Sermons on Joy In Suffering:

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

What Should We Do When Disaster Strikes? A Righteous Response To Disasters

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 3, 2012

Hurricane Sandy did not affect us, but it devestated millions of others. How should we respond? What should we think? What should we do? Jesus answers these questions from Luke 13:1-5

Here in South Jersey, we rode Hurricane Sandy Monday and Tuesday,. W were thankful that very few in our area were affected. Phone calls and visits on Tuesday revealed that this time, we did not have the damage and devastation like we did during July’s devestating dorecho storm that knocked out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-8, Romans 8:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

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

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

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

Rejoice In Problems And Trials

Contributed by William R. Nabaza on Jun 17, 2012

I. EXORDIUM: When do we rejoice? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To convince them to rejoice when problems and trials come IV. TEXT: Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, f

I. EXORDIUM: When do we rejoice? II. AUDIENCE PROFILE: Believers III. OBJECTIVES: To convince them to rejoice when problems and trials come IV. TEXT: Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) 3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Pentecostal

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

Trials---What Are They Good For?

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 15, 2011

Trials teach us patience, test our faith, train for service, testify to others and help us to triumph through Christ

Trials---What Are They Good For? Chuck Sligh I. THEY TEACH US PATIENCE. A. James 5:10-11 – “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience ...read more

Scripture: James 5:10-11

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 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

The Eyes Of The Bride

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on May 14, 2012

There is great value in the suffering of the godly.

Revelation 19:7-9 KJV Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. [8] And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. [9] And ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:7-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

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