1. Why Would God Let This Happen?

2. 1. Logic Based Response…

3. 2. Relational Responses that touch the Heart

4. 1. Logic Based Response… 2. Relational Responses that touch the Heart –COMMUNITY

5. 1. Logic Based Response… 2. Relational Responses that touch the Heart –COMMUNITY –COMPASSION

6. 1. The cross shows that God is no stranger to pain and evil

7. –Isaiah 63:9 (NIV) In all their distress he too was distressed…

8. 2. The cross shows that God loves on through pain and suffering

9. –1 Peter 4:19 (NIV) So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

10. 3. The cross shows how God uses pain and transforms evil

11. –1 Corinthians 2:8 (NIV) None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

12. 1 SOMETIMES GOD USES SUFFERING IN NATURE AND HUMAN NATURE

13. 2 SOMETIMES GOD USES SUFFERING AND PAIN IN OUR SPIRITUAL LIFE TOO.

14. 3 SOMETIMES GOD USES PAIN TO TEACH US.

15. –Hebrews 12:7-8 (NIV) Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons.

16. 4 SOMETIMES GOD USES PAIN TO EQUIP US.

17. –2 Corinthians 1:4 (NIV) Christ comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.

18. 5 SOMETIMES GOD USES PAIN TO DRAW US CLOSER TO HIMSELF.

19. –1 Peter 4:13 ‘But rejoice in so far as you share Christ’s sufferings’

20. Is God impervious to our pain? –Hebrews 4:15-16 (The Message) We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help.

21. Is God impervious to our pain? –2 Corinthians 5:21 (NIV) God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. –2 Corinthians 5:21 (The Message) God put the wrong on him who never did anything wrong, so we could be put right with God.