Rod preached from Romans 8:18-23. Rod discussed how the Christian is to view and deal with suffering. He provided two "doctrines" which under-gird the Christian in suffering. The first is that the Christian looks at suffering in light of the second coming (v. 18). The second is that the Christian must realize why things are the way they are in the world (the big picture- think Biblical theology for those of you that came to Bible study last year). We must realize we live in a fallen world and that we, and all of creation, need redemption.
I though he made a great point when he said, "Unless you have a deep understanding of sin and of God's holiness, you will think all the suffering and futility in the creation is an overreaction by God." May God use suffering to cause us to take his holiness and sin more seriously.
The second thing I found encouraging is thinking about the second coming of Christ. What hope in the midst of suffering. I don't just grin and bear it. I have hope in the midst of it.
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