Church Life "Message of the Martyr, Pt. 2; God with Us" Acts 7:9-16
Providence (vv. 9-13)
Isa. 45:5a; 46:9-10.
Pro. 16:4,9 33
Ro. 8:28
Promises (vv. 14-16)
"Why?"- evil, pain and suffering?
1. Salvation (Gen. 50:20) as we just heard today from Joseph. I can tell you the gospel is going out & the Lord is going to save people in the aftermath of that storm and recovery as hundreds of Christian volunteer workers (FBC Disaster Relief) are going to love on those victims and serve them, showing and sharing Christ and his gospel. E.g .of 2 former church friends of mine and brothers -David Rodriguez (and Fred S). So many stories like that..
This is a massive truth that echoes somewhat what the Lord said after the Tower in Siloam fell and killed those 18 people. Rather than directly answer the 'why' of that disaster he told them, "Repent or you will likewise perish!" God sovereignly chooses some to suffer an affliction or tragedy so that will uniquely comfort others, even leading some to salvation (2 Cor. 1).
2. Sanctification (Ja. 1:2-4)
It is the will of God in both what he desires and what he decrees, that his children suffer because it strengthens and confirms our faith. Life is hard but that matures in the faith. I've never heard of anyone maturing in faith and character while sipping on daquiris at the beach. I love being at the beach but that's not the best way to grow in Christ likeness. Pain is.
C. S. Lewis said, "God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world" (The Problem of Pain). God uses suffering
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