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  SINKING SHIP - DOES JESUS CARE?
  by Alan Redpath
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Summary: God cares about us and allows suffering to refine us and bring
us closer to Him.

Topics: "Eternal Life", "Heavenly Home"

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DESCRIPTION
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The preacher delves into the Greek word 'analuo,' which means to depart
or return, often used as a euphemism for 'to die' in Philippians 1:23.
In secular Greek, 'analuo' was used to describe the loosing of a ship's
anchor or striking one's tent when breaking camp, symbolizing the
departure from this earthly life. Paul, a tent maker by trade, compared
the human body to a tent in 2 Corinthians, emphasizing the transition
from this temporary dwelling to an eternal home with God. Various
biblical and secular references highlight 'analuo' as a departure to a
better world, a setting sail to a more blessed existence, and a solving
of life's questions upon death.

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CONTENT
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That is the question we asked, no doubt, in s spirit of complaint. "If
you loved us, Lord, then rescue us." How soon they began to doubt Him!
How soon they were ready to rebel, even though they called Him Master! .
. . "Does God care? If He does, why doesn't He rescue me? The waves are
beating upon the ship of my life and it is full, and He knows I cannot
take much more of this. Master, carest Thou not that we are perishing?"

. . . There is no such thing as a law of nature that operates on its
own. Behind every law that operates is the power of God, and when we
speak about the law of nature we are describing the way in which God
works. . . . God is permitting to continue to operate within the sphere
of the human body the ordinary laws of destruction. . . He is behind
every law that He ever made. That is why you will find that many a
Christian who has gone through times of untold suffering and trouble has
suddenly changed this question, "Master, carest Thou not that I perish?"
and has been enabled to say, "This is the Lord's doing; let Him do that
which is good in His sight." For he has come to see that God does not
permit the overwhelming of the storm to touch one of His children except
He has a purpose in it.

. . . . Gold is poured into the furnace because it is gold and has to be
refined; you do not put rubbish into that kind of furnace. Corn is
threshed because it is corn, but you do not bother to do that with
weeds. A diamond of exceptional beauty and quality is gong to undergo
far more cutting than any other stone because the owner desires more of
its beauty (Learning to Live, p. 50-52).

Most gladly therefore I will rather glory in my infirmities, that the
power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Corinthians 12:9).

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/alan-redpath/sinking-ship-does-jesus-care/
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