Lesson Seven
The Will of God
The Will of God and Suffering
| A. | How Does suffering come? | ||
| 1. | Through our own sins and mistakes (Galatians 6:7) | ||
| 2. | Through the sins and mistakes of other (2 Corinthians 5:21; Genesis 37:23-28) | ||
| 3. | Through temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) | ||
| 4. | Through God's providential dealings with man (Job 1:13-22; 5:6-11; John 16:33) | ||
| B. | Why do Christians suffer? | ||
| 1. | Divine chastisement (Galatians 6:7; Numbers 32:23; Hebrews 12:6-11) | ||
| 2. | We are called thereunto (Philippians 1:29; Acts 9:16) | ||
| 3. | To identify with the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 2:21; Philippians 3:10) | ||
| 4. | In persecution (1 Corinthians 4:12; Acts 5:28-29, 41; 2 Corinthians 4:11) | ||
| 5. | In the expenditure of our personal resources (Philippians 2:30) | ||
| 6. | In oppression by Satanic forces (Job 1) | ||
| 7. | That the works of God might be made manifest (John 11:4) | ||
| C. | What does suffering accomplish in us? | ||
| 1. | Produces patience and faith (Romans 5:3; 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5; James 5:10) | ||
| 2. | Produces experience through which we might comfort others (Romans 5:3-4; 2 Corinthians 1:4-5) | ||
| 3. | Produces hope through our experiences (Romans 5:3-5) | ||
| 4. | Produces holiness and a harvest (Hebrews 12:10-11; 1 Peter 4:1) | ||
| 5. | Makes us perfect (1 Peter 5:10; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Job 23:10; James 1:2-4) | ||
| 6. | Establishes and strengthens us (1 Peter 5:10) | ||
| 7. | It is proof of godliness (2 Timothy 3:12) | ||
| 8. | Unifies the Church (1 Corinthians 12:26) | ||
| 9. | Glorifies God (1 Peter 4:14-16; Philippians 1:12-14; 1 Peter 1:7) | ||
| D. | What ways can you respond to suffering? | ||
| 1. | You can despise it and rebel against it. | ||
| 2. | You can faint in the day of adversity. | ||
| 3. | You can yield reluctantly. | ||
| 4. | You can yield to the will of God with rejoicing. | ||
| E. | What should our attitude be toward suffering? | ||
| Accept these biblical truths: | |||
| 1. | suffering is an unavoidable part of human life (Job 5:6-11). | ||
| 2. | Suffering is part of our Christian calling (Philippians 1:21). | ||
| 3. | realize that God's plan is bigger than we are (Ephesians 2:6-7; Daniel 4:32, 35). | ||
| 4. | It is good to be afflicted (Psalms 119:71). | ||
| 5. | If we suffer, we shall reign (2 Timothy 2:12). | ||
| 6. | We should rejoice when we suffer (Colossians 1:24; Acts 5:41; Job 23:10). | ||
| 7. | Realize that all temptation, trials and suffering must pass through the permissive will of God (Job 1). | ||
| 8. | Worship amidst suffering proves our loyalty to God and repudiates Satan's lie (Job 1:13-22). | ||
| 9. | "We know that all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28; Genesis 50:20). | ||
| 10. | Our suffering cannot be compared to the glory that will be revealed in us (2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18). |