Sermons on Smyrna Means Suffering:

The Purpose In Suffering Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 16, 2009

Why? Isn’t that the question most of us ask when we experience suffering? Is there a purpose for suffering? If so, what is it? The answers to those questions are not easy to discover. And many times, when we find the answer, we don’t like what we find.

I’m sure that many of you were doing the same thing that I was doing on Thursday evening. We had finished with the evening session of the pastors conference and I was planning on going back to the room and doing some studying. My laptop had other plans. It crashed. So I turned on the TV to catch ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Patience In Suffering Series

Contributed by David Owens on Aug 8, 2006

While we are suffering, James says that there is one thing we must do, and two things we must not do.

Introduction: A. Dr. Robert Lightner, a long-time faculty member of the theology department at Dallas Theological Seminary was involved in a terrible plane crash. 1. He was in a single-engine plane that flipped over during takeoff. 2. He was badly injured and bruised beyond recognition. His ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Glory In Suffering Series

Contributed by Mark Armstrong on Jul 24, 2011

The servant who suffered for his people.

Here’s some INTERESTING advice to parents, ‘People get very upset by the idea that their children might have to suffer. Well, why? […] are you having children? You want them to be Christians, don’t you? If they are going to be Christians, they are going to suffer. That is ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God And Suffering Series

Contributed by Greg Lindsey on Mar 8, 2020

What's God really like? God is not political, he’s not Republican or Democrat, He is not stoic or uncaring, He’s not boring or lame, He’s not checked out or disengaged, and He’s not homophobic.

So hey there, so good to see you, welcome to this place that we call DCC, and before we say anything else, happy Mother’s Day to you. If you are a mom would you please stand? We want to appreciate you today. Let’s give it up for all of these awesome women in our lives. Okay, so moms stay ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4

The Meaning Of Meaninglessness

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

The Bible rejects the idea that all is meaningful. It stresses the reality of the meaningless, for the more we know of this reality, the more we will strive to avoid it and stay on the road of meaningfulness.

Pastor W. Robert McClelland had to endure the painful experience of hearing his grown son curse God and cry out in angry rebellion at Him. His son had worked hard for congressman Jerry Litton in his senatorial campaign. When the polls closed that Tuesday night and Litton come through with an ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18

What Does It Mean To Follow In His Steps?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Jul 21, 2024

What does it mean to follow, will we suffer, will we learn anything, and how do we follow?

What Does It Mean to Follow in His Steps? 1 Peter 2:21-25 (21) Obeying Authority: In 1 Peter 2:11-25, Peter writes that Christians are to submit to those in power. He uncovers God's will for the individuals who are free in Christ: to enthusiastically submit to each human authoritative figure ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21-25

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Meaning Of Christmas Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Nov 17, 2007

To show through the names of Christ the true meaning of Christmas

Title: The Meaning of Christmas Theme: To show through the names of Christ the true meaning of Christmas Text: Matthew 1:18-23 As I said at the beginning of the month of December I was going to dedicate the three weeks before Christmas as being sermons preached on Christmas. Two weeks ago I ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 1:18-23

Denomination: Church Of God

The Meaning Of Life

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Apr 23, 2006

There are many different philosophies of life, some more helpful than others. This message focuses on what life is really all about.

14, April 2006 Easter Sunday Service The Meaning of Life We are here this morning to celebrate the greatest event in human history. This is the day that we remember the empty tomb and the final victory over death. John 5:24 "I tell you the truth; whoever hears my word and believes him who sent ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:10-11

Denomination: Mennonite

Pain And Suffering

Contributed by Dennis Lee on Mar 24, 2019

Today's sermon looks at the reasons why humanity goes through pain and suffering.

Spiritual First Aid Pain and Suffering Introduction This is probably one of the more difficult sermons or teachings I’ve had to present, because how can I bring comfort and peace to those who are in pain and going through a time of suffering? But then I realized that I can’t, only God can, and ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18, Romans 8:28, Romans 5:3-4

Denomination: Foursquare

Causes Of Suffering Series

Contributed by John Walls on Jun 28, 2004

Helping Christians during suffering

WHY DO CHRISTIANS SUFFER? Message # 1 THE CAUSES OF SUFFERING Romans 8:18 Introduction: Over the years that I have been a pastor, I have been asked various questions. One question that I have never been asked is where did Cain get his wife. I have a good answer for that one. He got his wife ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18

Denomination: Baptist

Share In Suffering Series

Contributed by Michael Stark on Apr 26, 2015

God calls His people to stand firm in the face of trials and suffering.

“Therefore, do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.” [1] The call of Christ is not as is commonly presented in contemporary church life. We preachers do issue a call for our hearers to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:8

Denomination: Baptist

The Meaning Of Resurrection Series

Contributed by Rick Stacy on Mar 28, 2005

5th of 5 on life after life. This was preached on Easter Sunday. Credit for the main illustration goes to Matthew Rogers. Sermon Central contributor.

It was a windy but sunny spring day in May of 1986… Matt was a part of the team but the best runner was John Waller. John was somewhat of a living legend at that time in boys track. He was an incredibly gifted runner who had consistently placed in the top 5-10 spots in the mile run at the state ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Meaning Of Baptism Series

Contributed by D. Dewaine Phillips on Jun 23, 2021

For many people, baptism is shrouded in such great mystery that they fear giving their heart and life to Christ because they don’t want to go through being baptized. This message seeks to clear up some misconceptions.

Allow me to begin with a cute illustration. “The six-year-old grandson of Ruth Kirby told his mother that he had been baptized. Well, mom knew he hadn’t been formally baptized, so she probed a little further into the matter. She asked him to explain what he meant by ‘baptized.’ Little Blake ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 3:13-17, Romans 6:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

The Meaning Of Easter

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jul 19, 2021

Jesus will give existence to your decomposed bodies. He allows no one to go out of existence.

Had you chosen to visit the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem today to celebrate Easter, you would no doubt want to visit the central shrine that is all probability the place of Jesus' death, burial, and Resurrection. And while no one is absolutely certain that this is indeed the location of the ...read more

Scripture: John 5:25-29

Denomination: Baptist

The Gospel Should Mean Everything To Us.

Contributed by Mark Mitchell on Jan 8, 2019

While we are comfortable in our homes and pews there are people around the world who are suffering and dying for the sake of the gospel. This should embolden us to preach the gospel ever more.

I. Stephen’s death seems to instigate the persecution of the church. A. The stoning was likely illegal. B. It was a result of the crowd’s emotions being stirred up. C. It seems to have emboldened Saul carry out his persecution of the church. II. The church persecuted. A. This portion of this verse ...read more

Scripture: Acts 8:1-4

Denomination: Baptist