Attack Or Natural Consequences

Suffering due to an Attack or Consequences?

Opener:

Well Good morning church! We are so happy that you have joined us to worship the Lord! The past number of weeks we have been in a sermon series from the book of Jonah. It really touched a number of people in our congregation. This week, we are going to tackle a topic that seems to be surrounded by a lot of mystery. At least to myself.

Before we get into that topic, I would like to share a story with you from a man from the bible that suffered a tremendous amount. Initially, when I read the story of Job, I was deeply challenged by it. To see a man serving God having to suffer the extent to which Job did was very difficult for me to understand the Why. In the early part of the book of Job, we learn that Job was a blameless and upright man, a man who feared God. We also learn about a meeting between God and satan who was roaming the earth. Satan goes on to challenge God about how strong Job’s faith really is. In the story, God allows satan to attack Job and a result of this attack Job loses his property and his children all in one day. Job’s response to this attack was powerful. Let’s read that in Job 1: 20-22 NKJV- 20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Can you just imagine how Job handled this situation? Instead of questioning God, he caused himself to worship God. Instead of getting angry, he looked for God’s goodness and mercy. Instead of being in despair, he placed his hope in God! Later, when Job’s health was also attacked by Satan, Job’s wife told him: “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9 Read the response of Job: Job 2:10 NKJV But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

I wonder, can we also have the same attitude and spirit like Job? Can we have the courage to refuse to question God, but instead trust in His wisdom? Can we be like Job who chose to worship, rather than bitterness? If we can’t, then I pray that Job would inspire us to follow his example in the midst of adversity. I have learned that during some of the most challenging situations in my life can bring about the deepest inspiration from God.

This morning, we are going to talk about distinguishing, whether our current suffering is because we are serving God like Job or is an attack from the enemy or because of natural consequences of sin. While all three of these produce the same response and that is that we don’t like it.

But if what we are going through, is God-ordained suffering to help us grow, whining and complaining will keep us from getting to where God is trying to take us.

If it’s a natural consequence of something we did, something someone else did, or simply because we live in a fallen world, whining and complaining will just delay our freedom in Christ.

If it’s an attack from satan, whining and complaining gives satan what he needs to continue to destroying our lives even when he has been stripped of his authority and power.

Regardless of its suffering for God, an attack from satan, or a natural consequence, whining and complaining will not help you. Whenever we choose the path to start whining and complaining, I hope you are reminded of this moment and think, “This is going to get me nowhere. So I might as well knock it off and work to find a solution.” The solution will be different depending on the cause of your suffering. That’s why we are talking about this today to help us discern the difference between these three events.

I. Suffering for God

A. Everyone’s favorite

a. As a believer, if we had to choose a reason that we had to suffer. I would recon that everyone would pick suffering for God as their favorite.

b. We live in a culture today in the United States that we really struggle with suffering for Jesus.

c. We have been trained that once you say yes to Jesus, everything will go your way, and you will have an easy life and all kinds of money.