Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

Resurrection Joy! Series

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Mar 11, 2016

We are going to go through a couple chapters of Scripture from the Gospel of John that takes us from the crucifixion of Jesus to His resurrection from the grave.

A quote from C.S. Lewis says, “Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition, when infinite joy is offered to us…like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in the slum because he ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

God, You Want Me To Do What? Series

Contributed by Scott Chambers on Apr 9, 2013

This is the fourth message in a series based on Moses and shows that being God's man is never easy. This message examines how God often calls us out of our comfort zones.

The majority of us would agree that failure is quite unpleasant. In fact failure often causes guilt and ultimately shame. Guilt and shame have the ability to paralyze us, make us feel unworthy and believe that God could never use us. These feelings often cause us to respond to God in three negative ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

To Touch God Lesson 1 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 6, 2019

What does it mean to touch/encounter God

All Scripture quoted in this lesson is from The Bible by Jesus unless otherwise noted A. What Does It Mean To Touch/Encounter God? 1. You intentionally meet or encounter God. 2. In a time of great need. 3. Through unexpected circumstances. 4. When God reveals something about Himself (or His plan ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 18:1, Exodus 33:18, Judges 6:10

Denomination: Baptist

Surprise: It's Not What I Expected

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jun 15, 2018

Life does not always happen the way we plan it or expect it to follow. We have to remember that God's plan is for us to decrease so that Jesus might increase. We Look at the life of John the Baptist

Surprise--It’s Not What I Expected by Rick Gillespie-Mobley Ecclesiastes 9:11-12 Luke 1:5-25 and 1:57-66 6/10/2018 Text Matthew 11:1-11:11 Surprised, It’s Not What I Expected! Have you ever been surprised, but in a negative sort of way. Your hopes got really high for something, but when it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Can I Say? A Graveside Service

Contributed by Perry Greene on Dec 6, 2021

What do we do or say when someone is taken from us unexpecrtedly?

There are times that we don’t know what to say. This is one of those times. ___ died unexpectedly and we are speechless. • We don’t understand why this happened. • We can speculate but we don’t know. • We are left frustrated, angry, and sorrowful. Words seem inadequate, even well-intentioned ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:26-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What To Say When We Don't Know What To Say - Funeral Sermon

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jun 30, 2021

When someone passes away unexpectedly, we often are left without knowing what to say. Through the story of Lazarus' death, we can see some things we can say when we do not know what to say.

“What to Say When You Don’t Know What to Say” Introduction There are not many times when I am left speechless. I’m often told that I have a tendency to not be quiet and listen — that I actually talk too much. When I first heard of Debbie’s passing, however, I found myself without words to say. ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-36, John 14:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Ehud

Contributed by Austin Lamos on May 23, 2019

This Sermon is about the story of Ehud, an early judge of the tribes of Israel. Through the story of Ehud we learn that God can enter into our scenarios so that we can be delivered, and that God often delivers people in unexpected ways.

Ehud Joshua 3:15-30 - 12 Again the Israelites did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and because they did this evil the LORD gave Eglon king of Moab power over Israel. 13 Getting the Ammonites and Amalekites to join him, Eglon came and attacked Israel, and they took possession of the City of Palms.[a] ...read more

Scripture: Judges 3:12-30

Denomination: Nazarene

Joy Overflowing Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Dec 12, 2022

Joy is the inevitable result for the one who is obedient to the will of the Living God.

“Mary said, ‘My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Joy 3: A Joy That Is Full Series

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Mar 6, 2021

In Part 3 of this series we examine what it will take to have a joy that is full. This is the joy that God desires for us to have - but do we really want it bad enough to do what it takes to get it?

The Power of Joy – Part 3 A Joy That Is Full Scripture: Second Corinthians 6:10; 1 John 1:1-4; John 5:19, 39 Last week a program was aired about the race riots that took place in my hometown of Columbia, Tennessee 75 years ago. The book, “No More Social Lynchings” by Robert Ikard also ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:10, 1 John 1:1-4, John 5:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Advent Joy - A Visionary View Of Joy Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 10, 2023

On this third Sunday of Advent, we turn our hearts to the theme of joy — a joy that transcends circumstances and finds its roots in the anticipation of the Lord's coming.

A Visionary View of Joy Dear friends, on this third Sunday of Advent, we turn our hearts to the theme of joy — a joy that transcends circumstances and finds its roots in the anticipation of the Lord's coming. Today, our hearts are drawn to the transformative power of joy as we explore ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-5, Philippians 4:6

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Joys Of Prison

Contributed by David Dewitt on Dec 14, 2000

An examination of true Christian joy

The Joys of Prison Philippians 1:3-11 October 25, 1998 Morning Service INTRODUCTION I. The Prescription for a Joyless Life 1. Make little things bother you: don’t just let them, make them! 2. Lose your perspective of things, and keep it lost. Don’t put first things first. 3. Get yourself a good ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Church Of God

The Leap Of Joy

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Dec 19, 2000

A sermon for the Fourth Sunday in Advent

Our gospel lesson this morning, is the story of two pregnant women, Mary and Elizabeth, Mary who was pregnant with baby Jesus and Elizabeth who was pregnant with John who later was called, John the Baptist. Mary went to see Elizabeth after she found out from the angel concerning the child who was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-45

Denomination: Lutheran

Praying With Joy! Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Dec 20, 2000

Is prayer a first response to you? Or is it a last resort? Do you pray in an attitude of gratitude? Or are you always grumbling? When you pray, do you make sure that God receives the glory, & not you?

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK This morning I would like for us to go back nearly 2,000 years to the city of Rome. It is an exciting time to be in Rome, a metropolis of gladiators, chariots, & palaces. But we’re not going to stop at the coliseum or ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of The Lord

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 22, 2000

The Joy of the Lord is our strength...where will we find it?

Morning Message December 17, 2000 Central Church of Christ John Dobbs THE JOY OF THE LORD Nehemiah 8 Introduction: 1. Robert Louis Stevenson once entered in his diary what he considered to be an extraordinary thing. He said, "I have been to Church today, and (Surprisingly) I am not depressed." ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of The Lord

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Dec 30, 2000

Joy is the result of knowing who we are and whose we are, discovering the will of God in His Word, and coming to repentance and the discovery of grace.

Watergate not only holds a prominent place in American politics, it holds a prominent place in biblical history. One involves coverup and deception, the other involves repentance and honesty. The story of the Bible’s Water Gate is found in the book of Nehemiah. Nehemiah was the cupbearer of the ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:1-10

Denomination: Methodist