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Living In A Broken World: A Biblical Survey of Suffering
Given recent world events many people are wondering how could a good God allow such horrible tragedies to occur? In order to understand why we need to look at how the Bible recounts tragedy.
Consequences of the fall of mankind
God tells Adam and Eve that suffering would start because of sin.
These are God's chosen people who are suffering. This suffering is an example of how universal this is.
When people are rebellious against God, they will suffer. Even nature can turn against people.
So, part of the problem of human suffering is human sin. We must understand that not all suffering is a direct consequence of personal sin.
Job didn't sin, but God let trouble come to Job to show that he is righteous. Satan does play a role in all human suffering. God is in control and suffering does have a purpose.
Pain can be extreme and God is not removed from human suffering. God gave his perfect Son to give people hope.
Human suffering is a reality in God's written word.
Sufferings of Christ and His Followers
Jesus hears news that people had died at the hand of Pilot. These people were doing the right thing. The listeners were asking why? Jesus says that people don't die because of how bad they are. He says to look at your life and be right with God.
Jesus suffered here on earth. Jesus was perfect and he was not protected from suffering. God does understand our sufferings. God is calling us to him whatever our circumstances.
Paul suffered for his faith and for his work for Christ.
God cares for you. Satan is looking for ways to make us suffer.
Keep rejoicing if you are reviled for the name of Christ. Our souls are in God's hands. Don't be surprised when terrible things happen, but trust in God. Rev. 6:7-11 Rev. 16:1-21 Terrible events happen in the world as God is calling people to judgment. Hope for Eternity
God will do away with death and pain by removing sin.
We are heirs to God and he will reveal glory to us in heaven.
—Robert Lee, 1-2-05, a.m.
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The DIvine SON OF GOD Hebrews 1:1-3
God is speaking to us in our lives. God used to speak through the prophets, but know he has spoken through his son. When people say that they don't believe in God they are saying that they are not hearing God's voice. Who is this son who speaks God's message to us?
Jesus Christ is:
There is a relationship between God and Jesus. God chose Jesus to receive all things. Everything that belongs to Jesus also belongs to God. Jesus followers belong to God.
Jesus was a human and yet he was the means by which the world was made. Jesus was the word. Genesis 1:3, John 1:1-3, Proverbs 8:22-31,1 Cor. 1:24,30
Jesus is a mirror that shows God to us. Christ is showing us a God we can see. Jesus reflects the full brightness of God. Exodus 34:29-35
Jesus is a picture of God's essence, of what he's like all the way through. We can't see God, but we can see him by looking at Jesus in the word. John 1:18,6:46 1Timothy 6:16, 1John 4:12
Jesus is the one who keeps all things in order.
Jesus is the one who takes away our sins. Hebrews 10:14
Hebrews 1:13, Psalm 110:1,Eph. 1:20-21,1Peter 3:22,Rev. 3:21, John 5:22-24 The Son has the charge as the judge of the world. Summary: Col. 1:13-20 God rescued us by giving us his Son as way to reach God.
—Robert Lee, 1-9-05, a.m.
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