Job 30:19-21 - If I were God I would end all the pain

It's something that I need to acknowledge about this. The title of the series if I were gardai which... It really is. An extraordinarily arrogant statement to say, if I were guard So it gives the impression that I could do a better job than guard, or at least the anytime that I would conceive of believing in God is when he confirms to what I'm prepared to believe about him. As though, what I am prepared to accept about God is really something that God should take note of. As though, I really, I am God. And so it's an arrogant sermon series and title and get to the question that I've heard many times in in Ministry people saying, if I were God, I would or they use different words. But that's really what they, what they are saying and what they mean. In the US, state of Nebraska in 2008, Senator Ernie, Chambers filed a lawsuit against guard. I need a miracle run. He was seeking a permanent injunction injunction against God's home. The suit was dismissed because God could not be properly. Notified not having a physical address. The senator said what God is all name the court itself, acknowledges the existence of God and since God knows everything, he has no chance of this lawsuit. But the judge finally threw out the case. And so saying, saying that the almighty was not properly served duties and listed home address. Or perhaps and most seriously any vessel in his book, The Trial of God described the scene in Oz witch during the second world war where the Jewish prisoners. Put God on trial In Absentia for abandoning the Jewish people and they accusation was recorded broken. His Covenant with the Jewish people biologically Nazis to commit genocide

One of those, the Grinch objections to the existence of God is the question of evil and suffering and it's not a mutton question. It is come back into into the into the media more recently, but it is not important question. That's been The Cry of the human race for time immemorial. It's an ancient Christian, it's Millennials. And in fact, it's actually go to name it school theodicy. The Odyssey is the problem of a sovereign, God, and the existence of evil and suffering is a whole book in the Bible given to the subject of theodicy. It's the book of Jobe They're going to do if she is about God. In 31:19 is me into the marriage. I am reduced to Dust & Ashes, I cry out to you, gorgeous, but you do not answer. I stand up but you merely look at me. You turn on me ruthlessly with the match of your hand. No justice language, you attack me. It's strong language, that isn't it? and perhaps you have some funk that before, maybe you've wondered what you've done wrong, you've suffered, or maybe you are suffering, or somebody that you love is going through terrible and suffering. And you wonder where is God. Has he rejected us? Why is he pensive? Has he attacked us? Is he angry with us? Or perhaps it's confirmed for you and your mind that actually he doesn't exist and he's not there. And that's all the evidence that's needed. It does seem logical at first glance to reason that if series of guards, then he can't be both all good and all-powerful at the same time. If he is all-powerful as Christians, say any doesn't eliminate evil and suffering that he must be evil. Is an all-powerful God who can't possibly be all good because he doesn't eliminate suffering, and evil, and sin in the world. Or if he is all God for good, rather than he couldn't be more powerful. He wishes he could do something about the pain in the world, but really comes and his hands are turned. it is a serious question in our culture and one of the main reasons in the waist while why people give up believing in God, how many different ways to approach a theodicy and the question of suffering and the oppression? I'm going to take is going to start by talking to you about the way in which God is involved in the world. It's quite helpful for us to have straight in our minds, how the world is governed. And so, that's the first and hitting this morning. How is the world governed Christians, take the view that God is both all-powerful and all good? The one doesn't cancel out the other. If that is true, how does he operate in the world and they all three dominant view in the world today about how God governs the world, the first use, cool dualism, How many people have the view that they are equal? But opposite Powers one good and one evil little diagram to show you what that looks like today is God and the devil. It seems 32 guards if you like And hopefully good as a pound was evil. In the end, the two beings on Cosmic battle and hopefully, God will win. There are hundreds of millions of people in the world today or hold this view of how God operates in the world today. Many of them in our own country and on our own continent. For this is the dominant view of African traditional, religion and Hinduism.

But interesting to me is that this view of Judaism has actually cracked into the Christian church in places with sometimes. The devil has given so much Glory. So much power that you would sway that actually, they believe in two gods and not one God. Sometimes we can fall into the Trap of thinking of this is how the universe is Wren. The table is such a powerful being that I know that I wouldn't put it like this is power is equal to that of God, if you you you might hold this view. If you think that all blessing comes from God and all suffering comes from the table.

That's dualism and that is cooled monism or absolute monism and it's the view that the world is governed. Absolutely. And simply by one guard who gets all the glory for the good and all the blame for the badge. Again, they are hundreds of millions of people in the world who have this view, this is the prevailing view of Islam.

And it's also scraped into the Christian Church. You might have this for you. If you think, if God is God he's not good. And if God is good, then is not God.

At first, the spew actually sounds Rush. That's there is a simple absolute rule by God over the world, but actually, it's not what the Bible teaches that we believe that God is absolutely Sovereign over the Affairs of the world. It's not the Bible's view is much more nuanced and complex than that, the Bible's views cooled, thirdly theism. And that's what theism looks like.

There is only one God that is true. He has no Rivals as the creation he is prior to all things in time. He's free from old limitations imposed on us, bodily creatures by space and time. He's able to exert his power anyway or every way for however long he chooses. We need never fear that we will go beyond his power to see or to know, or to protect or to judge. Whatever he Wills comes to pass, and nothing comes to pass, except what he was. There is no such thing as chance or luck or fate. And yet she does not govern the world as the sole absolute to Supernatural power. He governs the World by means of agents and representatives. That's how the Bible puts it. I've got some lunches that you can see G stands for governments. There's an example of an agent that God uses to Gavin the world. Look at Raymond's 13, verses 1 and 2 that are going to be subject to the governing authorities. But there is no Authority except that which God has a stablished The authorities that exist have been established by God. We ever rebelled against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted. The government is God's servant. And God has outsourced to governments to governments and to all human authorities P stands for parents. It's another with already another agent that God has in the world today to exercise his governance over children and so children are called upon to obey their parents. The way children obey God is ready by a bang, their parents and sigard uses engine. Some of those agents that he uses in the world. All Supernatural Legends and said they say they stands for Angels. These are beings who are greater than humans, but less than guard. You have delegated authority, summer, good, and God. And I, they do good in the world. Angels. as for example I don't know if you know this man in Matthew chapter 19 I should have put the vase on front I haven't but in Matthew chapter 19 there is evidence actually that children have guardian angels angels It look off to them.

But some are evil and the D of, as she stands for the devil or demons. And I also own Supernatural agents in the world today or doing the will of God. I left my sounds difficult to swallow. I'm the devil is not an equal opposite power in Cosmic combat with guards. The Devil is a creature that God rules over completely. When English writer says, that the devil should be thought of as a cabinet minister in God's cabinet and he's going to, he's a minister with a portfolio. He is his Majesty's loyal opposition. As the opposition in Westminster is referred to His job is to oppose God and God's people and in so doing unwittingly, he brings glory to God. He has a job to do. Fruit for a. Of time to consider the example of the table. Does. He's at most to get Joe to Coast Guard. And how does the Book of Job ended in that ends with joy praising God? And God being praised notwithstanding all that has taken place in George life in the course of those desperate. 40 chapters, Now let's be clear frames. God cannot have fellowship with evil. But he can use evil and he can use and he does use evil agents in his government of the world.

Consider the sphere, Saint Zion 4507. I form the light and create Darkness, I bring prosperity and create a disaster by the Lord do all these things.

Enter. The Bible's view is a god stands behind both, good and evil. Asymmetrically, not in the same way.

He stands behind good in such a way that he always gets the glory for it. He is always the source of good. But he also stands behind evil. Not in the way that you're not in the same way that he stands behind good. He's not the source of evil. You can't be blamed for evil, but he can use evil as part of his plan to bring about good. And so even evil, and suffering, and sin has got a role to play in the world at the moment. It's not always going to be like that. Thank God. But at the moment that is way we live. And of course the grant exam for the classic example of this is the story of Joseph, what you heard, I'm sure before from this pool porch. Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, he's brothers did, what many older brothers dream of doing selling their little annoying brother into slavery? And you know, the story, he eventually becomes the prime minister of Egypt. The second most important and powerful man in the known world, and then he's Brothers in a wonderful, delicious irony, come back to him decades. Later begging him for food because they're in famine. They didn't recognize him, but he recognizes them. And eventually he Reveals His identity to them and of course they are terrified because what can he do to them? You could do anything, you wanted to them as the prime minister of Egypt, the superpower of the day and he sees these words to them, in Genesis chapter 50, Triceps. 82 them. Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish. What is now being done? Can you see that the same Act? One act evil selling him into slavery. Was used by God for good since that's the whole world was rescued from feminine.

Reminds you of somebody else, doesn't it? He was also betrayed by someone as close as a brother. And he was raised up as the savior of the world. Consider the alternative friends of God is Not sovereignty over evil.

Then he's not in control of this world. He's a laser card and he's a god, he's not worthy of worship. No, the Bible teaches that God control over creation extends, even to the Wolves of men. And to control of evil and sin and suffering, we cannot remove ourselves from God's Sovereign and absolute power. Well, they mean originate they act of evil. They are not able to act contrary to what God Wills should come to Paris. Sinful people are completely within and under the control of the god of the Bible.

If that were not, the kind Stenson would be a marvelous achievement.

I wonder if you willing to accept that guard,

not the question of God and suffering, might interest you, because you might be a Christian music's. Just suffering. And I don't want to be Globe, there is something that is profound and deeply wrong with the wheels.

But I do want to remind you that God is not to blame for suffering. For he made a good world, is original template for the world was declared as very good at the very beginning.

God. So all that he had made Genesis chapter one and it was very good.

We aren't to blame for the suffering that took place that takes place in the world today. When we rebuild, we became the Arbiters of what is good and evil. And the wheels came off in the world. God's order was Disturbed, was inventors. And the relationships that he had sent her, that we're good with fractured man's relationship with guards. Man's relationship with women and their relationship with the environment. These broken relationships are the cause of all suffering. In the world today. But I want to say to you that I was suffering, has meaning.

Just saying that because of the reality of suffering in the world, I went believe in God really doesn't help you. What is the point of suffering? An atheist worldview.

Those who don't accept the Christian Gospel can easily poke holes or point out inadequacies in what I'm trying to present today but what alternative view offers a better explanation. I wonder

Hindus view, the Hindu view of suffering is that it's as there as a result of accumulated,

the Buddhist view of suffering is that it has to do with attachment and desire. A Muslim view of suffering is that it has to do with submitting to others will.

the African traditional religion list view of suffering, is that it is as a result of Witchcraft, with the ancestors, And ask you, some really does need to be humble actually at this point in the discussion because it has no answer to the point of suffering. It's just molecules just the way the world.

It's a wild. Christians struggle to answer everything to do with the Odyssey. And the problem of pain in the world today, the Bible offers meaning and purpose in our suffering. Which makes it bearable? Why do Christians suffer while the Bible has quite a lot to say about this. And I can have time for 2 this morning, first of all Christian Christian suffering, results and perseverance, chapter 5, and verse three friends because we know that suffering produces perseverance. When Christian orchestrated like this tank away from her son, precious relationship. Frustrate some hope inflict, some pain and then we will fool publicly see whether or not she is a real worship of God. Frank's him with serious loss, strip away, his security. Changed his status. And then the real person will step out and we'll see. I think that's her party saying in Raymond's jump, to 5. Only, when worship comes at a cost, can we tell if it's real or true? I think Leon refer to that earlier in his interview suffering is the fire that refines and reveals whether or not you really love God and whether or not you are in relationship with him. But there's a second thing at the Bible invest suffering with And it has to do with discipline. Hebrews chapter 12 is the key chapter in the New Testament on this injury or hardship as discipline in dear suffering as discipline, God is treating you as children. What children are not disciplined by their father about the fact, and I find this a helpful thing. That the evidence that God loves me is not the absence of suffering in my life, but the presence of hardships because he's disciplining me, he's training me. And this is what it means for Christians to live by faith, in our suffering, will we trust the Lord that he is doing good in us? That a day will come when we can look back. And as Leon said earlier, we don't wish it on anybody, but I wouldn't exchange what it developed in my heart, for anything in the world.

But you might also be asking the question about suffering. Because you might be looking for a reason to not believe in what Christian say is true. And this is becoming very common in social media today. And I want to speak to you for a moment if that's you, or if you know somebody who is using the existence of pain and suffering and send an evil in the world today to not believe in God. Imagine if God announced that tomorrow morning at 9, he was going to eliminate all suffering evil and some in the world.

I reckon we wouldn't. We wouldn't sleep tonight, would we would be such a wonderful thing to look for to you. It would be a great reason to get up on a Monday morning.

But then consider this. Have you caused anybody? Any suffering, ever in your life?

See when we, when we are honest, we have to say yes to that question during 20. We are all not only victims, but also perpetrators of suffering and evil in the world. For we all sin and we are all selfish. And we all hate people who released one to hurt people close to us, people that we love.

and certain important thing as an honest thing to admit that we are not only victims, but also paper trying to say, if God is going to remove all suffering tomorrow morning at 9:00 and you see the problem he's going to have to eliminate me. And you.

And you know, the Bible says that the day is coming. When he will eliminate all evil, and suffering and pain. And some answer the question now changes. From how can 11 go to announce inferring to on the day that God does remove all suffering? How will I survive? I meant time.

And the answer to that question difference, is it time to put my trust in the God who suffered?

Unite.

It's an amazing thing that God the god of the Bible. Does not exist above the suffering and the evil of the world, but actually entered into it. He's not at least two suffering and pain. Annoys about it. First hand through the person of his son who entered into the world and suffered unjustly and unspeakably in order to eliminate pain and suffering at some Future Point. It was to deal with evil and suffering and pain, but it was also to deal with your son and my son, that he submitted himself to the suffering of the world. The god that we preach is a suffering God. And this is unique in all of the world's religions and worldviews at 10, the Winston world upside down for, it was the first time in history. That any God suffered and died for his people and for the good and the salvation of others in history people die for the good of God. In the name of wool perhaps or human sacrifice. Perhaps, but not Jesus, not the god of the Bible, he is no stranger to suffering and he did it for you. And for me, to forgive the suffering that we have coerced, So that one day when he does remove suffering and pain, we can be part of what it is that he's doing in the world.

And so I want to encourage you this morning to as I'm close to think about where you stand with this guard who suffered this morning. You can you can be standoffish with him. You can keep your distance. You can say, well, he's got to prove himself to me, what about all the pain and the suffering, or you can see that he has proved himself. By entering in rolling up his sleeves, getting his hands dirty subjecting himself. Do the same pain and suffering worse than any of us have experienced because it included The Forsaken us of his father as he hung on the cross.

You can Embrace that card this morning, his name is Jesus and it's not a difficult thing to do. It's an easy thing for us to do. Actually only need to do is to is to say a prayer and to mean the prayer in your heart. Look at the spray after I've written one for us, maybe this is for you this morning.

Just look at those words from it. And then I'm going to ask you to close your eyes and bow with me, and I'll say those words, and maybe you want to make it. You'll pray this morning as you take a step towards God, rather than keeping him at arm's length. Not friends. I'm very aware of how inadequate the stroke is on. The subject is so much more that needs to be said. At the same, much more that needs to be discussed. And I really want to make myself available if you'd like to have a conversation with me or coffee with me. I would love you to reach out to me. And I would, I will drop everything to spend time with you if you would like to take this further. So please would you make use of that offer sincere offer?

It's her. Maybe you want to make this pray that you will pray in the privacy of your own Hearts. That's Prime. Dear God. I have contributed to the suffering in the world. Because of my son.

Thank you, that Jesus suffered in my place. On the cross. To forgive my son.

Please help me to put my trust in him.

And help me from today. To look for you.

But I just want to pray for anybody who might have said that pray this morning and mentioned in their hearts that you would draw near to them. Now, I should have my forgiveness and of your presence in their life. And I pray for those who might still be wanting to keep you at arm's length that you'd be gracious to them as well.

That you wouldn't let them go and should help them to keep Riesling. To keep on asking a not to give up in that Journey but how thankful we are to you. Dear father for all that, you have done. I sending you a son into the world, it was not spayed suffering. You didn't exist above suffering. It's submitted to it was the very Pinnacle of suffering in the world as he hung on the cross.

Thank you, Lord. That you are not against us but that you are for us. In spite of how sometimes we may feel.

Thank you that you have answered us. And I'll cry to you. Thank you that you put your righteous wrath on Jesus instead of us. And thank you for the Glorious future that there is your trust in Jesus have to look forward to. A future with every tear will be dried. Will there be no more pain or suffering? Until we commend ourselves to, you know, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit woman.