Sermons on Smyrna Means Suffering:

Suffering For Righteousness

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 26, 2020

Dealing with trials and adversity are a part of everyone's life - some more than others. We don't enjoy suffering, and yet the Word of God teaches us that we are to rejoice in them and even be happy as we suffer reproach. Peter explains this difficult doctrine in our text.

Suffering for Righteousness 1 Peter 4: 12-16 Peter had spent considerable time in the preceding verses dealing with Christian character and conduct in the midst of a fallen world. He was well aware of the struggles and persecution many within the church faced. Although they were forced to deal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

The Suffering Saint

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Mar 16, 2022

Make no mistake about it, SAINTS and SINNERS in this life suffer. Some who promote “Easy-Believism” in order to win converts to the Lord, paint a picture of the Christian life as a fairy tale.

You accept the Lord and live happily ever after. But that is not true. SAINTS, like the SINNERS in this life have their share of suffering. • We may not suffer for the same reasons they suffer, but we suffer • Many times for the SAINTS and the SINNERS, the sufferings come from bad decisions they ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 38:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

Hope In Suffering

Contributed by Martin Ellgar on Oct 28, 2014

A perspective on Matthew 25: 31-46. The good news continues when Jesus will remove all oppression in our life by removing the goat from our presence.

Matthew 25: 31-46 Hope in suffering Many editors of Bibles and commentaries subtitle our Gospel text as, ‘The judgement.’ They focus on judgement portrayed by the shepherd separating the sheep from the goats, the righteous from the self-righteous, and the good from the bad. Our Gospel ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 25:31-46

Denomination: Lutheran

The Christian And Suffering

Contributed by Christopher Arch on May 17, 2025

Expository Series on Philippians

Title: “The Christian and Suffering” Phil. 1:13-14 Type: Expository series Where: GNBC 5-18-25 Intro: The problem of pain is inescapable, its effects profound. No one can deny it. Many use it as a way to remove God from reality. It fuels the flame of doubt and sometimes undermines the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14

Denomination: Independent/Bible

A Question Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Ian Humphrey on Mar 14, 2024

A Question of Suffering

Matthew 27:33-54 A Question of Suffering Psalm 22:1 My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Martin Luther “God forsaking God! No man can understand that?” I. The REQUEST A. The LANGUAGE. (in Aramaic) NOT “Father,” BUT ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:33-54

Denomination: Holiness

Spiritual Suffering

Contributed by Senior Pastor Ndayiragije-Misigaro Joel on Dec 10, 2022

In spiritual suffering, keep the truth, speak about the truth, and do not withhold any negative ideas. Within, the steadfastness of the faith is at risk of weakening. Always speak the truth. No matter what, God is the truthful one.

SPIRITUAL SUFFERING: STEADFASTNESS OF FAITH “BECAUSE OF YOUR TRUTH.” In spiritual suffering, keep the truth, speak about the truth, and do not withhold any negative ideas. Within, the steadfastness of the faith is at risk of weakening. Always speak the truth. No matter what, God is the truthful ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 115:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Why Suffering? Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

Suffering has a purpose in our lives, as it expands our faith, sanctifies us, and makes us savory to the world around us.

Today, we're gonna talk about something we all face in life: suffering. Yeah, I know it's not the most fun topic, but stick with me, because I promise it's important. We all go through tough times, and sometimes it's hard to see why. But guess what? God has a plan for all of it, and He's using it ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Topics: Pain Management, Emotional Resilience, Life Challenges, Personal Growth

Firm In Suffering Youth Sermon

Contributed by Youth Sermons on Sep 5, 2023

As believers, we are called to stand firm in our faith despite suffering. We can find strength in our faith and the support of our fellow believers.

Hey guys! Today, we're into 1 Thessalonians. This letter was written by Paul to a group of Christians in Thessalonica who were having a really hard time because they were being picked on for their faith. You know, being a Christian wasn't easy back then. They had to deal with a lot of hate from ...read more

Topics: Endurance, Spiritual Strength, Hope Amidst Pain, Faithful Suffering

This Means War

Contributed by Steve Malone on Mar 11, 2002

We are in a war, we have an enemy who is taking from us things that should be ours. It’s time to declare war on him!

“This Means War!” SHOW DVD CLIP FROM THE MOVIE, PEARL HARBOR…OF INITIAL BOMBING We Are In A War In 1941 – the world was at war. And America had an enemy, though she tried her best not to believe or think about it. BUT – regardless of what they thought or believed - the empire of Japan ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 10:3-4

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Search For Meaning Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 23, 2023

In your pursuit of meaning in life, look beyond your own hands; look beyond your own head; and look beyond your own heart. Look beyond the sun to the Lord, who died for you and rose again.

Since its founding in 1995, people have used eBay to sell billions of items. They include some odd products and occasionally something priceless. For example… In 1954, the great physicist Albert Einstein penned a personal letter to philosopher Erik Gutkind in which he defended his views on ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 1:12-18, Ecclesiastes 2:1-17, John 10:10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Meaning Of Christmas

Contributed by Michael Luke on Jan 21, 2008

A look at the true meaning of Christmas and its implications for our lives

(adapted from a sermon by Darryl Dash) TEXT: JOHN 1:1-14 TITLE: “THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS” OPEN: A. In just two days, most of our entire country will shut down. 1. The offices will close 2. The roads will seem empty 3. The ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Means Of Grace Series

Contributed by R. David Reynolds on Feb 3, 2005

This is the clergy talk I do when serving as Weekend Spiritual Director for a Women’s Walk to Emmaus. With slight modification I also use it for a Men’s Emmaus Walk, and it can be adapted into two effective sermons your local Church.

II Corinthians 12:9 Elisa Morgan, president of MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) International, testifies: "I’m probably the least likely person to head a mothering organization. I grew up in a broken home. My parents were divorced when I was 5. My older sister, younger brother, and I were raised ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:9

Denomination: Methodist

The Meaning Of Christmas

Contributed by Steve Malone on Dec 11, 2024

One of the reason why Christmas can be kind of a downer for people is because we have forgotten its true meaning. In this conversation we will unpack 6 things that Christmas means.

The Meaning Of Christmas Well in just 3 days we will celebrating Christmas 2024! SO... Are you ready? Are you getting excited? Are anticipating having a great time this Christmas? QUESTION - on a scale of 1-10 (a 10 being this so amazing I cannot believe that it is true and 1 being a should ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:10-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding The Extra In The Ordinary: The Church In Smyrna

Contributed by Ken Pell on Jan 7, 2010

This was the post-Christmas sermon used to transition back into the sermon series on the seven churches; it provides four keys to spiritual stirring / renewal.

FINDING THE EXTRA IN THE ORDINARY: YOU* REV. 3:1-6 CHRISTMAS SUNDAY INTRO Advent is as much about the second coming of Christ as it is the first. It is as much about Him coming to you with a second birth as it is Jesus’ birth. They are connected and emphasized during Advent. Ana Advent, of ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: Nazarene

This Means War

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 9, 2003

We Christians need to understand that we are in a spiritual war. This war is for the souls of the lost who are all around us. These individuals need to be rescued from the enemy which is made up of spiritual forces of evil. It’s our job as Christian warri

This Means War! Thesis: We Christians need to understand that we are in a spiritual war. This war is for the souls of the lost who are all around us. These individuals need to be rescued from the enemy which is made up of spiritual forces of evil. It’s our job as Christian warriors to fight for ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:10-20, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational