Basic Christianity Extra -- Why So Much Suffering?

4th November, 2018

Basic Christianity Extra -- Why So Much Suffering?

A sermon preached on 4th November, 2018, as part of our Basic Christianity. series.

Psalm 73

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Details

Reading is Psalm 73 ("The Justice of God", from NIV) with numerous references.

About the Speaker

Phil Marsden

Phil received his call to full-time ministry as a child and since the age of 19 has served with Youth For Christ, the Baptist Missionary Society and several large churches before taking up his present role as Ministry Team Leader at Central Baptist Church. Phil’s a visionary leader with a heart to share the good news of Jesus and to see the church grow.

View all sermons by Phil Marsden.

Basic Christianity.

1

Basic Christianity 1 -- "In the Beginning... God".

Phil Marsden
9th September 2018
2

Basic Christianity 2 -- The Truth About Jesus.

Phil Marsden
16th September 2018
3

Basic Christianity 3 -- What Is A Real Christian?

Phil Marsden
30th September 2018
4

Basic Christianity 4 -- Why Bother With Baptism?

Phil Marsden
7th October 2018
5

Basic Christianity 5 -- Learning How To Pray.

Phil Marsden
21st October 2018
6

Basic Christianity 6 -- Understanding the Bible.

All-age Team
28th October 2018
7

Basic Christianity Extra -- Why So Much Suffering?

Phil Marsden
4th November 2018
8

Basic Christianity 7 -- Living the Christian Life.

Phil Marsden
18th November 2018
9

Basic Christianity 8 -- The Holy Spirit and Me.

Phil Marsden
25th November 2018
10

Basic Christianity 9 -- Sharing Faith With Others.

Phil Marsden
2nd December 2018
11

Basic Christianity 10 -- Being Part of the Church.

Phil Marsden
9th December 2018

Transcript

Why does God allow suffering?

Why suffering happens

Original Sin

…We live in a fallen world…sickness, disability, death, earthquakes, volcanoes etc.

The bible teaches us that suffering and death came into world as a consequence of sin

…Gen 1:31 Creation was good: “God saw all that he had made and it was very good”
…Gen 2:17 But mankind sinned: “Mustn’t eat from tree of good & evil…or you’ll die” *…Gen 3:14-19 So suffers: “Because you have done this…curses, conflict, pain, death”

Perfect world now imperfect and dying…years numbered…creation grieves (Rom 8:21)

Deliberate Sin

…We choose to hurt one another…theft, abuse, murder, war, terrorism

Human Error

…We continue to make mistakes…famine, floods, pollution, crashes, poor building

From Devil

…God allows Satan to inflict suffering…on his world and it’s people
…Job: “The Lord said to Satan, ‘very well then, he is in your hands’” (Job 2:6)
…Paul: “There was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan” (2 Cor 12:7)
…Jesus: “This man was handed over to you (to suffer) by God’s set purpose” (Ac 2:23)

From God

…God sometimes instigates suffering…punish, discipline, teaching, faith
…Israel: “When disaster comes to a city has not the Lord caused it?” (Am 3:6)
…Nineveh: “God…did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened” (Jnh 3:10)
…Corinth: ‘That’s why many of you are weak, sick, dying...judged by God’ (1 Cor 11:30)

Why doesn't God always stop it?

Why God allows it is a baffling problem that both Christians & unbelievers wrestle with if God loves us so much, why does he allow it? …if he can stop it, why doesn’t he? we may never know this side of heaven why God allows certain suffering to happen but the bible does teach us some of the reasons it can happen on occasions…

He gives us free will

…we’d be like robots otherwise - nothing bad would ever happen…perfect world…we’re not there yet
…it would have to stop for everyone - they’d say why me?…or if Christian’s immune, everyone would be Christian…about faith

We don’t ask him to

…many ignore God ‘till suffer, then blame him…some ask, are freed, some aren’t
…2 Cor 12: Paul
…2 Sam 12: David & Beth
…Jn 5: Many disabled at pool, only one healed

He allows it for a reason

…Punishment for sin
…God says ‘for three sins of (different places named) I won’t turn back my wrath’ (Am 1:3)
…Jesus told man at pool “stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (Jn 5:14)

But if someone’s suffering, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re a worse sinner than you:- all have sinned and all will suffer at some point unless repent (Pilate & tower Lk 13:2-5)
and not all suffering’s because of sin, some can even show God’s glory (blind man: Jn 9:3)

Discipline after sin

…‘Because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in’ (Pr 3:12)
…‘When judged by the Lord, we’re being disciplined, so not be condemned’ (1 Cor 11:32)

Teach us something

Physical pain can help us identify a problem or need better so we can deal with it)
God sometimes wants to speak to us through it – people often pray in a crisis)
…‘Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word’ (Ps 119:67)
…‘To keep me from becoming conceited…I was given a thorn in my flesh’ (2 Cor 12:7)

Challenge our faith

…To test our faith - God tests people in trials to see if they’ll still follow him (Jdg 2:22)
…To develop our faith - testing of our faith in this way develops perseverance (Ja 1:3, 12)
…To refine our faith - this process helps eliminate impurities as through fire (Ps 66:10-12)
…To reveal our faith - it proves our faith is genuine & honours Jesus to others (1 Pet 1:6)
…To prosper our faith - it can produce perseverance, character and hope (Rom 5:3-4)
…To reward our faith - must take up cross & face hardships to enter kingdom (Acts 14:22)

It’s part of the Christian life

…We are called to be suffering servants! (Ph 1:29). God could lift us out of this world now…but he wants us to witness to his love in it:
…Identify with Jesus suffering - as his children we also share in his suffering (Rom 8:17)
…Identify with others suffering - as he comforts us we also can comfort others (2Cor 1:4-5)
…He helps us in it…practical: Adam (Gn 3:21)…Spirit (Lk 24:49)…grace: Paul (2Cor 12:9)

Not yet time for new Heaven and Earth

…One day, no more suffering…for now it’s inevitable
…Bible not only says it will happen, but says it’ll get worse before it gets better (Mt 24:21)
…Age old question: “How long O Lord must I call for help, but you do not listen?” (Hab 1:2)
…Age old answer: “The revelation awaits an appointed time…speaks of the end” (Hab 2:3)

But in Christ there’s victory over suffering & death

…Help through it now and forgiveness of sin: ‘Jesus saves people from their sin’ (Mt 1:21)
…Hope for pain free future: ‘There will be no more death…no crying or pain’ (Rev 21:4)

Present suffering nothing compared to future glory!

…creation and believers groan and wait in eager anticipation of deliverance (Rom 8:18-27)
…don’t lose heart…faith through temporary troubles achieves eternal glory! (2Cor 4:16-18)

Question isn’t why does he allow it, but will we trust him through it and receive reward?

Conclusion

Don’t always know why God allows suffering

…Recognise it’s the nature of this world (e.g. achy joints in old age!)
…Remember spiritual health is priority (Jesus forgave paralytic…then healed: Mt 9:2)
…Remain faithful in it and grow from it (to deny God is to deny main source of strength)
…Request his help, rely on his promise (he’s been through it…and ‘footprints in sand’)
…Rejoice, you’ll definitely be free soon! (could be delivered now…but defo will one day)

Psalm 73

…Easy to believe and trust in good times but not so in bad!
…Psalmist ‘nearly lost faith when he saw good people suffering and the wicked prosper’
…but entered church, realised ignorance, saw bigger picture: righteous inherit, wicked pay …and recognises God gives him strength through the difficult times…he never leaves him

‘True faith does not require God to justify himself or give all the answers now, it is content to wrestle in the darkness and to hold his hand through troubled times’