Sermons on toil and hardship:

Why Do Good People Suffer? Series

Contributed by David Dykes on Apr 10, 2003

Why do bad things happen to good people? Suffering gets our attention and reminds us that we cannot make it without God.

Why Do Good People Suffer? Luke 13:1-9 by David O. Dykes INTRODUCTION Today, I want to speak to you on “Why Do Good People Suffer?” I’ve preached on suffering before. In fact, one lady wrote me a note reading, “Pastor, I never knew what suffering was until I heard you preach. Now I know.” Some ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-9

Denomination: Baptist

Why Must We Suffer?

Contributed by David Taylor on Apr 18, 2003

Instruction on the handling of suffering falls short because it leaves us with the resounding question of why, and it is in this sermon we see four reasons that Paul gave on why we suffer.

CBS News anchor Dan Rather admits he was always fascinated by the sport of boxing, even though he was never good at it. “In boxing you’re on your own; there’s no place to hide,” he says. “At the end of the match only one boxer has his hand up. That’s it. He has no one to credit or to blame except ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Riding The Waves Of Life

Contributed by Owen Bourgaize on Apr 20, 2003

The stilling of the storm on Galilee is a parable demonstrating that life is a roller-coaster experience but with Jesus in command allis well, requiring us to repond in faith.

RIDING THE WAVES OF LIFE I once heard a minister use a memorable phrase in his prayer and it stays with me: it was "our short and uncertain earthly life and pilgrimage". Life is uncertain. This is true for the Christian as well, as we don’t live in some magic or charmed circle just because we’re ...read more

Scripture: Luke 8:22-25

Denomination: Baptist

The Hot And Cold Treatment Series

Contributed by Ed Vasicek on Apr 25, 2003

Why do we respect strangers more than we do someone who is tried and true? Let’s Look At Jesus Rejection in Nazareth to Find Some Clues.

The Hot and Cold Treatment (Luke 4:14-30) Question: Why do we respect strangers more than we do someone who is tried and true? I. Let’s Look At Jesus Rejection in Nazareth to Find Some Clues 1. In His own province, but outside of His hometown, Jesus was well received... (1) after the ...read more

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Resurrection Revelations

Contributed by Fred Edwards on Apr 26, 2003

A confused and fearful group of disciples needed more than anything a word of confidence from someone who could give them back the security that had been taken from them at the cross.

RESURRECTION REVELATIONS John 20:19-22 It was resurrection evening: the disciples were unorganized (Judas was dead; Thomas was gone; Peter was humiliated; and all were distraught). They were hiding in fear, doors were shut and locked, and there was no leadership or boldness among them. (Christ ...read more

Scripture: John 20:19-22

Denomination: Baptist

In A Better Place

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 26, 2003

For Remembrance Sunday, when we honor the memories of those who have died in the previous year: Those who suffer loss go to a better place emotionally when they cast off unproductive patterns and allow themselves time to receive unconditional love. They

There is something we say to console ourselves when someone dies. It is a phrase I have heard over and over. We say,“I know she is in a better place.” My friend, my parent, my spouse has passed away, but it feels good to think of one truth: “He is in a better place.” By that, of course, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 18:1-23

Denomination: Baptist

Why Must I Go Through This?

Contributed by Donald Carpenter on Apr 29, 2003

Are you a born-again, Bible believing Christian? Are you suffering from a physical ailment? What’s wrong with you? Don’t you have any faith? If you really had faith, couldn’t you just "claim the victory " and rebuke the demons causing the disease or

Why Must I Go Through This? II Corinthians 12:7-10 Radio Message for May 2003 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Denomination: Baptist

Why Do Christians Suffer?

Contributed by Spencer Miller on May 3, 2003

There are many people in the world today who have suffered greatly for no other reason than that they were followers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Text: "But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye..." Introduction. For the Christian believer no suffering is meaningless. Paul said that,"in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose" (Romans 8:28). But yet there is ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:14

Denomination: Baptist

What Not To Do When Low Series

Contributed by John Telgren on May 6, 2003

If you get into the spiritual lows, among the things you should not do is get angry and play the blaming game. Another thing you should not do is get comfortable with it.

I don’t feel in touch with God anymore. I have to drag myself and my family to worship. We have been coming less and less. I feel apathetic about my Lord. I rarely pray. I hardly ever read my Bible or anything else that might stimulate my spirituality. I always seem to be unhappy with the ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:1-7, Genesis 16:1-5

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Right Man In The Right Place At God's Right Hand

Contributed by Charles Degner on May 12, 2003

What does it mean for the church today to believe that Jesus is sitting at God’s right hand?

That power is like the working of his mighty strength, {20} which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, {21} far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:16-23

Denomination: Lutheran

A Rock In A Hard Place

Contributed by Thomas Dibble on May 16, 2003

Have you ever found yourself battered and beaten by life? Well God is a rock in a hard place.

In a world adrift in moral chaos and drowning in the depths of deception, I am thankful that we have a rock in a hard place. There is no solid ground in this world. There is no place to safely establish your feet where they will not slip. But there is only unstable and unsure ground. Things are ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 33:21

Denomination: Pentecostal

Defeating Disappointments

Contributed by Denn Guptill on May 22, 2003

Looks at dealing with the disappointments in our lives.

Have you ever been disappointed? Really disappointed? Maybe you watched as your dreams crashed and burnt, or perhaps someone you loved and trusted let you down. My cousin’s 17 year old daughter has been planning her audition for Canadian Idol since it was first announced. She has an incredible ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 14:1-12

Denomination: Wesleyan

Barro En Su Mano

Contributed by Jorge Alvarez on May 27, 2003

Al considerar al alfarero y el barro se puede ver un cuadro de nuestras vidas y relación con Dios. Cada objeto tiene su significado. Es ademas un llamado a la iglesia a acompleta fidelidad.

Barro En Su Mano Jeremías 18–19 Introduccion: Mayo 11, 2003 servicio vespertino en Ebenezer, Union City, CA En el capítulo 18 el profeta visita la casa del alfarero y le observa moldear el barro, mientras que en el capítulo 19 lleva una vasija terminada y la rompe en el valle de Hinom. ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 64:8

Denomination: Baptist

Dial 911

Contributed by Thomas Dibble on May 28, 2003

Karen Rinaldi was driving her car to work Tuesday December 15th of 1998. As she would tell it later it was just like any other Tuesday drive to work. As usual she was running a bit late and she was driving faster than she should have been. Driving along listening to traffic and weather reports ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 91:1, Psalm 91:1-17

Denomination: Pentecostal

Between A Rock And A Hard Place

Contributed by J. Yeargin on May 29, 2003

Sometimes we can become so foolish that God (with His mercy and Grace) will have to send in our enemy to set us straight and keep us out of trouble.

BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE In 1 Samuel 29, David manages to get himself into a real jam. After being delivered from the hand of Saul on numerous occasions, David becomes weary of living like a fugitive. In a moment of despair, he reasons that his only hope is to flee from Saul into the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Samuel 30:6-8, 1 Samuel 29:1-11

Denomination: Assembly Of God