Community of Joy

Deadly Self-Righteousness!

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 00:50:32 +0000

In the Genesis account of mankind’s fall into sin, the first thing Adam and Eve did after eating of the forbidden fruit was to cover up their shame by making clothes from sewn-together fig leaves. Who were they most ashamed of being seen by in their nakedness? It had to be God. After all, it [...]

Stand Firm in the Lord

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:34:43 +0000

The message for February 28th, based on the epistle lesson of the day recorded in Philippians 3:17 – 4:1, is about standing firm in the Lord as we face the pressures of daily life in this world. As believers we have dual citizenship, both in this world and the next. But our predominant citizenship is [...]

No Shortcuts On Our Spiritual Journey

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 01:59:58 +0000

The sermon text for Sunday, February 21st, the first Sunday in Lent is recorded in Luke 4:1-13, the account of Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness by Satan. In this cosmic conflict, Satan’s goal was to sidetrack Jesus from fulfilling His redemptive purpose by enticing Him to exert His independence from God the Father and be [...]

Love Your Enemies

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 18:20:24 +0000

If I asked you today, “Who are your enemies?” perhaps many of you would say you don’t have any enemies. Maybe so, if you define an enemy as some anonymous person taking potshots at you with a loaded gun. But maybe we need to stretch our view of who an enemy might be. Could someone [...]

Tired of Coming Up Empty?

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 18:14:37 +0000

Luke 5:1-11 records events surrounding Peter’s call to become a follower of Jesus. Peter and his fellow fishermen had come up empty after fishing all night. Already fatigued and frustrated, along came Jesus and asked Peter to drop his nets again. What did this carpenter know about fishing? His request was absurd. Yet, Peter did what Jesus [...]

Three Crucial Questions

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 00:29:43 +0000

Throughout the Bible, God often takes the most unlikely persons to do His work. Each time God equips them for their task. One of the wonders of God’s economy is how He accomplishes extraordinary things through ordinary people. Jeremiah’s name means “The Lord throws,” either in the sense of “hurling” the prophet into a hostile world [...]

When God Shows Up

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:24:41 +0000

In a time of personal and national crisis, Isaiah needed to hear from God. God showed up in a vision that shook the temple. What happened when God showed up? Let’s consider Isaiah 6:1-8. I. His Purity Was Evident (v. 3). II. His Presence Was Overwhelming (v.4). III. His People Were Humbled (v.5). IV. His Pardon Was Exercised (vv. [...]

“Avatar” Movie Review

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 01:48:09 +0000

A review of "AVATAR" movie for group discussion

Youth Ministries

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:42:39 +0000

Sunday School Classes for middle school students, grades 6-8, and for high school students, grades 9-12; meet from 9:15 – 10:15 on Sunday mornings during the academic year around biblical and topical themes relevant to the spiritual development of youth. Confirmation is a two year program for grades 7-8 meeting on Wednesdays from 6:30 – 7:45 [...]

Children’s Ministries

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:40:29 +0000

BLAST Sunday Morning is for children ages 2 through 5th grade and meets at 9:15 – 10:15 a.m. in our children’s area called “Under the Sea.” Students meet together for worship, devotional, and snack time, and then rotate through various learning centers by age groups to learn and apply the lesson of the day. BLAST [...]

Adult Ministries

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 05:38:08 +0000

Men’s Ministry seeks to involve men through a prayer group on Tuesdays at 6:45 a.m., various Bible Study opportunities on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings, service teams that assist with special projects both within and outside the walls of the church, and periodic retreats, sporting events, and leisure activities where men get to know each [...]

Welcome

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Tue, 22 Sep 2009 17:43:50 +0000

Welcome to Community of Joy’s website. Here you’ll find information about what is happening in the Church, some information about us, and even a blog containing sermons and commentary from staff here. Thanks for visiting, and if you’d like to drop us a line, we’ll get back to you as soon as possible! [...]

Beat Up, But Still Upbeat

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 04:17:55 +0000

Paul’s life speaks volumes to us about the reality of adversity and how to overcome it. According to our text, he was hard pressed on every side, “but not crushed.” He was perplexed, “but not in despair.” He was persecuted, “but not abandoned.” He was struck down, “but not destroyed.” With God’s help, the Apostle [...]

True Friendship

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 16:09:37 +0000

Jesus calls His followers “friends.” That’s good news and calls forth a response. Our response to His initiative of friendship is LOVE – manifested in three directions 1) Obedient love for Christ; 2) Sacrificial love for one another; and 3) Outreaching love for the world. Scripture from John 15:9-17. True Friendship

Memorial Day Every Sunday

billy@cojlbc.org (Community of Joy Church) — Sun, 07 Jun 2009 14:52:24 +0000

As we enter into a day designated to remember those who died for our national liberty, it is also fitting to remember the one who died to set us free from spiritual tyranny – our Lord Jesus Christ. Memorial Day is once a year, but remember what Jesus did on the cross every time we [...]