:13-20 Text: He Worshipped Perhaps of all the accounts given us in Scripture, few paints a more vivid picture of total devastation and tragedy as the story of Job. Most of you are familiar with this passage but for the benefit of those who may not be, let me share a little background. Job ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Rejoice In The Lord / Put No Confidence In The Flesh Series

Contributed by Paul Apple on Jul 14, 2001

REJOICING IN CHRIST MEANS TURNING OUR BACK ON EVERYTHING THAT WOULD EXALT OUR FLESH

BIG IDEA: REJOICING IN CHRIST MEANS TURNING OUR BACK ON EVERYTHING THAT WOULD EXALT OUR FLESH I. (:1) REMEMBER THE COMMAND A. Point of Emphasis -- "Finally, my brethren" Carson: "What Paul is doing is picking up the theme of rejoicing he introduced in 2:17-18." Gromacki: "… designates an abrupt ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-7

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Happy Or Unhappy - Your Choice Series

Contributed by Steve Malone on Oct 19, 2006

In this message we are going to talk about 6 choices that you can make every day, choices that will help you build a happy attitude.

THE AWESOME POWER OF ATTITUDE PT 3 "HAPPY OR UNHAPPY, YOUR CHOICE" "CHOICES & BY-PRODUCTS This our 3rd message on attitude... In our first message we discussed such things as: How your attitude reveals the real you (remember the jar of water with the loose lid?); we also talked about how ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Jumping In The New Series

Contributed by Jake Kircher on Nov 6, 2006

Jesus offers us a new life through a relationship with Him. How are you responding to that newness?

Tonight, I would like to start off by talking about a simple word – “new.” What comes to your minds and what do you think about when you see or hear this word? • Births • CD/Movie releases • Car • Fad • Wedding • Second chances What emotions are usually associated with these things? I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:14-17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Worry Be Happy

Contributed by Greg Cooper on Nov 8, 2006

We can get up everyday and face the day and what ever it brings with out losing our joy.

TITLE: DON’T WORRY BE HAPPY TEXT: I PETER 1:8 INTRO: A lot of people just cannot seem to shake the blues. Depression sets in on their lives and nothing seems to be able to pull them out. Every time you see them they have something that has gone wrong in their lives. We have a reason to be happy. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:8

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rejoice! Seven Words To Live By

Contributed by Don Jones on Nov 11, 2006

Message focuses on how we can be joyful in this world. (Thanksgiving Message)

Rejoice! Seven Words to Live By Philippians 4:4-9 Pastor Don Jones Introduction The last few weeks we have been looking at God’s Word concerning the abundant life. Stand on the solid rock Jesus Christ, love the Lord, love others, and today rejoice. Philippians 4:4 says, Rejoice in the Lord ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-9

Denomination: Baptist

When Things Go Wrong

Contributed by Lee Henry on Nov 15, 2006

This sermon explores why we can "count it joy" when we have difficulties.

When Things Go Wrong James 1:2-4 Introduction: Have you ever heard someone say, “If you were just a better Christian, then you wouldn’t have all these troubles.” Well, if you haven’t discovered it already, I am here to tell you that being a Christian does not make you immune to problems and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ