Let's open our Bibles to Romans 8:17.

The Problem of Suffering
Q: Why does Paul drag the subject of suffering in here?
A: He knew that the people he was writing to were suffering
John 13:33 In this world you will have trouble
He was aware of many non-Christian approaches to suffering
Anger - they blame or even curse God for their misfortunes
Avoidance - they try to find something easier or more rewarding
Apathy - they adopt the attitude, "It just doesn't matter"
Suffering as proof of our relationship to God
Persecution
Matt 5:11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.
John 15:20 If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also
Jesus suffered - suffering proves that we are on the side of Jesus
Purification
Heb 2:10 it was fitting that God... should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering
God purifies us as a refiner purifies the metal
God disciplines us as an earthly father disciplines his children
Training
2 Tim 2:3 Endure hardness with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus
1 Cor. 9:27 I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize
The Power of the Christian's Witness
The witness of Christians carries particular weight when it is given under duress
Physical suffering gives particular clout to the witness of Christians
When Christians bear witness to Jesus when they might suffer the loss of all things for it, it's even more convincing
Suffering is the ordained path to glory
Suffering is necessary - Luke 24:26 Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?
Suffering is not the end - 2 Tim 4:8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness