Message Notes

Significant Suffering
Javon Ruff
Sunday, February 28

Key Scripture:
I Peter 5:6-12; II Timothy 12; II Cor 4:17; I Peter 4:12; John 9:1-2

Introduction:
Why is there suffering in the world? This is the most asked question people have about God. We have all experienced pain and some have experienced extreme suffering. The whole earth experiences suffering. There is suffering because we live in a fallen world, but if you will turn to Jesus in your time of suffering, you will find a Savior who is no stranger to suffering ready to help you through it. There is grace for every situation, including yours.

A choice was made centuries ago that brought sin in the world, but that is because Jesus has always allowed man to choose who they will serve and who they will follow. God gives us the opportunity to choose Him or reject Him and all choices have consequences. 

Key Points:

1. There are many causes of suffering:
   Personal failure and sin
   Financial decisions
   Loss of family or friends
   Health related causes
   Other people’s sin and failures
   Forces out of our control---natural disasters
   A person’s faith-standing up for Jesus Christ---persecution
2. Suffering is not unique to you---it’s universal. You’re not the only one who goes through suffering. It does not discriminate and everyone experiences suffering. Being a Christian does not make us immune to suffering.
3. The presence of suffering does not mean the absence of God. Be of good cheer because God is there with you in the storm.
4. Suffering is not temporal but eternal. We have the hope of heaven where there will be no suffering or pain. There is an end to suffering for the believer.
5. Suffering is not a surprise or a strange thing. It is common to all.
6. Suffering molds you into the person God created you to be. You are a winner and God has your pain and has your life in the palm of His hand. 
7. God’s got this. He is with you and He will take you through the time healing to the purpose for the pain.  He does not leave you in seasons of pain.
8. Sometimes what you think is hurting you is actually helping you. Sometimes, there is a breaking because if God doesn’t break it first, He can’t heal it. This temporary pain is setting you up for the next season of your life. God doesn’t waste pain. You may think your pain is a waste of time. God will use your pain for your good.
9. Sometimes God has to leave you in pain until His work in you is complete. We want the healing right now, but God knows the amount of time needed for your complete healing. 
10. Your pain may not be a result of your sin. The purpose for your pain is greater than the situation that caused the pain.  God’s plan is that His power and grace and mercy will be illustrated in your life---even in your pain. God’s glory means your good and His glory will always make you better. 
11. Suffering is a two-sided coin. The same pain can have two uses---suffering is for development to make you solid, but Satan wants to use it for destruction to make you sour. The same weight causes pain but not for the same reason. 
12. God doesn’t cause suffering but He will always use your suffering. We learn obedience through suffering. “Not my will but Your will be done.” You have to die to yourself before you can die for the world. You have to get over yourself to be able to point people to the Savior. 

Final Thoughts:
Whatever you are going through, God will always give you grace for it. In your weakness, God’s strength is made perfect. There is grace for your situation and God is standing over you to help you keep moving forward toward your purpose. Grace is the greatest spotter that ever there was. A great spotter will help you lift more than you could before. If you keep the faith, you can complete the journey. Keep the faith! If you keep the faith, the Keeper will keep you. 

Uses for your suffering:
God will use suffering to perfect you, to mature and refine you to keep you from carnality. Only the heat can separate the pure from the filthy. Pain increases maturity and maturity will increase your capacity. God sees you as more than you are. 

God uses pain to establish you. He uses it to make you stronger, like steel. Pray that your faith does not fail. It’s better to be a follower who sometimes fails than one who fails to follow. 

Your suffering is not in vain and God will give you the grace for it.