Sermons About Tribulations
Act(s) XIV - Scene I, II, III
Highlighted from the 14th chapter of Acts are the courage to proclaim in the face of opposition; the importance of casting off those things which counter our being useful to the Master for His purpose; and the inevitability of trials and tribulations. The Father makes us the head and not the tail; he causes us to rise above, not to be "under" the circumstances.
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A Vision of Jesus for the Church: Revelation 1
Revelation is an amazing book written to a church struggling with whether or not to compromise the Gospel to avoid persecution. They wanted to know if they could have Jesus and still live like everyone else. Some had already begun to compromise, some had refused to compromise and were suffering persecution, and others where stuck looking at both of them and wondering what they should do. Jesus speaks to all three groups by saying "Look at me!" In answer to their questions, Jesus shows them a magnificent picture of himself that few Christians have ever really taken the time to contemplate. It is a vision of a massive Jesus whose face shines like the sun, whose voice is like the sound of rushing waters, and out of whose mouth comes a sharp two-edged sword. This vision is meant to comfort the suffering and to rouse the compromising from their foolishness and call them all to follow Jesus. We will discuss how such a vision could possibly comfort anyone and we will address how this whole series applies to us today.
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Trials: the means for spiritual maturity
Everyone experiences times of suffering in their lives. However, how we handle these sufferings and trials in our life will indicate our spiritual maturity. As Christians, we must realize that God intentionally ordains trials (testing) in our lives so that we might ultimately become spiritually mature. And if a believer is in doubt as to how they should respond/react to these trials, then they should ask God believing that He will give them the wisdom necessary to endure through their trials.
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Greater Pressing
Sometimes it is when we are under the greatest pressure that God delivers the greatest blessings. We should endure trials and hardships with faith, expecting that God is working great things even in tough times.
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Be Still - Putting it in God's Hands
Putting our faith in God and trusting Him allows us to have peace amongst trying times.
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GUARDING OUR FAITH IN CHRIST: thru Tribulations and Against Deception (Mark 13:14-23) 02-08-09
A SUMMARY OF MARK 13: (see expanded introduction below). TAKING A FULFILLED-PROPHECY TO HEART: ---> The Destruction of the Temple (and the Fall of Jerusalem) vs14-23. ---> Living with a Kingdom Perspective (see Mk 4:1ff; 8:31ff; Acts 1:1-11). GUARDING OUR FAITH IN CHRIST: ---> Thru Tribulations vs14-20; ---> and Against Deception vs21-23. [EXPANDED INTRODUCTION: 1st, Understanding Mark 13: ---> Jesus is "Answering" Two Questions: - when will the Temple be Destroyed; - and when will He Return (when is the End of the Age); ---> Jesus gives a Description & Time-Line: of the Current Age vs5-23, 28-31 (which includes the Temple's Destruction & the End Times); and of His 2nd Coming (at the End of the Age) vs24-37. 2nd, Highlights of Mark 13: ---> Some Main Points: This Entire Age is full of Suffering (including persecutions); God's Judgment on the Temple (including Jerusalem/Israel); The Global Spread of the Gospel (before His return); Seek Faithfulness to Christ over "Signs" (about the End Times); Understand the Delayed yet Imminent Return of Christ. ---> The Priority for Believers in Christ: Persevere in the Faith: thru the Trials/Persecutions of Life; Be on Guard in the Faith: thru Tribulations/against Deception; Keep Vigilant in the Faith: by Serving Christ until He Returns].
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My God Is Bigger Than That
This sermon looks at how God is bigger than our troubles, trials, and tribulations. He is bigger than our fears, our debts, and even death.
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Romans 8:13-27 Living Free in Christ 5
If we live by the flesh (Our own self saving, self controlling mechanisms) we will die (Spiritually and eternally). Life’s circumstances have a huge bearing on our growth, and how the heat of life’s trials either move us toward God, resulting in repentance, faith and fruit, or move us away from God and toward the thorns that result in our hardened hearts, when we continue to operate in our own self control mechanisms.
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