Sermon Notes: Why Bad Things Happen to God's People

This is a simple synopsis of one of my favorite sermons by my Dad. He delivered this on March 02, 2014.

Why Bad Things Happen To God's People...

1 Peter 1:3-7 "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 tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope for you is steadfast, because we know that as you are partakers of the sufferings, so also you will partake of the consolation."

Why do bad things happen to God's children?

The Lord tests the heart. (Proverbs 17:3) -- Alot of times it takes intensive times to test the hearts of believers - so that WE will know the true nature of our hearts. God already knows. It is so we will know. To strengthen us. To strengthen our character. So when even worse things happen we can face those things. Proverbs 17:3 "The refining pot is for silver and the furnace for gold, But the LORD tests the hearts. An  evildoer gives heed to false lips; A liar listens eagerly to a spiteful tongue."

Why are we under so much fire in this life? 

It takes some us longer to get where God wants us to be... God puts us under fire for a purpose... When you are able to come through the fire, we are to share our experience with our fellow Christians.... and be used as encouragement and help for others.

To illustrate the main point of the message, he gave the example of the caterpillar.....  

If not for the part in the cycle when the caterpillar is confined in the cocoon, which is uncomfortable and unpleasant for the caterpillar... It would never be able to fly.... Because that's when butterfly wings are formed.... Such is the same in our own lives. Although the process might be uncomfortable and unpleasant, the completion of the journey is what allows our wings to form. Those same wings will carry us through, and give us hope to fly over or around future tribulations.

He ended with the reminders that, even in the bad times, God promises to never forsake His children; and a reminder that satisfaction in the temporal should never take the place of the hope in the eternal.

Hebrews 13:5 "He will never leave thee nor forsake thee...." and Psalm 56:9 "When I cry out to You, Then my enemies will turn back; This I know, because God is for me."

God knows all of our troubles, He is the God of all comfort.