Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

"A-Life" In Christ

Contributed by Stephen Becker on Oct 13, 2007

Through our salvation in Christ, we are made alive in Him. Through His death, we find our life. Not only are we made alive through Christ’s death, but we begin a new life in Him, thus making us "A-life" in Christ. The sermon explores what it means to

“A-Life” in Christ Colossians 2:6-15 Stephen H. Becker, M.Div. St. Peter’s Lutheran Church July 29, 2007 9th Sunday After Pentecost Friends, you and I are alive and have “a-life” in Christ! In our reading today from Colossians, the Apostle Paul is writing to the Christians in the young Church ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-15

Denomination: Lutheran

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 Thankful Spirit Series

Contributed by Bart Leger on Jul 27, 2007

Why do people serve God? People serve the Lord from many motives. We will start by learning the thankful spirit.

The Marks of True Spiritual Service 1 A Thankful Spirit Why do people serve God? People serve the Lord from many motives. Some serve out of legalistic effort, as a means of earning salvation and God’s favor. Some serve the Lord for fear that, if they do not, they will incur His disfavor and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 1:8

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

Celebrate And Live Your Faith

Contributed by Mark Aarssen on Sep 26, 2008

Do you have joy in your life? Not happiness or contentment but joy. Is there a wellspring in you that overflows every now and then with praise for God, praise for what Jesus has done with you as a person.

Celebrate and Live Your Faith Reading - Leviticus 23:1-14 Study – Chapter 23 Are you the kind of person that gets excited about belonging to Jesus? Do you find there are times in your life when you celebrate your faith rather than live it? Maybe my questions confuse you. After all we are all ...read more

Scripture: Leviticus 23:1-44

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Joyride - Pt. 4 - Check Your Oil!

Contributed by Steve Ely on Aug 24, 2013

We have the right to pursue happiness. However, we soon discover that happiness is fleeting. Joy is better, but how do you find, obtain and keep it?

Joyride - Pt. 4 – Check Your Oil I. Introduction Hold on. Close your eyes. Clinch your teeth and perhaps your cheeks. The roller coaster called life can spin you and turn you inside out. Jesus boards this ride of life and makes us one of the greatest promises next to salvation! We read that ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 1:8-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

A Time To Rejoice PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 13, 2023

Explores the meaning of rejoicing in the Lord, even in times of hardship.

Good morning, dear friends. It's a joy to gather with you today in the spirit of fellowship and shared faith, as we turn our hearts and minds to the word of God. We are here to reflect, to learn, and to grow in our understanding of His divine message. I am reminded of a quote by the eminent ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Topics: Joy

Finding Joy In The Prison Cell Of Pain PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 16, 2023

This sermon explores finding unwavering joy in all circumstances, inspired by Apostle Paul's joyful spirit despite adversity. Key

Welcome, dear friends. We gather here today, united in faith, bound by love, and driven by the desire to understand God's word. We are all here, in this moment, under the same roof, sharing the same hope. In this sermon, we are going to look at a passage from Philippians. A passage that speaks of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Topics: Joy

I Can't Keep It PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Dec 13, 2023

This sermon explores the joy found in obedience to God's will and fellowship, as exemplified by Mary and Elizabeth in the announcement of Jesus.

Good morning, beloved family of faith, I am so glad that we are gathered here today under the banner of His love. We are here, not by accident, but by divine appointment. It's a wonderful day to bask in the light of God's Word, to let its truth seep into our hearts, and to allow it to transform us ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-38

Topics: Joy

Wedding In Cana PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Encourage believers to experience joy through obedience to God, witnessing His miracles, and trusting in His abundant provision, as exemplified in the story of Jesus turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana.

Good morning, church family. Today, we are diving into John chapter 2, a chapter that is brimming with joy. It's a joy that comes from obedience, from witnessing miracles, and from experiencing abundance. As author Matthew Henry once said, "The joy of the Lord will arm us against the assaults of ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-11

Topics: Joy