• Difficult question –
• Resources available
• Big picture answers – and personal answers

Romans 8:18–30 (NIV) — 18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. 22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.

1^st Notice Paul is speaking to Christians – there is suffering

2^nd Notice Paul points to the reason—the fall

• Everything is affected
• The curse – personal –relational –physical –spiritual

Genesis 3:14–19 (NIV)

3^rd Notice the clear purpose of God in your life 

• Those He foreknew – He predestined to…
• Be conformed into the likeness of Christ
• Pruning –the race marked out
• Bringing glory to God and future glorification in heaven

John 15:1–5 (NIV) — 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

Hebrews 12:1–3 (NIV) — 1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4^th Notice the help

• The Holy Spirit intercedes
• The Promise of God to use whatever happens for our good

5^th Notice the final hope and promise

• Vs 21—redemption
• Vs 29 –glorification

Paul’s reason for writing this – the same reason Jesus said…

John 16:33 (NIV) — 33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

John 21:19 (NIV) — 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

For Small Group Discussion: What stood out to you the most from this week’s sermon?

Opening Question: What is the best thing that has happened to you that you did not deserve?

Main Point: God allows things to happen for a reason. Whether or not we understand His reasons, we must remember that God is good, just, loving, and merciful.

Read/Tell the Story: Job 1 & 2

Questions:

Head –

• What (or who) caused Job’s suffering?
• What did Job do wrong in this story?
• How did Job respond when he found out his family had perished?
• How did Job’s friends initially respond to his suffering?

Heart –

• When have you been tempted to blame God for the painful things in your life?
• How do you deal with hard things in life that just don’t seem to make sense?
• Who were good friends for you in those challenging times? What did you need from your friends and/or family during that time?

Hands –

• Job’s friends ended up trying to “figure out” and “fix” Job’s pain. What has brought you comfort through the hard times?
• When have you had the opportunity to walk alongside someone going through hard circumstances? What was actually helpful for them?
• How should we respond to others who are struggling? (Having the “right answer” isn’t going to fix it).

Supporting Scripture: Luke 18:19, 2 Corinthians 1:3-5 & 4:16-18, Romans 5:8, 1 Peter 2:20-23, Proverbs 3:5-6, Revelation 21:1-2

Tips and Resources: www.gotquestions.org/bad-things-good-people.html

Try listening to this sermon from one of our other campuses for a unique perspective.

For resources, podcasts and more, go to https://realliferesources.org/current-series/