Sermons on Godly Suffering:

Smyrna: When Faithfulness Isn't Safe Series

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 28, 2026

Faithfulness does not deny suffering; it refuses fear’s authority, trusting Jesus with loss, future, and life itself when allegiance becomes costly.

Smyrna is the second letter, and it immediately feels different from the first. Ephesus dealt with something quiet — love thinning over time. Smyrna deals with something loud — pressure that does not pretend to be gentle. This letter is not about erosion from within; it is about weight pressing ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11, Matthew 10:28, Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, John 11:25-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

God Never Said... "i'll Never Give You More Than You Can Handle" Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Feb 1, 2026

Part 1 of "God Never Said That."

Good morning! I invite you to turn with me to the book of 2 Corinthians. When Trish and I lived in Kingsport, Tennessee, we always flew in and out of Tri-Cities Regional Airport. And if you’ve ever flown out of a regional airport, you know there are no big jets. No jumbo planes. You get ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah, John The Baptist, And Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 5, 2026

Anticipating the suffering of Jesus.

ELIJAH, JOHN THE BAPTIST, AND JESUS. Matthew 17:10-13. As they came down the mountain of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John asked Jesus, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” (MATTHEW 17:10). This, of course, refers to the prophecy of Malachi 4:5. Yet Jesus did not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Nations Have Come (Psalm 79)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 11, 2026

Is persecution widespread?

Should we expect persecution all over the world? How should we deal with it? Let’s begin in Psalm 79. A Psalm by Asaph. (WEB) Did the nations come to worship God or murder the saints? O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance; Your holy temple they have defiled; They have laid Jerusalem ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Afflicted (Psalm 102)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Feb 27, 2026

Do we suffer temporary pain for a wonderful eternity?

As the afflictions of this temporary life burden us, are we encouraged by God’s plans for our eternity? Let’s begin in Psalm 102. A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before Yahweh. (WEB) Have we ever made an urgent prayer to God needing a quick ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Believe It Or Not Series

Contributed by Ricky Tuttle Thd on Sep 13, 2025

Let’s look at some activities with our brothers and sisters as they walk in their new faith.

“Believe It Or Not” Acts 12:1-18 (This is just an outline with comments after Scripture. Use it as you need. ) Let’s look at some activities with our brothers and sisters as they walk in their new faith. A lesson I learned this last week. Are you really having a bad day or are you just having a ...read more

Scripture: Acts 12:1-18

Denomination: Baptist

The Lord Is My Refuge

Contributed by Todd Catteau on Aug 18, 2024

In times of trouble we seek peace and safety. Where we seek it makes all the difference in the world.

It always seems that I get a request to preach form the Psalms. Today Psalm 11. The Psalms speak to us – we can almost hear ourselves in the Psalms – praising God – mourning our sin – questioning the world – seeking vengeance on our enemies. Before reading let’s introduce some aspects of the ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Cana, The Town Where Jesus Turned Water Into Wine And Healed The Royal Official's Son

Contributed by Robert Irvine on May 10, 2024

In John chapter 2 we read that Jesus went to a wedding in Cana and he miraculously turned water into wine. Later, in John chapter 4, he returned to Cana and he healed a Royal official’s son.

In John chapter 2 we read that Jesus went to a wedding in Cana and he miraculously turned water into wine. Later, in John chapter 4, he returned to Cana and he healed a Royal official’s son. Today we will look at 2 things: The meaning of the name Cana and the historical significance and how it is ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12, John 4:43-54

Denomination: Baptist

How Will Light Shine On All Your Ways?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 9, 2024

Allowing the Light to shine on all that we do and all that we may go through is important to show to others our joy in the Lord, regardless of what happens.

In an attempt better understand the question posed, I think we should have a brief overview of the book of Job. Everybody has heard about Job at some point in time. The book of Job is a grasping show of wealth, to poverty, to wealth (riches, to rags, to riches), a theological composition about ...read more

Scripture: Job 22:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Joy In Troubled Times

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Dec 15, 2024

The Challenge of Joy in Troubled Times Church, this third Sunday of Advent—the pink candle Sunday—ushers us into joy. But how do we celebrate joy in a world so gripped by fear and trauma?

Sermon Joy in Troubled Times Zephaniah 3:14-20 The Message 14-15 So sing, Daughter Zion! Raise your voices, Israel! Daughter Jerusalem, be happy! celebrate! God has reversed his judgments against you and sent your enemies off chasing their tails. From now on, God is Israel’s king, ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Denomination: United Methodist

02 Joy In Adversity Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottom Line: Joy flourishes when Christ is exalted, even in the face of hardship.

Last week, we began a new series through Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. The Book of Philippians shows what it means to live with defiant joy. And here’s what I mean by that: “defiant joy” is a joy that stands firm regardless of what life throws our way. Even in his imprisonment, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Happy Are The Sad - Matthew 5:4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 3, 2024

No one feels good after a failure. But how is the sorrow of a child of God different? And why does Jesus pronounce a blessing on people who feel that way? This message will help you draw near to God through times of hardship.

Matthew 5:1-12 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:4

Santified In The Lord - Get In The Boat Series

Contributed by William Akehurst on Jan 17, 2011

Peter’s theme throughout the 1st book is one of suffering. We continue in this difficult passage as a part of the whole. Learn what it is to be Sanctified in the LORD and in the 'same boat'.

2011.01.16b.Sermon Sanctified in the LORD (part 2) 1 Peter 3:13-22 Peter’s message on suffering and the hope of our faith continues as a theme throughout the first book. This passage is a difficult passage to traverse without keeping in mind this theme. Last time: 1 Peter 3:8-15 Peter ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

My Personal Mission Series

Contributed by Brian Matherlee on Oct 6, 2009

5 Godly goals for a New Year

NEW PURPOSE, RENEWED PURPOSE Part 1—My Personal Mission Philippians 3:10-20 Sunday, January 4, 2009 Pastor Brian Matherlee Cowboy wisdom for a new year: • Never kick a cow chip on a hot day. • There’s two theories to arguin’ with a woman. Neither one works. • If you find yourself in a hole, the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:10-20

Denomination: Wesleyan

How To Live Right

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 7, 2009

Our thinking drives our behavior. Rather than blindly accepting the trends in our society, Christians should allow their thinking to be shaped by revelation in the word.

How to Living Right Romans 12:1-3 6-28-09 I begin this message today with an assumption. My assumption is this: Deep in the heart of every Christian is the desire to live right before God. I can’t imagine someone who is truly born again not wanting to please God. When the cry “Abba Father” comes ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:1-2

Denomination: Charismatic