Discovering what the Bible says about suffering and evil Trading My Sorrows Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour Discovering what the Bible says about suffering and evil March 15, 2015

God Leads His Dear Children In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet, God leads His dear children along. (Refrain) Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along; Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night, God leads His dear children along. Refrain March 15, 2015

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose, God leads His dear children along; Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along. (Refrain) Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. Away from the mire, and away from the clay, God leads His dear children along; Away up in glory, eternity’s day, God leads His dear children along. Refrain March 15, 2015

Discovering what the Bible says about suffering and evil Trading My Sorrows Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour Discovering what the Bible says about suffering and evil March 15, 2015

Class 1 Trading My Sorrows New Heaven New Earth Garden  Bad Good  The Fall Garden Class 1  Bad Good  TIME

Transgression of God’s Will Trading My Sorrows Class 1 What is evil? Transgression of God’s Will Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour January 11, 2015

Class 1 Trading My Sorrows January 11, 2015 Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour January 11, 2015

Trading My Sorrows Class 2 Eternity The “U”  Bad Good  TIME

Hell Class 2 Trading My Sorrows Garden New Heaven / New Earth 1,000,000,000,000 miles  Bad Good  Hell TIME

Suffering is not evil – it’s the just penalty for evil Trading My Sorrows Class 2 Important Point A: Suffering is not evil – it’s the just penalty for evil Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour January 18, 2015

Trading My Sorrows Class 2 January 18, 2015

Life in the “U” is an opportunity to be saved!! Trading My Sorrows Class 2 Important Point B: Life in the “U” is an opportunity to be saved!! Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour January 18, 2015

The Problem God is good God is sovereign Evil and suffering exist Trading My Sorrows Class 3 The Problem God is good God is sovereign Evil and suffering exist Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour January 25, 2015

Good Bad Class 3 Trading My Sorrows God SCBC Puppies Cocoa Puffs Neil’s Good and Bad Baskets Good Bad God SCBC Puppies Cocoa Puffs Marshmallow Fluff Evil Suffering Rain Spinach NE Patriots Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour January 25, 2015

The Oreo Story Class 3 Trading My Sorrows January 25, 2015 Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour January 25, 2015

Mystery The Problem The Problem God is good God is sovereign Trading My Sorrows Class 3 Mystery The Problem The Problem God is good God is sovereign Evil and suffering exist Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour January 25, 2015

Class 4 Trading My Sorrows February 8, 2015 Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour February 8, 2015

What is suffering? Class 5 Topic 1: Trading My Sorrows “Any experience of unpleasantness or deviation from the perfection God intended for creation” Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour February 15, 2015

Example Continuum of Suffering Trading My Sorrows Class 5 Example Continuum of Suffering Out of Twinkies Bad Gifts Flu Loss Betrayal Broken Heart Cancer Death Hell Injury Fruit Cake Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour February 15, 2015

Trading My Sorrows Class 5

Trading My Sorrows Class 6

Trading My Sorrows Class 6

Trading My Sorrows Class 6 Natural Disasters

Class 6 Siblings: Other People Spouses Fellow Believers

Trading My Sorrows Class 6 Job February 22, 2015

Lessons to learn from Job: Summary: Class 6 Responses to avoid: Focusing on ourselves No 1 to 1 sin-to-suffering ratio Lessons to learn from Job: Remember God’s goodness Recognize God’s involvement in our suffering Even in suffering God is merciful Trust God in suffering February 22, 2015 February 22, 2015

We need: Summary: A high view of God A low view of our selves Class 6 We need: A high view of God A low view of our selves A right view of sin Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour February 22, 2015

Suffering Exclusive to Christians Trading My Sorrows Class 7 Suffering Exclusive to Christians God’s discipline Persecution Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 8, 2015

Punishment vs. Discipline: Trading My Sorrows Class 7 Punishment vs. Discipline: Punishment Penalty Judicial term Inflict pain God = Judge Discipline Training Term of mercy Correct behavior God = Father Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 8, 2015

Trading My Sorrows Class 7 Discipline: “Training expected to produce a specific character, or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement or self-control” Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 8, 2015

Suffering Under Persecution: Trading My Sorrows Class 7 Suffering Under Persecution: Global citizens Demands for allegiance New covenant Its offense Its nature Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 8, 2015

Suffering – Mental Framework: Trading My Sorrows Class 7 Suffering – Mental Framework: Is God good? Is God sovereign? Is God unfair? Does God owe us a persecution-free life? Do we know everything God knows? Is God trustworthy? Can God bring good out of persecution? Can we trust Him to bring good in this circumstance? Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 8, 2015

Suffering – The Response: Trading My Sorrows Class 7 Suffering – The Response: Confirm your salvation Preach the truth to yourself Examine your life Pray, meditate, fast Apply the lessons: God loves you God desires your highest good Thank God Worship God Cry out to God Trust God Get help from the body of Christ Seek counsel Continue praying March 8, 2015

Summary of Lessons 1 - 7 Trading My Sorrows God is good, God is sovereign, so can trust Him to accomplish good in our circumstances. Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Caveat Trading My Sorrows March 15, 2015 Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Microscopic Differences Diverging Over Time Trading My Sorrows Microscopic Differences Diverging Over Time Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Trading My Sorrows The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29 Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Symptom of Life in the “U” Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Punishment Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Discipline

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Other (Dross-Removal / Sanctification) March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Other (Testimony) March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Other (Leash-Jerking) Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Other (Cosmic Lasik) Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Other (For Others) Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Other (Unknown Purpose) Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Trading My Sorrows Possible Good Purposes in Suffering Symptom of Life in the “U” Punishment Discipline Other Dross Removal/Sanctification Testimony Leash-Jerking Cosmic Lasik For Others Unknown Purposes Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Bottom Line: Trading My Sorrows 1. God sends suffering for OUR ETERNAL GOOD. 2. We might not understand “Why”, but we know “Who”. Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour March 15, 2015

Discovering what the Bible says about suffering and evil Trading My Sorrows Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour Discovering what the Bible says about suffering and evil March 15, 2015

God Leads His Dear Children In shady, green pastures, so rich and so sweet, God leads His dear children along; Where the water’s cool flow bathes the weary one’s feet, God leads His dear children along. (Refrain) Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. Sometimes on the mount where the sun shines so bright, God leads His dear children along; Sometimes in the valley, in darkest of night, God leads His dear children along. Refrain March 15, 2015

Though sorrows befall us and evils oppose, God leads His dear children along; Through grace we can conquer, defeat all our foes, God leads His dear children along. (Refrain) Some through the waters, some through the flood, Some through the fire, but all through the blood; Some through great sorrow, but God gives a song, In the night season and all the day long. Away from the mire, and away from the clay, God leads His dear children along; Away up in glory, eternity’s day, God leads His dear children along. Refrain March 15, 2015

Discovering what the Bible says about suffering and evil Trading My Sorrows Spring Creek Bible Church Discipleship Hour Discovering what the Bible says about suffering and evil March 15, 2015