God's Sovereignty and Suffering, Part 2 (Suffering 03)

The sovereignty of God is the one impregnable rock to which the suffering human heart must cling. The circumstances surrounding our lives are no accident; they may be the work of evil, but that evil is held firmly within the mighty hand of our sovereign God… All evil is subject to Him, and evil cannot touch His children unless He permits it. God is the Lord of human history and of the personal history of every member of His redeemed family. Grace Grows Best in Winter, Eerdmans, 1984, p. 40, 41. Margaret Clarkson

Satan is powerful, in relation to us.

But God is sovereign.

Satan is tool in the hands of an uncontested God.

Sermon Body

Review: There is a great deal of suffering in the world because of sin. So far we have examined 6 areas in which suffering comes to us and yet God is sovereign over it all.

Satan is the ruler of the world.

There is demon activity in the world.

Satan has his hand in persecution.

Satan has power to take lives.

Satan has power over natural disasters.

Satan has power over physical health.

Each one of these is causing some form of suffering in this world. In some of these we are experiencing or have experienced the effect of suffering. Let us now look at four more areas where there is suffering involved.

God is Sovereign over Satan’s Use of Animals/Plants

A. From the beginning Satan has used animals/plants for his devious work (Gen. 3:1).

Genesis 3:1 ESV

Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?”

How is Satan using plants/animals here?

They are the source of temptation. Satan is using the apple or produce (and the knowledge that comes with it) to entice Eve to sin.

He is doing so…IN THE FORM OF A SERPENT.

Satan has no problem using God’s creation against him.

In fact, this his speciality; taking that which is good, which was created for good, and distorting it and using it for evil.

Knowledge of good and evil was a good thing (God possessed it) but the manner in which we took of it, was sinful.

In addition to USING creation, plants/animals....he is referred to in animalistic ways.

What are some animalistic ways is Satan referred to as?

B. Satan’s image has been compared to animals; lion, serpent, and great dragon (1 Pt. 5:8; Rev. 12:9).

1 Peter 5:8 ESV

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Revelation 12:9 ESV

And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

What is significant about a lion? What does the imagery reveal about Satan’s nature?

A predator that stalks, hunts, and seeks food to devour.

Power, sneaky, confident.

Only intent…to eat, to kill, to destroy. A predator.

A serpent?

Slimy, creepy, underhanded.

A great dragon?

Mighty, powerful, and a very serious threat.

C. Animals have been used to bring great suffering.

How have animals been used to bring about great suffering?

1. Rats/mice: bubonic plague

2. Mosquitoes: malaria, West Nile virus

3. Ticks: Lyme disease

4. Black flies of Africa: River blindness

5. Snake bites

6. Spider bites

7. Scorpions

8. Rabies; just to name a few

D. Plants can bring suffering.

How do plants bring about suffering?

1. Poison ivy, oak, sumac

2. Marijuana, loco weed, poppy, etc.

3. Molds, mushrooms

4. Allergies

E. Micro-animals

1. Bacteria’s

2. Viruses

3. These are mutating all the time.

How do these bring about suffering?

In a word…Covid.

DESPITE Satan’s control over these things…God more so.

F. God’s control is clearly seen in Jonah’s life.

How would God’s control be displayed in the life of Jonah?

1. God used a great fish to swallow Jonah and then vomit him on the right shore

2. A plant grew to provide shade and then a worm killed it (Jon. 1:17; 2:10; 4:6-7).

Practical Application: What God created to be good Satan was permitted to use as a means of suffering. Some of this suffering will come not a result of our personal sin, but because it is from a sin cursed world. In this case, it is for the purpose of shaping us more into the image of God.

God is Sovereign over Satan’s Temptation of Sin

A. Satan is clearly the tempter (Mt. 4:3; 1 Thess. 3:5).

Matthew 4:3 ESV

3 And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

1 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV

5 For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

He is not THE ONLY source but he IS a source.

He started with Adam and Eve (Gen. 3:14-19; Rom. 8:21-23)

It did not take him long into the creation of God’s world for him to begin to work to destroy it.

And he has been at it ever since.

The thing we have to remember is that....

B. Satan is not omnipresent, but he has designed the world to be saturated with temptations for every sin imaginable (Gen. 6:5; Rom. 1:21).

Despite not being omnipresent, he has enough legions of fallen angels at his beck and call to wreak some real damage.

He utilizes the sinful world, the fallen flesh, and the influences of this world to his advantage as well.

Genesis 6:5 ESV

5 The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Romans 1:21 ESV

21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

He may well not be omnipresent but he is able, well enough, to utilize the influences of the world and his minions to be a VERY REAL AND TANGIBLE threat.

C. Satan has devised a plan to tempt believers. (Lk. 22:31-32)

Luke 22:31–32 ESV

31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

What truths do we learn from this verse?

Satan attacks believers.

God grants permission for him to do so (which means he has good reason since God cannot do evil)

God strengthens us and prays for us WHEN WE FACE THAT TEMPTATION that we may stand fast

God intends temptation to be a test of our faith, love, and devotion. He intends it for our spiritual growth.

Again, this verse reminds us that Satan has to have permission for EVERYTHING he does.

However, he does have a plan. He IS ACTIVE.

In Peter’s case here, Satan sought permission, was granted it, and Jesus prayed for his protection (From that which he granted permission for).

Other examples....

1. Job, Peter, and all believers

2. Some in a very direct way (Lk. 22:3-4).

Luke 22:3–4 ESV

3 Then Satan entered into Judas called Iscariot, who was of the number of the twelve. 4 He went away and conferred with the chief priests and officers how he might betray him to them.

You and I may not be important enough to get Satan’s direct one on one attention, but make no mistake, there are time that Satan does give such attention.

Satan is able to entice us with temptations to sin and has power and authority to test us.

However, we have hope when we face temptation.

D. Temptations (1 Cor. 10:13)

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

13 No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

What are the sources of temptation we face?

Flesh (James 1:14).

James 1:14 ESV

14 But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.

Adversary (1 Thessalonians 3:5 - Which we saw above)

World (1 Peter 4:3-5; Romans 1:28-32.)

1 Peter 4:3–5 ESV

3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead.

Romans 1:28–32 ESV

28 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. 29 They were filled with all manner of unrighteousness, evil, covetousness, malice. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. They are gossips, 30 slanderers, haters of God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, 31 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless. 32 Though they know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them.

While we CAN attribute temptations to Satan…NOT ALL are. Perhaps not even predominantly because our corrupt flesh is perfectly suited and desirable of sin without his influence.

The world can certainly influence, tempt, and entice.

HOWEVER, whenever we sin, we DO SO BY CHOICE.

No one, not even Satan can MAKE us. They can tempt, entice. WHEN WE GIVE IN TO SIN, it is our choice.

Coming back then to 1 Cor 10:13 (An arsenal verse)

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV

What hope do we have?

1. No new ones; so no surprises

2. God will not allow us to be tempted beyond our ability to resist. (This means there is no temptation so great in the world that through the blood of Christ we cannot resist it: NEVER!)

So while Satan has power and influence here, perhaps even authority, he is not sovereign. We have an escape, an ally, a refuge and fortress.

E. When we fall to temptation, it is our choice. There is ALWAYS an escape. Ultimately that escape is through Christ’s blood. We resist temptation in order to prove our love for God.

Practical Application: God allows Satan to tempt us. When we choose not to give in to the temptation, we are expressing our love for God. If there was no temptation to sin we would have no way to express our love. God loves us enough that He always provides a way of escape from sin.

In addition to Satan having the ability to tempt and entice, he has the ability to blind the minds of people.

God is Sovereign over Satan’s Blinding Influence

How does Satan blind men?

A. Satan blinds men’s hearts (Jn. 12:40; 2 Cor. 4:4).

John 12:40 ESV

40 “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their heart, lest they see with their eyes, and understand with their heart, and turn, and I would heal them.”

2 Corinthians 4:4 ESV

4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

Satan merely provides the means in which man can choose to be blinded.

B. Man has a choice: man chooses to be blinded to the truth (Rev. 16:9, 11).

Revelation 16:8–11 ESV

8 The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and it was allowed to scorch people with fire. 9 They were scorched by the fierce heat, and they cursed the name of God who had power over these plagues. They did not repent and give him glory. 10 The fifth angel poured out his bowl on the throne of the beast, and its kingdom was plunged into darkness. People gnawed their tongues in anguish 11 and cursed the God of heaven for their pain and sores. They did not repent of their deeds.

In the face of judgment, of wrath, instead of acknowledging their sin, they grew harder in their hearts and refused to repent.

They had the option. They simply rejected it.

Heed the sober warning of Hebrews 3:7-10.

Hebrews 3:7–10 ESV

7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says, “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers put me to the test and saw my works for forty years. 10 Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’

Satan may have the ability to blind minds, he may have the ability to influence this, but God holds each one responsible for their spiritual blindness and refusal to repent.

What hope does man have against an adversary that can blind us to truth?

Even over this, though, God has the ability to shine through. It is through HIM that any of us repent

C. God counteracts it with His “Light” (2 Cor. 4:6).

2 Corinthians 4:6 ESV

6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

When people repent, when you and I repent, it is because God shone the light in our hearts, enabling us to see AND enabling us to come, to repent, and to believe.

Philippians 2:12-13.

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV

12 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.

It is God who works in us BOTH to WILL and TO WORK...

God gives the desire and ability to repent and to work for his glory.

God is sovereign over spiritual sight. He can override both the adversaries blindness as well as our own.

Lest we think that Satan can blind people enough to NOT give them the ability or choice to choose, we need to understand that....

D. Everyone receives enough light to make the right choices about God (Rom. 1:21). “They knew.”

Romans 1:18–21 ESV

18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. 19 For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

None are without excuse.

E. Man chooses to make the message of the Cross foolishness (1 Cor. 1:18).

1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV

18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Men will willfully choose to remain ignorant in order to continue in the lush of the flesh, the lust of the eyes and the pride of life.

1 John 2:16 ESV

16 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

Men love darkness rather than light, because their deeds are evil. John 3:19.

John 3:19 ESV

19 And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

Men choose darkness because they prefer sin and their flesh.

F. God draws all men to Himself (Jn. 12:32).

John 12:32 ESV

32 And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

The offer of salvation is open to ALL. All are invited.

Not all will receive.

But, God does provide all men with the opportunity and (as we have seen) he leaves them without excuse.

Their decision is theirs even with the work of the adversary contending with them.

G. Many will reject Him (Mt. 7:13).

Matthew 7:13 ESV

13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.

Satan has power to tempt, distract, or blind.

BUT GOD has overridden and provided EVERY means necessary for men to escape, to see, to believe.

But because of God’s work on mankind’s behalf, this work of Satan’s IS NOT absolute or final. God is able to override and shine through it.

Practical Application: Satan has been given the ability to blind men in regard to their relationship with God. Man will not be able to use that as an excuse since God is drawing all men to Himself. God has given man a choice.

In addition to God’s sovereignty over temptation and his blinding influence, God is sovereign over Satan’s ability to keep one bound to sin.

God is Sovereign over Satan’s Spiritual Slavery

What is spiritual slavery?

Who does it affect?

In our spiritual walk, we often feel frustrated with our inability to break free from sin.

As we observe unbelievers, we often see people bound to sinful life habits and we get weary and frustrated, discouraged with it.

It often feels like Satan is winning.

And Satan has many tactics for encouraging such slavery to sin.

A. Satan’s methods of encouraging slavery

1. “There is so much misery that there cannot possibly be a good God.”

In one word, what is Satan tempting us to do here?

DOUBT.

Disillusionment with a good God and extensive suffering.

This is the tactic Satan has been employing since the garden…doubt.

Once doubt sets in, we are ripe for wrong thinking and ideas. Humanistic wisdom seems good when we no longer are confident in God, in absolute truth.

The other sinister thing with doubt is this....we believe we have to understand something fully to trust it and have confident in it. SO, when we cannot, we are ripe for seeking our own way, which leads to slavery to sin.

2. With luxuries: When they have enough pleasures, power, prestige, and possessions they become content to have these as their god (Eccl. 8:15).

Matthew 19:24.

Matthew 19:24 ESV

24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”

The love of money becomes the root of many sins.

1 Tim 6:10.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV

10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

We are all susceptible here. Money provides pleasure, comfort, and ease…all of which become our idols and gods. Thus money can become an idol.

3. This is Satan’s effort to get us to establish our own godhood/kingdom.

What is the solution to such bondage?

In a word....repentance.

B. God’s solution to this bondage is repentance (2 Tim. 2:24-26).

2 Timothy 2:24–26 ESV

24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

Repentance is the path to true and lasting freedom.

1. The Lord’s servant corrects those in opposition to Him with gentleness.

Why?

And why does God correct those in opposition to him?

Correction, rebuke, wrath…it is intended to lead to repentance.

Notice what verse 25 says...

“God may perhaps grant them repentance....”

We are told that God grants repentance....

2. He grants repentance, which is the divine ability to change to a God-loving life style and relationship with Him.

What does it mean that God “grants repentance?”

We are unable to repent apart from God’s granting, God’s working of grace in our life.

Which means, when WE repented, it was because God granted us grace to do so.

It means that when we pray for others repentance, we must pray that will grant them grace to repent.

John MacArthur notes...

2 Timothy: The MacArthur New Testament Commentary A Compassionate Attitude

The hope that God may grant them repentance is not a last resort. The idea is not that we must try to persuade them to repent by their own efforts and in their own power and that, if they fail, we then hope that perhaps God will grant them the repentance they were unable to achieve for themselves. Metanoia (repentance) does not mean simply being sorry for what we have done. It signifies a genuine change of mind, change of heart, and change of direction. It is for that reason that all genuine repentance must be the product of God’s sovereign grace, just as is every aspect of salvation—“in order that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:7). No person, no matter how sincere and determined, can truly repent and change his own sinful thoughts and ideas and correct his own sinful life. Only God can work that miracle in the heart. In the same way, we are able to love only “because [Christ] first loved us” (1 John 4:19), “because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Rom. 5:5). God works repentance in the willing heart of one who truly desires holiness.

This keeps us keenly aware of God’s sovereignty and man’s personal responsibility. A pairing, a truth, a concept that we CANNOT fully comprehend but one that is nevertheless true and taught in scripture.

But, the point is, when bound to sin, when in slavery to sin, the only escape is repentance....which God in his sovereignty can grant.

3. Repentance delivers us from the traps of Satan.

4. At some point God brings everyone to their senses, but not all are going to choose to be delivered from Satan’s slavery to sin.

Practical Application: Once again, God allows Satan to provide a choice which is different from God’s way. When we make the wrong choice it will bring suffering, which is the consequence of sin.

Conclusion

Big Idea: God uses Satan as a tool to execute His perfect and good sovereign will.

God is sovereign over Satan’s use of animals/plants.

God is sovereign over Satan’s temptation of sin.

God is sovereign over Satan’s binding influence.

God is sovereign over Satan’s spiritual slavery.

There is indeed a great deal of misery and suffering in the world. It is all because of sin. God allows the suffering so that we will come to realize just how serious sin is. Sin is our effort to develop our own personal godhood. As we develop our personal godhead, we seek to develop our own kingdom. As we do so, we are giving into Satan’s many devises which broadens the gap between us and God. Jonathan Stitzel

PART of the answer for why sin and suffering exists, is to awaken us to the horror of our sin and rebellion against God AND to call us to repentance and faith in Him.

God allows these means of suffering that so we and others will ask,”Why all this suffering?” God then wants us to come to the conclusion, “My sin from living in a sin cursed world is causing the suffering.” In many cases our suffering brings us to a saving knowledge of Christ. After we are saved, the suffering may be God’s chastening hand upon our lives. This is designed to help motivate us to forsake the sin that is destroying our relationship with God. All other suffering is to shape us more into the image of Christ. Praise God that one day all suffering will come to an end (Rev. 21:4-5). All suffering has a God given purpose. Jonathan Stitzel

Suffering with mom

First moment on her bed in Indiana

I don’t want to be like this anymore

God is using the suffering SHE endured, that my father endured, to work a work of grace in my life, even if I do not understand it yet.

Satan may be an agent of suffering BUT ONLY AS A TOOL of a Sovereign God who uses it for his glory.

As we reflect upon these truths, I pray that we are instilled with hope and confidence in a God who is constantly working to ensure that we are growing together to become more like Jesus for the glory of God.

Application

What is our defense when we face temptation to sin? How do we combat the adversaries, the world’s, our own fleshes enticement to sin?

Scripture, our arsenal

The Body of Christ - Reaching out for prayer, support, and help

The best defense is a good offense...

Staying close to God in regular, unhurried, quality time with God.

Minimizing exposure to enticements, triggers

Regular, accountable contact with others in the body

Commitment to openness and honesty

Reaching out at the point of temptation BEFORE it becomes sin.

Read 1 Corinthians 10:13. What way’s of escape has God provided for us when we face temptation?

Prayer

Scripture (Memorization, meditation, recitation, reading, etc)

Worship/Music

Body of Christ

FLEE - Like Joseph - Get out of the situation that is enticing you. In other words, a change of scenery

Exercise/physical activity

Get busy, not being idle.

In what way(s) are you failing to take the offered escape? What steps can you take this week to push back against the temptations and to step towards the escape, to step towards God?

In what way(s) does the adversary blind minds?

Pleasure

Busyness/distraction

Pain/sorrow/disappointment

Hurt/anger

Jealous/envy

Half truths that sound good and appeal to our flesh

Worldly wisdom

Stress

Chaos

How do we guard against the devil’s blinding influence?

Stay in the truth regularly

Stay in prayer regularly

Do not neglect to gather with the church in meaningful and spiritually deep ways

Keep accountable

Sit under biblically sound teaching regularly

Pray for the Spirit to give you discernment, wisdom, and insight

In what way(s) has you mind been blinded by the adversary? What step do you need to take to correct it?

Why is it so easy for us to become enslaved to sinful thinking and behavior, even after repentance and faith?

The flesh wants what it wants and is prone to accepting ideas that give it what it wants even if it not true or sound.

Most deceptions have truth in them. So they sound good

We lack knowledge of truth and cannot discern the error

We lack intimacy and familiarity with God and thus miss the Spirit’s warning.

Busyness/stress/troubled emotions make us susceptible to error.

How do we break free from spiritual slavery?

Repent

Draw near to God

Resist the devil

Build intimacy with God

Build community with the body

Prayer without ceasing.

To what sins are you enslaved right now? What steps will you take this week to seek freedom?

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