Sermons on Reasons For Suffering:

Paul's Sermon At Athens: The Right Place At The Right Time

Contributed by Donald Whitchard on Jun 7, 2021

Paul's preaching in the synagogues and the markets of Athens drew the attention of the city's philosophers and intellectuals who invited him to speak at the Areopagus. When the Gospel is proclaimed, it has the power to win souls for the glory of God (Hebrews 4:12).

Paul's mission to carry the Gospel to the nations continued while he was in Athens. Even though persecution had driven him out of one area, the LORD in His Sovereignty placed Paul right where He wanted him, and that was at the intellectual capital of the Roman Empire, the city of Athens. ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 23:29, Acts 19:20, Romans 1:16, Ephesians 6:17, Revelation 19:15, Acts 17:18-21  (view more)  (view less)

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

They Ceased Not

Contributed by Greg Irby on Feb 28, 2009

It’s never easy to live under constant stress and adversity. When our lives are finished, may it be said of us that “they ceased not.” Faithfulness to God is not a novel thing; it’s to be our normal practice.

THEY CEASED NOT ACTS 5:34-42 Text: Acts 5:42 Acts 5:42 42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. Introduction: We see the spirit of the Sanhedrin in Acts 5:32. As we read this verse we are reminded of the constant adversity the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:34-42

Denomination: Baptist

Why Does God Allow Satan To Attack Us? Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Aug 30, 2021

Satan's attacks against us come in various forms. The Devil is more furious than ever because he knows that he has a little time (Rev 12:12).

Satan's attacks against us come in various forms. The Devil is more furious than ever because he knows that he has a little time (Rev 12:12). He stirs up the powers of hell to work against all children of God. Lucifer is the fallen angel who became Satan, waiting as the serpent to tempt Eve ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8, John 10:10, Daniel 4:30-37

Undeserved Trials –why?

Contributed by John Bartol on Jun 1, 2013

Job was bewildered by suffering that seemed undeserved. Here we see a good man suffering, not as punishment for past sins but as proof that he would not waver in the faith. Job was on the Devils hit list, and that was a compliment to his faith. Satan tri

UNDESERVED TRIALS-WHY? Why do good people sometimes suffer greatly and evil people seem to prosper? Does it pay to be good? Does it pay to serve the Lord? We sometimes say about a very fine person who is having a hard time “ He doesn't deserve this! Or, she doesn't deserve this!” ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Baptist

God Is Angry ...at You

Contributed by James E. Mcintire on Aug 12, 2011

God is Angry at His Church and for good reason. It is time to fear Him and repent.

God is Angry … at You Introduction About a month ago I woke up with this message very heavy on my heart. God was angry and not just at some anonymous stranger, but specifically at His church. God began to give me things and I worked at writing them down, not knowing at the time just how ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:23

Denomination: Church Of God

We, The Church, Are The Two Witnesses (Revelation 11:1-19) Series

Contributed by Garrett Tyson on Jun 18, 2023

Here, the church joins John in giving clear testimony about Jesus. We have a ministry that combines power, with suffering. Through this combo, the world turns, fears God, and gives Him glory. A no-rapture, academically rigorous reading of Revelation.

This week, we have the privilege of working our way through Revelation 11. This is a rich, complex chapter. It's also a chapter where there's a lot of debate about how to read it. A friend of mine has a study Bible, and his notes told him that the chapter should be read literally. But ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 11:1-19

A Change Of Desires Series

Contributed by John Bright on Sep 23, 2025

Working through 1 Peter using consecutive expository preaching. Teaching sheet included at end of text.

“A Change of Desires” 1 Peter 4:7-11 A sermon for 8/24/25 Pastor John Bright 1 Peter 4 “1 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28, John 16:33, Romans 8:17, 2 Corinthians 1:5, Philippians 3:10, Matthew 6:24, Hebrews 6:5-11, Galatians 1:6-9, Galatians 1:10, 1 Peter 4:1-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Methodist

Does Man Need God In Western Civilization: Young People Are Hungry For The Truth!

Contributed by Justin Steckbauer on May 3, 2021

In our day and age it seems that for the most part, mankind has slipped from any cognition of morals, values, and God forbid, a loving creator.

Malcom Muggeridge said, " "It would be difficult for anyone looking around the world today to resist the conclusion that something has gone very badly indeed with what we continue to call “Western Civilization.” This awareness tends to be distorted and muffled – if not obliterated – by ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 40:26-31, Revelation 18:3

Denomination: Salvation Army

Unlearning The Church Series

Contributed by Daniel Villa on Sep 9, 2003

Unlearning the Church seeks to present the reasons the early church had church meetings.

UNLEARNING CHURCH MEETINGS Hebrews 10:24-25; 1 Corinthians 14; John 21 Welcome back to our Unlearning Series. There are so many things that we have learned in life that keeps us from following Jesus in a healthy way. For three weeks the Lord taught us on unlearning our proneness to hide, and to ...read more

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 14:26-33, Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Church Of God

Palm Sunday Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on Apr 14, 2020

The first Palm Sunday was actually people claiming Jesus Christ as the victorious King who would free them from bondage from the Romans!

Good day! May God bless you as you worship Him! Today is typically celebrated as Palm Sunday. In preparation for our worship, let us pray…. Now, let us echo the voices of those who followed Jesus Christ about 2000 years ago and sing “Hosanna, Hosanna, Hosanna in the Highest!” ……. Let us quietly ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: Independent/Bible

What Kind Of King Is He?

Contributed by Dana Chau on Mar 25, 2002

Discover three good reasons for why we owe our allegiance to Christ as King.

Susan and I were driving to different places on Friday and Saturday, and we saw quite a few palm tree plants sticking out of people’s cars. Now there were not as many as Christmas trees during Christmas season. But there were a few, and they looked like large green feathers. Today is Palm ...read more

Scripture: Luke 19:28-44

Denomination: *other

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

The Character Of A Disciple: Joy Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Jul 16, 2018

There is something about doing the right thing that brings a “joy” … a sense of peace, assurance, righteousness … that comes from doing the right thing for the right reason … whatever may befall us as we do the right thing for right reason.

THE CHARACTER OF A DISCIPLE: JOY Scripture: 1st Peter 1:3-9 We are all familiar with the horrors that Jesus went through during His arrest and crucifixion: The betrayal. Being abandoned by His Disciples and followers. Dragged before angry and determined religious authorities. The beatings. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9, Matthew 6:19-20

Denomination: United Methodist

Compassion And Healing

Contributed by Alan Perkins on Apr 9, 2001

Jesus cares about our suffering. Then why does he sometimes not heal us?

It seems that the number of diseases we are subject to as human beings is endless. There are so many kinds of diseases, disorders, and dysfunctions that doctors can barely keep track of them all. And new ones are being added all the time [AIDS - now the leading cause of death worldwide among people ...read more

Scripture: John 9:1-3

Denomination: Baptist