Sermons on purpose of trials:

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Contributed by Ray Scott on May 13, 2003

This is the first message in a series on the book of 2 Thessalonians. Paul gives encouragment to Christians who are going through trials and tribulations.

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 INTRODUCTION: A few months after writing his FIRST letter to them, Paul writes his SECOND letter to the Christians at Thessalonica. WHY did he write this 2nd letter? o The 1st letter didn’t answer all their questions. o Persecution had intensified (1:4). o They got a ...read more

Scripture: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Purpose And Proof Of The Resurrection - Easter Sermon

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Mar 19, 2008

Just like the end of the world is actually only the beginning, this was not the end for Jesus. He Who was is ’the Beginning’ is just getting started! Link inc. to formatted text, audio & video, and PowerPoint Presentation.

The Purpose and Proof of the Resurrection Matthew 27:50-28:15 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/PurposeProof.html After 6 hours on the cross Jesus cried aloud, “It is finished!” And then He died. Is this the end of He Who was in the beginning? Will Christianity die out in a short lived puff of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Why Doesn't God Prevent Evil? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 12, 2013

How can a good God allow human suffering to continue? The story of Joseph provides a powerful illustration that suffering has a purpose, even when we can't see it at the present time.

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Woe Everyone Knows Series

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on May 29, 2012

Who am I/ Why am I here? What is my purpose? Solomon addresses these questions in chapter 4 as he experiences the troubles, toils, trials and tears of life "under the sun."

Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 The Woe Everyone Knows! Then I returned and considered all the oppression that is done under the sun: And look! The tears of the oppressed, But they have no comforter— On the side of their oppressors there is power, but they have no comforter.¹ Therefore I praised the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 4:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Professors Or Possesors

Contributed by Gary Stebbins on Nov 16, 2009

God has a high calling on the lives of his people. He has called us to great exploits for Him.

Professors or Possessors Review Last week we looked at the story of Joseph as a young man- was gifted by God w/dreams, these dreams were part of his destiny, but Joseph was also proud/arrogant in the way he handled what God had given him, his brothers sold him into slavery, in Egypt, as a slave, ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

Denomination: Charismatic

Why Do Good People Suffer?

Contributed by John Lowe on Nov 25, 2015

This is a lesson about terrorists and falling towers. Everybody still talks about that day; it was a day of tragedy and injustice. People were going about their business when they were suddenly and brutally killed.

11-18-04 Why Do Good People Suffer? Luke 13:1-13:9 INTRODUCTION Today, I want to speak to you on “Why Do Good People Suffer?” I’ve taught on suffering before. In fact, one lady told me, “Preacher, I never knew what suffering was until I heard you preach. Now I ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

How Deep Is Your Valley? Series

Contributed by Kevin Broyhill on Oct 2, 2024

Psalm 23 is not just a still-life image of peace and tranquility--our Shepherd guides us through life’s darkest valleys, too. But no matter how deep or dark the valley, we are never alone. We have an all-sufficient Shepherd who walks with us every step of the way.

What Is in Your Valley? Psalm 23:4 Introduction: Ps. 23 = is not a still life scene; it is not a stationary picture in a storybook. It is a journey… reminder that life is not stationary…. always moving. Journey of life the Shepherd takes us into the green pastures of His peace and contentment… ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Baptist

"Celebrate God's Purpose For Your Giving" Series

Contributed by Dave Mcfadden on Nov 16, 2004

What purposes does God work out in our lives when we give financially to support His work?

1 Chronicles 29 tells the story of how David and the people of Israel took up an offering for the construction of the temple which David was told by God would be built by his son and successor, Solomon. It is a beautiful story of what happens when Gods people give generously to God’s work. I once ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 29:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

How To Use The Rest Areas Of Life Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Apr 20, 2009

When the storms of life have calmed and God has brought us into the rest area to refresh, we need to make sure we use it to our advantage before heading into the next valley.

Following In the Footsteps of Faith How to Use the Rest Areas of Life Genesis 21:33-34 Intro: There are times in life that are simply difficult to tolerate! There are battles to fight, valleys to cross, long nights to endure and storms that must be weathered. All you have to do is read the story of ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 21:33-34

Denomination: Baptist

Got Questions Series

Contributed by Travis Markes on Aug 30, 2011

A sermon series on Job

God is Good…All the Time! “Got Questions?” Job 38-40 Presidents Calvin Coolidge was a man of few words, and the words he spoke were often blunt. A female journalist once told him, “Mr. President I made a $100 bet with another journalist that I could get you to say more than ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

From Trouble To Triumph Series

Contributed by Carl Allen on Aug 4, 2009

Trials in the life of a Christian are a norm. But it is how we handles those trials, that separates us from the rest.

From Trouble to Triumph James 2:2-12 Intro Trials in the life of a Christian are a part of life. How we view those trials and handle them is a whole different story though. The Scriptures mention at least eight purposes for the Lord’s allowing trials to come to the lives of His ...read more

Scripture: James 2:2-12

Denomination: Baptist

How Can I Be Happy When Life Is So Hard? Series

Contributed by Chris Jordan on May 16, 2014

How can we be happy when life is hard? When we remember that God is good, and that every trial can cause us to grow and become more like Jesus.

JOURNEY THROUGH JAMES #2: HOW CAN I BE HAPPY WHEN LIFE IS HARD? INTRO TO TOPIC: Discuss the song “Happy” by Pharrell Williams. • Happy reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 for the week ending March 1, 2014. • The song has remained at the No. 1 position longer than ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-17

Denomination: *other

Lessons Learned In The Valley

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 15, 2011

My experience with cancer taught me some important lessons about life that I could only learn in the valley of suffering.

Lessons Learned in the Valley Chuck Sligh May 2004 BIBLE READING: Psalm 23 TEXT: Psalm 23:4 – “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou [art] with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” INTRODUCTION Several years ago (1979), I went to the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:4

Denomination: Baptist

The God Who Accomplishes His Purposes Series

Contributed by Christian Cheong on Oct 24, 2016

Nothing can thwart God's puposes. God accomplishes His purposes through us.

Power is a test of our character. When we are given the power to do what we want, what we choose to do will reveals WHO we really are. • Whoever leads has great power. And that’s what worries many. • That’s probably what makes the US Presidential election so tense. And ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 8:1-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Exodus 11 Series

Contributed by Tom Owen on Aug 11, 2009

verse-by-verse

Well we find ourselves in chapter fourteen of the book of Exodus. God has worked mightily on behalf of His people and they have been completely delivered from Egypt so that they could worship God freely in the promised land. And for the most part the people recognized what God had done for them and ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 14:1-31

Denomination: Baptist