Sermons on suffering and joy:

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

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

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

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

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

Afflictions Of God's People

Contributed by Clarence Clough on May 24, 2008

An important thing for us to think about is how do we cope with suffering?

The Unique Afflictions of God’s People Text: 2 Cor. 1:6-11 Intro: "When Samuel Rutherford [ 17th Century Scottish Presbyterian theologian and author ] found himself in the cellar of adversity, as he often did , he began to look around for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:6-11

Denomination: Church Of God

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

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

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

Joy

Contributed by David Trexler on Dec 21, 2006

Joy to the World

Sermon on Joy December 24th 2006 Today is the 4th Sunday in Advent where we celebrate the arrival of the greatest gift ever given to humankind and hopefully begin preparing room in our hearts and lives for the second coming of this King of Kings—Jesus the Christ! Joy to the world, the Lord is ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Suffering Of The Present Series

Contributed by Chuck Hendrix on Feb 15, 2001

Coping is made esier with the right perspective.

SUFFERING OF THE PRESENT By Chuck Hendrix A farmer was driving his pickup with his dog in the seat next to him and a horse trailer in tow behind him. On a dangerous curve, the farmer was forced off the road by a large truck. A highway patrolman happened upon the accident and quickly assessed the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:6-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy

Contributed by David Moore on Jul 21, 2004

Joy despite circumstances

Philippians 1 3-11 We are going to be looking at Philippians for the next month or so. Philippians is a great letter of Paul to a wonderful church. Paul, as you may remember, was the apostle to the Gentiles, to all of us non-Jews. He wrote many letters to different churches which were so wonderful ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Redemptive Suffering.

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Jun 2, 2001

Year C. The Holy Trinity Sunday June 10th, 2001 Romans 5: 1-5

Year C. The Holy Trinity Sunday June 10th, 2001 Romans 5: 1-5 Title: “Redemptive suffering.” Paul has been making the case for his doctrine of “justification by faith.” Thus far it has been both a theological and a legal argument and rather technical. Now, he puts the same ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-5

Denomination: Lutheran