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Aug 02, 2015

No Suffering, No Glory!

Passage: 1 Peter 4:12-19

Preacher: Dr. Chandler Im

Series:Special Message

Detail:

A.  A Christian Explanation for Suffering
      1.  Causes of suffering:
           a.  Original sin
           b.  Self-committed sins | 1 Peter 4:15
           c.  Self-chosen paths of suffering | 1 Peter 4:13,19
           d.  Caused by other humans
           e.  Caused by non-human beings
           f.  Caused by nature
           g.  God-caused sufferings
           h.  Satan- and demon-induced sufferings | 1 Peter 5:8
      2.  Purposes of suffering
           a.  Suffering builds up and refines one's own character | Romans 5:4.
           b.  Suffering draws humans closer to God's purposes and plans in
                 His redemptive history.
           c.  God teaches valuable life lessons through suffering.
           d.  Through suffering humans acknowledge their limitations,
                 respect God's sovereignty, and appreciate His providence.
           e.  Suffering purifies and sanctifies believers.
           f.  One's (past) suffering consoles others in pain | 2 Corinthians 1:4.
           g.  Suffering strengthens the community of faith.
           h.  Suffering propels and intensifies missionary endeavors | Luke 14:27.

B.  Christian Sources of Comfort, Hope, and Salvation amid Suffering
      1.  God's providence, goodness, wisdom, and love | Romans 8:28,32
      2.  Jesus: God's answer and solution to human suffering | Isaiah 53
      3.  The Holy Spirit's presence, guidance, and empowerment
      4.  The Church: the body of the faith community 
      5.  Evil forces defeated and wounded
      6.  Jesus Christ's Second Coming to the world and victory over evil
      7.  Hope for the suffering — free, eternal shalom in heaven | Revelation 21:4

C.  God's Method of Salvation: No suffering, no glory!
      Matthew 16:24, 10:39;  1 Peter 4:14;  John 12:24