Sermons on Joy Amidst Suffering:

When Life Seems Hopeless

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on May 24, 2012

Here are three truths we can learn from Abijah`s experience when we face overwhelming difficulty or when life seems hopeless

When Life Seems Hopeless 2 Chronicles 13 Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, decided to tax the people more than ever and the people rebelled. The rebellion was led by a man named Jeroboam who wasn’t faithful to the Lord. The result of the rebellion was a split Israel. Jeroboam was king of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 13:1-22, 2 Chronicles 13:5-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

E Management Of Pain

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 6, 2012

The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of pain in his life. He recognized that sometimes Satan brings the pain and sometimes God brings the pain for our own good. He prayed for God to remove the pain, but God said, “My grace is sufficient.” God didn

Thursday, January 16, 2003 Tom Lowe Title: The Management of Pain Text: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” (2 Cor. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

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 Lord's Servant

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 17, 2010

Redemption was born in suffering, so is our peace.

The Lord’s Servant, Isaiah 52:13-53:6 Introduction “After a mission service, the preacher of the evening was hurrying away to a late train. He had just three minutes to catch it when he saw a man running after him. “Oh, sir,” he said breathlessly as he came up, “can ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

From Bitter And Better Ii Series

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

Troubles will make you better if you do not allow it to make you bitter.

Exodus 1:14 begins with the phrase, “And they made their lives bitter…” • According to the Strong’s Concordance the root word used for “bitter” can also mean “stronger.” • As a matter of fact, according to the Bible Reader’s ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living In A Murphy's Law World Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jul 22, 2011

This is a message of encouragement to people who are facing struggles and trials. We live in a Murphy's Law world where trouble is always just around the corner. How do we deal with it when the troubles of life seem overwhelming?

Introduction: Murphy’s law suggests that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Some corollaries have been attached – they are true given the right circumstances: q At the most inopportune time q Because it is your fault q And Everyone will see it Every perceived solution only ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-39

Denomination: Christian Church

Why Life Is So Tough

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Bob Aquino on Apr 6, 2011

Many of us would like a personal ministry, but we don’t know where to begin. This passage suggests that our personal ministry begins as we share with others what God has shared with us.

INTRO: In May 2008 Christian musician Steven Curtis Chapman's five year old daughter Maria was run over and killed on the family property. Her teen-aged brother did not see her playing in the driveway before she was struck. It was a tragedy of unspeakable sadness. I remember that my first thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

An Eternal Weight Of Glory Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2011

We should be grateful for God’s earthly, physical blessings and protection, but we should be even more grateful for the eternal blessings he gives us.

An Eternal Weight of Glory (2 Corinthians 4:7-18 with Psalm 116) My view is that 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 is based on Psalm 116 (the 2 Cor. passage is a midrash). See if you agree. The “starting text,” Psalm 116:3-19 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible

O Joy That Seeks Me Through Pain

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Mar 27, 2004

Some­thing hap­pened to me, which was known only to my­self, and which caused me the most se­vere men­tal suf­fer­ing. The hymn was the fruit of that suf­fer­ing. It was the quick­est bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the im­press­ion of hav­ing it

O Joy That Seeks Me Through Pain (Psa 23:3) He restores my soul. George Matheson, a blind Pastor said about his famous hymn: My hymn was composed in the manse of Innelan [Argyleshire, Scotland] on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone in the manse at ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The God Who Is Worth Suffering For - Matthew 5:10-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2024

Usually when someone mistreats us because of our righteousness, we think we’re doing well if we simply endure it without getting angry or depressed. But Jesus calls us to far more than that. We are to rejoice greatly! This message will help you do that.

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 5:10-12

Sorrow Is Passing But Joy Is Permanent Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 10, 2023

The Bible is very honest about suffering in this world. It declares over and over that pain, sorrow and weeping will be a part of life. However, the good news is that it is passing and not permanent. The negatives pass away, but the positives will come to stay.

The Bible is very honest about suffering in this world. It declares over and over that pain, sorrow and weeping will be a part of life. However, the good news is that it is passing and not permanent. The negatives pass away, but the positives will come to stay. The ultimate goal of God for His ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:5

Strength During Suffering

Contributed by Dr. Madana Kumar, Phd on Feb 26, 2018

Suffering is a reality. Where can we gain strength from when we suffer?

New years are time to generally reflect and to look forward to new things. Despite the fact that it repeats every 365 days, it is still something to look forward to. We all have heard multiple jokes about New Year resolutions. Today is the 7th of the month and, if we had made New Year resolutions, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-15, Acts 16:19-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Thank God For My Scars!

Contributed by Spencer Miller on May 10, 2013

There is a purpose to the scars of life, Christ suffered for us but are willing to suffer for Him?

“From now on, don’t let anyone trouble me with these things. For I bear on my body the scars that show I belong to Jesus.” – New Living translation INTRODUCTION Scars are a reminder of something, and most of the time a scar reminds of something unpleasant. Scars are not unusual because there are ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 6:17

Denomination: Baptist

The Unheard Voices Of Christmas SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 8, 2023

It’s the season of Christmas, filled with joyful sounds of bells ringing, choirs singing, and music in the air. However, amidst these cheerful noises, there are also sounds of sorrow and grief. These are the unheard voices of Christmas.

Introduction: During the Christmas season, we are surrounded by joyful sounds like bells ringing, choirs singing, and music filling the air. However, amidst the celebration, there are also sounds of anguish and grief. Today, we will explore the less talked about sounds of Christmas and what they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Topics: Christmas, Grief, Joy

Worship In Pain (Salvation Foundation For Joy)

Contributed by Jason Jones on Nov 16, 2022

We are going to see several aspects of the go-to weapon to combat discouragement, depression, suffering, and pain – praise, and God worthy of it

A. Opening illustration: Christian funerals are a place that we see worship in pain if they are sorrowing like Paul said to do “with hope.” The I thought about it more, and I think that so many go to corporate worship each week in pain. Some of us live our lives in more pain than others. Pain is a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-5

Denomination: Baptist