Suffering
Mark 6:14-29 - The Death Of John The Baptist
March 31, 2019 - 11:02 AM Filed in: Gospel of Mark
In the Gospel of Mark, there is only one narrative that is not about Jesus. It is the story of the death of John the Baptist. As Jesus told us there was no prophet greater than John. The story of his death is a vivid illustration of the kind of suffering all faithful disciples will face. It is also an amazing case study on the consequences of sexual sin.
Mark 6:14-29 - The Death Of John The Baptist - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Mark 6:14-29 - The Death Of John The Baptist - Manuscript - PDF
Mark 6:14-29 - The Death Of John The Baptist - Sermon Handout - PDF
Mark 6:14-29 - The Death Of John The Baptist - Sermon Handout with blanks - PDF
Mark 6:14-29 - The Death Of John The Baptist - Leader's Guide - PDF
Mark 6:14-29 - The Death Of John The Baptist - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
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Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus Sends Out The Apostles
March 24, 2019 - 09:31 AM Filed in: Gospel of Mark
Half-way through Jesus' three years of ministry, he send out his apostles on a short-term mission trip as part of their training. The sending out of Jesus' apostles is filled with instructions describing what faithful ministry would look like for them, and what it still looks like today.
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus Sends Out The Apostles - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus Sends Out The Apostles - Manuscript - PDF
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus Sends Out The Apostles - Sermon Handout - PDF
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus Sends Out The Apostles - Sermon Handout with blanks - PDF
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus Sends Out The Apostles - Leader's Guide - PDF
Mark 6:7-13 - Jesus Sends Out The Apostles - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus Rejected At Home
March 17, 2019 - 10:16 AM Filed in: Gospel of Mark
In earlier passaged of the Gospel of Mark, when Jesus was in Capernaum, he was wildly popular. Only twenty miles away, when Jesus comes to his home town, he is rejected and ridiculed. In this study we learn what to expect from people hardened in unbelief against Christ and what are the consequences of living in unbelief in our life.
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus Rejected At Home - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus Rejected At Home - Manuscript - PDF
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus Rejected At Home - Sermon Handout - PDF
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus Rejected At Home - Sermon Handout with blanks - PDF
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus Rejected At Home - Leader's Guide - PDF
Mark 6:1-6 - Jesus Rejected At Home - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus In The Storm
February 10, 2019 - 10:01 AM Filed in: Gospel of Mark
When was the last time life fell apart? If it hasn't fallen apart yet, just wait. It will. In this message, we learn how Jesus cares for those he loves in the storms of life.
Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus In The Storm - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus In The Storm - Manuscript - PDF
Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus In The Storm - Sermon Handout - PDF
Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus In The Storm - Sermon Handout with blanks - PDF
Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus In The Storm - Leader's Guide - PDF
Mark 4:35-41 - Jesus In The Storm - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Mark 1:9-13 - Coronation and Vindication
October 07, 2018 - 04:58 PM Filed in: Gospel of Mark
When was the last time your life fell apart? As we continue our study in Mark's gospel, we learn why God occasionally directs his people into tough times and the good he plans to do in us through them.
Mark 1:9-13 - Coronation and Vindication - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Mark 1:9-13 - Coronation and Vindication - Manuscript - PDF
Mark 1:9-13 - Coronation and Vindication - Sermon Handout - PDF
Mark 1:9-13 - Coronation and Vindication - Sermon Handout with blanks - PDF
Mark 1:9-13 - Coronation and Vindication - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Habakkuk 3:1-19 - How Can I Have Joy In My Troubles?
September 02, 2018 - 02:27 PM Filed in: Habakkuk
In 1851, an English missionary named Allen Gardiner was shipwrecked. He and his shipmates landed on a small uninhabited island off the coast of South America. Over the next six months each of them died of starvation. As far as we know, Allen was the last one to die. As a Christian, he spent time in the word of God every day until he died. The last entry in the journal that was found beside his dead body had his reflections on Psalm 34:10. In this entry, he summarized his thoughts on this verse by essentially saying, "I am overwhelmed by the goodness of God." How could a dying man be overwhelmed by God's goodness? In this final chapter of Habakkuk, we discover how to be overwhelmed by the goodness of God even when the world around us is falling apart.
Habakkuk 3:1-19 - How Can I Have Joy In My Troubles? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Habakkuk 3:1-19 - How Can I Have Joy In My Troubles? - Manuscript - PDF
Habakkuk 3:1-19 - How Can I Have Joy In My Troubles? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Habakkuk 3:1-19 - How Can I Have Joy In My Troubles? - Sermon Handout with blanks - PDF
Habakkuk 3:1-19 - How Can I Have Joy In My Troubles? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Malachi 2:17-3:6 - Where Is The God Of Justice?
February 25, 2018 - 01:05 PM Filed in: Malachi
On February 14, 2018, Nikolas Cruz stepped into Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Using an assault rifle, he massacred 14 children. If God could have stopped this massacre, why didn't he do something? Why does he let good people suffer while those who are evil often succeed in their plans? As we continue our study in Malachi, God tells us where we can go to find the God of justice.
Malachi 2:17-3:6 - Where Is The God Of Justice? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Malachi 2:17-3:6 - Where Is The God Of Justice? - Manuscript - PDF
Malachi 2:17-3:6 - Where Is The God Of Justice? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Malachi 2:17-3:6 - Where Is The God Of Justice? - Sermon Handout with blanks - PDF
Malachi 2:17-3:6 - Where Is The God Of Justice? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Malachi 1:1-5 - When Times Are Tough, What Should I Do When I Don't Feel God's Love?
January 28, 2018 - 02:45 PM Filed in: Malachi
Where is God? That question came from the mouth of a Christian living in a refugee camp in Erbil, Iraq. He and his family ran for their lives as ISIS overran their homeland. Overcrowding in his refugee camp turned it into a viper's pit of criminal activity. His wife and children are not safe. Where is God when Christians languish in dark and hopeless conditions? These are the same questions God's people asked in Malachi's day. Join us as we begin answering the question of what we should do in hard times when we don't feel God's love.
Malachi 1:1-5 - When Times Are Tough, What Should I Do When I Don't Feel God's Love? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Malachi 1:1-5 - When Times Are Tough, What Should I Do When I Don't Feel God's Love? - Manuscript - PDF
Malachi 1:1-5 - When Times Are Tough, What Should I Do When I Don't Feel God's Love? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Malachi 1:1-5 - When Times Are Tough, What Should I Do When I Don't Feel God's Love? - Sermon Handout with blanks - PDF
Malachi 1:1-5 - When Times Are Tough, What Should I Do When I Don't Feel God's Love? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
What Happened When Jesus Was Born?
December 24, 2017 - 05:35 PM Filed in: Stand Alone Sermons
What changed when Jesus took on flesh? What did he add to his abilities that as God he didn't have before? Join us on Christmas Eve as we learn of how Jesus took on flesh to gain sympathetic resonance with the weaknesses and temptations we face in our life so he can help us in our time of need.
What Happened When Jesus Was Born? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
What Happened When Jesus Was Born? - Manuscript - PDF
What Happened When Jesus Was Born? - Sermon Handout - PDF
What Happened When Jesus Was Born? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Colossians 1:24-2:5 - What Is The Most Powerful Force In The World?
October 29, 2017 - 04:41 PM Filed in: Colossians
Many have tried to push the gospel out of existence. In 1949, when the communists took over China, there were 1 million Christians. In spite being forced to operate in secret, the church in China has grown to 60 million Christians. The good news of Jesus continues to make progress against powerful opposition. As we continue our study in Colossians, Paul tells us God's plan to spread the good news of Jesus around the world.
Colossians 1:24-2:5 - What Is The Most Powerful Force In The World? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - AAC
Colossians 1:24-2:5 - What Is The Most Powerful Force In The World? - Manuscript - PDF
Colossians 1:24-2:5 - What Is The Most Powerful Force In The World? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Colossians 1:24-2:5 - What Is The Most Powerful Force In The World? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Genesis 43:1-14 - How Do I Let Go Of Grief?
October 23, 2016 - 11:30 AM Filed in: Genesis
Louie Zamperini was a famous Olympian that served in World War II as a bombardier on a B-24 Liberator. When his plan crashed he found himself a POW. He was constantly abused by his captors. After the war, while he came home to a hero's welcome, he couldn't leave behind the pain of his past and it nearly ruined his life. Join us in learning how to leave the pain of your past behind before it ruins your future.
Genesis 43:1-14 - How Do I Let Go Of Grief? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Genesis 43:1-14 - How Do I Let Go Of Grief? - Manuscript - PDF
Genesis 43:1-14 - How Do I Let Go Of Grief? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Genesis 43:1-14 - How Do I Let Go Of Grief? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Genesis 43:1-14 - How Do I Let Go Of Grief? - Digging Deeper Sermon Study - PDF
Genesis 40 - What Should I Do When Suffering Doesn't End?
October 02, 2016 - 12:08 PM Filed in: Genesis
God sometimes allows us in times of suffering that carry on for a long time. Why doesn't he release us? What good can possibly come from long-term trials? In this message, we learn how God uses long-term suffering as a tool in our life to mature our character and to shape us for the work he calls us to do.
Genesis 40 - What Should I Do When Suffering Doesn't End? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Genesis 40 - What Should I Do When Suffering Doesn't End? - Manuscript - PDF
Genesis 40 - What Should I Do When Suffering Doesn't End? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Genesis 40 - What Should I Do When Suffering Doesn't End? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Genesis 40 - What Should I Do When Suffering Doesn't End? - Digging Deeper Sermon Study - PDF
Genesis 29:1-30 - The Painful Path Of Maturity
May 15, 2016 - 09:40 PM Filed in: Genesis
General Hospital is the longest running American soap opera. It first aired in 1963. Its remained incredibly popular because it kept viewers on the edge of their seats with risqué dating relationships,marital infidelities and love triangles. Women looking for intrigue or relational mystery tuned in to follow the over-the-top relationships of the Quartermaines and the Spencers. This kind of salivating drama is not just found on daytime television. It happened in the Bible. As an amazing demonstration of God's sovereignty, Genesis shows us how God uses our relational messes as part of his master plan to shape us into the image of Christ.
Genesis 29:1-30 - The Painful Path Of Maturity - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Genesis 29:1-30 - The Painful Path Of Maturity - Manuscript - PDF
Genesis 29:1-30 - The Painful Path Of Maturity - Sermon Handout - PDF
Genesis 29:1-30 - The Painful Path Of Maturity - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Genesis 29:1-30 - The Painful Path Of Maturity - Life Group Work Sheet - PDF
What Went Wrong With Work?
May 10, 2015 - 10:44 AM Filed in: Work Matters To God
God created work to be a blessing but something went wrong. Work is painful. While our jobs are a source of joy, they are also frustrating. Discover what went wrong with work and how it affects us.
Work Matters To God - What Went Wrong With Work? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Work Matters To God - What Went Wrong With Work? - Manuscript - PDF
Work Matters To God - What Went Wrong With Work? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Work Matters To God - What Went Wrong With Work? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
Work Matters To God - What Went Wrong With Work? - Life Group Work Sheet - PDF
1 Peter 4:12-19 - What Makes Suffering For Christ Unique?
February 15, 2015 - 09:00 AM Filed in: 1 Peter
As Peter wraps up his teaching on suffering, he tells us how suffering for the name of Christ is unique. God promises great blessing to those who suffer as a witness for Jesus. Join us as we discover the privilege of suffering for Christ.
1 Peter 4:12-19 - What Makes Suffering For Christ Unique? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
1 Peter 4:12-19 - What Makes Suffering For Christ Unique? - Manuscript - PDF
1 Peter 4:12-19 - What Makes Suffering For Christ Unique? - Sermon Handout - PDF
1 Peter 4:12-19 - What Makes Suffering For Christ Unique? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
1 Peter 4:12-19 - What Makes Suffering For Christ Unique? - Life Group Work Sheets - PDF
1 Peter 4:1-6 - Choose Suffering Over Sin
February 01, 2015 - 08:13 PM Filed in: 1 Peter
How much should Christians try to fit with modern culture? Where is the line between living as part of our community and living a holy life? In this message we learn six truths we must remember if we want the courage to suffer for holiness instead of following the crowd and choosing sin.
1 Peter 4:1-6 - Choosing Suffering Over Sin - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
1 Peter 4:1-6 - Choosing Suffering Over Sin - Manuscript - PDF
1 Peter 4:1-6 - Choosing Suffering Over Sin - Sermon Handout - PDF
1 Peter 4:1-6 - Choosing Suffering Over Sin - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
1 Peter 4:1-6 - Choosing Suffering Over Sin - Life Group Work Sheets - PDF
1 Peter 3:18-22 - What Good Can Come From Unjust Suffering?
January 25, 2015 - 08:40 PM Filed in: 1 Peter
When facing times of unexplainable suffering, we wonder what good can come from all of the pain. In this message Peter provides us with the confidence we need to know God will use our undeserved suffering for good.
1 Peter 3:18-22 - What Good Can Come From Unjust Suffering? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
1 Peter 3:18-22 - What Good Can Come From Unjust Suffering? - Manuscript - PDF
1 Peter 3:18-22 - What Good Can Come From Unjust Suffering? - Sermon Handout - PDF
1 Peter 3:18-22 - What Good Can Come From Unjust Suffering? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
1 Peter 3:18-22 - What Good Can Come From Unjust Suffering? - Life Group Work Sheets - PDF
1 Peter 3:13-17 - How Do I Endure Unjust Suffering?
January 18, 2015 - 04:33 PM Filed in: 1 Peter
People can be downright evil. Either for reasons unknown to us, or because of our faith in Christ, some people enjoy doing evil toward us. They posture themselves as our enemy. How should we treat them? How do we try and stop their hate-filled words and actions? How do we cope with the pressure when the suffering doesn't stop? These are some of the important questions we answer in our study.
1 Peter 3:13-17 - How Do I Endure Unjust Suffering? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
1 Peter 3:13-17 - How Do I Endure Unjust Suffering? - Manuscript - PDF
1 Peter 3:13-17 - How Do I Endure Unjust Suffering? - Sermon Handout - PDF
1 Peter 3:13-17 - How Do I Endure Unjust Suffering? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
1 Peter 3:13-17 - How Do I Endure Unjust Suffering? - Life Group Work Sheets - PDF
Luke 1:57-66 - Zechariah - What Do I Need To Know About God's Discipline?
December 21, 2014 - 11:19 AM Filed in: Christmas from Luke
When the wheels fall off of life, what went wrong? Has God lost control? Is God punishing us for our sin? In this message we learn what is wrong with the prosperity gospel and why suffering is evidence of God's love.
Luke 1:57-66 - Zechariah - What Do I Need To Know About God's Discipline? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Luke 1:57-66 - Zechariah - What Do I Need To Know About God's Discipline? - Manuscript - PDF
Luke 1:57-66 - Zechariah - What Do I Need To Know About God's Discipline? - Sermon Handout - PDF
Luke 1:57-66 - Zechariah - What Do I Need To Know About God's Discipline? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
1 Peter 2:18-25 - How Do I Handle Undeserved Suffering
November 16, 2014 - 10:53 PM Filed in: 1 Peter
What should we do when we suffer for no apparent reason? Do you take someone to court? Do you take matters into your hands? Do you have a right to give people a piece of your mind? Unfair suffering can create deep seat anger. Join us to learn what God wants us to do.
1 Peter 2:18-25 - How Do I Handle Undeserved Suffering? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
1 Peter 2:18-25 - How Do I Handle Undeserved Suffering? - Manuscript - PDF
1 Peter 2:18-25 - How Do I Handle Undeserved Suffering? - Sermon Handout - PDF
1 Peter 2:18-25 - How Do I Handle Undeserved Suffering? - Editable Sermon Notes - DOCX
1 Peter 2:4-10 - Why I Want To Be Part Of The Suffering Church
September 28, 2014 - 10:16 AM Filed in: 1 Peter
Christians will suffer. It is part of what it means to be in the family of God. Why does God allow his children to suffer? What good comes from our suffering? In this message we learn why we want to be part of the suffering church.
1 Peter 2:4-10 - Why I Want To Be Part Of The Suffering Church - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
1 Peter 2:4-10 - Why I Want To Be Part Of The Suffering Church - Manuscript - PDF
1 Peter 2:4-10 - Why I Want To Be Part Of The Suffering Church - Sermon Handout - PDF
1 Peter 2:4-10 - Why I Want To Be Part Of The Suffering Church - Life Group Work Sheets - PDF
Isaiah 50:4-11 - Suffering and Darkness
December 15, 2013 - 04:37 PM Filed in: Christmas from Isaiah
How much did Jesus know about the suffering he would face on the cross? How did he make it through without giving in to sin? In Isaiah 50, we have a unique window into the suffering Jesus faced and how he made it through. We learn how to face our suffering from following the example of Jesus.
Isaiah 50:4-11 - Suffering and Darkness - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
Isaiah 50:4-11 - Suffering and Darkness - Manuscript - PDF
Isaiah 50:4-11 - Suffering and Darkness - Sermon Handout - PDF
Isaiah 50:4-11 - Suffering and Darkness - Life Group Work Sheet - PDF
John 15:18-16:4 - Persecution
June 30, 2013 - 04:14 PM Filed in: Gospel of John
Around the world, Christians suffer. In Pakistan, Christian women are gang raped. In China, men are set outside naked in the winter and doused with cold water, left to freeze to death because they shared Christian literature. In the Sudan, children are hacked open with machetes and their mothers have their hands hacked off, all for claiming Christ as the only one who can save them from their sin. Why are Christians persecuted so mercilessly, and without cause? In John 15, Jesus tells us why following Jesus draws persecution like blood in the water for a shark.
John 15:18-27 - Persecution - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
John 15:18-27 - Persecution - Manuscript - PDF
John 15:18-27 - Persecution - Sermon Handout - PDF
John 15:18-27 - Persecution - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF
John 9:1-12 - Why Do We Suffer?
November 11, 2012 - 01:18 PM Filed in: Gospel of John
Life is filled with pain. Thousand died in the terror attacks on the World Trade Center. Cancer sucks the life out of 547,000 Americans a year. Tropical storms, like hurricane Sandy, leave thousands homeless and cold. Where is God? If he is powerful, why doesn't he do something about it? If he is good, why doesn't he stop it? Is there an answer? Suffering is a complex issue. Thankfully, the Bible gives a little understanding of why God allows it. Join us as we learn why God lets suffering into our life.
John on Jesus - Why Do We Suffer? - Audio - MP3
John on Jesus - Why Do We Suffer? - Quicktime and iPhone Audio - M4A
John on Jesus - Why Do We Suffer? - Manuscript - PDF
John on Jesus - Why Do We Suffer? - Sermon Handout - PDF
John on Jesus - Why Do We Suffer? - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF
James 1:1-4 - There is Joy in My Trial
March 11, 2011 - 03:00 PM Filed in: James
Why is life so hard? I thought God loved us? It feels like life became tougher after I came to Jesus. These are questions that, like ghosts, haunt our minds when life is tough. While the trials of life are never easy, James gives us solid answers about why God allows them to come into our life and how we can grow in them. There is a ray of light even in our darkest moments.
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Audio - MP3
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Manuscript - PDF
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Sermon Handout - PDF
James - There is Joy in My Trial - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF
Christmas from Revelation - The Lamb and the Nations
December 19, 2010 - 12:14 PM Filed in: Christmas from Revelation
Nobody likes suffering. It separates us from life's pleasures. Suffering frequently looks like nothing more than purposeless agony. There is suffering that is purposeful. Christ can transform our suffering into something that is redemptive. He can transform our suffering into something so powerful that it can reach even the most pagan nations with the gospel. How does he do this? Join Dr. Trucksess for a look at The Lamb and the Nations.
Christmas from Revelation - The Lamb and the Nations - Audio - MP3
Christmas from Revelation - The Lamb and the Nations - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Christmas from Revelation - The Lamb and the Nations - Manuscript - PDF
Christmas from Revelation - The Lamb and the Nations - Sermon Handout - PDF
Christmas from Revelation - The Lamb and the Nations - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF
Doctrine - Jesus Christ's Person
October 07, 2010 - 05:16 PM Filed in: Doctrine
For those of you who are parents, do you remember when you held your first-born child? For first-time parents, the feeling of holding their new born is a combination of humbling and amazing. A new-born is about as fragile and dependent as a human being can be. Each year at Christmas, we celebrate Jesus' birth but it is hard to comprehend that the creator of the world poured combined fused himself with humanity in the womb of Mary. Join Dr. Trucksess in unpacking the identity of Jesus and learn how it changes the way we face suffering.
Doctrine - Jesus Christ's Person - Audio - MP3
Doctrine - Jesus Christ's Person - Quicktime and IPhone Audio - M4A
Doctrine - Jesus Christ's Person - Manuscript - PDF
Doctrine - Jesus Christ's Person - Sermon Handout - PDF
Doctrine - Jesus Christ's Person - Small Group Work Sheet - PDF