Sermons on unexpected joy:

Joy And Pain

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Feb 14, 2024

How are your current trials (pain) preparing you for not only what you need today (or tomorrow), but what others may need today (or tomorrow) as well? This is a quick devotional that will encourage believers to "reframe" their pain.

Joy and Pain What do the words joy and pain mean to us as believers? How is it that these words go together? James 1 is a place to start in considering these questions. “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3, Galatians 6:2, Romans 8:28

Joy In Sorrow Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Nov 16, 2023

In your sorrow, find joy in God, the Holy Spirit; find joy in the Resurrection of Christ, God’s Son; and find joy in prayer to your Heavenly Father.

There’s an old and ancient Chinese proverb which says, if you wish to be happy for one hour, get intoxicated. If you wish to be happy for three days, get married. If you wish to be happy for eight days, kill your pig and eat it. If you wish to be happy forever, learn to fish. (Chinese proverb, ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-33, John 14:26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Joy Of Giving

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Nov 12, 2022

The only way money can buy happiness is when you give it away. How can we do that and why does God think that we need to learn that practice in our lives?

(This sermon series is based on a book by Randy Alcorn entitled "The Treasure Principle) OPEN: Years ago, there was a comedian named Joan Rivers that said: “People say that money isn’t the key to happiness, but I always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made.” A ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 8:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Joy Of Christmas Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 7, 2022

To find real joy in a world in perma-crisis, worship the Christ of Christmas. Like the wise men, seek Him out, bow before him, and give Him your very best.

As people across the globe reel from one crisis to another, the Collins English Dictionary just last month (November 2022) revealed its 2022 word of the year: “permacrisis.” Harper Collins, the dictionary’s publisher, defines “permacrisis” as “an extended period of instability and insecurity, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12, Micah 5:2, James 4:6, Psalm 51:17

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Joy To The World Series

Contributed by Lalachan Abraham on Dec 18, 2022

When Jesus was born it wasn’t just some baby born in a manger, it was the revelation of all the glory of God Himself wrapped in flesh named Immanuel-God with us (Matt. 1:23)

Christmas is literally “the mass for Christ”, the day on which the world celebrates the birth of the Lord and saviour Jesus Christ. Our Calendar is built on the birth of the Lord Jesus (BC and AD) This birth was so monumental that it became the high point of history, the peak, the apex. All history ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Reality Of Joy

Contributed by Denn Guptill on May 28, 2023

What is Biblical Joy? Throughout the New Testament, we are encouraged to be joyful and to rejoice. But does that mean that we always have to be happy?

The question that Paul seems to be trying to answer for most of this passage of scripture is, how Jewish do you have to be to be a Christian? It was the question of whether or not Christians had to follow all of the Jewish regulations and guidelines was an ongoing debate throughout the New ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-11

Denomination: Wesleyan

The Joy Of Giving

Contributed by Gordon Curley on Aug 8, 2022

'The Joy of Giving' - 2 Corinthians chapter 9 verses 6-11 sermon by Gordon Curley (PowerPoint slides to accompany this talk are available on request – email: gcurley@gcurley.info)

SERMON OUTLINE: (1). Generous Sowing (vs 6) (2). Cheerful Giving (vs 7) (3). Abundant Blessing (vs 8-11) SERMON BODY: Ill: • The Inuit people live in the northern part of Alaska, • When missionaries first tried to translate the Bible into their language, • They found they had a problem with ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:6-11

Denomination: Brethren

The Joy Of Forgiveness Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Aug 11, 2022

Psalm 51 is the great Psalm of forgiveness and mercy. There is in this Psalm the tragic reality of sin and the realization of how sin separates us from God. This is the Psalm that David comes face to face with his sin.

The Joy of Forgiveness Psalm 51 The spark that started the fire of the first great awakening was a sermon delivered by Jonathan Edwards called, “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” When the Jonathan Edwards preached this sermon, you could almost not call it preaching. He read a manuscript ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:1-19

Denomination: Baptist

The Sources Of Joy

Contributed by Rev. Duraimony Dickson on Jan 21, 2023

There is a source of joy in the presence of the Lord, and there are a lot of secrets of joy in the house of the Lord.

He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the bridegroom’s voice. Therefore this joy of mine is fulfilled. - John 3:29 In both John chapter 1 & 3, John the Baptist is sharing his testimony about Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 3:29

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy In The Suffering

Contributed by Delray Lentz on Jan 25, 2023

Today we will be in the book of Colossians. About a month ago, something in Colossians caught my eye, that I wanted to share with you today. In the last month I’ve read Colossians several times. I’ve read it 5-6 times in the last week alone. I’m talking about all 4 chapters y’all!

This morning we’ll be looking at a particular passage in Colossians, and specifically one verse. Before we get started, I have to ask: • Did you read any scripture this past week for the first time, or • did you see familiar scripture with new eyes? • And equally, if not more important, did you ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:24-29, Acts 9:10-16

The Gift Of Joy Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 13, 2019

1) Joyful Pardon (Isaiah 12:1-3), responding with a 2) Joyful Proclamation (Isaiah 12:4-5) and finally because of the 3) Joyful Presence of the Messiah Himself (Isaiah 12:6).

ISAIAH 12:1–6 You will say in that day: “I will give thanks to you, O LORD, for though you were angry with me, your anger turned away, that you might comfort me. 2 “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the LORD GOD is my strength and my song, and he has become my ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 12:1-6

Denomination: Other

Joy To The World

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Nov 26, 2024

Joy to the world, the LORD is come

Joy to the World Psalm 98 Good Morning In 1719, English minister and hymnist Isaac Watts published his work titled, Psalms of David, along with the song he wrote titled, Joy to the World, which was a direct result of Psalm 98. The song “Joy to the World” is a deliberate Christological ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 98:1-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Inexpressible Joy

Contributed by Dr. Jonathan Vorce on Dec 1, 2024

This kind of joy is not rooted in the absence of struggle or challenges but springs from a deeper place—a place anchored in God's promises. Today, we will explore this profound joy, its foundation, its vast greatness, and how it can be truly ours.

1 Peter 1:6-9 Introduction A Kid Anticipating Christmas Use the excitement of a child counting down to Christmas morning. The child’s joy isn’t just about the day arriving; it’s about the hope and anticipation of what the day will bring. Similarly, our joy in Christ is grounded in the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-9

Denomination: Church Of God

Joy To The World Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Dec 19, 2024

Christmas brings a lot of stress: emotional, financial, decorations, gifts, gatherings, travel. Have you ever been tempted to skip it? 

JOY TO THE WORLD Luke 2:1-20 Introduction Christmas brings a lot of stress: emotional, financial, decorations, gifts, gatherings, travel. Have you ever been tempted to skip it? John Grisham’s Skipping Christmas was made into a movie called Christmas With the Kranks. The lesson ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy To The World Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Dec 27, 2024

Christians often sing "Joy To The World" as a Christmas carol... but that's not what Isaac Watts wanted to sing about when he first wrote the song. Why did Watts write this song, and what can that mean for us?

Back in the 1700s, there was a man who wrote hymns… a lot of hymns (nearly 750 songs during his lifetime). He was a very famous and popular song writer in his day – and his name was Isaac Watts. He wrote a several songs that are still being sung today and we’re going to sing a few of them… a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:3-14, Psalm 98:4-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ