Sermons on Penal Sufferings:

John The Cactus Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Aug 11, 2023

The fulness of time had come…. The “Hope of Nations” the “Messiah” was on His way. The announcement of that longed for event came in quite an unexpected way – the angel who had replaced Lucifer – the angel Gabriel - appeared to an old childless priest:

August 12, 2023 One Sabbath, after church, a mom asked her little girl what the picture she had drawn was supposed to be. It looked like a bunch of brown scribbles surrounding some kind of big green thing. The little girl said, “Well, this is the wilderness, and that’s John the Cactus.” Today, ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:3-5, Luke 1:5-7, Luke 1:68-79, Luke 3:7-9, Luke 7:17-23, Hebrews 12:1-3  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Answers From The Whirlwind (Job 1-42) Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Jan 15, 2023

This sermon was preached four days after a major tornado ripped through our county. It is based on the book of Job, and why God allows suffering.

[Sermon video available at 66in52.com] Good morning! We are going to be in the book of Job this morning. I know the slide says we are covering Job 1-42. But don’t panic. We aren’t going to read all forty-two chapters this morning. What I want to do is look at the overall point of the book of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When God's Word Tests You

Contributed by Jeff Taylor on Jan 17, 2023

God's Word will always test you, especially in your darkest hour. Your darkest hour is conquered by your dream. A dream written down is a goal. A goal broken down into steps is a plan. A plan backed by divine action will conquer your darkest hour.

Turn to Psalm 105:17, as we talk today about when the Word of God tests you. God's Word will always test you, especially in your darkest hour. Listen closely. Your darkest hour is conquered by your dream about your future. A dream written down is a goal. A goal broken down into steps is a plan. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Blessings In Disguise

Contributed by Jim Keegan on Jan 18, 2023

Hand-in-hand with God’s blessing there is always testing to deepen our bonds of intimate love and trust. Those two forces work together for our good.

We see in this familiar passage two of the foundational stories of the Gospel: Christ’s blessing by God, followed very closely by his temptation. These are also the two universal realities of the spiritual life: both blessings and trials. After his baptism, Jesus saw the Spirit descending on ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

The Servant Who Hears God's Voice (Isaiah 50:4-11) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jan 13, 2025

Sermon's focus is on listening to God. The servant is part of the group of disciples who hear God's voice. The servant suffers, but is confident that he suffers innocently, and that God will vindicate him.

Our passage today is commonly called the third of the four servant songs in Isaiah 40-55. The other three, famously, are in Isaiah 42, 49, and 53. I've said before that over a century ago, a scholar named Bernard Duhm split off these four songs from the rest of Isaiah 40-55, and treated ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-11

Does God Create Evil?

Contributed by Antonio Manaytay on Jan 17, 2025

This sermon tackles a very challenging question, Does God Create Evil?

Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we tackle a challenging question: Does God create evil? This question has puzzled many believers and skeptics alike, often arising when we witness suffering, injustice, and calamity. We must approach this topic with reverence for God's Word and a desire ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Three Parables, One Heart: The Father's Love

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 16, 2025

This exposition of Luke chapter 15 begins with a very personal story, highlighting how God even uses human frailty as a means to His grace.

Once upon a time, in the summertime, there was a 16-year-old young man struggling to find his way. His father held a particular secular and materialistic philosophy about life and making meaning in the world—something the young man had tried to embrace, but it ultimately left him feeling empty. ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8, Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Satan's Plan For Mankind: Curse God And Die

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on Jun 23, 2025

The answer to the taunt of Satan to curse God and die is to bless God and live.

Satan's Plan for Mankind: Curse God and Die Job 2:7–10 NKJV bb So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ...read more

Scripture: Job 2:7-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Keep Watch Or Be Lunch - 1 Peter 5:8-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 1, 2025

Is your trouble from God or Satan?

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers in the world is undergoing the same sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

God Is Right, Just And Fair

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 30, 2023

God is right in… from Nehemiah 9:33- for thou hast done right- KJV (Outline adapted from W. Gregory at: https://biblehub.com/sermons/auth/gregory/god_has_done_right.htm)

HoHum: Some folks think they are really good people. Let’s suppose that a person sins 3 times a day. A sin in the morning, a sin during the day, and a sin at night. Sounds like a pretty good person! Let’s think for a moment. If that person is saved at 10 years old and dies at 80 years old that ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:7-11, Proverbs 9:8-10, Romans 3:25-26, Nehemiah 9:33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Happy Are The Sad - Matthew 5:4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 3, 2024

No one feels good after a failure. But how is the sorrow of a child of God different? And why does Jesus pronounce a blessing on people who feel that way? This message will help you draw near to God through times of hardship.

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 5:4

Rejoice And Be Glad! - Matthew 5:12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 7, 2024

Jesus’ warnings about persecution were extremely earnest. If we are not prepared ahead of time, we will not be able to endure and remain faithful when serious persecution comes. This message will show you how to prepare.

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 5:12

Pray Submissively Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 14, 2024

Focusing on the phrase, "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" from Matthew 6:13 (Material adapted from Bob Hostetler's book, Red Letter Prayer Life; chapter 12 of the same title)

HoHum: Do we know someone who flips out if we sit on their perfectly made bed? Do we know someone who loses it because one of his pens is missing from the pen jar on his desk? Do we know someone who is so organized she would heckle Martha Stewart for being sloppy? Do we know someone who knows ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13, Luke 11:4, Numbers 21:4-9, Matthew 4:1, Luke 22:39-43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Burn Your Bridges

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Sep 25, 2024

There are things that, as Christians, we must burn in our lives. This message looks at people who burned bridges for their faith.

Good morning to the Lord’s beloved! Many people don’t know this, but Julius Caesar was once a rebellious Roman. He first became a champion of the people by leading the Roman military towards the conquest of great foreign lands. He advocated for reforms of an aging Senate and, fearing his uprising, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-39, Hebrews 11:1-2, Daniel 3:1-18, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 4:1-6, Acts 4:19-20, Acts 6:1-15, Acts 7:52-56, John 14:15, John 14:21, Ephesians 4:32, Philippians 3:7-14, Ephesians 5:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Faith Futures At Record High - 1 Peter 1:7-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 28, 2024

Probably the most worn-out prayer there is, is that one-word reaction we always have when we suffer, “Why? Why is this happening?” Peter gives us the answer.

1 Peter 1:6 In which you rejoice, a little while, if necessary, you may be grieved in multifaceted trials, 7 in order that the proof of your faith (more precious than gold, the perishing through fire, but proved), it may be found toward praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7-9