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Scripture Reading: Psalm 3

Why do Christians Suffer?

Intro.

1.  Why do God’s people suffer?  Some wrong answers…

  a.  Job’s friends said he suffered because of his sin, Job 4:7; 22:4-5.

  b.  Apostles’ question reflected this view, Jno. 9:1-3.

  c.  Jesus denied a necessary, direct linkage / Used by Him to warn all of us to repent of sin, Lk. 13:1-5.

2.  Right answers include…

  a.  The pains of mortality are a result of sin entering the world (Gen. 3).

  b.  The presence of evil (Job 1:7).

  c.  Time and chance (Eccl. 8:11-12).

3.  Like Job, God still allows the suffering of the righteous to occur, and in it we can find enduring & eternal blessings. 

  a.  Eccl. 8:16-17: Don’t know all the “whys” & “wherefores.”

  b.  We should consider the day of adversity, while trusting that all things work together for good to those who love God, Eccl. 7:13-14 (Rom. 8:28).

 

I.  SUFFERING IS A TIME OF EDUCATION (discipline from the Lord), Heb. 12:3-8, 11 (Heb. 5:7-8).

   * Opportunity to turn to God, to repent, grow spiritually & refine ourselves (Examples: Amos 4:6-12; Hag. 2:17).

   * Results of this training, Heb. 12:9-11: Life (9), holiness (10) and righteousness (11).

      -Psa. 94:12-15: Are brought to God’s word & find rest in adversity.

      -Psa. 119:71: Should compel us to turn to God’s law (119:65-67).

 

II. SUFFERING SERVES TO REFINE US, 1 Pet. 1:6-7 (Job 23:10-12; Psa. 66:10-12).

   * Produces Trust, Psa. 3:1-8 (growth of faith).

   * Produces Patience, Jas. 1:2-4 (Rom. 12:12); Rom. 5:3 (maturity).

   * Promotes Dependence upon God, 2 Cor. 12:9-10 (Prov. 24:16, 10).

 

III. THE CHRISTIAN’S SUFFERING CAN BE A TESTIMONY TO OTHERS…

   * Of God’s righteous judgment, 2 Ths. 1:4-5.

   * Of God’s glory (as we must our faith in Him), John 11:4.

   * Of God’s grace in your lives, 2 Cor. 12:9.

   * Of your reliance upon Christ, Phil. 1:28-29.

 

IV. SUFFERING FOR CHRIST SHOULD BE HUMBLY RECEIVED, 2 Tim. 3:12; 1 Pet. 4:16.

   * With rejoicing, 1 Pet. 4:12-14; Matt. 5:10-12.

   * With an eternal outlook, 2 Cor. 4:17-18 (Rom. 8:17; Phil. 3:10-11).

 

Conclusion

1.  We must have the faith to see the blessings that exist in the moment of suffering, Jas. 1:12.

2.  Such times of discipline, education & refining are not pleasant, but fruitful; Heb. 12:11.

3.  The eye of faith sees and knows that eternal rest waits beyond the suffering (Rev. 14:13; 21:4).