1. HUMAN SUFFERING Causes, Reasons

2. Why does God allow suffering? To diminish the appeal of physical life To diminish the appeal of physical life To make us like His Son To make us like His Son To purify our faith in Him To purify our faith in Him To teach us contentment & thankfulness To teach us contentment & thankfulness To teach us prayerfulness & dependence To teach us prayerfulness & dependence To perfect our inner man To perfect our inner man To help us develop compassion To help us develop compassion

3. What are the causes of suffering? For man also does not know his time: like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them (Ecc 9:11-12). For man also does not know his time: like fish taken in a cruel net, like birds caught in a snare, so the sons of men are snared in an evil time, when it falls suddenly upon them (Ecc 9:11-12).

4. What are the causes of suffering? Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find nothing that will happen after him (Eccl 7:13-14). Consider the work of God; for who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider: surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, so that man can find nothing that will happen after him (Eccl 7:13-14).

5. Our Actions Cause Suffering? Gen 2:16-17 – And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “…17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Spiritual result Isa 59:1-2; Ezek 18:4, 20; Rom 6:23). Gen 2:16-17 – And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “…17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good & evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” (Spiritual result Isa 59:1-2; Ezek 18:4, 20; Rom 6:23).  Physical result (Gen 3:15-17)  God’s natural or spiritual laws violated

6. Satan’s Actions Cause Suffering? Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6) – why did God allow it? Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6) – why did God allow it? Jas 5:11 – Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job & seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate & merciful. Jas 5:11 – Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job & seen the end intended by the Lord — that the Lord is very compassionate & merciful.

7. Satan’s Actions Cause Suffering? Christians – why did God allow it? Christians – why did God allow it? 1 Pet 1:6-7 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, & glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ 1 Pet 1:6-7 – In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, & glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ

8. Satan’s Actions Cause Suffering? His Objective – His Objective –  To deceptively lead us into the pleasures of sin: lusts of flesh, eye, & vainglory.  John 8:44; Rev 20:10; Matt 4; 1 John 2:15-17

9. Satan’s Actions Cause Suffering? His Objective – His Objective –  To cause us to loose faith in God.  Jas 1:13 – Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Job 1:22; 2:10 – …Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong… Job did not sin with his lips.Job 1:22; 2:10 – …Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong… Job did not sin with his lips.

10. God’s Actions Cause Suffering? Heb 12:6 – For whom the LORD loves He chastens, & scourges every son whom He receives (Prov 3:12). Heb 12:6 – For whom the LORD loves He chastens, & scourges every son whom He receives (Prov 3:12). Lam 3:31-33 – For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men. Lam 3:31-33 – For the Lord will not cast off forever. 32 Though He causes grief, yet He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. 33 For He does not afflict willingly, nor grieve the children of men.

11. God’s Actions Cause Suffering? He loves us! He loves us!  Rev 3:19 (Laodicea) – As many as I love, I rebuke & chasten. Therefore be zealous & repent.

12. God’s Actions Cause Suffering? He wants us to be holy & to see Him! He wants us to be holy & to see Him!  Heb 12:10, 14 – For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness…14 Pursue peace with all people, & holiness, without which no one will see the Lord

13. God’s Actions Cause Suffering? We don’t always discipline ourselves! We don’t always discipline ourselves!  1 Cor 11:31-33 – For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. 33 Therefore, my brethren, when you come together to eat, wait for one another.

14. God’s Actions Cause Suffering? How did God discipline the Jews? How did God discipline the Jews?  He gave instructions (Amos 2:4-5).  He worked natural laws (Amos 4:6-13).  He used great armies (Amos 3:11-15).

15. When We See Suffering  A natural law has been broken.  Satan may be at work.  Our loving Father may be disciplining us.

16. Salvation From Sin: Eternal Life Faith in Jesus Christ through the Gospel John 8:24; 20:30-31; Rom 1:16; 10:9-10; Mark 16:16; Heb 11:6 Repent or turn from sins Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 17:30-31 Confess faith in Christ Matt 10:32-33; Acts 8:36-38; Rom 10:9-10 Be immersed in water Matt 28:19; Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38; Rom 6:3-4; 1 Pet 3:21 Live in obedient faith Heb 5:8-9; 1 Peter 1:14; Rev 2:10