Sermons on Enduring Hardship:

You Have To Be Kidding

Contributed by John Raulerson on Oct 6, 2005

James’readers must have been amazed when he told them to count it all joy when they fall into trials. James was not kidding and explained how trials can be a friend and not a foe.

YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING! James 1:2-11 There are times in life when you hear something that sounds so outlandish that your first remark is "You have to be kidding!" You think that what the person is telling you has to be a joke or a lie, but certainly not the truth. This had to be the thoughts of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Is God When Trouble Strikes?

Contributed by Ian Lyall on Oct 20, 2005

Trouble strikes us all at times, and often out of the blue. Do we press the panic button, ot trust that God is with us in the storm?

A tale of two acorns: Two acorns fell on the earth. One was in open ground; the other in the middle of a dense forest. The acorn in the open ground produced a sapling as its roots began to grow. For a while the growth was held back as the root system developed going deep into the soil and round ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Lie: God's Children Are Not Supposed To Feel Pain Series

Contributed by John Raulerson on Oct 20, 2005

We live in a world where people, even Christians, believe they are entitled never to suffer pain. Yet, God uses suffering for His glory.

Series: Lies Satan Tells GOD’S CHILDREN ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO FEEL PAIN 2Corinthians 12:1-10 Clyde Reid says in his book, "Celebrate the Temporary" "One of the most common obstacles to celebrating life fully is our avoidance of pain. We do everything to escape pain. Our culture reinforces ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Of All Comfort

Contributed by Robert Brent on Oct 22, 2005

God’s comfort can be a present reality to all who suffer.

“The God Of All Comfort” [2 Corinthians 1:3-7] Everybody likes to be comfortable.... Thermapedic mattress $2500.00.... This book begins with a doxology..... about suffering and comfort. The Greek word rendered comfort/consolation is found 10 times in these verses. The word tribulation thilipsis ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Questions, Questions

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Oct 25, 2005

How do we respond to the questions of life? How did Jesus respond?

It seems that questions fill our daily lives. Everywhere we go, we are confronted by questions. At home it might be very simple things like, “What’s for tea?” or, “When’s Grandma coming?”, “How can I afford it?”, “Who does she think she is?”, “What was that referee doing?”, “Why can’t I have ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 22:34-46

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Does Suffering Mean God Has Abandoned Me? Series

Contributed by Ross Anderson on Oct 25, 2005

Not even the worst afflictions you might face can cancel out God¡¦s purpose or God¡¦s favor in your life.

You might have heard that, on the next to last day of our vacation, Nancy and I were rear-ended as we were pulling off the freeway in San Jose, California. Thankfully we weren¡¦t hurt, but the car was undriveable, and we were 850 miles from home without transportation. For a while we felt not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Remember The Long Way!"

Contributed by Kevin Smith on Oct 25, 2005

This sermon talks about the importance of not forgetting where we came from...

Deuteronomy 8:1-10, 18-20 Awww come on and praise the Lord up in this house. God bless you as you are seated in the presence of the Lord. Ushers you may admit the door and let the worshippers in. Amen. This chapter of Deuteronomy is a powerful piece, and it’s pregnant with possibility. That’s why ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 8:1-20

Denomination: Pentecostal

Shake That Ole Snake Off Into The Fire!

Contributed by Val Black on Oct 27, 2005

Spiritual vipers often appear out of the fires of life.

SHAKE OFF THAT OLE SNAKE INTO THE FIRE I. Background: The religious Jews (Pharisees & Sadducees) want to kill Paul. Paul goes to the Temple in Jerusalem and is recognized by the Pharisees. They start to beat Paul but he is rescued by Roman soldiers. Paul gives a defense before the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-6

Denomination: Charismatic

A Temporary Sanity

Contributed by David Eden on Oct 28, 2005

Tragedy brings out eternal truth & character that will fade if not nurtured.

A Temporary Sanity by David Eden “God whispers to us in our pleasure, but screams to us in our pain.” -C.S. Lewis Isn’t it amazing how tragedy can awake you out of your sleepy life? Suddenly, for a few intense moments, eternity invades time and life becomes clear. Terrorists attack ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How (Questions In The Aftermath Of Hurricane Katrina)

Contributed by Chris Tiller on Oct 30, 2005

How could God have let this happen? How can we speak to God of what has happened? How can we respond to the need before us?

Lamentations 2:11-13, 18-19; 3:19-23, 40-42, 46-57 The Lamentations were written by someone, probably Jeremiah, who observed the devastation of Jerusalem following the Babylonian invasion in 586 BC. Jerusalem was literally leveled. The temple was destroyed. Anybody who was anybody was carried ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

El Invierno De La Vida

Contributed by Santiago Panzardi on Jan 30, 2004

La vida es una manifestación de aventuras, y sinsabores que a menudo no podemos comprender. Muchos de ellos despreciados por la sociedad, como si fueran leprosos en el tiempo de la Ley en Israel. La sociedad no sabe que hacer con ellos, aún la iglesia ti

EL INVIERNO DE LA VIDA Cantares 2:11-13 * La vida es una manifestación de aventuras, y sinsabores que a menudo no podemos comprender. * Y esta, trae cuatro estaciones, de temperatura y condiciones climatológicas que no podemos controlar. Primavera, Verano, Otoño e invierno. * Ninguna de ellas ...read more

Scripture: Song of Songs 2:11-13

Denomination: Pentecostal

"What Is A Bulwark?"

Contributed by Ken Sauer on Jan 31, 2004

God is the Rock of Refuge no matter how uncertain the times we live in.

Psalm 71:1-6 “What is a Bulwark?” By: Kenneth Emerson Sauer, Pastor of Parkview United Methodist Church, Newport News, VA www.parkview-umc,org. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther nailed his ninety-five theses to the door of the Cathedral of Whittenberg, Germany. That date is sometimes called the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 71:1-6

Denomination: United Methodist

Tools Of Destruction Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Feb 6, 2004

This is the 11th study in the study "The Hebrew Hymnal".

Series: The Hebrew Hymnal (Psalms) [#11] HYMNS #11-#13: TOOLS OF DESTRUCTION Psalm 11-13 David’s early life can be divided into three sections: In the country, in the court, and in the cave. In the country, David learned worship. In the court, David learned wisdom. In the cave, David ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Powerful Love In Action

Contributed by Kristopher Morris on Feb 11, 2004

In these verses we see God’s powerful love revealed in the actions of His Son, Jesus. This love lives on in our lives, as we serve others for Christ’s sake.

“Powerful Love in Action” Luke 6:17-26 February 15, 2004 Pain exists. Suffering is real. It takes many forms. I received an email this week from a man in Moscow via our church website. He had seen our webpage on the internet and he reached out to us through email. His son suffered an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 6:17-19

Denomination: Lutheran

Challenging The Challenges

Contributed by Troy Borst on Feb 15, 2004

When faced with challenges, prayer is the answer.

CHALLENGING THE CHALLENGES EXODUS 17:1-16 INTRODUCTION Throughout their journey to the promised land the Children of Israel would face challenge after challenge to their faith. We still face challenges today in our lives. 1 Peter 1: 6-7 “ In this you greatly rejoice though for a little while you ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:2, Exodus 17:1-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ