Question Everything Series
“God of Distance or God of Nearness?”
Romans 8:14-18
Romans 8:14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sonsof God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Romans 8:16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.
Romans 8:18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Is God for me?
Why did this happen to me or my family?
Where is GOD?
1.Bodyguard God
2.On-Demand God
“Many of us have been left stranded with an incoherent concept of God. We learn about God at about the same tie we were told about Santa Claus. But while our understanding of the Santa Clause phenomenon evolved and matured, our theology remained somewhat infantile. Not surprisingly, when we attained intellectual maturity, many of us rejected the God we had inherited and
denied that he existed.” –Karen Armstrong
1. Self-Suffering
2. World Suffering
3. Redemptive Suffering
Joseph learned:
1. To overcome a prideful attitude and learn humility
2.How to serve
3.To comfort others
4.To see God accomplish His purpose and fulfill His promises
Our future is certain and wonderful for those who trust in Christ Jesus.
If we are LED than we ARE his children
As God’s adopted children, we are His heirs and fellow-heirs with Christ, which includes suffering now but future glory.