Sermons on Surprised By Suffering:

Sermon On Living The Life

Contributed by William Meakin on Mar 30, 2024

Living the life might be regarded as: taking it firmly by the horns, embracing it with an open mind, and performing the constructional intentions of making the most of opportunities, despite the many obstacles or difficulties that consistently present themselves.

Roy T. Bennett, the author of “The Light In The Heart,” once remarked: “Don't let the expectations and opinions of other people affect your decisions. It's your life, not theirs. Do what matters most to you; do what makes you feel alive and happy. Don't let the expectations and ideas of ...read more

Scripture: John 10:10, Psalm 37:4, Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 27:1

Joy Filled Prisoner

Contributed by Rich O' Toole on Apr 2, 2024

Introduction to the Book of Philippians

Joy Filled Prisoner Philippians 1:1-2 Good morning. Everyone sees life through their unique perspective, because of the assumptions or expectations that give them their own opinion about a specific situation. However, having an unhealthy, ungodly, or unproductive mindset can adversely affect ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:1-2

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

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

Joseph: Rejected But Respected Series

Contributed by Jonathan Spurlock on Aug 11, 2022

The life of Joseph, son of Jacob, is one of the most interesting in the Bible. This message is mostly a summary of his life, from slave to sovereign to sustainer. Don't we all wish there were more Josephs!

Introduction: What comes to mind when you think about Joseph, son of Jacob? Many of us, including me, tend to think first of his “coat of many colors” and his dreams. That’s true, but that’s only part of the story. In fact, Joseph spent several years away from his family in a foreign land, rising ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:25-28, Genesis 41:38-45

Denomination: Baptist

The Others

Contributed by Keith Etheridge on Sep 9, 2022

What if God doesn't send you a miracle? What if God doesn't change your circumstances? Will you still be faithful?

Hebrews 11:1-34 takes us through the Old Testament and reminds us of all the miracles that God did on behalf of His people. He delivered Noah and his family from the flood. He delivered Moses and the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. He saved Rabab from the destruction of Jericho. He ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:35-40

Denomination: Baptist

Afflictions

Contributed by Dove Inspirations on Sep 30, 2022

What has affliction accomplished in your life?

Have your afflictions worked on you? No doubt they have an effect on you. Psalm 34:19 Scripture tells us ,”Many are the afflictions of the righteous but The LORD delivers him from them all” Afflictions serve many purposes in our lives. I will not get into this. Affliction is guaranteed in this ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:19

Pleading For God's Mercy Series

Contributed by Reuben Bredenhof on Oct 30, 2022

What is the only basis for your prayer for mercy? When you’ve been emptied of all pride, when you’ve given up trying to earn the LORD’s favour or to fix your life, then your only hope really is this: God has made you his own in Jesus Christ.

In our text Isaiah is praying. Praying is a normal thing for us, but let’s appreciate what the prophet is doing here. In this book of prophecy, there’s all kinds of different styles of writing. In Isaiah there are speeches, parables, lamentations, hymns of praise, predictions of the future, ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Hope When Uncertainty Rises

Contributed by John Dobbs on Nov 17, 2022

If you’ve ever let the wicked, hurtful, unspeakable things you witness in this world whittle away at your faith, you’re not alone. And Habakkuk is your book.

Hope When Uncertainty Rises Habakkuk Introduction If you’ve ever let the wicked, hurtful, unspeakable things you witness in this world whittle away at your faith, you’re not alone. And Habakkuk is your book. Habakkuk deals with some of the most basic elements of the struggle of faith. ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 2:20, Habakkuk 2:4, Habakkuk 3:17-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Answering Persecution In America

Contributed by Glynda Lomax on Sep 15, 2020

We don’t like to think about persecution, and there was a time when we in America could put off thinking about, but that time is firmly behind us now. We’re IN IT.

We don’t like to think about persecution and there was a time when we in America could put off thinking about, but that time is firmly behind us now. We’re IN IT. Now those who walk through a big city street openly carrying a Bible showing their conservative beliefs are in danger of being attacked ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:11, 1 Peter 5:8, 2 Timothy 3:12, 2 Timothy 3:1

Denomination: Charismatic

Struggles Of Life Can Bring Peace.

Contributed by Roy Fowler on Oct 25, 2020

It's not always the struggles that causes the problems. It's how we receive them.

Acts 9:43 NLT And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides. ILLUSTRATION: A daughter was constantly complaining to her father about her problems. He, being a chief, took her to the kitchen and picked out 3 pots. He put water in all three of them and turn the ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:43, Matthew 14:22-33, John 18:15-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"recycling Our Pain" Series

Contributed by David Henderson on Oct 27, 2020

Our scripture for today falls into this category of verses I don’t understand when I first read them. Here it is. Happy are those who are persecuted.

“Recycling our Pain” Matthew 5:10 In my personal study of the gospels one of the things I have noticed is that some of the teachings of Jesus are just very difficult for us to follow. At times when we read them they don’t even make sense. For instance, Jesus said: • If your right eye offends ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:10

Denomination: Baptist

Maintaining Happinessduringtrials Series

Contributed by Jeffery Anselmi on Oct 2, 2020

God will use every opportunity—good or bad—to spread the message of Jesus.

Maintaining Happiness During Trials Jeffery Anselmi / General Be Happy / Suffering; Happiness / Philippians 1:18–30 God will use every opportunity—good or bad—to spread the message of Jesus. INTRODUCTION • One of the things we dread in life is facing trials and experiencing suffering. • When we ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:18-30

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

How To Undeceive A Desire James 1:15-17 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 13, 2021

The reason you sin is not desire. Jesus desired food but didn’t fall when tempted with food. The problem is not desire; it’s deceived desire. It’s a desire that is deceived about sin, about life and good days, and about God. This passage exposes those deceptions and the way to correct them.

How to Undeceive a Desire Suffering, Tests, and Temptation Part 9 James 1:15-17 12-7-2014 The reason you sin is not desire. Jesus desired food but didn’t fall when tempted with food. The problem is not desire; it’s deceived desire. It’s a desire that is deceived about sin, about life and good ...read more

Scripture: James 1:15-17

Following His Steps

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Oct 15, 2022

There are numerous reasons why we suffer. Some suffering is an immediate aftereffect of our own transgression. Our objective ought to be to confront suffering with tolerance, tranquility, and certainty that God is in charge of all things to come.

There are numerous reasons why we suffer. Some suffering is an immediate aftereffect of our own transgression. A few sins happen because of our own foolishness. A few sins are the consequence of living in a fallen world. Peter is expounding on the suffering that is a result of our good works. ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:21

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Pain? Lesson 4 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Oct 27, 2023

God is not the author of pain or suffering.

A. GOD IS NOT THE AUTHOR OF PAIN OR SUFFERING 1. God created a perfect man and placed Him in a perfect environment. 2. Pain and suffering are the consequences of living in a fallen world. “To the woman He said: ‘I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; In pain you shall bring ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 3:16-19, 2 Corinthians 12:7, Genesis 50:20

Denomination: Baptist