Don McClain 1 W. 65th St church of Christ - September 17, 2006

Don McClain

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W. 65th St church of Christ - September 17, 2006

Don McClain

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Sin is the first and greatest Sin is the first and greatest problem.problem.

Problems with self.Problems with self.

Family problems – (Marriage, Family problems – (Marriage, Children, Parents)Children, Parents)

Suffering (Sickness, Disease, Suffering (Sickness, Disease, Tragedy and Death)Tragedy and Death)

Financial problems.Financial problems.

Church problems (Division, Church problems (Division, Indifference . . .)Indifference . . .)

Don McClain

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Many Ask?Many Ask? ““What have I done to What have I done to

deserve this?”deserve this?” ““Why did God let this Why did God let this

happen?”happen?” ““Why am I being Why am I being

punished?”punished?” Seldom do we ask:Seldom do we ask:

““Why not me?”Why not me?” ““Why me?” when receive Why me?” when receive

good or are blessed.good or are blessed.

Don McClain

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WhyWhy - - What is the REAL What is the REAL reason for the reason for the problems we face? problems we face?

MeMe - - We all face We all face problems!problems!

LordLord - - Instead of blaming Instead of blaming God - we should trust God - we should trust Him - He WILL help!Him - He WILL help!

Don McClain

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Consequences of sin in the Consequences of sin in the Beginning - (Gen. 2:17; 3:1ff; Beginning - (Gen. 2:17; 3:1ff; 1 Cor. 15:22, 55-56).1 Cor. 15:22, 55-56).

Consequences of our own Consequences of our own sin - (1 Pet. 4:15-16; Prov. sin - (1 Pet. 4:15-16; Prov. 13:15; Gal. 6:7-9; Hosea 8:7)13:15; Gal. 6:7-9; Hosea 8:7)

Consequences of others’ sin Consequences of others’ sin - (Exo. 20:5-6, [3- (Exo. 20:5-6, [3rdrd and 4 and 4thth generation]; Matt. 5:32; Ezra generation]; Matt. 5:32; Ezra 10:44).10:44).

Don McClain

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Free will of man - If man can Free will of man - If man can make choices, then he can make choices, then he can make wrong choices . . . make wrong choices . . . Choice means there are Choice means there are

consequences – consequences – Some choices bring grief Some choices bring grief

and suffering.and suffering. For Cause of Christ - (1 Pet. For Cause of Christ - (1 Pet.

4:16; Heb. 12:5ff; 2 Tim. 4:16; Heb. 12:5ff; 2 Tim. 3:12).3:12).

Don McClain

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Violation of natural laws – Violation of natural laws – (Gravity, Fire; Water; . . .)(Gravity, Fire; Water; . . .)

Natural phenomena - Natural phenomena - Earthquake, tornado, Earthquake, tornado, hurricane, lightening, and hurricane, lightening, and floods are all natural floods are all natural occurrences.occurrences. Suffering to any and all Suffering to any and all

who are there - Mat 5:45who are there - Mat 5:45 Wouldn’t know bad Wouldn’t know bad

without there also being without there also being good.good.

Don McClain

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Job Job - Blameless and - Blameless and upright (Job. 1:8), Yet upright (Job. 1:8), Yet suffered:suffered:(1) Loss of property (Job 1:14, (1) Loss of property (Job 1:14,

16, 17).16, 17).

(2) Loss of servants (Job 1:15, (2) Loss of servants (Job 1:15, 18).18).

(3) Loss of children (Job 1:18).(3) Loss of children (Job 1:18).

(4) Loss of health (Job 2:1-10).(4) Loss of health (Job 2:1-10).

(5) Wife is no help (Job 2:9).(5) Wife is no help (Job 2:9).

(6) Friends turn on him (Job 3-(6) Friends turn on him (Job 3-42:6).42:6).

Good & Evil - Good & Evil - 1 Pet. 4:15-161 Pet. 4:15-16; Rom 8:22; Rom 8:22

Don McClain

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David - David - Psa. 55:1-7Psa. 55:1-7

The Lord himself:The Lord himself: Rejected (John 1:11).Rejected (John 1:11). Beaten (Matt. 26:67).Beaten (Matt. 26:67). Ridiculed (Matt. 26:68; Ridiculed (Matt. 26:68;

27:31).27:31). Betrayed (Luke 22:47-53).Betrayed (Luke 22:47-53). Crucified (Luke 23:26-49).Crucified (Luke 23:26-49).


Don McClain

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Paul - Paul - Persecuted (2 Cor. 11:22-33).Persecuted (2 Cor. 11:22-33). Thorn in the flesh (2 Cor. Thorn in the flesh (2 Cor.

12:7-10).12:7-10).

All Christians:All Christians: Heb. 12:6 - scourges every Heb. 12:6 - scourges every

son.son. 2 Tim. 3:12 - all who live 2 Tim. 3:12 - all who live

godly.godly. Rom. 8:16-18 - those who are Rom. 8:16-18 - those who are

children of God suffer with children of God suffer with him.him.


Don McClain

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Why blame God?Why blame God? Equate problems with Equate problems with

punishment for sin. punishment for sin. (John 9:1; Acts 28:4; Job (John 9:1; Acts 28:4; Job 3:1ff ; Luke 13:1-5; Heb. 3:1ff ; Luke 13:1-5; Heb. 4:15; 1 Pet. 2:19ff )4:15; 1 Pet. 2:19ff )

Too high an opinion of Too high an opinion of self . . . If others suffer - self . . . If others suffer - that’s fine, but not me! that’s fine, but not me! WHY ME LORD?WHY ME LORD?

Don McClain

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God cares about our God cares about our wellbeing!wellbeing! (1 Peter 5:7) (1 Peter 5:7) He wants all to be He wants all to be

saved (1 Tim. 2:9; 2 saved (1 Tim. 2:9; 2 Pet. 3:9; John 3:16; Rom Pet. 3:9; John 3:16; Rom 2:4).2:4).

He will ALWAYS provide He will ALWAYS provide what we need to what we need to persevere - (1 Cor 13:5; persevere - (1 Cor 13:5; Heb 13:6)Heb 13:6)

Don McClain

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Tries our faith – Tries our faith – Can make us stronger or Can make us stronger or

make us weaker -make us weaker - Can purify us – or cause Can purify us – or cause

us to return to the us to return to the defilement of the world -defilement of the world -

Can soften our hearts – Can soften our hearts – or harden them!or harden them!

Don McClain

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Don McClain

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Don McClain 1 W. 65th St church of Christ - September 17, 2006