Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

Joyful Trials Series

Contributed by David Welch on Apr 11, 2018

1st in a series on James dealing with our response to trials.

“Joyful Trials” Introduction Before we examine one of the magnificent “trees” (passage) in this forest (letter), I will first provide a brief overview of the “forest”. Our task in Bible study is to first understand what God intended to communicate to the original readers. How did they understand ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-2

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Seven Happy People

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 24, 2006

Unlike joy, happiness is temporary...based on ’happenstance’. But God tells us 7 ’circumstances’ which will lead us to happiness more often. Link included to formatted text, handout, and PowerPoint Template.

SEVEN HAPPY PEOPLE John 13:17 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/7HappyPeople.html John 13:17 If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them. Which kind of Christian are you? Humbly grateful or grumbly hateful? Attitude determines altitude! God isn’t here just to keep you out of ...read more

Scripture: John 13:17

Denomination: Baptist

Getting Your Joy Back - Psalm 51:8-19 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jun 19, 2025

How do you get joy back after a major failure?

Psalm 51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. 4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:8-19

Prepare His Kingdom Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Dec 14, 2018

To "Prepare His Kingdom" John the Baptist inquiries about Jesus' Kingship through 1) The Request (Matthew 11:2-3), 2) The Reply (Matthew 11:4-6), and 3) The Recognition (Matthew 11:7-11)

Matthew 11:2-11 [2] Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples [3]and said to him, "Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?" [4] And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: [5] the blind ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: Other

The Shade At Your Right Hand - Psalm 121 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 24, 2025

This psalm is for times when you are afraid. It promises you will suffer no harm. Yet we know calamities can still strike because the psalmist is looking to the mountains for help in his current calamity. So what good is the promise?

Psalm 121:1 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber ...read more

Our Survival Kit Series

Contributed by David Owens on Mar 12, 2018

In this section of Philippians, Paul points them toward three important Christ-like characteristics that are vital for us to survive and to thrive.

Introduction: A. Let’s imagine for a moment that your airplane has gone down in the middle of the ocean. 1. You find yourself floating in a life raft designed for survival. 2. You immediately and frantically search for the survival kit that is usually provided in a life raft, and you are relieved ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Secret Of Joy In The Lord: "because Of Christ"

Contributed by Barnabas Park on Jun 20, 2025

The secret to joy in the Lord lies in two truths: living out the purpose for which Jesus died—so that we may enjoy abundant life—and making the pursuit of knowing Jesus our highest priority

The Secret of Joy in the Lord: "Because of Christ" (Philippians 3:7-11) 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11, Philippians 3:2, John 10:10-11, John 10:27

Denomination: Baptist

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

God's Will For You

Contributed by Greg Johnson on May 9, 2007

Knowing God’s will for our life can sometimes be very challenging as we wait and pray for specific direction. Yet at the same time, as we read and study God’s Word, certain aspects of His will for our lives become very obvious. There are three aspects o

God’s Will for You By Greg Johnson May 9, 2007 http://www.LovingGodFellowship.org Knowing God’s will for our life can sometimes be very challenging as we wait and pray for specific direction. Yet at the same time, as we read and study God’s Word, certain aspects of His will for our lives become ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Two Ways To Be Joyful Series

Contributed by Jordan Muck on Sep 27, 2016

Christian Living

Series: Be Week: 2 Passage: Various Title: Two Ways to Be Joyful Focus: Christian Living Introduction: The definition of “be” points to three basic factors: (1) identity, (2) quality and (3) condition of a person or thing. We push the “be” or “don’t be” ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Recipient Of God's Favor

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Jul 5, 2021

If you are recipient of God’s favor, you could further expect at least two things. What are those?

“Now Cain said to his brother Abel, ‘Let’s go out to the field.’ While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. Then the LORD said to Cain, ‘Where is your brother Abel?’ ‘I don’t know,’ he replied. ‘Am I my brother’s keeper?’ The LORD said, ‘What have you done? Listen! ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 4:8-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Of Joy In The Lord: "because Of Christ"

Contributed by Barnabas Park on May 23, 2025

True joy in the Lord is found not in our achievements or credentials, but in knowing, gaining Christ, and considering all things loss compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus.

The Secret of Joy in the Lord: "Because of Christ" (Philippians 3:7–11) 7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-11, John 10:10-11, John 10:27

Denomination: Baptist

The Paradox Of Pain

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Sep 17, 2015

We rejoice in our sufferings, because God uses them in our lives and has a purpose for our good and His glory

The Paradox of Pain TCF Sermon October 13, 2013 There is a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip that sums up what life often feels like, and I think even for us as a fellowship, it describes at least part of our experiences in the past few years. It’s a series of panels, each depicting a scene ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When The Waves Are Winning (Matthew 8) Series

Contributed by Bob Marcaurelle on Jun 7, 2022

When Life's troubles are beating us down we need to pray until God reaches out an lifts us up.

WHEN THE WAVES ARE WINNING (Matthew 4:22) Bob Marcaurelle Peter’s walk has little to do with walking on water. It has to do with facing the storms of life, like the disciples who were delivered at the last minute. . It has to do with Simon, trying to obey Jesus, and failing. The Psalms use ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:22, Genesis 45:7-8

Denomination: Baptist