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A Look at Christian Suffering (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeGod has called us to follow the example of Jesus Christ, who epitomized unjust suffering while always doing good. Suffering wrongfully is often a result of doing the right thing in a world opposed to God's ways, offending our sense of justice when the wicked prosper while the righteous endure hardship. Yet, if we commit ourselves to Him who judges righteously, and He determines that we must endure such suffering, we can trust that it will accomplish good somewhere, at some time, just as Christ's wholly undeserved suffering has brought about overwhelming good. This suffering may teach us aspects of God's way that we could not grasp merely by reading, help us identify more closely with our Savior, allow us to sympathize with others in their pain, test our trust in Him, or keep us humble and submissive to Him. If we approach this undeserved suffering with faith, trusting in God's strength, we can be assured that He will support us and cause the circumstance to bear good fruit, even if we may never fully understand the reason in this life. Part of that fruit will be an abhorrence of the sin that caused the suffering, indelibly writing God's law on our hearts as part of the New Covenant He established. Though such adversity can weigh us down and threaten to overwhelm, God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted or suffer beyond what we can bear, either strengthening us to endure or providing a way of escape. With a long-range view, we can keep this suffering in perspective, knowing it is momentary compared to the eternal glory He has prepared for us, renewing our inner nature day by day as we focus on the unseen and eternal promises of God.
What Did Jesus Do?
'Ready Answer' by StaffWe have all seen 'WWJD?' on bracelets, T-shirts, and the like. Perhaps a better question is, "What *did* Jesus do?" because He left us the perfect example.
Life Doesn't Work on a Balance Sheet (Part Three)
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeAs 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.
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.
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.
Persecution
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAlthough many have gone through sore trials, virtually no one has gone through the nightmarish persecutions suffered by the early Christians in Imperial Rome.
Matthew (Part Seven)
Sermon/Bible Study by John W. RitenbaughJesus, showing the spirit of the law, warns against rash divorces, taking oaths, invoking God's name frivolously, realizing that a covenant is binding.
Those Who Are Persecuted
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughPersecution is already here, part and parcel in the lives of followers of Christ. If we are persecuted for following God's instructions, we will be blessed.
Blessed Are the Meek (2014)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn Paul's listings of virtues, meekness always appears near the end, reflecting its difficulty. Meekness is the gentle, quiet spirit of selfless devotion.
The Reality of Evil
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe best weapon against the evil of our human nature is to develop the mind of Christ within us to displace our carnal nature.
Taking an Insult
Sermon by Ted E. BowlingWhen Jesus commands us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile, He did not present that option as weakness but as powerful demonstrations of spiritual maturity.
'But I Say to You' (Part Six): Retaliation
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughJesus, using hyperbole to shock His disciples into a change of behavior or attitude, emphasizing that they should resist the impulse to retaliate.
The Father-Son Relationship (Part Six)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe Father and the Son are two distinct beings, not co-equal as the trinity doctrine proclaims, but with the Son deferring to the Father in all things.
Sugar Cookie
Sermonette by Bill OnisickNavy Seal training has a humbling 'sugar cookie' exercise in which trainees are arbitrarily forced to endure excruciating discomfort and humiliation.
Biblical Principles of Justice (Part Two)
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughAre we ready, at this stage in our spiritual growth, to apply chapter and verse all the biblical principles that apply to a case?