Tragedy In The Lives of God's People Romans 8:17-18 I. Introduction. A. All lives are touched by tragedy. 1. Some experience more than others. 2. Comes in many different forms: physical, emotional, and--spiritual. 3. Tragedy: A very sad event; a disaster. a. From Greek word: goatish(explain). b. Synonyms: calamity, affliction, adversity, etc. B. Even for the Christian--it will happen: I Peter 4:16. 1. How one deals with such determines one's strength in the Lord: II Timothy 2:11-12a. 2. Note: I Peter 3:17. C. The history of God's people reveals how others have faced--and overcome or succumbed to tragic events in their lives. II. Body. A. The earth was "young" when the first humans learned the meaning of tragedy. 1. Of course, it was tragic they had been cast out of the garden. 2. Two sons were born. a. One did what God said--the other did not please Jehovah. b. The tragedy: Genesis 4:8.(Took what man could not replace). c. Extreme anger provoked the elder to slay the younger: Genesis 4:5. 3. Uncontrolled anger has caused multiple sorrows in many lives. 4. "I was mad" is no excuse to sin. B. Consider righteous Lot: II Peter 2:7-8. 1. Dwelt among unrighteous people. 2. In the destruction, Lot and his family would be spared, 3. But--his wife disobeyed God--and: Genesis 19:26. 4. Another tragic event: Genesis 19:36. a. Even righteous men sometimes place themselves in danger. b. Lot was not sober! c. Alcohol has caused millions of tragedies since then. C. Jacob had his son sold into slavery by his own brothers: Genesis 37:28. D. Samson experienced the tragic consequences of evil association: Judges 16:4. 1.Enticed by an evil woman, Samson was betrayed, blinded, bound and imprisoned. 2. Final justice on others cost this man his life: Judges 16:28-30. E. As did the first pair, Eli experienced adversity within his family. 1. He had base sons: I Samuel 2:12, 17. a. Defined: Reckless, worthless, wicked. b. Sons of Belial: Extreme depravity. 2. Eli taught, but they ignored: I Samuel 2:22-25. 3. Death of sons: I Samuel 4:11. 4. And...Eli: I Samuel 4:16-18. F. David, the man after God's own heart, had troubles and tragedies galore. 1. Pursued by Saul. 2. Caused a life to be taken to claim a wife(lost a child): from unbridled lust. 3. Among his children: a. One son forced a daughter: II Samuel 13:14.(Note: v. 15) Then: son slain by his brother Absalom. b. Son rebels against him(Absalom). (1 Slain: II Samuel 18:15. (2 David's grief: II Samuel 18:33.(Think of the sorrows you can cause your loved ones.) 4. David said, "Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me"(Psalm 138:7). G. And, of course, Job. 1. Lost all that he had--except his life, his wife and his God. 2. Falsely accused by friends while grieving in horrible physical condition. 3. Yet: James 5:11. H. Shall we neglect to mention Paul, the great apostle. 1. His own description: II Corinthians 11:23-29. 2. The right attitude: II Corinthians 12:9-10. I. Into each life, tragedies will invade.(Romans 8:17-18) 1. How one deals with such determines faithfulness. 2. Let us have the strength to endure, the courage to continue, and faith to remain on the side of the Lord.(He will never let us down: Psalm 118:5- 6). 3. When all else seems hopeless, do as these great men of God did--continue faithful, even if it costs you your health, your family, and your friends--let it not cost you your soul. III. Conclusion. A. Peter declared: I Peter 2:20. B. Hear the apostle again: I Peter 3:14.-James L. Yopp