Tag: trials

A Christian Perspective on Trials – James 1

~ Bob Hayton ~ 5 Comments

This Sunday we met as a family for worship, since our church was closed due to precautions related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. We followed our church’s “home worship order” (or liturgy) but also listened to a sermon I gave on James 1 back at the end of 2013. I shared the sermon notes and audio back in 2012 when I first delivered the sermon at a different church. I wanted to share this version of the sermon (preached at our current church) today for those who may want to hear an encouraging word on the Christian and trials.

The whole world is facing a severe trial right now and as believers we can either accept it as a gift from God, or default to our natural bent and question God’s goodness. I hope this message is an encouragement and a reminder of the Christian perspective on trial.

Place: The Heights Church, St. Paul
Date: Dec 29, 2013
Title: Preparing for the Trials of the New Year
Text: James 1:1-18
Notes: Download PDF
Audio Link: Right-click to download

 
 
note: image used above came from this post.

Sermon Download: An Unshakable Joy (1 Peter 1:3-12)

~ Bob Hayton ~ 1 Comment

I again had the privilege of opening God’s Word and filling the pulpit yesterday. My theme was on joy in trials, something I have preached on before (see this sermon on James 1). The text this time was in 1 Peter in a section of verses that Charles Spurgeon described as a “string of pearls” (1 Peter 1:3-12). The bountiful blessings of salvation, in which we rejoice, are celebrated in these verses; and the joy we have is strong enough to endure all of life’s trials.

I hope by sharing this message, others may be blessed in their consideration of the trials of life and the unshakable joy we can have through them. If you don’t have time to listen to the entire sermon (46 minutes), please do look over my notes.

Place: The Heights Church, St. Paul
Date: Jan. 27, 2019
Title: An Unshakable Joy
Text: 1 Peter 1:3-12
Notes: Download PDF
Audio Link: Click to listen (right click to download)

Sermon Download: See How He Loved Him! (John 11)

~ Bob Hayton ~ Leave a comment

I recently had the opportunity to preach at our church again, and decided to focus on a text from the Gospels. I tried to tell the story of Lazarus as story, and the result was better than I expected. The suspense and despair at Lazarus’ sickness, and later the surprise and wonder at his resurrection really came through, as did the greatness of Jesus Christ our Savior. Also highlighted were the perspective of Lazarus’s sisters and their struggle to believe despite their questions and unmet expectations.

I hope by sharing this message, others may be blessed by the living story of Lazarus. If you don’t have time to listen to the entire sermon (48 minutes), please do look over my notes.

Place: The Heights Church, St. Paul
Date: Oct. 28, 2018
Title: See How He Loved Him!
Text: John 11:1-47, 53
Notes: Download PDF
Audio Link: Click to listen (right click to download)

Sermon Download: Preparing for the Trials of 2012

~ Bob Hayton ~ 6 Comments

I was privileged to ring in the new year by filling the pulpit for our pastor, this past Sunday. As we look forward to what this new year holds for us, there’s only one thing we can be certain of. Life will present its challenges for us in the months ahead. This may be sobering but it doesn’t have to be alarming. In fact, James teaches that trials are actually God’s good gifts to us, intended to mature us and prove our faith to be genuine.

I won’t continue with the rest of the sermon, you’ll have to either peek at my notes or download the sermon. Blessings to you all this New Year.

Place: Beacon of Hope Church, St. Paul
Date: January 1, 2012
Title: Preparing for the Trials of 2012
Text: James 1:1-18
Notes: Download PDF
Audio Link: Listen online or download (right click the link and save it to your computer)