Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

Banana Of Joy Series

Contributed by James Westervelt on Nov 21, 2001

Joy can be defined as: "Inner happiness, which is not dependent on outward circumstances." The O.T. word "simchah" means "gladness of heart," the NT word, "chara" means "inner delight."

THE BANANA OF JOY I). WHAT is Joy? 2). HOW is Joy Expressed? 3). HOW is Joy Developed? I. WHAT IS JOY? Joy can be defined as: "Inner happiness, which is not dependent on outward circumstances." The O.T. word "simchah" means "gladness of heart," the NT word, "chara" means ...read more

Scripture: John 16:22, Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Joy Of Freedom

Contributed by Scottie Pitts on Nov 23, 2001

Jesus has come to set us free from all of our prisons

The Joy of Freedom Colossians 1:13-14 On November 18, eight U.S. christian aid workers were released from a jail in Afghanastan. They had been imprisoned for three months by the Taliban for the crime of converting Muslims to christianity. I can only imagine what it must have been like for ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 1:13-14

Denomination: Methodist

Joy In The Desert

Contributed by Daryl Bahn on Dec 15, 2001

3rd Sunday in Advent, Year A; The world is looking for the kind of joy God has promised us in Christ, but it is a deeper joy than just saying, "Don’t worry, be happy!"

"The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom. Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy. The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the LORD, the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 35:1-10, Matthew 11:2-6

Denomination: Lutheran

Joy Unspeakable

Contributed by Robert Simmons on Feb 27, 2002

Explore the theme of the "JOY" in the book of Philippians.

Scripture correlates joy with spiritual strength. This relationship is evident in Paul’s epistle to the Philippians. Paul, while facing adversity and imprisonment, maintained a robust faith in God. The strength of Paul’s faith is evidenced by his joy and rejoicing, and his commands to rejoice. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1

Denomination: Church Of God

The Gift Of Joy Series

Contributed by Garth Wehrfritz- Hanson on Dec 6, 2003

An Advent sermon on the gift of joy that comes from Jesus our Saviour.

Sermon for III Advent, Yr C 14/12/2003 Based on Zephaniah 3:14-20 Grace Lutheran Church, Medicine Hat, Alberta By Pastor Garth Wehrfritz-Hanson “The Gift Of Joy” On one occasion, a pastor asked one of his parishioners: “Do you believe in the hereafter?” The parishioner replied: “You bet I do. I ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Denomination: Lutheran

Retrieving The Joy

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 21, 2003

A message dealing with coming out of those periods of "blue funk" that we all go through sometimes!

Retrieving the Joy Various Scriptures October 4, 2003 Introduction Everyone gets down sometimes. Everyone gets dry, spiritually sometimes. Everyone, at one time or another just seems to lose the joy and wonderment they once had in their relationship with God. I am with you on that. I have ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:17

Denomination: Wesleyan

Walking In Joy Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Oct 23, 2003

This is the 11th study in the study "Light In The Darkness".

WALKING IN JOY 2 John 1:1-13 In a world of pain, misery, corruption, etc…; how does a Christian find joy in their Christian walk? 2 John helps us answer this question. This letter, which is addressed to the “chosen lady and her children”, is thought by some to be the cover letter to 1 John ...read more

Scripture: 2 John 1:1-13

Denomination: Baptist

Joy In The Shadowlands

Contributed by Kathy Findley on Oct 25, 2003

The premise of this sermon is that even in the midst of life’s sorrow, there is a depth of joy that abides within us.

Advent III – Joy Luke 2:26-55 In the wonderfully reflective book entitled, The Prophet, one can contemplate these words: The woman questioned the one she called Prophet of God, saying: “Speak to us now of Joy and Sorrow”. And he answered: The same well from which you laughter rises was ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:26-55

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of Sacrifice Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Feb 3, 2003

The sacrifice of Christ made our salvation a full and free gift; our personal sacrifice is the joyful response that makes ministry possible.

February 2, 2003 1Now the leaders of the people lived in Jerusalem, but the rest of the people cast lots to bring one out of ten to live in Jerusalem, the holy city, while nine-tenths remained in the other cities. 2And the people blessed all the men who volunteered to live in Jerusalem. Nehemiah ...read more

Denomination: United Methodist

"Developing Joy" Series

Contributed by Matt Kyzer on Mar 26, 2003

Every Christian has the capacity to have "Joy" within his or her lives, Gal 5 tells me that. It tells me that "Joy" is a vital part of my make-up when I become a Christian and cannot be separated from my "Christian Character."

“Developing Joy” Gal 5:22, John 15:1ff Introduction: Last week we started our series "Developing Character" (PP#1) and tackled the issue of "Obedience" to God. If you remember I said that outside of obedience to God you are settling for second best in your life. We looked at three areas of ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22

Denomination: Baptist

Future Joy

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jun 23, 2002

We find joy by saturating our minds and hearts with the future promises of God.

This morning, I’d like to talk about joy. How does that statement make you feel? Hopeful? Glad? Or does it arouse feelings of apprehension? Joy is a funny topic. You would expect that people would enjoy hearing about joy; that they would welcome a discourse on such a positive topic. But I’ll bet ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Denomination: Baptist

Present Joy

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Jun 30, 2002

We find joy, not in circumstances, but in knowing and trusting in the present promises of God.

All of us desire to have joy in our lives. No matter what we call it – happiness, gladness, delight, good cheer – we would all like to experience more of it. As we are reminded on this Independence Day, the quest for joy is even enshrined in our Declaration of Independence as a God-given right: "We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Denomination: Baptist

Everlasting Joy

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Dec 18, 2003

No matter how you look at it, the gospel is good news of great joy. Do you have joy? Real Joy? Everlasting joy? What is joy? Why did the angel proclaim Christ’s birth as an occasion of great joy? How can you and I have everlasting joy?

EVERLASTING JOY LUKE 2:8-15 INTRODUCTION: Do not fear. For behold, I give to you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For to you is born today, in the city of David, a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11 MKJV) Arthur Gossip wrote, "The New Testament is the happiest ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-15

Denomination: Baptist

The Leap Of Joy

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Jan 6, 2004

A sermon for the 4th Sunday of Advent

Fourth Sunday Advent Luke 1: 39-45 (46-55) "The Leap of Joy"  39 ¶ In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a city of Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the babe leaped in her ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:39-55

Denomination: Lutheran

Joy At Work

Contributed by Dennis Bakke on Jan 31, 2006

Dennis Bakke’s Labor Day Sermon based on his New York Times bestselling book, JOY AT WORK.

Joy at Work A sermon preached by Dennis Bakke on Labor Day Sunday September 4, 2005 Falls Church Episcopal Church Falls Church, VA Dennis Bakke is the author of the New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller, JOY AT WORK: A Revolutionary Approach to Fun on the Job. He is the co-founder ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:14-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational