Pain and suffering: We want to avoid it but sometimes we intentionally choose to go through it because we think what will come out on the other side will be worth it.
*****BODY PIERCING AND TATTOOS
*****WORKING OUT/EXERCISE
-We shouldn't be surprised when bad things happen because sometimes we bring it on ourselves!!!
-God does not allow bad things to happen to us in order to benefit someone else. We sometimes choose to believe that way in order to provide context to the situation.
-We will never find answers by looking in, but instead by looking up.
*3 Big Dots that God gives us to understand the pain and suffering in our lives: In the beginning, in the meantime and in the end.
*ROMANS 8:18-32
*In the beginning - Romans 8:18-21
- 18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
*BAD THINGS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE WE LIVE IN A BROKEN WORLD; A SIN INFESTED WORLD*
*In the meantime - (ROMANS 8:22-25) 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
- Whenever you choose to become a follower of Jesus, God's spirit is instantly brought in to you. He has not yet changed our bodies. But one day, if we hold on, we will experience the redemption of not only our minds, hearts and souls, but also our bodies.
- In the meantime, we have to live in a broken body in a broken world.
- Whenever life squeezes you, look ahead. Go to God for hope to continue on.
*(ROMANS 8:26-27) 26In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
- God understands that as humans, we are weak and we need help.
- One day we all will go through something so painful that we will get down on our knees and the words just won't come because we are in so much pain.
- It's OK to not know what to say, because God is there and he will know what we need. He gives us the words even when we can't communicate or think them.
- We don't have to worry about today or tomorrow. God is going to give us strength.
- Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow.
*(ROMANS 8:28-32) 28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. 31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all — how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?
- Good things will happen in the midst of painful situations. God is present in the midst of painful situations.
- God feels our pain because He has seen it for Himself. Remember the Cross!
- God has the power over sin, sorrow and death.
- Jesus died on the cross; He knows, sees, feels and understands our pain, because
He has been there Himself.
- He will be with us in the meantime, and one day in the end He will make everything new.
- That truth doesn't make the pain go away, but it makes it easier to endure!
- Why doesn't God just end all of the pain now? Because it would also end peoples opportunity to enter into a relationship with Him. God is patient. He doesn't want
people to live separated from Him.
- God is with us, and He will give us the strength for today, and we can hold on to the hope for tomorrow.
- If we understand this, we will realize that your suffering is the shortest route to God. In our pain, we will discouver His presence and come to know Him in a way we never have before.
- In the beginning, sin entered the world. In the end, it is going to be removed from the world. But in the meantime, God really is with us. Remembering that is what brings hope!
LISTEN TO THE SERMON FOR YOURSELF:
http://tinyurl.com/r37ked
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment