Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

Choosing Sides

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Dec 4, 2023

No matter who or what you are committed to, if Christ is not put first, all the other allegiances suffer as well.

A few years ago, my sister played the female lead in a community theater production of a play called “Pack of Lies.” It was about a couple whose neighbors across the street were suspected of espionage; the British Secret Service asked their permission to establish a surveillance on them from the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 19:1-7, 1 Samuel 20:30-34, 1 Samuel 20:36-37

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

What Will Hell Be Like? Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Feb 12, 2019

“Hell is a real place, where real people will suffer a real punishment for a real eternity.” – Jerry Falwell Sr.

“Hell is a real place, where real people will suffer a real punishment for a real eternity.” – Jerry Falwell Sr. A. THINGS ABOUT HELL YOU KNOW 1. Old Testament – Sheol, means grave, i.e., the inevitability of death. “The wicked shall be turned into Hell” (Ps. 9:17). 2. New Testament – Hades. ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 19:7, Matthew 10:28, Revelation 20:10

Denomination: Baptist

I Shall Not Want & The Reason Why Series

Contributed by Maurice Mccarthy on Sep 24, 2018

Those who receive the abundance of grace will reign in this life. The blessings of Psalm 23 are predicated on the sufferings of Psalm 22

I Shall Not Want & The Reason Why PPT 1 Series title PPT 2-5 text & Pics I have combined Normal Rockwell's 4 freedoms with Psalm 23 I think they are a nice fit for each other. Freedom from hunger Psalms 23:1 (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalms 23:2 He makes me ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6, Romans 5:17, Isaiah 33:16

Denomination: Pentecostal

God's Refinery

Contributed by Chip Blackshear on Jun 2, 2012

Why does God permit pain and suffering? One reason is to help shape us to be more like Christ.

“GOD’S REFINERY” Isaiah 48:1-11 First Presbyterian Church, Corpus Christi, TX Rev. Charles S. Blackshear • April 29, 2012 Have you ever had one of those days when it seems that nothing is going your way? From the time you get up in the morning it’s as if the whole ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 48:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Love Won’t Walk By

Contributed by David Dunn on Nov 25, 2025

Loving Christians refuse to walk past suffering; they see, feel, and act with Christlike compassion that changes lives for eternity.

It was just after sunset on a chilly evening in Chicago. The streets pulsed with life—horns, footsteps, laughter, rushing commuters. The Michigan Avenue Bridge glittered with lights reflecting off the black water below. Thousands passed across it every hour. But on this particular night, one man ...read more

Scripture: John 13:35, Lamentations 1:12, Luke 10:33, Matthew 25:40, 1 John 3:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

The Benefits Of Prayer PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 25, 2023

Emphasize the transformative power of prayer in our lives, leading to joy, strength, and a deeper relationship with God and others.

Good morning, church family! Today, we're going to dive into a passage in the Book of Philippians, where the Apostle Paul discusses the joy, strength, and power that come from a life of prayer. In the words of Richard Foster, "Prayer catapults us onto the frontier of the spiritual life. Of all the ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:4-10

Topics: Prayer, Christians

God Is Faithful PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 12, 2023

To encourage the church family to live in constant joy, gratitude, and trust in God, even amidst the chaos of the world.

Good morning, Church Family! I'm glad we're all here today to dive into God's Word together. We're going to unpack a passage that's all about joy, gratitude, and trust - all things we could use a little more of in our lives. You know, the great theologian Karl Barth once said, "To clasp the hands ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24

Topics: Trusting God

Thankfulness PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Nov 17, 2023

Explores how to maintain joy, prayer, and gratitude in all circumstances, even during difficult times, as a Christian duty.

Good morning, dear brothers and sisters in Christ. We are gathered here today in the love and fellowship that binds us together. We are here to share, to learn, and to grow in the light of God's Word. Our focus today is on a simple, yet powerful passage from the book of 1 Thessalonians. It's a ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Topics: Gratitude

What Is Your Willoughby?

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Jan 5, 2018

One of my favorite episodes of The Twilight Zone is "A Stop At Willoughby". It's about a man who is so unhappy with his life that he dreams of little town where life is easy. There are many Christians who are like the story's main character.

When I was growing up one of my favorite programs was The Twilight Zone. I have been accused of, from time to time, still living in the Twilight Zone! That’s okay. One of my favorite episodes is “A Stop at Willoughby”. The story is about a guy named Gart Williams. Now in my best Rod Sterling ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 4:14-16, Hebrews 10:19-23

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Reasons To Thank God

Contributed by Roger Hasselquist on Nov 6, 2023

The apostle Paul went through a lot of troubles, but he always found reasons to thank God. When writing to the church in Thessalonica he says that there were many things about them for which he continued to be thankful.

Alba 11-5-2023 REASONS TO THANK GOD I Thessalonians 2:13-16 H.A. Ironside, who was the minister at Moody Church in Chicago last century, told of an experience he had in a crowded restaurant. Just as Ironside was about to begin his meal, a man approached and asked if he could join him. Ironside ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Pain In Heaven - James 5:10-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 30, 2022

Learning from our heroes

James 5:7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord’s coming. See, the farmer waits for the valuable crop of the land, being patient until he receives the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against each other, ...read more

Scripture: James 5:10-11

Walk A Mile In My Shoes Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on May 19, 2015

God's grace is sufficient for our every trial & affliction. Trials are an integral & authenticating aspect of our ministry. Let us journey for a while through the life of Paul as he authenticates to us that he is a true servant of Christ.

2 CORINTHIANS 11: 22-27 [GAINING PERSPECTIVE Series] WALK A MILE IN MY SHOES [Philippians 3: 4-11] Do you serve Christ so that all will go well with you here and now? Has all been easy for you in your service of Christ? Ease in Zion was certainly not the Apostle Paul's experience. ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:21-27

Denomination: Baptist

Rejection Of The Cross PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 26, 2024

This sermon explores the contrasting responses to suffering in Luke 23:39-42, emphasizing the importance of faith, humility, and perseverance on the path to salvation.

Welcome, dear friends, to this gathering of hearts and minds. We come together today, not just as individuals, but as a collective body of believers, united in our pursuit of understanding, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment. We are all sojourners on this path of faith, each step we take bringing us ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-42

Topics: Hardness, Heart

Rejection Of The Cross PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Feb 26, 2024

This sermon explores the contrasting responses to suffering in Luke 23:39-42, emphasizing the importance of faith, humility, and perseverance on the path to salvation.

Welcome, dear friends, to this gathering of hearts and minds. We come together today, not just as individuals, but as a collective body of believers, united in our pursuit of understanding, wisdom, and spiritual nourishment. We are all sojourners on this path of faith, each step we take bringing us ...read more

Scripture: Luke 23:39-42

Topics: Hardness, Heart

Jesus Is The Victorious, Resurrected Lord Series

Contributed by C Jordan on Apr 26, 2011

Because Jesus is the victorious, resurrected Lord, we can experience hope, joy and peace in our lives today!

VISITATION #15 – JESUS IS THE VICTORIOUS, RESURRECTED LORD (April 2011 –Beausejour Church – Pastor Chris Jordan) INTRO TO TOPIC: How important is the resurrection of Jesus Christ? • “And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:13-35

Denomination: *other