June 6,  2004

Intro: Looking into Understanding Personal Destiny-

in relation to suffering.

 

I.  Although human suffering is the great enigma

of life, disciples of Jesus Christ are not without

some answers.      1.Bible is filled with suffering.

   2. We believe Christ is the key to answers.

   3.  We believe the problem is not lack of truth,

but suppression of truth-Rom.1:18.

 

II. We, as disciples of Christ, believe human

suffering is part, but not all of history.

  We have authoritative, inspired, inerrant account

of human history—past and future.

   1. The world was made w/o sorrow, pain,etc.

   2. Thru the sin of Adam, all the earth was cursed.

   3. The ultimate goal of history is fellowship with

God in a non-suffering environment.

 

III. We know that God is not presently indifferent

to human suffering by the evidence of His Son’s

birth, life, death and resurrection.   I Peter 2:21

Jesus experienced:   Sorrow-Lk.19:41,

Anger over injustice-Mk.3:5   disappointment-Mt.26:40

 

IV. In the circle of understanding personal destiny

sorrow would be included.    Heb. 12:4-11

   1.Pain can be a divine instrument- II Cor.4:16-17

   2. Higher purposes are often served thru suffering-

 

V. Understanding personal destiny will not eliminate

Suffering, but it will sustain us thru suffering.

II Cor.12:9-10

   1.When suffering, remember this is a fallen world and

know one gets out w/o some measure of suffering.

  Jesus lived perfect life and He suffered!

  Oldest book=Job – subject is suffering.