Sermons About Suffer
The Hard Road
As followers of Christ, we should anticipate seasons of suffering so we can respond as Jesus did. Jesus taught us that we should expect to have trouble in this world (John 16:33), preparing us for reality. The question we always want answered when we go through seasons of suffering is WHY? “What purpose could God possibly have for me going through this suffering?” This is an extremely difficult question theologically, because we may never know. However, the right question is HOW? How does God want me to handle this suffering I’m in?
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Enjoy Your Life
The Teacher in Ecclesiastes calls his readers to enjoy life and God' s blessings in the face of suffering and the inevitability of death.
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Doing Time (The Prison Test)
Sometimes we find ourselves in painful situations and trying conditions because of poor choices. But like Joseph, even when we do right, God will still often allow us to be tested severely and treated unfairly in order to build His character and perseverance in us. (adapted from Dream to Destiny)
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The Lord is My Shepherd Part 3
King David continues to teach us about how God loves us by using the illustration of a shepherd taking care of his flock of sheep. Shepherds had to prepare fields to remove poisonous plants and they would anoint the sheep with oil to ward of harmful insects. God looks after us in a similar way as He provides for our needs and watches over us. It is amazing to know that the God who rules over the whole universe cares for insignificant creatures like us. We should celebrate this care and then love other people with the same kind of care that God has shown to us.
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The Lord is My Shepherd Part 2
Sheep are powerless to fend off predators so a good shepherd must be skilled in fighting so that he can protect his flock from harm. The Bible teaches us that God is the shepherd of those who believe in Him, so they have the most powerful being in the universe as their protector, and the wisest being in the universe as their guide. This does not mean that God will never lead His children into difficult circumstances or make their life easy and comfortable, but instead it means that when we go through circumstances as dark as death itself that He is right there beside us to protect us and guide us through them, and this should be a source of tremendous comfort and hope in the midst of trying times.
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Finding Joy in Suffering
No longer can we turn on the evening news and not hear about suffering throughout the world.
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Trusting Jesus and Elders During Difficult Times
People often aspire to positions of leadership because it can bring them fame, power, and comfort, and those who seek power for such reasons will often use the people they lead to achieve these goals. The Apostle Peter speaks to the leaders of the churches and reminds them that they are not to act like this but instead they should lovingly care for the people entrusted to their care, leading by example and not by being domineering, shepherding their flock in the example of their Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ. The rest of the people in the church should humbly accept the authority of their pastors, knowing that God has appointed their leaders to help guide them and care for them.
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Trusting Jesus During Difficult Times
We spend a lot of time, money and effort to try to make our lives more comfortable and avoid suffering. When suffering does come into our lives we often complain and wonder why God didn’t do something to prevent it. The Apostle Peter wrote to a group of Christians who were undergoing persecution because they followed Jesus and he told them that they shouldn’t be surprised by times of suffering but instead understand that Jesus suffered on our behalf while He was here and we should endure suffering for His sake with the same attitude that He had. We should be willing to share the Gospel with people regardless of how they will treat us afterward, knowing that we are blessed when we are mocked for our faith.
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When Love Comes to Town
Jesus' parade into Jerusalem isn't what it appears to be: a celebration for a political leader. In truth it is an inauguration for a servant of God who loves us enough to suffer.
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