Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

Christ’s Cross And Our Cross

Contributed by Rajkumar Pulla on Mar 22, 2011

The cross today is a vivid symbol of a great past victory that involved horrible pain and crucifixion. When we see our shiny crosses that symbolize this past event, we must also remind ourselves that it was really an “Old Rugged Cross”, as the song says,

He who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it” (Matthew 10:38-39) What happened at the college called Virginia Tech in the eastern United States, was simply terrible. It appears that a ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 10:38-39

Denomination: Bible Church

Becoming

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 17, 2010

The popular notion of "the spirit of Christmas" does not recognize that pain and suffering are involved. But the coming of Christ foreshadows His cross.

Takoma Park Baptist Church, Washington, DC December 2, 1984 Here it is only the second day of December, and already we are bombarded with Christmas carols in the stores. Already the annual countdown of only so many more shopping days until Christmas has taken on an urgent tone, and some of ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

Jesus Prays In Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Feb 12, 2011

Jesus prays for deliverance from 'this cup' but submits to the Father's will, and the disciples still struggle with understanding what is going on...

39 He went out and made His way as usual to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed Him. 40 When He reached the place, he told them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation” 41 Then He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and began to pray, 42 ...read more

Scripture: Luke 22:39-46

Denomination: Baptist

Loving God Through Deep Distress

Contributed by Glenn Durham on May 14, 2008

God brings distress to us and us through distress that we might know his strength and salvation.

Scripture Introduction The second grade teacher showed a magnet to her class and illustrated its uses. The next day she gave a quiz with this question: “My full name has six letters. The first one is M. I pick up things. What am I?” Half of the students wrote, “Magnet.” The other half answered: ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Destructive Wake Of Sin

Contributed by Rick Pendleton on May 20, 2008

What destructive results does your sin have on yourself and others?

The Destructive Wake of Sin Judges 13:1-7 Today I want to deal with a very serious subject… The destructive Wake of Sin. Not what I had planned… God often moves in ways different than I have planned. Today we will be looking at negative example… Samson. Today I will plan to do something I only plan ...read more

Scripture: Judges 13:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

The First Six Seals

Contributed by Timothy Darling on Apr 28, 2010

The seals show the suffering of the world which believers must endure, even if it means martyrdom, but they are precursors to hope.

Like other prophecy, Revelation has a layered quality. Some say it is about the Roman Empire beginning with 70 AD. Some say it is about all time since Christ. Others say it is about the last days. I say, yes it is. One interpretation does not necessarily negate another. Rather, like much ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 6:1-17

Denomination: Mennonite

In The Face Of Evil Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Mar 16, 2011

How often do we lament the fact that those who live EVIL lives seem to be getting away with things and those of us living FOR Christ seem to be getting the short end of the stick? Doesn't it make you angry... I know I don't like it, but God has a plan and

Luke 23:1-5 [ESV] 1Then the whole company of them arose and brought him before Pilate. 2And they began to accuse him, saying, "We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute [TAXES] to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king." 3And Pilate asked him, "Are you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Dealing With Issues Series

Contributed by Tim White on Mar 12, 2014

Jesus deals with the woman with an issue of blood.

• Boston's Charles Street jail used to be home to the city's most notorious characters. Among its former inmates was Frank Abagnale, Jr., the con artist portrayed by Leonardo DiCaprio in the feature film "Catch Me If You Can" (Steven Spielberg, 2002). Once the paragon of prison architecture, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:24-35

Denomination: Baptist

The Inter Stress Of Involvement Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 8, 2015

We may not identify with Paul's physical sufferings as some of our international brethren can who are persecuted for their faith. But in this success oriented society we can identify with the inter-stress of which he speaks.

2 CORINTHIANS 11: 28-33 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE Series] THE INTER STRESS OF INVOLVEMENT [Acts 9:22-25] Paul now changes from outward sufferings that he was called upon to endure as a minister of Christ to the daily pressure of concern that he bore for the churches and their leaders. These ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:28-33

Denomination: Baptist

Forsaken Series

Contributed by Tom Shepard on Mar 10, 2015

This sermon in the fourth in the series. 1. This is (Not) a cry of DISILLUSIONMENT 2. This is (Not) a cry of PHYSICAL SUFFERING 3. This is a cry of FULFILLED PROPHECY 4. It was a cry of REALITY

Forsaken We have spent the last three weeks considering the sayings of Christ upon the cross. Up until this point we have witnessed the awesome grace and mercy of our Lord as He prayed for forgiveness - as He promised salvation - and as He made provision for His mother. Today we will look at ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:33-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Nelson Mandela: Well Done, Good And Faithful Servant

Contributed by Craig Condon on Sep 14, 2015

Nelson Mandela chose to persevere in his life’s mission regardless of the cost and hardship, just like Christians everywhere are to persevere in their mission from God regardless of the cost and hardship.

Before I deliver my homily this morning, I’d like to say a few words about the passing of Nelson Mandela this past Thursday. How can I describe in a few words and a few moments what he meant to the people of South Africa and the world? How can I describe his legacy in a short amount of time? ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34

Denomination: Anglican

A Worthy Life Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Feb 3, 2016

If we want to promote the good news of God’s love, then we must stand together in suffering for the Savior.

Just a few years ago (February 2013), Great Britain's Food Standards Agency closed a slaughterhouse and a processing plant after investigators found horse carcasses had been used to make beef burgers and kebabs sold in Britain. A month later, Swedish furniture giant IKEA was drawn into the food ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Everything Happens For A Reason Series

Contributed by Jim Kilson on Apr 23, 2014

Part 6 of 10 in a series dedicated to debunking commonly held myths that we think are in the Bible but really aren't, myths that can and often do have devastating effects on our faith.

INTRODUCTION: “Everything happens for a reason” – that statement hanging on our wall, when taken at face value is 100% correct. Life is a cause=effect existence, every action has a reaction… Event; Burning of Academic Hall (MU) in 1892 – Reason; First electric light ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Christian Church

Remember The Basics Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Jun 23, 2014

Because of society’s moral climate its leaders will question the Bible & do their worst to cause believers to question it also. Jesus Christ second coming calls for & justifies a godly lifestyle, therefore it particularly will be belittled.

2 PETER 3: 1-7 [Our Precious Faith Series] REMEMBER THE BASICS [John 1:1-3 / Luke 17:26-30-37] After defining the characteristics of genuine believers in chapter one and the characteristics of false teachers in the second chapter, Peter turned his eyes upward and forward to the time when ...read more

Scripture: 2 Peter 3:1-7

Denomination: Baptist

Hope For My Hurt Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Aug 25, 2014

Tomorrow's hope enables me to endure today's hurt.

As many of you know, I officiate high school basketball and volleyball. As a high school official, I am subject to the control of the Arizona Interscholastic Association. The AIA determines what qualifications I must meet in order to work, they establish the game/match fees, they establish uniform ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Baptist