Sermon outline
Challenges to faith
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The Bible is very honest about the problem of suffering in our world
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Romans 8:18 ‘…our present sufferings…’
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Romans 8:35 ‘…trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or sword?’
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And yet rock solid confidence for believers
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What is God doing about our suffering NOW?
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Romans 8:28 ‘ …we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’
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How can ‘good’ and ‘suffering’ go together?
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What are the ‘all things’?
The doctrine of the sovereignty of God
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Not a doctrine to create controversy or debate BUT to generate security and confidence
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What is the ‘Good’ that God is achieving?
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Romans 8:29-30
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A revolution in thinking – the good is being changed to become more like Jesus
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Does that mean pain and suffering are good?
But suffering is not the last word
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We have already been glorified
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And right now God is at work for the good of those that love him