Sunday Highlights

Today at Cross Point Nashville:

“Why Do People Suffer?”

(Quotes & highlights from Pete Wilson‘s message)

• This isn’t a question that only Christians are asking.
• There will be a point in your life where you will ask God “what are you thinking?”
• I don’t really believe the current realities contradict who God is.  They might contradict our Sunday School version of God, but they don’t contradict who the Bible tells us God is.
• We need to go all the way back to the beginning to understand who God is.  Genesis 1:1-4, 9-10, 12, 17-18, 21, 25, 31.  When God created the heavens and the earth, it was good and as we all would want it.
• Genesis 2:15-17 – There was one rule in the garden and the result of breaking that rule resulted in this fatal disease that impacts everything.
• Couldn’t God have given Adam and Eve a mulligan on their mistake?
• Why did God give us a choice in the first place?  Because God is love and there has to be choice for there to be love.  He had to give us the capacity of responsibility in order for us to love.
• Humans are the only ones looking for meaning in suffering.  It’s part of our design.
• The reality is we are living on this cursed ball of dirt.  It’s full of death instead of life.
• We live in a world that is hopelessly jacked up.  It’s broken.
• As a Christian, we have contradicting realities: God and his love for us vs. a broken world.  How do we reconcile this?
• I don’t believe God ever fully answers this question but what He does give us is the solution.
• We have a God who immediately went to work after the fall.  He did it through his son Jesus Christ.
• The Promise – Revelation 21:4
• Hope – Psalm 30:5, Romans 8:18
• When you choose Jesus (love) in the midst of the suffering, you keep evil from having the last word.
• Most frequent promise in scripture “I am with you” – Isaiah 43:1-2
• I wish I had a surprise ending, a catchy phrase, a bow to wrap this up, but I don’t.  But I have the cross to offer you.
• The way you respond to pain and suffering matters more than you can imagine.  So hold onto Him.

We closed the service with “Desert Song” performed by Marcia Ramirez.  So powerful!

“Desert Song” by Hillsong

This is my prayer in the desert
When all that’s within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides

This is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flame

I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on its way
I am conqueror and co- heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I’ll stand

I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

All of my life in every season
You are still God,
I have a reason to sing,
I have a reason to worship

I will bring praise, I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice, I will declare
God is my victory and He is here

This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I’m filled to be emptied again
The seed I received I will sow

If you are in a season of suffering or pain, I hope that you are encouraged that God is your victory.  He is your hope.  This is my prayer for you!