Sermons on Purpose In Suffering:

Why Does God Allow Pain? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 8, 2010

If God really is there and loves me, why do I still hurt?

Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Jeremiah 15:18a It’s always helpful at the start of a journey to know where you’re headed! Let me share some of the “roadmap” for our series on ‘WHY’ – the questions people ask. The well-known artist and songwriter Bill ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:18

Denomination: United Methodist

Building Godly Character

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 1, 2025

Our culture often tells us to avoid suffering at any cost, to seek pleasure and ease above all else. Paul declares with the authority of heavenly insight that suffering is not without purpose. In God's kingdom, character is currency.

OPENING ILLUSTRATION: There is a story told among the Cherokee Indians… One evening an old Cherokee Indian told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between 2 wolves. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Long, O Lord? Series

Contributed by Sterling Franklin on Jun 21, 2010

Habakkuk asks the main question, ’How Long, O LORD?’ through a very confusing time in Judah’s history. Deals with suffering, hope, and our LORD’s sovereignty

How Long, O LORD? Written in 2007, Sterling C. Franklin Feel free to use (and not take credit for) this message, but please do necessary preparation for your congregation’s sake! :) TEXT Habakkuk 1:1-2:1 (ESV) 1:1 The oracle that Habakkuk the prophet saw. 2 O LORD, how long shall I cry for ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Facing Trials With Joy

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Jan 16, 2012

Some people consider it pure joy when they escape trials. But James calls us to consider it pure joy when we face trials. This seems like an impossible thing to be able to do. What do we need to have if we are going to have joy in the midst of trials?

FACING TRIALS WITH JOY James 1:1-12 INTRODUCTION: Some people consider it pure joy when they escape trials. But James calls us to consider it pure joy when we face trials. This seems like an impossible thing to be able to do. What do we need to have if we are going to have joy in the midst of ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12, 1 Corinthians 6:1-2

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Can You Drink The Cup? - Mark 10:32-40 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 27, 2024

True greatness is when God says, “Well done” and has nothing to do with how you compare to others.

Mark 10:32 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will ...read more

Scripture: Mark 10:32-40, Matthew 20:20-23

When Life Hurts

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on Aug 19, 2019

Sometimes life makes us feel like we're getting pummeled. We're get pounded with left hooks and uppercuts and we don't have a chance to cover up and defend ourselves. Is this an appropriate analogy of how some of your days go? What can we do when life hurts?

WHEN LIFE HURTS Does this picture depict how you feel sometimes? My Uncle Jeff passed away recently. He had three kids; one of whom used to attend here-Eric. Jeff's daughter, Chelsea, posted this picture on Facebook and I commented on it. What I shared is incorporated in the sermon. 1) When ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 69:29, John 16:33, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18, 2 Corinthians 7:5-7, 2 Corinthians 11:24-27, Romans 5:3-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Answering Persecution In America

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Sep 15, 2020

We don’t like to think about persecution, and there was a time when we in America could put off thinking about, but that time is firmly behind us now. We’re IN IT.

We don’t like to think about persecution and there was a time when we in America could put off thinking about, but that time is firmly behind us now. We’re IN IT. Now those who walk through a big city street openly carrying a Bible showing their conservative beliefs are in danger of being attacked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 3:1

Denomination: Charismatic

Relative Values Series

Contributed by Richard Tow on Sep 22, 2005

What is God worth? Our real response to that question powerfully determines how we live, where we invest our time and money. Expository sermon on text dealing with Judas’ response.

Relative Values Fortifying the Foundations # 27 John 11:55-12:11[1] 1-25-04 This morning I would like to announce that we will be spending $ 200,000 on the inside of this sanctuary to make it more conducive to worship. We will be improving the acoustics and the lighting in addition to ...read more

Denomination: Charismatic

Comparing Styles Of Worship

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Jesus said, "True worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24) 14 different styles of worship service for various audiences

Jesus said, "True worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:24) * Seeker-Sensitive Worship Services  Those who follow the Willow Creek Community Church model who seek to present and explain the gospel in non-religious terms using contextually relevant methods to non-christians. ...read more

Scripture: John 4:21-26

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Our Mission

Contributed by Chris Talton on Jan 28, 2002

This is an introductory sermon to a 5 part series on why our church exists.

April 29, 2001 Acts 2- 6 “Our Mission” INTRODUCTION A volunteer fire department in a Minnesota town has this slogan, “We’ll know where we’re going when we get there.” The Tale of the Tardy Oxcart p. 210 You ever feel like that? Whenever both Tammy and I have forgotten to plan something ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Church Vs. The Church

Contributed by Jack Russell on Feb 7, 2004

Man’s view of the church is often very different from the one Jesus demonstrated and Paul described.

I can stand anywhere in my back yard and see my church. It sits rather majestically at the apex of our little town. Its stained glass windows chronicle its founders. Inside, a huge chandelier hovers over our pew. I don’t know who appointed us to sit in that particular pew, but it must have been ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:13-22, Matthew 13:16-18

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Job One

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on Feb 13, 2004

What is the unique calling, the reason for being, the one defining purpose of the church?

Job One For the church Ephesians 3:8-11 If the Church of Jesus Christ, the universal Christian Church, not just this church but all churches that are Christian…were to disappear today… would anyone miss it tomorrow? Is there anything about the Christian Church that makes it unique… that makes ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Spiritual Vision

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Oct 24, 2005

Our vision reaches Up in Worship; Down in Discipleship; In with Fellowship; Out through Outreach

Spiritual Vision for our Church II Timothy 1:3-8 INTRODUCTION: About 350 years ago a shipload of travelers landed on the northeast coast of the newly discovered American continent. • The 1st year they established a town site • The next year they elected a town government • The 3rd year the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Timothy 1:3-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

What We Believe: The Church (Part 1) Series

Contributed by Dana Chau on Jul 1, 2003

Discover the three essentials of Jesus’ Church

We’ve spent almost two months worth of Sundays looking at what our church believes. What we believe determines how we behave. There was a time when people believed the earth was flat. They didn’t dare to travel too far for fear that they will fall off the edge of the earth. What you believe ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 16:13-20

Denomination: *other

Taking Ownership With God

Contributed by Jonathan Goats on Jul 6, 2003

We must buy into what God is doing by taking part ownership.

Acts 9:1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-6

Denomination: Church Of God