Sermons on Bad Grief:

Let Hope Arise (Easter)

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 30, 2021

As we look at several of the encounters that the Risen Lord had with various people, we see hope rising in places of - grief, fear, doubt and failure.

Let HOPE Rise! Easter 2020 I want to start off today with some powerful words that Paul put to paper 2000 years ago, NOT ONLY for a bunch of believers who were living in the city of Corinth… BUT ALSO - for (you and I) today, at this very moment on April 12, 2020. Now, brothers, I want to remind ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, John 20:10-16, John 20:25, Mark 16:7-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Nearer, Still Nearer

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 15, 2025

Christ draws near in our grief, holds our loved one safely in His keeping, and promises resurrection, reunion, and endless nearness to Him.

(A Funeral Sermon Based on the Hymn) Introduction — When Words Are Not Enough On days like this, words feel small. Our hearts feel heavy, our minds feel slow, and our emotions move in waves—sometimes strong, sometimes quiet, sometimes surprising. Grief has a way of slipping into every corner of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18, John 14:1-3, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18, Revelation 21:4

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Mountaineer's Psalm

Contributed by Revd. Martin Dale on Jul 5, 2025

Where do we look for solace in times of grief or hardship. And with whom do we share our joy when God blesses us.

Introduction Thank you for inviting me to take your festival service today (in Skillington - the church where Revd Charles Hudson was vicar from 1859 to 1865) My interest comes from a former vicar here - Revd Charles Hudson (4th October 1828-14 July 1865). Charles was born in Park Street in ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Resurrection Of Lazarus PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 25, 2025

Jesus meets us in our deepest sorrow with compassion and power, offering resurrection hope that transforms grief because he himself conquered death.

Some of us arrived today with a heart that feels heavy. The week brought news we didn’t want. A chair at the table is empty. The silence in the car is louder than the radio. We know the sting of loss, the ache of waiting, the long walk from “why” to “what now.” John 11 is God’s kindness to souls ...read more

Topics: Jesus, Hope, Death

Obedience In Adversity Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 6, 2008

Bad things happen but we are still called to obedience even through the storms of life.

Sermon Date: January 21, 2007 Sermon Text: Job 1:12-19 (NASB) 12 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. 13 Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

Laws On Violence, Pt. 2: How Bad A Boss Can You Be (Exodus 21:20-27) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Oct 1, 2022

The OT answers the question, "How bad a boss can you be, and still keep possession of a slave?" The NT answers the question, "How can you be a great boss, in Christ?"

Today, we continue working through the laws on violence, in Exodus 21. Last week, we read about a few sins that were punishable by death, and a few that weren't. Let's start by simply rereading verses 12-19: (12) A striker of a man-- and he dies-- shall surely be put to death, (13) while ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 21:20-27, Ephesians 6:5-8

Job-Like Season

Contributed by Bruce Lee on May 15, 2023

Whatever trial, struggle, bad thing, brokenness, you are going thru is not permanent Whatever trial, struggle, bad thing, brokenness, you are going thru is not permanent. You are just in a Job-like Season. And seasons pass.

Job-like Season “If my misery could be weighed and my troubles be put on the scales, 3 they would outweigh all the sands of the sea.” Job 6:2-3 Intro: In a village called Uz on the east side of Canaan…, there was a child born named Job. Directly east of Canaan was the land of Edom…, which is the ...read more

Scripture: Job 6:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Embracing Uncertainty Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 7, 2023

To embrace the uncertainties of life, enjoy the good days, grow in the bad days, but trust God every day.

In his book In a Pit with a Lion on a Snowy Day, Mark Batterson writes about a vacation he took with his family to Orlando, Florida: One morning they were sitting at a stoplight in their rental van. The light turned green, and the car in front of us didn't go, so Mark decided to give them a ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 6:1-12, Ecclesiastes 7:1-14

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Must I Continue To Struggle?

Contributed by Shad Comeaux on Feb 29, 2008

The sermon deals with our struggle with the flesh and why it doesn’t have to be as bad as it seems.

I usually like to start my sermons with a nice introduction that captures the audience’s attention. I like to paint a contemporary picture that helps you relate to and connect with the biblical pericope. But this morning, can we get down to the heart of the matter? Can you pull up your chair and ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

You Are Made Alive In Christ Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Feb 14, 2019

As Christ had gone down into His baptism of death, so the communicant in the moment of baptism was “buried,” as Christ had been in the grave. Then he “rose” into “new life,” as Christ had risen on the first Easter Day.

11/5/18 Tom Lowe IVB2: You are Made Alive in Christ (Col. 2:13-15) • “Special Notes” and “Scripture” appear as endnotes. • NIV Bible is used throughout unless noted otherwise. ...read more

Scripture: Colossians 2:13-15

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Wants To Heal Your Broken Heart Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Nov 29, 2019

The story of Lazarus shows us how: 1. Jesus comes and calls us closer to Him (vs. 27-32). 2. Jesus hurts when we hurt (vs. 32-38). 3. Jesus delivers us from doubt (vs. 37-43). 4. Jesus defeats our death (43-44).

Jesus Wants to Heal Your Broken Heart The Gospel of John John 11:27-45 Sermon by Rick Crandall Grayson Baptist Church - April 19, 2017 (Revised November 29, 2019) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to John 11 to continue our study of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. In this miraculous Bible ...read more

Scripture: John 11:27-45

Denomination: Baptist

Defeating Difficulties

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 7, 2022

Many of us have learned to categorize our days as GOOD DAYS or BAD DAYS! To listen to some folks talk, they seem to have more bad days than good days!

Illus: Someone said that YOU KNOW IT IS GOING TO BE A BAD DAY WHEN: • You call suicide prevention and they put you on hold • Your birthday cake collapses from the weight of the candles • Your twin sister forgot your birthday • Your horn goes off accidentally and remains stuck as you follow a group ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:14-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Great Exchange

Contributed by Daniel King, D. Min. on Dec 21, 2017

This is an illustrated, evangelistic sermon for children designed to lead them to Jesus. This message illustrates how God takes bad things away from us and replaces the bad things with good gifts.

Characters: 1. A homeless man 2. Jesus Props: 1. Five Pillows 2. Five pillowcases that have the following words written in large letters with black ink: Sadness, Fear, Worry, Sickness, and Sin. 3. Five gift-wrapped packages that say: Joy, Faith, Hope, Healing, and Salvation. Illustrated ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

The Next Day

Contributed by David Richardson on Apr 2, 2005

People remember the next day because it indexes our life chronologically and it indexes our life emotionally. It stands in time as a point of transition from bad to good or from good to bad.

Title: The Next Day Scripture: Acts 21:1-26 Let someone pick a random day in your life and chances are you won’t be able to remember exactly what you were doing that day. But, ask any older American what they were doing on December 7th 1941 and they can tell you. Or ask someone what they were ...read more

Scripture: Acts 21:1-29

Denomination: Calvary Chapel

God's Answer To Disturbed Emotions Series

Contributed by Vernon L Caruthers on Oct 12, 2009

This is the 3rd sermon from Psalm 23. It focuses on How God Restores Our Soul when it is carrying around mixed hurtful emotions such as guilt & grief & grudges.

Sermon Series: Sermons from Psalm 23 Sermon #2: God’s Answer for Damaged Emotions: Scripture Ref: Psalm 23:1-6 Psalm 23:3 ‘HE restores my soul.’ Introduction: This morning we’re continuing the series from Psalm 23: In this most beloved PSALM we find 7 CAUSES of STRESS ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:3