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Faith to Face Our Trials

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

Life seems to be one trial after another. However, God has revealed an astounding facet of God's love that should give us the faith to soldier on.

The Clock Stopped and the Whole World Changed

CGG Weekly

Trials come in many forms, and when we are shaken by a big one—when the clock stops and the whole world changes for us—what is our response?

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?

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.

Faith to Face the Fire

'Ready Answer' by Staff

We sometimes mistake faith for certainty about God's will. However, faith is not knowing what God will do but trusting Him to do what is best for us.

Motivation to Endure

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid

Without daily contact with God in prayer and Bible study, and without continual contact with the brethren, we may lose the determination to persevere.

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.

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.

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.

Assurance (Part Two): Of the Path to Glory

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

We 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.

Hope to the End (Part Three)

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

Faith, hope and love are spiritual gifts which safeguard us from discouragement and depression, giving us a mature perspective that will last eternally.

Hope to the End (Part Two)

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

We need these horrific times and conditions to learn the consequences of foolish decisions in order to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.

Letters to Seven Churches (Part Ten): The Church

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Ups and downs, blessings and trials, have characterized every era of the church. God's people are always battling something negative between the brief highs.

Back to Life (Part One)

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Sickness and hardship should not erode our faith in God's ultimately favorable purpose for us. A current trial may serve as a witness for the good of others.

God's Correction of His Children

CGG Weekly by Mike Fuhrer

Trials provide an opportunity to inspect our attitudes and actions, prompting us to make adjustments, avoiding further, harsher correction from the Almighty.

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.

How Much Does God Love Us? (Part Two)

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

Christians have difficulty trusting in God's limitless love for His elect. But if they do, it provides a genuine power to overcome life's challenges.

The Hard Makes it Great

Sermon by Mark Schindler

The hard things God wants us to do are preferable to the harsh bondage to sin. The hardness makes us hardy enough to be included in the first harvest.

Do You See God Working in You?

Sermon by Kim Myers

Job was able to endure the multiple trials and tragic events by seeing the hand of God in his life, realizing that God works in both good and bad times.

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.

Ecclesiastes and Christian Living (Part Eleven): Paradox, Continued

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Hard trials are not punishments from God for unrighteousness but tests of faith in which He is intimately involved to prepare us for the world to come.

Why is Life So Hard?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

The 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.

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.

Rejoice at the Feast

Sermonette by Mike Ford

Deuteronomy 16:13 and other scriptures admonish us to rejoice at the Feast of Tabernacles. How does this apply if things go wrong?

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.

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.

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.

When Will God Answer?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

God does not delay because of indifference, but wants to provide maximum opportunity for repenting, overcoming, and building character.

Are You Worthy of Your Calling?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to thank God for their salvation, surrender without complaint, ask God for wisdom, and look for opportunities to serve.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Two)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Trials are a means to produce spiritual growth, unless we resort to super-righteousness, straining to please God by exalting our works.

God Is Preparing Us For the Kingdom

Sermon by Kim Myers

Today, the church is experiencing more overwhelming trials than ever before, indicating that God is preparing His people for the end time.

Perseverance and Hope

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

In the turbulent and uncertain times ahead, we will need extraordinary fortitude and courage. Trials can improving perseverance or active endurance.

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.

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.

We Are Saved in This Hope

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

The Scriptures assure us that by combining God's redemptive acts from the past, we are to have an ardent hope in the future, anticipating eternal life.

Laying Aside Every Weight (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

The apostle Paul endured tremendous hardship, and his example teaches that we have the ability and responsibility to choose how we let circumstances affect us.

Our Hope

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Our hope is based on having a living Savior. At times we are discouraged and overwhelmed, but God has not left us—though unseen, He is in the trials with us.

Life Doesn't Work on a Balance Sheet (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

As soon as The Father and Son created man with the ability to choose right or wrong, They exposed Themselves to the certainty that humanity would rebel.

Laying Aside Every Weight (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Our sins can drag us down, but there are other weights that impede our progress, limit our usefulness to God, hold us back, and hinder us in our race.

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.

Christ, Our Hero

Sermonette by Hunter D. Swanson

Jacob Collier defines a hero as a person who reveals to us the things that are possible for us to accomplish, including enduring the most difficult hardships.

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.

A Look at Christian Suffering (Part Three)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

It offends our sense of justice to see the wicked prospering while the righteous suffer. We may need to adjust our expectations for leading an easy life.

Strategies for Interfacing with Babylon Without Becoming Assimilated (Part Six)

Sermon by David F. Maas

We must embrace failure as a tool for spiritual growth. Trials are essential in shaping character, building faith, and reinforcing dependence on God.

Will You Show Up?

Sermonette by Hunter D. Swanson

Expecting to do the very best each time might prove to be a detriment leading to inhibiting self-doubt. Sometimes, "showing up" may be our best works.

The Beatitudes, Part 8: Blessed Are the Persecuted

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Persecution is a fact of life for a Christian. Jesus Christ says we are blessed if we are persecuted for righteousness' sake — here's why.

Fear and Faith (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Mike Ford

The spies returned on the 8th of Av, and as the 9th of Av began, the people murmured, beginning a long list of calamities to befall Israel on this date.

Our Part in the Sanctification Process (Part Five): Cultivating Patience

Sermon by David F. Maas

Numerous scriptures show the bad effects of impatience committed by ancient Israel, while the patriarchs, Jesus Christ, and the Father set examples of true patience.

Passionate Patience

Sermon by Mark Schindler

While waiting for Christ's return and overcoming our carnal minds, we must struggle to connect with God's will and purpose, developing passionate patience.

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.

Be Thankful!

Sermon by John O. Reid

The danger of abundant blessings is that we tend to forget the source of the blessings and cease being thankful. When we forget to be thankful, we forget God.

How Much Does God Love Us? (Part One)

'Ready Answer' by Pat Higgins

In John 17:23, Jesus states that the Father loves every child of God as He loves Christ! The spiritual ramifications of this love are astounding.

Building on a Perfect Foundation

CGG Weekly by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Many hear or read God's Word and think they believe. Jesus says that many say to Him, 'Lord, Lord,' as if in submission, but they never truly follow Him.

God's Perspective

Sermonette by Ryan McClure

Human nature skews our view of reality; there is always more than meets the eye. We would do well to adopt the approach of 'Good or bad, it is hard to say.'

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.

Consequences of a Wrong Focus (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by Clyde Finklea

Contempt manifests itself in bad feelings and wrong attitudes against the source of the problem and against God and the purposes He seeks to accomplish.

How Can We Develop True Patience?

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Patience in the face of trying events is a clear indication that we are developing genuine godliness. We can learn to turn trials into positive growth opportunities.

Unity (Part 8): Ephesians 4 (E)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The 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.

The Fruit of the Spirit: Meekness

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Meekness is often confused with weakness and considered to be undesirable. But Jesus lists it as a primary virtue of one who will inherit His Kingdom.

James and Unleavened Bread (Part One)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The book of James applies to us after the sanctification process has begun. The most effective way of eliminating sin is to do righteousness.