Sermons

Scripture: Job 1:6-22

We look at Job's first challenge and his response and his commitment to God.

The story of Job asks us to reflect: For what reason do you love God?

- Do we purely love God for God and because He first loved us?

- Do we love God because of the benefits and blessings that come from loving God?

Scripture: Job 1:1-5

Who is like Job, God asked?

Job the Man of God

- The person of Job: He lived with Godly character (1:1)

- The purity of Job: He feared God (1:1)

- The posterity of Job: He was blessed by God (1:2-3)

- The piety of Job: He honoured God (1:4-5)

Scripture: book of Job

What is the genre of the book of Job?

And what is the message about the book of Job?

- The nature of God

- The nature of suffering

- The nature of friends

- The nature of criticism

- The nature of self

Scripture: Revelation 21:5 - He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true."

Couple of steps to picking up the pieces:

- Remember to remember God

- Remember the grieving process

- Denial

- Anger

- Bargain

- Depression

- Acceptance

Scripture: 1 Thess.5:18 - Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus

Before we start the new year afresh, let's end this year:

- End with a Thankful heart

- End with giving glory to God

- End with Hope and start with renewed Faith

- End the Regret and start with renewed Mind

- Continue with Spiritual priorities

- Start with a renewed Purpose

Scripture: Ruth 1:16-17

In trial times, we need to be:

- Be committed in faith and love despite tough times

- In humility serving others

- Not taking advantage of the helpless

- A faith that will provide

- Being kind in tough times

- Your faith and love that will be rewarded

Scripture: Psalm 16

What is David's approach in response to this hardship?

- Sufficiency and refuge in God alone (v.1-2)

- Resist idolatries that ‘medicate’ our hurt (v.4)

- Knowing there is nothing else I need (v.5-6)

- Seek counsel and guidance (v.7)

- Keeping focus on God (v.8)

- Positive about the future (v.9-11)

Application - Your response to any circumstances of hardship and difficulties

- Find sufficiency and refuge in God alone

- Resist idolatries that medicate hurt

- Know there is nothing else you need

- Receive counsel & guidance from God

- Keeping focus on God

- Positive about the future

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 12:1-10

What does God's Word teach us about response to hardship?

- Hardship shows our weakness (v.5)

- Hardship sent to train us to be humble (v.7-8)

- Hardship shows our strength is in God alone & how He can use us despite our weakness (v.9)

- Attitude of delight and thankfulness (v.10)

Application - Your response to hardship and difficulties

- Ask for healing, but don’t demand God to heal you

- If God chooses to not heal you - may not have anything to do with your level of faith e.g. Apostle Paul

- If God chooses to not heal you - be thankful & learn during this hardship

- Thank God for your weaknesses

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:13-21

Living a Life of Difference in Holiness

The 5 Pillars of holiness:

- The Glory of God

- The Holiness of God

- The Word of God

- The Judgement of God

- The Love of God