Sermons on Help With Suffering:

The Vision, The Thorn, And The Grace Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 17, 2010

Paul learned to accept his thorn in the flesh as a gift from God, and allowed it to bless and benefit his life.

Introduction: A. I want to start with a true story that illustrates the overall lesson I hope we will learn today. B. The story is told of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. 1. The boy began lessons with an old ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Way Into God’s Presence - Psalm 42-43 Part 2 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 10, 2025

How do you increase your soul's thirst for God? This message will help you turn all the hardships and disappointments of life into your allies, and what to do when your observations of life don’t match your theology.

Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil of the Sons of Korah. 1 As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God. 2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? 3 My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day ...read more

God's Sovereignty & Christian Suffering

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Jan 18, 2010

A sermon examining the fact that even in the midst of the troubles of this life our God is sovereign.

God’s Sovereignty & Christian Suffering Acts 4:23-28 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 many cases He causes suffering. But as you grow in wisdom and knowledge and as your faith in Him ...read more

Scripture: Acts 4:23-28

Denomination: Baptist

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

Grace At Work Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 3, 2011

If we want to find fulfillment and joy in our work then we must submit even to bosses who treat us infairly, for only in this do we experience grace and fulfill our calling.

David Roper’s 3-year-old grandson, Seth, in Judsonia, Arkansas, received a toy lawnmower for Christmas a few years ago, but he didn’t have the chance to use it until one hot July day when his father went out to mow the lawn and Seth volunteered to “help.” A few minutes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Death Of Christ – Csi – Christ’s Suffering Investigation

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Nov 30, 2020

For the next three lessons we will go on an investigative journey starting today with the death of Jesus Christ...

1 Cor 15:1 Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, in which also you stand, 1 Cor 15:2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. 1 Cor 15:3 For I delivered to you as of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

How The Holy Spirit Helps Us Remain Flexible

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The Holy Spirit keeps us flexible by reminding us to remain humble while trusting the Lord for our direction. David wrote, "He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. (Psa. 25:9 How the Holy Spirit Helps Us Remain Flexible (Matt 26:4

How the Holy Spirit Helps Us Remain Flexible (Matt 26:42) Illustration:Leadership in the local church should be determined by spirituality, not notoriety. Tony Evans. Illustration:Back in 1934, when the Cunard line was getting ready to name its greatest ocean liner, the consensus was that it ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:42

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Live Is Christ

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 18, 2011

How do we balance our own pursuit of meaning and happiness with the call to live as Kingdom people? What role does suffering have in the Christian life and why in the world are we called not only to believe in Jesus but to suffer for him? A little bait an

This dates me, I know, but I can sometimes relate to Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoons. Like the one where Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. As usual, Lucy has the floor, delivering one of her lectures. She says, "Charlie Brown, life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it so ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trialful Joy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2009

Trials and tests are no fun. James doesn’t tell us to consider it fun but to "consider it all joy." Trials and tests are gut wrenching and drawn out at times, but the one thing that we must know is that God is with us through the whole ordeal.

Opening illustration: After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

Defining Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 4, 2010

Trials are designed to teach us so that our conduct and character changes.

Defining Trials Hebrews 12:5-11 Rev. Brian Bill 7/4/10 About two weeks ago I received a phone call from someone who was in great distress. After recounting the details of what had happened, the following question was uttered in a loud, yet broken voice: “Pastor Brian, does God hate ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

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

How The Holy Spirit Helps Develop Great Attitudes

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

The man went into the restaurant and said, “Do you serve crabs here?” And the waiter said, “Why, yes sir, we serve anybody here.” Twelve principles for enhancing our attitudes.

Let the Spirit of God Enrich Your Outlook (Eph. 1:15-20) Story: Crabs The man went into the restaurant and said, “Do you serve crabs here?” And the waiter said, “Why, yes sir, we serve anybody here.” The Bell, the Clapper, and the Cord: Wit and Witticism, (Baltimore: National Federation of the ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:15-20

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Where Was God When I Went Through That? Series

Contributed by Daniel J. Little on Nov 15, 2011

The Necessity of Suffering. Wounded healers only become so by the wounds suffered in their own life, while un-wounded healers have little to offer.

“Where was God when I was going through that?” I want to talk about the bruises, wounds and scars and disappointments that we all accumulate over a lifetime and the question that we all have from time to time (or maybe most of the time)... “Where was God when I was going through ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 1:1-3

Denomination: *other