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“SUFFERING”

Thesis: To enlighten the hearer to the end that he might have a better understanding concerning the topic of suffering and how it relates to one’s salvation.

Text: Job 1:6-2:10
Job 1:6 Now it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan also came among them. Job 1:7 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 1:8 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil. Job 1:9 Then Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Job 1:10 Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath, on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. Job 1:11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will renounce thee to thy face. Job 1:12 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thy hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah. Job 1:13 And it fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house, Job 1:14 that there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them; Job 1:15 and the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away: yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have taken them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house; Job 1:19 and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:20 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped; Job 1:21 and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah. Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly. Job 2:1 Again it came to pass on the day when the sons of God came to present themselves before Jehovah, that Satan came also among them to present himself before Jehovah. Job 2:2 And Jehovah said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. Job 2:3 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job? for there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and turneth away from evil: and he still holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. Job 2:4 And Satan answered Jehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. Job 2:5 But put forth thy hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will renounce thee to thy face. Job 2:6 And Jehovah said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thy hand; only spare his life. Job 2:7 So Satan went forth from the presence of Jehovah, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. Job 2:8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself therewith; and he sat among the ashes. Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still hold fast thine integrity? renounce God, and die. Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Introduction,
1. Throughout the ages many have asked the question “why” people have to suffer, some have even attempted to bring reproach upon God and to point the finger of blame at Him . . .

2. As if He is the “who” that is responsible or caused certain individuals to suffer by way of His lack of love or power, we can see from Job’s case that in no way did God lack power concerning this matter, nor does He lack love, for God is love (1 John 4:16).

3. While there are others, many times ungodly individuals, go along most of their life unimpeded by any unusual physical duress, therefore many think that a loving God cannot be in control concerning these matters?

4. Some may take a closer look into suffering, and attempt to analyze just exactly “what” is the purpose of suffering, if it is not just in fact an arbitrary arrangement (a matter of merely consequence).

5. And lastly, but not least, the question must be asked “where” suffering leads to, in this life and the next, for certainly something so prominent in this physical world must have a goal in the mind of the Most High.

6. This therefore will be the method by which we will attempt to approach this ancient problem of suffering, . . .
1) The “WHY,”
2) The “WHO,”
3) The “WHAT,” and
4) The “WHERE” concerning suffering in the world.

I. “WHY” IS THERE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?

A. The question often posed by the ungodly is why, if indeed God is all powerful, and in Him is no darkness (1 John 1:5), why then is suffering allowed to continue in this world? They make claim that either God is not all powerful, or God is not good, as He claims.

1. Those that speak in such manner actually do so from the human standpoint, for they have not had their spiritual eyes opened by the word of God (Ps 119:104-105),

Psa 119:104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: Therefore I hate every false way. Psa 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, And light unto my path.

2. Rather they have been blinded by the god of this world (that is Satan), who operates through their own inordinate desires (2 Cor 4:3-4; Ja 1:14-15).

2Co 4:3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled in them that perish: 2Co 4:4 in whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of the unbelieving, that the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should not dawn upon them.

Jam 1:14 but each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Jam 1:15 Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is fullgrown, bringeth forth death.

3. Thus those that are such, the “carnal,” those that love the “things” of this world cannot see beyond this world, for to them it is not reality, therefore anything that does not immediately result in a positive effect, many times is deemed evil, because they are unable to understand nor think like God (Isa 55:8-9).

Isa 55:8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah. Isa 55:9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

4. In reality (which includes both the physical and the spiritual aspects) suffering exists and takes place for a number of reasons . . .

1) God has created this world, and with it He set in place natural laws such as gravity, photosynthesis, ect, and He also set in place general laws such as the law of cause and effect, the law of action and reaction, the law of sowing and reaping, everything reproducing after its own kind, and so on. These laws enable this creation to exist, and without them it would be short lived, but when these laws are violated, the consequences are oftentimes grave. The person that steps off a cliff will likely fall to his demise, the one that exposes himself to contagious diseases, pollutants, or dangerous chemicals is likely to suffer lasting repercussions from such, and “the soul that sinneth it shall die” (Ezek 18:20), “for the wages of sin is death” (Rom 6:23).

2) Some may say “why doesn’t God step in directly and stop these laws from taking their natural tolls?” Yet when we look into the biblical accounts, God has acted directly in order to bring His eternal purpose (the redemption of man) to fruition (such as Peter being released from jail by an angel in Acts 12 in order that he might fulfill his ministry while James the apostle on the other hand was allowed to be beheaded),

3) And this direct action was also used to confirm His message as authentic (Mk 16:20; Acts 14:3; Heb 2:4),

Mar 16:20 And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

Act 14:3 Long time therefore they tarried there speaking boldly in the Lord, who bare witness unto the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Heb 2:4 God also bearing witness with them, both by signs and wonders, and by manifold powers, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to his own will.

4) But now with the establishment of the church and the forgiveness of sins available, God has indeed stepped in through the gospel and stopped His laws from taking their full toll, yet this has to be accepted by faith in Him, Christ and His promises (Rom 1:16-17; 10:17; John 3:16; Luke 6:46; Tit 1:1-2).

Rom 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Rom 1:17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of God from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall live by faith.

Rom 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Luk 6:46 And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

Tit 1:1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;

5) Therefore it can be seen that the “why” concerning suffering’s existence, at least in part, is when God’s natural or spiritual laws have been violated, yet God has provided a way to side-step these laws so to speak.

II. “WHO” IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?

A. God is directly responsible for all that exists “In the beginning God created” (Gen 1:1a), everything that exists is either God or creation, the works of His hands (at least through the agencies He has brought about), yet as stated previously, His laws were set in place for good, they were not placed there to bring about the suffering of individuals, but rather for their ultimate good, both physically and spiritually.

1. Yet when sin was introduced into the world (Gen 3) by the transgression of law (1 John 3:4), death (both spiritual and physical) then entered in the world for since then “all sinned” (Rom 5:12), and along with death came the suffering that is the result of such, therefore much suffering is the result of our own actions.

2. Yet this is not all inclusive, some suffering may be the work of Satan, as seen in the case of Job (Job 1:6-12; 2:1-6), Satan can work through others, or our own selves, or perhaps through the providence of God (as I believe in Job’s case), everything that happened was of a non-miraculous nature, the only questionable event was the fire from heaven (Job 1:16) and I believe that refers to lightning.

3. Also suffering may be the chastisement of God upon his children (Heb 12:1-13).

a. Throughout the ages God had miraculously and providentially chastised His children when needed, and always motivated by His great love for them, “for he that spareth his rod hateth his son, but he that loveth him chasteneth him betimes” (Pro 13:24).

b. But with the Lord’s church up and running, that spiritual entity purposed, prophesied and perfected, and the completion of God’s revelation, there is no longer a need for God to miraculously chastise His children,

4. Yet through His physical creation (providence), through the church (discipline), and through His word (one’s conscience molded by that word) He still chastises His children to this day for (Heb 12:6) . . .

Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

5. So God may be directly or indirectly “responsible” for some of the physical and emotional suffering in the world, and Satan for some, through his agents, and still other suffering, as noted in the previous section, may come about through the breaking of physical laws.

6. Therefore God’s sufferings are meant for good, Satan’s sufferings are meant for evil, and the breaking of laws (aside from sin, which can be put into Satan’s category) is amoral, it is neither good nor evil.

III. “WHAT” IS THE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING IN THE WORLD?

A. As the children of God, and knowing God and His workings as revealed upon the pages of inspiration, it is easy for us to see the inherent good in all suffering, even that from an evil source, as with the case of Joseph being sold into slavery by his envious brothers (Gen 50:20).

Gen 50:20 And as for you, ye meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

1. Yet for those of the world suffering oftentimes brings about anger, reproach, and all types of ungodly reactions, and ultimately a giving up and self-collapse.

a. And it is this state “self-collapse,” whether it be physical or spiritual, that our heavenly Father in fact wants upon all mankind, perhaps not completely, but enough to be brought into submission to His will, and a turning over to Him, a trusting in Him, through Christ and His gospel for our ultimate salvation, loving God and others ahead of ourselves (Mt 22:37-39; John 14:15; 2 John 6).

b. For it is oftentimes when a person is in great duress, and with nowhere to turn, that said person turns to God, some only temporarily, but others for eternity.

2. But physically speaking, suffering does have its purpose, that reminds me of an account I once read about concerning a little boy in India, who was born with no nerve endings, thus he could feel no physical pain. One may think that this would be a blessing, one would never have to be concerned about a stubbed toe again, yet in fact just the opposite was true . . .

a. When he was very young he almost loss his hands because he had put them on a hot furnace, of which any normal toddler would have immediately felt the pain, and quickly removed them, yet it wasn’t till his mother smelled the burning of flesh and saved the young boy from further injury that the destruction was ceased, the doctors were just barely able to save his hands through skin grafting.

b. And in another instance not long after that, the little boy appeared in the family’s hut and collapsed in the doorway, the mother picked him up and noticed his foot was badly cut, and that he had experienced an obvious loss of blood, again the boy was barely saved by a transfusion.

c. If this child could experience pain, he would have felt the pain and cried out or sought help immediately, but none the less, his lack of ability to suffer pain prevented such.

d. The tragic ending for this boy came about when he was 8 years old, one day he came into the family’s hut and laid down on his mat in the corner (which was customary in that country), and the mother went over to check on him a few moments later, and he was dead, the autopsy revealed he died of a ruptured appendix, and not being able to experience abdominal pain, he had no signs that would have led him to seek help from others,

e. Thus his young painless life was not a blessing, but rather a curse, this story shows us the good that is inherent in suffering at least on a physical level.

3. Now on the spiritual side the Bible teaches us that suffering has many positive qualities, it keeps the physical world from becoming too attractive (2 Cor 4:16-5:1).

2Co 4:16 Wherefore we faint not; but though our outward man is decaying, yet our inward man is renewed day by day. 2Co 4:17 For our light affliction, which is for the moment, worketh for us more and more exceedingly an eternal weight of glory; 2Co 4:18 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. 2Co 5:1 For we know that if the earthly house of our tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens.

a. For it truly is not out home (Phili 3:20; 1 Pet 1:17; 2:11).

Phi 3:20 For our citizenship is in heaven; whence also we wait for a Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Phi 3:21 who shall fashion anew the body of our humiliation, that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, according to the working whereby he is able even to subject all things unto himself.

1Pe 1:17 And if ye call on him as Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: 1Pe 1:18 knowing that ye were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; 1Pe 1:19 but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, even the blood of Christ:

1Pe 2:11 Beloved, I beseech you as sojourners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;

b. The suffering of others brings out the best in God’s children, compassion, love (2 Cor 1:3-4).

2Co 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort; 2Co 1:4 who comforteth us in all our affliction, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any affliction, through the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

c. Suffering brings about helping of others in times of hardship by attending to their physical needs (1 John 3:17-18).

1Jo 3:17 But whoso hath the world's goods, and beholdeth his brother in need, and shutteth up his compassion from him, how doth the love of God abide in him? 1Jo 3:18 My Little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.

d. Suffering makes us more appreciative of the good things that we have received, and thereby gives us opportunity to glorify God (Job 1:21;1 Cor 1:31),

Job 1:21 and he said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah hath taken away; blessed be the name of Jehovah.

1Co 1:31 that, according as it is written, He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.

e. From Whom comes all good things (Ja 1:17).

Jam 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom can be no variation, neither shadow that is cast by turning.

f. Suffering also purifies and strengthens our faith, as gold ore that is tossed in a red hot crucible for the purpose of separating the dross from the precious metal (1 Pet 1:6-7).

1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, ye have been put to grief in manifold trials, 1Pe 1:7 that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire, may be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:

g. Spiritual maturity is brought about through our enduring of trials (Ja 1:2-4).

Jam 1:2 Count it all joy, my brethren, when ye fall into manifold temptations (trials); Jam 1:3 Knowing that the proving of your faith worketh patience. Jam 1:4 And let patience have its perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, lacking in nothing.

h. Suffering teaches us how to pray earnestly, as did Christ in the garden (Mt 26:36-46)

i. Suffering teaches us to look at things from God’s point of view (Isa 55:8-9),

j. And most importantly suffering makes us Christlike (Heb 5:7-9; 1 Pet 2:18-21).

Heb 5:7 Who in the days of his flesh, having offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and having been heard for his godly fear, Heb 5:8 though he was a Son, yet learned obedience by the things which he suffered; Heb 5:9 and having been made perfect, he became unto all them that obey him the author of eternal salvation;

1Pe 2:19 For this is acceptable, if for conscience toward God a man endureth griefs, suffering wrongfully. 1Pe 2:20 For what glory is it, if, when ye sin, and are buffeted for it, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye shall take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. 1Pe 2:21 For hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that ye should follow his steps:

k. Suffering brings us to a point that we must commit our souls to God, and trust in Him as a faithful Creator, (1 Pet 4:12; 2:22-23),

1Pe 4:16 but if a man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this name.

1Pe 2:22 who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 1Pe 2:23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:

l. Who cannot lie (Heb 6:18), and always keeps His promises (Tit 1:2; 1 John 5:13) . . .

Tit 1:2 in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal;

Jo 5:13 These things have I written unto you, that ye may know that ye have eternal life, even unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God.

m. Which enables us to endure and look to the things above in our times of despair (Col 3:1-4).

Col 3:1 If then ye were raised together with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated on the right hand of God. Col 3:2 Set your mind on the things that are above, not on the things that are upon the earth. Col 3:3 For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. Col 3:4 When Christ, who is our life, shall be manifested, then shall ye also with him be manifested in glory.

n. Then, with these facts in view, it is easy to see the “purpose” in suffering, physically it actually helps us identify times of trouble, in order that we can have more time on this earth, in order that we can outwardly manifest spiritual fruits, our love for God and others, and building a faith (trust) in God that endures (Rev 2:10).

IV. “WHERE” IS THE SUFFERING IN THE WORLD TO LEAD US?

A. The bible teaches us that there is but two places that all individuals will ultimately reside (Mt 25:46).

Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into eternal punishment: but the righteous into eternal life.

1. The faithful children of God and the unaccountable (according to God’s judgment) will reside in “new heavens and a new earth” (2 Pet 3:13; Rev 21:1), I believe this refers to “heaven” the eternal abode of the righteous; or they will permanently reside “in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone” (Rev 21:8), and I believe that suffering will have a big part to do with the assignments thereof.

2. Remember we looked at three possible sources from which suffering originated, 1) The breaking of God’s laws, whether physical or spiritual,

2) From Satan who is allowed by God to test his children through persecutions, inward or outward trials, or

3) From God Himself, through His providence, the discipline of the church, or through His word by the instrumentality of our conscience.

3. Now whether these sources are good, evil or amoral, is really of no consequence, what is of consequence is one’s reactions to said sufferings, will a person sin in the anguish of suffering “renounce God, and die” according to the advice of Job’s wife (Job 2:9)?

4. It is a very sad thing that is seen today among some of the elderly of this nation (for I was formerly employed at a nursing home), and many were riddled with disease, on the brink of death, and oftentimes nothing is heard but God’s name brought forth in curses through their anguish and pain.

a. They have been trained through this world to use it so flippantly, that it is second nature to most, therefore it seems not to be wrong by many in view of critical situations.

b. Yet the Bible plainly states (Rev 2:10b).

Rev 2:10b Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

c. “Unto death” here refers to the point of death, in other words “being faithful unto God at the cost of your life.”

d. And sadly this may be the end of some that “call upon the name of the Lord,” many of which attempt to straddle a fence between the church and the world, therefore they are not renewed as God has purposed (Rom 12:2).

e. Therefore these types of words or thoughts are in them in times of hard testing. With that in view, it is easy to see that it is essential that we as children of God suffer while we are in the flesh, in order that we may live, in the spirit.

5. It is an interesting fact that in the bible, the word “suffer” or like words appear 138 times; 90 times in the NT, and 46 times in the OT, and with the OT being over 3 times as long (word count wise) this is a 6/1 ratio in favor of the NT.

a. “Suffering” therefore is indeed a prominent and essential theme in the NT.

b. Suffering (for good; 1 Pet 2:20), as a Christian (1 Pet 4:16) makes us like Christ (1 Pet 2:21), it builds our endurance under duress (Ja 1:4), and matures our faith (1 Pet 4:1), in Christ, God and His promises.

c. With this in mind think about the account of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16, was the lack of suffering on the rich man’s part implied to be responsible for his end? Perhaps? (Luke 16:25)

Luk 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things: but now here he is comforted, and thou art in anguish.

6. In closing let me leave you with this thought, in Romans chapter 8 the inspired apostle wrote (Rom 8:35-39) . . .

Rom 8:35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or anguish, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Rom 8:36 Even as it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; We were accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Rom 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

7. But we can separate ourselves from Him by not enduring faithfully unto the end (Mt 10:22; Rev 2:10).

Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved.

8. Therefore let us use the sufferings that come upon us in this world (whether they be good, evil or amoral) to grow, to be purified, and when they do come, let us rejoice, that we have this testing ground, this training area, this battlefield, through which we can learn to endure faithfully (Ja 5:10-11).

Jam 5:10 Take, brethren, for an example of suffering and of patience, the prophets who spake in the name of the Lord. Jam 5:11 Behold, we call them blessed that endured: ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord, how that the Lord is full of pity, and merciful.

9. And “suffer according to the will of God” and commit our souls in well-doing (acting in accordance with God’s word) unto a faithful Creator even when under the greatest of duress’s, as did our perfect example (Luke 23:46; 1 Pet 1:23-24).

Luk 23:46 And Jesus, crying with a loud voice, said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said this, he gave up the ghost.

1Pe 2:23 who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: 1Pe 2:24 who his own self bare our sins in his body upon the tree, that we, having died unto sins, might live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.

10. This is the true love of God (John 15:12-13)

Joh 15:12 This is my commandment, that ye love one another, even as I have loved you. Joh 15:13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

11. That will cut into the hardest of hearts (John 12:32; 3:16)

Joh 12:32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto myself.

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

12. Why not access the grace of God today (Rom 5:1-2; Tit 2:11) . . .

Rom 5:1 Having been declared righteous, then, by faith, we have peace toward God through our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom 5:2 through whom also we have the access by the faith into this grace in which we have stood, and we boast on the hope of the glory of God. (YLT)

Tit 2:11 For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

13. Through faith in God and His gospel? It has been the same plan for almost 2,000 years . . .

14. One must . . .Hear the Word of God (Acts 2:37; Rom 10:17)

Rom 10:17 . . . faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

It must be implanted deeply within the good ground, the good, honest and open heart

One must . . .

Believe that Jesus is the Christ (Acts 8:37; John 20:31); this is the major purpose of the Gospel accounts . . .

Joh 20:31 . . . these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye may have life in his name.

One must . . .

Repent of sins, (Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3, 5) Paul stated on mars hill . . .

Act 17:30 The times of ignorance therefore God overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all everywhere repent:

One must . . .

Confess Jesus as the Christ before men (Acts 8:37; Rom 10:9), the eunuch said . . .

“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” So must you

One must . . .

Be baptized (immersed), which doth now save us (1 Pet 3:21), immersed into Christ (Gal 3:27) into the death of Christ (Rom 6:3) where His precious blood was shed (John 19:34) unto (for) the remission of sins. (Acts 2:38; 22:16); at which point God adds you to the church (Acts 2:47) translates you into the kingdom (Col 1:13) adds you to that one body (1 Cor 12:13), the only one God promised to save (Eph 5:23).

And finally one must live a faithful and holy life unto God (1 Pet 1:15-16; Rev 2:10), not perfect, but faithful, separated “from” the things of the world and “to” the things of God.

1Pe 1:14 as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: 1Pe 1:15 but like as he who called you is holy, be ye yourselves also holy in all manner of living; 1Pe 1:16 because it is written, Ye shall be holy; for I am holy.

Being renewed day by day, Putting off that old man, and putting on the new, being constantly in a state of spiritual growth (Rom 12:2)

Rom 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Showing forth God’s love through your life as a Christian (only), as the bible teaches . . . (2 John 6)

2Jo 1:6 And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.

Expecting and growing from the sufferings that exist in this world, that force you to trust in the Creator and Sustainer of all, Who is over through all and in all.


"That in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written"

Contact us:
Evangelist - Kenneth Windbiel
715-866-4873
kensanwind@hotmail.com

We teach publicly and from house to house (Acts 20:20),
therefore if you would like to set up a house teaching session
or meet in a public place to discuss the gospel of Christ,
please contact us through any of the options listed upon this web site.

 Salute the church that is in their house . . .
The churches of Christ salute you. Rom 16:5, 16