In Sermon Illustrations: "Suffering Joy In"

[062a]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062A]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD TO SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE FIRST PART PART 1 INTRODUCTION TO THIS POEM This is my most serious poem because it addresses ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love, Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Drawing On My Fine Command Of Language, I Said ...  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 12, 2007

"Drawing on my fine command of language, ...read more

Tags: Trial, Suffering Loneliness

J. Oswald Sanders On Loneliness  PRO

Contributed by Sermon Central on Aug 9, 2011

J. OSWALD SANDERS ON LONELINESS J. Oswald Sanders once pointed out: "The round of pleasure or the amassing of wealth are [often] but vain attempts to escape from the persistent ache. The millionaire is usually a lonely man and the comedian is often more unhappy than his audience." In his book, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-34

Tags: Goals, Suffering Loneliness

Where Is Your Scar?

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Aug 12, 2019

PHILIPPIANS 1:29 "For it has been granted unto you on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for Him." No wound? No scar? Yet, as the Master shall the servant be, And piercèd are the feet that follow Me. ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:29

Tags: Wounds, Persecution, Suffering

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Growing Through Pain

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Oct 2, 2020

Paul Tournier, the famous Swiss physician and counselor, reported his surprise in his book Creative Suffering upon reading an article entitled “Orphans Lead the World.” The article appeared in a respected medical journal and surveyed the lives of 300 leaders who had an impact on world history. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-27

Tags: Holy Spirit, Suffering

Denomination: Baptist

Isolation, Loneliness More Difficult Than ...

Contributed by Sermon Central on Apr 28, 2009

ISOLATION, LONELINESS MORE DIFFICULT THAN PAIN William H. Willimon, in his commentary on our text, shared the following story from his childhood. "A little girl in my second grade class got the dreaded disease of polio. Our teacher described to us the possible complications of her disease. She ...read more

Scripture: Mark 1:40-45

Tags: Loneliness, Suffering Loneliness

Jean Nicholas Grou, Who Was A Jesuit Priest In ...

Contributed by Paul Green on Jul 14, 2009

Jean Nicholas Grou, who was a Jesuit priest in the 1700s. He wrote, ‘Let your suffering be borne for God; suffer with submission and patience and suffer in union with ...read more

Tags: Suffering, Prayer General

Denomination: Baptist

Richard Sibbes Commented On This Passage In His ...

Contributed by Rickey Bennett on Aug 16, 2009

Richard Sibbes commented on this passage in his book, The Bruised Reed. He said of Jesus, He died that he might heal our souls …and by that death save us… And has he not the same heart in heaven? ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ cried the Head in heaven when the foot on earth was trodden ...read more

Tags: Loneliness, Suffering Loneliness

Denomination: *other

A Christmas Carol

Contributed by Davon Huss on Dec 22, 2014

Not that it is in the Bible but a story familiar around this time of the year is Ebenezer Scrooge. Ebenezer is a man incapable of joy. Scrooge is rich, but he lives alone in squalor. He takes pleasure in nothing and is indifferent to human suffering. On Christmas Eve, Scrooge is visited by a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:15

Tags: Christmas, Joy, Scrooge, Joy And Gospel

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[062b]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062B]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE SECOND PART THE INTRODUCTION FOR THE POEM IS IN PART 1. PART 2 SECTION B - PART 1 (THE CHRISTIAN ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Hurt, Pain, Love, Compassion, Comfort, Suffering, Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

[062c]. A Message From A Poem – Does Suffering Cancel Out A God Of Love?

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Mar 14, 2025

[062C]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – DOES SUFFERING CANCEL OUT A GOD OF LOVE? THE POEM AS IT IS WILL NOT FIT IN THE ILLUSTRATION SPACE AVAILABLE. I HAVE HAD TO SPLIT IT INTO THREE PARTS. THIS IS THE THIRD PART. THE INTRODUCTION FOR THE POEM IS IN PART 1. PART 3 SECTION C - PART 1 (GOD ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 45:6-7, John 3:16, Exodus 34:6-7

Tags: Tragedy, God Of Comfort, God Of Love, Pain, Love, Christ, Compassion, Comfort, Suffering, Hurt  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

I Love My Dentist?" Luke 1:26-37 Key Verse(S): ...  PRO

Contributed by Mark Brunner on Mar 7, 2005

“I Love My Dentist?” Luke 1:26-37 Key verse(s): 31:“You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus.” I love my dentist? Do you love yours? Unfortunately dentists have really gotten a bad rap over time. Many see them as the evil pain-giver, the one who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:26-37

Tags: Peace, Joy

Denomination: Lutheran

Laughter  PRO

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Mar 28, 2002

The average child laughs 400 times a day, the average adult laughs 15 times a day. What happens in life that adults lose their laughter? Do we quit laughing ...read more

Tags: Joy, Children

Denomination: Assembly Of God

In 1865 After The Civil War, America Officially ...  PRO

Contributed by Chad Wright on Apr 15, 2002

In 1865 after the Civil War, America officially banned slavery. In modern headlines every once in a while you will read of a child held hostage by his own parents. Usually, the child is abused and neglected. One or both of the parents beat and starve the child. Some children have been chained like ...read more

Tags: Faith, Joy

Denomination: Lutheran

It Is Said That As Benjamin Franklin Concluded A ...  PRO

Contributed by Darrin Koone on May 10, 2002

It is said that as Benjamin Franklin concluded a stirring speech on the guarantees of the Constitution, a heckler shouted, "Aw, them words don’t mean nothin’ at all. Where’s all the happiness you say it guarantees us?" Franklin smiled and replied, "My friend, the Constitution only ...read more

Tags: Joy, Peace

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Cure Of Comedy  PRO

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

THE CURE OF COMEDY In The Anatomy of an Illness: As Perceived by the Patient, Norman Cousins tells of being hospitalized with a rare, crippling disease. When he was diagnosed as incurable, Cousins checked out of the hospital. Aware of the harmful effects that negative emotions can have on the ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Joy

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Victim Of Mental Depression, Once Went To ...  PRO

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 29, 2002

"A victim of mental depression, once went to consult a skilled physician regarding his condition. The doctor prescribed some lively amusement, and told him of a celebrated clown, who was entertaining great companies in a certain place of amusement in the town. With an expression of despair on his ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Joy

Denomination: United Methodist

At A Presbyterian Church In Omaha. People ...  PRO

Contributed by Scott Bradford on Nov 15, 2002

"...at a Presbyterian church in Omaha. People were given helium filled balloons and told to release them at some point in the service when they felt like expressing the joy in their hearts. Since they were Presbyterians, they weren’t free to say "Hallelujah, Praise the Lord." All through the ...read more

Tags: Emotions, Joy

Denomination: United Methodist

It Is Clear That The Writer Of Psalm 100 Is ...  PRO

Contributed by Rex S. Wignall on Nov 28, 2002

It is clear that the writer of Psalm 100 is calling us to look up, and see the blessings of our God. Warren Wiersbe puts it well when he writes: Some people are appreciative by nature, but some are not; and it is these latter people who especially need God’s power to express thanksgiving. We ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Tags: Joy, Fulfillment

Denomination: United Methodist

Ingratitude Denotes Spiritual Immaturity. Infants ...

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 26, 2003

Ingratitude denotes spiritual immaturity. Infants do not always appreciate what parents do for them. They have short memories. Their concern is not what you did for me yesterday, but what are you doing for me today. The past is meaningless and so is the future. They live for the present. Those who ...read more

Tags: Joy, Discipleship

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational