Sermons on Suffering And Joy:

When Tragedy Strikes Series

Contributed by Edward Hardee on Oct 23, 2011

How to deal with tragedy when it hits. Used these scriptures to explain the school shootings and what to do.

Title: When Tragedy Strikes Theme: How to react when tragedy strikes. Text: Psalms 46 Link to worldwide school shootings http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0777958.html Introduction Please turn in your Bibles to Psalm 46. This song was written in the context of problems, stress, and ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 46:1-11

Denomination: Church Of God

Bring It On

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Sep 21, 2011

Too often, we run from challenges. Yet the people we love to read about in the Bible are impressive because they battled challenges. If God sends you on stony paths, He will provide you with strong shoes.

Opening illustration: A TV program on the History Channel featured the world’s most extreme airports. The one that caught my attention is no longer open, but it is one I had flown into. I agree that Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Airport was definitely a thrill ride for passengers and surely a challenge for ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 11:22-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Trials Series

Contributed by Jimmy Haile on May 22, 2011

A study of the book James

James 1:1-2-James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

It's Not All Bad!

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Sep 21, 2016

Sometimes when we look at certain Bible passages we get the feeling that only suffering and persecution awaits the true believer in Jesus. Nothing could be further from the truth! Even in the midst of trials we can have joy and peace and hope! PTL!!

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10 (Please look up this Scripture as we will read it in a few minutes) As I was thinking of last weeks sermon we had spoken about the death of James, the brother of John and the miraculous deliverance of Peter from prison and of the fact that there is a great wave of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Denomination: Nazarene

How To Benefit From Trials Series

Contributed by Greg Nance on Feb 7, 2015

Suffering trials is a strange place to find anyone rejoicing, yet that is the surprising instruction of God for us in Christ.

At the heart of the gospel is the amazing truth of how God is willing to suffer to redeem us. Jesus experienced firsthand the greatest human trial imaginable. He endured being betrayed by on of the 12 apostles, deserted by all his closest friends and followers, falsely accused, being mocked and ...read more

Scripture: James 1:1-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace, Glory Fand Guts Part Ii

Contributed by Monty Newton on Jun 4, 2013

We can be happy/joyful because our home comes from peace with and privilege of experiencing the presence of God... and that's good because life is full of character building adversity.

Title: Grace, Glory and Guts Part II Text: Romans 5:1-5 Thesis: We can be joyful/happy because our hope comes through peace with God and that’s good because life is full of character building adversity. Introduction Last Sunday I told the story about a farmer whose donkey fell into an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Pain To Promise Series

Contributed by Charles Wallis on Dec 17, 2012

Christmas reminds us that God turns pain into a promise

PAIN INTO PROMISE – How God turns suffering into promise. Have you been disappointed at Christmas? Luke 2:35 A SWORD WILL PIERCE YOUR HEART – Why does Luke skip the pain? Because that was temporary - not part of the goal Praise in Pain - "Glory to God" – the focus is on the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:35

Denomination: Pentecostal

From Bitter And Better I Series

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

Trouble will make you better if you do not allow it to make you bitter.

From Bitter And Better Exodus 1:11-14 11 Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses. 12 But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:11-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

Palm Sunday - The Road To The Cross! Series

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Feb 6, 2012

A Palm Sunday Sermon. From the Story, adapted from Max Lucado and Randy Frazee.

The Story 26 Easter April 17, 2011 It’s getting to be golf season and I’m ready to get out there and smack that golf ball . . . I hope. But when you get up at that first hole, my thinking isn’t very positive. I want to hit a great drive, but I’m wondering, why are so many ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:45-54

Denomination: Baptist

Search Me: Escaping The Trap Of Hidden Sin - Psalm 139:23-24 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 30, 2025

Early detection is essential for recovering from some forms of cancer. It’s essential for all forms of sin. Evil can be hidden so deep in our hearts that it cannot be detected apart from divine exposure, which often requires trials.

Psalm 139:1 O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. 2 You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. 3 You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. 4 Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord. 5 You hem me ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:23-24

The Joy Of The Lord Is Our Strength

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on May 17, 2021

A two-part message on what biblical Joy is and how to cultivate it.

"for the joy of the LORD is your strength" (Neh 8:10b ESV) What is Joy? Is it an emotion, feeling, or a state of mind? Is it the result of pursuing happiness? INTRODUCTION We have all experienced joy and want more of it. We have shouted and smiled in delight upon hearing good news ...read more

Scripture: Nehemiah 8:10, Zephaniah 3:17, 1 John 4:16, Isaiah 61:3, Habakkuk 3:17-19, Proverbs 15:30, Acts 2:47, 1 Corinthians 2:9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Once Upon A Time... Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 16, 2011

This sermon is an introduction to a study of the life of Moses. It is based on Charles Swindoll's book on Moses from his character series.

Introduction: A. A young girl asked her father, “Do all fairy tales begin with “Once Upon A Time?” 1. “No,” he replied, “A whole lot of them begin with ‘If elected I promise…’ ” B. “Once upon a time” is a wonderful, classic ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy In The Christian Life # 6 - Defining Joy

Contributed by Timothy Shumer on Aug 30, 2005

This was a message in a series on "joy in the Christian life" from Nehemiah & Philippians

Some might think it a bit strange that I’ve called this Sunday morning series - "Joy in the Christian Life" = Because this is the 6th message in the series - And this will be the first week that I’m really dealing with the idea of joy - But the only joy available in the Christian life is Christian ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-6

Denomination: Baptist

Do You Want Joy, Real Joy?

Contributed by Melvin Newland on Feb 20, 2001

I think Matthew wrote these Beatitudes down in the exact order that Jesus spoke them. And I believe Jesus had a reason for putting them in this particular order.

MELVIN NEWLAND, MINISTER RIDGE CHAPEL, KANSAS, OK (REVISED: 2016) TEXT: Matthew 5:1-12 There is a beautiful chorus that begins with these words, "Do you want joy, real joy, wonderful joy? Then let Jesus come into your heart." And this morning we will look ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:1-12, Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Joy Is A Choice: God, Please Restore The Joy

Contributed by Wade Martin Hughes, Sr on Dec 4, 2019

Somewhere in recent times the church has seemed to lose the joy. While looking for the fire we are content to live in the smoke? Joy has medicinal power. May our cups be running over with the joy of the Lord.

JOY IS A CHOICE, GOD PLEASE RESTORE THE JOY By Wade Martin Hughes, Sr. Kyfingers@aol.com DON’T GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD JUST TO LOSE? We have so many people crying, do you know: “I CAN CRY IF I WANT TO…” I think many of us make the choice to mourn and cry about life instead of staying ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 51:12, Psalm 23:5, Psalm 122:1

Denomination: Assembly Of God