Playlist: Trials (topic)
Days of Trials
Sermonette byThe conversion process resembles a battle, requiring that we must put on armor, expecting continuous skirmishes to enter God's Kingdom victoriously.
Defining Trials
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidTrials are a vital, though less discussed, aspect of our Christian calling, defining who we are before God. They are designed to change our mind and nature into those of God and Jesus Christ through obedience to His laws. The testing of our faith through trials holds tremendous value, proving if our faith is pure and solid, far …
Trial by Fire
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTrials are an integral part of God's purpose for those He has called, as they serve to refine and perfect the character of His children. God, in His omniscience, is fully aware of our struggles and uses trials to test and prove what is in our hearts, as seen with Israel in the wilderness, where He led them for forty years to …
Trials: Much Needed Experiences
Sermon by John O. ReidGod 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.
Why is Life So Hard?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe rigors God puts us through are not to crush us, but to shape us, transforming us into His image. True gain is walking through the anguish in victory.
No Pain, No Gain
Sermonette by Mike FordWhen you're up to your neck in trials, it's easy to forget you are in training to be a member of the God family.
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.
Psalm Genres (Part Four): Laments
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLife on this earth is marked by inevitable trials and tribulations, a reality faced by all with no exceptions. Storms of hardship batter us repeatedly, far beyond mere rain, as we navigate a world filled with conflict among billions. Historical voices echo this sentiment, portraying life as a humbling lesson, a horizontal fall, …
Motivation to Endure
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWithout daily contact with God in prayer and Bible study, and without continual contact with the brethren, we may lose the determination to persevere.
God Is Preparing Us For the Kingdom
Sermon by Kim MyersToday, the church is experiencing more overwhelming trials than ever before, indicating that God is preparing His people for the end time.
Running God's Marathon With Christ
Sermon by Mark SchindlerChrist endured many more than three temptations; rather, He was tested continuously, and perhaps the intensity increased as He neared the end of His life.
Why Are We Afflicted?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsAffliction is a necessary aspect of life, yielding strength of character, while ease and comfort weaken us. Christ was perfected as High Priest through suffering.
Dreaming Big
Sermonette by Hunter D. SwansonDreaming big does not have to mean desiring fame and fortune, but instead aspiring for a meaningful life that aligns to God's plan and trusting God's will for us.
The Continuous Testing of Our Faith
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe 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.
Firstfruits and the Master Potter
Sermon by Clyde FinkleaThe Potter and Clay analogy provides instructions for understanding character-building tests and trials in the life-long sanctification process.
From Pilgrims to Pillars (Part Two)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasThe intensity of the heat in both the refiner's furnace and the potter's kiln resembles the fiery trials we must endure for the Refiner to remove the dross.
Hebrews (Part Fourteen)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughLike 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. RitenbaughWe 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.
Rejoice at the Feast
Sermonette by Mike FordDeuteronomy 16:13 and other scriptures admonish us to rejoice at the Feast of Tabernacles. How does this apply if things go wrong?
Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe group that one fellowships with is less important than the understanding that there is one true church, bound by a spiritual, not a physical unity.
Amos (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughGod will do what He must to bring Abraham's seed to repentance and salvation, including allowing crisis, hardship, humiliation, and calamity.
Contentment
Sermon by John O. ReidMany people live in a state of discontent. Tragically, what they set their hearts upon often displaces the love for family and a relationship with God.
Disruption
Sermonette by Joseph B. BaityWe must consider our ways, especially in times of stress when continuous disruptions throw us into confusion and impede physical and spiritual progress.
Psalms: Book Two (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughBook II of the Psalms was written largely by David and shows how he reacts to some gruesome trials by surrendering to God's redemption.
Lead Us Not Into Temptation
Sermon by Ryan McClureIt 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.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Five)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsJoseph knew and recognized his brothers before they knew him, even as God knows our guiltiest secret sins that we think we have effectively hidden.
Our Core Business
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. ReidWhen corporations get rid of their core business, they become less effective. Likewise when we deviate from our core job, we risk returning to the world.
God's Love and Teachings for His Children
Sermon by Kim MyersGod lovingly teaches His children, just as a perfect parent. As children cry out to their parents, so human nature drives God's people to complain to Him.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Seventeen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Wisdom can be defined as doing the right thing at the right time in the right way to the right measure. Wisdom is not given as a whole, but incrementally.
Persecution
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough many have gone through sore trials, virtually no one has gone through the nightmarish persecutions suffered by the early Christians in Imperial Rome.
Psalms: Book Two (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughEight of the psalms of Book Two were not written by David, but by Asaph, the sons of Korah, and Solomon. These psalms have more of a group emphasis.
Psalms: Book Two (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe 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.
Psalm 23 (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe valley-of-shadow imagery symbolizes the fears, trials, and tests needed to produce character, quality fruit, and an intimate trust in the shepherd.
Made His Wonderful Works to Be Remembered (Part Two)
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThose called by God now have a unique privilege and responsibility to live in God's truth, distinguishing them from those who have hope but lack understanding.
Think on These Things
Sermon by Mark SchindlerThe epistle of Philippians contains some valuable advice to God's people today, having suffered some grievous trials which have bonded them together.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Two)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe may have guilty consciences like Joseph's brothers and self-pity like Jacob, but we can break through if we acknowledge God as Jacob and Elisha did.
Escape From Box Canyon
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughGod forced Israel either to trust Him completely for deliverance or to return to their slavery. One of the greatest miracles in history has a lesson for us.
The Solid Foundation of God
Sermonette by Richard T. RitenbaughWe don't all build on the foundation in the same manner, but God will test the quality of work for each of us in order to see if our edifice will stand.
A Misunderstood Characteristic of God
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMany are shocked at the seeming lack of sensitivity in the Father's bruising of His Son. He struck the Being He loved most to add multiple members to His family.
Four Views of Christ (Part 7)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur lives parallel what Christ experienced: crucifixion, burial, resurrection, and glorification. The death of self must precede resurrection and glory.
Count It ALL Joy
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamCovering James 1:2, this lesson explores the importance of facing every trial God places before us with joy for the sake of our spiritual growth. As we examine passages throughout the Bible, we see that not all of God's instructions are easy to follow. Maintaining a joyful attitude during difficult circumstances is among the …
Faith and Spiritual Focus
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFasting is not for pressuring God or attempting to put Him in debt, but instead to reveal what we really are, clothing us with the humility to yield to Him.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Nine)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We are not privy to God's, but we must realize that He has the prerogative to impose both blessings and calamity, the latter in response to disobedience.
How God Deals With Conscience (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe have to learn to rely on God to get us out of strait and difficult situations, realizing that God may want to help us to develop a backbone and mature.
The Path to Magnificence
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWe have not been uninformed about the enemy's tactics, nor about our capacity to endure. God will never forsake us, and we should never forsake one another.
Principled Living (Part Five): Witnessing of God
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughOur best witness is often through our unspoken behavior; what we do speaks volumes. God gives us a charge to bear His name with dignity in all our actions.
Remembering God's Gifts, Promises, and Rewards
Sermon by John O. ReidDuring these times of intense distress and tribulation, God expects that we use our memories to reflect upon His gifts, promises, and rewards.