Sermons on Joy Amidst 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

02 Joy In Adversity Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottom Line: Joy flourishes when Christ is exalted, even in the face of hardship.

Last week, we began a new series through Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. The Book of Philippians shows what it means to live with defiant joy. And here’s what I mean by that: “defiant joy” is a joy that stands firm regardless of what life throws our way. Even in his imprisonment, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Successful Suffering Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 31, 2021

The difference between tragedy and triumph is all in how you count your trials. James says by an act of the will count it all joy when tried.

Imagine the testing of the body in such a sport as football. To be on your feet and seconds later brought to the ground hard and fast. Then to get up and do it again, and again, and again, but constantly moving forward. All of that falling is not what wins the game, but whether or not you win ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8

Suffering & The Sovereignty Of God

Contributed by Chris Surber on Mar 27, 2009

Is God to blame? We find in Job that this life is often unfair, but there is a difference between the unfairness of this life and the just character of God.

Sovereignty And Suffering, Job 1:13-20 Introduction A minister’s son was caught skipping school for three days. His father reprimanded him and prayed for him and though the boy wept and was truly contrite, he was still punished. “Son, one of the facts of life is that where there is sin, there is ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:13-20

Denomination: Christian Church

God Suffered?!

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Mar 15, 2006

Is it possible for the Great Creator to suffer? Could He – the Most Delightful Being whom we can savor the unspeakable joy – suffer hardship, pain, or sorrow?

“For it is commendable if a man bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:19-24

Denomination: Baptist

Grace In The Middle Of Grief Series

Contributed by David Scudder on Mar 30, 2009

Both of our texts describe persecuted believers.Is persecution something that we should avoid or embrace? In a minute I will attempt to answer that question, but before I do let’s see what we can learn about persecution.

Revelation 7:1-17; 14:1-5 Purpose: To highlight God’s grace toward His faithful followers. Aim: I want the listener to rejoice in the advantages of persecution. INTRODUCTION: Last time, we finished looking at the first six seals (or chapters) from the sacred book that only the Lamb of God could ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 7:1-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Triumphant Joy #2: Servants And Saints Rejoicing In Suffering Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Jul 21, 2013

As Christians, we are servants and saints of the Lord Jesus Christ who can rejoice even though we go through intense suffering.

TRIUMPHANT JOY #2: SERVANTS AND SAINTS REJOICING IN SUFFERING BACKGROUND TO THE LETTER OF PHILIPPIANS: Author & Date: The Apostle Paul in 61 AD Theme: Joy in Christ Occasion: Paul wrote Philippians during his first Roman imprisonment. THE BIG IDEA: As Christians, we are servants and saints of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-25

Denomination: *other

How Should We Live Series

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on May 9, 2008

In this message Philippians 1:1-10 is used to help us come to define our lives by what really counts and brings lasting joy. Our walk with Jesus, our prayer life, and our focus on others.

How many of you would like to live a more joyful life? Would you like to discover how to be content with what ever life dishes out? If you answered yes, this series of Bible teaching is for you. This morning we begin a new series on how to live the joy-filled lives. There is no one who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-10

Denomination: Methodist

A Joyful Attitude Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Nov 25, 2008

Sermon #2 of the Philippians series from Philippians chapter 2 deals with examples of the kind of joyful attitude we need to develop.

A JOYful Attitude CHCC: November 9, 2008 Philippians 2 INTRODUCTION: For the next few weeks, we’re looking at the book of Philippians … a book full of JOY written by a man who was in PRISON. If anyone can be an example to us of how to have JOY as Christians … it is Paul. In Chapter 2, Verse ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

When Others Suffer Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 16, 2009

We’ve all been around people who are suffering. When someone around us is suffering, those can be some of the most helpless times of your life. What do you do? What do you say? How should you react? That is what we will look at today in this message

We have all had someone close to us have to go through suffering. Whether it was someone as close as a spouse or a child, or whether it was only a friend or even an acquaintance. We’ve all been around people who are suffering. And I don’t know about you, but those times can be some of the most ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When I Suffer Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 30, 2009

This is our fourth and final look at suffering in the book of Job—and today we’re going to get personal. We’re going to talk about how to deal with it when we are the ones who are suffering. How can we suffer well?

Horatio Spafford was a very wealthy man. He was a very well-known lawyer in Chicago. He had a beautiful Scandinavian wife named Anna and they had a son and four daughters. Even though Horatio was a lawyer, he made most of his money as a real estate investor. By the late 1800s, he owned much of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Rejoice In Your Suffering

Contributed by Joel Pankow on Mar 2, 2012

The positive production of suffering in life.

March 3, 2011 Romans 5:3-5 We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. The ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:2-3

Denomination: Lutheran

The Inexpressible And Glorious Joy Series

Contributed by David Owens on Nov 15, 2010

We learn from this section that our joy is based on God's mercy, our inheritance, our faith, and God's prophesies and promises.

Introduction: A. Let’s start with this cartoon. 1. The cartoon shows a grumpy boy heading off to school with his dad reminding him: “This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it.” 2. The boy replied: “I know ‘this is the day the Lord has ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Where Is God When I Hurt? Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Jan 22, 2012

Does God care when His people suffer? Does He desert them in their sorrow? A message to encourage the suffering saint by redirecting our gaze to the Master in our sorrow.

“As they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.’ And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them.’ And when he had said this, he fell asleep. “And Saul approved of his execution. “And there arose on that day a great ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Where Is God Amidst The Confusion

Contributed by David Smith on Feb 1, 2008

This is a powerful message of Hope following the tragic, unexpected death of a 16 year old girl named Amanda. Her death sent the entire community into shock. There was almost 600 people present and many students. The message was very well received.

WHERE IS GOD AMIDST THE CONFUSION? • Rev. Dave Smith (M.Div.) The Bible tells us … apart from Jesus Christ … - the wisest man who ever lived on planet earth … was King Solomon Solomon wrote: KEY " There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational