Sermons on Suffering Of The Afflicted:

The Refiner's Fire

Contributed by Mary Erickson on Dec 6, 2021

A sermon for the second Sunday in Advent, Year C

December 5, 2021 Hope Lutheran Church Rev. Mary Erickson Malachi 3:1-4; Philippians 1:3-11; Luke 3:1-6 The Refiner’s Fire Friends, may grace and peace be yours in abundance in the knowledge of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. Children need to be challenged. Maturing from a child into an adult ...read more

Scripture: Luke 3:1-6, Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11

Denomination: Lutheran

Joseph Of Arimathea Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 17, 2021

In taking Jesus to His new tomb Joseph was fulfilling the prophecy of Isa. 53:9, which said, "Men made His grave with the criminals, and He was with the rich in His death."

The danger of making a hero out of a man who does a great thing after a long time of doing nothing is that you give the impression that there was nothing lost by doing it that way. A man lives a life of sin, or of indifference to God's will, and suddenly he sees the light and is wondrously ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:55-66

Fifth Sunday Of Lent Year B; Grain Of Wheat

Contributed by Paul Andrew on Mar 18, 2021

We need the ground for all those negatives things to die.

And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to myself.” John 12:32 He draws us, not forces us. Jeremiah 31:3 “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness.’” Song of Songs 1:3, “Draw me after you.” He draws us by his suffering for ...read more

Scripture: John 12:32, John 12:24, John 12:25

Denomination: Catholic

Lesson 12 - Explanation Of Divine Involvement (1:17-18) Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 26, 2021

The writer addresses the dilemma concerning the existence of evil and suffering in the world. “Either God is not all good, or He is not all-powerful.”

Tom Lowe 2/1/2021 Lesson 12 - EXPLANATION OF DIVINE INVOLVEMENT (1:17-18) Text - James 1:17-18 (KJV) 17Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18Of his own will begat he us ...read more

Scripture: James 1:17-18

Denomination: Baptist

My Struggles Are All About God Series

Contributed by David Owens on Jan 31, 2022

Do our struggles and suffering have a reason or a purpose? God can use our struggles and suffering to bring Him glory. But we must make our struggles all about God, and not about us.

A. As I meditated on suffering and struggles this week, these ideas came forth in my mind: Suffering is paradoxical. Suffering is bad and good. Suffering is painful and helpful. Suffering is confusing and enlightening. Suffering isolates and builds community. Suffering may lead to death or ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:27-30, Psalm 50:15, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Philippians 1:12-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Week 1: Why Bad Things Happen To Good People Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 23, 2021

Did you know that your life is like a can of shaving cream? A label on the side of such a can says: “Warning: contents under pressure; don’t throw into fire.” (Walther Prince) It doesn’t matter who you are—young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy—each one of us is under pressure...

Did you know that your life is like a can of shaving cream? A label on the side of such a can says: “Warning: contents under pressure; don’t throw into fire.” (Walther Prince) It doesn’t matter who you are—young, old, rich, poor, sick, healthy—each one of us is under pressure. We face peer ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-22

Denomination: Lutheran

Job Series

Contributed by Roshelle Brenneise on Jun 9, 2021

The unbreakable relationship between one man and God

May 29, 2021 Many are irritated by the book of Job and either discount it as purely fiction or ignore it all together for one reason – the unfair suffering of Job. Humans care very deeply about fairness and justice and if Job had been a terrible, awful person, we might very well have cheered ...read more

Scripture: Job 13:15-16

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

A Promise For His People Series

Contributed by Larry Grant on Jun 26, 2021

When the worries of life press us down, we do not have to bear them alone! Notice how much of our burden we are supposed to give to the Lord. "All your care" We are told to give it all up to Jesus!

I. A SURRENDERED PEOPLE A. V. 5-6 WE MUST SURRENDER OUR WILL TO GOD – Peter quotes Proverbs 3:34 in verse 5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” He says - "Clothe yourselves with Humility" literally means to "wear the apron of a slave". True humility before ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:6-11

Denomination: Baptist

A Thorn In My Side

Contributed by Lanny Smith on Jul 8, 2021

We can be thorny people at times, saying "I just can't take it anymore." Paul tells us that's a good thing.

A Thorn In My Side 2021 Summer Series / 2 Corinthians 12:2–10   • [VIDEO] • [IMAGE] Sand spurs. Bane of kid existence. • Sometimes we look and feel like we’ve been rolling around in a field of thorns. • We can be “thorny people.” • We get to the point where we say, “I just can’t take it any ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:2-10, Mark 8:35, Philippians 2:6-11

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Does God Ever Withdraw His Favor?

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Mar 15, 2022

There is a belief in the church that when a Born-Again Christian sins or walks in disobedience, God withdraws His favor and blessings to punish them.

This belief is rooted in the Old Testament, where a relationship with God was conditionally based upon behavior. The Hebrew words translated as ‘favor’ are ‘ratson’ and ‘ratsah.’ The word ‘ratson’ is translated as favor, goodwill, acceptance, desire, pleasure. It most often represents God ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:7-11, Romans 5:3-4, Ephesians 2:4-7, Matthew 7:16-18, James 4:4, 1 Peter 5:6-9  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Healthy Appetite Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

The proper response to mourning over the reality of suffering, and the key to meekness, is not conquering desire, but learning to desire the right things.

How many of you are planning to watch a football game today? How many of you are mourning the defeat of the Packers??? Anybody care about the fate of the Titans? Have you since switched your allegiance to the Rams or the Bengals? Now, who’s not going to watch anything? Who doesn’t much care one ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:6

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Under Warranty Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 29, 2022

Nothing can happen to us that God cannot turn to our good and his glory.

When you go to buy a big-ticket item, they always try to sell you an extended warranty, or a service contract, don’t they. For just a few hundred more, they’ll come around and do maintenance and maybe even replace a part or two. My old Saturn came with a towing benefit as well... There was a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28-30

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

02 Joy In Adversity Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottom Line: Joy flourishes when Christ is exalted, even in the face of hardship.

Last week, we began a new series through Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. The Book of Philippians shows what it means to live with defiant joy. And here’s what I mean by that: “defiant joy” is a joy that stands firm regardless of what life throws our way. Even in his imprisonment, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Wise Up - Ecclesiastes 10:1-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 28, 2025

This chapter is loaded with gems of wisdom that are crucial for learning how to enjoy life in a fallen world. This message covers topics like how to bring calm to a hot confrontation, how expecting trouble can help you in life, and how to find the balance between study/preparation and action.

10:1 Dead flies make a perfumer's oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left. 3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense, and he shows everyone he is a fool. 4 If the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1-11

Have You Considered Job

Contributed by Rev. Randy Barker on Apr 3, 2025

Jobs story

Have you considered my servant Job As I’ve been going through this journey of watching my dad fight life’s final battle I’ve observed the way different people handle this situation some cry others doubt others search for answers some are strengthened by confirmation and faith When asked why good ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:1-12

Denomination: *other