Sermons on Why God Allows Suffering:

The Messiah’s Purpose, Suffering, And Mission Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Jun 8, 2025

The person who is self-reliant – who trusts in their own ability – will face God’s judgment! We must understand that this is the challenge of every person on the Earth, and why God is so CLEAR on this requirement.

Isaiah, Part 20 The Messiah’s Purpose, Suffering, and Mission Isaiah 49:1-7 and Isaiah 50:4-11 Introduction - Welcome to Seasons – intro – we are so glad you are here today - Last week, we expounded on God’s understanding of the problem idolators have -- We were encouraged to lean into Him ...read more

Scripture: Isaiah 49:1-7, Isaiah 50:4-11, Matthew 7:21-23, Philippians 2:8, Acts 2:21, John 1:6-8, Luke 1:35, Romans 5:19, Luke 4:32, John 10:10  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Have You Forsaken Me? - Mark 15:34 Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on May 30, 2024

What did Jesus mean when he said, "My God, why have you forsaken me?" Did the Father forsake his Son?

In Mark 15:34 Jesus cries out from the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” Did God actually forsake Jesus? If so, what’s the answer to Jesus’ question? Why? And if you think the answer is obvious, then why does Jesus ask the question? He knew he had to drink this cup, he agonized ...read more

Scripture: Mark 15:34, Matthew 27:46

Suffering For Righteousness

Contributed by Christopher Benfield on Feb 26, 2020

Dealing with trials and adversity are a part of everyone's life - some more than others. We don't enjoy suffering, and yet the Word of God teaches us that we are to rejoice in them and even be happy as we suffer reproach. Peter explains this difficult doctrine in our text.

Suffering for Righteousness 1 Peter 4: 12-16 Peter had spent considerable time in the preceding verses dealing with Christian character and conduct in the midst of a fallen world. He was well aware of the struggles and persecution many within the church faced. Although they were forced to deal ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 4:12-16

Denomination: Baptist

Watch Your Step PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Sep 26, 2023

This sermon explores the power, benefits, and challenges of walking by faith in Jesus, not by sight, as guided by 2 Corinthians 5:7.

Good morning, beloved. I am so excited to dive into the Word of God with you today. We will be centering our discussion on 2 Corinthians 5:7, a beautifully succinct declaration of faith, which says, "For we walk by faith, not by sight." The power, benefits, and challenges of walking with Jesus will ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:7

Topics: Allowing Jesus, Walk With Me

Making Sense Of Suffering Series

Contributed by David Taylor on Nov 1, 2016

The Life of Joseph Making Sense of Suffering Genesis 37

The Life of Joseph Making Sense of Suffering Genesis 37 David Taylor October 16, 2016 This week we start our final series in Genesis, The Life of Joseph, in chapters 37-50. Joseph is seventeen, the second youngest in the family, and the favored son. One day after he has been tending the flocks ...read more

Scripture: Genesis 37:1-36

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

The Suffering Servant

Contributed by Terry Blankenship on Apr 2, 2007

The phrase, in the Old Testament concealed is in the New Testament revealed, is true of Isaiah 52-53. This text reveals the work of the son of man who is the Son of God.

Isaiah 52:13-53:12 God’s Suffering Servant Introduction – Total Sacrifice for wife It is said that Cyrus, the founder of the Persian Empire, once had captured a prince and his family. When they came before him, the monarch asked the prisoner, “What will you give me if I release you?” “The half of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Triumph In Suffering Series

Contributed by Matthew Kratz on Aug 4, 2007

God urges us to consider four elements of the Lord’s victory: 1) His triumphant sin-bearing, 2) sermon, 3) salvation, and 4) supremacy.

On the events of this week, John Piper noted: All of us have sinned against God, not just against man. This is an outrage ten thousand times worse than the collapse of the 35W bridge. That any human is breathing at this minute on this planet is sheer mercy from God. God makes the sun rise and the ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 3:18-22

Denomination: Other

Biblical Bearings

Contributed by Joe Dan Vendelin on Mar 16, 2025

Your Biblical Bearings are what keep you in the right place, at the right time, doing what the Father has called you to do in the right way. If you get out of sorts in any way, our Heavenly Father can help us get back on track.

To use the expression of “losing your bearings” is the idea of a loss of an orientation toward what was once a reality. Other ways to say it is that someone “lost their way.” Your bearings comprise your orientation toward who you are and what is you are supposed to be doing. Biblical Bearings ...read more

Scripture: Romans 3:23, Hebrews 4:16, John 5:19, John 12:49, Philippians 2:13  (view more)  (view less)

Go! And Trust God In The Midst Of Suffering - Romans 8:18 Series

Contributed by Dean Courtier on Nov 25, 2025

If God is real, why is there suffering? This is one of the most pastoral, personal questions a Christian will ever face.

Go! And Trust God in the Midst of Suffering - Romans 8:18 “If God Is Real, Why Is There Suffering?” INTRODUCTION If God is real, why is there suffering? Few questions strike the human heart with such force. It’s the question whispered at hospital bedsides, shouted in grief at gravesides, ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18, Isaiah 43:2, James 1:2-4, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 53:3-5, Revelation 21:4, Luke 4:18  (view more)  (view less)

Denomination: Pentecostal

Triumph Over Trials Sermon I: The Why Of Suffering Series

Contributed by Charles Cunningham on May 13, 2020

In times like these, suffering persists to the extent that we naturally ask why, so we turn for answers not to a politician, not to a physician, not to an attorney - we turn to the man who suffered for righteousness' sake.

IN TIMES LIKE THESE --- SUFFERING PERSISTS TO THE EXTENT THAT WE NATURALLY ASK WHY Soon after we were born into this world and began to take notice of all our surroundings we began to ask a toddler’s most irksome question: Why? Over and over again! No answer sufficed. ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-25

When I Suffer Series

Contributed by Jim Drake on Nov 30, 2009

This is our fourth and final look at suffering in the book of Job—and today we’re going to get personal. We’re going to talk about how to deal with it when we are the ones who are suffering. How can we suffer well?

Horatio Spafford was a very wealthy man. He was a very well-known lawyer in Chicago. He had a beautiful Scandinavian wife named Anna and they had a son and four daughters. Even though Horatio was a lawyer, he made most of his money as a real estate investor. By the late 1800s, he owned much of ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Cross And Christ’s Submission To Suffering

Contributed by David Scudder on Jan 18, 2011

Why did Jesus have to suffer? Or we could broaden out the question and ask: why does suffering exist at all?

Purpose: To highlight the centrality of Christ’s suffering in human history. Aim: I want the listener to fervently worship Christ because of His willingness to suffer. INTRODUCTION: In our text we see Jesus leading His disciples away from the crowds to a place called Gethsemane which literally ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:38-42

Denomination: Independent/Bible

Why Do Bad Things Happen To Good People – Why Do Christians Suffer?

Contributed by David Leach on May 31, 2014

Who is good? You and I may have an opinion as to who is - God says only He is good

Who is good? You and I may have an opinion as to who is - God says only He is good: Matt 19:17 (Jesus) ...No one is good but One, that is, God...(and those He rules in) Matt 7:18 (Jesus) A good tree (God) cannot bear bad fruit...(He can’t do bad things) 1 Jo 1:5 ...God is light and in Him ...read more

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Then The Law?

Contributed by Dr. Kenneth Rhodes, Jr on Mar 1, 2007

Understanding the Lord’s purpose in giving the Law, using the Apostle Paul’s question, “why then the Law?” The sermon also touches indirectly on the issue of continuity and discontinuity.

Why Then the Law? Τί οὖν ὁ νόμος; Galatians 3:19 (NA27INT) "Why then the Law?" (1). Was "added" because of transgressions. "The verb "added" indicates that the law was not primary in God’s dealings with sinners. The covenant and promises ...read more

Scripture: Galatians 3:19

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Why Not?

Contributed by Brian La Croix on Oct 21, 2001

A message to encourage people to look at the limitless of God.

Why Not? Ephesians 3:20-21 (August 26, 2001) Introduction Our time this morning will be centered on just a two-verse passage. But these two verses are filled with a ton of encouragement. The verses are sort of tacked on to the end of some words from Paul who tells the Ephesians how he is ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 3:20-21

Denomination: Wesleyan