Sermons on Joy Amidst Suffering:

To Bring You To God

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 23, 2012

Sermon for the first Sunday in Lent, Year B

I Peter 3: 18 – 22 / To Bring You To God Intro: 2 inexperienced hunters went hunting in the woods. The game warden had warning them that they might get lost said that if the got lost to shoot 3 shots in rapid succession. They did get lost. One said to the other, “You’d ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why It Hurts Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 31, 2011

When we consider pain, there are three particularly painful areas of life: our relationships, our work and finances, and our health. The pain that we experience in each of these areas of life can be traced to the judgments that God delivered after the fa

Sermon Notes July 31, 2011 FBCam Why it Hurts Genesis 3:16-19 CS Lewis, in “The Problem of Pain,” writes: “When I was an atheist, if anyone had asked me “why do you NOT believe in God, my reply would have been.... PAIN.. [People] cause pain by being born, and live by pain and in pain they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Navigating The Surprises Of Life

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Aug 29, 2011

God can and will help us change so we can be better equipped to handle change. If we will go all in with God and give our lives to Him, He will help us learn to navigate the surprises of life in a way that brings Him honor and produces something good in o

Navigating the Surprises of Life Intro: How many of you enjoy surprises? I know, I know – it depends on what the surprise is. For example, your tax return comes back with $500 more than you expected – that is a good surprise! Or, back when we used VCR’s… one day you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Handcrafted By God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 17, 2012

Is God bending, shaping, or polishing me right now? What’s my attitude: Am I thanking and praising God, or am I complaining about the process? Trials are intended not to provoke us but to prove us. See the present from the perspective of the future. Look

Opening illustration: The Steinway piano has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt—and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"We Are Just Passing Through"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Nov 11, 2011

How to be patient and joyful in pain and trials.

I want to thank everyone for all the e mails yesterday. Over the past 13 years of writing I have lived my life out through what God has enabled me to write. My doctor’s appointment went well. My depression is severe but all I can tell you is that 1. God does not make mistakes 2. God has ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:10

"I Want This Pain Over"

Contributed by Brad Henry on Nov 11, 2011

How to be patient in affliction and faithful in prayer

1 Peter 4:12 “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.” I have a doctor’s appointment this morning to see what is going on. I am tried all the time, can hardly move with pain and a host of other ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12

Peter's Description Of The Victorious Christian Life. Series

Contributed by Stuart M Guthrie on Aug 9, 2012

Today we talked about living the Victorious Christian life, by showing our desire for the Attitude of Jesus, showing our desire for Gods will and showing our desire for the eternal hope.

1 Peter 4:1-6 (Peter’s description of the victorious Christian Life) August 7, 2012 Introduction: Prayer: Well I hope that you all had a wonderful week and I hope that as we look at this passage this morning that you would be ever the better. We have been studying through 1 Peter now for ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Hope-Filled Heart Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 15, 2011

In this sermon based on a chapter from Max Lucado's book Just Like Jesus, we learn how to have a hope-filled heart like Jesus.

Introduction: A. Peter Robinson, former speech writer for Ronald Reagan, wrote a book titled How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life. 1. Robinson relates a lunch meeting he held with Edwin Meese, who had served in many official capacities within the Reagan administration, including Attorney ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Glory In Persecution [rated - R]

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 6, 2009

The time is coming when Christians will be persecuted right here. How do I know it? I have already traveled that road before. How will you deal with it? Let us not try to run and find a way to escape persecution but face it like Jesus did.

Opening illustration: Video clip of persecuted Christians worldwide. Let us turn to 1 Peter 4 and check out what to expect while being persecuted for Christ. Introduction: In the nature of things persecution must have been a much more daunting experience for Gentiles than it was for the Jews. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Response To Persecution

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 27, 2010

Jesus promised us persecution, though we have not experience a great deal in the US. But those days will change. How should we respond?

Passage: Matthew 10:17-33 Intro: Wartime is different than peacetime. 1. war has it’s rules, but when the purpose is killing the enemy, the rules only limit the how. PP Geneva Convention 2. terrorism has introduced a whole new element of modern warfare. 3. use of civilians as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:17-33

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Will The Real "Super-Apostle" Please Stand Up Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 10, 2010

In this lesson we will be challenged and convicted by Paul's sufferings in service to the Lord. How much are we willing to suffer and sacrifice?

Introduction: A. Today is Mother’s Day, so we want to take a moment to honor the mothers among us. 1. William Goldsmith Brown wrote: “The sweetest sounds to mortals given, Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.” 2. Thank God for moms – the good ones and the not so good ones ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 31, 2011

In this lesson, we cover the principles for living for Christ, so that we may received the best blessings, even in the worst of persecution.

Introduction: A. I like this picture – Don’t you know that that car never saw it coming! 1. In some respects life is unpredictable and we need to learn to expect the unexpected. 2. When it comes to the Christian life, there is not much that is unexpected. 3. Jesus tried to prepare us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy Series

Contributed by Don Vanzant on Sep 30, 2011

God gives joy to those who abide in Him which is not dependent on circumstances but is actually compatible with pain.

Years ago I spent the last four months of seminary in the Clinical Pastoral Education program or CPE as a chaplain on the third floor of Central Baptist Hospital. It was a great experience, but not one that suited me too well. I was assigned to the respiratory ward where people were mostly ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Pearls Of Joy In The Ocean Of Pain: Three Reasons For Rejoicing In Suffering Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Feb 6, 2014

Living as a Church in a Foreign Land Pearls of Joy in the Ocean of Pain: Three Reasons for Rejoicing in Suffering

Living as a Church in a Foreign Land Pearls of Joy in the Ocean of Pain: Three Reasons for Rejoicing in Suffering 1 Peter 4:12-19 David Taylor We are in our last mini-series in 1 Peter, “Living as a Church in a Foreign Land,” where Peter tells us how to live life of discipleship ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Joy

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Nov 8, 2025

1. REJOICING IN HEAVEN 2. YOUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE 3. GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 4. YOUR GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY 5. JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 6. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS 7. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE 8. THE LEADER'S JOY 9. THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM 10. THE TEST OF FAITH

JOY 1. REJOICING IN HEAVEN 2. YOUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE 3. GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 4. YOUR GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY 5. JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 6. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS 7. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE 8. THE LEADER'S JOY 9. THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM 10. THE TEST OF ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:17

Denomination: Pentecostal