Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

Let God Arise Series

Contributed by Shine Thomas on Dec 19, 2023

God spoke to me that He is going to arise for his church, and God is going to arise for his people

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Scripture: Psalm 68:1, Deuteronomy 28:7, Psalm 68:3, Numbers 10:35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Bridge Builder: Lost People Matter To God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Apr 25, 2024

This shepherd was able to rejoice with his friends and neighbors because his lost sheep was found. He was overjoyed with the rescue of this one, lost sheep.

Opening illustration: Did you ever have a kid in your neighborhood that always hid so good nobody could find him? We did. After a while we would give up on him and go off, leaving him to rot wherever he was. Soon or later he would show up all-mad because we didn’t keep looking for him. And we would ...read more

Scripture: Luke 15:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Joyful Church (1 Thessalonians 2)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Apr 27, 2024

Some churches are a joy to be around. Let's look at one such church in 1 Thessalonians 2.

Some churches are a joy to visit, from the moment you enter the door to the final farewell, the welcome, preaching and fellowship refresh the soul. Let’s look at a joyful church in 1 Thessalonians 2. Were Paul and his coworkers bold about preaching the Gospel in Thessaloniki? For you yourselves ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Second Sunday Of Advent, Year C: A Straight, Immovable Section.

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Nov 17, 2024

That dangerous S-curve was removed in 1981 and replaced by a straight, immovable section.

A man named John Hakel says his three-year-old daughter looked at a calendar and asked him, "Daddy, how many BE GOOD days until Christmas?"1 On the Second Sunday of Advent, we meet John the Baptist in the Desert: Luke 3:2: “the word of God came to John the son of Zechariah in the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6

Denomination: Catholic

Encouragement - 4 Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Oct 4, 2025

Looking at various views of biblical encouragement

Encouragement Judges 6, Hebrews 3 October 5, 2025 There’s a story about a farmer who planted bamboo seeds. After planting them, he watered them faithfully every day. Days and weeks went by and nothing grew. Month after month — nothing. His friends mocked him, telling him he was wasting his ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 3:12-13, Ephesians 5:17-18, Judges 6:11-15

Denomination: Baptist

God’s Visa

Contributed by David Dunn on Oct 7, 2025

Faithful stewardship means living on God’s credit of grace—trusting, surrendering, and investing His resources until temporary treasures become eternal joy.

Introduction — God’s Credit Line of Trust A few weeks ago I was standing in a checkout line when the person ahead of me swiped their card and—beep!—“Declined.” You could see the panic flash across their face. They tried again. “Declined.” Finally they sighed, pulled out another card, and that one ...read more

Scripture: Luke 16:10-13, Matthew 6:19-21, Matthew 25:14-30, Malachi 3:8-10, Proverbs 3:5-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Prayer Power Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Feb 13, 2025

James is going to end his book with a call to pray in all circumstances and encourage us to confess our sins to each other

James: Practical Faith (Part 2)  James 5:13-20 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams Chenoa Baptist Church  02-09–2025 Gumball Theology I love gum balls. If we are somewhere that has gumboil machines, Maxine will make sure to have quarters for me. But what if I just stood there, staring at ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Satisfaction Sold Separately - Ecclesiastes 5:8-6:9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 20, 2025

“Don’t get all worked up when people in charge abuse their power.” Good advice, but easier said than done. This passage teaches us how to do it—joyfully!

Ecclesiastes 5:8 If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. 9 The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by ...read more

Religion And Politics - Ecclesiastes 8:1-9:1 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 23, 2025

One of the most aggravating parts of living in a fallen world is dealing with corruption in government and other authorities who misuse their power—especially when that abuse of power hurts you personally. This passage teaches us how to keep enjoying life even in the face of abuse of authority.

8:1 Who is like the wise person, and who knows the interpretation of a matter? A man's wisdom brightens his face, and the sternness of his face is changed. 2 Keep the king's command because of your oath made before God. 3 Do not be in a hurry; leave his presence, and don't persist in a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 9:1

One For The Road

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 16, 2025

God meets us when the journey is too long and provides grace for every step, but His grace is never permission to remain the same; it is power to move forward in joyful obedience.

Introduction – When the Trip Feels Too Far Have you ever started on a trip and realized part way through that you just didn’t plan for how long or how hard it would be? Maybe you packed light for a hike and then found the trail twice as steep as the guidebook said. Maybe you took a family ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 14:24-26, Matthew 19:8, Acts 17:30-31, Romans 12:2, 1 Peter 1:15-16  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

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

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

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

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