The purpose of suffering

1 Corinthians 16

1. Benevolent offering for believers in Jerusalem (1-4)

2. Logistics (5-12)

    Do we recognize the open doors of God when they come our way (9)? When we do see them are we willing to boldly walk through them or do the adversaries scare us off?

3. Closing instructions and greetings (13-23)

2 Corinthians 1

1. Opening greetings (1-3)

2. The reality and purpose of suffering and tribulation (4-11)

    To answer the question, "why is there suffering", can be as simple as saying because of sin. If sin had not entered into the world then neither would have suffering. Yet now suffering is here and these verse reveal that God has purpose.
    1. By going through suffering and experiencing God's comfort, we are then able to comfort others.
    2. We are to view the way we go through suffering as a opportunity to be an example to others.
    3. It gives us a chance to see how much we really rely on God.
    4. It gives us a chance to pray for one another.
    Of course we would all choose just to skip suffering, but obviously these are the times that we learn the most and are given the opportunity to grow.

3.Strained relationship, Paul working for their joy not to have dominion (12-24)

    When it is all said and done if we have dominion over someone's faith we have not made a disciples. A disciple stands in their own faith, we are simply working for their joy.