Introduction:
Text: Acts 9:15-16
I. The Different Views on Suffering
A. The Pessimistic View – a belief that a Christian suffers as a result of living outside the will of God.
B. The Fatalistic View – a belief that a Christian suffers because of his or her sin
C. The Idealistic View – the belief that once you become a Christian, you become free from suffering
D. The Wholistic View – the Biblical view that acknowledges the reality of suffering and of God’s purposes in allowing His people to go through them
God’s Purposes in Allowing Paul
1. To discern the essentials from the non-essentials
2. To test NOT to detest (2 Corinthians 13:5)
3. To foster spiritual closeness instead of spiritual distancing (Acts 27:23-25)
4. To move him toward progress rather than stagnation (Philippians 1:12-14)
E. The Optimistic View – the Biblical view that teaches complete salvation and deliverance from human suffering for God’s people in the future. (Romans 8:18-25, Revelations 21:4)
II. Our Response to Suffering
A. Discover God’s Purpose
B. Cooperate with God
C. Trust God (2 Corinthians 5:7)
Conclusion:
