Sermons About Joy
The Mark of Joy
The apostle Paul was concerned about the joy of the church at Galatia, he asked: "What has happened to all your joy? ...” (Gal. 4:15). Joy vs. Happiness - Joy is better than happiness. Happiness depends upon happenings. It comes from the word "hap" which means "luck, happenstance"; you're just lucky, fortunate, and happy. Happiness is external; joy is internal. Happiness is based on circumstances and when they change you're not happy anymore; joy is based on Christ. Happiness is based on chance; joy is based on choice. As a Christian, you can choose joy. In Paul’s letter to the Philippians he taught them to find their joy in the Lord at all times. We can know the joy that depends on the Lord and not on our circumstances.
0 Amens
Why Does This Generation Seek a Sign?; Mark 8.1-13
There comes a time when our sign-seeking must give way to faith.
0 Amens
That You May Know That I Am the LORD; Exodus 10.1-20
God's design for worship includes the whole family.
1 Amens
Sacred Joy: Philippians 1.12-18
As we continue in Paul's letter to the church at Philippi we see he speaks of suffering. Paul experienced various trials throughout his ministry. For Paul and the writers of Scripture suffering was not a strange thing, but normal. According to Paul suffering is a gift from God for the advancement of the gospel of Christ. Often trials impede our progress in our walk with Christ. Paul saw trials as those which brought even greater progress to the advancement of the gospel. So how do you respond to suffering? For Paul, he rejoices because through such Christ is proclaimed.
0 Amens
LIVING LIFE TO THE FULLEST: THRU OUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST (1 John 1:1-4 * Message #1/14) 10-04-09
NOTE: To receive these Sermon notes below in an outline form (which is easier to read), please email your request to Pastor Marcus Johnson (efcamarcus@sbcglobal.net). INTRODUCTION TO 1ST JOHN (& the Letters of John): 1) AUTHOR: THE APOSTLE JOHN (who wrote the Gospel of John, 2nd & 3rd John, & Revelation). Early church sources acknowledge John’s authorship, as does internal testimony (comparing 1st John to the Gospel of John, etc). 2) DATE AND RECIPIENTS: A.D. 70-90?; --> To a Congregation near Ephesus? (northwest of Israel); --> A Church suffering Turmoil within (This congregation is possibly approaching its last hour: Some within the congregation were undermining John’s theology (i.e. his Gospel), living in sin & spiritual pride, not loving each other, and there was a group that had already left the church). 3) PURPOSE FOR WRITING: FOR FELLOWSHIP & JOY (that the believers would walk in Christ-centered fellowship and the joy that comes with it). At the same time, John is responding to the various problems listed above. --> Fellowship: “John did not want a church that was orthodox [believing right] but unloving, any more than he wanted a church that misrepresented Jesus Christ. He wanted both –sound doctrine and vibrant community – and he refused to settle for less.” (Gary M. Burge, "Letters of John"). --> Joy: “He has the heart of a pastor which cannot be completely happy so long as some of those for whom he feels responsible are not experiencing the full blessings of the gospel” (I. Howard Marshall, "The Epistles of John"). 4) MAJOR THEMES IN JOHN’S LETTERS (see the Theme at the top of the page): --> Knowing God thru the Person of Christ (God is light and God is love); --> Experiencing the Joy-filled Fellowship of Christ (with the Father, the Son, and each other); --> Living in the Victory of Christ (Overcoming sin, the world, and the devil); --> Abiding by Faith in Christ (by Practicing righteousness, Loving each other, Turning from sin, thru the Testimony of the Spirit, by Believing Jesus is God's Son); --> Loving One Another in Christ (as God has loved us, by sharing what we have and by laying down our lives for each other); --> Walking in the Truth of Christ (by Knowing Jesus Christ, thru the Teaching of the Holy Spirit, thru Obedience to God's Word, by Standing against false teachers, and by Supporting ministers of the Gospel). KNOWING GOD REVEALED THRU THE PERSON OF JESUS CHRIST (vs1-2). --> Believe in Jesus Christ: (as the Word of Life/the Eternal Life); --> Believe in the Incarnation: (God the Son becomes a Man); --> Believe in the historical Jesus: (this is Foundational to our Christian Faith); --> Believe in the Apostolic Witness: (recognize the Importance of Eye-witness Testimony). TAKING JOHN’S WORD TO HEART (vs3-4) John’s Gospel-driven Purpose: --> Living Christ-centered Fellowship; --> John’s Pastoral-driven Goal: Experiencing Christ-centered Joy.
0 Amens
