301 N Loop 250 W, Midland, TX 79703

Part 6: Arguing About: The Problem of Evil and Suffering

ARGUING WITH JESUS

PART 6

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

John 16:16-33

  • Why is there suffering in the world?

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT GRIEF, PAIN AND SUFFERING


1.  IN THIS FALLEN WORLD, GRIEF AND PAIN ARE UNAVOIDABLE.

“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” John 16:20 (NIV)

“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.” 1 Peter 4:12 (NIV)

  • Satan’s lie: A valley always means a wrong turn. 

   

2.  DON’T BACK OFF YOUR BELIEF IN GOD.

“Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy. A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” John 16:20-22 (NIV)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 (NIV)

3. SOMETIMES OUR FAITH IS WEAKER THAN WE THINK.  

“‘Do you now believe?’ Jesus replied. ‘A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for My Father is with Me.’” John 16:31-32 (NIV)

“For though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” Proverbs 24:16 (NIV)

  • Satan’s lie: Your failure is final.

  • God’s mercy and grace are always greater than we think.   

“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:13 (ESV)

MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS: 

  • __________________________________

This week’s Reading Plan and blog/podcast:

  • YouVersion® Bible App Reading Plan:
    “Why Does Suffering Exist?”  (5 days) 

  • Blog and Podcast: “Why is there Evil?”

Arguing w/ JesusDr. John Gerlach