Playlist: Grief (topic)
Acquainted with Grief
Sermonette byChrist's bearing of our sicknesses and infirmities may have taken place throughout His life. He may have been acquainted with ill health for our benefit.
House of Mourning
Sermon by Bill OnisickPersonal experiences of grief begin with the sudden loss of a grandfather during an afternoon nap, followed by the drowning of a college fraternity brother and the death of a father during routine surgery. These events produced lasting pain that initially tore a family apart yet eventually prompted self-examination, a sense of …
Not To Reason Why
Commentary by Richard T. RitenbaughWhen tragedy strikes, God allows time to mourn, and Jesus wept with those who grieved. Such sorrow is natural, necessary, and good, yet questions soon follow as people seek explanations for their suffering. Curiosity leads to inquiries about personal responsibility, possible guilt, and why God permitted the event. These …
A Time to Tear
Sermon by Charles Whitaker (1944-2021)The practice of rending clothes symbolizes sorrow, agony, despair, and hopelessness, a realization that God alone can restore the profound loss.
Psalm Genres (Part Four): Laments
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughLife is filled with grief and sorrow because human existence on a planet shared with billions involves repeated troubles, conflicts, and trials that multiply through interactions with others. Biblical testimony confirms this pattern, portraying the Savior as a man of sorrows acquainted with grief, pronouncing blessing on those …
Lamentations (Part Three)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPersonified Jerusalem, whom God depicts as a grieving widow, blames others for her troubles while overlooking her own sins as the real cause of her sorrow.
Lamentations (Part Five)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe expressions of sorrow in the Psalms far outnumber expressions of praise, indicating that the Hebrew culture has almost made the lamentation an art form.
Of Death
Sermon by James BeaubelleWhile some view death as a transition or displacement of cosmic energy, scripture affirms that death is real, appointed to all, and occurs under God's authority.
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.
Those Who Mourn
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughWorldly sorrow leads to death while godly sorrow leads to repentance and life. After godly repentance, sorrow is swallowed up in profound joy.
On The Value of Joy
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Because we live in a troubling world, our reserves of joy are probably somewhat low, perhaps making us feel that we are deficient in God's Holy Spirit.
Lamentations (Part Four)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Lamentations 2, Lady Jerusalem sidesteps godly repentance, opting instead for self-centered recrimination against Almighty God.
Strategies for Escaping Babylon (Part Three)
Sermon by David F. MaasCreating a sense of humor will make it easier to escape the satanic lies of Babylon, or at least make it more endurable.
Back to Life (Part Four)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's love does not shield us from sickness, pain, sorrow, or death. There are several scriptural contexts in which Jesus shed tears and expressed grief.
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.
Abraham (Part Twelve)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughBased on his long friendship with God, Abraham could systematically calculate the reliability of God's promises even in the lack of visual evidence.
Tearing Your Clothes
Sermonette by James C. StoertzTearing one's clothing has lost its meaning, such as when it is used as a form of vanity like in torn clothing fashions or as a form of faux humility.
It's Enough! Now, Lord, Take My Life!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGreat luminaries of faith all wrestled with devastating despair. We must face depression with honesty, compassion, and unwavering trust in God.
Job and Self-Evaluation (Part Two): Perspective
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJob's three 'friends,' exemplars of all men, made critical assumptions and judgments about Job on the basis of biased religious and cultural tradition.
Jabez: 'That I May Not Cause Pain'
Sermon by Mark SchindlerJabez's brief but powerful prayer identifies him as a spiritual beacon, a man born in pain who seeks blessing and alignment with God's will.
Everlasting Consolation and Good Hope
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsGod's saints are not immune to depression. Job, Moses, and Elijah all felt so overwhelmed, they wanted God to take their lives.
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.
Color In Scripture
Sermon/Bible Study byThe Hebrews perceived color differently than we do, assigning symbolic significance to a number of different colors as they associate with concrete objects.
Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Six): Cultivating Kindness
Sermon by David F. MaasBecause kindness is love in action, we must galvanize our thoughts into concrete behaviors, including offering encouraging words and performing uplifting deeds.
Facing Times of Stress: Grieved by Various Trials
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsFaith from God will be required to endure and profit from trials, bringing about character and genuineness of faith, as well as patience and trust in God.