Sermon Series
  • 1. Does Suffering Mean God Has Abandoned Me?

    Contributed on Oct 25, 2005
    based on 11 ratings
     | 4,957 views

    Not even the worst afflictions you might face can cancel out God¡¦s purpose or God¡¦s favor in your life.

    You might have heard that, on the next to last day of our vacation, Nancy and I were rear-ended as we were pulling off the freeway in San Jose, California. Thankfully we weren¡¦t hurt, but the car was undriveable, and we were 850 miles from home without transportation. For a while we felt not ...read more

  • 2. Is There Any Comfort In Suffering?

    Contributed on Oct 25, 2005
    based on 6 ratings
     | 5,200 views

    You can trust God to sustain and encourage you, even in the most severe trial, because that¡¦s the kind of God he is.

    Some of you have been through some trials recently. Some of you are going through some deep stuff right now. People have come to you, seeking to comfort you. And sometimes that just doesn¡¦t make you feel any better. When you¡¦re in suffering, it feels like the pressure will never let up. It ...read more

  • 3. How Can I See Beyond My Suffering?

    Contributed on Oct 25, 2005
    based on 9 ratings
     | 9,150 views

    Hope in suffering comes when we are able to focus, not on the troubles around us, but on God¡¦s hidden treasure within and before us.

    I¡¦ve noticed in counseling with people over the years that people lose their bearings when they get bad news. Perhaps you saw the story this week about a man in Hollywood, California. Three Marines came to his home to break the news to him that his son had died in the service of his country. ...read more

  • 4. Where Can I Find My Strength In Suffering?

    Contributed on Oct 25, 2005
    based on 4 ratings
     | 4,832 views

    God does not always remove affliction, but uses it to reveal his power as we embrace our weakness.

    We’ve been talking this month about suffering, because I know how many of you have been going through difficult things in recent times. (Let me say that if you want a copy of these 7 messages on “Making Sense of Suffering,” sign up on the tape request form on that little desk in the back corner.) ...read more

  • 5. What Does Suffering Say About God?

    Contributed on Oct 25, 2005
    based on 4 ratings
     | 3,080 views

    The Bible sees hardship as God¡¦s loving discipline, which, as we submit to it, he uses to produce his character in our lives.

    Turn in your Bibles to Hebrews 12. We¡¦ve been talking in recent weeks about suffering, seeking to make sense out of the trials and hardships we go through in life. To start us off, I want you to think about what one couple has gone through¡K Introduction: Video interview with a couple who ...read more

  • 6. Can Anything Good Come Out Of Suffering?

    Contributed on Oct 25, 2005
    based on 6 ratings
     | 6,763 views

    As you joyfully persevere in trials, God will transform you in this life and bless you in next.

    We¡¦ve been talking the last few weeks about affliction and sufferings. Let me tell you a little parable about trials. A bird was flying south for the winter. It got so cold the bird froze up and fell to the ground in a large field. While it was lying there, a cow came by and dropped some manure ...read more

  • 7. How Can I Make It Through Suffering?

    Contributed on Oct 25, 2005
    based on 4 ratings
     | 3,537 views

    Be prepared for times of suffering, lest affliction cause you to lose your grip on your relationship with God.

    Be prepared for times of suffering, lest affliction cause you to lose your grip on your relationship with God. I. DON¡¦T BE DUMBFOUNDED BY SUFFERING (12-13) 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But ...read more