Sermons on Strength In Suffering:

When Faith Takes Over

Contributed by Rick George on Jul 22, 2008

When storms come, where is your faith? In temporal things or the Everlasting God?

Please turn with me to the book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk is listed in the Bible as one of the Minor Prophets. The Minor Prophets are grouped together after the Major Prophets and located before the New Testament, after the book of Nahum and before Zephaniah. Today we will, in sum, examine the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Lord's Servant

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 17, 2010

Redemption was born in suffering, so is our peace.

The Lord’s Servant, Isaiah 52:13-53:6 Introduction “After a mission service, the preacher of the evening was hurrying away to a late train. He had just three minutes to catch it when he saw a man running after him. “Oh, sir,” he said breathlessly as he came up, “can ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

The Suffering Church (The Church Of Smyrna 2 Of 7)

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Jul 15, 2025

You will notice that of the seven churches that John addressed, he gave the least amount of space to the church of Smyrna.

All he had to say about the church of Smyrna he was able to cover in just four verses. However, we must not think less of this church, or feel they were insignificant just because there are less verses given to them. Why? Because there were only two of the seven churches ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11-12, Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Spending Time In The Furnace

Contributed by Guy De Swardt on Oct 30, 2012

God often puts us through various tests/trials to grow our faith in Him.

Spending Time In The Furnace George Muller once said: “God likes to test the faith of His children in order to make them stronger so that they can eventually be winners! Yes, persecution, trials and tests, even sometimes suffering defeat, are spiritual food for our faith and helps us to grow ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

Does Suffering Mean God Has Abandoned Me? Series

Contributed by Ross Anderson on Oct 25, 2005

Not even the worst afflictions you might face can cancel out God¡¦s purpose or God¡¦s favor in your life.

You might have heard that, on the next to last day of our vacation, Nancy and I were rear-ended as we were pulling off the freeway in San Jose, California. Thankfully we weren¡¦t hurt, but the car was undriveable, and we were 850 miles from home without transportation. For a while we felt not ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Could A Good God Allow Suffering (2025)

Contributed by David Owens on Feb 10, 2025

The presence of pain and suffering in the world do not take away from God's goodness or power. God's answer to suffering is the cross and the resurrection.

Introduction: A. There is a movie scene in which a young brother and sister experienced the death of a beloved kitten. 1. The children had prayed fervently that the cat would get well, but unfortunately, it had died. 2. The children couldn’t understand why this had happened, so they decided that ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5, Hebrews 12:5-6, 1 Peter 1:6-7, James 1:2-4, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Job 1:20, Job 2:9-10, Hebrews 4:14-16, Romans 8:28, 2 Corinthians 4:16-17  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

02 Life In The Spirit Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on May 5, 2025

The Spirit gives us a new identity, a new vitality, and a new destiny.

Have you ever gotten into your car, ready to roll, turned the key — or pressed the button — and all you get is *click*? Or maybe a weak turnover. Or maybe nothing at all. No engine. No movement. Just silence. This happened just a few weeks ago out in the church parking lot. I noticed a vehicle ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:9-11

Denomination: Independent/Bible

The Vision, The Thorn, And The Grace Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 17, 2010

Paul learned to accept his thorn in the flesh as a gift from God, and allowed it to bless and benefit his life.

Introduction: A. I want to start with a true story that illustrates the overall lesson I hope we will learn today. B. The story is told of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. 1. The boy began lessons with an old ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Finding Strength In God Alone Psalm 73:25-26 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Mar 2, 2024

In Psalm 73, we find the psalmist wrestling with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the struggles of the righteous. Despite his doubts and confusion, he ultimately finds solace and strength in God alone

Finding Strength in God Alone Psalm 73:25-26 Introduction: In Psalm 73, we find the psalmist wrestling with the apparent prosperity of the wicked and the struggles of the righteous. Despite his doubts and confusion, he ultimately finds solace and strength in God alone. Today, we will explore how ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:25-26, Isaiah 40:31, Psalm 73:26, 2 Corinthians 12:9-10, Romans 8:38-39  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Stress-Free Suffering - Matthew 6:27-34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 6, 2024

Anxiety is not caused by trouble. It is caused by an untrusting heart’s response to trouble. There are six spiritual causes of anxiety, and Jesus shows us the solutions.

Matthew 6:25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:27-34

50 Is The New 50

Contributed by Brian Bill on Mar 7, 2010

I'm oldner than dirt but I'm determined to live for the Lord in every way as He renews me day by day.

Life is going way too fast…I’m halfway to one hundred and am now officially “over the hill.” This year is my 25th college class reunion, Emily is graduating from college, Lydia is graduating from high school, Beth and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this summer, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 39:4-5

Denomination: Baptist

To Live Is Christ

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 18, 2011

How do we balance our own pursuit of meaning and happiness with the call to live as Kingdom people? What role does suffering have in the Christian life and why in the world are we called not only to believe in Jesus but to suffer for him? A little bait an

This dates me, I know, but I can sometimes relate to Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoons. Like the one where Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. As usual, Lucy has the floor, delivering one of her lectures. She says, "Charlie Brown, life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it so ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

What Is Suffering All About, And Can We Gain From It.

Contributed by Gordon Mcculloch on Mar 24, 2019

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why should we suffer; and what are we mean to do about it.

This sermon was delivered Gordon McCulloch to the congregation at Holy Trinity in Ayr, Ayrshire, Scotland on the 24th March 2019; Holy Trinity is a Scottish Episcopal Church in the Dioceses of Glasgow and Dumfries. Exodus 3:1-15 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Luke 13:1-9 Psalm 63:1-8 “Please join me ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9, Exodus 3:1-15

Denomination: Episcopal

Trialful Joy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2009

Trials and tests are no fun. James doesn’t tell us to consider it fun but to "consider it all joy." Trials and tests are gut wrenching and drawn out at times, but the one thing that we must know is that God is with us through the whole ordeal.

Opening illustration: After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

E Management Of Pain

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 6, 2012

The apostle Paul experienced a great deal of pain in his life. He recognized that sometimes Satan brings the pain and sometimes God brings the pain for our own good. He prayed for God to remove the pain, but God said, “My grace is sufficient.” God didn

Thursday, January 16, 2003 Tom Lowe Title: The Management of Pain Text: “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” (2 Cor. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist