Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

Go! And Rejoice Always - Philippians 4:4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 13, 2025

In Christ, joy is not optional—it’s essential. It’s a witness to the world that our God is greater than our circumstances.

Go! And Rejoice Always Philippians 4:4 (NLT) – “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!” Introduction: A Command That Seems Impossible If I were to stand before you today and say, “Be joyful—always,” some of you might smile politely, while others might think, “Dean, that’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4, Habakkuk 3:17-18, John 15:9-11, Nehemiah 8:10, Romans 5:1-5  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Take A Stand For Jesus Series

Contributed by Darryl Klassen on Nov 4, 2008

In a world that is hostile to the message of Jesus, do we dare to stand for him whatever the cost?

TAKE A STAND FOR JESUS Taking a stand on any issue requires conviction. You have to believe that what you are standing firm on is somehow the most righteous position you can think of. Without this conviction you will be swayed by persuasive argument to give up your position, or at least to see ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30, Philippians 1:28

Denomination: Mennonite

The Unheard Voices Of Christmas SermonCentral

Contributed by SermonCentral on Sep 9, 2023

It’s the season of Christmas, filled with joyful sounds of bells ringing, choirs singing, and music in the air. However, amidst these cheerful noises, there are also sounds of sorrow and grief. These are the unheard voices of Christmas.

Introduction: During the Christmas season, we are surrounded by joyful sounds like bells ringing, choirs singing, and music filling the air. However, amidst the celebration, there are also sounds of anguish and grief. Today, we will explore the less talked about sounds of Christmas and what they ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-18

Topics: Christmas, Grief, Joy

How To Follow Jesus--Though Persecuted Series

Contributed by James Wallace on Jun 8, 2021

How we regard difficulties and persecutions will have everything to do with whether we respond positively or negatively to them. Surprising to us, the very things designed by men to destroy faith cause it to thrive, when we have a godly attitude.

Jeanie and I recently read a book with a provocative name—The Insanity of God—by the pseudonymous author Nip Ripken. Of course, the title elicits the question, what is insane about God—a question the author never directly answers, but only becomes evident upon contemplation of his message. It ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-11

Denomination: Bible Church

The Burden Of The Cross Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

In this last beatitude Jesus provides His disciples with a defensive weapon to penetrate the fog of persecution. He promises great reward in heaven to those who will press on in the dark, knowing the light is still shining beyond.

Florence Chadwick was the first woman ever to swim the difficult and cold 21 mile stretch of water between Catalina Island and the California coast. She failed on her first attempt because of poor vision. After 15 hours and 55 minutes of numbing cold she asked to be taken out of the water. A ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10-12

1st Peter 1:6-12 Series

Contributed by Michael Collins on Jun 7, 2023

This devotion is about what our attitude to persecution needs to be and also about the amazing salvation we have come to possess.

For the Audio Version on YouTube, click on the link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpvbKdQ_9pI For the Audio Version on Spotify, click on the link below ...read more

Scripture: Acts 5:40-41, Philippians 2:12-13, John 1:14, Psalm 16:10, Matthew 12:40  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Peace Has Come Down! Series

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Dec 1, 2025

We're in week two of Advent, and today we're talking about PEACE! Not that fake peace the world tries to sell you. Not that temporary peace that falls apart when trouble comes. But that SUPERNATURAL, HEAVEN-SENT, CANT-NOBODY-TAKE-IT-AWAY PEACE that only Jesus can give!

THE SHEPHERDS' STORY (Luke 2:8-14) Now let me take you back to that night—that HOLY NIGHT—when everything changed. There were shepherds out in the fields, doing what they always did—watching over their sheep through the long, dark night. These weren't fancy people. These weren't ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:8-14, Ephesians 2:14-18

Denomination: Methodist

Turning Today’s Sorrows Into Tomorrow’s Joys Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 21, 2010

God promises lasting joy and peace to all who hope in Christ Jesus.

Scripture Introduction When the Apostle Paul taught pastoral ministry to young Timothy, he drew specific attention to preaching to the wealthy: “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly ...read more

Scripture: John 16:16-33

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Living The Prayerful Life Series

Contributed by Matthew Grise on Jan 29, 2009

James 5:13-20. Believers are encouraged to pray during times of suffering and times of joy; for those who are sick and those who are in sin - because genuine prayer works.

LIVING THE PRAYERFUL LIFE JAMES 5:13-20 INTRODUCTION Let’s open our Bibles to James chapter 5. We have come to the concluding passage of this New Testament letter. It is worth repeating, one last time, by way of introducing this last portion of Scripture, that the primary concern of James as he is ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-20

Denomination: Baptist

Philippians 1:21-30

Contributed by Michael Monica on Aug 14, 2024

Exposition of Philippians

Philippians 1:22-30 Point - When you know where you belong you can face anything. Where is God in the midst of my troubles? Why does it appear that God has given up on me and allowing me to face the situations I am facing? You may have heard this saying, “It’s not about the destination; it’s ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

It Is A Duty To Be Joyful Always

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Feb 2, 2023

You will note that Paul does not write that believers are to be joyful often or frequently. He says it plainly that we are to be joyful always. This means we are to be perpetually joyful, and anything we are to be ever doing becomes a duty.

You will note that Paul does not write that believers are to be joyful often or frequently. He says it plainly that we are to be joyful always. This means we are to be perpetually joyful, and anything we are to be ever doing becomes a duty. There is to be no time in our lives where we have the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16

The Burden Of The Backslidder

Contributed by W. Alderman on Dec 27, 2008

This shows how sin can rob one of his song...

THE BURDEN OF THE BACKSLIDDER Psalms 137:1-4 W. Max Alderman INTRODUCTION: This is the record of the Jews in their Babylonian captivity. While back in Jerusalem they were free, but now they are in bondage. They once enjoyed the blessings of the ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 137:1-4

Denomination: Baptist

A Call To Rejoice

Contributed by David Dewitt on Aug 31, 2009

An overview message on the Book of Philippians

A Call to Rejoice Philippians 1:1 - Book Level Survey Philippians Topical Overview Series January 25, 2009 Evening Service Introduction Have you ever been waiting for an important piece of mail? You got out with expectations to find that mail each day. Sometimes we wait several days and other ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1

Denomination: Church Of God

Grumpy Or Joyful

Contributed by Greg Carr on Mar 7, 2010

Joy is a state of happiness when we are in communion with God, which leads to gladness, and delight.

Have you ever met any grumpy people? Don’t say any names out loud! I would imagine that every one of us have seen them from time to time. A grumpy person sees everything in a negative light. They only see the bad in life. They only see the imperfections of others. They are overly critical ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

Living Hope Series

Contributed by K. Edward Skidmore on Jun 1, 2015

The first message in this series encourages Christians to have hope in spite of present suffering, because of future glory, and to maintain hope as we live out our lives. The text for this message is First Peter chapter 1

Living Hope (1 Peter chapter 1) INTRODUCTION: This is the first sermon in a series of messages from First and Second Peter. As you might guess, the writer of 1 Peter is PETER. Peter was one of the 12 apostles, and more than that, he was part of the inner circle with James and John. The ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ