Sermons on Hardships:

An Opportunity For Joy Series

Contributed by Mark Schaeufele on Feb 15, 2006

God wants to take the trials in your life and through them produce in you fruit that will last.

An Opportunity For Joy Text: James 1:2-12 Introduction 1. Read James 1:2-12 2. Chippie the parakeet never saw it coming. One second he was peacefully perched in his cage. The next he was sucked in, washed up, and blown over. The problems began when Chippie’s owner decided to clean Chippie’s ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Methodist

In Broken Places

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Feb 17, 2006

The marriage is over, the job is lost, the investments are spent, the pregnancy has been terminated; we know that this is not what God wants for us; but, what has happened cannot be undone. - Now what?

19, February 2006 Dakota Community Church In Broken Places Introduction: Life does not always turn out as we plan it. Many things can go wrong and we can find ourselves in a place that is far from what we originally felt was the will of God for us. - The plan that Jake and Chris and I had for ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:1-13

Denomination: Mennonite

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 2: The Problems Of Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2006

“If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were almighty He would be able to do what He wished. But the creatures suffer pain; therefore does God lack goodness or power, or both?” -C. S. Lewis

A. THREE MYTHS ABOUT PAIN 1. God’s children are not supposed to suffer pain. 2. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with me. 3. If I hurt, there must be something wrong with God. B. WHY PAIN? 1. “If God were good, He would wish to make His creatures perfectly happy and if God were ...read more

Scripture: Job 11:13-16

Denomination: Baptist

What Pain Teaches You: Lesson 3: What To Do In Pain

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 20, 2006

“Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom

A. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF PAIN OR SUFFERING 1. God created a perfect man and placed Him in a perfect environment. 2. Pain and suffering are the consequences of living in a fallen world. “To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Baptist

When The Storms Come

Contributed by W. Alderman on Mar 5, 2006

"When it rains it pours", describes how quickly storms can come and how often in the Spiritual life.

When The Storms Come Text: Mark 4:35-41 Pastor W. Max Alderman Introduction: This story takes place on the Sea of Galilee, which is known for its sudden storms. On the Sea of Galilee, it may be said that storms will come suddenly, and ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Baptist

Pain Has A Purpose

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Mar 13, 2006

We all know pain is going to be a part of life. The main question is "why". If I understand God’s purpose for pain I can deal with it.

March 12, 2006 Second Sunday in the Season of Lent -------------------------------------------------- Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

Storms Of Life

Contributed by Toby Powers on Mar 15, 2006

We all will face storms, but God is putting us "through" the storm; he will not leave us "in" the storm.

From the Desk of Pastor Toby Powers Truth Baptist Church Hwy 78 Bremen, GA The Storms of Life Matthew 14:22-34 Intro: Life is filled with storms. It is inevitable. They are stressful, but they are not altogether avoidable. Some storms we choose ourselves. Some we face are because of the choice of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:22-34

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People?

Contributed by Gene Gregory on Mar 17, 2006

A look at several biblical reasons for Christian suffering.

WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE? - Read 2 Corinthians 11:16-33 As we look at this passage, we wonder, "If God is in control, and He is; and if God is all powerful, and He is; why did He let all of this stuff happen to His man Paul? If God is in control, why do bad things happen to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

Showering In God's Comfort

Contributed by Vinnie Cappetta on May 14, 2006

God has plenty of comfort to go around, but we often miss out on it b/c we are looking for comfort in all the wrong places. When God does comfort us, we often waste His comfort. How can we turn this around?

Showering in God’s Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3-11 Comforter: One called alongside to help v.4 God comforts us in all of our troubles v.5 the more we suffer, the more God showers His comfort on us God has plenty of comfort to go around, but we often miss out on it b/c we are looking for comfort ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Wrong Questions, Right Answer

Contributed by John Dickey on May 16, 2006

Jesus ends the whys and wherefores of our burdened hearts – not with explanations so much as with loving, perfect restoration – making all things right, maybe not here, but absolutely in heaven – a real place, a steadfast promise, a rock-solid guarantee f

Wandering through the phenomenal collection of art in the Louvre museum you can get an odd sense of awe and futility. This former residence of Napoleon is just so packed full with mankind’s creative treasures, it numbs the mind. Crowds gather around the Mona Lisa while the rooms of renaissance ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Mystery And The Master

Contributed by Ewen Huffman on May 19, 2006

What when things don’t work out as we expect... and things don’t make sense? What does the Bible have to say about that?

Mystery and the master. Dan 3:13-18, heb 11:1-2,6, 13-16, 32-39. WBC 21 May 06am EVER WONDER... ...why the sun lightens our hair, but darkens our skin? why women can’t put on mascara with their mouth closed? why you don’t ever see the headline "Psychic Wins Lottery"? why "abbreviated" is such a ...read more

Scripture: Daniel 3:13-18

Denomination: Baptist

Blessings Through Suffering

Contributed by Arthur And Marie Mason on May 25, 2006

Is it possible to simply love God for Him... and hold fast to your integrity... even if you have lost all your material and physical possessions?

Blessings Through Suffering Job 1:1-21; 2:1-10 Is it possible to simply love God for Him... and hold fast to your integrity... even if you lose all your material and physical possessions? Even if it cost you, heaven forbid, your job... your possessions and your health? Job did. Or... are you ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Don't Blow It Now! Series

Contributed by Clarence Moore on May 27, 2006

Don’t allow the enemy to cause you to loose focus now! - Your victory is just around the corner.

2006 Overflow Series: Preaching from the book of Joshua Don’t Blow it now! On last week we witnessed the miraculous deliverance of a former prostitute and her whole family from the destruction of a city called Jericho. When the 6th chapter opens we find ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 7:1-26

Denomination: Baptist

God's Tests

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Jun 1, 2006

Why do you think God administers tests in our lives? Tests from God always have a spiritual purpose and a spiritual growth process for us in our faith walk with the Lord.

“God’s Test!” On the lighter side of life: Three old men were at the doctor’s office for a memory test. The doctors said to the first old man, “What is three times three?” “Two-hundred seventy four,” he replied. The doctor said to the second man, “it’s your turn. What is three times three?” ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 22:1-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Comfort Comfort My People

Contributed by Jay Winters on Jun 5, 2006

A different kind of sermon - going back and forth between a reading of Isaiah and illustrative sermons that bring the text to the listner’s reality.

Special instructions - "quoted" material should be read by one reader and is the text of Isaiah 40. Material beginning with numbers can be split up amongst different readers or read by the pastor/sermon deliverer. “Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.” 1Isaiah is an old man now. His ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:1-11

Denomination: Lutheran