Sermons on Friends Of The Suffering:

When Life Seems Hopeless

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on May 24, 2012

Here are three truths we can learn from Abijah`s experience when we face overwhelming difficulty or when life seems hopeless

When Life Seems Hopeless 2 Chronicles 13 Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, decided to tax the people more than ever and the people rebelled. The rebellion was led by a man named Jeroboam who wasn’t faithful to the Lord. The result of the rebellion was a split Israel. Jeroboam was king of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 13:1-22, 2 Chronicles 13:5-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Rejoice In Problems And Trials

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 17, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: When do we rejoice? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To convince them to rejoice when problems and trials come IV. TEXT: Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, f

I. EXORDIUM: When do we rejoice? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To convince them to rejoice when problems and trials come IV. TEXT: Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Spending Time In The Furnace

Contributed by Guy De Swardt on Oct 30, 2012

God often puts us through various tests/trials to grow our faith in Him.

Spending Time In The Furnace George Muller once said: “God likes to test the faith of His children in order to make them stronger so that they can eventually be winners! Yes, persecution, trials and tests, even sometimes suffering defeat, are spiritual food for our faith and helps us to grow ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

What Should We Do When Disaster Strikes? A Righteous Response To Disasters

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 3, 2012

Hurricane Sandy did not affect us, but it devestated millions of others. How should we respond? What should we think? What should we do? Jesus answers these questions from Luke 13:1-5

Here in South Jersey, we rode Hurricane Sandy Monday and Tuesday,. W were thankful that very few in our area were affected. Phone calls and visits on Tuesday revealed that this time, we did not have the damage and devastation like we did during July’s devestating dorecho storm that knocked out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-8, Romans 8:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Shall I Not Drink The Cup The Father Has Given Me?

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Sep 26, 2013

Jesus faced his cup of suffering willingly. God had a plan and Jesus, as difficult as it was, was willing to carry it out. Jesus needed to teach this lesson to Peter and it's a good lesson for us as well. Are we willing to 'drink our cup'?

“SHALL I NOT DRINK THE CUP THE FATHER HAS GIVEN ME?” John 18:1-14 1) Agony in the garden (vs. 1). John’s gospel doesn’t mention anything about the events that took place in the Garden of Gethsemane before Judas showed up. It’s important to look at what Jesus dealt ...read more

Scripture: John 18:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Take Up Your Cross, And Follow Him

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Jul 27, 2017

"They just decided, 'We're going to leave the cross and take Jesus.'"

22A In August of 2003 - the Church of the Holy Cross in Midtown Manhattan, New York City was broken into twice. In the first break-in, thieves stole a moneybox that was situated near a votive candle rack. Three weeks later, the church was burglarized a second time. But this time, the thieves ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-27

Denomination: Catholic

What Is Suffering All About, And Can We Gain From It.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Mar 24, 2019

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why should we suffer; and what are we mean to do about it.

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 24th March 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Exodus 3:1-15 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 “Please join me ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Episcopal

Healed By His Wounds Series

Contributed by Sherm Nichols on Mar 31, 2021

A look at Jesus through Isaiah 53 as a part of a Christmas series

Several have commented to me how it has been interesting to look through baby pictures of Jesus. I’ve enjoyed it and I hope you’ve taken away some good, practical things to do about it. Baby pictures are a look back. They’re kind of fun, looking back at how things were and remembering what used ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moses In The School Of Hard Knocks Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 31, 2011

In this lesson we look at the incidents of Moses killing the Egyptian and running to Midian. What did Moses learn from this period in his life and the mistakes he made? We can learn a lot from the school of hard knocks.

Introduction: A. Has anyone here ever made a mistake? 1. Probably a better question for us is there anyone where who has never made a mistake. 2. Have you ever made a really foolish mistake? Like this boy sawing off the branch he was sitting on! That’s really dumb and painful! 3. Have you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Trials---What Are They Good For?

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 15, 2011

Trials teach us patience, test our faith, train for service, testify to others and help us to triumph through Christ

Trials---What Are They Good For? Chuck Sligh I. THEY TEACH US PATIENCE. A. James 5:10-11 – “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience ...read more

Scripture: James 5:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is The Joy?

Contributed by David Scudder on Dec 29, 2008

Every human heart cries out for joy, but few ever find it. Relationships crumble because there is no joy. Family fights begin when joy is missing. God made us to be happy, but we have lost our way. In our text Jesus shows us the way to joy, so let�s loo

John 16:20-24; 17:13-17 Purpose: To see God’s blueprint for happiness. Aim: I want the listener to focus on God’s eternal joy and enjoy God now. INTRODUCTION: Every human heart cries out for joy, but few ever find it. Relationships crumble because there is no joy. Family fights begin when joy is ...read more

Scripture: John 16:20-24

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Savior In Gethsemane

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 6, 2021

Before Jesus suffered great physical pain on the cross, He had to suffer great mental pain in the Garden of Gethsemane, and this too was part of what He paid for our salvation.

A salesman said to me, “We all know you do not get something good for nothing.” It turned out to be very true in regard to what he was selling. I began to think about this in relationship to the Gospel and concluded that it is both true and false. Salvation by grace through faith is the greatest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:30-56

20. David Saves Keilah (1 Samuel 23) Series

Contributed by Dr. Bradford Reaves on Aug 27, 2025

“Why?” That tiny word rolls off our tongues with tears and trembling. Why the cancer? Why the betrayal? Why the silence of heaven when our world collapses? If you’ve ever whispered it in the dark night of the soul, you’re not alone—and you’re not unbiblical.

David Saves Keilah August 6, 2025 Dr. Bradford Reaves Crossway Christian Fellowship 1 Samuel 23:1-17 Introduction: Why Suffering? “Why?” That tiny word rolls off our tongues with tears and trembling. Why the cancer? Why the betrayal? Why the silence of heaven when our world collapses? If you’ve ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 23:1-17

Denomination: Brethren

Appointed To Affliction Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

As far as possible the Christian is to live peaceably with all men. The ideal is progress without persecution, but the world will not tolerate the Christian conviction, and so there will be tribulation, and we must be prepared to face it if we stand for the truth as we ought.

One of our neighbors had a common but nerve wracking experience. Her little girl did not come home from school at noon. She got worried and went out to look for her, but she was no where around. The mother was just sick with worry as the worst possible thoughts went through her mind. She sought ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4

"it's Not Fair!" (Part One) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 20, 2019

Ever have one of those days when you want to scream, ‘it's not fair’? Have you ever read stories in the bible and thought, "that's not fair"? We'll look at some of these stories so we can hopefully gain perspective for the times when we think God's not being fair.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" (part one) Ever have one of those days when you want to scream, ‘it's not fair’? Perhaps you feel like that statement defines your life as a whole. My father-in-law was born with deformities and had to have multiple corrective surgeries. On top of that, he had a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:22-24, Job 1:1-3, Job 1:18-22, Job 2:3-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ