Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

A Heart Of Gratitude

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Aug 23, 2025

Why we should be Worshiping with joy and thanksgiving in every season. Things we can do that would enable us to worship with Joy

There’s a story about a man who spent most of his days complaining about life. The bills kept piling up, his car stayed in the shop more than in the driveway, and the weather seemed to always be working against him. Every conversation seemed to circle back to how bad things were. One day, a ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Can't Keep Good News Down

Contributed by Mark Wood on Mar 14, 2006

Dr. Wood shows his audience that in the midst of problems the good news of Jesus Christ cannot be held back. God uses three groups to get the good news out. The unexpected, the unsuspected and the undeflected.

The council that had convened was prepared to kill the disciples. God had miraculously freed them from the prison and they returned right back to doing what the temple rulers had told them not to do The Good news was too good to keep it to themselves. Verse 33 There were some that were ready to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:33-42

Denomination: Baptist

And The Lord Made Me Laugh Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Jan 21, 2025

The joy of the Lord has the power to turn sorrow into laughter and despair into hope. When we look at the story of Sarah, we see a God who turned her years of barrenness into joy, so profound that she proclaimed, “God has made me laugh.”

Title: AND THE LORD MADE ME LAUGH By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Genesis 21:6 Supporting Texts: Psalm 126:1-3, Job 8:21, Luke 1:13-14 INTRODUCTION: The joy of the Lord has the power to turn sorrow into laughter and despair into hope. When we look at the story of Sarah, we see a God who turned ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:6, Psalm 126:1-3, Job 8:21, Luke 1:13-14

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Hope Springs Eternal Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on May 11, 2020

The hope that Jesus has to offer us is “living” or “eternal” hope. Our hope doesn’t stop at the grave because our lives don’t stop at the grave, amen?

He called me “Peter” … His “Rock.” Some “rock” I turned out to be. How many times did He try to warn us? As recently as two weeks ago, He tried to explain to us what would happen when we reached Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. What He said would happen was just too horrible to believe … ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9, Luke 24:38-39, Luke 24:44, Revelation 21:4

Denomination: United Methodist

The Significant Life Losing All To Gain Christ

Contributed by Billy Ricks on Jan 1, 2011

Paul's letter to the Philippians has many themes but one of the most important is that of joy. 17 times joy is mentioned and 51 times Jesus. Joy comes in connection with close personal relationship with Jesus. Our churches are called to a hope and a fu

Intro: What a wonderful letter. What a note to begin the New Year on. Rejoice in the Lord! Seventeen times in this letter Paul speaks about joy. In relation to this joy he speaks personally about Jesus Christ at least 51 times. The source of Joy is an ongoing growing relationship with Jesus. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Nine Ways To Bet The Farm Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Oct 14, 2002

The joy and excitement of laying it all on the line for Christ.

October 13, 2002 1And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the king, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the king. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. 2Wherefore the king said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 2:1-20

Denomination: United Methodist

The Purpose Of Paul's Writing

Contributed by Michael Stover on Oct 18, 2000

I. Call to Joy I (1) A.

I. Call to Joy I (1) A. Repeated call 1. Prevalent theme in book a. ‘Joy’ – 6X b. ‘Rejoice’ – 8X B. Basis of joy - ‘brethren’ C. Scope of our joy 1. ‘In the Lord’ 2. Over 130X in NT 3. 9X in Philippians II. Warning Against Judaisers (2) A. Beware of dogs 1. Word used as a metaphor for person ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

What Is Your Delight?

Contributed by Chris Cromwell on Mar 8, 2004

This sermon is about finding joy in the word of God.

THEME: THERE IS HAPPINESS IN THE WORD OF GOD SUBJECT: WHAT IS YOUR DELIGHT? By Chris Cromwell Background Scrip Psalm 1 Text Psalms 1:1,2 “1 Blessed is the man that walk not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 1:1-2, Psalm 1:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

I Gave At The Office Series

Contributed by Ken Sirmans on Apr 14, 2003

Find the joy in giving that the Philippian church discovered.

I Gave At The Office Philippians 4:10-23 I have on the platform today some items that will help us with today’s topic. When you see this red bucket, what do you think of? You probably think of someone standing outside a store during the Christmas season ringing a bell. What does that person ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Baptist

Kindness – The Serving Fruit

Contributed by Jim Kane on Nov 10, 2003

Kindness is love, joy, peace, and patience in action.

Introduction: (Overhead 1) Steve Sjogren’s story of he and the store manager in his book Servant Warfare. “You’re what?” “I have a mind to call the cops.” “If it makes you feel good – go ahead.” “Would someone like me, fit in?” “ Yes, you would!” He goes on to say, “This woman had probably spent ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 9:1-13

Denomination: Church Of God

A Quincenera

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on May 3, 2008

Coming of age brings responsibility as well as joy!

Only in America can a pastor with a German name do a Hispanic "bat mitzvah." I even welcomed folks in Spanish. Only one sentence but they seemed impressed. This was "milder" version of the tradition but I think it would be good if the Anglos developed a ceremony for boys ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 13:11, Numbers 6:24-26, Proverbs 31:29-31, Psalm 127:3, Ecclesiastes 12:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

Be Elated Series

Contributed by Charles Cockroft on Mar 17, 2008

Biblical joy is not a simple feeling but a frame of mind

“BE ELATED!” TEXT: 1 Thess. 5:16 One of the 3 great promises of the Declaration of Independence (i.e. "Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”) is the pursuit of happiness ... or joy. Biblical joy goes far beyond mere happiness ... in fact it is much greater than simple happiness! For ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Denomination: Assembly Of God

How Does God Respond To Repentance?

Contributed by Johnny Moore on Jul 16, 2011

God is active in restoring us to the joy of salvation.

I. God Shows Compassion (20) A. He sees us from afar (he recognized his son thru the rags and filth) B.He loves us no matter what (compassion or pity) C. He comes to us (son walked, father ran) D. He is willing to restores us (hugged and kissed his son) II. God Responds to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:20-24

Denomination: Baptist

The Feast Of Purim Series

Contributed by Chris Surber on Oct 20, 2009

God has turned our sorrow into joy!

The Feast of Purim, Esther 9:18-27 (Jewish Feasts-2) Introduction A thirty-eight-year-old scrubwoman (cleaning lady) would go to the movies and sigh, “If only I had her looks.” She would listen to a singer and moan, “If only I had her voice.” Then one day someone gave her a copy of the book, The ...read more

Scripture: Esther 9:18-27

Denomination: Christian Church

How Jesus Helps Us Get Off The Mat Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on May 23, 2014

Good News, Dancing in Joy, Friendship, Compassion

Mark 2:1-12 (p. 700) May 25, 2014 Introduction: As you know, and if you don’t here’s a reminder, one of my favorite books is Mike Yaconelli’s “Messy Spirituality.” He ends chapter two which is called, “The place where our messiness meets Jesus” ...read more

Scripture: Mark 2:1-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ