Sermons on Godly Suffering:

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

The Shade At Your Right Hand - Psalm 121 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 24, 2025

This psalm is for times when you are afraid. It promises you will suffer no harm. Yet we know calamities can still strike because the psalmist is looking to the mountains for help in his current calamity. So what good is the promise?

Psalm 121:1 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber ...read more

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

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

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

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

Religion That Makes A Difference Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 23, 2006

Religion that makes a difference is characterized by godly language, godly love and a godly lifestyle. James not only tells us what we should be, he tells us how to get there.

Introduction A. I heard about a man who came into church late one Sunday. 1. He asked someone in the back of the auditorium, “Is the sermon done yet?” 2. The person wisely answered, “The sermon has been preached, but it has yet to be done.” 3. Wow! You talk about truthful and insightful! 4. The ...read more

Scripture: James 1:19-27

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Your Ways, Your Paths

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Mar 17, 2013

God guides us through:1) A Path of Trial (Psalm 25:1-3), 2) A Path for Training (Psalm 25:4–5), 3) A Path for Thought (Psalm 25:6–7), 4) A Path for Teaching(Psalm 25:8-10)

The hardest part of any journey is the part that you have to take alone. It is especially difficult if you have not traveled the path before. When we lose someone we care about so much, like the loss of Doreen this week, we are called to continue the journey of life minus one who has thus far ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 25:1-10

Denomination: Other

Some Ask, "Why Does God Allow Evil And Suffering In The World?"

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Dec 28, 2002

God is so great that nothing happens without His permission, and in that permission His ultimate plan unfolds. In His plan He is able to use for good what man intends for evil. God is in control

Illustration:As C.S. Lewis wrote, "The greatest evil is not done in those sordid ’dens of crime’ that Dickens loved to paint...it is conceived and...moved, seconded, carried, and minuted...in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

God Of Suffering: How We Can Experience God In Struggle And Pain Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Jan 31, 2009

The effects of persecution and struggle caused the church to grow and experience more of God’s power. We can experience God in struggle and pain because He is found in suffering and walks with us through it.

The God of Suffering: How we can experience God in struggle, pain, and suffering. Intro: How do you feel about struggle, suffering, and pain? Explanation: Acts 10-11 1. Peters has a vision for all people…(“all nations”) 2. Everyone is not happy… 3. A new church is born out of struggle Text: ...read more

Scripture: Acts 11:19-30

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Sovereignty In The Midst Of Christian Suffering (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Mar 7, 2010

A sermon examining the God's plan and purpose in times of suffering.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN THE MIDST OF CHRISTIAN SUFFERING (Part 1) Acts 4:23-28 (Antioch Baptist Church: Wednesday, September 10th, 2025) For the weak believer or perhaps a new Christian, it may be disconcerting to hear that God not only allows His children to suffer; in some cases He causes ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

God's Sovereignty In The Midst Of Christian Suffering (Part 2) Series

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Mar 9, 2010

A sermon examining God's plan and purpose in times of suffering.

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN THE MIDST OF CHRISTIAN SUFFERING (Part 2) Acts 4:23-28 (Antioch Baptist Church: Wednesday, August 27th, 2025) Many unbelievers have a common misconception that “if our God is real”, and “if He is all powerful”, and “if we are His children”, and “if He loves us”, then we ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-28

Denomination: Baptist