Sermons on Suffering Well:

Why God Is Not A “helicopter God” Series

Contributed by Pat Damiani on Mar 1, 2016

God loves me too much to save me from all of my struggles

Most of you are probably familiar with the term “helicopter parent”. But just in case you aren’t, this short video does a pretty good job of showing what that term means. [Show “Copter Mommy” video] Although helicopter parenting might seem harmless, it seems like we ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Lessons Learned In The Storm #7 Series

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 15, 2024

Storms will come into every life. Jesus teaches us what to do when they come.

Great Lessons from the Life of Christ #7 Lessons Learned in the Storm (Mark 4:35-41) Life is tough, but if you have lived very long, you already know that. • Scott Peck, begins his book The Road Less Traveled with the words “Life if Difficult.” • In life, you are going to experience pains, ...read more

Scripture: Mark 4:35-41

#58 The Bitter Cup Of Gethsemane Series

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Jan 23, 2022

We can never comprehend the cosmic struggle Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion. The sermon helps us to see the emotional struggle between Jesus’ human and divine sides, and what that teaches us.

#58 The Bitter Cup of Gethsemane Series: Mark Chuck Sligh January 23, 2022 TEXT: Mark 14:43-52 - "And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. 44 And he that ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-42

Denomination: Baptist

Unwrapping A Strange Gift

Contributed by David Welch on Aug 6, 2018

This series of messages addressed the "gift" of suffering. I have included the notes from several messages on the topic.

Chico Alliance Church UNWRAPPING A STRANGE GIFT REVIEW Paul is in prison simply for preaching the resurrected Christ in a pagan world and a religious world blinded to the truth of a transformed life. From a seemingly negative circumstance, he is able to continually live the joy of the Lord. I ask, ...read more

Denomination: Christian Missionary Alliance

Here Comes Trouble Again! # 1b

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

Life is filled with all kinds of trouble, but the God of love has a special reason for allowing trouble in our lives.

Illus: Have you ever been riding down a smooth super highway and found yourself going faster and faster as you followed the crowd? Before you realized it, you were going 20 or 30 miles over the speed limit. Illus: A man was speeding down a highway, feeling secure in a string of other cars all ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 119:67-71

Denomination: Baptist

Desperate People Need Jesus Series

Contributed by David Swanger on Jan 24, 2024

Only Jesus has the answers to the problems of life.

Great Lessons from the Life of Christ #8 Desperate People Need Jesus (Mark 5:21-43) In Mark 5:21-43 you have two stories of two desperate people. One had lost a child. The other had suffered with a disease from which she could find no relief. They have tried everything and now turn to Jesus for ...read more

Scripture: Mark 5:21-43

The Abiding Presence

Contributed by Roger Spaugh on Oct 18, 2000

Encouragement for those suffering from loss of loved ones, or loss of a dream.

Mankind has struggled with many things. Probably the most difficult of these is adversity. Every since Adam and Eve were cast from the garden, mankind has faced adversity. It has come in many different ways and in many different forms. But regardless of the method, the struggle is just as real. It ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1

Denomination: Pentecostal

Appointed To Affliction Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Apr 7, 2021

As far as possible the Christian is to live peaceably with all men. The ideal is progress without persecution, but the world will not tolerate the Christian conviction, and so there will be tribulation, and we must be prepared to face it if we stand for the truth as we ought.

One of our neighbors had a common but nerve wracking experience. Her little girl did not come home from school at noon. She got worried and went out to look for her, but she was no where around. The mother was just sick with worry as the worst possible thoughts went through her mind. She sought ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 3:1-4

Patri-Passion Sunday Series

Contributed by Rev Kenneth Roach on Feb 23, 2021

Part of Lent series

This is an important day in the church calendar. It emphasises an aspect of God we tend to forget. We usually imagine God has been up there in high heaven, remote from pain in his divine glory. When in trouble we tend to ask:- “Where is God, why doesn’t he come to help us?” Well, Patri-Passion ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:1-12

"it's Not Fair!" (Part One) Series

Contributed by Derrick Tuper on May 20, 2019

Ever have one of those days when you want to scream, ‘it's not fair’? Have you ever read stories in the bible and thought, "that's not fair"? We'll look at some of these stories so we can hopefully gain perspective for the times when we think God's not being fair.

"IT'S NOT FAIR!" (part one) Ever have one of those days when you want to scream, ‘it's not fair’? Perhaps you feel like that statement defines your life as a whole. My father-in-law was born with deformities and had to have multiple corrective surgeries. On top of that, he had a ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:16-17, Genesis 3:22-24, Job 1:1-3, Job 1:18-22, Job 2:3-10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

It Will Be Worth It All

Contributed by John Gaston on Jan 31, 2019

We look at comparisons that will bring our own sufferings into right perspective and see the reasons it will be "worth it all" to serve Jesus.

It Will Be Worth It All Romans 8:18; 2 Cor. 4:17 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR 1. Two elderly women were out driving in a large car -- both could barely see over the dashboard. As they were cruising along, they came to an intersection. The stop light was red, but they just went on through. The woman ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18, 2 Corinthians 4:17

Denomination: Assembly Of God

What Do We Do When Tragedy Strikes?”

Contributed by Michael Otterstatter on Aug 2, 2017

This section of God's Word shows us how two people responded to a tragedy. One example comes from a widow whose son died. The other comes from one of the greatest prophets in the Old Testament, Elijah.

At some point it will likely happen to most of us. For each of us it will be different and yet the same. It will leave us with tears in our eyes and pain in our hearts. We call them tragedies—something that seems to turn our lives upside down. Because we live in a world stained by sin these ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:17-24

Denomination: Lutheran

Here Comes Trouble Again! # 2a

Contributed by Dr. Odell Belger on Apr 6, 2022

When things are going right for MOST of us, folks ask us how we are and we give them a big smile and say that things are GREAT!

Our differences are revealed, not during our GOOD TIMES, but during the BAD TIMES in our lives! One thing we all seem to do during the DIFFICULT TIMES in life is to turn to our friends for sound advice. Most of the time when we do this what we get is not good sound advice, but a lot of RHYMES ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:18-28

Denomination: Baptist

Why Have You Forsaken Me? - Mark 15:34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2024

What did Jesus mean when he said, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Did the Father forsake his Son?

In Mark 15:34 Jesus cries out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God actually forsake Jesus? If so, what’s the answer to Jesus’ question? Why? And if you think the answer is obvious, then why does Jesus ask the question? He knew he had to drink this cup, he agonized ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46

Beginning Of Pains (Persecution & Preaching) - Mark 13:9-13 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Apr 13, 2024

Jesus shows us how every time you are mistreated, it is a golden opportunity … if you read the situation through the lenses of spiritual insight.

Mark 13:9 "You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. 10 And the gospel must first be preached to all nations.11 Whenever you are arrested and brought ...read more

Scripture: Mark 13:9-13, Luke 21:12-18