Concluding the series on God, Suffering, and Evil, this sermon looks at how we can cope with suffering as Christians. Not only can we endure suffering by the grace of God but we can rejoice in suffering since suffering: (1) deepens our faith and holiness; (2) causes us to rely on God; (3) weans us from the world so our hope is set on God alone; and (4) prepares us for the eternal weight of glory.
Considering suffering and it’s affects in our lives, consider the following questions:
1. Does suffering and hardship in your life produce the four things mentioned above? Or, do you deal with suffering as the world deals with suffering: by turning to entertainment, distractions, worldly comforts, or some other distraction to provide relief for the symptoms of affliction?
2. Like Israel broke down the idols and high places in the land when they realized their sin, are you willing to remove the “idols” from your life so that you turn to God rather than these “idols”? Should you abstain from watching sports or