Sermons on Reasons For Suffering:

What Do We Do When Tragedy Strikes?”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 2, 2017

This section of God's Word shows us how two people responded to a tragedy. One example comes from a widow whose son died. The other comes from one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, Elijah.

At some point it will likely happen to most of us. For each of us it will be different and yet the same. It will leave us with tears in our eyes and pain in our hearts. We call them tragedies—something that seems to turn our lives upside down. Because we live in a world stained by sin these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Lutheran

God's Healing Power Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 6, 2017

The Psalmist has faced crisis situations in his life. Through all his troubles God has been with him, heard his prayers, and rescued him. The Psalmist praises the Lord for what God has done and now faces the future with a strong faith, courage and peace.

Psalm 30:1-12 “God’s Healing Power” INTRODUCTION As parents we all want to protect our children from threats, problems and harm. However, even if we are the greatest of helicopter parents we are unable to achieve this goal. Our children will encounter difficult times, failure and pain. This ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 30:1-12

Denomination: Lutheran

Understanding What Paul Understood Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 8, 2016

In this sermon, we look at some of the difficulties that Paul faced and how he endured them by trusting in God. He understood that God would always be with him, and that although God would not remove the difficulties, God would enable him to overcome.

Introduction: A. M. Scott Peck’s 1978 best-selling book, The Road Less Traveled, opens with these words: “Life is difficult. This is a great truth, one of the greatest truths. It is a great truth because once we truly see this truth, we transcend it. Once we truly know that life is ...read more

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

We Learn Obedience To Become Like Jesus Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Sep 10, 2016

The Father's free gift makes us His sons and daughters, and we grow in faith through obedience in suffering.

Our Lady of Sorrows 2016 Joy of the Gospel The commemoration of Our Lady of Sorrows comes right after the great Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross–yesterday. We cannot separate Mary from Jesus and we cannot separate either from the definitive work of our salvation that they together ...read more

Scripture: John 19:25-27

Denomination: Catholic

Stuck Series

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Jul 14, 2016

Job is in so much pain that we wishes he had never been born. His suffering continues and is not lessened by the words of a friend.

Job 3:1-10, 4:1-9, 7:11-21 “Stuck” INTRODUCTION Jay Wilson and Phillip Clay are heroes. Jay was half way home after finals at the University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa. On I-65 a Jeep Cherokee suddenly veered and hit the median guard rail. At first he thought the driver was drunk. ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

A Way Of Life

Contributed by Kevin Ruffcorn on Nov 29, 2018

Observing and grieved by injustice and suffering, the prophet realizes that faith is a way of life and not an answer.

Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:2-4; 3:17-19 “A Way of Life” INTRODUCTION Today we enter the season of Advent. It is a time of preparation—for two arrivals. We first are preparing for the celebration of the birth of the Christ Child. This first arrival happened over two thousand years ago. The second ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-4, Habakkuk 2:2-4, Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Lutheran

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

The Savior In Gethsemane

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 6, 2021

Before Jesus suffered great physical pain on the cross, He had to suffer great mental pain in the Garden of Gethsemane, and this too was part of what He paid for our salvation.

A salesman said to me, “We all know you do not get something good for nothing.” It turned out to be very true in regard to what he was selling. I began to think about this in relationship to the Gospel and concluded that it is both true and false. Salvation by grace through faith is the greatest ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:30-56

Why Tragedy? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

Job is a comedy, for in spite of all the tragedy, it has a happy ending. So life is a comedy. No matter how tragic life becomes because of freedom, God will make sure that evil will be overcome.

Elie Wiesel, who survived Hitler's blood bath for the Jews, as devoted his life to telling the world of this tragedy that he feels surpasses hell in its horrors. His books have motivated others to write so that there now exists a holocaust literature. There are books, plays, articles, and ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:6

Life And Death

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Feb 17, 2021

What’s the point of gaining the whole world but forfeiting our own self? What’s the point indeed? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/sTwCeYyes44]

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:22-25 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:22-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Life And Death Series

Contributed by Aneel Aranha on Feb 17, 2021

What’s the point of gaining the whole world but forfeiting our own self? What’s the point indeed? [Watch video: https://youtu.be/sTwCeYyes44]

Scripture Reading: Luke 9:22-25 And he said, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny ...read more

Scripture: Luke 9:22-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Patri-Passion Sunday Series

Contributed by Rev Kenneth Roach on Feb 23, 2021

Part of Lent series

This is an important day in the church calendar. It emphasises an aspect of God we tend to forget. We usually imagine God has been up there in high heaven, remote from pain in his divine glory. When in trouble we tend to ask:- “Where is God, why doesn’t he come to help us?” Well, Patri-Passion ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12

Xxv Domingo Ordinario, Ano B-- "Matt, ¿de Quién Es La Culpa?"

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Sep 17, 2021

Morir a uno mismo es lo que significa la Cruz para nosotros.

El rabino Harold Kushner escribió sobre un estudiante de pre-medicina muy brillante y motivado en una universidad muy competitiva. Mientras viajaba por el Este el verano antes de su tercer año, conoció a un gurú que le dijo: "¿No ves que estás envenenando tu ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:30-37

Denomination: Catholic

Why Not You

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 19, 2021

Quit trying to live problem free and on easy street. Our best ministry often comes while we are in a trial or tragedy.

Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Ask not why bad things happen to ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:10-12

Denomination: Baptist

God Will Bring You Out Of Afflictions Series

Contributed by Mickton Zulu on Sep 24, 2021

The writer of Psalms 34 and 2 Timothy 3:10-11 both wrote about Afflictions they said the same thing and both of them used the same expression of being delivered out of them all.

THE MEANING OF THE WORD AFFLICTION. - It is the state of being afflicted by something that cause suffering. - Great suffering. - The word Affliction comes from two Latin words which literally means to dash upon and the basic idea is to torment. - The state of pain or distress. THINGS THAT PEOPLE ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:17-19, 2 Timothy 3:10-11