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Why do bad things happen to God’s good people?. Why do bad things happen to God’s good people?. In the Word … focusing on: how we can smile through suffering (1 Peter 1:1-12) Joseph – when life turns pear-shaped (Genesis 39) Joseph – from down and out to up and out (Genesis 40)
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Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? In the Word … focusing on: • how we can smile through suffering (1 Peter 1:1-12) • Joseph – when life turns pear-shaped (Genesis 39) • Joseph – from down and out to up and out (Genesis 40) • a soft pillow for a tired and troubled heart (Romans 8:28)
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? How we can smile through suffering …1 Peter 1:1-12
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? How we can smile through suffering … • Peter and his calling • Peter and his role • Peter and his denial • Peter and his leadership
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? How we can smile through suffering … • we have a living hope (3) • we have a permanent inheritance (4) • we have divine protection (5) • we have a developing faith (6-7) • we have an unseen Saviour (8) • we have a guaranteed deliverance (9)
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? How we can smile through suffering … • they didn’t see God’s full plan (10-12) • they didn’t have the Spirit as we do • failure in the past does not nullify purpose in the future • a broken heart is great preparation for healing fractured lives • a penned letter is worth more than a thousand unexpressed thoughts
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? Joseph – when life turns pear-shaped …Genesis 39
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? When life turns pear-shaped … • being in the centre of God’s will may take us into the eye of the storm • the Lord was ‘with’ Joseph and ‘he prospered’ (2) • God ‘blessed’ …‘because of …’(5) • Joseph was a good-looking guy (6) • the bombshell from Mrs P (7) • Joseph ‘refused’ all her advances (8)
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? When life turns pear-shaped … • he would break his master’s trust • he would blacken his own character • he would wreck his own fellowship with God (8-9) • Mrs P grabs his coat … and Joseph is put in prison (12-20) • God rules and overrules in all the circumstances of life
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? When life turns pear-shaped … • an escape route (1 Corinthians 10:13) • we must deal with it immediately • we must deal with it realistically • we must deal with it ruthlessly • we must deal with it consistently • we must deal with it confidently
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? When life turns pear-shaped … • do not be weakened by your situation • do not be deceived by the enemy • do not be gentle with your emotions • do not be confused with the outcome • the dream lives on …‘while Joseph was there in the prison, the Lord was with him … gave him success’ (21-23)
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? Joseph – from down and out to up and out …Genesis 40
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? From down and out to up and out … • his relationship with God • his relationship to circumstances • his relationship to others • he had to die to his family • he had to die to his reputation • he had to die to his friends
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? From down and out to up and out … 3 not so good responses to it all: • we feel really sorry for ourselves • we become bitter • we determine to get our own back 3 cues to best deal with mistreatment: • it’s always good to re-evaluate • we should refuse to retaliate • it’s an opportunity to refocus
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? A soft pillow for a tired and troubled heart …Romans 8:28
Why do bad things happen to God’s good people? A soft pillow for a tired heart … • here’s a promise we need to claim and build our lives upon • this is God’s bright idea, not ours • God isn’t selective in what he uses for he takes ‘all things’ to fashion us • God will not permit anything to enter our lives that will be to our detriment