Sermons on Adversity (Page 10)

New Life

(1 Peter 1:1-12) Sermon Outline “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (1 Peter 1:3) ______________________ …a reality check (1 Peter 1:1-2) “To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia” (1:1b) Exile______________________ …the giving God (1 Peter 1:3) “Praise be to the God and Father…

Difficulties at Work

This week focuses on the difficulties we develop with work, including fruitlessness, selfishness, meaninglessness, and idolatry from Genesis 3, Ecclesiastes, Genesis 11, and Exodus 34. SERMON OUTLINE Jesus said to them, “My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working.” (John 5:17) The Fall: Unclothed (Genesis 3:7, 17-19) Jesus: The Messiah Who Works (Luke 22:39-23:49) Yielded to God in work (Luke 22:39-46) Disappointed by others at work (Luke 22:47-62) Accused by others at work…

Faithfulness in a Confusing World

God’s second response to Habakkuk includes a vision that gives him perspective on what’s happening and five woes about the sort of person who will experience the judgment of God. It is a sobering reality, but also an encouragement to those of us trying to gain God’s perspective. The end of the chapter is appropriate humility and worship before God. (Habakkuk 2:2-20) SERMON OUTLINE “See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright – but the righteous person…

Talking with God When Pain Looms Large

Habakkuk lifts his voice to God in lament again but this time calls God’s attention to the unending pain that His people are suffering at the hand of their oppressors. How do we respond to God when it seems that our suffering is larger than we ever thought possible? What do we do? (Habakkuk 1:12-2:1) SERMON OUTLINE “I will stand at my watch…I will look to see what He will say to me.” (Habakkuk 2:1) Eyes on God (Habakkuk 1:12-13)…

Suffering and the Surprising Plans of God

God’s first response to Habakkuk is surprising at numerous levels. God will respond to Habakkuk’s call for punishment of wicked but it will come in a surprising way. The punishment of wickedness will come at the hands of an even-more wicked people. The oft-quoted phrase here, “I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told” (Habakkuk 1:5), is actually a message of surprising judgment on the nations. (Habakkuk 1:5-11) SERMON…

Crying Out when God Seems Absent

The first of Habakkuk’s two laments begins with the prophet’s agonizing question about how long God will let violence and wickedness continue unpunished. What do we do when wrong seems to carry forward in the face of a righteous God? What does it look like to cry out to God in these times? (Habakkuk 1:1-4) SERMON OUTLINE “How long, Lord, must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2) Habakkuk’s Burden (Habakkuk 1:1) The context of Habakkuk…

Glorify

John’s account (John 17:1-26) of Jesus’ final hours is crowned with prayer. The prayer is perhaps one of the most beautiful views into Jesus’ interior life with the Father and is even more powerful in light of the pending suffering to come. Jesus asks His Father that glory would stream from His suffering path to the Cross, through His disciples, and through His future followers in ages to come. SERMON OUTLINE After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and…

Overcome

Jesus’ trials threaten to overcome Him, but they actually become a way of life and victory as Jesus overcomes death and sin. Jesus tells His followers that they will suffer like He suffered, but that He will turn their grief to joy and fill their trials with peace. What does it all mean? What are we to do with these particularly unpleasant – even painful – portions of Scripture? (John 15:18-25; 16:16-33) SERMON OUTLINE “In this world you will have…

Trouble

Jesus’ journey through trouble leads to salvation and a future place of peace for His followers. The disciples’ betrayal (Judas), forthcoming denials (Peter), and fear gather around them but Jesus offers hope. (John 13:18-14:4) SERMON OUTLINE “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.” (John 14:1) The Trouble of Betrayal (John 13:18-30) Judas and divided loyalties Judas and spiritual conflict The Trouble of Failure (John 13:31-38) Peter and confusion Peter and brash declarations…

Abraham Tested: The Request, The Response, The Result

God provides the promise-child, Isaac in Genesis 22:1-19. Then, he asks Abraham to sacrifice that promise-child. This is one of the most important and powerful passages in the entire Bible. God is faithful to His promises more than we understand and God is faithful in sacrifice more than we can imagine. What does this mean to us and how should we read this passage Christologically (Hebrews 11:17-19)? (Genesis 22:1-19) Sermon Outline ’Do not lay a hand on the boy,’ he…

Praying in the Midst of Promises and Problems

Abraham and Sarah extend hospitality to three divine visitors, where the promise is reaffirmed again. Sarah thinks it’s funny. At the same time, judgment is coming down on Sodom, where Lot lives, and Abraham bargains with God about these things. This will not include much reflection on the final chapter of Lot’s story, which ends with all the typical messiness of those whose lives are turned upside down by loss and grief. How do we live, like Abraham, as a…