Sermons on Surprised By Suffering:

Think Series

Contributed by Shawn Drake on Mar 31, 2015

This is the 8th sermon in the series "Don't Be Discouraged". We need to think like Jesus.

Series: Don’t Be Discouraged [#8] THINK 1 Peter 4:1-11 Introduction: It is approaching that time of the year where everyone is in their championship part of their season. College swimming is over; but we still have basketball. I enjoy watching Jason’s girls’ team play as ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Crown Of Life

Contributed by David Moore on Aug 27, 2008

To show how the crown of life is awarded to believers who endure hardship for the cause of Christ.

The Crown of Life Text: James 1:12 Introduction: Last Sunday evening we considered together the matter of faithfulness and the possibility of winning the incorruptible crown. But there is one aspect of faithfulness, that we did not touch on last week, which I want to consider tonight, and that is ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Persecution And Renewal: Why Opposition To The Church Could Signal Revival

Contributed by Ronald Moore on Jun 22, 2025

Recent years have witnessed a troubling rise in the persecution of Christians across the globe. In some countries, believers face brutal oppression — imprisonment, physical violence, even martyrdom.

Recent years have witnessed a troubling rise in the persecution of Christians across the globe. In some countries, believers face brutal oppression — imprisonment, physical violence, even martyrdom. Even in Western societies that pride themselves on tolerance and pluralism, there is an escalating ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 6:12, 1 John 4:4, Matthew 5:11-12, Acts 5:41, John 15:20, Matthew 28:20  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Anglican

Exploring The Supernatural: How To Really Experience Life Supernaturally

Contributed by Andrew Chan on Nov 8, 2002

Surprising source of a strength for the Christian: his "thorn"

1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know--God knows. 3And I know that this ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Evangelical Free

A Life Of A Clear Conscience Series

Contributed by D Marion Clark on Aug 10, 2012

How do we live in an unjust world?

Introduction Peter’s epistle begins in such a nice way. He tells of all these wonderful blessings we have, how we are such special people; then, just when we are feeling so great about the Christian life, he throws these water balloons at us, that splash us with sobering exhortations. Obey ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:13-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Is This A Curve Ball? (Advent 2009)

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 1, 2023

This sermon is about being surprised by tbd unexpected things much like Jesus seems to have surprised John the Baptist.

IS THIS A CURVE BALL? Text: Matthew 11:2-11 I read about someone’s recollection of a performance that he (Tom Wright) had been rehearsing for on stage at an earlier time in his life. He mentions that all had been going according to plan most of the time. “We had all rehearsed ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 11:2-11

Denomination: United Methodist

Trial By Fire Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Sep 2, 2007

These verses direct believers to 1) Expect suffering, 2) Exult in suffering, 3) Evaluate suffering, and 4) Entrust suffering to God

This week, Firefighters rescued the marble temples and stadiums of ancient Olympia from raging flames but forest fires ravaged nearby villages and the death toll from Greece’s three-day inferno rose to 58. "The church bells are ringing. It’s hell here," a resident from Oinoi village north of ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Denomination: Other

The Stone The Builders Rejected

Contributed by Brady Boyd on Mar 22, 2018

Sometimes we are surprised by what God does.

Psalms – The Language of Our Faith Psalm 118 – The Stone the Builders Rejected March 25, 2018 Show three pictures of baby animals. Show the baby photo and then the adult photo for three animals: 1. Baby Panda 2. Baby Wombat 3. Baby Aye Aye Nature surprises us. What seems ugly and insignificant, ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

God Makes A Way Series

Contributed by John Bright on Nov 21, 2019

Working through the book of Exodus using consecutive expository preaching. Exodus 2:11-2:25. Teaching Sheet for the bulletin included at end of text

Exodus 2 “15 When Pharaoh heard of this matter, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from the face of Pharaoh and dwelt in the land of Midian; and he sat down by a well.16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters. And they came and drew water, and they filled the troughs to water their ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:15-17

Denomination: Methodist

Hope For Hard Times Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on May 24, 2021

Here’s a helpful way to remember the word providence: PRO is “before” and VIDEO is to “to see.” He’s seeing life happen in advance. You can even hear the word “provide” in the word Providence. Even in the worst of times, God is working for His children’s good and happiness.

Our nation’s first President had a different way of looking at life and you could see it in his very first inaugural address. Had you been in the relatively small crowd to hear Washington’s Inaugural address some 230 plus years ago, you would have been surprised at how visibly nervous Washington ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

What To Think In An Undesirable Situation

Contributed by Efren V. Narido on Oct 29, 2020

When we find ourselves in unwanted situation, what should we entertain in our mind?

“When King David came to Bahurim, there came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera, and as he came he cursed continually. And he threw stones at David and at all the servants of King David, and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-13

Denomination: Baptist

Don't Give Up, Don't Give In

Contributed by Chuck Brooks on Jul 2, 2020

Viewing your temporary sufferings in the full light of the coming eternal glory.

(1 Pet 1:3 NKJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, (1 Pet 1:4 NKJV) to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Week 4: Rethinking A Quid Pro Quo Kind Of Faith (Sermon Adapted From Pete Metzger) Series

Contributed by Daniel Habben on May 23, 2021

Do we think that goes owes us for what we do for him?

Quid pro quo. Do you know what that Latin phrase means? It translates literally as “this for that.” Conversationally, we might say, “I scratch your back, you scratch mine.” For example, if I head out on vacation and ask my neighbor to take my garbage to the curb while I’m away, it’s perfectly ...read more

Scripture: Job 21:7-9, Job 21:13-15, Job 21:17, Job 31:1-4, Job 31:7-8, Job 31:21-28, Job 13:19-25, Job 29:2-6  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Lutheran

A Song Worth Singing Series

Contributed by Paul Decker on Dec 10, 2002

We rejoice in a God who surprises.

A SONG WORTH SINGING Luke 1:46-55 S: Prayer Th: We have reason to rejoice! Pr: WE REJOICE IN A GOD WHO SURPRISES. ?: What? What was she surprised by? KW: Decisions TS: We will find in Mary’s psalm (known as the Magnificat) three decisions by God that reflect an element of surprise. The ____ ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:46-55

Denomination: Baptist