Sermons on Thorns And Thistles:

The Blessing Of Hope

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 18, 2019

“If the suffering we presently endure brings great hardship, cruel and unusual punishment, severe persecution, or even death itself, none of these evils can compare with the heavenly bliss that is awaiting those who are in Christ Jesus.”

(27) The Blessing of Hope Romans 8:18-25 Scripture 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Blessing Of Hope

Contributed by John Lowe on Mar 18, 2019

“If the suffering we presently endure brings great hardship, cruel and unusual punishment, severe persecution, or even death itself, none of these evils can compare with the heavenly bliss that is awaiting those who are in Christ Jesus.”

(27) The Blessing of Hope Romans 8:18-25 Scripture 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creation eagerly waits for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

Denomination: Baptist

God, Gender, And Pornography Series

Contributed by Scott Maze on Jun 12, 2021

Pornography is killing our men. The 2016 Republican Party platform calls pornography a “public-health crisis that is destroying the lives of millions.” And even the liberal New York Times ran an article with the headline: “It’s O.K., Liberal Parents, You Can Freak Out About Porn” on July 16, 2016.

Thank you for joining for this important topic: God, Gender, and Pornography. In an interesting twist of God’s rich providence, our teens are looking at this subject with a guest upstairs this evening. The Problem of Pornography is real. In April 2010, The Atlantic Monthly ran an article ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 13:14, 1 Timothy 5:8, Proverbs 6:6-11, Genesis 3:16-19, 1 Corinthians 11:9, Genesis 2:19-20, Genesis 1:5, 1 Corinthians 15:22, Genesis 3:9, Genesis 2:18-25, 1 Peter 4:10, 1 Peter 3:7, Galatians 3:27  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Baptist

A Man On Mission Series

Contributed by Brian Bill on Jan 21, 2023

A man on mission is all about ministry. A man of valor values all life, including the preborn.

A truck driver was hauling a load of 500 penguins to the zoo. Unfortunately, his truck broke down, so he waved down another truck and offered the driver $500 to take the penguins to the zoo. The next day, the first truck driver picked up his repaired truck. When he drove into town, he couldn’t ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 2:10-17

Denomination: Baptist

When God Says No

Contributed by Kerry Haynes on Jul 8, 2018

Like Paul, we all have a "thorn in the flesh." We can learn from Paul that God allows it, Satan sends it, and we can accept it. Because when we are weak, then we are strong, with God's strength on display through our weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 When God Says No Have you ever received a “no” answer from God? It hurts, right? You think you know best, you really do. And then God says, “I don’t think so.” Well, it particularly hurts when you’ve been suffering, and not only does God not remove the suffering, but maybe ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Can You Tell Me Your Weaknesses?

Contributed by Davon Huss on May 23, 2006

A sermon on 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 focusing on Paul’s thorn in the flesh. (Material taken from Sermon Central Contributors and especially C. Bouwman)

Sermon for 5/21/2006 Can You Tell Me Your Weaknesses? 2 Corinthians 12:1-10 Introduction: Tell the story about how interviewing a prospective campus minister: Elaborate on your strengths was my first question. My second question was, Elaborate on your weaknesses. Guess what, he wisely refused ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Helps Of Our Hurts Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 23, 2016

This sermon is based on Chapter 7 in Charles Swindoll's book: Paul: A Man of Grace and Grit. The sermon addresses Paul's thorn in the flesh and the role of suffering in our lives.

A. One day a teacher was getting her Wednesday night children’s class started. 1. She asked if anyone had any prayer requests. 2. One girl asked that they pray for her because school would soon start and she was going to a new school this year. 3. Another girl asked that they pray for her ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-9

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

God's Wonder Working Word Series

Contributed by Dennis Davidson on Aug 7, 2008

After the call to come & receive God’s satisfying salvation free of charge, the passage instructs us to come in repentance also. We are called to repent of doing things our way b/c God’s ways & our ways are immeasurably different.

ISAIAH 55: 6-13 GOD’S WONDER WORKING WORD After the call to come and receive God’s satisfying salvation free of charge, the passage instructs us to come in repentance also. We are called to repent of doing things our way because God’s ways and our ways are immeasurably different. Those ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-13

Denomination: Baptist

Our Champion - Mark 15:16-20 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 22, 2024

One of the most painful emotions the human soul can carry is shame. What can you do when feelings of shame continue to press down on you even after you've repented of a sin?

Mark 15:16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called to-gether the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on him. 18 And they began to call out to him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:16-20, Matthew 27:27-31

Flashfloods, Firestorms, Tornadoes, Tsunami's, Hurricanes, Suffering And Other "acts” Of God

Contributed by Dr. Craig Nelson on Jan 1, 2005

A multi-part message series on understanding God’s within the context of suffering.

Since time began, there have been countless natural and human-made disasters so horrendous that they have caused grief and suffering beyond belief. Every human on Earth has experienced suffering to one extent or another. It may have been through quiet tears shed in the silence of the night as they ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:28, Philippians 4:7, John 16:33

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From The Signs To The Savior

Contributed by Mike Hays on Jun 3, 2001

The writer of Hebrews points exhorts us to move beyond the signs given by God under the Old Covenant to the reality of the Savior.

From The Signs To The Savior Hebrews 6:1-8 A man set out on a trip from Oklahoma City to Denver. He had never been to Denver before, but to prepare for his trip he decided to do his homework. He searched the Internet and found the most popular sightseeing spots, restaurants, and the cheapest ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 6:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Eternal Security

Contributed by Frank Gallagher on Nov 28, 2000

Once a person is saved by believing in Jesus Christ, that person’s salvation can never be lost through any subsequent sin, act, or lack of action. The believer’s place in heaven is eternally secure.

ETERNAL SECURITY [HTTP formatted version of this sermon is located at http://members.aol.com/abidingitw/eter-sec.html] [A handout for this sermon is located at http://members.aol.com/abidingitw/etersec-handout.html]      The phrase "eternal security" means that once a person is saved by ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:9-20, Romans 8:1

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Does God Allow Suffering? Series

Contributed by Lee Strobel on Sep 26, 2004

“Why is there suffering in the world?" is the #1 question people would like to ask God. There are some answers we can give to that question.

Faith Under Fire Part I Why Does God Allow Suffering? Lee Strobel Life ought to come with a list of side effects. There should be a tag on every newborn baby saying life can be full of fun and adventure and excitement and joy, but there are side effects. There’s illness . . abuse . . . broken ...read more

Scripture: John 16:33

Denomination: *other

Arise O Sleeper [the Needed Awakening Of God’s People]

Contributed by Jack Woodard on Jul 7, 2011

When Jonah backslide he took a ship to Tarshish. Once on board it did not take him long to fall sound asleep. To awaken him the Lord sent a killer storm, a storm that not only threatened his life but the lives of all who were on the same ship. During this

TEXT: JONAH 1:6 TITLE: ARISE O SLEEPER [THE NEEDED AWAKENING OF GOD’S PEOPLE] AUTHOR: JACK ...read more

Scripture: Jonah 1:6

Denomination: Baptist

This Great Light Of Mine Series

Contributed by Thomas Swope on Sep 28, 2011

A study of the letters to the 7 churches - Ephesians

Revelation 2: 1 – 7 This Great Light Of Mine 1 “To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: 2 “I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that ...read more

Scripture: Revelation 2:1-7

Denomination: Calvary Chapel