It is often said, and I think rightly so, that the “Achilles Heel” of Christianity is the existence and pervasiveness of suffering seen in the world. Suffering and the existence of evil are pressing issues that seem to defy both reason and explanation. Both have been used hundreds of times by unbelievers to deny the possibility of a God existing Who is both perfectly good and all powerful.

Of course, we who know and love the One True and Living God of the Christian Bible, know that HE is indeed both perfectly good and all powerful. But, we still need to, “given an answer to everyone who asks…” of how and why we can and do believe this seeming paradox to be true.

The problem is not that we do not have an answer; the problem is two-fold: first, the answer is not simple; and, second, many Christians do not think through theological issues much and do not know the answer that is clearly given in Scripture.

Well, you have been warned! The answer is neither simple nor short; and, neither will the sermon be this coming Lord’s Day.

The formula for reasoning logically is as follows: fact + fact + fact + fact = logical conclusions. Scholars use their own language here… “ergo, ergo, ergo, sum.” This means: therefore + therefore + therefore = answer (or summary). This is the way I will proceed.

My outline will be: Fact #1 + Fact #2 + Fact #3 + Fact #4 + Fact #5 = God has both “sufficient reasons” and “righteous purposes” for allowing suffering to exist!

While we cannot know all of God’s sufficient reasons and righteous purposes for allowing suffering to exist, HE has chosen to reveal several of them in the Holy Scriptures. The application part of my sermon will consist of eight “Sufficient Reasons and Righteous Purposes” why God allows suffering to exist!

Let me encourage you to do some Scripture reading and thinking! I will give you the verses and you see if you can identify the reasons and purposes that come from those verses…

#1 Ephesians 5:6

#2 Jeremiah 7:12

#3 2^nd Chronicles 6:26-27

#4 John 9:1-3

#5 Philippians 3:7-10

#6 Isaiah 53:10-11

#7 Luke 23:39-43

#8 Acts 7:54-60

I hope to see you Sunday with your Bible in your hand, a smile on your face, and your family and friends by your side!

Lanny