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Suffering—God’s Goodness and God’s Power.pptx
- 1. “Suffering—God’s Goodness and God’s Power”
- 2. Suffering is universal. All creation suffers (Romans 8:22) ex. JOB’S STORY
- 3. Five Reasons for Suffering
- 4. 1. Fallen world (Job 1-2)- the righteous and the wicked suffer (Romans 8:18-24) (Philippians 2:25-28). we may still go hungry, get sick, grieve, and ultimately die Five Reasons for Suffering
- 5. 2. Sin - God may punish a person for sinful acts , God allows suffering to come to people because of sinful choices (Jeremiah 2:19). - But not all suffering comes from sin. (John 9:1-7) - suffering can be for God’s glory Five Reasons for Suffering
- 6. 3. Correction (Hebrews 12:7-13). Five Reasons for Suffering
- 7. 4. Testing (2 Timothy 3:12) (1 Peter 4:12-14) Five Reasons for Suffering
- 8. 5. Persecution (John 15:18-26; 16:1-3) (Acts 14:21-22) (2 Timothy 1:11-12) Following Christ involves suffering and trials. Five Reasons for Suffering
- 9. How to Face Suffering
- 10. How to Face Suffering Take courage that Jesus Christ defeated suffering on the cross.
- 11. How to Face Suffering The church should help absorb our suffering.
- 12. How to Face Suffering Suffering can strengthen or damage character.
- 13. We Have Hope! we look forward to the end of suffering in the life to come. God did not intend a suffering world and will not tolerate suffering forever.
- 14. Paul suffered much. Yet he said, “The Holy Spirit tells me in city after city that jail and suffering lie ahead. But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work . . . the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God” (Acts 20:23-24).
- 16. GOD’S PROMISE • One day God “will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:3-7). (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). SUFFERING is brief BLESSINGS IN HEAVEN are eternal
Editor's Notes
- And in our interconnected world, we know about suffering all over the world. If we have compassion for those we see, we suffer with them. We ask in desperation, “If God is good, why do I suffer? If God is all-powerful, why doesn’t he deliver me?” We find it difficult to reconcile the fact of our suffering with our faith in God. Some Christians teach that followers of Christ should not suffer or get sick. But Christians do get sick. Christ’s redemption on the cross does not mean we will not suffer, but it equips us to face suffering. Romans 8:22 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. JOB’S STORY READ
- While it is generally true that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked, there are times when both the righteous and the wicked suffer (Job 1–2). Ever since Adam and Eve sinned, our relationships with God, each other, and creation have been broken. In this life, we may still go hungry, get sick, grieve, and ultimately die (Romans 8:18-24; Philippians 2:25-28).
- Sin: God may punish a person for sinful acts (Numbers 16:1-38; Joshua 7:1-26; Acts 5:1-11; 12:20-25). In both the Old and New Testaments, God allows suffering to come to people because of sinful choices (Jeremiah 2:19). But not all suffering comes from sin. Jesus said that suffering can be for God’s glory (John 9:1-7). As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?” 3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. 4 We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us.[a] The night is coming, and then no one can work. 5 But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Then he spit on the ground, made mud with the saliva, and spread the mud over the blind man’s eyes. 7 He told him, “Go wash yourself in the pool of Siloam” (Siloam means “sent”). So the man went and washed and came back seeing!
- 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?[a] 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong. God is a good parent and wants his children to grow. He sometimes uses suffering to discipline us for our benefit.
- 2 Timothy 3:12 12 Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 1 Peter 4:12-14 12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 If you are insulted because you bear the name of Christ, you will be blessed, for the glorious Spirit of God[a] rests upon you.[b] Suffering can build our faith so we can serve God better. Peter declared, “In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation” (1 Peter 5:10). Through suffering, God moulds us into people who honour his name and bless others.
- ACTS 14:21-22 21 After preaching the Good News in Derbe and making many disciples, Paul and Barnabas returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch of Pisidia, 22 where they strengthened the believers. They encouraged them to continue in the faith, reminding them that we must suffer many hardships to enter the Kingdom of God. 2 TIMOTHY 1:11-12 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News. 12 That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him[a] until the day of his return. Paul sees suffering for Christ as a privilege: “I want to suffer with him [Christ], sharing in his death” (Philippians 1:29; 3:10).
- Although the Bible offers at least five explanations for suffering, it gives no easy answer to why a particular person in a particular situation is suffering. For instance, Joseph suffered because of others’ sin. But although Joseph’s brothers intended to harm him, God intended to accomplish good things through his suffering, including saving the lives of many people (Genesis 50:20). It can be very difficult to discern how God is at work in our misfortune. Instead of telling us why we suffer, the Bible shows us how to face suffering. The Cross defeats death’s ultimate power over believers. Although suffering is still with us, faith trusts that death will die when God establishes his new creation (Revelation 21:3-4); suffering will finally end when Christ’s victory over sin and death is complete. So how can we face suffering?
- God in the person of Jesus Christ suffered and still suffers for us. The cross speaks of God’s presence with us, even in our suffering. The cross reminds us that God will neither fail us nor abandon us. We can therefore courageously face suffering and rise above it,
- When we suffer, our brothers and sisters in the church community pray for us and love us. The church community may provide food, money, and other material support. Suffering wounds us, but we can become wounded healers, giving to others the love and care that we received.
- When we suffer, our character may never be the same again. The result depends on our response. Some people grow bitter in suffering. Others, with the power of the Holy Spirit, grow stronger (2 Corinthians 4:16-17). Suffering gives us an opportunity to show others faith, endurance, and God’s work in our lives.
- Therefore, we serve God with joy because we look forward to entering his joy.
- In the meantime, we are people of the cross, so we care for the oppressed and stand with our brothers and sisters in Christ as they suffer. The Gospel of Jesus Christ gives us life to share with the sick and dying. We weep for others’ suffering because we know others will weep for ours. Because of Jesus, we work for peace in both church and community. Our hope arms us to face strife without fear.
- In our suffering, believers have hope because we know that suffering is brief and our blessings in heaven are eternal