Sermons on Trials (Page 2)
A Thanksgiving Lament (Psalm 13)
For many of us 2020 has been a tough year. But even in years with less drama, it’s possible to experience setbacks. And sometimes those challenges can go on for quite some time. How does the believer confront the struggles of life? The many lament psalms show us that we can still depend on God and His grace, regardless of what is happening at any given point.
Hang In There! (Isaiah 35:3-4)
With everything coming at you fairly furiously these days, it’s not hard to get worn out. But even in the midst of your fatigue, you can have hope. Regardless of what’s going on in the world, God’s plan will still come to fruition. Both the Old and New Testament bear this out.
An Encouragement (Philippians 4:4-9)
Life can be tough, whether there’s a pandemic or not. If you’re struggling, you can find peace and keep that peace in your life. Paul’s concluding remarks to the church at Philippi are an encouragement to anyone who needs that peace.
Satan Isn’t Staying at Home (1 Peter 5:8-9)
We may be abiding by the directives to keep our distance and stay at home, but Satan isn’t. He’s still using whatever and whoever he can to create havoc in this world. But we don’t have to sit idly by and let him disrupt our lives. Peter makes it clear in the focal passage for today that Jesus Christ has and always will have the upper hand.
Trouble Ahead (Mark 4:35-41)
Mark’s account of Jesus calming the Sea of Galilee teaches us a great deal about facing trials in life. We all come up against periods of trouble. God will use these times to teach us and guide us. On the other hand, Satan will capitalize on them to defeat us. But God is greater than our most stubborn obstacles. We can trust him regardless of the situation.
Have No Fear (2 Timothy 1:6-7)
The spread of the coronavirus is generating a lot of fear. Others claim that it is just a huge conspiracy. How should Christians respond? For that matter, how should we respond in any crisis? God has equipped believers to handle anything that comes our way.
Staying Focused (Acts 20:22-24)
God never promised that the Christian life would be easy. Jesus certainly experienced this, as did the apostle Paul. But regardless of the circumstances, we need to keep our eyes on why we’re here. It also helps to realize that God’s mission is bigger than any one person.
What’s Next (2 Thessalonians 2:1-12)
It’s easy to become concerned about the future. We see this world becoming increasingly more violent and hate-filled. Actions and attitudes that would have shocked most people a generation ago are now accepted and even commonplace. This decline in our society has caused many to wonder what’s coming next. They ask, “Can the end be far off?” The apostle Paul answers that question in 2 Thessalonians. He also gives encouragement to believers in his time and ours.
Living in Faith (Luke 18:1-8)
God desires His people to live in faith. We can expect trials and troubles. Sometimes doubts creep in. But God’s Word is true. His promises can be trusted. Jesus will return. Therefore we should live each day in that assurance.
When It Gets to be Too Much (2 Corinthians 12:7-10)
Life can be tough. The apostle Paul knew this all too well. Yet he understood that in the midst of trials, God is there. He dealt with a thorn in the flesh that gave him fits. But Jesus told Paul that he wouldn’t take that thorn away. Jesus’ grace was greater than Paul’s thorn. And that thorn kept Paul humble. While every challenge in life isn’t there to teach us a lesson, we can learn from them. We can rely…