The Problem of Pain

Sermon OverviewScripture Passage: Romans 8:18-39There is truly little more discouraging than pain. Whether it be physical or emotional, the problem of pain is very real.Amid the darkest nights of our souls, we often ask ourselves: Where is God in all of this? Why does He let this happen?But God did not create this world to be this way; when He created it, He called the world good. The birth of suffering is on Man; it’s on all of us.Romans 8 shares three propositions to make sense out of suffering.First, yesterday’s curse brings bondage.Romans 8:20 says, “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it in hope…”In the Garden of Eden, Adam was created perfect; he was perfectly free to make his own choice—even the wrong one. His sin brought all of creation down with him. Every living thing that roams the Earth was gripped by the curse of sin.We were taken from unity with the Creator and robbed of His perfect design for us. As a result, Man is emotionally depraved, mentally disturbed, and spiritually diseased. But as we groan in pain, the Creator groans, too.The good news is that tomorrow’s conquest brings liberty.“...because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Romans 8:21).There came a second Adam: Jesus came to this Earth to undo what the first Adam did. With his great sacrificial love and obedience to the Father, Jesus defeated evil on the cross. And when we follow Him, we will never be separated from Him again.Adrian Rogers said, “He’s going to turn every tear to a pearl, every hurt to a hallelujah, every defeat into a victory, and every Calvary into an Easter.”Finally, today’s comfort brings hope; the suffering that we know is temporary. All the suffering we will ever know is on this side of the grave. We are prepared, predestined, and preserved for glory. What waits beyond is far greater than anything that lies behind.Apply it to your lifeIf you are hurting, there is a Physician, and His name is Jesus. He made a way to bring you home to Him. He defeated the curse that entangled you and He can heal the pain that overwhelms you.