Table of Contents

Acknowledgments ix

Introduction xi

Part 1 Naming the Pain

1 The Preacher's Pain 3

2 The Listeners' Pain 21

3 A Plan for Preaching on Pain 35

Part 2 Preaching on Pain

4 Painful Decisions 51

"The Anatomy of a Bad Decision" (Sermon on 1 Samuel 15) 69

5 Painful Finances 76

"The Secret to Contentment" (Sermon on Philippians 4:10-20) 95

6 Painful Health Issues 101

"Panhandling for True Satisfaction" (Sermon on Acts 3:1-10) 121

7 Painful Losses 128

"Successful Suffering" (Sermon on 2 Corinthians 1:3-11) 145

8 Painful Relationships 152

"Honoring Mom as Honoring God" (Sermon on Ruth 1-4) 170

9 Painful Sins 176

"The God of Fourth Chances" (Sermon on John 21:15-25) 193

Conclusion 201

Appendix: Worksheet for Understanding Pain 205

Scripture Index 213

Subject Index 217