Sermons on Surprised By Suffering:

The Way Of The Cross

Contributed by Dawn Duryea on Mar 4, 2024

In today’s Gospel reading, Peter responds to Jesus’ announcement that the Messiah will have to suffer and die by denying the cross. Peter is in essence denying the truth of this teaching – that the Messiah must suffer and by extension, his disciples.

Last week we heard about Jesus being tempted in the wilderness right after his Baptism. That’s the way it feels sometimes – you just make a decision and then things happen that immediately bring your decision into question. This wilderness, of course, is metaphorical and now we find ourselves in ...read more

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

Denomination: United Methodist

The Misunderstood Messiah Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Mar 18, 2023

Jesus is the misunderstood Messiah- how did that happen? (Title, outline and material adapted from Ray Pritchard at: https://www.keepbelieving.com/sermon/the-misunderstood-messiah/)

HoHum: Sir, have you ever been here before? For 38 years Teddy Kollek served as the mayor of Jerusalem. Enormously popular in his day, he often met with Christian leaders to discuss issues of mutual interest, especially those pertaining to Israel’s security and the chances of peace in the Middle ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 53:1-3, John 6:26, John 6:66-68, John 1:11, Romans 10:1, Matthew 13:55, 2 Corinthians 5:16, Isaiah 49:7  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Mountains God Calls Us To Climb

Contributed by John Gaston on Oct 1, 2020

God calls us to climb Mt Ararat (God in your trials); Mt Moriah (surrender); Mt Sinai (new revelation of God); Mt Pisgah (visions of what to possess); & Mt Calvary (sharing in Jesus' suffering). Will you grow?

MOUNTAINS GOD CALLS US TO CLIMB INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: CHATTER BOX 1. Have you ever known someone who talked non-stop? Like, they didn’t even seem to stop to take a breath? 2. A man named Sam had a wife like that. If you got on the phone it was at least an hour. She ended up injuring her jaw ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 8:1-4, Exodus 19:17, Deuteronomy 3:27, Luke 23:33

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Pain, Perseverance, And Pure Joy - James 1:2-4 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Oct 13, 2020

When James commands us to consider it pure joy when we suffer, does that mean we are to pretend we are happy when we aren’t?

James 1:2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Introduction: Perseverance Years ago ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Jesus Wept - Part Three (Covid) Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Oct 30, 2020

When Jesus wept in the Garden of Gethsemane, he left an example for those who wrestle with soul-crushing sorrow. By following his example, we can find hope and healing during life's hardships and heartaches.

Jesus Wept (3) Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 9/27/2020 I vividly remember the 1991 NBA finals. After four hard fought years of disappointment, Michael Jordan and Scottie Pipen had just led the Chicago Bulls to their first ever NBA Championship over Magic Johnson and the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:36-39, Hebrews 5:7

Denomination: Christian Church

Are You Content (Cun-Tent) With Your Content (Cahn-Tent)?

Contributed by Darian Catron on Nov 27, 2020

Charles Spurgeon said, "If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled." But do we live like that's true? Do we see our circumstances as opportunities to serve and praise God or as an opportunity to complain?

INTRODUCTION: Illustration/Story/Quote/Statistic- So how many of you, honestly, pigged out this Thanksgiving? Did you fill yourself to the brim? Well, I did. I’m not to afraid to admit it. Good turkey. Good stuffing. Mashed potatoes. Green-bean casserole. And pie! Ohhh my wife spoiled us ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 4:6-7, Philippians 4:11-14, Philippians 4:13, Philippians 1:12-14, Philippians 1:21  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

A Tested Faith Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Dec 5, 2022

Faith produces worth & approval in those who undergo severe afflictions, adversity & trials. Faithfulness in suffering produces character & virtue, & ultimately it produces a better resurrection

HEBREWS 11:35-40 A TESTED FAITH [LEAVING A LEGACY SERIES] [Romans 8:35-38] Many have been the triumphs faith has obtained against incredible odds and many have been the times when the faithful suffered because they chose to remain faithful. This section deals with many unknown men and women who ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

With Friends Like These... Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Hearing about their friend Job, three of his closest friends show up: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. As you’re going to see in the moments to come, if Job and his 3 friends were alive today, Job would surely “unfriend” these 3from his Facebook profile.

Job is one of the most unique stories you’ll hear – not just inside the Bible but anywhere. It’s the story of man named Job, a man whose character was tremendously strong but suffered exceedingly. But one day Satan says to God, “The reason Job follows you is you’re so good to him. Stop blessing him ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

When God Calls Your Name: Moses Series

Contributed by Scott Bayles on Sep 11, 2021

How would you respond if God called your name not once, but twice? In the Bible, God calls plenty of people often by name, but I’ve only found seven times where God calls out someone’s name twice in a row. In each instance, what follows is a life-changing encounter with the God of creation.

When God Calls Your Name… Twice: Moses Scott Bayles, pastor Blooming Grove Christian Church: 7/31/2016 For the last couple of weeks, we’ve been talking about how you might respond if God called your name—not just once, but twice. As I mentioned before, God calls plenty of people in the Bible often ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 3:1-10

Denomination: Christian Church

Hurry Up And Wait Series

Contributed by David Owens on Sep 20, 2021

The three points of this sermon and a good bit of the content is borrowed from a sermon by Ray Pritchard (see the resources at the end of the sermon). The key to facing hard times is learning to wait on the Lord.

Introduction: A. Once there was a boy who asked a girl to go to the school formal dance. 1. She agreed, and he decided to rent a tuxedo, but the rental store had a long line, so he waited and waited, and finally he got his suit. 2. Then he decided to buy flowers, but the flower shop had a long ...read more

Scripture: James 5:7-12

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

"I Know What You Are Going Through…"

Contributed by Hans Krause on Oct 22, 2018

Too easily, we try to comfort people in sorrow and pain, saying that we know what they are going through. The fact is that mostly we don't. But Jesus knows what we are going through, because he has been there. What does that imply for us?

[Sermon preached on 18 February 2018, 1st Sunday in Lent / 3rd year, ELCF Lectionary] I was still a student when we gathered with a group of theological students for a training seminar on pastoral counseling. One of the members shared some of her childhood experiences that had recently come to the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:17-18, Mark 1:12-13

Denomination: Lutheran

No Pain, No Comfort

Contributed by Dr. Ronald Shultz on Jan 17, 2018

How do you comfort the comfortable.

No Pain, No Comfort 2 Corinthians 1:3  Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;  4  Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:8, 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Denomination: Baptist

God Can't Handle This... Exhibiting Our Pain

Contributed by Jeff Poor on Feb 5, 2018

God might be using your circumstances to exhibit to others how to navigate pain

Title: God Can’t Handle… Exhibit Text: Philippians 1:12-14 and Matthew 26:36-38 Bottom Line: God might be using your circumstances to exhibit to others how to navigate pain Date: 2/4/18 Intro Who I am... Something about the day.... So great to be here with you this morning… Tension So ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-14, Matthew 26:36-38

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Job's Ressurection

Contributed by Jerry Owen on Mar 9, 2018

Are trouble and suffering a sign of God's judgement in your life? How can a person persevere during great tragedy? The answers are found in the testimony of Job's life.

JOB’S RESURRECTION JOB 14:1-17, 19:23-27 Hurricane Katrina- Man who cancelled his flood insurance 3 weeks before Katrina. What terrible timing. I had a similar thing, although not as costly. I cancelled the insurance on our mini-van because and my daughter wrecked it and totaled it 4 months ...read more

Scripture: Job 14:1-17, Job 19:23-27, Luke 13:1-5

Denomination: Baptist

Lesson 3: Their Reception Of The Gospel Series

Contributed by John Lowe on Apr 30, 2018

Paul wants these fellow Christians to remember that he and his co-workers preached the Gospel to them, and they responded by believing and receiving that Gospel.

4/21/18 Tom Lowe Lesson 3: THEIR RECEPTION OF THE GOSPEL (1Th 1:5-7) Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7 (NIV) 5 because our gospel came to you not simply with words but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and deep conviction. You know how we lived among you for your sake. 6 You became imitators ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7

Denomination: Baptist