Explore the mystery of suffering, affirming that even in the midst of adversity, God is present and we should maintain our hope in Him.
Good morning, church family! Today, we're diving headfirst into a theme that has troubled believers since the dawn of time. We're exploring the mystery of why good people suffer, why the wicked seem to prosper, and how we can keep our hope in God despite all adversity.
Our main scripture comes from the book of Job which says,
"Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face."
C. S. Lewis once wrote, "I suggest to you that it is because God loves us that he gives us the gift of suffering. Pain is God's megaphone to rouse a deaf world. You see, we are like blocks of stone out of which the Sculptor carves the forms of men. The blows of his chisel, which hurt us so much are what make us perfect." It's a powerful reminder for each one of us as we navigate the complexities of life. Even in the midst of suffering, God is with us.
Let's pray.
Heavenly Father, as we open Your Word today, we ask for Your wisdom and guidance. Help us to understand Your ways, even when they're hard to grasp. Grant us the strength to keep our hope in You, no matter what we face. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
With that said, let's dive into our study today.
The first point we need to consider is that God's people are not innocent. This is a hard pill to swallow for many, but it's a truth that we must confront if we are to understand the complexities of suffering. The Bible makes it clear that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). This means that none of us are innocent. We have all done wrong, and we all deserve punishment for our sins.
Sin and suffering: This is not to say that every instance of suffering is a direct result of personal sin. Job was described as a man who was "blameless and upright," yet he suffered greatly. However, it's important to remember that we live in a fallen world, tainted by sin, and as a result, suffering is a part of our existence.
A sinful world: The idea that God's people are not innocent is a crucial one because it helps us to understand that suffering is not always a sign of God's displeasure or a result of our personal failures. Sometimes, it's simply a result of living in a world marred by sin. It's a consequence of the collective sin of humanity, not necessarily individual sin.
The trap of self-condemnation when we face trials: It's easy to think that we're suffering because we've done something wrong or because we're not good enough. But the reality is, even the most righteous among us are not innocent. We all have our shortcomings, and we all need God's grace.
Not a measure of our worth in God's eyes: God doesn't love us any less when we suffer. In fact, the Bible tells us that "God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). God's love for us is not based on our innocence or guilt. It's based on His grace and mercy.
The need for a Savior: We cannot save ourselves from the consequences of our sin. We need Jesus, who took our guilt upon Himself and paid the price for our sins on the cross.
Should lead us to humility, repentance, and reliance on God: It should remind us that we are not self-sufficient. We need God's grace every day. We need His strength to help us endure the trials of life. And we need His forgiveness to cleanse us from our sins.
The second point of our sermon today is a concept that often stirs confusion and even frustration in the hearts of believers: the observation that good things seem to happen to the wicked ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO
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