Sermon Tone Analysis

[[MP3 Version |http://www.southfayettechurch.org/sermons/2009/2009-08-02am.mp3]] or [[PDF Version |http://www.southfayettechurch.org/sermons/2009/2009-08-02am.pdf]] or [[PPT Version|http://www.southfayettechurch.org/sermons/2009/2009-08-02am.pps]]

Theme: Understanding why people, especially Christians, suffer so much in this life.

Rom.

8:18-25

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INTRODUCTION

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!!!! A. Justice seems to be insatiably trampled upon:

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The helpless are abused by those in power; nice people always seem to dye from all kinds of tragedies and terrible illnesses.

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How could the God of justice and love allow these things to happen?

Can’t He make it stop?

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!!!! B. In all the chaos there is confusion, discontent, and the blaspheming against God.

!!!! C. Are there biblical answers that can help us to grasp why these things happen?

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I. SUFFERING CAME INTO THIS WORLD BECAUSE OF SIN

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!!!! A. Before sin came into the world: there was no suffering, just peace with God.

!!!! B. Satan has a focused plan: destroy God’s special creation.

[[Bible:Gen 3]]; [[Bible:Job 1-2]]; 1 Pet.

5:8

!!!! C. Man, however, must take responsibility for his chosen rebellion against our holy God.

Gen. 2:16-17; Gen. 3

!!!! D. Notice the curse God brought upon man and the world because of sin.

Gen. 3:14-19; Rom.

5:12

!!!! E. This earth (natural disaster; diseases.

Rom.

8:18-20) – and mankind – has been suffering and groaning ever since til the Day of Judgment.

2 Pet.

3:10-13

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II.

SUFFERING COMPOUNDED BY SIN

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!!!! A. Suffering is always furthered by the continued sins of mankind.

Gen. 4:7-8

!!!! B. When sin got so great God actually spared the world of further suffering through His judgment.

Gen. 6:1-7

!!!! C. Mankind, however, no matter how good it starts out (Gen.

6:8) suffers the consequences of sin.

Gen. 11:1-9, Eph.

2:1-3, Eph.

5:6

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III.

GOD WILLS FOR HIS CHILDREN TO SUFFER

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!!!! A. God’s desire/will from the beginning was to have His Son suffer…for our sins.

Gen. 3:15; Isa.

53:10

!!!! B. God’s desire/will includes all His children suffering for His name sake.

Matt.

5:10;

!!!! C. Why Christians when we are trying to live righteously (in peace) than in sin (destruction)?

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As a testing and building of our faith Jas.

1:2

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So that we eagerly await the glorious reward of heaven. 2 Thess.

1:5; 1 Pet.

2:18-20

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So we learn to lean/trust upon Him to deliver us from the sufferings here on earth.

Rom.

8:17

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CONCLUSION: FOR CHRISTIANS ~ SUFFERING PRECEDES ETERNAL GLORY

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!!!! A. While this earth remains there will always be suffering for this created earth and mankind, especially against God’s faithful children (for His namesake). 1 Pet.

4:12-19

!!!! B. The amazing consolation, however, is far greater than any suffering God’s children will endure in this lifetime.

Rom.

8:18

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