Playlist:

playlist Go to the God's Testing (topic) playlist

Tested: Our Trust in God's Promises

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

There is an apparent contradiction between God's promises to protect and heal, and the persecution, health crises, and death that we all experience.


Abraham's One God

Article by Mike Ford

The first commandment sets the stage for understanding Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac. God wanted to know: Would Abraham put Him first and have no other god?


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.


The Model Prayer (Part Eight): Testing and Deliverance

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The traditional translation of the last request in Jesus' Model Prayer (Matthew 6:13) suffers from poor word choice, twisting its encouraging message.


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.


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.


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.


The Providence of God (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A spiritual Israelite undergoes a metamorphosis in which his own self-centered will is broken so that God's creative work can be completed within him.


Testing Spiritual Character

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

An outward trial can be a catalyst for character development. By testing ourselves, we can take the edge off the pressure of God testing us.


The Providence of God (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus and Abraham rose above their emotional pulls by exercising living faith—a faith built on acts of obedience. Faith can never be separated from works.


How Does God Help Us? (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The trials we go through are part of His providence, putting us into humility and determining what really motivates us.


God's Sovereignty and the Church's Condition (Part Two)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

God's hand was definitely involved in the scattering of the church. We should respond by growing and preparing ourselves for His Kingdom.


To Test You

Sermon by John O. Reid

Jesus, Joseph, David, and Abraham all endured considerable trials before they qualified for their offices. We must make our calling and election sure.


God Has Faith in You

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

It can be encouraging to us that our patriarchs and the prophets had serious doubts, but God overrode all their fears in accomplishing His purpose.


Fully Accepting God's Sovereignty, Part Three: The Fruits

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Here are four qualities of character that our full acceptance of God's sovereignty will build and that will prepare us for whatever work God may choose for us.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Prayer is not a dictating to a reluctant God, but a demonstration of our attitude of dependence and need. It is a means to get into harmony with God's will.


Teaching Us To Think (Part Three): Proving God's Will

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

As God tests His people, He desires that they test and prove His Laws to demonstrate that they invariably work, to prove these principles by following them.


Prepare to Meet Your God! (The Book of Amos) (Part Two)

Booklet by John W. Ritenbaugh

Israel had every opportunity that the Gentiles did not have. God gave the Israelites gifts to live a better way, but they completely failed to reflect Him.


Pentecost: A Test?

CGG Weekly by Pat Higgins

Being careless with something we deem minor can be fatal. We are to live by every word God gives to us, kept pure, unadulterated by additions and subtractions.


God's Sea of Glass (Part 2)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

At the marriage supper of the Lamb, the resurrected saints, those who have faithfully kept God's commandments, will be allowed to assemble on the sea of glass.


Image and Likeness of God (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The true nature of God differs greatly from the trinitarian concept. Having created us in His form and shape, God is developing us into His character image.


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.


Lead Us Not Into Temptation

Sermon by Ryan McClure

It is solely God's prerogative to test and to prove, while Satan's function is to tempt, to trip up, and to destroy. God tests but does not tempt.


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.


Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Four): Providence Manifested

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The story of Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac encourages God's people that they need never doubt God commitment and ability to give them everything they need.


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.


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?


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Biblical wisdom (sagacity, quickness of perception, soundness of judgment) is achievable by anyone called of God because God is the source of this wisdom.


Naomi

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Naomi, could be considered the female version of Job. After losing her husband and two sons, she felt severely tried by God while continuing to trust Him.


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.


The Handwriting Is On the Wall (2011)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

While love grows cold because lawlessness abounds, the church may well have to go underground in order to survive. We must prepare for horrific times.


Trials: Much Needed Experiences

Sermon by John O. Reid

God uses trials to test our hearts, but He never places a trial before us to tempt us. God uses trials we bring on ourselves to draw us closer to Him.


Abraham's Sacrifice (Part Two): Love Exemplified

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The love of Abraham for Isaac serves as an emblem for the love of the Father for His Son and for all the children of Adam and Eve.


Our Spiritual Wilderness

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Time after time, the children of Israel accused Moses of leading them to their deaths, failing to trust God in spite of His track record of provision.


Hope in a Turbulent World

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Greek and Roman myths have shaped the world view of Western culture, including our attitude toward hope, a concept which is often abused and distorted.


Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Seven)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In terms of building character, God does the creating, assaying, testing, and proving; we do the yielding and walking in the pathway He has set for us.


What Is the Church's Work Today (Part One)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The hardest part of God's work is the feeding of the flock the full counsel of God, to get the called-out ones ready to enter the Kingdom of God.


The Back Door

Sermonette by Joseph B. Baity

Satan knows how to exploit the vulnerabilities of carnal nature for his purposes. Satan's tireless efforts to hack the human mind steal valuable time.


Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Five)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Solomon warns against bad choices in our investment of time. Our knowledge that we will ultimately die should motivate us to use our time circumspectly.


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.


Psalm 8: What Is Man?

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

Psalm 8 declares that the Creator of the universe has our backs, keeping us under close observation and unfailing protection throughout our sanctification.


Sincerity and Truth (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We have been given the priceless gift of God's Word of sincerity and truth which has the power to sanctify. We must guard it as a life preserver.


The Crown of Life

Article by Martin G. Collins

We do not think about crowns much, but one awaits us if we continue in the faith! The Bible describes the crowns we will receive when we enter God's Kingdom.


Numbers: The Book of Judgment

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We live daily in uncharted territory, but the sobering account in Numbers provides a roadmap, establishing God's pattern of judging our pilgrimage conduct.


Matthew (Part Twenty-Three)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

The apostles' inability to drive out the demon teaches that faith is not a constant factor; it will deteriorate if it not exercised through prayer and fasting.