Playlist:

playlist Go to the Trials and Tests, Enduring (topic) playlist

Enduring to the End of What?

Sermonette by Craig Sablich

Every previous event and decision in our lives has shaped our resultant character, including the bad decisions that led us down a wrong path.


Will We Endure to the End? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Pat Higgins

How do we endure while facing life's problems? How do we ensure that we make it through those unprecedented trials promised as our world nears its end?


Faith to Face Our Trials

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

Life seems to be one trial after another. However, God has revealed an astounding facet of God's love that should give us the faith to soldier on.


Motivation to Endure

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

Without daily contact with God in prayer and Bible study, and without continual contact with the brethren, we may lose the determination to persevere.


Motivation to Endure

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

We must develop patience, perseverance, and endurance for the times ahead, safe-guarding the precious calling God has given us and enduring to the end


Days of Trials

Sermonette by James Beaubelle

The conversion process resembles a battle, requiring that we must put on armor, expecting continuous skirmishes to enter God's Kingdom victoriously.


Joy and Trial

'Ready Answer' by Mike Ford

What does the Bible mean when it says we should count it all joy when you fall into various trials? What is this joy we must experience, and how do we come by it?


Who Will Be Kept from the Hour of Trial?

'Prophecy Watch' by David C. Grabbe

God promises some Christians that He will keep them from the Tribulation, the 'hour of trial.' Here are the characteristics of those whom God will protect.


Walking With God Through Trials

Sermonette by Craig Sablich

Trials, instead of prompting a 'woe is me' attitude, should be re-evaluated as valuable experiences, nudging us into God's divine purpose for us.


The Continuous Testing of Our Faith

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The constant tests to which God submits His people enable them to build character by responding in faith. God perfected Abraham's faith through difficult trials.


Principled Living (Part Seven): Enduring to the End

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Like a marathoner or a soldier fighting a battle, we are admonished to endure to the end, standing firm, holding our ground, and resisting assaults.


Defining Trials

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

Trials define who we are by placing choices before us, forcing us to have faith in God. Character is built by making right, though difficult, choices.


Trial by Fire

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like a loving parent, God brings just the right pressures to bear to bring about necessary change in His children. Each trial has a place in His purpose.


A Christian's Greatest Trial

Sermon by John O. Reid

Daniel 7:25 reveals the strategy of the enemy: a concerted effort of the Beast to physically, mentally, and if possible, spiritually wear out the saints.


The Clock Stopped and the Whole World Changed

CGG Weekly

Trials come in many forms, and when we are shaken by a big one—when the clock stops and the whole world changes for us—what is our response?


Challenges

CGG Weekly by Gary Montgomery

Life is difficult to navigate. Adversity is a common part of life, yet now, having been called by God, we must work hard to overcome and conquer these challenges.


Why Adversity? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by Gary Montgomery

As God's children, we must undergo adversity to build endurance, character, and hope.


In the Hands of the Potter

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

As the Master Potter, God will apply the water of His Holy Spirit to make us more malleable, enabling Him to turn the lump of clay into a flawless work.


Do You See God Working in You?

Sermon by Kim Myers

Job was able to endure the multiple trials and tragic events by seeing the hand of God in his life, realizing that God works in both good and bad times.


Hedged About on Every Side

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Satan accused God of hedging Job about on every side, saying that if God would let down the hedge, they could see what Job was really made of.


Why Adversity? (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Gary Montgomery

God has called us to become His children and live as He does. But with this gift comes a few things that are less enjoyable but necessary for the process.


God's Correction of His Children

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

Trials provide an opportunity to inspect our attitudes and actions, prompting us to make adjustments, avoiding further, harsher correction from the Almighty.


The Endurance of the Firstfruits (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

When things go wrong, an improperly rooted person becomes hard and cynical. This disillusionment happens if our hope or trust are in the wrong place.


Patience

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

We should cultivate the Heinz Ketchup motto ('The best things come to those who wait'), rather than the Burger King approach ('Your way, right away').


Light Affliction?

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

Affliction seems to be an integral part of Christianity. However, when it is viewed in the context of eternity, it is relatively light.


God's Tools

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Spiritual maturity does not come about without difficulty, and suffering is one of God's tools to perfect us. Suffering refines endurance and character.


Faith to Face the Fire

'Ready Answer' by Staff

We sometimes mistake faith for certainty about God's will. However, faith is not knowing what God will do but trusting Him to do what is best for us.


Spiritual Heat Treatment

Sermonette by Christian D. Hunter

After metal has endured its prescribed heat treatment, it glows brightly. Our job, as God's metaphorical metal, is to endure the trials of heat treatments.


Perseverance and Hope

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the turbulent and uncertain times ahead, we will need extraordinary fortitude and courage. Trials can improving perseverance or active endurance.


Discouragement and Trumpets

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

While there may be reasons to become depressed, there is no reason to stay depressed, realizing that God is with us the whole way.


Patiently Waiting for Christ's Return

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We must develop an active, God-given restraint and constancy in endurance while facing trials and waiting for Christ's return, trusting that God will provide.


Facing Times of Stress: When God Is Silent (Part Three)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Acts 27 teaches that we must distinguish among several types of suffering. Regardless of the type of suffering, we must remember that God will deliver us.


Dealing With Change (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

None of the heroes of faith lived a settled life. They experienced continual change to their circumstances, yet they soldiered on and emerged victorious


Overcoming Doubt

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

Doubt is not without merit, for it can be a springboard to greater understanding. Doubt drives a Christian to seek God in faith, if he deals with it properly.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Trials are a means to produce spiritual growth, unless we resort to super-righteousness, straining to please God by exalting our works.


The Hard Makes it Great

Sermon by Mark Schindler

The hard things God wants us to do are preferable to the harsh bondage to sin. The hardness makes us hardy enough to be included in the first harvest.


Our Hope

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our hope is based on having a living Savior. At times we are discouraged and overwhelmed, but God has not left us—though unseen, He is in the trials with us.


Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.


Persistence

Sermon by John O. Reid

Persistence is impossible without a transcendent and ardent vision, which prevents us from casting off restraint and gives us the will to keep on.


Firstfruits and the Master Potter

Sermon by Clyde Finklea

The Potter and Clay analogy provides instructions for understanding character-building tests and trials in the life-long sanctification process.


Keeping the Faith Once Delivered

Sermon by Kim Myers

Winds of doctrine continue to blow through the church, including Sacred Names, new moons, and Christ's eternal pre-existence before His birth as a human.


When Will God Answer?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God does not delay because of indifference, but wants to provide maximum opportunity for repenting, overcoming, and building character.


Job: Things Left Unsaid

Sermon by David C. Grabbe

Even the accuser of the brethren made no accusations against Job, the first of several curious absences—things left unsaid—in the book of Job.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Three): Time

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Solomon reveals that God is solidly in control of time. Knowing that God is sovereign over time should fill us with faith in God's workmanship.


Another Look at the Book of Job

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Where did Job's righteousness come from? Was his character a product of evolution, or was it intelligently formed out of nothingness like the rest of creation?


Change and Hope

Sermon by John O. Reid

As God found it necessary to test our forbears, He allows us to go through grueling experiences (trials, tests, and temptations) for maximum growth.


How Much Does God Love You?

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

I John 4:17 reveals the depth of love God the Father has for us as unique, special components of His creation, loving each of us as much as He loved Christ.


Elements of Motivation (Part Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the familiar triumvirate (faith, hope, and love), faith serves as the foundation, love serves as the goal, and hope serves as the great motivator.


Was Job Really Self-Righteous?

Sermonette by Clyde Finklea

Self-righteousness is defined as being smugly proud of one's own opinion and intolerant of others. What Job repented of was his misunderstanding of God.


God's Good Work in Us

Sermon by John O. Reid

Despite the privileged position of our calling, God does not cut us any slack in terms of trials and tests to perfect us. We must accept God's sovereignty.


Are You Worthy of Your Calling?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to thank God for their salvation, surrender without complaint, ask God for wisdom, and look for opportunities to serve.


Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Nine): Wisdom as a Defense

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The type of wisdom Ecclesiastes teaches is not of the purely philosophical variety, but is a spiritual sagacity combined with practical skill in living.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our supreme objective in godly living is attainment and cultivation of wisdom, which consists of attributes giving us skill in living.


Becoming Fearless

Sermon by Mark Schindler

When Job was afflicted with physical problems, he learned that God was using them to perfect him. Afflictions are intended to bind us together.


Hebrews (Part Fourteen)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Like Jesus and other heroes of faith, we need to look beyond the present to the long term effects of the trials and tests we go though, seeing their value.


The More Things Change

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We tend to think of the early Church as a 'golden age' of unity and momentum. But early church members experienced problems similar to what we face today.


Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part Two)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

If we endure chastisement and discipline from God, we prove we are His children. Sanctification is an incremental process, requiring trials and chastening.


Don't Be a Prudent Agnostic

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Some of us, facing the stress of the times, may simply be going through the motions but losing every vestige of faith. We must strengthen our convictions.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eight): Time

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We must realize that God is sovereign over time all the time, even as it is running out for all of us. God works to make the most of every situation in our lives.


Finishing Your Gun Lap

Sermon by John O. Reid

The most dangerous lap we encounter is when everyone around us tends to be compromising. Today, what was once aberrant behavior is now considered normal.


Psalm 23 (Part Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The valley-of-shadow imagery symbolizes the fears, trials, and tests needed to produce character, quality fruit, and an intimate trust in the shepherd.


Psalms: Book Two (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The second set of documents and events consists of Book Two of Psalms, Exodus, Ruth, Psalm 147, and the Pentecost season, relating to faith within trials.


Abraham (Part Five)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

We learn from Abraham's experience to trust God even when we have incomplete information. When we attempt to take the expedient way out, we will run into trouble.