Sermons About Suffering
The Fellowship of Faithful Sufferers (PM)
Adam preaches 2 Tim. 1:12-18. Paul continues to urge Timothy to share in the suffering of the Gospel without shame, faithfully holding to doctrine and joining the fellowship of other Christians who similarly suffer faithfully for the Gospel.
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Enduring in the Covenant
In Hebrews 10:32-36, the writer gives us two commands to avoid covenant unfaithfulness: 1. We are called to remember the early days of our faith. 2. We are called to hold on to our confidence.
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How Could A Good God Allow Suffering? 1 Peter 1: 3-12
How Could A Good God Allow Suffering? 1 Peter 1: 3-12
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Unashamed Suffering (PM)
Adam preaches 2 Tim. 1:8-12. This one long sentence from Paul highlights God's remarkable grace as the driving motivation for shameless suffering for the Gospel.
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The Purpose of Suffering
It is Gods will to shape us into the image of His son, Jesus Christ. But, how does he accomplish this? James tells us that it begins with the testing of our faith, leads us towards patience, and ultimately brings us to maturity. There are many reasons that we resist such tests and trials, but the bottom line is this: trials are the very things God uses to mold us into the image of Christ—and there is no shortcut. Key Verses: Rom 8:28-29, Php 2:1-8, James 1:2-4, Php 4:11-13, 2Cor 11:23ff, 2Tim 4:6-8
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Rejoice in Suffering
Suffering goes through steps: pain, then anger, then asks "why". The Three Benefits of Suffering are: 1)It Produces Endurance, 2) It reveals Character-makes external whats internal-2 Cor. 4:8-10, 2 Cor 4:16-18, 3) Suffering Gives More Hope.
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Living In Suffering
When you become a Christian, there is some ‘fine print’ that is easy to miss. It goes something like this: “God will teach you how to love each other and trust in him through suffering. This serves as proof of his judgment that he makes you worthy to be in his kingdom.” In 1 Thes. 1:1-5, Paul teaches that you are to persevere in loving one another and learn to trust in God through “persecutions and afflictions”. It is by design that you grow through the difficult experiences of your life. This is how God judges you worthy to be part of is kingdom.
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Gods Greatest Work
In church we hear stories of great miracles and are often even taught that we should expect them. Then, we are disillusioned when they fail to appear. Why the great disconnect between what we expect and what really happens? Could it be that we have not dared to acknowledge the truth? That is, that God more often works through suffering than through triumph. Key Verses: Daniel 3, Mark 14:32-42, Mark 15:22-39, 2Cor 12:7-10, 2Cor 4:7-12, 1Peter 4:12-19
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"The Long View of Suffering: Of Martyrs and Bystanders"
Acts 7:55-60; Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16, 1 Peter 2:2-10, John 14:1-14 Acts 7:55-60. This is in many ways the sequel to my previous message on Palm Sunday. That Sunday's sermon dealt with many of the personal realities of how we deal with suffering in relation to God. That's the "short view"...suffering on an individual scope. Today takes a huge step back from that. We will glance at the powerful story of the intersection of one martyr--Stephen--and one bystander--Saul. But we won't let the drama and excitement of this powerful account eclipse what Luke, as author, was intending to convey through this story's setting in the grand scheme of his two-volume story we call Luke-Acts. In fact, such a perspective on the story grants us a powerful lesson on the "long view" of suffering--looking at it from God's perspective rather than ours. The main thrust of today's message is that when we take the long view of suffering, we share in God's kingdom in some extraordinary ways.
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God Is Faithful! The Drought Is Over!
We had a time of sharing this week. It's always great to hear what God is doing in our midst and in our community.
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Philippians 1:7-8 - Sources of Joyful Affection
Paul bases his affection on the Philippians on the confidence He has in God's work in their lives. The doctrine known as "The Perseverance of the Saints" (or "Eternal Security") is an essential orthodox belief that if adamantly rejection will destroy the Gospel of Grace and create another religion foreign to the teachings of Christ. Paul's affection was not motivated by merely earthly emotions but by Christ’s love for his people. We find in these few verses 3 sources for the affections that Paul had for the Philippians: 1) Affections in the center of his heart, 2) Affections of fellowship, and 3) Affections of Christ Himself. We must learn that our confident affections for others stem from knowing that their salvation (and ours) doesn't rest in their (or our) grip on God, but on God's grip on them (us). You will need to look at these verses and ask yourself: Is my faith a genuine saving faith in Christ - one that is authored by Him, sustained by Him, and will one day be completed by Him. Your answer to that question should convict you know how sinful it is not to have been possessed with the affection of Christ for each other as Paul was.
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The Doctrine of Hell
This may be one of the toughest subjects to discuss in today's modern society. The idea that a loving God would cast people into eternal damnation not only challenges our faith but keeps us from sharing it with others. What is this place called "Hell"? Greg Farrand digs deep into scripture & the wisdom of great philosophers on this subject in an effort to better understand one of the most avoided subjects of our faith. This is profound insight; pivotal & relevant.
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Job: Persevering Through Suffering (Job 1: 6-12, 38: 1-11)
There is not a more sympathetic character in the Bible than Job. Christians through the centuries have hurt for him as they have read the epic poem that is the book of Job. In this sermon we will look at Job’s emotional confusion as he processes the suffering that God permitted in his life.
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The Apostle Paul An Instrument in the will of God
In Human terms Saul did not look like someone God could use. He was persecuting Christians. He was an instrument that God could use. Once he met the risen lord he was never the same again. The same passion that had led him to persecute Christians, led him to lead others to Christ.
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Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3-9)
Peter speaks of the living hope given to us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we perceive the events that happen to us through the lens of the resurrection, we find hope in every circumstance. We are living hope through our Living Hope, Jesus Christ.
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In Control
Is God truly in control? Does he really have the whole world in his hands? There are times in our lives when it appears as if he is not in control, but Scripture attests that there has never been a moment when God was not in control. As we look at the story of Job, we will find a faith that trusts in God even when our worlds seem to be falling apart.
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Acceptance and Rejection
There is a distinction between suffering and rejection. If Jesus only suffered, he would have been no different than an honored hero - a Martin Luther King, Jr., or a 9-11 firefighter. But he didn't just suffer. He was also rejected. Welcome to God's peculiar plan in which glory emerges in rejection.
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Where Is God
When tough things happen in our lives, we are tempted to ask "Why God?" We are even tempted to ask "Where Is God?" in the midst of our suffering. Todd shares a message of hope and encouragement to help us see God in every situation.
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The Dark Side of Palm Sunday: Lessons from a Worshipping Sufferer
If you’ve been around for Palm Sunday in the past, think back on those experiences. Recall the atmosphere of worship. Perhaps you were with a congregation that grabbed palm branches and waved them high during a jubilant hymn or song. Maybe you sang those famous words, sung on the very first Palm Sunday: “Hosanna in the highest! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” In most (if not all) our experiences of Palm Sunday, churches tended to pull out all the stops, coming in at 100% on the joy-meter. But there was a dark side to Palm Sunday, which we will explore today through the eyes of King David. Why dampen such a festive day? We’re willing to do it because the one person who saw and experienced the dark side of Palm Sunday was none other than Jesus Himself. Today, we’ll walk the Palm Sunday that Christ walked.
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Ordinary Radicals
Zach Bayer leads us to Matthew chapter 16 to look into the life of Christ and see what is truly means to take up our cross and follow Christ.
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Facing Pain, Like Jesus
Jesus' experiences in the Garden of Gethsemane teach us how to handle trials and troubles in our lives. There are three parts to His experience that can help us.
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Lose Your Religious God
Not even the most obedient among us obligates God to produce. His goal is our Christlikeness.
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Going On In The Dark
Going On In The Dark (SERIES: Over the Rivers and Through The Providence -- The Psalms: Songs We Sing Along the Way) Psalm 88
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The Scarlet Cord
Rehab's scarlet cord is still speaking today. It speaks to us about the suffering of our Savior, the seriousness of our sin, and Jesus' sacrifice for sinners.
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The Hand of the Lord
I preached this sermon with my friends at Taft Avenue Community Church in Orange, CA during their missions conference. This passage from Acts encouraged them pray that the hand of the Lord would use their ordinary lives to make their churches, in their community, a center for the Gospel mission as he did in the church in Antioch.
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We've All ... Been There & Said That
We've All ... Been There & Said That (SERIES: Over the Rivers and Through The Providence -- The Psalms: Songs We Sing Along the Way) Psalm 22
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20080217; Deut. 16:1-12
the bread of affliction, foretells Christ and his suffering on our behalf.
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Philippians 1: Joy in the Midst of Suffering
It is possible to experience joy in the midst of your suffering
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Changing Your Perspective
How do you deal with the tough times in your life? Do you withdraw from others and focus on your problem, or do you focus on Christ who can help you through your struggles? Join us as we look at 1 Peter 4 and share about how to change our perspective on suffering.
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What Does Christ Think of the Church? Suffering
This week's sermon focuses on why we suffer and how we can suffer better.
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God never tests the dream, only the dreamer
Jesus doesn't promise that if we become his followers he’ll shield us from suffering. In fact, it's just the opposite! When we become serious about spreading the truth of Jesus, we become willing to risk EVERYTHING.
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Suffering
This is a highly controversial message about the inheritance of believers. It outlines the precious privilege of the saints to suffer for Jesus' Name sake and the joy therein. Beware it is heavy and very challenging. Feel free to email the Preacher through craigireland@inbox.com
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Sorrowful Unto Death
In one of the most moving passages in the Gospel, Mark recounts Jesus' agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. As one commentary put it, "On the cross Jesus' body was crucified; in the Garden, his soul was crucified." We see Jesus stagger under the weight of "the cup," a Biblical image describing God's just punishment of sin. In the Garden, the Father gives Jesus a glimpse of the hell that awaits him if he chooses the cross. In a final act of surrender, Jesus settles the issue in prayer and rises from his knees to give his life.
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Where Was God When? Pt. 1
This is a series that will challenge your traditionally held beliefs about what God does and does not do. During the series we will deal with the problem of evil and how we reconcile evil and tragedy with a good and loving God. We will also challenge you to develop doctrine of how God works in the world and how God interacts with human beings and provides for his people.
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Suffering for the Name (Acts 9:18-31)
Immediately following Saul's conversion, he began preaching the gospel. Proclaiming that Jesus was the Son of God led to persecution and suffering throughout Saul's life. Anytime a Christian speaks boldly about Jesus, whether to religious or irreligious people, it can be expected that persecution and suffering will follow. However, it is the truth of the gospel that gives us security in the midst of our suffering.
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Countercultural Joy
No one likes to suffer. It is painful. It is frightening. So it is shocking to hear God say that we should rejoice in our suffering. Why? How? Listen in as we look to 1Peter together to try to answer these questions.
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Tested by Fire
Often the greatest times of spiritual growth, come as the result of suffering and pain. God's greatest gifts to us, come in the form of "subtractions" instead of "additions". We grow on the valley floor ... suffering drives us deep. The authentic faith - is one that has been tested by fire, and proven powerful and rich. IN our day of "easy-believism" when we expect only good from the hand of God, perhaps the greatest challenge to our faith and to our spiritual maturity is when the storms of life begin to howl. Finding Jesus in the midst of the storm and being able to praise Him despite our pain is one of the critical steps on the journey toward Spiritual Maturity. We might not at first consider these trials as "gifts" but these "severe gifts" may be the catalyst for incredible spiritual growth if we will lean into God's purpose in them. Key Passages: Job 2:10 and Isaiah 48:10
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Effective Outreach
God trust us to be Unashamed of The good news even if it means suffering for it.
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A Spiritual Wake Up Call
Purpose So the purpose for this passage is to press on the readers and on us today the need to move on toward Christian maturity. And that is my purpose as I preach this text. PNP So, after that lengthy introduction, this morning from our text I want you to see the first of two key ingredients in the Christian life that will move us on to maturity. Let me give you both and where they come from and then we will focus this morning on the first. 1. As believers we should learn obedience through what we suffer. (5:11-14)
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Our Desperate Need for Glory
Suffering, glory, and mission are inseparably tied together as the Gospel key to the entire Bible. This is what Christ taught us in Luke 24 on the Road to Emmaus. Jesus is showing them the point of the entire OT history, the point of His coming into this world. He's showing them the centerpiece of the Bible. It's the Gospel! This means we can no longer read the Bible in the same way. Since history is about His suffering and glory it means every page is about the Gospel. This also clarifies our primary activity in this world, to spread the glory of the Gospel in the face of Christ to the world as His witness bearers who are empowered by the Spirit.
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West County Campus-The Gift Of Suffering (Philippians 1:12-30)
Paul says that as followers of Christ we get the gift of suffering. What could that mean? In this sermon, we will look at how God uses suffering in our lives.
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Tower Grove Campus-Don't Waste Your Suffering (Philippians 1:12-30)
Suffering shows no mercy and plays no favorites. No matter your belief system, no matter your socio-economic status, no matter your race or gender, you will suffer. In this sermon, we will look at how to not waste our suffering.
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Compassion: Growing A Heart Like God's
Pastor Larry attempts to give us insight into the heart of God for the hurting and helpless of our world so that we might learn to cultivate a heart of compassion for the people around us.
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The Death of Jesus, Part 1 (Mark 15:16-39)
The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark highlights the irony that Jesus is mocked as king, but he is in fact king of all. Jesus suffers not only physical pain, but also the very wrath of God, in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and types, and to secure our salvation and life by suffering in our place. We are no longer separated from the presence of and fellowship with God, and in fact the crucifixion reveals clearly God's love for us. The only proper response is for us to worship in awe and gratitude.