Sermons on Suffering:

Are You Living, Or Are You Dying? Series

Contributed by Nickolas Kooi on Oct 1, 2017

My dorm mate used to say, "Are you living, or are you dying?" His saying brings up a point. What is living? As Paul sits in a dark, dank, depressing prison cell, he gives us and the Philippians an answer.

Are you living, or are you dying? One of my dormmates, Josh, would tell me that all the time. He would say that to encourage me to get out of my room, to stop studying, and to go have some fun, which, in his definition, would be living. Then what is dying? Well, that is what I was doing, and ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14, Philippians 1:19-26

Denomination: Lutheran

The Gloomiest Chapter In The Bible – Psalm 88 – Passing Through Stormy Seas – Part 1 Series

Contributed by Ron Ferguson on Jul 4, 2022

Psalm 88 is considered to be the gloomiest chapter in all the bible. There is not one glimmer of hope yet we can draw from it wonderful teaching. The psalmist was in a very dark state when this Psalm was penned.

THE GLOOMIEST CHAPTER IN THE BIBLE – PSALM 88 – PASSING THROUGH STORMY SEAS – PART 1 PSALMS OF THE SONS OF KORAH – PSALM 88 Part 1 Psalm 88 A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director - according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. Firstly we will look at ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 8:5-8, Psalm 18:5-6, Luke 8:22-25, Psalm 88:1-6, Psalm 56:1-4  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Holding On To Hope Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Aug 15, 2022

To get through your groaning, focus on the glory to come.

Some time ago, George Barna polled adults: “If you could ask God one question, what would you ask?” The top response was, “Why is there pain and suffering in the world?” I can’t think of anything more universal to the human experience than suffering. In fact, many people point to the problem of ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

Closing In On The Cross Of Jesus Christ - Part 10: Our Lord's Last Hours Before He Died Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on May 8, 2023

1. Jesus was abused for us (Matt 27:26-31). 2. Jesus was assisted for us (Matt 27:31-32). 3. Jesus was in agony for us (Matt 27:33-36). 4. Jesus was antagonized for us (Matt 27:37-44). 5. Jesus was absolutely willing to save us (Luke 23:34-43).

Closing in on the Cross of Jesus Christ Part 10: Our Lord's Last Hours Before He Died The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 27:26-44; Luke 23:34-43 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared May 8, 2023) MESSAGE: *Today we continue our look at the darkest day in history. In these verses God's Word shows ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 27:26-44, Luke 23:34-43

Denomination: Baptist

Forgotten By God Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Joseph’s life is a roller coaster ride with incredible highs and depressing lows. Last week we saw the first “big dip” and this week – sold into slavery and falsely accused Today, we observe the second “big dip” in the life of Joseph, forgotten in prison.

The story acts like a mini-novel tucked away at the end of Genesis. With every turn of the page, you find yourself saying, “You’re not going to believe what happens next!” Joseph’s life is a roller coaster ride with incredible highs and depressing lows. Last week we saw the first “big dip” and this ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 2:13-14

Denomination: Baptist

Christian: What Kind Of Disciple Are You? Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Dec 6, 2022

How can we be better disciples? 1. Avoid distractions (vs. 17-21, 23). 2. Accept the difficulties of following Jesus (vs. 22-23). 3. Avoid pointless disputes (vs. 24). 4. Live with Christlike devotion (vs. 25-28).

Christian: What Kind of Disciple Are You? The Gospel of Matthew Matthew 20:17-28 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Prepared December 6, 2022) BACKGROUND: *Please open your Bibles to Matthew 20:17. In this verse of Scripture, Jesus has started His trip to Jerusalem to die on the cross for our sins. And by ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 20:17-28

Denomination: Baptist

From Pain To Ministry Series

Contributed by Shaila Touchton on Mar 26, 2025

In this sermon, we'll explore why and how our past struggles can qualify us for service.

The Bible teaches that our painful experiences can be a catalyst for ministry. In this sermon, we'll explore why and how our past struggles can qualify us for service. Reason 1: Empathy and Compassion Those who have experienced pain and hardship can empathize with others who are going through ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4, Romans 5:3-5

Part 20: How To Have God's Peace In Horrible Times Series

Contributed by Rick Crandall on Mar 27, 2025

1. Rush to the Lord for refuge (vs. 1-3, 5). 2. Rejoice in the Lord (vs. 4). 3. Roll your cares on to the Lord (vs. 5). 4. Receive the Lord's righteousness (vs. 5-6). 5. Rest in the Lord (vs. 7-11).

Great Prayers of the Old Testament Part 20: How to Have God's Peace in Horrible Times Psalm 37:1-11 Sermon by Rick Crandall (Grayson Baptist Church - November 7, 2012) (Revised March 27, 2025) BACKGROUND: *Anyone who has read a good portion of God's Word knows that there are a lot of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Endurance Through Trials: Transformed By God's Purpose - Romans 5:3-4 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 5, 2024

Romans 5:3-4 reveals a powerful truth, teaching us that our trials are not in vain. Instead, they serve a greater purpose, moulding us and shaping us into people of character and hope.

Endurance Through Trials: Transformed by God's Purpose - Romans 5:3-4 Introduction: The Purpose in Our Pain Today, we’re going to talk about something that each of us encounters in life: trials and hardships. But we’ll go beyond discussing the pain itself; we’ll explore the purpose that God ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-4, James 1:2-4, 1 Peter 1:6-7, Job 23:10, Hebrews 6:19  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

How Can One Man Pay For Another's Sins? Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

We are devoting ourselves to a study of one of the powerful chapters in the Bible, Isaiah 53. It has been called the Bible in miniature. Many believe this is the best single chapter in the whole Bible to explain what happened on the cross.

This series is a tool to help shape your heart in preparation for Easter. Here are three brief reasons why you should rehearse the narrative of our Lord’s grief carefully: 1) Seeing Jesus’ Sorrow Lightens My Pain One cannot think long about Jesus’ agony without tears. I have personally have had ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:7-8

Denomination: Baptist

No! Not That! (Habakkuk) Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 19, 2025

When God baffles you, trust Him, Fear Him, and Praise Him.

Jill Briscoe, a pastor’s wife and author, talks about babysitting one of their three, 3-year-old grandchildren several years ago. In their family, they had twins and a single birth all within 24 hours. They called them Search, Destroy, and Demolition. She was babysitting Demolition. As Jill waved ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-17, Habakkuk 2:1-20, Habakkuk 3:1-19, 1 Peter 2:23

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Open Wide And Say 'ah-H-H-Men!' Series

Contributed by Gordon Pike on Oct 31, 2021

Imagine sitting in the waiting room at your doctor’s office and he comes in with a very serious look on his face. “God must be really, really mad at you because you have cancer.” That was David’s reaction when he came down with a serious illness.

Imagine sitting in the waiting room at your doctor’s office and he comes in … with a very serious look on his face. “God must be really, really mad at you because you have cancer.” That was David’s reaction when he came down with a serious illness. “O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, or ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 6:1-10, Philippians 3:21, Revelation 21:4, 1 Corinthians 15:54-55, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Thessalonians 5:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: United Methodist

Behold The Servant-King: Following Jesus Through The Prophecies Of Isaiah Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Jan 7, 2026

Seven hundred years before Bethlehem. Seven centuries before a manger, a cross, and an empty tomb. God was already preaching the Gospel. The book of Isaiah is not merely ancient poetry or distant prophecy—it is a Spirit-breathed portrait of Jesus Christ.

Behold the Servant-King: Following Jesus Through the Prophecies of Isaiah Introduction: Seeing Jesus Before He Was Seen Church, disciples of Jesus Christ, today we stand on holy ground. Seven hundred years before Bethlehem. Seven centuries before a manger, a cross, and an empty tomb. God was ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 9:6, Isaiah 52:13-15, Isaiah 53:1-12, Matthew 1:22-23, Luke 1:32-33, Philippians 2:6-11, 1 Peter 2:24, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Acts 8:32-35, Numbers 6:24-26  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Experiencing Eternal Life"

Contributed by Ray Ellis on Apr 5, 2004

Why did Jesus suffer and die on the cross of Calvary? We find the answer in our Scripture text, John 3:16, (The Golden Text of the Bible) “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but hav

“Experiencing Eternal Life” John 3:14-18 Today is Palm Sunday – the first day of what is known as the beginning of Holy Week for the Christian world. On this Sunday Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Luke 19:37-38: Jesus rode into the city on a young donkey. “When he came to ...read more

Scripture: John 3:14-18

Denomination: Free Methodist

Is God Still In Control? Series

Contributed by William Huegel on Jan 27, 2006

Don’t you ever wonder why we suffer? Is God still in control, and if He is, what is the purpose and the meaning of all this? Can’t God control the winds anymore like he did on the Sea of Galilee, or is this some kind of judgment--if so, what are we to l

Is God Still in Control? Job 1: 6-12 January 22, 2006 Reverend William A. Huegel First Baptist Church of Wallingford A messenger came to Job and said, “Sir, I have some very bad news. “The Oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby and the enemies from the East came by and attacked. ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:6-12

Denomination: Baptist