Application Guide: “The Sovereignty
of God”
Jan. 9th, 2005: Joe Bartemus, Pastor of Adult Education, preached an stirring message
the was meant to help Christians know how to respond to the recent Tsunami in
the Indian Ocean that caused the death of over 150,000 people and billions of
dollars of damage. Based on Romans 8:18-27, Pastor Bartemus discussed three
“groans” that occur as a result of the effect of sin in our world. Creation,
believers, and the Holy Spirit all groan over the reality of suffering,
pointing to the future hope we have in God’s promise of redemption.
- Groan #1 – Creation: Pastor Bartemus mentioned that creation (nature,
animals) has been greatly effected by man’s sin (cf. Ge. 3:14-19). God’s
plan of redemption includes freeing creation from the curse of sin (Rom
8:21; Rev 21:1-5; 22:1-3).
- What are specific ways
you can see the effects of sin in the creation, culture, and world around
you (e.g. death, pollution, distortion of sex, etc)?
- Even though creation will
not fully be redeemed until God creates the New Heaven and New Earth,
what are ways we can presently
reverse the negative influences on creation and culture and use them for
redemptive purposes?
- Groan #2 – Redeemed Humanity: Though Satan may cause death and destruction in our
lives (Job 2:7; 1 Pet 5:8), his permission to do these things ultimately
comes from God (Job 1:12; 2:10). There are many reasons why God allows
suffering and pain to take place in our lives – to show His glory and
point people to Himself (Jn. 9:1-3), judge the wicked (Ps. 147:6), show
mercy (Isa. 53:4-5, 10), test or discipline his people (Heb 12), or simply
to give people over to the results of their own sin (Rom. 1:26ff).
- Think of a time of trial
in your life that God took you through. As difficult as it was, how did
God use it for good in your life (Rom 5:3-5; 8:28)? How did the trial
strengthen your faith and trust in Christ?
- Amidst suffering, how can
we be people who hope in God’s promises, persevere, and wait eagerly for
the promise of heaven? How could our commitment to these three tasks
amidst adversity influence nonbelievers around us?
- God makes very clear that
suffering is not always bad or the result of sin (Jn. 9:1-3; Rom 5:3-5).
This runs in stark contrast to what our culture says about suffering.
- How does our culture view
suffering and the way we should respond to it?
- How has our American
culture influenced the church to make safety/being comfortable one of our
highest priorities? How is this in opposition to God’s Word (cf. Mt.
5:11; Jn. 15:20; 1 Pet. 4:12-19; 2 Tim. 3:12)?
- We cannot fully understand
why God allows suffering, but these times can be a catalyst for helping us
cling all the more to the promises of God.
- What encouragement and
peace can we find in God and his Word amidst suffering (cf. Rom 8:26-28;
2 Cor. 1:3-11; Heb. 2:18)?
Recommended
Reading:
Lewis, C.S. The Problem of Pain
and A Grief Observed.
Piper, John.
“Tsunami, Sovereignty, and Mercy.” and “Tsunami and Repentance”. See http://www.desiringgod.org/library/fresh_words/2004/122904.html and
http://www.desiringgod.org/library/fresh_words/2005/010505.html
Yancey, Philip. Where is God When It Hurts?