Sermons on The Enigma Of Suffering:

When Faith Takes Over

Contributed by Rick George on Jul 22, 2008

When storms come, where is your faith? In temporal things or the Everlasting God?

Please turn with me to the book of Habakkuk. Habakkuk is listed in the Bible as one of the Minor Prophets. The Minor Prophets are grouped together after the Major Prophets and located before the New Testament, after the book of Nahum and before Zephaniah. Today we will, in sum, examine the ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Very Many But Very Dry Series

Contributed by Pastor E. Jolly Erhunwmunse on Dec 10, 2008

When dryness occurs in any life it is a sad situation. It is a situation whereby things have becomes worst. It is only God that can help in that situation.

VERY MANY BUT VERY DRY” When dryness occurs in any life it is a sad situation. It is a situation whereby things have becomes worst. Our text: is taken from Ezekiel 37:1-14. “ The hand of the LORD was upon me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the LORD and set me in the middle of a ...read more

Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Sickness For God's Glory"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Oct 8, 2010

Suffering always precedes glory

“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-16

Denomination: Orthodox

Trialful Joy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2009

Trials and tests are no fun. James doesn’t tell us to consider it fun but to "consider it all joy." Trials and tests are gut wrenching and drawn out at times, but the one thing that we must know is that God is with us through the whole ordeal.

Opening illustration: After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Vision, The Thorn, And The Grace Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 17, 2010

Paul learned to accept his thorn in the flesh as a gift from God, and allowed it to bless and benefit his life.

Introduction: A. I want to start with a true story that illustrates the overall lesson I hope we will learn today. B. The story is told of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. 1. The boy began lessons with an old ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lord's Servant

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 17, 2010

Redemption was born in suffering, so is our peace.

The Lord’s Servant, Isaiah 52:13-53:6 Introduction “After a mission service, the preacher of the evening was hurrying away to a late train. He had just three minutes to catch it when he saw a man running after him. “Oh, sir,” he said breathlessly as he came up, “can ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Defining Trials Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jul 4, 2010

Trials are designed to teach us so that our conduct and character changes.

Defining Trials Hebrews 12:5-11 Rev. Brian Bill 7/4/10 About two weeks ago I received a phone call from someone who was in great distress. After recounting the details of what had happened, the following question was uttered in a loud, yet broken voice: “Pastor Brian, does God hate ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 12:5-11

Denomination: Baptist

To Live Is Christ

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 18, 2011

How do we balance our own pursuit of meaning and happiness with the call to live as Kingdom people? What role does suffering have in the Christian life and why in the world are we called not only to believe in Jesus but to suffer for him? A little bait an

This dates me, I know, but I can sometimes relate to Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoons. Like the one where Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. As usual, Lucy has the floor, delivering one of her lectures. She says, "Charlie Brown, life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it so ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

When God Doesn’t Make Sense

Contributed by Kelly Benton on Mar 20, 2012

There are some Biblical realities that we need to come to grips that will help us answer the question of where is God when life hurts?

Last Sunday I received a phone call from a man wanting to test drive our 2002 Ford Excursion that we had for sell. It was parked in Augusta and I told the man that I could meet him in about 15 -20 minutes. I met the man and he seemed like a really nice fella that wanted to surprise his wife with ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 41:10, Romans 7:6

Denomination: Other

From Bitter And Better Ii Series

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

Troubles will make you better if you do not allow it to make you bitter.

Exodus 1:14 begins with the phrase, “And they made their lives bitter…” • According to the Strong’s Concordance the root word used for “bitter” can also mean “stronger.” • As a matter of fact, according to the Bible Reader’s ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

The Eyes Of The Bride

Contributed by Philip Harrelson on May 14, 2012

There is great value in the suffering of the godly.

Revelation 19:7-9 KJV Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready. [8] And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints. [9] And ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 19:7-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

When Life Seems Hopeless

Contributed by Daren Mitchell on May 24, 2012

Here are three truths we can learn from Abijah`s experience when we face overwhelming difficulty or when life seems hopeless

When Life Seems Hopeless 2 Chronicles 13 Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, decided to tax the people more than ever and the people rebelled. The rebellion was led by a man named Jeroboam who wasn’t faithful to the Lord. The result of the rebellion was a split Israel. Jeroboam was king of the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Chronicles 13:1-22, 2 Chronicles 13:5-19

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Moses In The School Of Hard Knocks Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 31, 2011

In this lesson we look at the incidents of Moses killing the Egyptian and running to Midian. What did Moses learn from this period in his life and the mistakes he made? We can learn a lot from the school of hard knocks.

Introduction: A. Has anyone here ever made a mistake? 1. Probably a better question for us is there anyone where who has never made a mistake. 2. Have you ever made a really foolish mistake? Like this boy sawing off the branch he was sitting on! That’s really dumb and painful! 3. Have you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace At Work Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 3, 2011

If we want to find fulfillment and joy in our work then we must submit even to bosses who treat us infairly, for only in this do we experience grace and fulfill our calling.

David Roper’s 3-year-old grandson, Seth, in Judsonia, Arkansas, received a toy lawnmower for Christmas a few years ago, but he didn’t have the chance to use it until one hot July day when his father went out to mow the lawn and Seth volunteered to “help.” A few minutes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

An Eternal Weight Of Glory Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Nov 18, 2011

We should be grateful for God’s earthly, physical blessings and protection, but we should be even more grateful for the eternal blessings he gives us.

An Eternal Weight of Glory (2 Corinthians 4:7-18 with Psalm 116) My view is that 2 Corinthians 4:7-18 is based on Psalm 116 (the 2 Cor. passage is a midrash). See if you agree. The “starting text,” Psalm 116:3-19 3 The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 4:7-18

Denomination: Independent/Bible