Sermons on Joy In Pain:

Joy, Even With No Pleasure

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Dec 1, 2013

St. Paul gives us the clue to living in joy even if we are afflicted with pain and suffering.

Third Sunday of Advent 2013 Extraordinary Form From the epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostle to the Philippians: Brethren: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5 Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand. 6 Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Catholic

Painful But Profitable Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 11, 2023

Message 1 in a series through James that helps us explore the relationship between faith and works in our lives. James was the half-brother of Jesus and the leader of the church in Jerusalem.

Today, we’re starting a new series through the New Testament book of James called Faith & Works. I truly believe that you won’t find a more practical book in the entire Bible than James. Some of you may remember the For Dummies series of books that became popular 20-30 years ago and are still ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Painful Privilege

Contributed by Scott Carmer on Dec 13, 2005

Motherhood for Mary was a painful privilege. It was a privilege for her to be chosen to bear the Son of God, but so very painful to have to witness his death.

A Painful Privilege I Thessalonians 5:16-24 Luke 1:46-55 Advent 3 December 11, 2005 I read a very interesting comment about motherhood the other day. One commentator said that motherhood is a painful privilege. I guess that it is easy for me to say, being a man, but I like that. A painful ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Methodist

Growing Pains PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 11, 2025

God uses our pain and trials not to harm us, but to grow our hope, maturity, and fruitfulness for His greater purpose.

Friend, I’m glad you’re here. Some of us walked in today with a quiet ache that doesn’t let go. The diagnosis was unexpected. The stack of bills looks tall. The silence in the house feels louder than it used to. Life can sting. Yet God meets us right in the middle of the mess and whispers a word ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18, James 1:2-4, John 15:2

Topics: Preparation, Process, Promise

No Pain, No Gain !!!

Contributed by Suresh Manoharan on Feb 6, 2012

To exhort that our image of our Creator, Redeemer and Guide ought to go beyond that of a Pampering Papa to one of a concerned parent who is bothered enough to give a timely spanking in order our lives are always sparkling for our own good and His glory. (

NO PAIN, NO GAIN!!! First things first. More than worshipping God for the blessings, which He pours into our lives, we need to learn to worship Him, JUST FOR WHAT HE IS! Worshipping Him, awed by His unique attributes is ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-13

Denomination: *other

This Pain Is Not The Issue PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 2, 2023

Explores finding strength in our weaknesses through God's grace, embracing humility in hardships, and finding hope and healing in our faith.

Good morning, beloved family of God. I stand before you today with a heart full of joy and a spirit brimming over with anticipation for the divine wisdom we are about to receive from the Word of God. We are gathered here for a purpose, not by accident. We are here to discover the profound truths ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:6-10

Topics: Grace

Joy In Sorrow Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 8, 2020

In your sorrow, find joy in God, the Holy Spirit; find joy in the Resurrection of Christ, God’s Son; and find joy in prayer to your Heavenly Father.

There’s an old and ancient Chinese proverb which says, if you wish to be happy for one hour, get intoxicated. If you wish to be happy for three days, get married. If you wish to be happy for eight days, kill your pig and eat it. If you wish to be happy forever, learn to fish. (Chinese proverb, ...read more

Scripture: John 16:1-33

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by Ed Wood on Apr 6, 2007

3rd in series on 1 Thelessonians (3 of 8).

GROWING PAINS 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20 INTRO: It was not easy to be a Christian in Thessalonica where believers faced persecution and suffering. Yet in the midst of suffering, the Thessalonian Christians experienced joy. They received Paul’s ministry of the Word in much affliction, with joy of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Growing Pains

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 13, 2009

Stuggles and Temptations face all Christians. The church at Thessalonica serves as a great source of encouragment to those of us today facing persecution.

Growing Pains 1 Thess. 2:13-20 Intro It was not easy to be a Christian in Thessalonica where believers faced persecution and suffering. Yet in the midst of suffering, the Thessalonica Christians experienced joy. They received Paul’s ministry of the Word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Pain At The Threshold Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 24, 2003

Interactive sermon on the anxieties involved in sharing our faith and on the power of being prepared, both intellectually and emotionally.

Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Closed doors intimidate me. If your door is closed, I want to leave it alone. I don’t like to knock and ask for admission. I want somebody to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Baptist

Painful Letters Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Sep 15, 2003

Love’s priorities will not allow it to sit idly by and watch even when the action required involves causing great suffering. Love knows how to discipline best!

Chapter 2 1 But I determined this within myself, that I would not come again to you in sorrow. 2 For if I make you sorrowful, then who is he who makes me glad but the one who is made sorrowful by me? 3 And I wrote this very thing to you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow over those from whom ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 2:1-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Growing Pains Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 26, 2012

In this sermon, we learn how to grow spiritually through our growing pains.

Introduction: A. How many of you had growing pains when you were growing up? 1. I remember going to my mom as a little boy and I would describe some pain I was having in my leg or my side. 2. Usually, she would look it over, ask a few questions about it, then say, “Well, it’s probably ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-20

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Pain Of Christmas

Contributed by Steve Ely on Oct 27, 2008

We have cleaned Christmas up. We have sanitized and glamorized it. Just as there was no room in the Inn, there is no room for the pain of Christmas?

“The Pain of Christmas?” Angel choirs. . . glowing stars, wise men with gifts . . . animals peering reverently into the stall-turned birthing room in awe . . . mother and father raptured by sheer joy. Christmas. The clean version. The sanitized and glamorized TV special account. Just as there ...read more

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Paradox Of Pain

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Sep 17, 2015

We rejoice in our sufferings, because God uses them in our lives and has a purpose for our good and His glory

The Paradox of Pain TCF Sermon October 13, 2013 There is a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip that sums up what life often feels like, and I think even for us as a fellowship, it describes at least part of our experiences in the past few years. It’s a series of panels, each depicting a scene ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Growing Pains

Contributed by Paul Robinson on Oct 4, 2022

Growing in the Christian life is not always easy. In fact, there are growing pains, but these are necessary if you want to mature. This passage gives three specific areas in which to grow.

Main theme of this passage: growing in your walk with God. Verses 1-2. You’ve received the truth of how to grow in your walk with God. It begins with faith. But there are other areas in which we can grow. This passage gives us three ways to grow in our walk with God. 1. Grow in your Abstinence (v. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Denomination: Baptist