What About Suffering?  

     Pastor Dave Furman - conclusion - points 6-10 

6  Suffering opens up ministry opportunities  

     I am in constant pain. And yet! (God) has given me grace to pastor out of weakness and to witness to others about His unrelenting love. I never would have chosen or dreamed of a ministry like this - the Lord has done marvelous things. 

7  God moves through weakness and suffering, not in spite of it

     Paul had a thorn in his flesh and asked God multiple times to remove it, but it remained. God didn't use Paul despite his thorn. He used him through his thorn. God moves through our suffering. Weakness is God's way of moving in this world.  

8  Our perspective on suffering is very different from God's 

     Abraham waited for a child for years. Joseph was in prison for years. Moses wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. David fled from a wicked king for 13 years. Jeremiah saw no fruit for decades. Paul (endured) imprisonments. For this light affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond comparison. - 2 Corinthians 4:17.  

9  Suffering can propel us into community  

     My suffering has caused me to depend on the believing community for help, service, encouragement and prayer. When we resist the urge to isolate ourselves, God blesses us with sweet fellowship. 

10  Christianity has the only solution to suffering

     Suffering and death are inevitable, but we have hope because One has gone before us in death. Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, lived a sinless life. He faced trials - betrayal by mockery, emotional anguish, physical agony and judgment by God the Father. Christ's resurrection means our pain, trials and even our death are not the end of the story.

Friday: Was Peter the first pope?

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