WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.919 5, 3, 7 if you're using a red covered Bible. 00:00:22.920 --> 00:00:27.179 Starting at verse 1 of chapter 37. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:36.159 At this my heart pounds and leaps from its place. 00:00:37.579 --> 00:00:40.700 Listen, listen to the roar of his voice. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:44.380 To the rumbling that comes from his mouth. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:48.200 He unleashes his lightning belief, the whole heaven. 00:00:49.100 --> 00:00:51.379 And sends it to the ends of the earth. 00:00:52.760 --> 00:00:55.320 After that comes the sound of his roar. 00:00:55.760 --> 00:00:58.539 He thunders with his majestic voice. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.820 When his voice resounds, he holds nothing back. 00:01:04.959 --> 00:01:08.000 God's voice thunders in marvelous ways. 00:01:08.439 --> 00:01:11.260 He does great things beyond our understanding. 00:01:12.500 --> 00:01:15.879 He says to the snow, fall on the earth. 00:01:16.859 --> 00:01:20.079 And to the rain shower, be a mighty downpour. 00:01:20.079 --> 00:01:25.340 So that all people he has made may know his work. 00:01:25.920 --> 00:01:29.280 He stops every person from his labor. 00:01:30.239 --> 00:01:31.679 The animals take cover. 00:01:31.819 --> 00:01:33.200 They remain in their dens. 00:01:33.719 --> 00:01:35.759 The tempest comes out from its chamber. 00:01:35.900 --> 00:01:37.680 The cold from the driving winds. 00:01:38.319 --> 00:01:40.340 The breath of God produces ice. 00:01:41.039 --> 00:01:43.219 And the broad waters become frozen. 00:01:43.219 --> 00:01:46.719 He loads the clouds with moisture. 00:01:47.219 --> 00:01:49.280 He scatters his lightning through them. 00:01:50.539 --> 00:01:54.439 At his direction, they swirl around over the face of the whole earth. 00:01:54.840 --> 00:01:58.560 To do whatever he commands them. 00:01:58.560 --> 00:02:03.040 He brings the clouds to punish men. 00:02:03.040 --> 00:02:04.960 Or to water his earth. 00:02:05.540 --> 00:02:06.920 And show his love. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:09.920 Listen to this, Job. 00:02:10.680 --> 00:02:14.140 Stop and consider God's wonders. 00:02:14.139 --> 00:02:19.799 Do you know how God controls the clouds and makes his lightning flash? 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:24.119 Do you know how the clouds hang poised? 00:02:25.139 --> 00:02:28.759 Those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge. 00:02:31.419 --> 00:02:34.659 And our second reading is on page 1158. 00:02:35.679 --> 00:02:37.279 Page 1158. 00:02:38.679 --> 00:02:40.759 And it's from 2 Corinthians. 00:02:42.560 --> 00:02:43.619 Chapter 1. 00:02:44.139 --> 00:02:45.959 And verses 3 to 11. 00:02:48.139 --> 00:02:50.039 So it's on page 1158. 00:02:50.319 --> 00:02:51.899 2 Corinthians chapter 1. 00:02:52.039 --> 00:02:52.699 Verse 3. 00:02:54.919 --> 00:02:58.319 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:58.539 --> 00:02:59.799 The Father of compassion. 00:03:00.319 --> 00:03:01.539 And the God of all comfort. 00:03:02.459 --> 00:03:04.239 Who comforts us in all our troubles. 00:03:04.819 --> 00:03:07.039 So that we can comfort those in any trouble. 00:03:07.419 --> 00:03:10.039 With the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 00:03:11.459 --> 00:03:13.599 For just as the sufferings of Christ. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:15.060 Flow over into our lives. 00:03:15.419 --> 00:03:17.199 So also through Christ. 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:18.539 Our comfort overflows. 00:03:18.539 --> 00:03:21.019 If we are distressed. 00:03:21.019 --> 00:03:21.039 If we are distressed. 00:03:21.039 --> 00:03:22.299 It is for your comfort. 00:03:24.439 --> 00:03:25.400 And salvation. 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:26.099 Sorry. 00:03:26.439 --> 00:03:27.379 If we are comforted. 00:03:27.579 --> 00:03:28.579 It is for your comfort. 00:03:28.899 --> 00:03:30.079 Which produces in you. 00:03:30.139 --> 00:03:31.979 Which produces in you. 00:03:32.359 --> 00:03:34.899 Patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 00:03:35.780 --> 00:03:37.459 And our hope for you is firm. 00:03:37.460 --> 00:03:40.680 Because we know that just as you share in our sufferings. 00:03:40.680 --> 00:03:42.840 So also you share in our comfort. 00:03:43.920 --> 00:03:46.439 We do not want you to be uninformed brothers. 00:03:46.719 --> 00:03:49.280 About the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:51.439 We were under great pressure. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:53.360 Far beyond our ability to endure. 00:03:53.760 --> 00:03:55.860 So that we despaired even of life. 00:03:56.819 --> 00:03:59.360 Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. 00:03:59.360 --> 00:04:02.640 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves. 00:04:02.960 --> 00:04:04.640 But on God who raises the dead. 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:07.940 He has delivered us from such a deadly peril. 00:04:08.480 --> 00:04:09.640 And he will deliver us. 00:04:10.320 --> 00:04:13.600 On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us. 00:04:13.940 --> 00:04:15.500 As you help us by your prayers. 00:04:16.540 --> 00:04:18.819 Then many will give thanks on our behalf. 00:04:19.000 --> 00:04:22.420 For the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many. 00:04:22.420 --> 00:04:31.360 Thank you Peter. 00:04:46.100 --> 00:04:47.980 On Thursday morning. 00:04:48.240 --> 00:04:51.180 As I did the school run with our son Ethan. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:52.459 He turned to me. 00:04:53.740 --> 00:04:56.060 It's very foggy this morning dad. 00:04:57.980 --> 00:05:00.000 Very difficult to see what's coming. 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:01.300 Was my reply. 00:05:02.800 --> 00:05:05.240 Little did we know that within the hour flight. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:07.199 NM 7100. 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:09.620 From Belfast to Cork. 00:05:09.620 --> 00:05:11.860 Would crash in Cork airport. 00:05:12.040 --> 00:05:13.300 Due to poor visibility. 00:05:14.720 --> 00:05:16.340 A sad and tragic accident. 00:05:16.519 --> 00:05:18.460 That has left six families grieving. 00:05:19.100 --> 00:05:20.660 As they mourn the loss. 00:05:21.180 --> 00:05:22.379 Of family members. 00:05:23.100 --> 00:05:25.759 And others who have lost friends and colleagues. 00:05:27.420 --> 00:05:28.019 Remarkably. 00:05:29.000 --> 00:05:31.019 Six other people survived. 00:05:31.699 --> 00:05:35.060 Two of whom would walk away without serious injury. 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:39.500 One of those we've learned this morning was Donal Walsh. 00:05:39.500 --> 00:05:42.860 A relay worker with Ifees here in Cork. 00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:45.240 And who works closely with Peter. 00:05:46.040 --> 00:05:48.379 And I know he's a good friend to many here. 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:52.519 And that's a time like this. 00:05:52.519 --> 00:05:54.620 That we begin to ask the question. 00:05:55.339 --> 00:05:55.860 Why? 00:05:58.060 --> 00:06:01.079 And as the conflicting emotions begin to settle. 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:02.699 On the one hand of joy. 00:06:03.420 --> 00:06:04.839 That Donal is safe. 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:07.300 And the other hand sadness. 00:06:07.300 --> 00:06:08.980 That many are still grieving. 00:06:09.779 --> 00:06:11.540 We can't help think. 00:06:11.899 --> 00:06:13.199 What might have been. 00:06:13.199 --> 00:06:16.360 Why that flight? 00:06:18.099 --> 00:06:20.599 Why did some not survive? 00:06:21.920 --> 00:06:25.339 And why did others walk away unhurt? 00:06:28.459 --> 00:06:31.639 Perhaps in some of our more reflective moments. 00:06:32.120 --> 00:06:33.019 We ask. 00:06:33.659 --> 00:06:34.759 Why them? 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:36.300 And not me? 00:06:36.300 --> 00:06:41.579 As we think back on last Thursday's tragedy. 00:06:42.460 --> 00:06:43.740 I want us this morning. 00:06:43.740 --> 00:06:46.800 Not to allow this suffering to pass. 00:06:47.699 --> 00:06:51.660 Without us all thinking deeply and carefully. 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:56.379 About how we should all respond when suffering strikes. 00:06:57.960 --> 00:06:59.620 And as we do this together. 00:06:59.800 --> 00:07:02.400 I want us to look at 2 Corinthians chapter 1. 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:05.400 So please have your Bibles open. 00:07:05.399 --> 00:07:06.399 Ready. 00:07:06.399 --> 00:07:06.519 Ready. 00:07:06.879 --> 00:07:07.799 To engage. 00:07:08.259 --> 00:07:11.299 And to hear what God's word says to us. 00:07:11.419 --> 00:07:13.419 This is the passage that we looked at. 00:07:13.659 --> 00:07:15.659 In our home groups on Wednesday. 00:07:16.759 --> 00:07:19.919 A study that I believe was not by chance. 00:07:20.739 --> 00:07:24.959 But one that would prepare us for the news that came the following morning. 00:07:26.839 --> 00:07:28.859 But before we look at this passage. 00:07:29.359 --> 00:07:30.620 We're going to pray. 00:07:31.620 --> 00:07:34.000 And to ask God to help us. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:36.600 Let's do that now. 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:36.620 Let's do that now. 00:07:45.060 --> 00:07:46.740 Indescribable. 00:07:48.660 --> 00:07:50.199 Uncontainable. 00:07:50.199 --> 00:07:54.300 The ways of God. 00:07:54.300 --> 00:07:54.319 The ways of God. 00:07:55.120 --> 00:07:57.599 Are beyond our understanding. 00:07:58.860 --> 00:08:00.519 All powerful. 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:03.199 Humbly. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:05.500 We bow before you. 00:08:06.879 --> 00:08:07.839 Humbly. 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:11.159 We ask that you would speak to us. 00:08:11.160 --> 00:08:12.160 That your voice. 00:08:12.160 --> 00:08:14.320 That your voice. 00:08:14.800 --> 00:08:16.660 Would speak through the suffering. 00:08:17.320 --> 00:08:18.520 Of this world. 00:08:19.200 --> 00:08:20.540 Into our lives. 00:08:23.680 --> 00:08:26.560 We ask that not one of us here this morning. 00:08:27.840 --> 00:08:30.200 Would allow these events to pass. 00:08:31.640 --> 00:08:34.920 Without them doing the work in our lives that they should do. 00:08:34.919 --> 00:08:35.919 Teach us. 00:08:35.919 --> 00:08:36.919 Teach us. 00:08:36.919 --> 00:08:37.919 Teach us. 00:08:37.919 --> 00:08:38.279 Teach us. 00:08:38.679 --> 00:08:40.120 How we should respond. 00:08:43.740 --> 00:08:45.559 And may we be people. 00:08:46.039 --> 00:08:47.500 Who love you. 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:49.099 And worship you. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:52.219 In every circumstance. 00:08:52.799 --> 00:08:53.539 Of life. 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:55.799 Amen. 00:08:55.799 --> 00:09:02.539 The first thing that we should take. 00:09:02.539 --> 00:09:04.539 From this air tragedy. 00:09:05.500 --> 00:09:06.879 Is that suffering. 00:09:07.259 --> 00:09:08.459 Is a reality. 00:09:09.839 --> 00:09:11.479 I'm not going to be smart. 00:09:11.599 --> 00:09:13.059 And pretend that I have answers. 00:09:13.219 --> 00:09:14.079 Because I don't. 00:09:14.699 --> 00:09:16.639 In fact the more answers that we give. 00:09:16.959 --> 00:09:19.039 The more questions that we ask. 00:09:19.259 --> 00:09:22.319 Thursday was just another reminder to us. 00:09:22.599 --> 00:09:25.019 And to the wider community that we live in. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:28.879 That we have a broken and a decaying world. 00:09:29.779 --> 00:09:32.819 Most of the tragic events that happen in this world. 00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:34.860 Pass us by without much thought. 00:09:35.720 --> 00:09:38.759 The recent floods and fires in Australia. 00:09:39.419 --> 00:09:44.019 The unseen illness and disease that a billion children live with every day. 00:09:45.360 --> 00:09:47.399 But then something happens. 00:09:48.340 --> 00:09:50.439 Something a little bit closer to home. 00:09:51.279 --> 00:09:53.699 It stops us in our tracks. 00:09:53.700 --> 00:09:55.660 And it makes us think. 00:09:55.780 --> 00:09:57.740 We look away from the computer screen. 00:09:57.860 --> 00:09:59.020 We put down our pen. 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:00.940 We think. 00:10:03.740 --> 00:10:06.300 Paul knew what it was to live in a suffering world. 00:10:06.420 --> 00:10:07.740 We read that in verse 8. 00:10:07.840 --> 00:10:08.600 Have a look at it there. 00:10:08.720 --> 00:10:09.820 2 Corinthians 1. 00:10:09.820 --> 00:10:13.640 We do not want you to be uninformed. 00:10:13.640 --> 00:10:14.879 Brothers and sisters. 00:10:15.580 --> 00:10:19.080 About the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:22.060 We were under great pressure. 00:10:22.320 --> 00:10:24.620 Far beyond our ability to endure. 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:27.640 So that we despaired even of life. 00:10:29.040 --> 00:10:31.180 This particular kind of suffering. 00:10:31.660 --> 00:10:33.880 Was hostility and persecution. 00:10:34.140 --> 00:10:35.920 But it was suffering all the same. 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:38.000 It was so intense. 00:10:38.000 --> 00:10:38.599 It was so intense. 00:10:38.679 --> 00:10:39.120 He says. 00:10:39.240 --> 00:10:42.319 That it was beyond our ability to endure. 00:10:42.819 --> 00:10:46.159 In fact they thought that through these things they were going to die. 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:46.939 Verse 9. 00:10:48.819 --> 00:10:53.079 Indeed in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:57.059 Suffering can. 00:10:57.419 --> 00:11:00.500 And it will come in all kinds of different ways. 00:11:00.819 --> 00:11:02.299 It is inescapable. 00:11:02.299 --> 00:11:06.899 From the moment Adam and Eve pushed God from the center. 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:09.000 And made themselves God. 00:11:09.359 --> 00:11:11.579 The whole world broke. 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:15.379 Everything moved from order to chaos. 00:11:15.839 --> 00:11:19.019 It was like the cogs in the wheel began to jam. 00:11:19.339 --> 00:11:21.539 And everything became disjointed. 00:11:21.859 --> 00:11:22.899 And out of sync. 00:11:23.199 --> 00:11:25.199 And the world began to grind. 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:31.539 The world and its people have been feeling the effects ever since. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:35.459 Physically we suffer with disease and illness. 00:11:36.079 --> 00:11:38.019 Cancers and death. 00:11:39.159 --> 00:11:42.039 Cosmologically we suffer with climate change. 00:11:42.399 --> 00:11:44.259 And destructive weather patterns. 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:50.099 Socially we suffer with community and relational breakdown. 00:11:51.659 --> 00:11:54.419 These are experiences common to us all. 00:11:54.839 --> 00:11:56.299 And they are unavoidable. 00:11:57.199 --> 00:11:58.859 Whether you are a Christian. 00:11:59.339 --> 00:12:01.500 Or not yet a Christian. 00:12:02.299 --> 00:12:04.759 We all feel these effects. 00:12:05.079 --> 00:12:07.079 No one is immune to them. 00:12:08.699 --> 00:12:12.159 And living in this world with all its pain and its hurt. 00:12:12.819 --> 00:12:15.500 It's like we too in the words of Paul. 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:17.899 Feel the sentence of death. 00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:21.019 It's like death follows us round like a shadow. 00:12:22.339 --> 00:12:25.279 And when we go through our own personal suffering. 00:12:25.659 --> 00:12:27.819 Whatever shape it may take us. 00:12:27.820 --> 00:12:32.100 We too can even despair of life. 00:12:32.160 --> 00:12:37.940 We live with the reality of a broken and a disjointed world. 00:12:38.540 --> 00:12:40.400 Where life goes wrong. 00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:42.480 Bad things happen. 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.940 Tragic events strike. 00:12:45.760 --> 00:12:47.080 People get ill. 00:12:47.879 --> 00:12:49.200 Mountains shake. 00:12:50.420 --> 00:12:52.700 And planes crash. 00:12:52.700 --> 00:12:59.060 So the first thing that we need to take from this. 00:12:59.060 --> 00:13:01.700 Is that suffering is a reality. 00:13:02.980 --> 00:13:06.900 The second thing that I think we could take from this air tragedy. 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:10.379 Is that suffering is ordained. 00:13:10.379 --> 00:13:16.840 For many people Thursday's crash is a sign that God is either unloving. 00:13:17.519 --> 00:13:18.779 Or impotent. 00:13:18.919 --> 00:13:20.799 That means he's not powerful. 00:13:21.600 --> 00:13:22.919 Or he is both. 00:13:24.100 --> 00:13:28.460 People say if he was loving he would not have allowed these things to happen. 00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:34.299 What kind of loving God lets people suffer in a plane crash? 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:41.079 Others say if he was powerful he would have stopped this from happening. 00:13:41.979 --> 00:13:45.559 What kind of God is he that he can't even control the weather? 00:13:48.219 --> 00:13:49.740 They're normal responses. 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:51.679 And if we're honest we ask them too. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:57.719 But as we will see rather than a God who sits immune to what goes on. 00:13:58.000 --> 00:14:01.740 He controls everything that happens. 00:14:01.740 --> 00:14:07.100 So let me make it crystal clear what we are saying. 00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:14.580 God ordained the air crash on Thursday morning. 00:14:17.580 --> 00:14:18.860 Look at verse 5. 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:27.560 It says therefore just as the sufferings of Christ overflow into our lives. 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:28.919 We're going to come back to that verse. 00:14:29.019 --> 00:14:31.659 But I just want us to pick up on the sufferings of Christ. 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:34.100 It's talking about his death. 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:39.740 His death was not a tragic accident. 00:14:42.060 --> 00:14:45.240 Christ's death was ordained by God. 00:14:46.220 --> 00:14:48.740 Listen to what it says in Acts 4 verse 28. 00:14:49.560 --> 00:14:51.860 This is speaking about the suffering of Jesus. 00:14:51.860 --> 00:14:53.860 People were responsible. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:55.600 People were responsible. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.779 But this is what it says. 00:14:57.240 --> 00:15:05.860 They did what your power and will had decided before it should happen. 00:15:06.899 --> 00:15:09.240 This doesn't mean that God allowed it. 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:11.480 Or that God permitted it. 00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:16.120 But that God caused it to happen. 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:23.700 They did what your power and will had decided beforehand should happen. 00:15:24.120 --> 00:15:28.320 And I'm not saying these things to score deep theological points. 00:15:28.320 --> 00:15:38.379 I'm saying it because it awakens our conscience to a God who is all loving and a God who is all powerful. 00:15:38.379 --> 00:15:44.299 Because if God has ordained it, it means he's in control of it. 00:15:45.379 --> 00:15:50.299 The world and its people are not subjected to random chance. 00:15:50.779 --> 00:15:52.679 Life is not a lottery. 00:15:52.740 --> 00:15:58.740 Things only happen as God ordains it to happen. 00:15:58.740 --> 00:16:09.100 Keep your finger in 2 Corinthians and flick back to the reading in Job chapter 37. 00:16:12.519 --> 00:16:14.820 It's on page 537. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.720 Job was a man who suffered greatly. 00:16:27.720 --> 00:16:37.960 In chapter 1 of Job we read how natural disasters caused the death of his family. 00:16:39.700 --> 00:16:42.519 And he struggles and he contemplates. 00:16:44.279 --> 00:16:50.019 And a friend, not to be confused with the three friends that spoke ill advice, 00:16:51.019 --> 00:16:54.379 but a good one who came to him spoke these words. 00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:59.439 Job 37 verse 6. 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:06.839 God says to the snow, fall on the earth. 00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:13.460 God says to the rain shower, be a mighty downpour. 00:17:13.460 --> 00:17:14.539 God says to the rain shower, be a mighty downpour. 00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:19.819 So that all people he has made may know his works. 00:17:20.240 --> 00:17:24.299 He stops every man from his labour. 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:26.160 Verse 11. 00:17:27.380 --> 00:17:30.700 He loads the clouds with moisture. 00:17:33.100 --> 00:17:37.039 And we can take that that's the fog as well. 00:17:37.039 --> 00:17:41.659 He scatters his lightning through them. 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:47.079 At his direction they swirl around over the face of the whole earth 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:52.379 to do whatever he commands them. 00:17:57.000 --> 00:17:58.279 Verse 14. 00:17:58.279 --> 00:18:01.259 Listen to this. 00:18:01.259 --> 00:18:07.139 Stop and consider God's wonders. 00:18:13.139 --> 00:18:15.279 Job didn't understand it. 00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:18.079 And nor do we. 00:18:18.079 --> 00:18:22.699 But if God is in sovereign control, 00:18:23.099 --> 00:18:26.679 that means we have a God that we can trust. 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:31.839 What kind of God would he be if he watched helplessly 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:35.319 as weather patterns formed that he couldn't control? 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:40.960 He would be nothing more than a mad professor 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:44.700 who watches helplessly as his controlled experiment 00:18:44.700 --> 00:18:46.240 gets out of control. 00:18:48.380 --> 00:18:50.279 In the midst of tragedy, 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:53.019 there is this mystery 00:18:53.019 --> 00:18:56.600 as to why God ordained it. 00:18:57.920 --> 00:19:01.480 But there comes with it an invitation to trust 00:19:01.480 --> 00:19:04.000 and hold on to the God 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:08.140 who rules and controls our entire universe 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:10.259 and all its powers. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:16.180 Look at verse 9 back to 2 Corinthians chapter 1. 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:21.860 The middle of verse 9. 00:19:23.220 --> 00:19:25.220 But this happened. 00:19:27.079 --> 00:19:30.660 What happened to Paul was not a mistake. 00:19:31.039 --> 00:19:32.920 It was not a surprise. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:35.880 It was not out of God's hands. 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:37.019 It happened. 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.700 It was ordained. 00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:46.279 And it was the same on Thursday morning. 00:19:47.680 --> 00:19:49.640 The early morning fog. 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:52.259 The flight times. 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.259 The passengers. 00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:56.299 The survivors. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:20:00.419 The fact that Donal could not move seats 00:20:00.419 --> 00:20:02.700 to the front of the plane when he requested 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:05.419 and he had to sit at the back of the plane. 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:06.420 Everything that happened. 00:20:06.420 --> 00:20:08.620 Everything that happened. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:13.120 Was in the mysterious hands of God. 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:20.500 And let me say this with the greatest respect and humility. 00:20:21.639 --> 00:20:24.359 Let us banish every thought 00:20:24.359 --> 00:20:28.859 that God would be somehow less powerful, 00:20:30.239 --> 00:20:31.399 less loving, 00:20:32.399 --> 00:20:35.339 less worthy of our praise and worship 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:39.240 if our friend Donal had passed away. 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:44.579 I don't pretend that any of this is easy. 00:20:45.699 --> 00:20:49.000 Every thought raises a hundred questions. 00:20:49.000 --> 00:20:52.980 But I prefer a hundred questions 00:20:52.980 --> 00:20:54.920 and all our doubts 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:58.240 and a God who is in control 00:20:58.240 --> 00:21:00.339 than a God who is weak, 00:21:01.200 --> 00:21:01.819 impotent 00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:04.539 and fails to control the world 00:21:04.539 --> 00:21:06.000 that he has made. 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:14.019 So it reminds us that suffering is a reality. 00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:18.240 Suffering is ordained. 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:22.539 And the third thing that I think we should take from this tragedy 00:21:22.539 --> 00:21:25.920 is that suffering has purpose. 00:21:27.839 --> 00:21:30.160 One of the comments that people have made 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:32.420 and will make about Thursday's crash 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:34.779 is that it was all pointless. 00:21:34.779 --> 00:21:37.399 It was a waste of life. 00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:40.319 Amidst all the hurting and pain, 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:42.579 we can't make any sense of it. 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:47.819 We've been reading that Paul suffered 00:21:47.819 --> 00:21:49.160 to the point of death. 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:53.019 In fact, those who he was writing to were suffering. 00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:56.240 And while it doesn't ease the pain 00:21:56.240 --> 00:21:58.539 or soften the blow or end the hurt, 00:21:59.639 --> 00:22:04.440 there is a mysterious purpose in suffering. 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:11.180 First, I think suffering enables comfort to take place. 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.220 Look at verse 3. 00:22:14.639 --> 00:22:18.460 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:21.039 the Father of compassion, 00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.700 the God of all comfort, 00:22:24.379 --> 00:22:28.119 who comforts us in all our troubles. 00:22:28.119 --> 00:22:33.479 God is not distant, cold and immune to the hurt. 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:36.139 He is our Father. 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:41.639 He is intimately involved with us and with our world. 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:43.060 And as a Father, 00:22:43.060 --> 00:22:44.460 it tells us here, 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:49.160 He is the source of all compassion and all comfort. 00:22:49.800 --> 00:22:53.040 Compassion literally means to suffer with. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:58.460 And so He enters into our suffering to bring comfort. 00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:03.740 But notice how that suffering comes. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:05.200 Go back to verse 5. 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:11.980 For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, 00:23:12.220 --> 00:23:15.940 so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:21.460 The sufferings here of Christ refer to His death. 00:23:23.279 --> 00:23:27.400 And I think it's saying that when it talks about the suffering of Christ 00:23:27.400 --> 00:23:29.960 flowing over into our lives, 00:23:30.660 --> 00:23:33.700 it's saying that the benefits of the cross 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:37.180 overflow into our suffering lives. 00:23:37.580 --> 00:23:39.600 When we turn to Christ 00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:43.539 and receive the overflowing comfort of the cross, 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:45.779 not just our sins forgiven, 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:49.440 but His grace and His peace 00:23:49.440 --> 00:23:52.200 and His strength and His joy, 00:23:52.420 --> 00:23:56.200 all of these things flow from the suffering of Christ 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.960 to His people. 00:24:01.480 --> 00:24:04.819 And all of this has a purpose. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:07.039 Back to verse 4. 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:12.379 This God who comforts us in all our troubles, 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:17.740 so that we can comfort those in any trouble 00:24:17.740 --> 00:24:22.259 with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 00:24:24.839 --> 00:24:26.659 Let me read to you a quote 00:24:26.659 --> 00:24:29.240 from Stephen Saint. 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:33.119 Stephen Saint lost his own father. 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.420 His father was a pilot. 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:38.339 He lost his father when he was very young. 00:24:38.339 --> 00:24:41.419 In later years when Stephen married, 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:44.720 his daughter of age 18 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:47.639 was suddenly taken from them, 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.759 died without reason. 00:24:51.339 --> 00:24:53.759 And this is what he says about the reasons 00:24:53.759 --> 00:24:56.059 why suffering comes into our lives. 00:24:56.740 --> 00:24:57.759 Let me quote. 00:24:57.859 --> 00:25:00.740 If we are going to emulate our Saviour, 00:25:00.740 --> 00:25:04.420 if we have to identify with the people 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:06.539 to whom we take His good news, 00:25:07.220 --> 00:25:09.980 I don't advocate that we look for suffering. 00:25:10.920 --> 00:25:13.660 Life brings enough of it on its own. 00:25:14.559 --> 00:25:16.400 But what I do advocate 00:25:16.400 --> 00:25:20.380 is that suffering is an important prerequisite 00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:22.880 to ministering to hurting people. 00:25:24.000 --> 00:25:26.240 Christ took on our likeness 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.980 and subjected himself 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:30.539 to the suffering that plagues us. 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:34.240 I am convinced that we should not make heroic efforts 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:37.059 and expend vast resources 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:39.019 like the rest of society does 00:25:39.019 --> 00:25:40.680 to avoid suffering. 00:25:41.480 --> 00:25:44.740 Not only would a willingness to experience hurt 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:47.579 give us a credibility with suffering people, 00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:50.339 but it would also give God 00:25:50.339 --> 00:25:51.240 a special opportunity 00:25:51.240 --> 00:25:54.140 to prove His sufficiency 00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:56.920 to meet our needs. 00:25:59.599 --> 00:26:01.620 He comforts us 00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:03.400 in our suffering. 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:06.079 Suffering comes. 00:26:06.759 --> 00:26:08.039 It is not wasted 00:26:08.039 --> 00:26:09.579 because it enables us 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:11.359 to better comfort those 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:13.359 who also suffer. 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:19.079 The second purpose 00:26:19.079 --> 00:26:20.779 that I think suffering brings 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:24.119 is that it ensures hope. 00:26:26.220 --> 00:26:27.480 Look at verse 9. 00:26:29.599 --> 00:26:30.379 He says, 00:26:30.460 --> 00:26:32.259 Indeed, in our hearts 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.960 we felt the sentence of death. 00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:36.079 But this happened 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:38.079 that we might not rely on ourselves, 00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:40.519 but on God who raises the dead. 00:26:41.660 --> 00:26:43.420 He has delivered us 00:26:43.420 --> 00:26:45.579 from such deadly peril. 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:48.680 And He will deliver us. 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:51.680 On Him we have set our hope 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:53.980 that He will continue 00:26:53.980 --> 00:26:55.279 to deliver us. 00:26:57.779 --> 00:26:59.900 Suffering causes us to see 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:03.539 that we are not in control 00:27:03.539 --> 00:27:05.700 or able to determine 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.440 the pattern of our life. 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:09.920 In fact, it shows 00:27:09.920 --> 00:27:11.940 our complete frailty. 00:27:11.940 --> 00:27:15.740 However, in the midst 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.960 of our helplessness 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:17.900 and our weakness, 00:27:19.100 --> 00:27:20.600 it is in that very weakness 00:27:20.600 --> 00:27:22.100 that hope begins 00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:23.279 to shine through. 00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:26.000 For Paul, 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:28.299 God had delivered him. 00:27:29.120 --> 00:27:29.640 Literally, 00:27:29.840 --> 00:27:31.039 He had saved him 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.799 from death. 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:34.700 And he is confident 00:27:34.700 --> 00:27:36.180 that God will save him 00:27:36.180 --> 00:27:36.940 in the future. 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:39.680 But more than that, 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.640 look at verse 10. 00:27:41.840 --> 00:27:42.259 He says, 00:27:42.360 --> 00:27:43.580 He has delivered us 00:27:43.580 --> 00:27:45.580 from such deadly peril 00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:47.580 and He will deliver us. 00:27:48.640 --> 00:27:50.160 And on Him we have set 00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.700 our hope 00:27:50.700 --> 00:27:51.940 that He will continue 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:55.100 to deliver us. 00:27:56.480 --> 00:27:58.799 This hope that He is talking about 00:27:58.799 --> 00:28:00.539 was beyond the present. 00:28:01.700 --> 00:28:02.720 It was beyond 00:28:02.720 --> 00:28:04.299 His immediate future. 00:28:04.299 --> 00:28:06.759 And it was taking Him 00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:07.960 into eternity 00:28:07.960 --> 00:28:09.059 for Paul knew 00:28:09.059 --> 00:28:10.279 that he lived in a world 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:11.139 that was broken. 00:28:11.599 --> 00:28:12.579 There would be times 00:28:12.579 --> 00:28:13.720 God would deliver him 00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:15.440 but a time would come 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:18.399 when He would pass 00:28:18.399 --> 00:28:19.480 into eternity. 00:28:22.059 --> 00:28:24.139 His sufferings caused him 00:28:24.139 --> 00:28:25.799 to think upon the resurrection. 00:28:26.899 --> 00:28:28.759 That God has power 00:28:28.759 --> 00:28:30.940 and victory over the grave. 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:33.180 And He will bring Him 00:28:33.180 --> 00:28:35.360 safely to a world 00:28:35.360 --> 00:28:37.480 without suffering. 00:28:40.060 --> 00:28:41.900 Even if our life 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:43.240 and its will 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:45.460 and whatever form it takes 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.880 it ends in death, 00:28:47.600 --> 00:28:49.380 it is not the end 00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:51.299 but the beginning. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:55.140 The sure and the certain guarantee 00:28:55.140 --> 00:28:56.779 of a new creation, 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:59.500 of no more death 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:01.720 or mourning 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:03.920 or crying 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:05.839 or pain. 00:29:07.259 --> 00:29:08.799 No more earthquakes. 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:11.240 No more famine. 00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:13.839 Diseases 00:29:13.839 --> 00:29:16.099 or cancer. 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:19.839 And no more plane crashes. 00:29:22.440 --> 00:29:23.200 Suffering 00:29:23.200 --> 00:29:24.940 is not wasted 00:29:24.940 --> 00:29:27.779 because it points forward 00:29:27.779 --> 00:29:29.980 to the resurrection, 00:29:30.480 --> 00:29:31.100 the hope 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:32.580 of an eternity 00:29:32.580 --> 00:29:33.940 with Him. 00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:41.160 The third thing 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.740 that I think 00:29:41.740 --> 00:29:42.400 that suffering, 00:29:42.600 --> 00:29:43.759 the purpose in suffering 00:29:43.759 --> 00:29:44.240 is this, 00:29:44.319 --> 00:29:45.140 that it brings 00:29:45.140 --> 00:29:46.340 salvation. 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:48.619 verse 6. 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.319 He says, 00:29:51.399 --> 00:29:52.720 if we are distressed 00:29:52.720 --> 00:29:53.959 and that distress 00:29:53.959 --> 00:29:55.099 is one of suffering, 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:58.500 it is for your comfort 00:29:58.500 --> 00:30:00.720 and salvation. 00:30:03.019 --> 00:30:04.079 Paul knew 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:05.159 that as he suffered 00:30:05.159 --> 00:30:06.419 in his distress, 00:30:07.419 --> 00:30:08.639 God was working 00:30:08.639 --> 00:30:09.879 out his salvation 00:30:09.879 --> 00:30:11.220 in the lives 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.819 of others. 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:14.000 I can't explain it. 00:30:14.000 --> 00:30:15.940 I certainly 00:30:15.940 --> 00:30:17.339 don't understand it. 00:30:18.299 --> 00:30:19.480 But God's Word 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:20.440 tells us 00:30:20.440 --> 00:30:22.400 that through suffering, 00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:24.059 God brings 00:30:24.059 --> 00:30:25.059 His salvation. 00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.480 On Wednesday, 00:30:27.619 --> 00:30:28.940 we looked very briefly 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:30.200 at the life of Joseph. 00:30:30.980 --> 00:30:32.279 Sold into slavery 00:30:32.279 --> 00:30:33.220 with his brothers. 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:35.220 He suffered terribly. 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.039 Many years later, 00:30:37.119 --> 00:30:37.700 he was able 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.799 to help his brothers 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.660 who had sold him 00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.319 into slavery 00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:41.440 and this is what 00:30:41.440 --> 00:30:42.180 he could say. 00:30:42.180 --> 00:30:46.420 You didn't send me here, 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:49.460 but God did. 00:30:50.660 --> 00:30:51.299 Ordained, 00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.539 planned and purposed. 00:30:52.880 --> 00:30:54.240 You didn't send me here, 00:30:54.680 --> 00:30:55.500 but God. 00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:58.640 It was to save lives 00:30:58.640 --> 00:30:59.860 that God sent me 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.500 ahead of you. 00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:04.620 God brings salvation 00:31:04.620 --> 00:31:05.560 through suffering. 00:31:07.500 --> 00:31:09.000 But perhaps we see 00:31:09.000 --> 00:31:09.940 this most of all 00:31:09.940 --> 00:31:10.480 in Jesus. 00:31:10.480 --> 00:31:13.299 He was innocent. 00:31:14.599 --> 00:31:15.799 He only did 00:31:15.799 --> 00:31:16.660 what was right 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.700 and good. 00:31:18.180 --> 00:31:19.259 He fed the poor. 00:31:19.539 --> 00:31:20.599 He healed the sick. 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:21.940 He comforted the broken. 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:23.640 He raised the dead. 00:31:25.740 --> 00:31:26.220 But yet, 00:31:26.259 --> 00:31:27.680 He died a cruel 00:31:27.680 --> 00:31:29.299 and horrible death. 00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.200 Why? 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.440 Well, 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.500 as we look to Christ 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.500 and see all that 00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.720 He suffered for us, 00:31:37.559 --> 00:31:39.120 not just the violent 00:31:39.119 --> 00:31:40.039 execution, 00:31:41.000 --> 00:31:43.079 but suffering 00:31:43.079 --> 00:31:45.279 hell for us. 00:31:46.179 --> 00:31:47.059 Suffering, 00:31:47.179 --> 00:31:48.519 the ultimate suffering 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:50.599 to bring us 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:51.719 salvation. 00:31:53.279 --> 00:31:54.899 He suffered for us 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:56.399 so that we might 00:31:56.399 --> 00:31:57.479 experience 00:31:57.479 --> 00:31:58.299 and know 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.299 His grace 00:31:59.299 --> 00:32:00.719 in our lives. 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:09.420 God will take 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:11.180 and use our suffering, 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.579 shaping it 00:32:13.579 --> 00:32:14.980 and conforming it 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:16.920 to do His work 00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:18.759 in the lives 00:32:18.759 --> 00:32:19.400 of others. 00:32:19.400 --> 00:32:23.920 and I am convinced 00:32:23.920 --> 00:32:26.060 without any doubts 00:32:26.060 --> 00:32:26.600 at all 00:32:26.600 --> 00:32:29.840 that Thursday's tragedy 00:32:29.840 --> 00:32:32.300 that God 00:32:32.300 --> 00:32:32.960 will work 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:34.460 His salvation 00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:36.420 in the lives 00:32:36.420 --> 00:32:36.960 of people. 00:32:39.340 --> 00:32:40.100 Suffering 00:32:40.100 --> 00:32:41.480 is not wasted 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:43.819 because God 00:32:43.819 --> 00:32:44.740 worked through it 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:46.180 to bring about 00:32:46.180 --> 00:32:47.559 His salvation's plan. 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:53.000 On Thursday morning, 00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:56.160 there was a terrible fog 00:32:56.160 --> 00:32:57.740 that reduced visibility. 00:32:59.360 --> 00:33:00.819 A heavy cloud 00:33:00.819 --> 00:33:01.700 that the pilot 00:33:01.700 --> 00:33:02.579 couldn't see 00:33:02.579 --> 00:33:03.140 the runway. 00:33:04.140 --> 00:33:05.019 His vision 00:33:05.019 --> 00:33:06.059 was compromised. 00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:07.700 He was flying 00:33:07.700 --> 00:33:08.620 blind. 00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:11.739 Suffering 00:33:11.739 --> 00:33:12.399 can seem 00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:13.259 like a fog 00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:14.119 to us. 00:33:15.079 --> 00:33:16.279 We can't see 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.479 what it is all about. 00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.559 From our 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.859 earthly perspective, 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.419 our vision 00:33:22.419 --> 00:33:23.019 is blurred. 00:33:24.719 --> 00:33:25.859 We admit 00:33:25.859 --> 00:33:27.219 we don't understand 00:33:27.219 --> 00:33:28.500 the mind of God 00:33:28.500 --> 00:33:29.319 and His ways. 00:33:30.399 --> 00:33:31.699 We struggle 00:33:31.699 --> 00:33:32.579 to comprehend. 00:33:33.179 --> 00:33:34.339 We can't see 00:33:34.339 --> 00:33:35.439 how He is working 00:33:35.439 --> 00:33:36.219 in this world. 00:33:36.879 --> 00:33:37.919 We're blinded. 00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:41.619 but we trust 00:33:41.619 --> 00:33:42.000 Him. 00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:44.399 Look at verse 9. 00:33:46.979 --> 00:33:47.839 The middle 00:33:47.839 --> 00:33:48.639 of verse 9. 00:33:49.599 --> 00:33:50.199 But this 00:33:50.199 --> 00:33:50.799 happened 00:33:50.799 --> 00:33:52.859 that we might 00:33:52.859 --> 00:33:53.479 not rely 00:33:53.479 --> 00:33:54.379 on ourselves 00:33:54.379 --> 00:33:57.419 but on God. 00:33:59.419 --> 00:34:00.819 As we walk 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.599 by faith 00:34:01.599 --> 00:34:02.279 through this 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:02.739 world 00:34:02.739 --> 00:34:03.619 of suffering, 00:34:05.000 --> 00:34:06.079 may God 00:34:06.079 --> 00:34:06.859 enable us 00:34:06.859 --> 00:34:07.719 to rely 00:34:07.719 --> 00:34:08.639 on Him 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.819 all the more. 00:34:11.079 --> 00:34:11.980 One day 00:34:11.980 --> 00:34:12.799 the fog 00:34:12.799 --> 00:34:14.500 will lift. 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.440 One day 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.299 the clouds 00:34:17.299 --> 00:34:18.059 that blur 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:18.900 our vision 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.759 will be 00:34:19.759 --> 00:34:20.779 rolled back. 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:23.099 And Christ 00:34:23.099 --> 00:34:23.940 will come 00:34:23.940 --> 00:34:26.159 and bring us 00:34:26.159 --> 00:34:26.739 to His 00:34:26.739 --> 00:34:27.900 eternal home 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:30.099 where we will 00:34:30.099 --> 00:34:30.859 be comforted 00:34:31.859 --> 00:34:32.659 forever. 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:35.899 may God 00:34:35.899 --> 00:34:36.379 give us 00:34:36.379 --> 00:34:37.019 faith 00:34:37.019 --> 00:34:37.779 to see 00:34:37.779 --> 00:34:39.699 the purposes 00:34:39.699 --> 00:34:40.579 of His 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:42.399 workings 00:34:42.399 --> 00:34:44.379 through a 00:34:44.379 --> 00:34:44.779 suffering 00:34:44.779 --> 00:34:45.759 and broken 00:34:45.759 --> 00:34:46.279 world. 00:34:47.480 --> 00:34:48.379 Let's pray. 00:34:48.379 --> 00:34:48.420 Let's pray. 00:34:48.420 --> 00:35:02.260 Let's just 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:02.960 take time 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:04.500 to reflect 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.380 ... 00:35:05.380 --> 00:35:07.539 ... 00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.700 ... 00:35:09.700 --> 00:35:10.200 ... 00:35:10.200 --> 00:35:11.760 ... 00:35:11.760 --> 00:35:11.840 ... 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.220 ... 00:35:12.220 --> 00:35:12.800 ... 00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:13.599 ... 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:14.079 ... 00:35:14.079 --> 00:35:15.260 ... 00:35:15.260 --> 00:35:16.260 Amen. 00:35:34.080 --> 00:35:42.300 Our Father God, we confess that you are God and we are not. 00:35:42.300 --> 00:35:50.700 You are creator and we are your creation. 00:35:53.080 --> 00:35:59.700 And while we cannot understand or fathom your ways and your workings, 00:36:00.620 --> 00:36:08.640 while we have questions and doubts, joy and anger, 00:36:08.639 --> 00:36:14.319 Father, help us to submit to your ways. 00:36:17.219 --> 00:36:22.460 Help us to rely and to trust in you, 00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:28.519 that you are working out your purposes in ways that we do not always see. 00:36:28.519 --> 00:36:34.320 And we pray, Father God, that through these events of Thursday, 00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:39.739 that you will pour out your comfort into the lives of those who are grieving, 00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:44.519 that you will bring those who have experienced suffering 00:36:45.159 --> 00:36:49.320 so that they can comfort in a way that no one else can do so. 00:36:49.320 --> 00:36:59.720 We pray that they will find hope and assurance and life in Christ. 00:36:59.719 --> 00:37:04.299 We pray that you will work your salvation. 00:37:06.519 --> 00:37:14.179 And we pray that we as people will love you and worship you and honour you, 00:37:14.819 --> 00:37:18.539 whether it is a bright, sunny and cloudless day, 00:37:19.379 --> 00:37:24.719 or whether the fog is heavy and things happen. 00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:33.859 We ask for your help and humbly pray that you will teach us. 00:37:34.579 --> 00:37:37.119 In Jesus' name, Amen.