Sermons on The Progess Of Joy:

Bitter To Better Part 1

Contributed by Tom Owen on Mar 12, 2008

Getting rid of bitterness

Bitter to Better part 1 [Coffee demonstration.] Sometimes our lives become like a black cup of coffee. Sometimes we find ourselves, for one reason or another, [2] bitter. Just bitter at life. Do you ever find yourself like that? Do you ever feel like you need a little cream and sugar in your ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:31-32

Denomination: Baptist

Bitter To Better Part 2

Contributed by Tom Owen on Mar 12, 2008

Letting go of bitterness

Bitter to Better part 2 [2] Last week we started talking about how to go from bitter to better. If bitterness has crept into your life, there is a way to alleviate the pain. There is a way to get better. Last week we focused on what to do when another person has caused the pain and bitterness ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Baptist

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

Be Joyful Always Series

Contributed by James Jack on Nov 29, 2007

The key to being joyful always and being thankful in all circumstances is to humbly rely on God.

A few weeks ago James Rogers, our senior minister, spoke about songs he hated. I’ve got a number of songs I hate. I can’t really share them with you now because they’ve normally got some sort of profanity in the title as well as in the lyrics themselves. Then there’s the songs that I just can’t get ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Anglican

Rejoice In The Lord's Promises

Contributed by Timm Meyer on Dec 19, 2007

Advent 3(B) - Rejoice in the Lord’s promises of freedom and gladness.

REJOICE IN THE LORD’S PROMISES (Outline) December 16, 2007 - ADVENT 3 - Isaiah 61:1-3 INTRO: At different times and in different places the Lord finds it necessary to give believers certain directives for their lives. This is necessary because as believers we do not always do what ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 61:1-3

Denomination: Lutheran

Is It Bragging Or Praising?

Contributed by Tony Abram on Dec 20, 2007

Is it Bragging or Praising? We are living in a day when many people are lovers of self rather than lovers of God. People love themselves but forget to love God and their neighbor. In this outline we share a few types of bragging and praising examples.

Is it Bragging or Praising? We are living in a day when many people are lovers of self rather than lovers of God. People love themselves but forget to love God and their neighbor. In this outline we share a few types of bragging and praising examples. I know myself that I rather hear praise ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 2:3

"Hallelujah!” – A Word For Every Occasion

Contributed by Daniel Habben on Dec 31, 2007

Because of God’s great love for us, we can say "Hallelujah!" no matter what we’re facing in life.

How do you identify a Canadian? If you’re traveling outside the country, you’ll easily recognize the college student from the U of A, the office worker from Ottawa, and the family from Fernie by the “patch” – that Canadian flag sewn on backpacks hoisted by just about everyone who hails from the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 146:1-10

Denomination: Lutheran

Learning Lessons From A Leper

Contributed by Ben Peak on Jan 3, 2008

Who would have thought that we could learn a lesson from a leper? And who would have thought that the lesson we would learn from him would be in the area of gratitude? But somehow the leper in this story today teaches us three important lessons about th

Thanksgiving is a wonderful time of the year. Families gather together for what may be the one time they do so that year. School lets out for a few days. You get a paid day off of work. The fall is here in full force. It’s a great day to sit and watch some football or get out and play some. ...read more

Scripture: Luke 17:11-19

Denomination: Holiness

Joyful, Prayerful, Thankful Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Oct 22, 2007

God has specific plans for your life, but our priority is following His broader will which reflects His desire for every believer. Paul informs us that is is God’s will that we practice three habits; when we do, they have positive consequences on our

Joyful, Prayerful, Thankful (I Thessalonians 5:16-18) 1. A young fellow by the name of Sammy liked to hang out at Mom and Pop’s Grocery Store. Pop didn’t know what Sammy’s problem was, but the other boys would tease him all the?time, calling him Slow Sammy, and punching him on the shoulder as they ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Lazy, Hazy Day Series

Contributed by Bobby Daniel on Oct 27, 2007

Sermon #4 in a series about joy from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. Previously preached for another congregation, but reworked and retooled for this series.

A lazy, hazy day Phil 4:10-23 Goal: How to find contentment and peace so that we can enjoy life. Intro: I grew up in South Louisiana…less than a 20 mile distance from the Gulf of Mexico…and more often than not the weather could be described as hot and humid. Obviously the heat and humidity would ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Baptist

Descending Into Greatness Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

Putting others before ourselves will bring us to our knees. Learning to give ourselves away is also the first step to a deeper experience of true joy.

There is something that stirs deeply within us when a man or woman gives up their life for another. A few decades ago Roger Rosenblatt wrote a moving tribute in Time Magazine. It was about a passenger on Air Florida Flight 90 that crashed into the Potomac River. The nameless 50-some-year old man ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Working Out Our Salvation Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

Scripture teaches the Christian life involves both God’s sovereignty and human responsibility. It’s not one or the other; it’s both.

From the earliest days of the church, the relationship between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of believers has been debated. Is the Christian life essentially a matter of passive trust or of active obedience? Is it all God’s doing, all the believer’s doing, or a combination of both? ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Get Risky For God Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 30, 2007

We all need someone who can speak truth into our lives, whatever the cost. We also need to be that someone for another friend. Such relationships, based on hearts united in Christ, form bonds that allow us to risk great things for God.

Introduction I don’t know about you, but it’s easy for me to forget that the letters in the New Testament were first written as real letters. They deal with real life and real people—but I can forget that. I mean I don’t write letters that sound anything like Paul’s letter to the church in Rome! My ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:19-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Highest Priority Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a short or a long time, it’s good to take stock of your goals and priorities.

Introduction Many of the New Testament letters were written to address problems in the churches. A good illustration is 1 Corinthians when Paul offers counsel on issues like division in the church, immorality, lawsuits among believers, spiritual gifts and the resurrection. 1 Corinthians deals with ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Ultimate Endgame Series

Contributed by Steve Bond on Oct 31, 2007

Nobody’s perfect. The words are both true and of some comfort. But as Christ followers the Good News is far better. Jesus is perfect. and if we pursue him passionately, that rubs off on us in this life.

Introduction Billy Graham is now in his late 80’s and he suffers from Parkinson’s disease. His worldwide evangelism ministry has spanned more than sixty years. Awhile back, Billy was invited to speak at a luncheon in North Carolina. After many wonderful things were said about him, Billy stepped to ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible