Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

Let Your Soul Dance Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Feb 12, 2022

John, Mary, Jesus. Would any of us doubt that they were blessed, blessed by their faith in the enduring presence and redemption of God?

Sixth Sunday in Course year C There is a very unexpected expression in today’s reading from St. Luke. The most literal translation reads: Blessed are you when men hate you, and when they exclude you and revile you, and cast out your name as evil, on account of the Son of man! Rejoice in that ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 17:5-8, Psalm 1:1-4, Luke 6:17-26, Luke 1:40-42, Matthew 3:4, Luke 2:34-35  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Catholic

Jesus Had A Sense Of Humor Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 16, 2021

The heavenly Father of Jesus has a great sense of humor and a spirit of joy, and Jesus is the express image of the Father and so we can assume that Jesus had the same joy and gladness of His Father.

A funny thing happened to Jesus on the way to heaven. He met people, and as we all know, people are funny. Jesus was a real person as well, and he had a great sense of humor. I am so sure of this that I wrote a poem about it. Jesus had a sense of humor, Of this truth there is no doubt. It is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 10:21

The Lost Son

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 14, 2015

In the light of a recent mass murder in the US, this message speaks of the consoling and redeeming love of God, express in the parable of the lost son.

[Message given at an outdoor worship service in the summer of 2015 in downtown Toronto, Canada] This has been a terrible week on this continent. A 21 year old man visited a Bible Study at a historically important Black church in Charleston, South Carolina. After listening to the people talk and ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:11-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why It Matters Exactly Who Jesus Is Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Mar 4, 2008

God gives eternal life and joy to those who die “in the Lord.”

Scripture Introduction The relationship between Jesus and the religious leadership continues to deteriorate. By refusing to acknowledge their importance, his ministry threatens their power and prestige. Therefore, they turn on him: attempted arrest, entrapment, theological tests, dismissing his ...read more

Scripture: John 8:21-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Favour Beyond Your Expectations

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Feb 15, 2025

God’s favour is not limited to what we expect—it goes beyond what we can imagine. When God’s favour is upon a person, they receive promotions, breakthroughs, and blessings far beyond their efforts.

FAVOUR BEYOND YOUR EXPECTATIONS By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: Ephesians 3:20 "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Supporting Texts: Genesis 6:8 Esther 2:17 Luke 1:30 Psalm 5:12 Proverbs ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20, Genesis 6:8, Esther 2:17, Luke 1:30, Psalm 5:12, Proverbs 3:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Resurrection Wonder Series

Contributed by Derek Melanson on Apr 20, 2006

We need to recover our sense of resurrection wonder, joy, and excitement over what is possible with God.

“Resurrection Wonder” John 20: 1 – 18 1. Have any of you ever read the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes? In one storyline Calvin’s father is reading him a bedtime story – “Hamster Huey and Gooey Kablooey!” – and the poor father is getting really tired of this story. It’s Calvin’s favourite and he ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

Obession

Contributed by Walter Rogers on Apr 3, 2007

You are Jesus’ Obession, ’the joy set before Him that helped Him endure the cross was the joy of having you in heaven.’ (Heb 12:2)

Obsession Sermon Outline Aldergrove SDA Church, Oct 16, 2004 PMC Chapel, Thurs March 16, 2006 source: http://ministry.wikia.com/wiki/Obession_Sermon Isaiah 53:4-5 “Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted. Gut ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:2

Denomination: Adventist

Seeing God - Psalm 63:2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2025

Three kinds of worship: Joy in seeing God, longing for that joy, or repentance over indifference. But what does "seeing God" really mean?

Review Last time we took a brief look at v.2, where David spoke of his experience in the sanctuary. We found the focus was not on what he offered God, but what he received from God. 2 Therefore I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. 3 Because your love is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 63:2

Rekindling The Flame (Keep The Fire Burning) PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

Explore God's faithfulness, the importance of enduring in our faith, and the joy of rekindling our spiritual passion.

Good morning, beloved brothers and sisters! Isn't it a blessing to be together in the house of the Lord today? I hope you're all feeling as excited as I am to dive into God's Word. We're going to be exploring a passage from 2 Timothy, where we'll be focusing on God's faithfulness, enduring in our ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:3-9

Topics: Endurance, Faith

Focusing On The Positive! Series

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Jan 5, 2001

How you look at something can make a world of difference in how you behave. Life is like that. What you focus upon in life will generally determine the kind of decisions you make.

MELVIN M. NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (Revised: 2011) ILL. Have you heard the story of the farmer who was discouraged with his farm? So he decided to sell out & move somewhere else. He engaged a realtor to look the farm over & prepare a sales ad. But ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-26, Philippians 4:8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

True Happiness

Contributed by Daryl Grimes on Jun 1, 2001

There are 3 elements of happiness that the experts say we need to have. Believe it or not they correlate with Scripture!

True Happiness John 14:1-21 Psychologists say that people need three things to make them happy. First of all they need something to do. Secondly they need something to love. Finally they need something to look forward to. I think Scripture agrees with this. However, to be truly happy and ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-24

Denomination: Baptist

When Technique Eclipses Relationship-Part 2

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Feb 25, 2002

We incur certain liabilities when our relationship to Jesus is eclipsed by technique. Part 2 of a 3 part sermon.

WHEN TECHNIQUE ECLIPSES RELATIONSHIP-II—Revelation 2:1-7 Firstless Love A man who spends all his time at work—Neglecting his family in order to do it—Forgetting that his initial drive for the work is to meet his family’s need. Jesus reprimanded the Ephesian church because their first love for ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Finding Contentment In A Discontented World

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Aug 12, 2006

Explains how to find contentment. Expanded outline.

FINDING CONTENTMENT IN A DISCONTENTED WORLD The other day I was listening to the radio, and I heard one say that in our country there is a palatable discontent; a palatable discontent. In our country, people are unhappy. There is a spirit of discontentedness. Let’s think about that for a ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:10-23

Denomination: Baptist

It's Time For A Change

Contributed by Charles Forshee on Mar 22, 2007

If you’ve been in your situation for a LONG TIME and NOTHING is CHANGING, You may need to STOP what you’ve been DOING and START doing something else. If your life gets better in any substantial amout it WILL BE because of something YOU DO or something

In John 5 ----We find the Account of a man who was Crippled and couldn’t walk. For 38 Years this man had been in that same spot ----doing the SAME THING. Now there is something to be said for CONSISTENCY and PATIENCE ---But this may be going to far. John 5:6-7 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew ...read more

Scripture: John 5:6-11

Denomination: *other

I Shall Recover It All

Contributed by Neil Welds on Oct 18, 2006

We are to be protected and armed for a conflict that depends not on human strength but on the power of God. Today is the day of recovery.

I Shall Recover It All Scripture reading: 1 Samuel 30:1-19. Key Verses, 30:8 & 30:19 Introduction. Speak about robbery; times we’ve felt robbed. Talk about the various emotions associated with being robbed or having something stolen. Elaborate on the story of David and Ziklag (refer to Bible) ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 30:1-19, 2 Samuel 30:1-30, 2 Samuel 30:1

Denomination: Salvation Army