Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

One Prayer Closer To God

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Nov 30, 2006

Effort to show that pursuit of closeness with God is the sure path to fullness of joy and can be helped by the use of the Psalms as a basis for prayer

1. Title: One Prayer Closer To God 2. Text: Psalm 16 3. Audience: Villa Heights Christian Church, AM crowd, April 3, 2005 -for the people to understand how the Psalms are prayers to be used in our prayers to God, and how this Psalm describes the close relationship we should be seeking with ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:1-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Completion Of A Good Work

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Dec 8, 2006

What will it take to liberate us from our prisons and lead us into circumstances where we experience unending joy?

Completion Of a Good Work – Philippians 1: 3 - 11 Intro: Michaelangelo Buonoarti was one of the world’s most talented sculptor. Many have enjoyed his work in pictures or photos. Others of us have seen the real thing. There is a set of 4 sculptures Michaelangelo done around 1453 that some ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God Is Dad!

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 6, 2007

The Great, Almighty God, the infinite Creator of the universe, takes great delight and unsurpassed joy from our relationship with Him.

How do you think people imagine God to be? Is He far or near? Is He powerful or passive? Is He disgusted with them or in love with them? Is He a mean old man? Is He a kindly grandpa-type? Is He listening? Does He care for people individually? Can He really help? During the late 1960’s and through ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:17

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God's Good Will Of Love - The Message Of Christmas

Contributed by William Akehurst on Dec 26, 2008

The Angels Proclaimed Goodwill to all men. Goodwill is GOD’s Will for all to be at Peace, with Hope, Joy through HIS Love

12.24.2008 Christmas Eve Luke 2:10-15 Matthew 2:11b Nehemiah 8:10 Psalm 23:1 says it all...The Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need Good News we all can have Peace, Hope, Joy and Love By the will of God, His Good Will to all mankind. Driving around the countryside, we were taken by ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Month Of Preparing For The Coming Of The Lord

Contributed by Pastor Amos Dele Dada on Jun 17, 2020

It is with delight and great joy that I welcome you to our month of Preparing for the coming of the Lord. Are you ready for the coming of the Lord?

It is with delight and great joy that I welcome you to our month of Preparing for the coming of the Lord. Are you ready for the coming of the Lord? "The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God." Isaiah ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:14, Isaiah 40:3

Denomination: Pentecostal

No Night In The City

Contributed by Bright Adeyeye on Mar 2, 2020

No matter the present situation you're in, light will surely prevail over darkness. Joy will come in the morning.

NO NIGHT IN THE CITY "God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day." Genesis 1:5. God not only creates the brightness of day, He also creates the darkness of night. So whatever appears like a night today is just before ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:5, Psalm 30:5, Revelation 22:5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Choice That Chooses Us

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on May 12, 2015

God loves us and wants us to choose the road less travelled, the one that leads to Him: to life, the freedom, to joy.

The Feast Homily - May 12, 2015 [This is a message given at an inner-city mission in downtown Toronto, to a mixed audience, most of whom come primarily for the meal] Last week Pastor Jan asked a really important question. It was simply this: “Who feels like they are not good enough for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:4-9

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Zion's Coming Salvation

Contributed by Freddy Fritz on Dec 23, 2016

Isaiah 62:6-12 shows us that God's goal is for people all over the world to enter into his joy.

Scripture Today is Sunday, December 25. It is the day in which we particularly remember the birth of Jesus Christ. During Advent, I have preached a series of messages on the Old Testament Scripture Readings that I am calling, “Advent in Isaiah.” Isaiah ministered to a people who had drifted away ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

He Died For Us Series

Contributed by Nnaemeka Durueke on Apr 19, 2019

Jesus Christ was crucified and He died for our joy and eternal freedom that everyone who believes in Him will live forever.

HE DIED FOR ME TEXT: MATTHEW 26:45-56 INTRODUCTION: Jesus Christ came for the salvation of mankind yet His own rejected and crucified Him. He was betrayed and sold for 30 pieces of silver- Matthew 26:15 tried seven times and denied by Peter thrice- John 19:15, 21-22, helped by Simone to carry ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:45-56

Denomination: Pentecostal

Year Round Christmas

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Apr 15, 2013

Christmas is over, now we begin a new year, but let's not forget the Christmas joy and spirit through the new year.

Year Round Christmas Matthew 2:1-12 January 6, 2013 It was a few days after Christmas. A family was busy cleaning up the Christmas mess and putting everything away. As they took down the Christmas tree, the son asked “what are you doing?” The parents said, “We’re putting ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Homes That Are Joyful Series

Contributed by Dave Stone on Jun 19, 2013

“Why is a personal relationship with Christ the foundation for a joyful home?” It's because Christ is the source of our joy.

You may be single, but today’s message will help to point you in the right direction should you get married and have kids in the future. You may be older or widowed. These principles are ones that you can pass along to your kids and to your grandchildren. The family is under attack from all ...read more

Scripture: 3 John 1:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Bringing Brothers Together - Philippians 4:1-3 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 25, 2022

Paul models peacemaking by expressing his love, which involves family warmth, heartfelt affection, desire, joy, and satisfaction.

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:1-3

02 Near To The Heart Of God Series

Contributed by Ralph Andrus on Sep 30, 2014

How do we deal with stress? Stress! - Impedes our joy - Invades our peace - Intensifies our difficulties

1 Sa 30 Dr. Cleland Boyd McAfee (1899-1944) was serving as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Dr. McAfee was stunned to hear the shocking news that his two beloved nieces had just died within 24 hours of each other from diphtheria. Turning to God and the Scriptures, McAfee soon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Light Of Christmas: Accept, Share And Reflect Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Dec 21, 2023

Let us explore the profound meaning behind the Light of Christmas, a gift that illuminates every heart with hope, joy, and salvation.

The Light of Christmas: Accept, Share and Reflect Introduction: On this Christmas Day, as we gather in the warmth of fellowship and the glow of festive lights, our hearts resonate with the ageless story—the story of a gift given to the world, a gift that transcends time and space. Today, let us ...read more

Scripture: John 1:9-14, Luke 2:8-14, Luke 2:15-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Test Yourselves Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 4, 2025

If you want to experience harmony and joy in your relationships, get ready, get real, get right, then get along.

Several years ago, Ken Westphall, in Leadership Journal, a publication for ministry leaders, talked about the most frequent phrases in ministry that become preludes to a fast farewell. They include the following: I think I've earned the right to say this. In ancient Israel, the people ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 13:1-14, Titus 3:10-11, Proverbs 22:10, James 1:2-3, Galatians 6:1, Ephesians 4:11, Romans 12:3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical Free