If God is good, then why???

I walked my bike through Raleah-Durham North Carolina.

There will be suffering in your Christian walk with Christ.

2nd Timothy

2 Timothy 3:12 NASB95

Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

This morning we are going to look at the life of Joseph and what he suffered, at whose hands he suffered and why?

Story of Joseph

Abraham

Genesis 15:6 NASB95

Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 3:6 NASB95

When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

Isaac

Jacob

12 sons: Joseph 2nd to the last son

Genesis 37:3 NASB95

Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his sons, because he was the son of his old age; and he made him a varicolored tunic.

says; Now Isreal loved Joseph more than all his sons.

says; Now Isreal loved Joseph more than all his sons.

Josephs Dream: bundles of grain; Son, Moon and eleven stars

Jospeh’s brothers plot to kill him.

Sold to traders

Potiphar: Captain of the guard to Pharoah

Joseph successful Age 26

Genesis 39:10 NASB95

As she spoke to Joseph day after day, he did not listen to her to lie beside her or be with her.

Joseph thrown in prison

Baker and the Cupbearer’s dream

Pharaoh’s dream : Cows and Corn

famine strikes

Brothers come for grain

Simeon left behind

return with Benjamin

Joseph reveals himself

Genesis 45:4–8 NASB95

Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Please come closer to me.” And they came closer. And he said, “I am your brother Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. “Now do not be grieved or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life. “For the famine has been in the land these two years, and there are still five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvesting. “God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant in the earth, and to keep you alive by a great deliverance. “Now, therefore, it was not you who sent me here, but God; and He has made me a father to Pharaoh and lord of all his household and ruler over all the land of Egypt.

God send me before you

not you, but God

When you are suffering either God is causing it, or allowing it.

If you s

you can get mad, stomp, cry, yell.

A. W. Tozer: “It is doubtful whether God can bless a man greatly until He has hurt him deeply.”

Human response to suffering: Morally Vs. Cynically

Morally: There must be sin in your life, so you are suffering as punishment.

Hebrews 12:6 NASB95

For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives.”

1st question you should ask yourself, but the last assumption you should make of others.

Job’s buddies: assumed that he had sinned.

If I do good, then no bad will come to me.

Cynicism: God is not real or doesn’t care.

So Why?

Fallen World/ Free will

Correction:

If God caused it or allowed it, in the life a of a Christian there is a purpose behind it.

Romans 8:28 NASB95

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:

Correction:

Glorify God: your reaction in the midst of your suffering.

Joni Ericson Tada Story.

Prepare you:

Romans 5:3–4 NASB95

And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope;

1 Peter 5:10 NASB95

After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.

1 Peter 5

Getting stronger in the Gym

4. Help Others in their suffering.

2 Corinthians 1:

2 Corinthians 1:3–4 NASB95

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

This was Joseph’s purpose.

What should our response be?

Seek his purpose

Keep it in perspective

Romans 8:18 NASB95

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

3. Be prepared

Ephesians 6:10-

Vince Lombardi and George Patton were quoted as saying : “Fatigue makes cowards of us all.”

Ephesians 6:10–12 NASB95

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.

4. Keep the faith:

Psalm 34:19 NASB95

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.