God’s Will for Suffering

Are You Sure About That
Written By Nick Bailey

Sermon Notes

TODAY’S PASSAGES:

John 9:1-3 ESV… As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?“ 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.“

2 Corinthians 12:7-8 ESV… So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.“

LIFE CAN BE CONFUSING

  • Especially when suffering is involved.

  • During times of suffering we ask questions like, “Where is God in all of this?“

  • Job was a righteous man, who experienced a great deal of suffering… Job 1:1-3, 18-19

  • Job ultimately knew God was “sovereign“ over his life… Job 1:20-22

  • God’s “permissive will“ is God’s choice to “allow“ or “permit“ sin and suffering to exist… Genesis 50:19-20

  • A Biblical view of suffering will protect you form destructive teachings like the “prosperity gospel.“

WHY GOD USES SUFFERING IN THE LIFE OF A BELIEVER

  • God used the man born blind as a way to show the works of God… John 9:1-3

  • God used the woman who was bleeding to show Jesus’ power, as well as her faith… Mark 5:25-34

  • God’s power can also be manifested when we are weak and he is strong… 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

  • We must resist the temptation to view our suffering from a worldly perspective.

  • The compelling testimony of a woman of God… Honori Sotelo

THE TEMPTATION TO THINK GOD HAS ABANDONED US

  • During times of suffering the temptation is to believe that God has abandoned us… Psalm 13:1-2

  • David knew that God was intimately close during his times of suffering… Psalm 34:18; Psalm 23:4

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION:

  1. How can suffering bring “confusion” into a person’s life?

  2. What is God’s “permissive will“? How does it relate to the issue of suffering?

  3. What are some of the reasons God allows suffering in the life of a believer?

  4. Is there someone you can come alongside during their time of suffering?

Nick Bailey
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