Sermons on The Enigma Of Suffering:

You Can Resist A Lion Series

Contributed by Simon Bartlett on Feb 12, 2022

We may imagine that we could never resist a lion. But lions will cross our path and Peter tells us to resist them.

[N.B. Earlier in the service we had a short presentation on Rosa Parks.] Today we’re continuing our series of ‘Great Messages of Encouragement’. We’ve had four talks so far. We’ve remembered that God will be with us. That he will strengthen those who wait on him. That there’s a glory to come ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-11

Denomination: Baptist

Unstrained Mercy Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 24, 2022

None of us can forgive the wrongs done to someone else. We can, however, show mercy to anyone who is suffering - whether forgiveness is involved or not.

Every week it seems like there’s another new disaster. The 10 plagues that Moses visited on Egypt to convince Pharoah to free the Israelites almost pale in comparison. Talk about plagues? We hoped that 2021 would see the end of Covic19 but noooooo. And as if that weren’t enough, an earthquake ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:7

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

A Purpose Behind The Problem

Contributed by Chris Swanson on Nov 26, 2022

Our troubles should not lessen our faith. There is a purpose for the suffering. We should our troubles as opportunities to let the Lord's light shine through us.

Key verse (17) What good comes out of trials? This is the second letter from Paul to the believers in Corinth to defend his position as an apostle and to denounce false teachers who twisted the truth. • Paul reminds us that although struggles come, do not give up hope. • Our bodies are subject ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:6-17

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Bragging Rights Series

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Nov 28, 2022

Suffering is part of the process of changing us into people fit for the kingdom of God.

Everybody knows that Christians shouldn’t boast, right? Some people are so leery of boasting that they hide the gifts God has given them in the mistaken notion that God will be pleased with their humility. But that’s just as bad as seeking every opportunity to grab the limelight, because God can’t ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-11

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Anger Is A Threat To Self-Control

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Dec 2, 2022

Anger is dangerous is because it can hinder the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22 -23) if it is left unchecked. Paul warns us not to let the sun go down our anger in Ephesians 4:26.

ANGER IS A THREAT TO SELF-CONTROL Text: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 “A small girl was showing a friend the bathroom scale: "I don't know what it is . . . but my mom and dad use it every day. All I know is, when you stand on it, it makes you really mad!".” (Steve May. ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-32, Ephesians 5:1-2

Denomination: United Methodist

Pray Submissively Series

Contributed by Davon Huss on Aug 14, 2024

Focusing on the phrase, "Lead Us Not Into Temptation" from Matthew 6:13 (Material adapted from Bob Hostetler's book, Red Letter Prayer Life; chapter 12 of the same title)

HoHum: Do we know someone who flips out if we sit on their perfectly made bed? Do we know someone who loses it because one of his pens is missing from the pen jar on his desk? Do we know someone who is so organized she would heckle Martha Stewart for being sloppy? Do we know someone who knows ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:13, Luke 11:4, Numbers 21:4-9, Matthew 4:1, Luke 22:39-43  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Burn Your Bridges

Contributed by Barry O Johnson on Sep 25, 2024

There are things that, as Christians, we must burn in our lives. This message looks at people who burned bridges for their faith.

Good morning to the Lord’s beloved! Many people don’t know this, but Julius Caesar was once a rebellious Roman. He first became a champion of the people by leading the Roman military towards the conquest of great foreign lands. He advocated for reforms of an aging Senate and, fearing his uprising, ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 11:32-39, Hebrews 11:1-2, Daniel 3:1-18, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 4:1-6, Acts 4:19-20, Acts 6:1-15, Acts 7:52-56, John 14:15, John 14:21, Ephesians 4:32, Philippians 3:7-14, Ephesians 5:1-2  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Keep Watch Or Be Lunch - 1 Peter 5:8-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Mar 1, 2025

Is your trouble from God or Satan?

1 Peter 5:8 Be sober and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers in the world is undergoing the same sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 5:8-9

Faith Futures At Record High - 1 Peter 1:7-9 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 28, 2024

Probably the most worn-out prayer there is, is that one-word reaction we always have when we suffer, “Why? Why is this happening?” Peter gives us the answer.

1 Peter 1:6 In which you rejoice, a little while, if necessary, you may be grieved in multifaceted trials, 7 in order that the proof of your faith (more precious than gold, the perishing through fire, but proved), it may be found toward praise and glory and honor in the revelation of Jesus Christ, ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:7-9

The Glory Of The Story - 1 Peter 1:10-12 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Nov 29, 2024

Why did the prophets search their own writings? Did they not understand what they wrote? If that's the case, what were they trying to communicate when they wrote it?

The prophets searched Scripture to find out what kind of era it would be when the Messiah would suffer and then be glorified. But they were told that it was not for them to know. We get to participate in this glorious kingdom in the Church (why would a Christian prefer the world to the Church?). ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:10-12

Scratches And Forks

Contributed by Gaither Bailey on Jun 16, 2023

God is with us especially in the difficult times of life.

Scratches and Forks Romans 5: 1 - 8 Intro: A very wealthy king possessed an extremely large, exquisite ruby. He sat for hours admiring the depth of color and sparkle. On day he noticed a huge scratch across the middle of the stone causing the king to be terribly upset so much so that he would ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:1-8

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

From Prison To Premiership.

Contributed by Christopher Holdsworth on Jun 22, 2023

"He sent a man before them." Psalm 105.17.

FROM PRISON TO PREMIERSHIP. Psalm 105:16-22. PSALM 105:16. It is the LORD our God who “called for a famine upon the land: He brake the whole staff of bread.” Bread, or any staple, is aptly called ‘the staff of life’ – for without his staff man must surely fall. But such things are in the hands ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 105:16-22

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Fasting To Know God Intimately Lesson 3 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Jul 10, 2023

If you are going to become intimate with God, you must get close to God.

A. GOD TOUCHED 8,000 PENTECOSTAL PREACHERS 1. Ed Silvoso of Harvest Evangelism invited me to del Plata, Argentina to speak to approximately 8,000 pastors, the largest gathering of Pentecostal preachers I had ever addressed. 2. The preacher before me motivated the crowd, there were shouts of ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 25:22, Psalm 22:3

Denomination: Baptist

Elijah: Beginning Of Drought Lesson 2 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Aug 1, 2023

Why does “our” brook or job, or salary dry up. To teach us that God doesn’t provide according to our time schedule, or desires, or place.

“Then the word of the Lord came to him, saying, ‘Get away from here and turn eastward, and hide by the Brook Cherith, which flows into the Jordan. And it will be that you shall drink from the brook, and I have commanded the ravens to feed you there.’” 1 Kings 17:2-4, NKJV A. INTRODUCTION 1. Hide ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 17:2-4, Jeremiah 29:11

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Bad Things Happen To People Trying To Be Faithful To God? Series

Contributed by Jim Butcher on Aug 16, 2022

King Hezekiah has tried to be faithful and yet a frightening attack from the Assyrians is headed his way. Why would God allow that and what can we learn from Hezekiah's response?

BUT KING HEZEKIAH WAS FAITHFUL: Why do bad things happen to people trying to be faithful to God? - 2 Chronicles 32:1. - Dismiss the idea of “why do bad things happen to good people?” with a discussion of the fact that none of us are good people. - This verse uses the word “faithfully” and that ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 32:1-23

Denomination: Baptist