Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

Esther: Victory Over Enemies Series

Contributed by Kevin Higgins on Sep 23, 2004

Victory comes when we are in right relation to the King

Esther 7:1-10 Victory Over Enemies Woodlawn Baptist Church September 19, 2004 Introduction “In 1567 King Phillip II of Spain appointed the Duke of Alba as governor of the lower part of the nation. The Duke was a bitter enemy of the newly-emerging Protestant Reformation. His rule was called the ...read more

Scripture: Esther 7:1-10

Denomination: Baptist

Growing In Grace 1 - The Genesis Of Grace Series

Contributed by David Parks on Oct 31, 2014

Grace is one of three great motivators for living the Christian life.

GROWING IN GRACE 1 – THE GENESIS OF GRACE (outline with manuscript after the dotted line) Text: Genesis 1:1-3 Introduction 1. This morning we begin a study of one of the most significant concepts in the entire Bible. The concept of Grace 2. How radical is the concept of grace? During a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 1:1-3

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Meet At God's House For Thanksgiving

Contributed by Monty Newton on Nov 23, 2014

God's place is a joyful place of thanksgiving and praise... when we prepare to make it so.

Title: Let’s Meet at God’s Place for Thanksgiving Text: Psalm 100 Thesis: God’s place is a joyful place of thanksgiving and praise… when we prepare to make it so. Introduction In that we do not have family nearby Bonnie and I are pretty intentional about where we will ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 100:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Unnatural Gratitude Series

Contributed by Thomas Bowen on Mar 4, 2010

Gratitude is Joy that is sustained.

A matter of the Heart …Unnatural Gratitude Philippians 1:1-11 Slide – Affliction - Tree It is an interesting coincidence that I happen to pick a Sermon topic and scripture and suddenly need to be bolstered with scriptural support in my life. What a stroke of Good ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Denomination: Congregational

The Dark Rooms Of The Heart: Memory

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on May 27, 2023

What a difference can one day make. Seems some have compassion and make memories that will last through eternity. We need to bring the light into the dark rooms.

THE DARK ROOMS OF THE HEART? MAKING A DIFFERENCE. By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com (YouTube: Wade Hughes) *MEMORY: mind stares, to store information, to learn and recall. There are short term and long term memories. Some of our memories are wonderful and joy filled. Our minds ...read more

Scripture: Jude 1:22-23, Matthew 14:14-18, 1 Kings 17:14-20

Denomination: Assembly Of God

God At The Mercy Of Sinful Humankind

Contributed by Richard Jones on Nov 3, 2000

A heartfelt look at the suffering servant.

God at the Mercy of Sinful Humankind Isaiah 50:4-9 (Main Text) Philippians 2:5-11(Read entire text pg. 5) Each text I will use today relates to the suffering of Christ -- from the first inklings of the suffering in the prophet Isaiah, to the long passion narrative in Mark, to the theological ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 50:4-9, Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

We Are Doing A Great Work! - Philippians 1:4-8 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Dec 16, 2021

The Philippians’ gospel partnership/fellowship (koinonia) with Paul was like the Fellowship of the Ring (band of unlikely comrades who would lay down their lives for one another and the cause of the Fellowship).

Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I remember you. 4 In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy 5 because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, 6 being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:4-8

Love Your Loserness - James 1:9-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 12, 2021

We all have those areas in our lives where we feel like … losers. Most people respond by trying to feel good about themselves, but there’s a better way.

James 1:9 The brother in humble circumstances ought to take pride in his high position. 10 But the one who is rich should take pride in his low position, because he will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty ...read more

Scripture: James 1:9-11

Psalm 23 Holds The Secret To Beating Loneliness - Psalm 23:5-6 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 15, 2025

Discover the path to comfort in times of loneliness in the most beloved psalm in Scripture.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3 he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:5-6

Paul's Heart Series

Contributed by Sean Harder on Jun 16, 2009

Even from prison Paul experiences the joy of being a Christian and love for the church.

“Paul’s Heart” Today we begin our series in Philippians. You may remember that I have called the Book of Philippians, the “antidepressant” book of the Bible. I have found that every non-medicinal method I learned as a counselor for treating depression and anxiety is covered in this book. So while ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-11

Frequently Asked Question

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Oct 18, 2000

The answer to Job’s anguished question of "Why?" does not come in words but in presence.

I met Janet at a party, several years ago, the kind of combination business/social gathering where people talk shop, and network, and make superficial small talk. It’s the sort of event I usually avoid if at all possible, but of course it wasn’t always possible. Anyway, for some reason Janet ...read more

Scripture: Job 23:1-9

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Serving A God Of Impact - It's Not Always Easy Series

Contributed by Dave Bentley on Feb 6, 2010

It's tough sometimes. Serving God doesn't mean that automatically everything in life will go smoothly.

IMPACT SERIES #2 Serving a God of IMPACT It's Not Always Easy It's a tough pill to swallow. We expect that because we have determined to follow and serve God that it's going to mean that life will be easier. It's a lesson that has left us broken, discouraged, and perhaps even driven some from ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Praying With Good King Hezekiah

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Feb 22, 2021

Looking back on the last few months, do you feel like you’ve been praying more, or is it less? Is this a practice that has been strengthened with you, or has it struggled? Has the seeking become less diligent, or the knocking not so confident? A praying Christian is a living Christian!

In Luke 11:9 Jesus says these words to us, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” Simple commands, yet astonishing. For his words reveal the great privilege that we have when we pray. This is the heavenly power that we access whenever we ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10, 2 Kings 20:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

God’s Purpose In Our Pain Series

Contributed by Chris Anderson on Mar 11, 2023

Message 1 in an expositional series through Paul's "second" letter to the church in the ancient Greek city of Corinth where he defends his apostleship and corrects serious doctrinal errors within this young church.

One of our pastors shared a story with me Thursday about a bittersweet moment that he experienced on Wednesday as he attended the funeral visitation of the mother-in-law of one of our former staff members. I wasn’t able to travel to the visitation myself but I have genuinely been praying for his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Gift Of The Thorn

Contributed by Dasol Kang on Sep 20, 2025

Sometimes the greatest gifts God gives us are the weaknesses we would never choose for ourselves.

INTRO If we took an inventory of everything that we say in our prayers, we would likely find that the vast majority of our prayers fall into one of two simple prayers. The first category is the “Gimmie” prayer. You know the “gimmie” prayer well. “Lord, gimme that parking spot right up front. And ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed