Suffering, A Sermon


january14
January 2002 Article

Suffering

 

This month of January, I would like to look at "suffering". I will begin with this article, and then in the next 3 weeks, share a sermon I wrote detailing my views on suffering.

Many of you might know, that I am disabled, have been since the age of 4 with polio, but I overcame and becomes a teacher and then a pastor. But now am disabled a second time with a disability, post polio syndrome, which means now I am in a wheelchair, cannot talk very well and need help with bathing and dressing. This month I would like to share my feelings and views on what it means for a Christian to suffer.

"Suffering like Job's."

Romans 8:18-25

A Sermon

Part 2

But too many times, well meaning friends, TV evangelists, our own family members want answers, want the prayers answered that have been prayed. Why, God, why not heal me, why not save me from death. Why do I have to live in these broken relationships? We pray for change, we pray for God's action and sometimes, we cannot see that action in our lives.

In his book "Where is God in my Praying?", Daniel Simundson 1 speaks about these unanswered prayers. He says,"One explanation for God's refusal to grant my prayer may be that God is angry with me about something." This is one of the most used explanations and one which hurts far too many people. For in this answer, guilt is laid upon a person. Maybe there is something wrong in your life? Maybe there is some hidden sin? Maybe if you had been better in your youth, God would listen to you now? Or another favorite line we have all heard as Daniel Simundson says:"Perhaps the problem is my lack of faith." If only I had faith enough, then God would answer my prayers my way.?? He continues,"Faith healers on TV insist that if we believe strongly enough, anything is possible. They parade before us fantastic examples of miracles that occurred because people believed strongly enough. It is as if the power of God to answer prayer is dependent on our ability to believe what is possible."

Another example of how our suffering turns inward and makes us feel that God is not on our side is the little phrase that we use which says:"if it be your will." Daniel Simundson says further: "Some people tell us that even to say such a thing indicates a lack of faith on our part, a hedging of our bets, an underlying distrust, a

The copyright of the article Suffering, A Sermon in Homiletics/Preaching is owned by Tim Zingale. Permission to republish Suffering, A Sermon in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Go To Page: 1 2 3

Articles in this Topic    Discussions in this Topic