Sermons on purpose in suffering:

Hope - Our Strength

Contributed by Christopher Nerreau on Jul 11, 2008

"while the world is full of suffering, it is also full of overcoming it." Helen Keller Today we will see that: Our Present Sufferings Will Not Last – (v. 18) Our Promised Future Will Not End – (v. 23) Our Patient Hope Will Be Our Strength (v. 25)

Introduction: What are you going through today? Do you feel like giving up, throwing up your hands and quitting? Do you struggle with… · Financial Burdens – Can meet the bills · Physical Burden’s – Sick or struggling with addiction · Relational Burden’s – Broken marriage, friendship or ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:15-25

Denomination: Orthodox

Job As A Man Of God

Contributed by Carl Palatino on Apr 30, 2013

In times of suffering there is a man of God that we could consider as part of our encouragement to press on and face the trials and suffering.

JOB AS A MAN OF GOD Introduction: The book of Job has no concrete evidence that Job wrote it while it is possible that may Job written it. Job means “hated” or “the much persecuted.” Perhaps “Job” was a nickname his friends gave him during his suffering. Three ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

Is God A Monster?

Contributed by R. Escoanyelin Ortiz on Nov 21, 2011

TO TRY TO EXPOSE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT GOD

IS GOD A MONSTER? DARWIN PRAYED THAT HIS DAUGHTER MAY SURVIVE THE TERRIBLE SICKNESS THAT SHE WENT THROUGH. HIS DAUGHTER DIED. DID HE BECAME ANGRY WITH GOD? MAYBE. THIS EMOTIONAL STATE COULD HAVE BEEN THE FUEL BEHIND THE THEORY OF EVOLOTION. (WELL IT IS JUST A THEORY, RIGHT?). ANYHOW, MANY PEOPLE ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 45:7

Denomination: Pentecostal

Esmirna, The Fearful Church

Contributed by Major Gerardo Balmori on Apr 2, 2011

The Church of Esmirna lived in a time of tremendous pursuit and suffering. God gave them a message of fortitude that helps us today to keep on covering the career in spite of the present difficulties.

Mayor Gerardo Balmori The Salvation Army Introduction • The City of Esmirna was a commercial port, which principal product was the myrrh. It was a beautiful city, which streets had been planned well. One of these streets had been covered of gold, and was connecting the temple of Zeus and the ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Salvation Army

Gloom, Despair, And Agony On Me Series

Contributed by Darrin Hunt on Aug 5, 2010

What do you do when you have one of those days? Jesus' letter to Smyrna gives us great encouragement in suffering.

How many of you remember the “Hee-Haw” Show in the 70’s-80’s? •How many would never admit to it if you did remember? “If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all. Gloom, despair, and agony on me”. Some of us have one of those days. ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Slow Computers And Waiting Series

Contributed by Michael Karpf on Oct 6, 2010

We must be patient in everything as we anticipate Christ's return if we want to be mature.

SLOW COMPUTERS AND WAITING James 5:7-12 There are certain things in life I cannot live without. My computer is one of them. And of course I need to have internet access. Because what’s the first thing I do when I get up? Check my email and see if I have any messages. Especially with the ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

"I Don’t Have That Kind Of Time”

Contributed by Gerald Roberts on Sep 19, 2017

Paul is unconcerned about his horrific situation, but his concerned is more about the spreading of the gospel.

In an interview for Clarity magazine, writer Anne Lamott tells of an incident that helped her. One day, Anne visited her friend Pammy who was going through chemotherapy. Anne pointed to the dress she herself was wearing and asked Pammy if it made her look fat. Pammy looked at her and said, "Annie, ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Methodist

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

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

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

Thanksgiving 2013 Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Oct 15, 2014

How do we give thanks in the midst of life's storms? Twelve disciples stuck in a leaky fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee may have wondered the same thing. Be thankful for God's Purposes, Presence, and Power.

Thanksgiving 2013 Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 11/24/2013 If you’re like me, you were probably a little distracted last Sunday when the weather alert system kept going off during worship. Thankfully none of the bad weather struck too close to home, but intense ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-40

Denomination: Christian Church

Christ’s Suffering, Our Salvation: A Love That Redeems 1 Peter 3:18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 14, 2024

1 Peter 3:18 is a verse packed with truth about Christ’s purpose and mission, and serves as both a beacon of hope and a reminder of the depth of God’s love.

Christ’s Suffering, Our Salvation: A Love That Redeems 1 Peter 3:18 Introduction Today, we’re diving into a profound and powerful verse that brings us right to the heart of the gospel message—1 Peter 3:18. This verse, packed with truth about Christ’s purpose and mission, serves as both a beacon ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18, Hebrews 10:10, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Romans 8:11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Where Is God When It Hurts

Contributed by Jay Robison on Feb 18, 2009

This is a natural question. Job was a righteous man we should consider the reasons for suffering and then remember that suffering can be redemptive.

WHERE IS GOD WHEN IT HURTS April 20, 2008 Jay Davis Robison JOB 1:1-3 & 13-21 Douglas- Faithful Xian who after yrs of training in psychotherapy turned down a lucrative career to start an inner city ministry few yrs ago wife discovered lump in breast, had breast removed Aft 2 yrs cancer spread to ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-21

Denomination: Baptist

Job Series

Contributed by Peter Fisher on Mar 9, 2014

An overview of the book of Job and the uncomfortable things it teaches about suffering

This is my first attempt to preach a whole book, something I have been thinking about since New Wine in the summer of 2012. It was preached at 'Come Together', our monthly evening service at Christ Church, Billericay Aim: To look at what Job learns from his suffering Readings Job 1:6-12 – ...read more

Denomination: Anglican