Sermons on Penal Sufferings:

Are We Following Jesus Or Not?

Contributed by Warner Pidgeon on Oct 4, 2006

Jesus was on the road to the cross with all that came with it - rejection and suffering. His call to follow him is absolute and he calls us to 100% commitment. This short sermon challenges us to follow him in everything we do, all of the time.

Luke 9: 57-62 Have you ever been quoted out of context? Have you ever been misunderstood? Jesus was often misunderstood, and when we hear these shocking words from the life of Jesus we are reminded that following him requires us to always follow, and not to dip in and out of following him. If I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:57-62

Denomination: Anglican

God Won’t Put More On You Than You Can Bear Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Oct 11, 2006

This misquote is usually spoken out of kindness, but it can cause great confusion and guilt. God WILL sometimes allow you to suffer more than you can bear--but that’s okay, because His grace is sufficient!

INTRODUCTION The phrase “God helps those who help themselves” is often uttered with a harsh tone of condescension, but not so with the statement, “God won’t put more on you than you can bear.”1 These words are usually spoken out of deep concern and compassion. There is no criticism implied in this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-10

Denomination: Baptist

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Dec 26, 2013

Christmas is a glorious time when experiencing the blessings of God and all is well, but, what about those who are suffering the loss of a loved one or a broken relationship or a prolonged illness. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow explores this in his poem.

Video of Church Bells Ringing I heard the bells on Christmas day Their old familiar carols play And wild and sweet the words repeat Of peace on earth goodwill to men I thought how as the day had come The belfries of all Christendom Had rolled along the unbroken song Of peace on earth goodwill to ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14

Denomination: Nazarene

Do Not Take Side Series

Contributed by Dr. Amen Howard on Aug 13, 2013

One of the great characteristics of the body of Christ is to care about the burdens and sufferings of one another. However, as we seek to console and encourage friends that have been offended, we may be tempted to take up their offense against another.

In sympathy, we may tend to take their part against the pastor, the church or whoever they blame for the offense. This is very unwise and an unscriptural thing to do, considering that your friend may be the cause of his own/her offense, or trying to drag you out of faith. His/her hurt feelings may ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 15:1-3, Matthew 7:1-5

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living The Resurrected Life

Contributed by William Baeta on Apr 19, 2014

“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:46-47)

Theme: Living the resurrected life Text: Is. 25:6-9; 1 Cor. 5:6-8; Lk. 24:13-49 Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! The resurrection of Jesus Christ is central to the Christian faith and nothing can match its significance. When Jesus rose from the dead, He proved that He was exactly who He ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-49

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Does Your Church Want To Get Well?

Contributed by David Wilson on Oct 15, 2012

Some churches suffer from a defeated attitude when Jesus calls us to take simple steps, not giant steps. We aren't on an escalator, but must move our legs to climb the stairs set before us.

Attended a confernece on recognizing, halting, and preenting decline in the local church this past Saturday. In reading the foreword to the book "Reaching the summit" by George L. Yates, the illustration of the lame man at the pool of Bethsaida is used to demonstrate the attitude of some churches ...read more

Scripture: John 5:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

A Step That Stands Series

Contributed by Scott Kircher on Feb 19, 2012

Have you ever faced times that you really struggled with the things you see? Maybe it was a wicked person who seemed to have it all. Or maybe it is the injustice of a person living for the Lord and others, continuing to deal with hardship and suffering,

Steps along Life’s Journey A Step that Stands – Sermon 3 Psalm 73 What causes us to stumble along Life’s Journey Viewing life through the eyes of sin Viewing life from the perspective of Satan What enables us to Stand Firm along Life’s Journey Viewing life through the eyes of Faith Viewing ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Cup Or Baptism Of Discipleship!

Contributed by Tony Abram on Jan 15, 2011

In this sermon outline we point out the suffering of Jesus in accepting the PERFECT WILL OF THE FATHER. In this, we also can see what it takes to be a disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ. All disciples are believers but not all believers are disciples. Th

Cup or Baptism of Discipleship! (Mat 20:20 KJV) Then came to him the mother of Zebedee's children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. (Mat 20:21 KJV) And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:20-28

For His Name’s Sake

Contributed by Tabbotha Mcgee on Feb 1, 2011

This sermon shows how God allows believers to suffer and prosper so that he can recieve glory out of every area of their lives. He does it for his name’s sake because he has a reputation to uphold.

For His Name’s Sake It’s Not About You Jeremiah 29: 10-14 I Sam. 12: 22 Background • letter from Jeremiah the prophet to the Jews when king Neb. had taken captive from Jerusalem into Babylon • Jerusalem = city of peace Babylon = confusion of tongue • Were told to get married, build houses, ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 29:10-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Ascension

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 9, 2012

Jesus knew and suffered due to the reality of sin in the human heart. But when He physically left the earth, His message was not a pessimistic one. Summarizing who he was and what difference this should make for everyone is stated in what is known as the

Avid readers often will credit this or that writer for luring them into a lifelong love of a genre. For those who love science fiction, it offeres grand, cosmic landscapes on which to project the boundless possibilities of life. Yet for one writer, Ray Bradbury (August 22, 1920 – June 5, 2012), who ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:44-53

Denomination: Other

As Long As I Am In This Tabernacle

Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Sep 12, 2010

When the Apostle Peter penned his first letter, his aim was to comfort and encourage believers in the midst of suffering and persecution---Something that was happening externally. Three years later, in this letter containing his last words, he writes to

Evangelist Herman E. Wesley III AS LONG AS I AM IN THIS TABERNACLE II Peter 1:12-15 Prepared for Delivery at Southwestern Christian College Annual Southwestern Lectureship / Graham-Kennedy-Farmer Auditorium Tuesday, November 24, 1998 • 7:45 p.m. / Keynote Address THE TEXT "Wherefore I will not ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 1:12-13

Anticipating Grief

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jan 18, 2010

A grief anticipating what will happen is difficult, but can be handled if we ask and accept forgiveness. When the grief is fulfilled, then we are ready to do what our hearts tell us. God suffered anticipating grief and so understands.

Only someone who has done some grieving can help those who now grieve. A hundred "I’m sorries" and a thousand "I know how you feels" are worthless when you feel profound grief. You need at your side someone who has been through loss. And if yours is anticipating grief; that is, if yours is the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 12:13-25

Denomination: Baptist

A Life That Matters Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 4, 2010

If we want to live a life that matters, we must sacrifice, suffer, submit and serve. We don’t like those words, because they seem to be steps down to obscurity, but in Christ’s Kingdom they are steps to true greatness.

The movie, Pearl Harbor, tells the story of two friends, Rafe and Danny, who survive the attack on Pearl Harbor and enter World War II as fighter pilots. In training before the war, Rafe McCawley is one of America’s top fighter pilots. When America initially holds back from entering the war, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-45

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Certain End Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Feb 2, 2020

In the end of times, Israel can expect a huge battle and much suffering, but Christ will return to deliver them and rout the enemies, establishing His millennial kingdom of holiness. The glorious end is certain for Israel and the world. We trust Him.

We started the book of Zechariah in OCT last year and we’re ending it today. The last oracle (chapters 12-14) talks about the future of Israel. • Everything is uncertain to the returnees in Zechariah’s time (520BC) but the future is certain to God; He planned it. Remember how it starts - 12:1 ...read more

Scripture: Zechariah 14:1-21, Romans 11:25-31, 2 Peter 3:10-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Persecution And Thanksgiving

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 22, 2016

Believers in many parts of the world are suffering persecution ranging from mild oppression to beheadings while we in the west seem to waltz through life without giving this persecution a second thought. What should we make of this disparity?

Matthew 24:4-14 – please look this up in your Bibles. We will read this passage in a moment … The first and second Sundays of November have been designated as the International Days of Prayer for the Persecuted Church. But since we were away the first Sunday of November at a District ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:4-14

Denomination: Nazarene