Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

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

"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

Faithful To The End Series

Contributed by David Welch on Mar 30, 2009

Fourth in the Revelation series focusing on the church at Smyrna-- the Suffering Church

REVIEW I.PROLOGUE 1:1-20 II.Messages to the Seven churches 2-3 (Things with are) A. The Message to the church in Ephesus 2:1-7 The passionless church 1. Characteristic The one who guards the leadership in each church as He walks among them. 2. Commendation Jesus commended their ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

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

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

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

Why Does God Allow Suffering And Evil?

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Oct 12, 2009

The question why does God allow suffering and evil is one of the most significant questions of this or any other time.

Why does God allow suffering and evil? Why are babies born blind? Why is a promising life snuffed out as it is on the rise? Why are there wars in which thousands of innocent people are killed, children are burned beyond recognition and many are maimed for life?. There may be times when you find ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39

Denomination: Pentecostal

Goal 3: To Know The Fellowship Of His Sufferings Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 9, 2009

We get so busy doing other things that we forget the main things. But God has great goals for our lives. Today we will focus on the fellowship of His sufferings.

God’s Greatest Goals for Your Life Part 3: To Know the Fellowship of His Sufferings 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 Sermon by Rick Crandall McClendon Baptist Church - Nov. 8, 2009 *Last week I mentioned The Beverly Hillbillies to you. But when it comes to goals, Eric Thomas makes a good point from the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

How Could A Good God Allow Suffering? Series

Contributed by David Owens on Dec 16, 2012

No answer can completely answer this most difficult question of life. I this sermon we consider some things about God and the world He created, we consider the reasons for suffering, and we consider how to cope with suffering.

Introduction: A. There is a scene in a British movie where a young brother and sister had experienced the death of their 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 ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy Series

Contributed by Don Vanzant on Sep 30, 2011

God gives joy to those who abide in Him which is not dependent on circumstances but is actually compatible with pain.

Years ago I spent the last four months of seminary in the Clinical Pastoral Education program or CPE as a chaplain on the third floor of Central Baptist Hospital. It was a great experience, but not one that suited me too well. I was assigned to the respiratory ward where people were mostly ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 5:22-23

Denomination: Disciples Of Christ

Joy

Contributed by Dr. Stanley Vasu on Nov 8, 2025

1. REJOICING IN HEAVEN 2. YOUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE 3. GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 4. YOUR GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY 5. JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 6. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS 7. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE 8. THE LEADER'S JOY 9. THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM 10. THE TEST OF FAITH

JOY 1. REJOICING IN HEAVEN 2. YOUR JOY WILL BE COMPLETE 3. GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT 4. YOUR GRIEF WILL TURN TO JOY 5. JOY IN THE HOLY SPIRIT 6. REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS 7. REJOICE WITH THOSE WHO REJOICE 8. THE LEADER'S JOY 9. THE JOY SET BEFORE HIM 10. THE TEST OF ...read more

Scripture: Romans 14:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Rejoice In Suffering!? PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 21, 2023

This sermon explores how suffering is an integral part of Christian life, serving as a tool for spiritual growth and deepening our relationship with Christ.

Good morning, my dear brothers and sisters in Christ! It's a joy to be with you all today, standing together in the house of the Lord, united by our shared faith and love for our Savior. You know, it's not always sunny skies and smooth sailing on this voyage of faith we're all embarked upon. There ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Topics: Growing In Christ, Suffering

With Joy

Contributed by Davon Huss on Jan 7, 2014

A sermon about things we are to do "with joy" (Outline from an article by Robert Lee in Pulpit Helps)

HoHum: Joy is the flag flown high From the castle of my heart From the castle of my heart From the castle of my heart Joy is the flag flown high From the castle of my heart When the King is in residence there (So) let it fly in the sky Let the whole world know Let the whole world know Let the whole ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making The Jail House Rock

Contributed by Mark A. Barber on May 25, 2022

God needs to shake things up in the church and free us from our self-imprisonment.

Making the Jail House Rock Acts 16:16-34 The text we read this morning has been a popular one for Vacation Bible Schools for many years. The cardboard props of the wall of the jail house and the barred windows has “imprisoned” many a child or saint in the skit. someone pulls the string, and the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:16-34

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Successful Suffering Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

The lesson on how to suffer successfully involves the whole of one's spiritual life and relationship to God. In learning this lesson we will learn that which is necessary to be a complete and entire Christian.

Imagine the testing of the body in such a sport as football. To be on your feet and seconds later brought to the ground hard and fast. Then to get up and do it again, and again, and again, but constantly moving forward. All of that falling is not what wins the game, but whether or not you win ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-8