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World Disasters - A Christian Response.
16 Jan 2005 am   
Preached in the aftermath of the Boxing Day Tsunami

Bible verse
Isaiah 40: 25-31

In the face of disaster people often ask:
"How can you believe in a God who allows suffering on this scale?"
They make assumptions about God:

• An all powerful God would be able to end suffering.
• an all loving God would desire to end suffering.

Or they have a wrong view on suffering: 
Suffering is an illusion - it’s just our unfulfilled desire, if you remove desire for it you remove the suffering - buddhism. But Christianity says suffering is real and we have a God that wants to help.

Suffering is payback - Karma - we get what we deserve - hinduism.  But Christianity says this rules out a God of mercy and Grace. God actually holds back wrath to to allow time for salvation. 

Suffering is decreed - what will happen will happen it’s just God’s plan don’t question it - Islam
But Christianity says that God is deeply moved by our suffering.  longing to comfort us and desperate to save.

Suffering is natural - it’s just the way the world is, it would be meaningless to wonder why, there is no why - atheist.  But Christianity says our lives have worth and purpose therefore our suffering is not meaningless.

Whatever God's reason behind suffering it didn't stop him from suffering the same fate and going to the cross for us.  Showing a God that is both all powerful to save from sin and all loving in making the decision and sacrifice for us.

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Open Doors - Persecuted Church
6 June 2010 am    
Douglas Mark (Mission Report)