Sermons on The Enigma Of Suffering:

Jesus - Resurrection & The Life Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Apr 2, 2011

When hurt and grief come our way, Jesus is there for us, to hurt with us, to cry with us but also to point us toward healing... are you ready and willing to listen to Jesus and take the steps to healing He is calling you to take?

Sermon Brief Date Written: April 2, 2011 Date Preached: April 3, 2011 Where Preached: OPBC (AM) Sermon Details: Series Title: Falling in Love With Jesus Sermon Title: Jesus – Resurrection & Life Sermon Text: John 11:32-44 [ESV] John 11:38-44 32Now when Mary came to where Jesus ...read more

Scripture: John 11:32-44

Denomination: Baptist

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

Running With A Limp

Contributed by Ty Tamasaka on Sep 9, 2011

4 Points on learning how to deal with the "Wilderness Seasons" of our lives. 1. GOD WANTS TO DEVELOP A STEADFAST HEART WITHIN ME. 2. God leads us into seasons of growth and not gratification. 3. GOD WANTS TO DEVELOP THE COURAGE OF A WARRIOR. 4

Running with a Limp The Role of the Wilderness When Jesus comes into our lives, things sure do change don’t they? I recall when I was a new believer, I used to work out at the gym all the time, and there was one occasion when a I wanted to use a rowing machine and noticed a towel on the ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 13:17-18

Denomination: Other

Caution: God Working Series

Contributed by John Sears on Sep 15, 2011

Is the idea that God is working just wishful thinking? What does that look like if he is?

(Introduction) (Other ideas might be the pains of road construction: and the signs that say, “Completed in 2011 as promised) The grief of my grandfather’s loss was still fresh. His wife, my step grandmother, had passed away unexpectedly. She was alive and well as they went to bed. He awoke ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-30

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

Obedience In Adversity Series

Contributed by Bobby Stults on Aug 6, 2008

Bad things happen but we are still called to obedience even through the storms of life.

Sermon Date: January 21, 2007 Sermon Text: Job 1:12-19 (NASB) 12 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him." So Satan departed from the presence of the LORD. 13 Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:12-19

Denomination: Baptist

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

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

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

New Beginnings Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Jun 15, 2009

In Ruth 1:19-22 we see a New Beginning moving from a 1) Total Loss to a 2) Total Gain.

The chalk cliffs of Beachy Head on England’s south coast are the British answer to the Golden Gate Bridge: a place of beauty and stillness that has a terrible allure, both practical and aesthetic, for suicidal people. Neil and Kazumi Puttick, a married couple jumped to their deaths on the evening ...read more

Scripture: Ruth 1:19-22

Denomination: Other

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

Weighing God Series

Contributed by Tim Hinrichs on Jul 25, 2012

God ought to be honored through our heart, words, and our body.This will be a testimony to the world of the glory of God.

Before he became president, Andrew Jackson was known for using violence in order to defend his honor. He survived 15 duels so that it was said that his body was so filled with lead that it "rattled like a bag of marbles." Duels are no longer held today. But in the past, they were fairly normal. A ...read more

Scripture: Malachi 2:1-9

Denomination: Lutheran