Dr. Cecil A. Fayard - 2001 Sermons
Sunday, August 12, 2001   

We suffer in this life for many reasons, among them:

1. Pain- mental and physical
   
2. Sickness
   
3. Disappointment
   
4. Poverty
   
5. Depression
   
6. Frustration
   
7. Unemployment
   
8. Persecution

As the Word of God teaches us in I Peter 4:12, "Beloved think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice..."

God has reasons and purposes for our suffering. Why do we suffer:

1. We Suffer Because Of Adam's Sin
   1. Until Adam fell there was no suffering. That is hard for us to fathom but it is true.
      
   2. When Adam sinned sorrow and suffering entered the picture (Genesis 3:16-19).
      
   3. Because of Adam men suffer and die (Romans 5:12).

2. Suffering According To The Will Of God
   1. I Peter 4:19 tells us that Christians can suffer according to his will.
      
      1. There are those who teach that it is never God's will for the Christian to suffer, this is not true.
         
      2. Christians do at times suffer for doing right. It is the will of God that we do right and if we suffer because of it, it is God's will (I Peter 3:14,17).
         
   2. We are to suffer patiently, in the will of God (I Peter 2:20).
      
   3. We are not to be ashamed when we suffer for being Christians (I Peter 4:16).
      
      1. Moses chose to suffer with God's people (Hebrews 11:24-25).
         
      2. Moses chose to serve God not the world and it brought suffering. What will you do when that choice comes to you?
         
   4. God's children at times, suffer from the chastening of the Lord.
      
      1. 1. It is God's will to discipline His children when they get out of line (Deuteronomy 8:5).
         
      2. He disciplines those that He loves (Hebrews 12:6-7).
         
      3. Child of God you will not escape God's discipline when you do wrong and you'll never be happy until you get right.

3. Suffering To The Glory Of God
   1. There is suffering that directly brings glory to God.
      
   2. Paul's suffering, his thorn in the flesh, was to the glory of God (II Corinthians 12:7-9).
      
      1. Verse 7, He suffered lest he get the glory, lest he be exalted. We suffer at times to keep us in line.
         
      2. Verse 9, God's grace is sufficient in our times of suffering.

4. Suffering Is A Part Of The World We Live In
   1. We live in a world that is under the curse of sin. As long as the curse abides suffering will abide.
      
      1. Galatians 1:4
         
      2. Ephesians 6:12 speaks of the darkness that abides, this darkness includes suffering.
         
      3. I Corinthians 7:26 tells us of "the distress" that is upon us.
         
   2. One of these days the curse will be lifted but until then we will suffer.

5. We Suffer Trouble Because Of Others
   1. There are those who will persecute us (II Timothy 3:12).
      
   2. Christians are called upon to suffer as evil doers.
      
      1. We live in a day when night is called wrong and wrong right (Isaiah 5:20).
         
      2. II Timothy 2:9

6. Christians Are Not To Be Ashamed When They Suffer
   1. When we suffer for the Gospels sake we are not to be ashamed (II Timothy 1:12).
      
   2. Paul suffered reproach because he was a believer (I Timothy 4:10).

7. Our Suffering Cannot Compare To the Glory to Come (Romans 8:18b).
   1. The things that we suffer here are nothing in comparison to the glories that we shall experience.
      
   2. We will be glorified when Christ returns.
      
      1. II Thessalonians 1: 10
         
      2. Colossians 3:4
         
      3. 1 John 3:1-3