Playlist: Suffering, Response to (topic)

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Why Does God Allow Us to Be Afflicted?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

In God's hands, trials and afflictions are tools to produce refined character and joy, and to move us away from worldly choices and back to His purpose.


Power Belongs to God (Part 1)

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul knew that only through strengthening his relationship with God was he able to both abound and be abased. When we are in trouble, we need to contact God first.


Not To Reason Why

Commentary by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Why did God allow this tragedy? Why do the good suffer and the evil prosper? We want answers to these questions, but Jesus points us in another direction.


Pre-Feast Annoyances

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

As we prepare for the Feast of Tabernacles, chances are that there will be things that test our patience and even a few more will crop up when we get there.


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.


The Providence of God (Part One)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Calamities, trials, anxiety, evil, and calamities, as well as blessings, happen to Christians in order to become fashioned and molded into God's image.


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.


Running God's Marathon With Christ

Sermon by Mark Schindler

Christ 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. Collins

Affliction is a necessary aspect of life, yielding strength of character, while ease and comfort weaken us. Christ was perfected as High Priest through suffering.


Are You a Victim?

Sermonette by John W. Ritenbaugh

Both David and Job provided sterling examples for us responding to seemingly 'unfair' situations, keeping within the bounds of what is acceptable to God.


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.


The Clear Light Of A God-Given Life

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Mark Schindler

God the Father has given us life, He and His Son living their lives in us. God expects us to live now, in the moment, not waiting for a better day.


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.


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.


Wilderness Wandering (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

We share in Christ's suffering, realizing that glory follows suffering. It may involve enduring hardship, deprivation, duress, and outright boredom.


Sovereignty, Election, and Grace (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Even though we have the free moral agency to run counter to God's purposes, we court disaster if we presumptuously plan against these purposes.


Contentment

Sermon by John O. Reid

Many 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.


Establishing Our Hearts Before Christ's Return

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

James emphasizes patience five times, suggesting that it is a capstone of saintly character, encompassing long-suffering, forbearance, and self-restraint.


We Can Make It!

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

A disciple cannot escape the kind of persecution directed against his teacher. In the wake of this kind of abuse, people can succumb to depression.


Control and Self-Control

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Paradoxically, when we yield to God's sovereignty, He wants to cede control over to us, teaching us to develop self-control as an ingrained habit.


As The Deer Pants

Sermonette by Ted E. Bowling

There are various connotations of the verb 'pant' as it applies to thirsting in a dry environment as well as to the exhaustion of an escaping animal.


The Reality of Evil

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The best weapon against the evil of our human nature is to develop the mind of Christ within us to displace our carnal nature.


Thankfulness (1986)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

We need to give thanks for everything, blessings and trials. Christianity ought to be an exhilarating experience, but it depends on our outlook on life.


Christianity Is a Fight! (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Our pilgrimage to the Kingdom will not be easy; we will suffer fatigue from difficult battles with serious consequences. We fight the world, Satan, and our flesh.


The Sacrifices of Leviticus (Part 4)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The meal offering represents the second Great Commandment, love toward fellow man. Our service to others requires much grinding self-sacrifice and surrender.


The Sovereignty of God (Part Six)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God has consistently moved His creation toward its ultimate purpose, setting the bounds of nations, motivating rulers to pursue a certain course of action.