Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

You Gotta Sacrifice For The Gospel Series

Contributed by Troy Luttrell on Feb 3, 2014

The ministry of the Gospel requires suffering, stewardship, and sweat, in order to see believers mature in Christ.

Introduction: Our journey through the book of Colossians. Background: (1:1-2) • Charles Quarles: “This false teaching threatened to undermine the supremacy of Christ, rob the church of its peace and joy, and destroy the unity of the church ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Persecuted & Joyful (2 Thessalonians 1)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on May 1, 2024

Can a church be both persecuted and joyful? Can they be faithful? Let's find out in 2 Thessalonians 1.

Paul, Silas, and Timothy encouraged the church in Thessaloniki during persecution. They encourage the saints not to be shaken by those who say that the day of the Lord has begun but to stand firm. They encouraged the brethren to work to earn a living and not live an idle life. Let’s ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Speaking Tears

Contributed by James Dina on Sep 5, 2020

God is above, and yet our tears fall into His bosom. The tears have much weight in them, and are pressing upon God. He will visit you, wipe your tears and make you laugh again.

SPEAKING TEARS "My friends scorn me: but mine eye pours out tears unto God” (Job 16:20) Tears are words, virtual words, that the heart can't express, they speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues(Quote by Washington ...read more

Scripture: Job 16:20, Revelation 7:17

Denomination: Pentecostal

James 1:1-18 Series

Contributed by Michael Larsen on Oct 20, 2020

Today we are going to learn the purpose of our trials how to respond.

Open your bibles to James Chapter 1. As we continue our new series from the Book of James entitled Faith That Works. Last week we introduced you to James. R. Kent Hughes says “one thing is clear about the book of James—the dominant theme is; “Faith that is real works practically in one's ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

"the God Who Speaks To Storms"

Contributed by Jessie Manuel on Nov 18, 2024

Breast care is a storm in life

I. The Context of Job’s Suffering The book of Job presents us with an incredible narrative of suffering and divine mystery. Job, a man of great integrity and faith, finds himself in the midst of unimaginable loss and affliction. He grapples with profound questions about suffering, justice, and the ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-3

Denomination: Methodist

A Spiritual Workout Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Mar 3, 2016

If you want to shine as lights in a dark world, work out your salvation with fear, light and joy. Out of respect for Christ, choose to praise Him rather than protest your situation.

In January 2010, Jeff Miller, 26, set the Guinness’ world record for the most hours of non-stop TV viewing in one sitting. He did it while participating in ESPN’s Ultimate Couch Potato competition at Chicago’s ESPN Zone. It was actually his third consecutive Ultimate Couch Potato ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:12-18

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Kept By The Power Of God - 1 Peter 1:4-5 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 25, 2024

Not only is our inheritance kept for us, we are kept for it.

1 Peter 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:4-5

How Long O Lord? Series

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Nov 11, 2013

19 times we find this phrase in the Psalms, and that same sentiment has been echoed by countless millions of others. We examine the depth and types of suffering summed up in that expression and close with encouraging thoughts.

How Long O Lord This morning I want to bring a message from a question we find repeated over and over again in the Psalms. I want to show you that it is one of the major themes of the book of Psalms and most of you have probably never even noticed it, (as a recurring theme) because we are too busy ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 13:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Perspective From Prison Series

Contributed by Jason Jones on Nov 4, 2009

Exposition of Philippians 1:12-14 in light of Acts 28:30 about Paul’s experience in prison in Rome and God’s redemption of the situation

Text: Acts 28:30, Philippians 1:12-14, Title: Perspectives on Prison, Date/Place: NRBC, 11/8/09, AM A. Opening ill: talk about the movie The Apostle, about the closing moments singing in prison, Dave Ramsey B. Background to passage: Our text tells us that Paul spent another two years in a Roman ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14

Denomination: Baptist

Hope Part 3 "good Friday" Series

Contributed by Michael Mccartney on Apr 18, 2019

Hope is a significant key to finding in the journey of life because it is a wonderful gift from God. Hope will become a source of strength, power and courage in the face of life’s severest trials. Hope will bring you joy when you think there is no joy!

Series: Find Joy in the Journey Scripture Text Series: Phil. 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” Romans 15:13: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Sermon 2: ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3, Hebrews 6:19-20, Romans 15:13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Three Parables, One Heart: The Father's Love

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Jun 16, 2025

This exposition of Luke chapter 15 begins with a very personal story, highlighting how God even uses human frailty as a means to His grace.

Once upon a time, in the summertime, there was a 16-year-old young man struggling to find his way. His father held a particular secular and materialistic philosophy about life and making meaning in the world—something the young man had tried to embrace, but it ultimately left him feeling empty. ...read more

Scripture: Hosea 6:6, Micah 6:6-8, Luke 15:1-32

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Waiting

Contributed by Davon Huss on Oct 12, 2019

We are waiting with, in and through Material adapted from John Mark Hick's book called: Yet Will I Trust Him: Understanding God in a Suffering World

HoHum: There is a woman who is buried under a 175 year old oak tree in a cemetery of a church in rural Louisiana. According to this woman’s instructions, only one word is carved on the tombstone, “Waiting.” John Mark Hicks is a Church of Christ guy and he has been through loss- his first wife died ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-39, Psalm 44:9-26

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Depression - A Spiritual Malady

Contributed by Scott Coltrain on Mar 31, 2017

The Bible is clear that the most often cause of depression and accompanying anxiety is sin that goes unconfessed and unrepented.

Depression A Spiritual Malady Sadly, an estimated 25 million Americans suffer with depression at any given time. These depressed Americans spend billions of dollars on anti-depressant drugs and billions more on psychological therapies and counseling. However, the vast majority of sufferers never ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:10-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

[insert Your Name Here] And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

Contributed by C Jordan on Dec 5, 2014

Even though we don’t always understand why sometimes bad things happen to good people, God is always good, and His love for us never fails.

[INSERT YOUR NAME HERE] AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY INTRO TO TOPIC: “I went to sleep with gum in my mouth and now there’s gum in my hair and when I got out of bed this morning I tripped on the skateboard… and I could tell it was going to be a terrible, ...read more

Denomination: *other

No! Not That! (Habakkuk) Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 19, 2025

When God baffles you, trust Him, Fear Him, and Praise Him.

Jill Briscoe, a pastor’s wife and author, talks about babysitting one of their three, 3-year-old grandchildren several years ago. In their family, they had twins and a single birth all within 24 hours. They called them Search, Destroy, and Demolition. She was babysitting Demolition. As Jill waved ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-17, Habakkuk 2:1-20, Habakkuk 3:1-19, 1 Peter 2:23

Denomination: Evangelical Free