Last week at Laurel Canyon, Don Wright presented a special series of lessons on Overcoming Adversity. Resources from each sermon are available below.
PART 1 – Understanding Why
PART 2 – Anchors for the Storms of Life
Continue Reading...Archives For tribulation
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul provides some intensely personal insight into a very real struggle.
To keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” (2 Cor 12:7-9)
For centuries, commentators have offered ideas as to what Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” could have been:
- An ongoing bodily ailment (Gal 4:13-14)?
- An eye problem (Gal 4:15)?
- A speech problem (2 Cor 10:9-10)?
- Haunting inner turmoil (Acts 26:9-11)?
- Personal enemies (1 Tim 1:18-20)?
- Extreme daily pressure (2 Cor 11:28)?
- The rejection of the Jews (Rom 10:1)?
Whatever the obstacle, we know that thorns are painful. But what can we learn from Paul’s handling of the “thorn”?
- He didn’t blame God (2 Cor 12:7).
- He prayed for its removal (2 Cor 12:8).
- He learned to live with the thorn he had (2 Cor 12:9).
- He looked for good, even in the thorn (2 Cor 12:7).
- He remembered the ultimate goal: the glory of Christ (2 Cor 12:9).
- He gained perspective for the future (2 Cor 12:10).
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Cor 12:9-10)
For more sermons, visit the Sermons archive.
Parts 9 and 10 of The Greatest Letter Ever Written, a sermon series on Romans, are now available. In Part 9, we explore “The Chain Reaction of God-Glorifying Suffering.” Taken from Romans 5:1-11, this sermon exults in the peace we can have with God through Christ and the extraordinary joy that results in hope of the glory of God.
- 9 – The Chain Reaction of God-Glorifying Suffering
(Romans 5:1-11 – 9.27.09 – outline | audio)
For streaming audio, click the PLAY button:
“Death From Adam, Life From Christ” is a textual study of Romans 5:12-21 that presents a choice. “In Adam” there is only condemnation and death. “In Christ” there is acquittal, reconciliation, and life. This sermon emphasizes that something (or someone) has reigned, is reigning, and will reign in each life. The gospel offers the way for grace to reign through righteousness, leading to eternal life.
- 10 – Death From Adam, Life From Christ
(Romans 5:12-21 – 10.4.09 – outline | audio)
For streaming audio, click the PLAY button:
The previous sermons in the series are:
- 8 – Faith That Will Count as Righteousness
(Romans 4:1-25 – 9.20.09 – outline | audio) - 7 – Abraham: The Friend of God
(Romans 4:1-8 – 9.13.09 – outline | audio) - 6 – God: The Just and the Justifier
(Romans 3:1-31 – 9.6.09 – outline | audio) - 5 – How to Avoid God’s Wrath and Receive His Praise
(Romans 2:11-29 – 8.30.09 – outline | audio) - 4 – Whatever You Do, Don’t Try to Fool God!
(Romans 2:1-11 – 8.23.09 – outline | audio) - 3 – The Terrible Revelation of God’s Holy Wrath
(Romans 1:18-32 – 8.16.09 – outline | audio) - 2 – The Difference Between Being Shamed and Ashamed
(Romans 1:16-17 – 8.9.09 – outline | audio) - 1 – The Greeting of the Greatest Letter Ever Written
(Romans 1:1-15 – 7.5.09 – outline | audio)
“Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:2-4).
Do you know anyone who is sitting in the “mourning booth” today? What are you going to do about it?
ht: Edwin Crozier
A sermon I presented in the 11/30/08 P.M. assembly at Laurel Canyon.
The Old Testament promises of God to Abraham form a foundational plank in the platform of Premillennialism. In Genesis 12-17, God made three distinct promises to Abraham, and much of Premillennial theory is founded on the belief that cataclysmic events will occur because of these promises and their FUTURE fulfillment. But have these promises already been fulfilled? If so, in what ways and what is left to be fulfilled concerning the nation of Israel?
- Interactive PDF
- Download the mp3 file
- For streaming audio hit
A sermon I presented in the 11/23/08 P.M. assembly at Laurel Canyon.
- Interactive PDF
- Download the mp3 file
- For streaming audio hit
James 1:15 is something you need to read today.
Study carefully Satan’s battle plan to land your soul in hell. His devilish tactics are really quite straightforward:
- Can he grab your attention through enticement?
- If so, can he get you to chase the cleverly disguised bait?
- If so, can he get you to compromise, giving into your fleshly desires?
- If so, that uncontrolled desire will conceive with unlawful action, giving birth to sin.
- And sin, when it is fully grown, brings forth spiritual death.
No one intends to spend eternity separated in torment from the Creator, just as no one intends to take a nose dive off a 400-foot cliff. But each calamity begins with a seemingly innocent first step.
You’ll be tempted to take that first step towards hell today. Determine to diligently discipline your desires. Make sure that the only thing conceived in your spiritual life today is more love, respect and honor for God.
Today’s thought is from James 1:13. Take a deep breath, put your mouse after the passage reference, and soak in the message.
Done? Now notice carefully the language. Not if you are tempted, but when. It’s coming. If you haven’t already been tempted today, it won’t be long.
When the temptation strikes, remember, “this isn’t from God.”
The battle for your soul is raging and today presents yet another critical engagement. Will you be ready?
Today’s thought is taken from James 1:12.
Make a promise to yourself right now. Ready? Here it is. Throughout the day, come what may, I will remember my crown.
I may go through a difficult time today. The trials may seem as if they are piling up all around me. But I will remain steadfast. I will stand upon the promises of my loving Father. I am His, and He is mine. I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that He is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me.
Come what may, I will remember my crown…the crown that is coming…the crown that will make it all worthwhile.
Proverbs 10:25 is the inspiration for today’s meditation.
It may be that you didn’t get much sleep last night. Why? You’re living in the midst of a tempest. It’s possible that a terrible storm is on the horizon of your life, and you don’t even know it. Or, perhaps you’re a seasoned veteran of the strong winds and frightening waves of life, and you’ve lived to tell about it.
Whomever you are, take a moment to commit the wise statement above to memory. Do your best to reflect on it throughout the day. Above all, remember that God has not promised a tempest-free existence. What He has promised is that if you welcome Him into the boat of your life, the tempest will eventually pass, and peace in Him will reign.
