Sermons on willingly suffer:

Trialful Joy

Contributed by Ajai Prakash on Oct 8, 2009

Trials and tests are no fun. James doesn’t tell us to consider it fun but to "consider it all joy." Trials and tests are gut wrenching and drawn out at times, but the one thing that we must know is that God is with us through the whole ordeal.

Opening illustration: After William Carey was well established in his pioneer missionary work in India, his supporters in England sent a printer to assist him. Soon the two men were turning out portions of the Bible for distribution. Carey had spent many years learning the language so that he could ...read more

Scripture: James 1:2-12

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

From Bitter And Better Ii Series

Contributed by Jeremy Poling on Apr 21, 2012

Troubles will make you better if you do not allow it to make you bitter.

Exodus 1:14 begins with the phrase, “And they made their lives bitter…” • According to the Strong’s Concordance the root word used for “bitter” can also mean “stronger.” • As a matter of fact, according to the Bible Reader’s ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 1:14

Denomination: Pentecostal

"Sickness For God's Glory"

Contributed by Clark Tanner on Oct 8, 2010

Suffering always precedes glory

“Now a certain man was sick, Lazarus of Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 It was the Mary who anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick. 3 So the sisters sent word to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You ...read more

Scripture: John 11:1-16

Denomination: Orthodox

Why Life Is So Tough

Contributed by Rev. Dr. Bob Aquino on Apr 6, 2011

Many of us would like a personal ministry, but we don’t know where to begin. This passage suggests that our personal ministry begins as we share with others what God has shared with us.

INTRO: In May 2008 Christian musician Steven Curtis Chapman's five year old daughter Maria was run over and killed on the family property. Her teen-aged brother did not see her playing in the driveway before she was struck. It was a tragedy of unspeakable sadness. I remember that my first thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Trials---What Are They Good For?

Contributed by Chuck Sligh on Apr 15, 2011

Trials teach us patience, test our faith, train for service, testify to others and help us to triumph through Christ

Trials---What Are They Good For? Chuck Sligh I. THEY TEACH US PATIENCE. A. James 5:10-11 – “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience ...read more

Scripture: James 5:10-11

Denomination: Baptist

Let Us Rejoice - For He Has Turned Sorrow Into Rejoicing Series

Contributed by Dustin T Parker on May 2, 2010

In view of the cross and resurrection - we have to see it - for us to realize that our sorrow now - is not permanent - but joy-filled

Let us Rejoice - He turns sorrow to Rejoicing Let Us Rejoice, For He has made Sorrow – Dance! John 16:12-22 † IN HIS NAME † May the Grace, the Mercy and Peace that God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ has poured out on you through the Spirit, create is us the ability to rejoice and ...read more

Scripture: John 16:12-22

Denomination: Lutheran

The Vision, The Thorn, And The Grace Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 17, 2010

Paul learned to accept his thorn in the flesh as a gift from God, and allowed it to bless and benefit his life.

Introduction: A. I want to start with a true story that illustrates the overall lesson I hope we will learn today. B. The story is told of a 10-year-old boy who decided to study Judo despite the fact that he had lost his left arm in a devastating car accident. 1. The boy began lessons with an old ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Lord's Servant

Contributed by Chris Surber on Jun 17, 2010

Redemption was born in suffering, so is our peace.

The Lord’s Servant, Isaiah 52:13-53:6 Introduction “After a mission service, the preacher of the evening was hurrying away to a late train. He had just three minutes to catch it when he saw a man running after him. “Oh, sir,” he said breathlessly as he came up, “can ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Moses In The School Of Hard Knocks Series

Contributed by David Owens on May 31, 2011

In this lesson we look at the incidents of Moses killing the Egyptian and running to Midian. What did Moses learn from this period in his life and the mistakes he made? We can learn a lot from the school of hard knocks.

Introduction: A. Has anyone here ever made a mistake? 1. Probably a better question for us is there anyone where who has never made a mistake. 2. Have you ever made a really foolish mistake? Like this boy sawing off the branch he was sitting on! That’s really dumb and painful! 3. Have you ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 2:11-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Grace At Work Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Jun 3, 2011

If we want to find fulfillment and joy in our work then we must submit even to bosses who treat us infairly, for only in this do we experience grace and fulfill our calling.

David Roper’s 3-year-old grandson, Seth, in Judsonia, Arkansas, received a toy lawnmower for Christmas a few years ago, but he didn’t have the chance to use it until one hot July day when his father went out to mow the lawn and Seth volunteered to “help.” A few minutes ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:18-25

Denomination: Evangelical Free

To Live Is Christ

Contributed by Rev. Matthew Parker on Sep 18, 2011

How do we balance our own pursuit of meaning and happiness with the call to live as Kingdom people? What role does suffering have in the Christian life and why in the world are we called not only to believe in Jesus but to suffer for him? A little bait an

This dates me, I know, but I can sometimes relate to Charlie Brown in the Peanuts cartoons. Like the one where Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. As usual, Lucy has the floor, delivering one of her lectures. She says, "Charlie Brown, life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it so ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:21-30

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Living In A Murphy's Law World Series

Contributed by John Sears on Jul 22, 2011

This is a message of encouragement to people who are facing struggles and trials. We live in a Murphy's Law world where trouble is always just around the corner. How do we deal with it when the troubles of life seem overwhelming?

Introduction: Murphy’s law suggests that anything that can go wrong will go wrong. Some corollaries have been attached – they are true given the right circumstances: q At the most inopportune time q Because it is your fault q And Everyone will see it Every perceived solution only ...read more

Scripture: Romans 8:18-39

Denomination: Christian Church

Men Of The Bible - Job Series

Contributed by John Murphy on Oct 25, 2012

Often we only see our situations but not the reasons. There is a vast battle taking place in the spiritual realm and we are right in the middle of it.

Perhaps one of the most amazing men in the Bible and the one we can learn the most from, especially in today’s world, is the man named Job. There are two ways to look at this man’s life. One from an earthly perspective and the other is from God’s perspective. How many of us can ...read more

Denomination: Christian Church

Spending Time In The Furnace

Contributed by Guy De Swardt on Oct 30, 2012

God often puts us through various tests/trials to grow our faith in Him.

Spending Time In The Furnace George Muller once said: “God likes to test the faith of His children in order to make them stronger so that they can eventually be winners! Yes, persecution, trials and tests, even sometimes suffering defeat, are spiritual food for our faith and helps us to grow ...read more

Scripture: Romans 5:3-5

Denomination: Baptist

What Should We Do When Disaster Strikes? A Righteous Response To Disasters

Contributed by Paul Barreca on Nov 3, 2012

Hurricane Sandy did not affect us, but it devestated millions of others. How should we respond? What should we think? What should we do? Jesus answers these questions from Luke 13:1-5

Here in South Jersey, we rode Hurricane Sandy Monday and Tuesday,. W were thankful that very few in our area were affected. Phone calls and visits on Tuesday revealed that this time, we did not have the damage and devastation like we did during July’s devestating dorecho storm that knocked out ...read more

Scripture: Luke 13:1-8, Romans 8:28-31

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational