Job: Part 1

Job: The Question of Suffering

Week 1 - Why Does God Allow Suffering?

Chris Croy

August 25, 2024

"Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow." (James 1:2-3, New Living Translation)

1. Suffering GROWS our faith. "So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing." (James 1:4, NLT)"We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. For instance, you know about Job, a man of great endurance…." (James 5:11, NLT)"…Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil." Satan replied to the LORD, "Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!" (Job 1:8-11, NLT)"Alright, you may test him." (Job 1:12, NLT)"Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship." (Job 1:20, NLT)
2. Suffering shows US that our faith is GENUINE. "These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world." (1 Peter 1:7, NLT)
3. Suffering shows that God has control and a purpose in all circumstances. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT)"...take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!" (Job 2:5, NLT)"'All right, do with him as you please', the LORD said to Satan, 'But spare his life.'" (Job 2:6, NLT)
4. Suffering reminds us that this is not our home."…God's home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:3-4, NLT)"…Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world." (John 16:33, NLT)