1. WHY DOES GOD ALLOW PEOPLE TO SUFFER? WHY???

2. The Question of Suffering Gen. 1-3 Ecc. 7:29 I Pet. 4:15 II Pet. 3:9 Rom. 8:32

3. 1) SUFFERING BROUGHT ABOUT BY OUR EVIL CHOICES OR THE SINS OF OTHERS.

4. 2) SUFFERING BROUGHT ABOUT BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND ANYONE’S CONTROL.

5. Why does God allow suffering?  Keeps the world from becoming too attractive (Heb. 13:14; I Pet. 2:11; Rev. 21:4) Because Suffering…..

6. Why does God allow suffering? Because Suffering…..  Keeps world from becoming too attractive  Can bring out our best (Job 2:11-13; I Pet. 5:10; Rm. 5:3-4)

7. Why does God allow suffering? Because Suffering…..  Keeps world from becoming too attractive  Can bring out our best  Gives an occasion to silence enemies of God (Ps. 42:3; Ja. 5:10-11; I Pet. 2:12, 15)

8. Why does God allow suffering? Because Suffering…..  Keeps world from becoming too attractive  Can bring out our best  Gives occasion to silence enemies of God  Makes us appreciative (Ph. 1:3-8, 4:11)

9. Why does God allow suffering? Because Suffering…..  Keeps world from becoming too attractive  Can bring out our best  Gives occasion to silence enemies of God  Makes us appreciative  Makes us more dependent on God (Ac. 17:28; I Pet. 5:7)

10. Why does God allow suffering? Because Suffering…..  Keeps world from becoming too attractive  Can bring out our best  Gives occasion to silence enemies of God  Makes us appreciative  Makes us more dependent on God  Helps make us sympathetic (II Cor. 1:3-4; Rm. 12:15)

11. Why does God allow suffering? Because Suffering…..  Keeps world from becoming too attractive  Can bring out our best  Gives occasion to silence enemies of God  Makes us appreciative  Makes us more dependent on God  Helps make us sympathetic  Makes us more prayerful (Rev. 8:4; Heb. 4:16)

12. Why does God allow suffering? Because Suffering…..  Keeps world from becoming too attractive  Can bring out our best  Gives occasion to silence enemies of God  Makes us appreciative  Makes us more dependent on God  Helps make us sympathetic  Makes us more prayerful  Causes us to consider our soul’s condition (Is. 26:9; Ps. 119:67,71)

13. “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

14. The Plan of Salvation  Hear the Good News (Rm. 10:17)  Believe with the Heart (Mk. 16:16)  Repent of Sins (II Pet. 3:9)  Confess Jesus as Lord (Rm. 10:10)  Be Baptized in Water (Ac. 2:38)  Live Faithfully (II Cor. 4:16-17) 2 nd Law of Pardon  Erring Child of God: Repentance and Prayer (Ac. 8:22)