1. Lies Satan Wants You to Believe “Godly People will not Suffer” Allen Lo March 22, 2015 (James 1:1-5)

2. Scripture: James 1:1-5 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

3. Lies Satan Wants You to Believe “Bad things won’t happen to good people”

4. Satan’s Lie Suffering means God does not love us o God is omnipotence (all powerful) o God is Omni-benevolence (all loving) o People suffer -> God either is not all power or God does not love us Wealth and prosperity should be symbols for God’s people o God bless his people (e.g. Abraham, David) o God promise an abundant life ( John 10:10: good life) o God promise to protect his children from all dangers (e.g Daniel in the lion’s den)

5. How do people response to Suffering? Job’s wife o Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. o Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. Job o Job 3:1 After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.

6. Three Truths about Suffering Suffering is not God’s original intention o Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Suffering is a fact in this fallen world o Joh 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. Suffering is unavoidable, embrace it o 1 Co 7:20 Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather.

7. Scripture: James 1:1-5 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

8. Three Responses to Suffering A Strange Attitude: Rejoice (James 1:2-3) o We can’t control our feelings, we can control our thoughts. o There is always something to be thankful for. A Strange Response: Embrace The Benefits (James 1:3-4) o Trials build character & confidence. o Suffering teaches obedience. o Trials reveal the truth about my faith. o Suffering creates empathy. A Strange Prayer: Lord, give me wisdom (James 1:5) o Ask for deliverance, seek wisdom.

9. “Suffering is like printing plate...” ― Martin Luther Suffering – An interpretation