Dealing With Suffering Series

INTRODUCTION

• As we conclude our Hot Topics series, we will examine the issue of suffering, specifically, how to deal with it.

• Suffering (and evil) is a part of our life in this world, and none of us are exempt from it.

• Evil and suffering can go hand in hand at times; at other times, suffering can happen without evil precipitating it.

• The question of suffering and evil has existed since the creation of man.

• In Genesis 6:5-7, we see that God wanted to destroy all of the earth because of the evil humankind was exhibiting.

• In the story of Noah and the flood, we see an ancient glimpse of God’s strategy toward evil.

• The story begins with humanity increasingly rebelling against God’s intended goodness.

Genesis 6:5–7 (NET 2nd ed.)

5 But the LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth. Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time.

6 The LORD regretted that he had made humankind on the earth, and he was highly offended.

7 So the LORD said, “I will wipe humankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth—everything from humankind to animals, including creatures that move on the ground and birds of the air, for I regret that I have made them.”

• God decides to solve the problem of evil through destruction; because of our sinfulness, God will blot out life from the earth.

• But as we know, the plan only succeeds temporarily.

• The rains wash everything away—save for one family of each species (including Noah’s family)—but once the land is livable again, humanity returns to their wicked ways.

• Yet this time, God’s response shows a 180-degree change.

• Because humanity succumbs to evil, God promises never to destroy creation again.

Genesis 8:21–22 (NET 2nd ed.)

21 And the LORD smelled the soothing aroma and said to himself, “I will never again curse the ground because of humankind, even though the inclination of their minds is evil from childhood on. I will never again destroy everything that lives, as I have just done.

22 “While the earth continues to exist, planting time and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night will not cease.”

• Instead, in the following pages, God calls Abram and Sarai, births the nation of Israel, promises the Messiah, and ultimately sends Jesus.

• To destroy evil, God would need to destroy us.

• Instead, God—whom we see clearly feels the grief and compassion as any parent would—will work toward full redemption, taking the cost upon Himself.

• At the beginning of the flood story, human wickedness convinces God to destroy all life.

• At the end of the flood story, human wickedness convinces God never to destroy all of life.

• I want us to spend our time today looking at what we can do when suffering strikes.

• We will suffer, and evil will flourish in this world because God gave us free will.

• Free will is required for one to be able to love.

• Today we will spend our time in 2 Corinthians 1:3-8 as seek answers as to what to do when we face suffering and evil.

2 Corinthians 1:3 (NET 2nd ed.)

3 Blessed is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

• Where do you go when you are facing some pain in life?

• Where do you turn when a spouse has left or damaged you somehow?

• What do you turn to hide the pain of the scars from childhood?

• When you are hurting, how do you cope?

• How do you cover it?

• We all have some mechanism for dealing with pain.

• Maybe we do not allow anyone to get close to us, thinking we are protecting ourselves from being hurt.

• Maybe we became the school bully to hide the pain inflicted upon us by a parental figure?

• Some turn to drugs and alcohol and other addictions as they try to drown out the pain.

• Some chose separation and isolation.

• We all ways to cover the pain in some manner.

• So, what do you do when the pain is screaming out at you, and it is so bad you must do something?

• Might I suggest there is a better way to deal with the pain of life other than insolation, shame, drugs, and other addictions?

• Here comes the Sunday School answer!

• Could you wait for it; you will be amazed.

SERMON

I. God offers comfort during times of suffering.

• Now we need to understand who wrote the book of 2 Corinthians; the apostle Paul had endured more pain and hardship in life as a RESULT of his relationship with Jesus than ever before.