Sermons on Theodicy:

Why Tragedy? Series

Contributed by Glenn Pease on Mar 12, 2021

Job is a comedy, for in spite of all the tragedy, it has a happy ending. So life is a comedy. No matter how tragic life becomes because of freedom, God will make sure that evil will be overcome.

Elie Wiesel, who survived Hitler's blood bath for the Jews, as devoted his life to telling the world of this tragedy that he feels surpasses hell in its horrors. His books have motivated others to write so that there now exists a holocaust literature. There are books, plays, articles, and ...read more

Scripture: Job 1:6

Dear God, Why Did You Create Ticks & Other Nasty Things Series

Contributed by John Salley on Jun 18, 2012

This message attempts to answer the question of evil as it exists in creation, contrasting answers from both Naturalistic and Christian viewpoint.

Dear God, Why did You create ticks and other nasty things? Isaiah 11:1-10 , Romans 8: 18-23 When we ask “why did God made ticks and other nasty things?” the only way we can really understand the answer to the “ticks and other nasty things” question, is to at least be ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 11:1-10

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

The Defense Rests Series

Contributed by Christopher Lanham on Jul 22, 2010

What does suffering reveal about how we view God?

The Defense Rests Job 31:1-40 Cascades Fellowship CRC, JX MI April 25, 2010 Series: Through the Bible in a Year I want to begin this morning with a bit of a disclaimer – or perhaps a clarifier would be a more appropriate term. What you are about to hear in no way is a reflection upon this ...read more

Scripture: Job 31:1-40

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Why Doesn't God Prevent Evil? Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Jul 12, 2013

How can a good God allow human suffering to continue? The story of Joseph provides a powerful illustration that suffering has a purpose, even when we can't see it at the present time.

“When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us and pay us back for all the evil that we did to him.” So they sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father gave this command before he died: ‘Say to Joseph, ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 50:15-21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Justice Is Broken Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Jan 17, 2022

In the midst of a world that cannot be controlled by us, we must seek God and find in Him answers and control.

WISE LIVING: JUSTICE IS BROKEN Ecclesiastes 3:1-22 #wiseliving2022 READ ECCLESIASTES CHAPTER 3:1-22 [Person from the Congregation] INTRODUCTION… Roller Coasters (p) I was trying to think back this week to the first roller coaster I ever went on. Strange thought, I know. I remember going to Six ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Knocked Off Balance

Contributed by Alison Bucklin on Apr 11, 2023

When you are knocked off your feet, blind with tears or pain or even a light like the one Paul saw, the first thing to do is seek God.

This has been a bad week. It started with one of the worst tragedies that has ever hit our country. Only wars, terrorist attacks and natural disasters have caused more anguish, more grief and suffering and loss, and more questions about providence and the presence - or absence - of God. The ...read more

Scripture: Acts 9:1-5, Acts 9:8-17

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

How Long, O Lord?” – When Faith Faces Injustice Series

Contributed by Joshua Blackmon on May 28, 2025

When it feels like God is silent in the face of injustice, faith dares to cry out—and dares to listen.

How Long, O Lord?” – When Faith Faces Injustice Text: Habakkuk 1:1–11 ? I. INTRODUCTION: Setting the Scene Historical Background • Habakkuk likely prophesied during the final decades of Judah’s kingdom, probably around 609–605 BC, during or just after the death of King Josiah. • Judah is in moral ...read more

Scripture: Habakkuk 1:1-11

Denomination: Pentecostal

Dear God, What Were You Thinking Series

Contributed by John Salley on Jun 18, 2012

This message reaches from Genesis to Revelation in explaining that when God first created our world it was "very good." Since the fall of humanity, God has been working to restore creation and we are invited to help

God, what were you thinking? ( Series: Questions I would ask God) Genesis 1:31-2:3, Isaiah 11:1-10, Revelation 21:1-6 NOTE: Sermon Central friends. As one who has long benefited by reading and extracting from other's sermons on this site. I have finally decided to contribute a summer series ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Zechariah's Praise - God Has Come! Series

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Dec 16, 2012

Zechariah's praise reaches reminds us that God has provided an answer to the sorrows and evil that is in this world today. The answer is found in the reality that GOD HAS COME to us in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Where is God when tragedy strikes? On Thursday we learned of another devastating tragedy in one of our nation’s schools. Another massacre of innocent children by a crazed murderer - this time in Newtown Connecticut. Where is God when 20 children and 6 teachers are gunned down in an ...read more

Scripture: Luke 1:68-79

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Out Of The Whirlwind: Born To Trouble Series

Contributed by Amiri Hooker on Oct 16, 2021

What job encounters in our text this week is a god who overwhelms and transforms him, even in the depth of his pain.

There’s nothing wrong with once in a while leaving the place of worship awestruck. It would become tiring on a weekly basis, but now and then, it is good to tremble at the threshold of the throne of God. I wonder this morning Wesley Does anyone come to worship expecting to encounter the living ...read more

Scripture: Job 38:1-11, Job 38:31-41

Denomination: United Methodist

The Kinsman Redeemer (Epiphany 2017).

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Aug 14, 2020

Jesus is a pioneer whose suffering shows us God’s victory and gives us access to God.

THE KINSMEN REDEEMER Text: Hebrews 2:10 -18 Have you ever heard of the law of the kinsman redeemer? There are three things that have to happen for someone to be redeemed. The first rule is that the redeemer must be a relative to those in debt. The second ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 2:10-18

Denomination: United Methodist

What’s Wrong With The World?

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Feb 19, 2006

1. Evil is more than just the absence of God. 2. Evil exists because God created moral beings. 3. Evil is coming to an end.

What’s Wrong with the World? Romans 8:18-25 Here’s how the argument goes. “Did God create everything that exists?” the cynic asks. The Christian answers, “Yes.” The cynic goes on, “Well, if he created everything that exists, where did evil come from? How can a good and loving God create a ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Methodist

An Enemy Is Responsible

Contributed by Rodney Buchanan on Jul 17, 2011

A sermon on the problem and end of evil from Jesus’ parable of the weeds and wheat.

An Enemy Has Done This Matthew 13:24-30 The world has been staggering from the overwhelming catastrophes that have taken place since the beginning of this year. The devastating earthquake and resulting tsunamis in Japan left over 28,000 people dead or missing. There are mudslides in South Korea ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 13:24-30

Denomination: Methodist

God Brings Good From Evil Series

Contributed by Glenn Durham on Oct 29, 2008

God points us through the cross to the wonder of his glory in order to understand evil and suffering in this present world.

Scripture Introduction Who killed Jesus? The Apostles’ Creed says he “suffered under Pontius Pilate.” Or maybe the blame belongs to the soldiers who drove the nails? Or should we condemn the Jews who demanded freedom for the criminal Barabbas and death for this one called, “Christ,” and then ...read more

Scripture: John 13:18-38

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Nothing Can Separate Us From God's Love

Contributed by John Williams Iii on Jul 22, 2002

This sermon addresses how God loves us beyond our comprehension even when we feel alone in our trials and sufferings.

NOTHING CAN SEPARATE US FROM GOD’S LOVE Text: Romans 8:18-28, 34-37 "I heard about a frustrated mother whose two sons where driving her crazy. She had tried everything to keep them in line, when one day she had an over-the-fence discussion with a neighbor. "I took my son to our ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-28, Romans 8:34-37

Denomination: United Methodist