Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

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 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

Meaningful Christmas

Contributed by Kamalanathan Francis on Nov 30, 2020

It’s Christmas time, when we say the name itself there is joy in many of our faces. No doubt, it’s a time of joy, hope, and celebration on a large scale in many parts of the world. The question here is, were these celebrations in any way related to the true meaning of Christmas?

As you gather with your family to give thanks, with a new dress, bright lights, and rich food, have you reminded yourself to give your clean life to the Lord? Let your brutality of disobedience for this far disappear leading up to beautiful worship of the everlasting King. In the commercial world, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 9:15, Colossians 3:23

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Joyful Confidence In The Midst Of Trouble - Psalm 119:143 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 15, 2024

Life is full of trials, pressures, and stress. In those moments, how do we find joy and stability? Psalm 119:143 offers a profound answer: God's Word. This verse teaches us that even in the heaviest of times, joy and strength are found in God's commands.

Joyful Confidence in the Midst of Trouble” Key Verse: “As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in your commands.” (Psalm 119:143, NLT) Introduction: Transformed by Truth Life is full of trials, pressures, and stress. In those moments, how do we find joy and stability? Psalm 119:143 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:143, John 16:33, Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 4:12, Romans 10:13  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

I'm Still Here — Because He's Able! PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 17, 2025

God lovingly keeps us from falling, presents us blameless with joy, and deserves our wholehearted worship because His grace is greater than our weakness.

Some of us limped in today. Some wandered in with a smile that is doing its best to hide a storm. Others came in steady, but even the steady among us know how slick life can be. Faith can feel like walking on wet marble—heart in your throat, palms open, hoping you won’t go sliding. Do you ever feel ...read more

Topics: Blessed, Kept, God

My Month Of No More Reproach

Contributed by Pastor Amos Dele Dada on Jun 11, 2020

It is with great delight that I welcome you to this great month our month of No More Reproach. I hear God say weeping may endure for the night but joy will come in the morning.

It is with great delight that I welcome you to this great month our month of No More Reproach. I hear God say weeping may endure for the night but joy will come in the morning. All embarrassment and reproach you have suffered from the beginning of the year, yeah even from birth shall be rolled away ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 3:2

Denomination: Pentecostal

Believe Big And Expect The Great! (The Life Of Faith Is A Daring Adventure -Let's Walk On Water) Series

Contributed by Otis Mcmillan on Feb 13, 2023

Jesus can use whatever means and make whatever way he pleases to save his people. God shows up in unexpected ways, with an unfamiliar appearance, to deliver his people. His acts of deliverance sometimes trouble and perplex His people. He is the "I AM that I Am!"

Sermon: Believe Big and Expect the Great! Scripture Lesson: Matthew 14:22-33 “Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while he sent the people home. 23 After sending them home, he went up into the hills by himself ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-33, Psalm 37:4, Isaiah 58:14, Mark 9:35

Denomination: Methodist

Don't Give Up!

Contributed by Delishia Davis on May 5, 2017

Empowerment for the journey

“Day and night I’ll stick with God; I’ve got a good thing going and I’m not letting go.” Psalm 16:8 King David records his most intimate thoughts in the writings of the Psalms. He begins Psalm 16 with a declaration that the Almighty God is in control of his life, and seeks him for safety. This is ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 16:8

Denomination: United Methodist

"All Hands On Deck!"

Contributed by Rick Finitzer on Jun 29, 2016

God by His grace through the Holy Spirit gives a spiritual gift to every believer. Every gift is important. Even the quiet unseen gifts! Every church body needs "All Hands on Deck!"

Cornerstone Church June 26, 2016 “ALL HANDS ON DECK” 1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 14-26 “All hands on deck” – ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:4-26

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Flow With The Situations To Deliver Jesus To All

Contributed by Richard Papafio on May 31, 2018

No matter where you find yourself or what you find yourself in, preach Jesus to all around you or within your reach

May the peace of the Lord be with you Topic: FLOW WITH THE SITUATIONS TO DELIVER JESUS TO ALL Acts 8:4-8 King James Version (KJV) 4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:4-8

Denomination: Charismatic

Foundational Demands Of Fatherhood/Parenthood-3

Contributed by Byron Sherman on Oct 1, 2019

3 of 3. The Holy Spirit used the writer of Proverbs to reveal the foundational demands of Fatherhood. Those demands are obviously available & accessible. But what are some of those demands? A foundational demand of fatherhood is to...

FOUNDATIONAL DEMANDS OF FATHERHOOD/PARENTHOOD-III—Proverbs 23:22-25 Attention: Morning March: A young man writes that he was a new recruit & in Army basic training. One requirement was a demanding 12-mile march. He said, ‘We got started at 5 a.m. & were pumped up for the trek.’ ‘An hour ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 23:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Deserts And The Dark Valleys Are Temporary

Contributed by Alis Cerrahyan on Oct 17, 2019

The level of safety and satisfaction we get from our new position as servants of God cannot be measured with money or certificates.

If you haven't been through a dark time lately, you're about to! Though we dread the idea of it, we still can't forget the innermost joyous celebration we got to taste the last time we made it through one of those challenging times. Both the amount and the intensity of our praises were ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 34:29, Leviticus 17:11, Hebrews 9:22, Hebrews 9:14

What Money Can't Buy Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Sep 11, 2024

The love of money will not provide meaning in life.

What Money Can’t Buy Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 Rev. Brian Bill September 7-8, 2024 This past weekend, Beth and I journeyed from the wilderness of Illinois to the Promised Land of Wisconsin. On Friday night, my dad hosted a Fish Fry and on Saturday morning after driving through Green Bay, we were ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 5:8-20

Denomination: Baptist

Wired For Eternity Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 13, 2024

While we are mired to earth and tethered to time, we are also wired for eternity and will live eternally, in either Heaven or Hell.

Wired for Eternity Ecclesiastes 3:9-22 Rev. Brian Bill August 10-11, 2024 During the Paris Olympics, the best athletes in the world have been competing against each other, including Rocky grad Courtney Lindsey, who ran anchor for the 4x100 men’s relay. One article referred to him as a “a quiet ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

The Kingdom Of God: "The Kingdom Way Of Life”

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Aug 18, 2024

In our study we’ll see what does the Kingdom Living look like? The Kingdom of God isn’t about religious observance or a set of rules for moral behavior. Rather, it’s about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Join us on this final leg of our journey.

The Kingdom of God “The Kingdom Way of Life” Romans 14:17 Watch on YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LC7a1HLYj-0&t=20s Throughout our series on the Kingdom of God, we’ve been considering that the Kingdom of God and its message differs from everything humanity has ever known, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:17, Romans 14:14-19, Proverbs 26:27

Denomination: Foursquare