Calvary

Transcripts for Dr. Wiersbe's sermons are forthcoming. Below is an outline of his message.

God showed how much He cares about human suffering in the sacrifice of His Son.

At Calvary, God took all of the other answers to suffering and made them possible.

So far in this series:

-       Creation shows that bondage to sin causes human suffering.

• Jesus took the curse of creation on Himself.
• The Creator delivered His creation.

-       Conflict shows that we are part of a spiritual battle.

• On the cross Jesus brought a resolution to this conflict.
• Jesus defeated Satan and won the battle.

-       Character can be produced as a result of suffering.

• The biggest problem with character is sin, but on the cross Jesus bought forgiveness for sin.
• The power of the cross can build character because the power of sin was broken.
• Jesus was made perfect through suffering.

-       Companionship can be discovered in a narrow valley.

• We draw closer to God and each other in the midst of suffering.
• Suffering is an investment, not a waste.
• Companionship is God with us. 
• Jesus took our nature and sins upon Himself, and He can therefore understand and comfort us in our suffering.
• Jesus lost companionship with God in order to restore our companionship with God.

-       Chastening is a father building up a child.

• God chastens us out of love.

-       Crowns is the result of Christian suffering.

• Suffering can make us better or bitter.
• Suffering leads to glory in the will of God.
• Calvary shows that the only way to a crown is the cross.

The important thing about life is not enduring suffering; the important thing is investing suffering so God can accomplish what He wants to accomplish in our lives.

We will suffer because we are human beings, we are Christians, and we are growing.

As Christians we suffer for someone, but unbelievers are suffering for nothing and for eternity.