Sermons on Surprised By Suffering:

A Child Is Born Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Apr 21, 2007

The Christmas Story is full of surprises: Surprises that reassure us that GOd uses ordinary people, is in control of history, gives us significance and accepts all people.

What’s the most important thing about Christmas for you? Is it lunch with your family? Is it singing carols? Probably not after you’ve been hearing them in the shopping centres for the last 2 months! How about Christmas presents? Are you like Garry’s wife in this cartoon? Does it matter whether you ...read more

Scripture: Luke 2:1-20

Denomination: Anglican

Beyond Our Strength Series

Contributed by Isaac Butterworth on Jun 16, 2015

When you undergo afflictions, go over your convictions.

JOSEPH BAYLY ONCE SAID, “Never doubt in the dark what you learned in the light.” But we do, don’t we? When we go through times of trial, we lose sight of what we believe. We have a tendency to see only the bad our afflictions. For example, when the heat’s on, we may assume ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Compassion Series

Contributed by John Dobbs on Jul 18, 2024

Compassion is a concern for the suffering of others; it means to “suffer with.”

Journey With Jesus: The Daily Trek of Discipleship COMPASSION Introduction In our journey with Jesus we have studied… -The foundation of the disciple’s life, the Beatitudes. -The source of authority, Jesus is Lord. -The divine help we receive, the Holy Spirit. -The life of service in imitation of ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 9:35-38

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Groaning In Hope Series

Contributed by Ed Taylor on Jan 29, 2009

Thank God that relief from suffering is coming through Jesus Christ!

1. Sin has done much more damage than we really realize. 2. We suffer in this world… because of sin. – Read 8:18 • We experience pains & problems in this world… because of sin. • Fears, anxieties, hurts & bitterness… because of sin. As we go back to the Garden of Eden. • Adam & Eve learned in an ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:19-25

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Did You Feel That?

Contributed by Kahala Bolton on Feb 17, 2009

So if you want God to order your steps, you must be ready for the shake up.

There is a word from the LORD from the book of Acts: Acts 16:26 (New King James Version) 26 Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed. Intro: About a month ago, God began to ...read more

Scripture: Acts 16:26

Denomination: Christian Church

Invisible Gold

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Aug 5, 2008

Don’t give into life’s troubles. You may not see in them the rich potential of a strong faith, but it’s there. To have it developed is much more precious than gold! Faith-Testing Times Can Be Faith-Strengthening Times.

Opening illustration: In the 1980s, Northern Nevada was the site of a gold strike. The discovery would have been beyond the imagination of 19th century prospectors, for the gold in those western hills is virtually invisible. Even after being magnified 1,500 times, most of the particles remain ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-7

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Gethsemane

Contributed by Randy Croft on Dec 21, 2009

Reflections on Gethsemane

When have you been closest to death? ILLUS: I seem to come close every time I play softball with (name of parishioner)...especially when I’m on Third base and he lines a sharp foul ball...or playing paintball-- I remind everyone that I’m a noncombatant, but that doesn’t work either... ILLUS: I ...read more

Scripture: Mark 14:32-34

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Does God Allow Pain? Series

Contributed by Russell Brownworth on Jan 8, 2010

If God really is there and loves me, why do I still hurt?

Why is my pain unceasing, my wound incurable, refusing to be healed? Jeremiah 15:18a It’s always helpful at the start of a journey to know where you’re headed! Let me share some of the “roadmap” for our series on ‘WHY’ – the questions people ask. The well-known artist and songwriter Bill ...read more

Scripture: Jeremiah 15:18

Denomination: United Methodist

Hope Does Not Disappoint

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 8, 2009

Suffering, endurance, character, hope: the formula is not automatic. All depends on whether we learn to live in the resurrected Christ.

One of my friends begins nearly every conversation with the phrase, "You just can’t win.” "You just can’t win." One day recently he was wearing a long, long face. He had just gotten his car repaired, but some inebriated partygoer had slammed into it. He had just worked off his debts, but suddenly ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Understanding The Twelve Purposes For Trials, Trouble, Testing

Contributed by Larry Wolfe on Jul 7, 2009

A survey of the Bible texts concerning trials

UNDERSTANDING THE TWELVE BIBLICAL PURPOSES FOR TESTING, TRIALS & TROUBLES 1. God allows trials so that we might become stronger Christians (James 1:3, 4) Reason #1 To Praise The Lord! “My brethren count it all joy when ye fall into divers generations; knowing this that the trying of your ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-4

Denomination: Independent/Bible

In All Things God Works For The Good

Contributed by David Mende on Jul 21, 2009

God works for our good not just in some things but in ALL things! This verse was fulfilled in the lives of Joseph, Esther, and Jesus. I would be delighted if you could rate this sermon and give brief feedback.

In All Things God works for the Good Rom 8:28 – “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” (KJV) Rom 8:28 – “And we know that in all things GOD works for the good of those who love him, who have been called ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Observing Nature Series

Contributed by Tim White on Aug 30, 2009

In Jesus’ encounter with the Greek seekers, we see the Nature of the Savior, The Nature of Suffering and the Nature of the Servant.

20Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. * These are believed to be Jews living in Greece, visiting Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. * Philip is a Greek name. He probably spoke fluent Greek. 21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of ...read more

Scripture: John 12:20-26

Denomination: Baptist

High Seas 2 - Paul Series

Contributed by Dan Cormie on Jul 11, 2011

Because we live on a fallen planet with other fallen human beings it is possible to find ourselves in the midst of a life shattering storm through no fault of our own. The effects of the fall visit themselves randomly upon the creation.

Dakota Community Church July 10, 2011 High Seas 2 - Paul Luke 6:46-49 46 “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I say? 47 I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48 He is like a man building a house, who dug ...read more

Scripture: Acts 27:9-44

Denomination: Mennonite

Calling In The Wilderness

Contributed by Michael Hopkins on Feb 17, 2013

A sermon for the first Sunday of Lent

Luke 4:1-13 Deuteronomy 26:1-11 Romans 10:9-13 I’m told that it’s impossible to be hungry in the desert because of the sand which is everywhere. Today our readings take us into the desert, or the wilderness if you prefer (the words are the same in the Greek and Hebrew). Why is this ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:1-13

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Boat Was Now In The Middle Of The Sea…

Contributed by Bala Samson on Nov 25, 2012

We need to know how to deal with unexpected scenarios!

Boat was now in the middle of the sea… Mathew 14:24”…the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.” We need to know how to deal with unexpected scenarios! "Who would expect to face a complex day? None of us! We expect smooth, ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 14:20-32

Denomination: Pentecostal