Why Do We Suffer?

John 9:1–7 ESV

1 As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. 4 We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. 5 As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” 6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.

In the months leading up to me accepting the call to ministry, I wrestled with God’s will for me constantly.

I was 17 then and am about to be 35; I’ve now spent the majority of my life in submission to the call to ministry. In that time:

I’ve never seen a tragedy God wasn’t at work in.

I’ve never seen a believer God didn’t have a purpose for.

I’ve never seen a church that was free of struggles.

The purpose of every trial is to show off how great God is. v3

We are sinful and we suffer affliction. But every affliction is not due to a specific sin.

The entire purpose of the man’s affliction was that God be glorified through him.

God doesn’t promise to remove our struggles, but he will use them.

2 Corinthians 12:7–9 ESV

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2 Corinthians 12:10 ESV

10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The purpose of every good work is to help others follow Jesus. v3-5

The pattern of Provision to Belief

John 9:35–38 ESV

35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?” 36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?” 37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.” 38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.

From belief to maturity

Isaiah 41:8–10 ESV

8 But you, Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham, my friend; 9 you whom I took from the ends of the earth, and called from its farthest corners, saying to you, “You are my servant, I have chosen you and not cast you off”; 10 fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

From maturity to effective ministry

2 Peter 1:5–8 ESV

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. 8 For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The purpose of every miracle is to send out a missionary. v6-7

Jesus was sent by the Father

The man was sent to the pool

Favorite part of this chapter:

John 9:24–27 ESV

24 So for the second time they called the man who had been blind and said to him, “Give glory to God. We know that this man is a sinner.” 25 He answered, “Whether he is a sinner I do not know. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see.” 26 They said to him, “What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?” 27 He answered them, “I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?”

All we have to do to preach Jesus is tell the story of what he did for us.

The believer is sent to the lost

Call to prayer (And what to pray)

If Jesus is not your Savior AND Lord, submit to Him

If Jesus was once your Savior and Lord, come back to Him

If Jesus IS your Savior and Lord, tell someone about Him