Playlist: Suffering, Learning through (topic)
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.
God's Tools
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaSpiritual maturity does not come about without difficulty, and suffering is one of God's tools to perfect us. Suffering refines endurance and character.
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.
Are You Worthy of Your Calling?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPaul encourages the Thessalonians to thank God for their salvation, surrender without complaint, ask God for wisdom, and look for opportunities to serve.
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.
Becoming Fearless
Sermon by Mark SchindlerWhen Job was afflicted with physical problems, he learned that God was using them to perfect him. Afflictions are intended to bind us together.
The Providence of God (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCalamities, trials, anxiety, evil, and calamities, as well as blessings, happen to Christians in order to become fashioned and molded into God's image.
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 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.
Assurance (Part Three): Glory and Hope
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe sufferings we go through are minuscule compared to the glory which we will receive, completely eclipsing the glory of Adam and Eve before their fall.
Wilderness Wandering (Part Five)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Christ's suffering was not confined to crucifixion, but also consisted of rejection, humiliation, and the duress of persecution. Glory follows suffering.
Trial by Fire
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike 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.
Day By Day
Sermonette by Clyde FinkleaEcclesiastes teaches us to rejoice when times are good and to reflect soberly when times are bad. Adversity is a tool God uses to create something beautiful.
Assurance (Part Two): Of the Path to Glory
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe can be assured that we are God's heirs and offspring if we are led by the spirit, remaining on the sanctified path of fellowship, growing continually.
A Time for Thanksgiving (2008)
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Modern Israel seems to have great difficulty managing money because of an addiction to greed. Wealth, without a powerful character, is a destructive drug.
Philippians (Part Three)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughPaul conveyed to the Philippians his optimism that his imprisonment was actually a blessing, enabling him to magnify his effectiveness and bear more fruit.
Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike the Ephesians, the weary veterans in Hebrews were becoming apathetic through outside pressures, losing their former zeal and devotion to Christ.
Facing Times of Stress: Persecution
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPersecution involves a wide spectrum, ranging from torture, physical beating, social excommunication, imprisonment and death. Our boldness should match Paul's.
Wilderness Wandering (Part Two)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)If we yield to God's manipulation of our lives, we will handle stress constructively, developing a relationship with Him, bearing spiritual fruit.
Knowing Christ (Part 2)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChrist's sacrifice was not merely substitutionary, but representative, with Christ giving us a pattern for life - mortifying our flesh and putting out sin.
Thankfulness (1986)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughWe need to give thanks for everything, blessings and trials. Christianity ought to be an exhilarating experience, but it depends on our outlook on life.
Lamentations (Part Six)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Lamentations 3, the narrator finally convinces Lady Jerusalem that her own sins have caused her necessary punishment and affliction by God.
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.
Whom the Lord Loves He Chastens (Part One)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsIf we are not receiving God's correction or chastisement, we should be concerned! God's chastening is what He uses to sanctify His spiritual children.
A GPS for our Spiritual Pilgrimage
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasSince God's thoughts are higher than ours, we must keep an intimate GPS-like dialogue with our heavenly Father so we can stay on the right path to the Kingdom.
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.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Eighteen)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)We accept most of our opinions, prejudices, and beliefs unconsciously. We must scrutinize our own beliefs through the principles of God's Holy Scriptures.
Preparing to Rule (1993)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughSanctification is both a state and a process—a time period between justification and glorification during which overcoming, purification, and holiness takes place.
Is God a Magician?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughTechnology makes us susceptible to the 'quick fix' mentality, expecting miraculous solutions to all problems, making us susceptible to false miracles.
Acts (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughThe early church had confidence in God's sovereignty, realizing that no human authority could thwart God's power. This conviction gave them strength.
Knowing Christ (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughWhen we mortify the flesh, refusing to feed the hungry beast of our carnal nature, we suffer. Suffering for righteousness' sake helps us to know Christ.
Joy: What Is It?
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWithout God's Spirit, the fruit of joy is unattainable. Godly joy buoys people in the midst of grave trials, providing hope for a glorious future.
Make Sure of Your Focus (1998)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur focus should be to seek God's kingdom, reciprocating God's love, committing ourselves to a life of service, fulfilling His purpose without complaining.
Leadership and the Covenants (Part Twenty-One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Prior to the Flood, mankind's thoughts and intents were evil continually. A parallel time of demonic activity is on the horizon for those living today.
Never Again: God's Purpose For Bad Memories
Sermon by David F. MaasAfter God forgives our sins, He still allows residual memories of these transgressions to remain in our memories, evidently to help us in overcoming.
Seeking God's Will (Part Three): Patience
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWe must adopt God's perspective on time, developing longsuffering and developing tranquility under adversity, waiting patiently on God.
Why Does God Keep Secrets?
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by David F. MaasBy not revealing everything immediately, God has been employing teaching techniques that have taken the educational community thousands of years to discover.
Preparing for Bad Times (Part 1)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughBoth the watchman and the one who hears have a responsibility to make preparations for bad times, helping themselves and others through the tough times.
Hebrews (Part Six)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus experienced the same temptations and suffering we do, qualifying Him for the role of High Priest, the bridge-builder between man and God.