Sermons on Unexpected Joy:

A Prayer At New Year's

Contributed by Jason Zahn on Jan 2, 2002

Even in tumultuous times God’s people have every reason to offer a prayer of praise and thanksgiving to God for all of the gifts he pours out on us daily!

“We Will Never Forget.” Like never before that phrase has a chilling significance. Perhaps that phrase crystallizes the events of the year 2001. While it is a year that we’ve vowed never to forget, strangely it’s also the one we wish we had never experienced. So we look forward to a new year ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7

Denomination: Lutheran

Celebrate God's Grace This New Year's Eve

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Jan 4, 2002

Isaiah invites us to look back on a year of God’s grace drawing to a close and to look ahead to another year of God’s grace that is just beginning.

In the ancient calendar used by the Romans, from which our calendar was created, the name of each month had a meaning. For example the month of February was so named because that was the time of the year for a feast called Februa. Some of the months were named for the false gods that the Romans ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 63:7-9, Isaiah 63:1, Isaiah 63:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran

Lord Of The Dance

Contributed by Kevin Taylor on Oct 28, 2001

Get back your dance once again and rejoice in the Lord!

I. Dancing in the Ditch? A. Text: II Kings 3:9-20 B. There were only two reasons why people danced in the OT (1) At a time of celebration because of a victory. (2) Or in the presence of God (as with David and the Ark of the Covenant). C. Dance represents joy. D. The Psalmist David spent much time ...read more

Scripture: 2 Kings 3:9-20

Grumpy Old Christians

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Oct 31, 2001

There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News!

Grumpy Old Christians Thesis: There are too many grumpy old Christians in this world that are hurting the spread of the Gospel and not helping the spread of the Gospel. Remember Gospel means Good News- not Bad Critical News! Texts: Phil. 4:8 8Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:8, 1 John 4:16-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fruit Of The Spirit - Joy - Part 2

Contributed by Jason Frazier on Nov 6, 2001

Talks about what it means to have joy. Includes an exhaustive outline on every reason the Bible gives to have joy. A great resource & encouragement for pastors

TEXT: Galatians 5:22-25 The Fruit of the Spirit - Part 2: Joy Last week, we started this series on the Fruit of the Spirit as we talked about “Love.” We talked about the different Greek words for love & their differences. There is so much attention paid to love & its variations. However, as we ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

How To Handle Difficult Times

Contributed by David Dewitt on Nov 15, 2001

This is a devotional given to my leadership board for the month of November.

How to Handle Difficult Times Selected Passages November 13, 2001 Three Ways to handle difficult times I. Be Thankful 16 Be joyful always; 17 pray continually; 18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 A. God has blessed us The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Mark 12:30-31

Denomination: Church Of God

Looking For Pennies

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Nov 19, 2001

Looking for Pennies (story from Annie Dillard) is important because: 1. The created world is a window into the heart of God. 2. The created world provides opportunities to praise the goodness of God. 3. The created world is a source of joy for thankful

Annie Dillard, in her wonderful Pulitzer Prize winning book Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, tells a story about pennies. It was in her chapter entitled “Seeing” that I read her wonderful childhood story. I will let her tell it in her own words: “When I was six or seven years old, growing up in ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:15-17

Denomination: Methodist

How Can I Ever Thank You?

Contributed by Jerry Flury on Nov 20, 2001

Gratitude of the Believer demonstrated in Christian walk.

HOW CAN I EVER THANK YOU LORD? Colossians 2:6-7 Introduction: Andrae Crouch in his song My Tribute wrote, "How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me. Things so undeserved, yet You give to prove Your love for me. The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude. All ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:6-7

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of Gratitude

Contributed by David Swensen on Nov 20, 2001

Life is tough. As a result, there is need for us to reach out & touch a life. The heart that regularly gives thanks is the heart that serves God by faithfully ministering to others.Such is the power of gratitude

THE POWER OF GRATITUDE Colossians 3:12-17 INTRODUCTION Mildred Hondorff, a former elementary school music teacher from Des Moines, Iowa, tells of life-changing experience she had with a pupil. Supplementing her income by teaching piano lessons she taught a “musically challenged” pupil ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 3:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

He Worshipped

Contributed by Richard Rutledge on Nov 20, 2001

Job’s first reaction to the devastating news of his servants was to worship.

Job 1:13-20 Text: He Worshipped Perhaps of all the accounts given us in Scripture, few paints a more vivid picture of total devastation and tragedy as the story of Job. Most of you are familiar with this passage but for the benefit of those who may not be, let me share a little background. Job ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:13-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Accepting The Pleasant With The Unpleasant

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 12, 2001

Secrets to learning how to take the good with the bad situations in a spirit of thankfulness

Taking the Pleasant With the Unpleasant (Acts 14:1-8) 1. Why do you think some people grow tired of their jobs? Every job has its so called good and bad points. Yet, some aspects of service are not always considered as important as less enjoyable aspects. Even though many disciples relished the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 14:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy: Don't Leave Home Without It

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Jun 16, 2001

How joy in the Lord provides internal protection to keep us safe, and is really close at hand and is the way of the Kingdom of God.

Joy: Don’t Leave Home Without it “Finally, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you is not troublesome to me, and for you it is a safeguard.” Philippians 3:1 (NRSV) Rejoice in the Lord - as a safeguard - illus. safety belt. A. Internal Protection 1. No ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:1

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Living Out Life With God Living In Us

Contributed by John Stensrud on Jul 1, 2001

An expository sermon based on a series preached at Immanuel Baptist Church, Elgin, IL in 2001.

Message Title: “Living Out Life with God Living In Us” Philippians 2.12-18 Delivered on July 1, 2001 at Immanuel Baptist Church by Pastor John Stensrud. Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18, Philippians 2:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Somnambulism Or Living On Tiptoe?

Contributed by David Anderson on May 5, 2001

God calls us and empowers us to be wide awake workers giving all for His Kingdom.

 Sermon: "Living on Tiptoe" Rev. Anderson Mark 13:32-27 1 Thes. 5:1-11 + + + The King is Coming! Here again the words of the coming King: “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ’Watch!’" (Mark 13:37 NIV) I’m about to say a word, and I want you to see if ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:37, 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Rejoice Always

Contributed by Carla Powell on Jan 8, 2003

Sermon highlights joy in the midst of pain, defines the Latin word Gaudete. Reflection on the difference between joy and happiness.

Grace be to you and peace from the One who was, and is, and is to come. Amen. Today is the third Sunday in Advent, which was historically called Gaudete Sunday, from the Latin word for ‘rejoice’. Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday, if we had a pink candle in our Advent wreath, that we would light the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-20

Denomination: Lutheran