Sermons on Surprised By Suffering:

The Paradox Of Pain

Contributed by Bill Sullivan on Sep 17, 2015

We rejoice in our sufferings, because God uses them in our lives and has a purpose for our good and His glory

The Paradox of Pain TCF Sermon October 13, 2013 There is a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip that sums up what life often feels like, and I think even for us as a fellowship, it describes at least part of our experiences in the past few years. It’s a series of panels, each depicting a scene ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Price For Our Call To Grace

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Mar 10, 2018

Suffering that comes from bad human choices is the price we all pay for the call and grace to be images of God.

Fifth Sunday of Lent 2018 Back when I was teaching religion every school day, two questions kept rising in the minds of students, and occasionally were voiced. What brought the first to mind recently were the several multiple murders we have heard about in Florida, in Las Vegas and just last week ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 5:7-9

Denomination: Catholic

Prayer And Song Of Faith

Contributed by Anthony Zibolski on Nov 7, 2017

we live in an age of stress and uncertainty. We must be people of prayer and people of praise.

Prayer and Song of Faith James 5:13-16 Introduction- Prayer – Let’s address the elephant in the room and in this country for a moment - There is more tension today among people than I have seen in my entire lifetime. I watched as a 6 year old President Kennedy get shot live on TV. I sat on my ...read more

Scripture: James 5:13-16

Denomination: Nazarene

Overcoming Fear

Contributed by Michael Deutsch on Apr 13, 2020

Week 2 of not meeting and believing we will overcome by not letting fear destroy us.

March 29, 2020 Overcoming Fear Well, I started out with not too many notes today And I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or not so good a thing for you. You see, the length of my message might = the length of my notes, which means we’re done sooner. But then again, I might get a little long ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 1:7, Philippians 4:4-7, Romans 8:35-39

Denomination: Baptist

In Hard Times God Plots For Our Victory Series

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Vivek Gundimi on Apr 20, 2020

Hard times are real for everyone regardless of who we are or where we are. Difficult situations are not new to any generation.

In Hard Times, God plots for your Victory : Biblical response to COVID 19 Introduction: Hard times are real for everyone regardless of who we are or where we are. Difficult situations are not new to any generation. And hard times can come as a result of our own sin, natural catastrophe, economic ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:19, Acts 14:22

Denomination: Methodist

Glory Is Coming Series

Contributed by Paul Clemente on May 2, 2020

Our sufferings in our life can not compare to the Glory in store for us Christians.

Many of you have heard of the term “Health and Wealth Gospel” or “Prosperity Gospel”. This type of “gospel” basically states that once you believe in Jesus Christ, everything will go well with you. This “gospel” will state that if you’re poor or sick, you must be weak in your faith! This ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:17-27

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Reflection A.3 / Coronavirus - First Response / We Should Grieve

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on May 9, 2020

Scripture calls us to 'weep with those who weep’. We grieve over suffering. We should also grieve over sin.

In my first two Reflections I considered prayer. Our first response to coronavirus, as a church and as a nation, should be to pray. Another response we must make is to grieve. Paul wrote in Romans 12:15, ‘Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep’. Some weeks ago I travelled up ...read more

Scripture: Romans 12:15

Denomination: Baptist

God Has Abandoned You Series

Contributed by Duane Wente on Jul 7, 2025

Even when God feels silent or distant, He has not abandoned us. His presence is constant—even in the pain, even in the silence. The lie says God has walked away; the truth is, He is still with us. Always.

### **Introduction: The Lie That God Has Abandoned Us** Video Ill.: Sermon Bumper 5 There is a belief that has quietly worked its way into hearts and minds for generations — and it still lingers today. It is the belief that God created the universe, yes — but then He stepped back. He set the ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:5, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 43:2-3, Romans 8:38-39

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Faith In The Storm: Trusting God Amidst Chaos And Conflict

Contributed by Jeffrey Sims on Jul 15, 2025

This sermon helps us in our trust in God in the middle of all the chaos that is going on in the world today...

Matthew 24:6-8 “You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are the ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 24:6-8, 2 Corinthians 4:8-10, Romans 8:22, Mark 4:35-41

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How Will Light Shine On All Your Ways?

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Dec 9, 2024

Allowing the Light to shine on all that we do and all that we may go through is important to show to others our joy in the Lord, regardless of what happens.

In an attempt better understand the question posed, I think we should have a brief overview of the book of Job. Everybody has heard about Job at some point in time. The book of Job is a grasping show of wealth, to poverty, to wealth (riches, to rags, to riches), a theological composition about ...read more

Scripture: Job 22:28

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Job’s Prayer

Contributed by Bala Samson on Dec 13, 2024

Job's intimate relationship with God is spread all over the 42 chapters, interwoven with passionate pleas, complaints, worship, heart-breaking questions and finally ends in glory.

JOB’S PRAYER Job1:4 His sons used to hold feasts in their homes on their birthdays, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 When a period of feasting had run its course, Job would make arrangements for ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:4

Denomination: Pentecostal

Joy In Troubled Times

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Dec 15, 2024

The Challenge of Joy in Troubled Times Church, this third Sunday of Advent—the pink candle Sunday—ushers us into joy. But how do we celebrate joy in a world so gripped by fear and trauma?

Sermon Joy in Troubled Times Zephaniah 3:14-20 The Message 14-15 So sing, Daughter Zion! Raise your voices, Israel! Daughter Jerusalem, be happy! celebrate! God has reversed his judgments against you and sent your enemies off chasing their tails. From now on, God is Israel’s king, ...read more

Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20

Denomination: United Methodist

The Shade At Your Right Hand - Psalm 121 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jul 24, 2025

This psalm is for times when you are afraid. It promises you will suffer no harm. Yet we know calamities can still strike because the psalmist is looking to the mountains for help in his current calamity. So what good is the promise?

Psalm 121:1 A song of ascents. I lift up my eyes to the mountains-- where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. 3 He will not let your foot slip-- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber ...read more

02 Joy In Adversity Series

Contributed by Seth Lawson on Feb 17, 2025

Bottom Line: Joy flourishes when Christ is exalted, even in the face of hardship.

Last week, we began a new series through Paul’s letter to the Church at Philippi. The Book of Philippians shows what it means to live with defiant joy. And here’s what I mean by that: “defiant joy” is a joy that stands firm regardless of what life throws our way. Even in his imprisonment, Paul ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Wise Up - Ecclesiastes 10:1-11 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 28, 2025

This chapter is loaded with gems of wisdom that are crucial for learning how to enjoy life in a fallen world. This message covers topics like how to bring calm to a hot confrontation, how expecting trouble can help you in life, and how to find the balance between study/preparation and action.

10:1 Dead flies make a perfumer's oil ferment and stink; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. 2 A wise man's heart goes to the right, but a fool's heart to the left. 3 Even when the fool walks along the road, his heart lacks sense, and he shows everyone he is a fool. 4 If the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 10:1-11