Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

"A Better Discipline" Series

Contributed by Rob Petersen on Jul 1, 2009

No matter the context, God’s discipline shows his Father’s heart for us.

DOMINANT THOUGHT: No matter the context, God’s discipline shows his Father’s heart for us. PURPOSE: - Head: For the people to understand that God cares for us as a father cares for his children. - Heart: For the people to have confidence and hope in God’s promises through tough times. - Hands: ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:4-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Crushed Expectations

Contributed by Howard Strickland on Mar 8, 2009

Here’s a word that will help the body deal with pain, sufferring, and disappointment. A big blessing to our church!

Crushed Expectations Text: Psalm 6:1-7 O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. 2 Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled.3 My soul also is greatly troubled; But You, O LORD—how long? 4 ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:1-7

Denomination: Pentecostal

What Christmas Did Not Do

Contributed by Ed Sasnett on Jan 21, 2013

Christmas did not eliminate evil and suffering, but it gives us the hope that one day God will eliminate evil and suffering.

Title: What Christmas Did Not Do Text: Matthew 2:13-23 Truth: Christmas did not eliminate evil and suffering, but it gives us the hope that one day God will eliminate evil and suffering. Aim: hope and encouragement (Outline: lifeway.com, Jeff Griffis) INTRODUCTION Christmas Sunday the pastor ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Denomination: Baptist

Handcrafted By God

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on May 17, 2012

Is God bending, shaping, or polishing me right now? What’s my attitude: Am I thanking and praising God, or am I complaining about the process? Trials are intended not to provoke us but to prove us. See the present from the perspective of the future. Look

Opening illustration: The Steinway piano has been preferred by keyboard masters such as Rachmaninoff, Horowitz, Cliburn, and Liszt—and for good reason. It is a skillfully crafted instrument that produces phenomenal sound. Steinway pianos are built today the same way they were 140 years ago when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:8-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

To Bring You To God

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Feb 23, 2012

Sermon for the first Sunday in Lent, Year B

I Peter 3: 18 – 22 / To Bring You To God Intro: 2 inexperienced hunters went hunting in the woods. The game warden had warning them that they might get lost said that if the got lost to shoot 3 shots in rapid succession. They did get lost. One said to the other, “You’d ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Hope-Filled Heart Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 15, 2011

In this sermon based on a chapter from Max Lucado's book Just Like Jesus, we learn how to have a hope-filled heart like Jesus.

Introduction: A. Peter Robinson, former speech writer for Ronald Reagan, wrote a book titled How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life. 1. Robinson relates a lunch meeting he held with Edwin Meese, who had served in many official capacities within the Reagan administration, including Attorney ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Why It Hurts Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 31, 2011

When we consider pain, there are three particularly painful areas of life: our relationships, our work and finances, and our health. The pain that we experience in each of these areas of life can be traced to the judgments that God delivered after the fa

Sermon Notes July 31, 2011 FBCam Why it Hurts Genesis 3:16-19 CS Lewis, in “The Problem of Pain,” writes: “When I was an atheist, if anyone had asked me “why do you NOT believe in God, my reply would have been.... PAIN.. [People] cause pain by being born, and live by pain and in pain they ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Navigating The Surprises Of Life

Contributed by Mark Opperman on Aug 29, 2011

God can and will help us change so we can be better equipped to handle change. If we will go all in with God and give our lives to Him, He will help us learn to navigate the surprises of life in a way that brings Him honor and produces something good in o

Navigating the Surprises of Life Intro: How many of you enjoy surprises? I know, I know – it depends on what the surprise is. For example, your tax return comes back with $500 more than you expected – that is a good surprise! Or, back when we used VCR’s… one day you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:28-30

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Preparing For The Best Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 31, 2011

In this lesson, we cover the principles for living for Christ, so that we may received the best blessings, even in the worst of persecution.

Introduction: A. I like this picture – Don’t you know that that car never saw it coming! 1. In some respects life is unpredictable and we need to learn to expect the unexpected. 2. When it comes to the Christian life, there is not much that is unexpected. 3. Jesus tried to prepare us ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Glory In Persecution [rated - R]

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Nov 6, 2009

The time is coming when Christians will be persecuted right here. How do I know it? I have already traveled that road before. How will you deal with it? Let us not try to run and find a way to escape persecution but face it like Jesus did.

Opening illustration: Video clip of persecuted Christians worldwide. Let us turn to 1 Peter 4 and check out what to expect while being persecuted for Christ. Introduction: In the nature of things persecution must have been a much more daunting experience for Gentiles than it was for the Jews. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Go Tell It On The Mountain

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Aug 10, 2010

Celebrates the literary insights of James Baldwin, who had died shortly before; the privilege of redemptive suffering on the part of a person or a people participates in the suffering of Christ and of His victory. Includes readings from Baldwin’s writing

Nothing is more full of mystery than this – that the suffering of .a few who are oppressed and injured acts to redeem the many, including the oppressors. And yet nothing is more true than this – that from time to time a person, a people, a race receives the awesome privilege of suffering in such ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:12-17

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution Makes Perfect Series

Contributed by James Jack on Jan 8, 2010

Like Paul, we must be prepared to suffer to present others perfect in Christ

Colossians 1:24 – 2:5 Richard Wurmbrand was a Christian pastor in Romania in the middle of the communist era. In 1945 there was great conference run by the communists where one by one the church leaders of Romania got up and pledged allegiance to Stalin and the communist system. Although ...read more

Denomination: Anglican

Will The Real "Super-Apostle" Please Stand Up Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 10, 2010

In this lesson we will be challenged and convicted by Paul's sufferings in service to the Lord. How much are we willing to suffer and sacrifice?

Introduction: A. Today is Mother’s Day, so we want to take a moment to honor the mothers among us. 1. William Goldsmith Brown wrote: “The sweetest sounds to mortals given, Are heard in Mother, Home, and Heaven.” 2. Thank God for moms – the good ones and the not so good ones ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:1-33

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Response To Persecution

Contributed by Jon Mackinney on May 27, 2010

Jesus promised us persecution, though we have not experience a great deal in the US. But those days will change. How should we respond?

Passage: Matthew 10:17-33 Intro: Wartime is different than peacetime. 1. war has it’s rules, but when the purpose is killing the enemy, the rules only limit the how. PP Geneva Convention 2. terrorism has introduced a whole new element of modern warfare. 3. use of civilians as ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:17-33

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Jesus Followers Guide

Contributed by Terry Cavanaugh on Aug 28, 2010

An honest look at following Jesus

Good morning Calvary, are you ready for the word of God. We will be looking at Ephesians 3:1-13 today. As you find this passage in your Bibles I want to confess to you when I began my ministry over 28 years ago, I was clueless. I had no idea what ministry involved. I did not really know all ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:1-13

Denomination: United Methodist