Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

The Misunderstood Messiah Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 18, 2023

Jesus is the misunderstood Messiah- how did that happen? (Title, outline and material adapted from Ray Pritchard at: https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/the-misunderstood-messiah/)

HoHum: Sir, have you ever been here before? For 38 years Teddy Kollek served as the mayor of Jerusalem. Enormously popular in his day, he often met with Christian leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest, especially those pertaining to Israel’s security and the chances of peace in the Middle ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-3, John 6:26, John 6:66-68, John 1:11, Romans 10:1, Matthew 13:55, 2 Corinthians 5:16, Isaiah 49:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Making Sense Of Life Prt 1- The Problem Of Evil

Contributed by Brian Williams on Aug 14, 2023

The existence of evil is one of the most vexing challenges a Christian—or any person for that matter, must grapple with.

Making Sense of Life The Problem of Evil - Part 1 13 Aug 2023 When trying to reconcile the existence of a good and all-powerful God and the problem of evil, it can be a difficult conversation. One doesn’t need a Ph.D. in theology or philosophy to realize something is desperately wrong with the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Best Is Yet To Come

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Sep 14, 2023

However, we may not even see a glimpse in this life. We may have to go through what seems like Hell on the way to Heaven.

Everyone likes to use the phrase the best is yet to come. If you are not a Christian the worst is yet to come. Your life may be golden here, but in the end your life will be Hell for eternity. Indeed, the best for a Christian is to be in Heaven so the best is yet to come. However, that does not ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 73:1-28, 2 Timothy 3:12, Philippians 1:29-30, Hebrews 11:35-40, 2 Corinthians 11:1-33  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

The Way Of The Cross

Contributed by Dawn Duryea on Mar 4, 2024

In today’s Gospel reading, Peter responds to Jesus’ announcement that the Messiah will have to suffer and die by denying the cross. Peter is in essence denying the truth of this teaching – that the Messiah must suffer and by extension, his disciples.

Last week we heard about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness right after his Baptism. That’s the way it feels sometimes – you just make a decision and then things happen that immediately bring your decision into question. This wilderness, of course, is metaphorical and now we find ourselves in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

When You Feel Abandoned

Contributed by David Dunn on Jan 5, 2026

Psalm 22 reveals that honest lament is not faithlessness but faithful endurance, culminating in Christ’s cry from the cross. Because Jesus entered abandonment for us, silence is never absence, and suffering is never the end of the story.

Have you ever felt that God has left you? Not in a theoretical sense. Not the kind of question that shows up in a classroom discussion or a late-night debate about faith and reason. I mean something much more personal than that—something that settles into your chest and refuses to leave. Have you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:35-46, Hebrews 13:5, Isaiah 53:3-6

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Secret Of Happiness

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 22, 2013

Some suffering in life is hard to explain, but much of it is self-inflicted. Could your misery be due to poor choices? Due to apathy or indifference? Could our suffering be due to sin?

August 25, 2006 The Secret of Happiness Scripture: Psalm 32, especially verse 1: Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Introduction: Some suffering in life is hard to explain, but much of it is self-inflicted. Could your misery be due to poor choices? Due ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 32:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Sardis-Life From The Dead Series

Contributed by Ken Henson on Sep 26, 2017

To the Sardis church-those whose faith had become like used up coals-a mere ember where a flame of life and light-giving heat had once been-Jesus says Remember, Keep, and Repent.

Day 11 To the angel of the church of Sardis, write These things says He who has the spirit of God, and the seven stars I know your works, and that you have a name that lives, yet you are dead. Be vigilant, and strengthen the things that remain, which are near death, For I have not found your ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 3:1-6

Denomination: *other

Why God

Contributed by Tim Zingale on Mar 5, 2007

A sermon for the 3rd Sunday in Lent About Suffering

Third Sunday in Lent Luke 13:1-9 "Why God?" "There were some present at that very time who told him of the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they ...read more

Denomination: Lutheran

Triumph In Tragedy Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on Jan 1, 2023

In Psalm 22:1-21 the Psalm speaks of suffering and agony and points to the greatest suffering of all, that of Jesus Christ dying on the cross. The Psalm then takes a dramatic change. In verses 22-31 Psalm 22 turns from tragedy to triumph.

In 1898 one of the greatest preachers of America was about to quit the ministry. Why? His name was George Truett. He was pastor of Frist Baptist Church Dallas. One of the church members, Captain J. C. Arnold invited him to go hunting. Truett’s gun went off hitting Arnold in the leg with birdshot. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 22:22-31

Denomination: Baptist

The Secret Of Joyful Giving Series

Contributed by John Hamby on Aug 5, 2004

Most of us when we think about joy in connection with money, think about the joy that it will bring when we get it, but the greatest joy of money is when we give it away for a greater purpose.

Restoring the Joy A Study of the Book of Philippians Sermon # 13 “The Secret of Joyful Giving” Philippians 4:10, 14-19 Today we are going to finish a series that we have been calling “Restoring the Joy.” This ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:14-19, Philippians 4:14

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 10 Make Paul's Joy Complete By Being Like-Minded, Having The Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Jul 25, 2018

Even Paul’s “ideal” congregation contained “difficult” people. Paul was facing his problems with people at Rome (Philippians 1:15-18) as well as with people in Philippi, and it was the latter who concerned him the most.

Date: 7/6/18 Lesson #10 Title: Make Paul's Joy Complete by Being Like-Minded, Having the Same Love Scripture: (Philippians 2:1-2, NIV) 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

Make Paul's Joy Complete By Being Like-Minded, Having The Same Love Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Aug 8, 2018

These verses clearly imply some disharmony in the church at Philippi. When Epaphroditus brought a gift to Rome from the church in Philippi and good news of the church’s concern for Paul, he also brought the bad news of a possible division in the church

Date: 7/6/18 Lesson #10 Title: Make Paul's Joy Complete by Being Like-Minded, Having the Same Love Scripture: (Philippians 2:1-2, NIV) 1 Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:1-2

Denomination: Baptist

My Right To Be Happy

Contributed by Rick Gillespie- Mobley on Jun 2, 2008

This sermon deals with the reality, Christians have a right to be obedient, not a right to be happy. The video and audio is available at www.glenvillenewlife.com

My Right To Be Happy Genesis 22:1-18 Hebrews 12:1-3 Have any of you seen the commercial on tv in which they shout the words, “you want it all, you want it all, and you want it right now.” The words behind those words, are you have a right to be happy, and you’ve got a right to be ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:1-16

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Pain And Hardships Series

Contributed by Eddie Snipes on May 5, 2002

Part 2 of a 3 part series on suffering.

Pain and hardships We have already looked at suffering with an eternal perspective. Now let’s dig in a little deeper into this subject. In the modern church, we have been led to believe that pain and hardships are symptoms of mistakes or a greater problem in our lives. This is a tragic ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

One Of The Hardest Things

Contributed by Troy Borst on Mar 22, 2005

Funeral for a believer who suffered a long illness

ONE OF THE HARDEST THINGS This is certainly not an easy time to go through. The death many times takes us by surprise, but it also can be an expected outcome. For *****, it was the result of a long illness. But that does not take away the hurtfulness of this time. This time is full of hard ...read more

Scripture: James 1:12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ