Episode 1188: What did God tell the church to focus on? Part 1

Hello everyone. In this morning's Bible study we allow the scriptures to define for us why God allows suffering in this current world.

Do you know and understand why there is suffering in this world? Let me provide you with a few points that the Bible provides concerning the source of sufferings.

The Purpose of Suffering
1. It is from God to fulfill His purpose and magnify His glory.

The Causation of Suffering
1. Individual sins
2. The testing of genuine faith
3. For the sake of the gospel
4. For the fellowship with the saints
5. For the fellowship with our Lord and Father

In order to experience these things what must the believer do?

The believer must know the Lord and His purposes as given to us in the scriptures. The question then becomes HOW, HOW IS THIS ACHIEVED?

Romans 12:1-2 (NKJV) Living Sacrifices to God
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

The believer MUST DIE to his/her own way of thinking, believing, and living.
Galatians 2:19-20 (NKJV)
19 For I through the law (my own efforts and beliefs about God's requirements) died to the law (my own efforts and beliefs about God's requirements) that I might live to God (way of living and thinking). 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The believer MUST DIE if the believer wants to LIVE for and Know God.

Today's study is 1 hour and 13 minutes in duration. I have broken it into seven segments. This is segment 6 of 7 titled What did God tell the church to focus on? Part 1