Sermons on Reasons For Suffering:

Does God Ever Withdraw His Favor?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 15, 2022

There is a belief in the church that when a Born-Again Christian sins or walks in disobedience, God withdraws His favor and blessings to punish them.

This belief is rooted in the Old Testament, where a relationship with God was conditionally based upon behavior. The Hebrew words translated as ‘favor’ are ‘ratson’ and ‘ratsah.’ The word ‘ratson’ is translated as favor, goodwill, acceptance, desire, pleasure. It most often represents God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:7-11, Romans 5:3-4, Ephesians 2:4-7, Matthew 7:16-18, James 4:4, 1 Peter 5:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Job's Rebuttal Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Jan 18, 2021

Job responds to his friend's accusation of sin.

Let us continue to worship our God by learning from Job and his friends; open your Bibles to the Book of Job….. Here’s what we noted so far from Job chapters 1-5: Without Job’s knowledge, Satan challenged God by taking away Job’s children and much of his possessions! Then again without Job’s ...read more

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Justified By Faith Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Andrew B Natarajan on Nov 4, 2019

We are being justified by faith, We have Shalom with God. Justification by faith gives us three blessings according to this passage hope of sharing the glory of God, tribulations to mould our character and reconciliation with God.

Romans 5:1-11 Justified by Faith Introduction: Romans 5:1-11 weaves together themes of faith, love, hope, and glory, threading them through the Life events of Christ on the earth. “justified (dikaiothentes) by faith”. The word dikaioo means to be made just or righteous—not guilty, declared ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Methodist

Our Glorious Future Series

Contributed by Rick Burdette on Jul 29, 2019

Romans 8:18-25

STRAIGHT FROM ROMANS 8 - Our Glorious Future May 29, 2022 Romans 8:18-25 Introduction: I watched a movie the other day called “All the Money in the World.” So, spoiler alert. It was the story of J. Paul Getty, the richest man in the world…One of his grandsons, Paul, is ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joseph Of Arimathea Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

In taking Jesus to His new tomb Joseph was fulfilling the prophecy of Isa. 53:9, which said, "Men made His grave with the criminals, and He was with the rich in His death."

The danger of making a hero out of a man who does a great thing after a long time of doing nothing is that you give the impression that there was nothing lost by doing it that way. A man lives a life of sin, or of indifference to God's will, and suddenly he sees the light and is wondrously ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:55-66

Fifth Sunday Of Lent Year B; Grain Of Wheat

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Mar 18, 2021

We need the ground for all those negatives things to die.

And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” John 12:32 He draws us, not forces us. Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” Song of Songs 1:3, “Draw me after you.” He draws us by his suffering for ...read more

Scripture: John 12:32, John 12:24, John 12:25

Denomination: Catholic

Glory Is Coming Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on May 2, 2020

Our sufferings in our life can not compare to the Glory in store for us Christians.

Many of you have heard of the term “Health and Wealth Gospel” or “Prosperity Gospel”. This type of “gospel” basically states that once you believe in Jesus Christ, everything will go well with you. This “gospel” will state that if you’re poor or sick, you must be weak in your faith! This ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:17-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Reflection A.3 / Coronavirus - First Response / We Should Grieve

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 9, 2020

Scripture calls us to 'weep with those who weep’. We grieve over suffering. We should also grieve over sin.

In my first two Reflections I considered prayer. Our first response to coronavirus, as a church and as a nation, should be to pray. Another response we must make is to grieve. Paul wrote in Romans 12:15, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep’. Some weeks ago I travelled up ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15

Denomination: Baptist

What's Wrong With This Picture? Series

Contributed by Jefferson Williams on Jul 29, 2020

God doesn’t have a call-in radio show but He has given us His Word. This morning we are going to tune into a little book called Habakkuk and listen in on a conversation between God and a very frustrated prophet.

What’s Wrong with This Picture? Habakkuk 1:1-11 Pastor Jefferson M. Williams First Baptist Chenoa 5-5-19 Caller, You’re on the Air What if you could talk to God? I know prayer is talking to God. But what if God had a call-in radio show. What would you ask Him if you had the chance? I put ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Cana, The Town Where Jesus Turned Water Into Wine And Healed The Royal Official's Son

Contributed by Robert Irvine on May 10, 2024

In John chapter 2 we read that Jesus went to a wedding in Cana and he miraculously turned water into wine. Later, in John chapter 4, he returned to Cana and he healed a Royal official’s son.

In John chapter 2 we read that Jesus went to a wedding in Cana and he miraculously turned water into wine. Later, in John chapter 4, he returned to Cana and he healed a Royal official’s son. Today we will look at 2 things: The meaning of the name Cana and the historical significance and how it is ...read more

Scripture: John 2:1-12, John 4:43-54

Denomination: Baptist

That I May Know Him (3) - The Fellowship Of Christ's Suffering Series

Contributed by Wilson Oshorakpor on May 27, 2024

Jesus suffered the ignominy of dying on the cross for the sin of mankind. The riches of the cross is laced with trials and persecutions. Every believer must carry his/her cross daily.

TEXT: Philippians 3:10 "That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death." CHRIST SUFFERED FOR YOU Suffering is not pleasant but sometimes necessary to ascend to the seat of glory. Christ had to suffer ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:8-11, 2 Timothy 3:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Beatings

Contributed by Bala Samson on May 28, 2024

The gain outweighs the pain!

Proverbs 20:30"Lashes and wounds purge away evil, and beatings cleanse the innermost parts." I was led in the Spirit to write this devotion; nevertheless, it is tough to write on tough & hard subjects. Not many would want to hear about beatings, though, anybody listening? We find in ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 20:30

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Refiner's Fire

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 6, 2021

A sermon for the second Sunday in Advent, Year C

December 5, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 The Refiner’s Fire Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Children need to be challenged. Maturing from a child into an adult ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

God Never Said... "i'll Never Give You More Than You Can Handle" Series

Contributed by James Jackson on Feb 1, 2026

Part 1 of "God Never Said That."

Good morning! I invite you to turn with me to the book of 2 Corinthians. When Trish and I lived in Kingsport, Tennessee, we always flew in and out of Tri-Cities Regional Airport. And if you’ve ever flown out of a regional airport, you know there are no big jets. No jumbo planes. You get ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah, John The Baptist, And Jesus.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Feb 5, 2026

Anticipating the suffering of Jesus.

ELIJAH, JOHN THE BAPTIST, AND JESUS. Matthew 17:10-13. As they came down the mountain of Transfiguration, Peter, James and John asked Jesus, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” (MATTHEW 17:10). This, of course, refers to the prophecy of Malachi 4:5. Yet Jesus did not ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 17:10-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational