Title: Suffering and Prosperity/Na 1:9-15
Content This text: I 1:9-15
Title: Suffering and Prosperity
Introduction
1. The words of Psalm 73 are words that those who suffer on this earth must always memorize. The author of the poem had to feel a lot of conflict in the way the wicked prosper. Why do God's people suffer, but the wicked prosper without God?
2. Still, many people try to associate their faith in Jesus with the problems of the flesh. At least, the prevailing idea is that believers in Jesus must be different from nonbelievers.
3. No matter what our hopes and thoughts are, our reality is often far from our hopes. The Bible answers our questions.
I. The wicked can never prosper (9-11, 14).
A. Assyria and Nineveh had dominion over God's people.
1. It was the dominion of the wicked. They tormented Israel in every way.
2. He gave me enough pain to feel as if God did not live and made me feel hopeless.
3. But God broke the silence and declared the judgment of the wicked. Let's look at God's declaration of judgment through the text.
B. Let's not envy the prosperity of the wicked.
1. People lament that the world we live in today is impossible to live by keeping our conscience. Is that true?
2. Even now, there are companies that are foolishly observing the Word of God and setting an example for others. Last time, Korea Glass was selected as the best model company by the Federation for Economic Justice Practice, and that company was built on the basis of trust. Let's not forget that there are many other unknown companies.
3. If you live in moderation and practice expedients, success seems to come quickly. But life is not so short, so we need to watch them end.
4. If you deny the existence of God, you can make friends with people who live properly. However, if you believe in God as the living Father, you must not be deceived by the momentary prosperity of the wicked.
5. It's not that hard to see ephemerals who are judged by the law after making a quick payment in an unfair way. This is the prosperity of the wicked. Is it really the object of envy?
II. Suffering has a meaning (12-13, 15).
A. Suffering is training.
1. If there is no suffering, we will fall into the temptation of pride. That is our human reality.
2. Suffering makes the saints pray. Suffering is the teacher of prayer. You cannot pray without suffering. The thirsty one will seek water.
3. All great men of faith have discovered God through suffering. Note that the faith of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, and Job was never spontaneous.
B. The suffering of the righteous is the basis for judgment on the wicked.
1. Abraham received the message from God that his descendants would suffer in the wilderness for 400 years.
This was because of the judgment of the Amorites and the judgment of Egypt.
2. Assyria and Nineveh are vicious peoples who have lived without God. Through them, God trained God's people in idleness and complacency, and at the same time set the example of judgment against evil.
3. The fall of Nineveh was the end of suffering for Judah and a proclamation of the existence of God to the wicked.
4. All the sufferings the saints face on earth have a meaning. Let's put aside our emotions and stand on the Word and examine God's providence.
conclusion
1. We all want prosperity. No one enjoys suffering.
2. But let's not forget that in order to succeed, we must go through a process of hardship. If there is no investment, there is no result.
3. The prosperity of the wicked is in the blink of an eye.