Motivation to Endure
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, focusing on Luke 21:9, encourages the development of patience, perseverance, and endurance in the horrific times ahead, safe-guarding the precious calling God has given us. We have been mandated to endure to the end, processing all the trials and tests which we will be called upon to endure. God is in complete charge …
Motivation to Endure
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, taking a cue from prisoner of war examples, identifies four factors that will boost a person's resolve to endure sore trials: (1) Hope (that the war would end) (2) Faith (in the ability to tough it out) (3) Vision (of being able to escape), leading to a (4) Determination (or mindset not to give in.) We can profitably …
Enduring as a Good Soldier
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, referring to the words of salvation (election, calling, regeneration, conversion, sanctification, and glorification), suggests that we are entering the most difficult time of the sanctification process, a time Jeremiah described as a man in the throes of labor, a time when God's called out ones would be required …
Endure as a Good Soldier
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn God's plan, the development of uncompromising character requires struggle and sacrifice. Our victory requires continual drill, tests and development of discipline.
Dealing With Change (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeNone of the heroes of faith lived a settled life. They experienced continual change to their circumstances, yet they soldiered on and emerged victorious
Light Affliction?
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsAffliction seems to be an integral part of Christianity. However, when it is viewed in the context of eternity, it is relatively light.
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod narrows in our way because He loves us, just as we hedge our children because we care about their lives. God loves us too much to leave us the way we are.
Challenges
CGG Weekly by Gary MontgomeryLife is difficult to navigate. Adversity is a common part of life, yet now, having been called by God, we must work hard to overcome and conquer these challenges.
Laying Aside Every Weight (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeOur 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.
God's Correction of His Children
CGG Weekly by Mike FuhrerTrials provide an opportunity to inspect our attitudes and actions, prompting us to make adjustments, avoiding further, harsher correction from the Almighty.
Why is Life So Hard?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeDavid Grabbe, assessing the impact of struggles, pressures, and tribulations of our spiritual journey, reveals that Christ's followers will have to endure afflictions and fiery trials as He prepares them for His Kingdom. Some detractors have tried to preach that "godliness is a means of gain," implying that if we were …
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeSome have a warped idea of godliness, not pursuing it with a desire to resemble God, but believing that if they are righteous, God will materially bless.
The Endurance of the Firstfruits (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe Parable of the Sower and the Seed exemplifies a number things that can happen to prevent us from having a place in God's spiritual harvest.
Why Is Life So Hard? (Part One)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeEntrance into the Kingdom of God will not happen without many tribulations (Acts 14:22). We may need to adjust our expectations of what discipleship entails.
Persevering to the End
CGG Weekly by John W. RitenbaughNoah is an outstanding example of persevering through a dreadful experience. Not only did he persevere through the Flood, but also through 120 years of preparations.
The Hard Makes it Great
Sermon by Mark SchindlerMark Schindler, acknowledging that movies and books contain unforgettable aphorisms to ponder or live by, focuses on a memorable line from the movie A League of Their Own, a movie about a struggling women's baseball team, when the coach tells a disheartened player, "It's supposed to be hard; if it weren't hard everybody …
In the Hands of the Potter
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingTed Bowling, reflecting on the potter and clay analogy, reminds us that the Master Potter continually molds and shapes His people. Finding different kinds of clay in the riverbed, he weathers it to the point it stinks (like our own sins), and then pounds the clay on a hard surface, rolling and mashing it, getting rid of the …
Perseverance and Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughIn the turbulent and uncertain times ahead, we will need extraordinary fortitude and courage. Trials can improving perseverance or active endurance.
Faith to Face Our Trials
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsLife 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.
Facing Times of Stress: When God Is Silent (Part Three)
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsActs 27 teaches that we must distinguish among several types of suffering. Regardless of the type of suffering, we must remember that God will deliver us.
Our Hope
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughOur 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.
How Can We Develop True Patience?
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsPatience 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.
Change and Hope
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)As God found it necessary to test our forbears, He allows us to go through grueling experiences (trials, tests, and temptations) for maximum growth.
Laying Aside Every Weight (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThe apostle Paul endured tremendous hardship, and his example teaches us that we have the ability—and even responsibility—to choose how we let our circumstances affect us. Paul had to decide whether to let his circumstances weigh him down or to rise above them so God could use him. ...
Facing Persecution
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughHow does Jesus Christ expect us to face persecution? The Scripture show how Jesus, the apostles, and the prophets approached the persecutions they endured.
Fear the Lord's Goodness!
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsThere is an aspect of God's goodness that is rarely associated with goodness. As surprising as it may seem, God's goodness can be feared! Martin Collins explains why this is so.
Endurance
Sermonette by Ronny H. GrahamAs we approach the time of Christ's return, persecution will become increasingly intense, coming from places we least expect it. We must learn endurance.
Discouragement and Trumpets
Sermonette by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh, in this offertory message for the Feast of Trumpets, cautions us that even though members of God's church might get depressed or feel lost in the shuffle, the Christian life is not always easy. While there may be reasons to become depressed, there is no reason to stay depressed, realizing that God is with us the …
Soldiers of Christ
Sermonette by Ryan McClureRyan McClure focuses on the biblical mandate that God's people enlist as soldiers of Christ (II Timothy 2:1-4), enduring hardship, keeping themselves unentangled with the world, and selecting the appropriate armor for spiritual battle. Paul, a former persecutor of God's people, learned to endure persecution by putting on the …
Persistence
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, focusing upon a diary excerpt of a pioneer woman on the Oregon Trail, asserts that the trait of persistence is impossible without a transcendent and ardent vision (Proverbs 29:18). Having vision prevents us from casting off life-saving restraint and gives us the will to keep on. The Father and Jesus Christ have …
Who Will Be Kept from the Hour of Trial?
'Prophecy Watch' by David C. GrabbeGod promises certain Christians that He will keep them from the Tribulation—the "hour of trial." Here are the characteristics of those whom God will protect.
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.
Overcoming Discouragement and Depression
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsEven loyal servants of God have had to contend with depression and discouragement. Antidotes include rest, refocus, right expectations, and obedient actions.
Faith and the Christian Fight (Part Ten)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLike with the heroes of faith, our testing will be commensurate with the job God has prepared for us. We must make our relationship with God our top priority.
Hebrews: A Message for Today
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe book of Hebrews provides reasons to recapture flagging zeal, focusing on the reason for our hope and faith, establishing Christ's credentials.
Elements of Motivation (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh focuses on the remarkable energizing capacity of hope. In the familiar triumvirate (faith, hope, and love) faith serves as the foundation, love serves as the goal, and hope serves as the great motivator or energizer. Unique among the religions, Christianity, with its expectation of a Messiah and the promise of a …
Avoiding Spiritual Burnout
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)John Reid, drawing on an example of an exhausted military medic, explores the problem of burnout with the attending symptoms of collapse, callousness, and giving up. The inability of solving mounting cultural and social problems despite advances in technology puts a strain on anyone who cares about the consequences, especially …
Dealing With Change (Part Two)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeThose who call Christ 'Lord, Lord' yet fail to do what He says face ruin when disaster strikes, while those who do what He says will weather the storm.
Hebrews, Love, and the Ephesian Church
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh warns that the sheer variety of choices (distractions) available to us today (with their potential accompanying temptations and enervating time-wasting diversions) is extremely stressful because it automatically increases sin and lawlessness, automatically decreasing love, zeal, and affection. Like our society, …
Assurance (Part Two): Of the Path to Glory
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsMartin Collins, realizing that most people, both outside and inside the church, crave assurance , avers that we can have assurance that we are God's heirs and offspring if we are led by the spirit, remaining on the sanctified path of fellowship, growing continually in grace and knowledge. When we receive God's calling, God's …
Finishing Your Gun Lap
Sermon by John O. Reid (1930-2016)The most dangerous lap we encounter is when everyone around us tends to be compromising. Today, what was once aberrant behavior is now considered normal.
