Sunday, August 21, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 1:24
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 48 mins 8 secs
In our continuation of the Sufficiency of Christ segment of this study, there is much Paul has to say about suffering, and includes some very interesting comments about joy and happiness. Many questions are raised.What is the true meaning of joy and happiness? How can you rejoice in your sufferings, as the Bible instructs us to do? Can a believer actually have joy in the midst of adversity? These questions cause us to look back to the suffering and afflictions Christ endured. What did He rely upon? Our attitude should be one focused upon the sufficiency of Jesus Christ in all areas. He didn't leave anything out, did He? To have that joy we keep our eyes on the end game - on Christ, the author and finisher of our faith. And through that, we learn to love the battle!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 1:24
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 54 mins 38 secs
What is suffering? What is happiness? Many would say that suffering is when life doesn't meet with our expectations. Many would say that happiness is associated with a specific set of pleasurable circumstances.In this lesson we learn more about different levels of joy and happiness, and what gladness means. We learn that when our happiness is influenced by people, emotions, and circumstances, we become enslaved to them. We learn what robust joy is. We learn how abiding in Christ is connected to real joy and stability.
Sunday, September 04, 2011
by Robert Dean
Passage: Colossians 1:24
Series: Colossians (2011)
Duration: 53 mins 43 secs
Can believers truly find joy in the midst of adversity? Does the Bible spell out the mechanics of joy? As we continue to study this verse in Colossians, we learn that true joy is a process, a culmination of growth which is only fully realized when we reach spiritual maturity. Until then, our life is really sub-normal. Spiritual joy differs from the joy we think of coming from circumstances or our own personalities.In this lesson, we learn the difference between Christ's sufferings on the cross and His afflictions. We learn that His afflictions, while not redemptive, did set a pattern of how we are to face adversity in our own lives. As we grow and apply learned doctrine and walk and abide in Him, spiritual joy results from the Holy Spirit producing character qualities above and beyond personality or circumstances, which is why believers can have joy in the midst of the adversities of life.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Romans 5:3-5
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 55 mins 15 secs
Hope is a process, developed, not given in total at salvation. Hope is a present reality based on a future promise, our assured destiny. Hope stands firm in adversity. Adversity is the building block of Christian character. How can there be joy in adversity? Confidence in God’s promises and His long-term plan produces a mentality of joy. Hope grows through revelation, the disclosure and unveiling of fuller knowledge through His Word. Fuller knowledge develops into an intimate relationship with God through an understanding of the all sufficiency of His attributes. Discover the joy in the certainty of His promises and the motivation to stand firm no matter what circumstances deliver.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
by Robert Dean
Passage: Romans 5:3-5 & James 2:3-5
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 0 mins 12 secs
This lesson also includes 2 Peter 1:3-11
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
by Robert Dean
Passage: Acts 14:12-28
Series: Acts (2010)
Duration: 59 mins 30 secs
Paul and Barnabas Bear Witness to God’s Grace
Fleeing Iconium one step ahead of a murderous plot against them, Paul and Barnabas arrive in Lystra. There they heal a crippled man. The pagan crowds see this and go wild, wanting to worship them as gods with parades and sacrifices. Paul seizes the opportunity to tell them the gospel. Since the people have no Jewish background, Paul must start at ground zero with their innate understanding of God through creation. This lesson answers many questions relevant to our lives today. What does Paul mean when he says this man was crippled from his mother's womb? Is he implying that life begins at conception? Why isn't everyone healed? How should the gospel be presented to those who have no background in reference to the true God? How can creation be used as a tool when we are talking about God to multi-cultural, multi-religious people like the ones we encounter in our daily lives?
Tuesday, May 05, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Samuel 1:8-20
Series: 1st and 2nd Samuel (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 5 mins 4 secs
“Nobody knows the trouble I’ve seen. Nobody knows but Jesus.” This well-known old folk song is how we often feel when we’re laid low by suffering. Listen to this lesson to see how Hannah poured out her troubles to the Lord and made a vow to Him. See God’s purpose for adversity in a believer’s life and understand the difference between adversity and stress. Learn about ten problem-solving spiritual skills that we can apply in our lives. See how God answered Hannah’s prayer and understand that we, too, can cast our cares on the Lord instead of giving in to despair or anger.
Thursday, September 03, 2015
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 1:4-5
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 57 mins 23 secs
“Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen. Nobody knows but Jesus.” Is this one of those times in your life when trials and troubles seem to multiply daily? Listen to this lesson to learn that God has provided for just such difficulties as these. Find out that not only can we handle adversity, there’s an added bonus. God has promised that if we go through these times trusting in Him and utilizing His power, we will earn rewards for all eternity. Learn what the last times of this passage refer to and understand six important ways to face our problems God’s way.
Thursday, March 10, 2016
by Robert Dean
Passage: 1 Peter 1:10-11
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 3 mins 36 secs
“Gird up your loins!” What in the world could that mean? Listen to this lesson to see the historical context of this command which means to lay aside whatever is stopping us from living in obedience to God’s Word. Gain an understanding that the main context of 1 Peter is how to handle the trials and troubles of life with joy. Learn the importance of obeying authorities, both just and unjust, with Christ as our example. See how all Christians are being watched by angels to see whether we trust God to handle all of our problems.
Sunday, July 30, 2017
by Robert Dean
Passage: Matthew 26:36-46 & Mark 14:32-42
Series: Matthew (2013)
Duration: 43 mins 5 secs
Is there a pattern we can follow when we find ourselves in severe pressures and adversity? Listen to this lesson to learn that Jesus set the pattern for believers in the Garden of Gethsemane. Find out that even though Jesus was impeccable, without sin, He still had human emotions. Learn that He never chose to go against God the Father’s will. Realize that we face a choice like His. Will we operate independently of the Father’s will or will we trust God and apply His Word?
Also includes Luke 22:39-46
Click the notes link below to view Dr. Dean's “Harmony of Jesus in Gethsemane” document.
