When Bad things Happen to Good People

When Bad things Happen to Good People

Text: 1 Peter 4:12–13

12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Introduction:l

* It doesn’t take much thinking to bring to mind examples of bad things that have happened to good people.

* When I think about good people who suffered I the Bible I can’t help but remember Job, who as we all know, was a good man, but God allowed him to suffer greatly.

* I think of Joseph, who was a good man, but suffered being betrayed by his brothers, falsely accused by his master’s wife, the thrown into prison for a something he didn’t do.

* It seems like Joseph, even thought he was a good man, was condemned to suffer his whole life.

* With Joseph though, we learn that all the suffering that he endured was actually what God had used to prepare him for the great work that he had set aside for him to do.

* It would seem that the suffering of Joseph was a great waste of Joseph’s life, but God never wastes our suffering.

Psalm 56:7–8 (KJV 1900)

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: Put thou my tears into thy bottle: Are they not in thy book?

* God never plows in the garden of our life unless He has the intention to grow something. Most of the time,that which grows is us.

* There is a African proverb that says “Smooth seas do not make a skillful sailors”

* I think of Peter, who when Jesus’ eyes met his after he had denied the Lord for the third time, went out and wept bitterly.

* Peter was brought through great grief and anguish of soul, but after the suffering was over, Peter’s faith had grown so much that when he preached over 3,000 people were saved!

* I think also of the Apostle Paul. Paul suffered what he called a thorn in the flesh. Paul prayed for God to heal him, but God would not heal him.

* The lord had a better plan for Paul. He wanted to suffer that God could show himself strong by Paul’s weakness.

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (KJV 1900)

7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

I. It is in the will and plan of God that we are allowed to suffer in this life.

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (KJV 1900)

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

II. Our suffering is designed to bring glory to God.

1. The man who was born blind.John 9:1–3 (KJV 1900)

‎And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth. 2 And his disciples asked him, saying, Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 3 Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.

2. Lazarus

John 11:1–4 (KJV 1900)

‎Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha. 2 (It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.) 3 Therefore his sisters sent unto him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom thou lovest is sick. 4 When Jesus heard that, he said, This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby.

III. The way we get through our suffering is to trust in the faithfulness of God.

1 Peter 4:19 (KJV 1900)

19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

1 Peter 2:20–23 (KJV 1900)

20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23 Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

James 5:10–11 (KJV 1900)

10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Philippians 4:6–7 (KJV 1900)

6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

IV. In the times of suffering we flee to find comfort in the Word of God.

Psalm 119:49–50 (KJV 1900)

50 This is my comfort in my affliction: For thy word hath quickened me.

Psalm 119:91–92 (KJV 1900)

92 Unless thy law had been my delights, I should then have perished in mine affliction.

V. God has promised a reward for those who endure suffering for the Glory of God.

James 1:12 (KJV 1900)

12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

2 Corinthians 4:15–18 (KJV 1900)

15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.