16.4K
Downloads
524
Episodes
Weekly sermons from our Pastor, Barry Wilkinson.
Episodes
Sunday Jan 13, 2019
Sunday Jan 13, 2019
Series: Unhindered
Sermon: Let's Get Unhindered
Scripture: Acts 28:31; 1:1-11
Date: January 13, 2019
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31)
The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when He was taken up to heaven, after He had by the Holy Spirit given orders to the apostles whom He had chosen. To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." So when they had come together, they were asking Him, saying, "Lord, is it at this time You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?" He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth." And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were looking on, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them. They also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven." (Acts 1:1-11)
Brant Hansen video link:
He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31)
Don't you want to live that way? All in with and all out for Jesus?
The first account I composed, Theophilus, about all that Jesus began to do and teach... (Acts 1:1)
One thing we have to bring to the table is the desire.
Here's a few good words for us as we start thinking about living an unhindered life with and for Jesus:
- Admit that you are hindered
- What is your biggest hindrance to being all in with and all out for Jesus?
- What might hinder them at this point? What would hinder you? Fear... Confusion... Uncertainty... How will this turn out?... What about my family?... Are we going to end up like You?... How are we supposed to do this?... I've never done this before....
- WEEKLY GROWTH SUGGESTION: Identify and write down your biggest hindrance to going all in with and all out for Jesus on a note card.
- Ask God what is hindering you the most these days. Is it:
- Fear
- Comfort
- What others think
- Apathy
- Lack of authenticity
- Defensiveness
- Desire
- Procrastination
- Compromise
- Pride
- Bad habits
- Tradition
- Too much social media
- Not enough time spent with God
- But you will receive power when the Holy
Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8) - This is everybody's mission if you are saved.
- We are to bring Jesus' message to the world. We are to be Jesus' representatives to the world.
- We must ask if our desires to feel safe and accepted are, in fact, enslaving us to popular opinion and to boredom.
- Access to being unhindered
- To these He also presented Himself alive after His suffering, by many convincing proofs, appearing to them over a period of forty days and speaking of the things concerning the kingdom of God. (Acts 1:3)
- They have seen the risen Christ.
- Two ways God has provided to be unhindered:
- Keep your focus on a living, resurrected Jesus.
- Live filled with the Holy Spirit.
- But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
- John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." (Luke 3:16)
- "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" (Luke 11:13)
- He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ - with all boldness and without hindrance! (Acts 28:31)
- Action to take to start being unhindered
- Gathering them together, He commanded them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for what the Father had promised, "Which," He said, "you heard of from Me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now." (Acts 1:4-5)
Sunday Jan 13, 2019
Sunday Jan 13, 2019
Sermon: What Is It That You Really Want?
Scripture: Haggai 1:3-9, 12
Date: January 6, 2019
Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes." Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways! Go up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the Lord. "You looked for much, but indeed it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?" says the Lord of hosts. "Because of My house that is in ruins, while every one of you runs to his own house." ... Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the Lord. (Haggai 1:3-9, 12)
The book of Haggai, second shortest in the Old Testament, has a powerful message. It tells us to put first things first in our lives.
They got used to life without a temple.
Rebuilding the temple in Jerusalem was high on God's priority list.
"Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" (Haggai 1:4)
They had gotten comfortable in taking care of themselves and neglecting God.
Let's look at three words that will help us to really put God first and not just talk about it, three words to help us break out of our spiritual apathy:
- Consider
- "Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?" Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways!" (Haggai 1:4-5)
- We all know this, but we all are prone to put ourselves, our prosperity, our feelings, our happiness above God's purposes.
- Church and the Lord's work can easily drift into the background.
- Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, saying: "This people says, 'The time has not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built.'" (Haggai 1:2)
- It's not the right time.
- There is never a perfect time to start putting Jesus first.
- Or, maybe it's always the right time to start putting Jesus first.
- How are you spending your time?
- How are you spending your money, which is really God's money?
- What are your goals?
- What do you think about the most?
- Who are your heroes or models?
- Who are your friends?
- How do you spend your leisure time?
- "You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes." Thus says the Lord of hosts: "Consider your ways! God up to the mountains and bring wood and build the temple, that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified," says the Lord. (Haggai 1:6-8)
- Life is not going to be as fulfilling as it should be without God as supreme.
- It means that your main goal is to know Christ at home, in your heart, by faith, and to do all that you can to help others do the same.
- How can we do this?
- Have intention about this day.
- Review your day.
- Say "I won't," not "I can't."
- Conflict
- What will your opposition look like?
- Procrastination
- Feelings
- Comparison
- People
- What will your opposition look like?
- Confidence
- Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, with all the remnant of the people, obeyed the voice of the Lord their God, and the words of Haggai the prophet, as the Lord their God had sent him; and the people feared the presence of the Lord. (Haggai 1:12)
- The ministry of Haggai and Zechariah would be successful. The people obeyed and finished a new temple around 515 BC.
Sunday Jan 06, 2019
Sunday Jan 06, 2019
Sermon: God's Way or My Way in 2019?
Scripture: Isaiah 55:6-9
Date: January 6, 2019
Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:6-9)
Max Lucado's Laws of the Lighthouse:
- Love God more than you fear hell.
- Once a week, let a child take you on a walk.
- Make major decisions in a cemetery.
- When no one is watching, live as if someone is.
- Succeed at home first.
- Don't spend tomorrow's money today.
- Pray twice as much as you fret.
- Listen twice as much as you speak.
- Only harbor a grudge when God does.
- Never outgrow your love of sunsets.
- 'Tis wiser to err on the side of generosity than on the side of scrutiny.
- God has forgiven you; you'd be wise to do the same.
- When you can't trace God's hand, trust His heart.
- Toot your own horn and the notes will be flat.
- Don't feel guilty for God's goodness.
- The book of life is lived in chapters, so know your page number.
- Never let the important be the victim of the trivial.
God's way in 2019 will include:
- Prayer over planning
- If we want to adjust to God's ways, let's pray and not just plan.
- Where does God want us to change the most? If you are really brave, ask your family or best friends where you need to change the most.
- Focus is the key to an effective life.
- "When you don't decide in advance what's important, you're letting other people decide." -Rick Warren
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Ask God what His plan for you is in 2019. Ask for specifics. Consider areas like spiritual habits, character traits, or new ways of obedience.
- Spiritual habits: prayer, Bible reading, caring for the poor and helpless, Sunday School, church attendance, giving, reading Christian books, Christian music, limiting social media, careful with entertainment, building Christian friendships, family prayer time, quick to repent...
- Character traits: love, joy, peace, patience/endurance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, humility, courage, boldness, "teachableness", generosity...
- Will you pray sincerely that God will show Hopewell His plans for us this year?
- Worship in weakness
- In your weakness, worship.
- If we want to adjust to God's ways, we will find Him in worship.
- Worship focuses on God and not self.
- Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, and said: "O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? (2 Chronicles 20:5-6)
- Forgiveness over fighting
- If we want to adjust to God's ways, we will value forgiveness over fighting.
Wednesday Jan 02, 2019
Wednesday Jan 02, 2019
Please enjoy a message from Bro. Luke Cullen while our pastor and his family are away on vacation. Happy New Year!
Wednesday Jan 02, 2019
Wednesday Jan 02, 2019
Please enjoy a message from our Youth Minister, Bro. Emmett Massey, while Bro. Barry and his family are away on vacation. Happy New Year!
Wednesday Dec 26, 2018
Wednesday Dec 26, 2018
Series: Why Jesus
Sermon: His Unique Life and Death
Scripture: Matthew 20:28
Date: December 23, 2018
And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
Let's see Jesus' unique mission tonight:
- He was born for you
- And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
- And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." (John 8:23)
- For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. (John 6:38)
- This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day. (John 6:39-40)
- This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15)
- Thank you Jesus for being born for me.
- He lived for you
- And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:28)
- Only Jesus was qualified to be our sacrifice as He was without sin.
- Thank you Jesus for living for me.
- He died for you
- "Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." (John 10:17-18)
- For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day." (Mark 9:31)
- Thank you Jesus for dying for me.
- He rose again for you
- For He taught His disciples and said to them, "The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day." (Mark 9:31)
- Clearly, the most important event of all time, and one of the best attested, historically, of ancient times, was the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
- Seeing how Jesus was born for us, lived for us, died for us, and rose again for us should be more than enough for us to give Him our greatest love and highest allegiance.
- Thank you Jesus for rising from the dead for me.
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
Sunday Dec 23, 2018
Series: Life With the King, A Kingdom Christmas
Sermon: Clash of the Clans
Scripture: Romans 14:17; Luke 1:35
Date: December 23, 2018
Last week's Growth Suggestion: Ask Jesus what will make Him happy this Christmas.
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)
The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters. (Genesis 1:2)
We can't be saved apart from the work of the Holy Spirit:
- The Spirit convicts us of our sin.
- The Spirit reveals to us the truth about Jesus.
- The Spirit enables us to trust in Jesus.
If we want to have a Kingdom Christmas, we need to cooperate with and submit to the Spirit.
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Let's talk about three ways the Holy Spirit was involved in that first Christmas and how he can be involved in ours this week:
- Kingdom birth
- Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. (Matthew 1:18)
- And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." (Luke 1:35)
- What is the Holy Spirit trying to birth through you?
- "Christ grew in Mary until he had to come out. Christ will grow in you until the same occurs. He will come out in your speech, in your actions, in your decisions. Every place you live will be a Bethlehem, and every day you live will be a Christmas. You, like Mary, will deliver Christ into the world." -Max Lucado
- WEEKLY GROWTH SUGGESTION: Ask God what He has planted in you that will help bring Jesus' love and message to others.
- What is God trying to birth through you?
- A Christ-centered family Christmas?
- Someone to whom you are considering reaching out?
- Some type of ministry at school or work?
- Reading through the Bible in a year?
- Shopping for OCC all year?
- Involvement with foster kids or adoption?
- Sponsoring overseas kids?
- Kingdom battle
- There was a spiritual war that tried to stop Jesus from becoming what God intended.
- But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel fo the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 1:20)
- There was an all-out war to stop Jesus from being born and becoming the Savior of the world.
- Present, hungry children
- Your own insecurity
- Interruption to the day
- Irritable family member
- Fear of what may happen
- Fear of what it may cost you
- Fear of looking silly
- "God was with Adam and Eve. God was with Abraham. God was with Moses and the children of Israel. God was with the apostles. But he is in you. You are a modern-day Mary. Even more so. He was a fetus in her, but he is a force in you. He will do what you cannot." -Max Lucado
- Kingdom breaking/blessing
- How much better was God's plan?
- The breaking may be in the are of pride, finances, career, friends, plans...
- Do you want what God can do through you or do you want to do your own thing?
Wednesday Dec 19, 2018
Wednesday Dec 19, 2018
Series: Why Jesus
Sermon: Jesus is Unique in His Teaching
Scripture: John 14:6
Date: December 16, 2018
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
Let's see how He is unique in what the central message of His teaching is...
The source of truth in Buddhism is what the Buddha taught. They are:
- the truth of suffering
- the truth of the cause of suffering
- the truth of the end of suffering
- the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
Jesus is different. He says "I am truth."
Let's look at the uniqueness of Jesus' teaching here in John 14:6:
- Jesus is the way
- Jesus says it is not a teaching that will save you, but a Savior that will save you. It is not your ability to follow the teaching, but My ability to forgive and keep you.
- Aren't you glad that Jesus is your way and not your ability to stay on the way?
- He is righteous, so I do the right thing.
- He is wise, so I do the wise thing.
- He is good, so I do the good thing.
- He is true, so I do the true thing.
- He is grace, so I do the graceful thing.
- Are you relating to Jesus like He is the Way?
- How many of you are so glad that Jesus has become your Way?
- Jesus is the truth
- Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." (John 14:6)
- The truth of the situation is that Jesus had enough and, on their own, they did not.
- Are we willing to let Jesus define truth for us?
- Jesus is the voice of truth, not the:
- shame voice
- regret voice
- self-doubt voice
- insecurity voice
- Turn up Jesus' voice:
- Nobody can snatch you out of my hands.
- I will give you rest.
- Nothing can separate you from My love.
- No condemnation.
- I am with you.
- I have not given you a spirit of fear.
- And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:14)
- Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin." (John 8:10-11, NIV)
- And when the Pharisees saw it, they said to His disciples, "Why does your Teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" When Jesus heard that, He said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick." (Matthew 9:11-12)
- "Jesus is not afraid to call a sinner a sinner, and He's not afraid to go to his house for dinner." -Andy Stanley
- Jesus is the life
- Before I was empty, now I am full.
- Why doesn't everyone in America go to church?
Sunday Dec 16, 2018
Sunday Dec 16, 2018
Series: Life With the King: A Kingdom Christmas
Sermon: Kingdom Joy
Scripture: Romans 14:17; Luke 2:10-11
Date: December 16, 2018
For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord." (Luke 2:10-11)
- Happiness protects your heart.
- Happiness strengthens your immune system.
- Happiness combats stress.
- Happy people have fewer aches and pains.
- Happiness combats disease and disability.
- Happiness lengthens our lives.
The Bible told us this 2,7000 years ago in Proverbs 17:22:
- A merry heart does good, like medicine, but a broken spirit dries the bones.
- A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. (NIV)
"Happiness is a state of mind. Joy is a state of the soul. Happiness is circumstantial. Joy can be experienced regardless of the circumstances. Happiness is momentary, fragile. Joy can be more constant. Happiness is a by-product of being entertained. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit." -Rick Warren
The joy of doing that which the Father sent Him to do...
Have I allowed Jesus Christ to introduce His joy to me? His joy is in bringing joy to the Father and other people.
"Joy is the settled assurance that God is in control of all the details of my life, the quiet confidence that ultimately everything is going to be alright, and the determined choice to praise God in every situation." -Kay Warren
Let's look at kingdom joy today from three different viewpoints:
- Joyful how
- For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
- Here is the big deal about kingdom joy: joy is a by-product of a healthy and growing relationship with Jesus.
- God is for your joy!
- Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11)
- "Joy is a choice." -Kay Warren
- "The best news in the world is that there is no conflict between your greatest possible happiness and God's perfect holiness." -John Piper
- Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. (Nehemiah 8:10b)
- WEEKLY CHALLENGE: Ask Jesus what will make Him happy this Christmas.
- Joy is a by-product of a healthy and growing relationship with Jesus.
- Joyful holiness
- Who is happier or more joyful than God?
- We have the joy of a life well lived and the joy of pleasing God.
- Joyful hope
- Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)
- God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
- Living one day at a time; enjoying one moment at a time; accepting hardships as the pathway to peace; taking, as He did, this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it; trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to His will; that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with Him forever in the next.
- Have I allowed Jesus christ to introduce His joy to me? His joy is in bringing joy to the Father and other people.
Wednesday Dec 12, 2018
Wednesday Dec 12, 2018
Series: Why Jesus
Sermon: Jesus and Suffering
Scripture: John 9:1-5
Date: December 9, 2018
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:1-5)
I believe Jesus is unique in His truth about suffering and it is a good reason to follow Him.
"The Christian worldview suggests that evil is better posed as a mystery than as a problem." -Ravi Zacharias
Let's examine the uniqueness of Jesus in dealing with suffering from three angles:
- Explanation
- Let us remember that every worldview - not just Christianity's - must give an explanation or an answer for evil and suffering.
- Hinduism says that the evil of our life is a result of evil done in a past life. Buddhism also invokes the doctrine of karma and reincarnation.
- So, for Buddhism and Hinduism, the answer to the disciples' question regarding the blind man's predicament - "Who sinned, this man or his parents?" - would be, "Both this man and his parents have sinned."
- New Thought (which is where the New Age thinking came from) declared that evil, illness, and sin only exist because the human mind wills it so, and that one can overcome all these positions through the power of the mind.
- "The opening lines of the Torah, as well as Genesis in the Bible, state, "God created Heaven and Earth," and later, "And all that God created was good." If you interpret those words literally, it's quite clear that problems are impossible." -Wayne Dyer
- "If evil exists, then one must assume that good exists in order to know the difference. If good exists, one must assume that a moral law exists by which to measure good and evil." -Ravi Zacharias
- "Not one proponent of evolutionary ethics has explained how an impersonal, amoral first cause through a nonmoral process has produced a moral basis of life, while at the same time denying any objective moral basis for good and evil." -Ravi Zacharias
- Why do we exist, anyway?
- God is telling a love story.
- The purpose of mankind is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.
- Here are a few reasons Christians believe in a good God who allows suffering:
- Sin
- Discipline
- Satanic influences
- We live in a fallen world
- Entering
- Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" (John 9:1-2)
- For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin. (Hebrews 4:15)
- God can use your suffering in all kinds of ways:
- to draw you closer to Him
- to help others
- Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)
- "Those who stay with it will see that the biblical worldview is the only one that accepts the reality of evil and suffering while giving both the cause and the purpose, while offering God-given strength and sustenance in the midst of it." -Ravi Zacharias
- Suffering often reveals a great love.
- Ending
- When He had said these things, He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva; and He anointed the eyes of the blind man with the clay. And He said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated, Sent). So he went and washed, and came back seeing. (John 9:6-7)
- One day, because He came as a suffering servant (Isaiah 53), He will end all suffering for those who believe.
- I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4)
- If we are expressing a desire to see a solution to the problem of evil around us, we might ask ourselves if we are as troubled by the problem of evil within us.