HOW TO MAKE SENSE OUT OF SUFFERING

Romans 8:18-39
(RA-1980, Program: 4118, Air date: 10.14.18)
1) INTRODUCTION
a) The age in which we live is filled with sickness, war, hate, sorrow, confusion,
fear, pain, and disappointment.
b) Each of us knows troubling times.
c) If we do not have a proper, biblical perspective on these troubling circumstances
and sorrows, we may find ourselves in doubt or rebellion.
d) The apostle Paul dealt with these issues for us through divine inspiration.
i) Romans 8:18-19
e) There are three key words that will help us learn to make sense out of suffering.
i) Bondage – Romans 8:21
ii) Liberty – Romans 8:21
iii) Hope – Romans 8:24-25

2) YESTERDAY’S CURSE - BONDAGE (Romans 8:20-21)

a) When Adam sinned in the Garden of Eden, all creation fell under a curse.
b) There is a curse on the animal kingdom.
i) Genesis 3:14
c) There is a curse on the mineral kingdom.
i) Genesis 3:17
d) There is a curse on the vegetable kingdom.
i) Genesis 3:18
e) There is a curse on the human kingdom.
i) Genesis 1:26
ii) Romans 5:12
iii) Romans 8:23

3) TOMORROW’S CONQUEST - LIBERTY (Romans 8:21-23)

a) God will defeat evil when Jesus comes.
b) The animal kingdom will be changed.
i) Isaiah 11:6-9
c) The mineral kingdom will be changed.
i) Isaiah 35:1
d) The vegetable kingdom will be changed.
i) Isaiah 55:12-13
e) The human kingdom will be changed.
i) Romans 8:23
ii) Psalm 17:15

4) TODAY’S COMFORT - HOPE (Romans 8:18)

a) The groans we endure are temporary.
i) The groaning of creation.
(1) Romans 8:20-22
ii) The groaning of the believer.
 (1) Romans 8:23
iii) The groaning of the Comforter.
(1) Romans 8:26
b) The glory we expect is eternal.
i) We are predestined for glory.
(1) Romans 8:28-30
ii) We are preserved for glory.
(1) Romans 8:31-34

5) CONCLUSION
a) The apostle Paul did not deny the sufferings of this world, but he realized that the
sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared to the glory which
shall be revealed in us.
i) Romans 8:35-39
b) Do you know Jesus personally? If not, you can pray to Him today by asking Him
to come into your life.
c) Call upon Jesus today. Repent (turn) from your sins, and turn to Jesus. Ask Him
to forgive you of your sins, and acknowledge Him as Lord of your life.
i) Romans 3:23
ii) Romans 10:9-10
iii) Romans 10:13
iv) Acts 16:31