The Cross and the Chaos (Ebenezer) Part 1 (Phrases/Prompts)

Introduction:

Attention Illustration: Pre-Calculus

Body:

The Problem of Evil (POE): “If God exists and He is good, why is there so much bad stuff in the world?”

Ask: What sorts of “bad stuff” is there in the world?

Moral evils vs. natural evils

Reconciling God’s goodness with the bad

Barna’s study from 2018: POE is biggest barrier to Christianity

The other responses:

I had a bad experience at church/with a Christian

I used to go to church, but its just not important to me anymore.

There are too many injustices in the history of Christianity.

I don’t believe in fairy tales.

I believe science refutes too much of the Bible

Christians are Hypocrites

“It appears that today’s youth, like so many throughout history, struggle to find a compelling argument for the existence of both evil and a good and loving God.” -Barna

Easter

Other Biblical examples = foundation

Examples from the Bible

Example #1: Joseph

Somebody give me a brief recap of the suffering that Joseph had to deal with.

1. Sold into slavery by brothers

2. Wrongly accused by Potipher’s wife and imprisoned

Joseph and brothers reunite

Joseph’s response = major theme throughout Scripture

Genesis 50:20 (ESV)

20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Principle: God takes what is evil and uses it for good.

Example #2: Job

Ask: What evil/suffering did Job have to deal with?

Job 3:20–22 (ESV)

20 “Why is light given to him who is in misery,

and life to the bitter in soul,

21 who long for death, but it comes not,

and dig for it more than for hidden treasures,

22 who rejoice exceedingly

and are glad when they find the grave?

Ask: What is Job essentially saying here?

“Why does God allow people to be born at all if they are going to have to go through so many hard things?”

God never reveals the reason

Job 38:1–7 (ESV)

1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

3 Dress for action like a man;

I will question you, and you make it known to me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?

Tell me, if you have understanding.

5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!

Or who stretched the line upon it?

6 On what were its bases sunk,

or who laid its cornerstone,

7 when the morning stars sang together

and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

God answering questions with questions (84 of them)

Job’s response

Principle: We will never have all of the answers on this side of Heaven.

The book’s ending

Principle: God is in control.

Example #3: Paul

2 Corinthians 12:7–10 (ESV)

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Ask: What suffering is Paul dealing with right here?

Trick question

A “messenger of Satan!”

Paul’s request, God’s denial

Paul’s boasting

Principle: We can be content in the midst of evil and suffering.

Jesus = Ultimate example

Two main answers from Christians

Christian Answers to the Problem of Evil

Freewill

Ask: What is freewill?

Dictionary.com: “Made or done freely or of one's own accord; voluntary.”

Ask: Why do we think that free will is a good thing?

Love & freewill

Illus. Boyfriend/girlfriend

Problem: “If free will of this sort is so valuable then why doesn’t God have it, and why won’t we have it in heaven?” -The Gospel Coalition

Christian Answers to the Problem of Evil:

Free will

Greater goods

“A “greater good theodicy” (GGT) argues that the pain and suffering in God’s world play a necessary role in bringing about greater goods that could not be brought about otherwise.” -The Gospel Coalition

Ask: What is the greater good in Job?

God’s vindication

Ask: What’s the greater good For Joseph?

Saving the world from a famine

Ask: What’s the greater good for Paul?

Finding his strength in Christ

And next week, we will see that the ULTIMATE greater good is found through the suffering of Christ.

Throughout the rest of the series, this is the form of the argument that we will be using to talk about the Easter narrative.

With that in mind, before we go to small groups, I would like to briefly outline what the rest of this series is going to look like.

The Problem of Evil and Easter: A Brief Outline of the Next Two Lessons

The answer under our noses

Week #2: With the crucifixion of Jesus, God took the worst thing that ever happened and turned it into the best thing that ever happened.

Mark 15:33-39.

Week #3: Because of the resurrection of Jesus, the subject of our question has already been defeated.

With His resurrection, Jesus defeated sin, death, and evil.

Still present, but lost its power + going away soon

Romans 6:8-10

Conclusion:

What does the problem of evil look like for you?

What things have you experienced in your life that have made you question the goodness of God?

How is the problem of evil real in your own life?

Wrestle

Foundation of Faith

PRAY

Small Group Questions:

What is an example of an evil in the world that has caused you to question God’s goodness in the past?

What has helped you keep your faith in God in the midst of these questions?

What can we learn from the examples of Joseph, Job, and Paul regarding the nature of evil and suffering in the world?

What are your thoughts on the free will argument as an answer to the Problem of Evil? What about the greater goods argument?

What aspects about Christ’s death and resurrection are you excited about diving into throughout the rest of the series?