God? Disease, Suffering, and Death

When calamity strikes, it is common to consider God's plan and power. Is God responsible? Is this judgment? How can he allow this? How can he be glorified in this? Won't this turn people away from him? Why doesn't he do something?

In this sermon, we consider the scriptural witness that God is in absolute control over all things, including suffering. But rather than be a detriment to faith, this undergirds and raises our faith! We consider six ways God's love, wisdom, and power come together through suffering to bring us to him.

Questions for your consideration:
1. God is in absolute control. We are not robots. Can you demonstrate these truths from Scripture?
2. What is most comforting to you that God is in control, even in suffering?
3. With the reminder of mortality, and with it the reminder of the judgment against sin, what areas of your life require repentance and turning to God?

Tim Stephens

Tim Stephens is the senior pastor of Fairview Baptist Church. Tim grew up on a farm in Eastern Ontario and has graduated with a Computer Engineering degree from Queen’s University, a Masters of Divinity degree from Detroit Baptist Theological Seminary, and is currently pursuing his Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching at the Master’s Seminary. He is happily married to Raquel and they have eight children.