Sermons on Purpose In Suffering:

Why Do I Suffer Affliction?

Contributed by Bob Briggs on Dec 14, 2000

Have you struggled with the thought, if I am a Christian why do I suffer affliction in my life?

Have you wondered, if God is going to bring blessing into my life, why do I seem to have so many struggles? Church, we have seasons of struggles and testing, the Lord has a purpose in not allowing us to be fruitful at all times. The seasons of struggle work to destroy the pride we have in ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:17, Psalm 40:1-3

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Sep 16, 2006

Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take it."

Why Does God Allow Suffering? by Paul Fritz James 1:2-1:3 Suffering - To experience adverse effects of something unpleasant. To feel pain, grief or discomfort. Illustration:Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

Our heavenly Father knows what is best even when He allows us to go through dark valleys of suffering.

Suffering - To experience adverse effects of something unpleasant. To feel pain, grief or discomfort. Illustration:Someone asked C.S. Lewis, "Why do the righteous suffer?" "Why not?" he replied. "They’re the only ones who can take it." Unknown. "Although the world is full of suffering, it is ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-3

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

"Why Is There So Much Suffering In The World?"

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Jun 28, 2006

God is able to use the mystery that suffering often brings. Yet, some people quickly reach the end of their rope when they encounter adversities. The Lord’s grace is sufficient for any weakness, confusion or problem.

"Why is There So Much Suffering in the World?" John 9:1-9:38 "It was neither that this man sinned or his parents, but in order that the works of God might be displayed in him." (John 9:4) Many people fail to understand God’s greater purposes for physical suffering. Instead of allowing the ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Do You React To Suffering

Contributed by Paul Fritz on Oct 18, 2000

How Do You React to Suffering? - Rom. 8:18

How Do You React To Suffering? - Rom. 8:18 Illustration:Contrary to what might be expected, I look back on experiences that at the time seemed especially desolating and painful, with particular satisfaction. Indeed, I can say with complete truthfulness that everything I have learned in my 75 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-28

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Do Innocent People Suffer?

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Hulse on Jul 13, 2022

Beloved Saints, the attacks on our faith are designed to conform us into the image of God’s Son, making us to become humble servants because they teach us to learn how to apply the truth of God’s word in greater ways to our situations, therefore God's love is without question toward his people.

SCRIPTURAL REFERENCES (Habakkuk 1:13) NASB "Your eyes are too pure to approve evil, And You cannot look on wickedness with favor. Why do You look with favor On those who deal treacherously? Why are You silent when the ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 52:13, Job 1:9, John 11:3-6, Isaiah 53:10-12, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 8:22-28, Revelation 13:8, Psalm 34:19, Habakkuk 1:13, Habakkuk 3:17-18, 1 Peter 4:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

You Can Have Joy In Suffering Series

Contributed by Keith Foskey on Sep 2, 2005

Christians are notorious for talking about, reading about and preaching about joy and then not displaying it

Sermon Series: “Help, I Can’t Find My Joy!” (A Study of Paul’s Epistle to the Philippians) Sermon #1 “You can have Joy in Suffering” Series Text: Philippians 4:4 OPENING JOKE: “Lack of Joy” Christians are notorious for talking about, reading about and preaching about ‘joy’ and then not displaying ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Attitudes In Times Of Suffering (Part 2)

Contributed by Tony Miano on Dec 11, 2000

It seems that in the first half of chapter four Peter is talking about the attitudes the believer should have in the midst of those occasional times of suffering.

Attitudes in Times of Suffering (Part 2) 1 Peter 4:1-11 Preached by Pastor Tony Miano at Lake Hills Community Church August, 2000 Introduction: Last week we looked at some of the attitudes we should have in times of suffering, specifically, on those occasions when we suffer for doing good. We ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Denomination: *other

The Problem Of Suffering And The Panacea Of Our Savior Series

Contributed by Joel Gilbert on Apr 21, 2025

When in Jesus' ministry of healing and teaching, he addresses the reality of the suffering that we experience and solves the root problem of our suffering - sin.

It’s not uncommon for people to ask the question, “why do bad things happen to good people?” Or to state it another way, “if God is good, why do bad things happen?” It can sometimes feel like the worst things in life happen to some of the best people. At times it can feel like God is out to get ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:1-17

Denomination: Baptist

Righteous Rain Series

Contributed by Mike Gilbert on Jul 5, 2007

Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people? Why does He allow His followers to suffer?

You’ve probably heard the questions asked before: -->If Denny’s restaurants are, as their slogan says, "always open," why do they have locks on their front doors? Why do those locks exist? -->What is the purpose of those two lines between your nose and lip (by the way, their anatomical name: ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:44-45

Denomination: Baptist

To Live Is Christ, To Die Is Gain

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 14, 2018

When we focus on Jesus Christ in our day-to-day lives, we discover purpose and meaning that outweighs the fear of suffering and death.

[Sermon preached on 16 September 2018, 17th Sunday after Pentecost / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] Today, the topic for our sermon gets really serious. No more and no less than a matter of life and death: “To live is Christ, to die is gain.” The apostle Paul is dead serious—forgive me the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:20-26

Denomination: Lutheran

Weak Grace Series

Contributed by Dave Vance on Jan 20, 2019

Does grace cause you to endure?

Grace is the greatest gift…in a world of greatest pain…What is the thing in your life that has hurt you the most? For some it’s a relationship (spouse or parents)…for others it was a sickness…some it was financial…and for many it was an emotional breakdown (depression)…Whatever you answer with…I ...read more

Living Life To The Fullest From The Womb To The Tomb Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 24, 2023

Logotherapy centers on 3 things: 1) Work 2) Relationships 3) Courage during difficult times

HoHum: Billy Graham was talking to Art Linkletter when Art mentioned that after he went to heaven, the evangelist would need to find a new line of work, a new purpose. A bit taken aback, Graham asked why. Art replied, “Well, they don’t really need preachers in heaven, do they?” WBTU: This is ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 1:9, John 1:14, John 19:30, 1 Peter 4:1-2, 1 Peter 4:19, 2 Timothy 2:11-12, James 1:12, Philippians 3:10, Isaiah 53:5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Section (2) Answers From An Ash Heap Series

Contributed by Luther Sexton on Feb 19, 2019

Looking for answers for reason of suffering.

IV. ANSWERS FROM AN ASH HEAP A. Suffering can be for 1. Participation -- Being Human -- Because we are a part of the human race, and the human race (thanks to Adam and Eve) is conceived and born in sin. Rom 5:12&19 Ps 51:5 Romans 8:22 "whole creation groaneth" ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:12, Job 1:9

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Cross And Christ’s Submission To Suffering

Contributed by David Scudder on Jan 18, 2011

Why did Jesus have to suffer? Or we could broaden out the question and ask: why does suffering exist at all?

Purpose: To highlight the centrality of Christ’s suffering in human history. Aim: I want the listener to fervently worship Christ because of His willingness to suffer. INTRODUCTION: In our text we see Jesus leading His disciples away from the crowds to a place called Gethsemane which literally ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:38-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible