Psalm 34: 17-19

“…not doubt-free certainty; rather, it is tenacious obedience.” John Ortberg

The Pain of Christianity

“Salvation is free. Discipleship costs.” C.Y. Kim

“Where are You, God?” C.Y. Kim Job 7: 17-21

“3 Questions that no one asks.” (but we all do - Job started it) Is God unfair? Job 10: 2-9 21: 6-17

“3 Questions that no one asks.” (but we all do - Job started it) Is God unfair? Job 10: 2-9 21: 6-17 Is God silent? Job 19: 7 30: 20

“3 Questions that no one asks.” (but we all do - Job started it) Is God unfair? Job 10: 2-9 21: 6-17 Is God silent? Job 19: 7 30: 20 Is God hidden? Job 13: 23-24 23: 3-5

“Where is God when it hurts?” Psalm 71: 12

PAIN “God’s great mistake?”

“Fearfully & Wonderfully Made” Psalm 139: 13-17 “Fearfully & Wonderfully Made”

“When you have no experience of pain, it is rather hard to experience joy.” George Wald

Job 36:15 - Elihu speaks “But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.”

God’s megaphone.. “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pain. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.” C.S. Lewis

The big IF... Romans 8: 16-17

The big IF... Romans 8: 16-17 BUT verse 18

“light & momentary..?” II Corinthians 4: 16-18

What is already a part of your relationship? “Though He slay me…” Job “Your law is my delight…” David

Doesn’t God know that He might actually drive people away from Him? Psalm 119: 67, 71, 75

A faith refined... I Peter 1: 6-7 Isaiah 48: 8-11

As you suffer, God may not show you why, but He will show you Who. Job 38-42

The wicked prosper.. The righteous are afflicted.. I Peter 5: 10 Job 20: 4-5 Psalm 73

Rain & Sun Righteous & Unrighteous Matthew 5: 45

Is pain & suffering God’s punishment for our sin? “If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men? Why have You made me your target? Have I become a burden to you?” Job 7: 20 Is pain & suffering God’s punishment for our sin? Psalm 89: 20-37

Why do bad things happen to those who love Jesus & to those loved by Jesus?

Is my suffering proportional to my sin? Lamentations 3: 31-33 Lamentations 3: 37-40 Pay ‘em back, God, but…. Psalm 28: 3-4 Psalm 94: 1-2 Psalm 103: 8-10

Wages of sin is….? Suffering?

Does God punish & discipline me? Hebrews 12: 4-11 What for?

Is all my pain & suffering because of my sin? John 9: 1-3 Luke 13: 1-5 John 11

Not “Why?” but rather... To What End? “…now I rejoice not because you were pained, but because the pain led you to turn back to God.” II Corinthians 7: 8-11 Complete Jewish Bible

Why won’t God just heal us?

Philippians 1: 29 I Peter 4: 12-19 Do we allow God to use us, however He sees fit, to draw others to Him? Philippians 1: 29 I Peter 4: 12-19

II Corinthians 12: 7-10 I Timothy 5: 23 II Timothy 4: 20 Isn’t the Bible full of examples of healing? II Corinthians 12: 7-10 I Timothy 5: 23 II Timothy 4: 20

If God can heal, then why won’t He?

What is my perspective toward suffering?

Do we get what we deserve? Psalm 53: 1-3 Matthew 19: 16-17 James 2: 10-11

Do we get what we deserve? Psalm 103: 8-18

What has changed about God? What has been healed? Isaiah 53: 4-6 I Peter 2: 21-25

“Jesus gave God a face, and that face is streaked with tears.” Philip Yancey

“Where is God when it hurts?” Psalm 10: 1 Psalm 10: 17-18 Psalm 22: 24

“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.” Psalm 119: 50