Why Does God Allow Evil and Suffering?

Intro

That’s a Good Question.

Answering questions that you submitted.

Week 5 — Q and A Sunday: 10/5

Can I Trust the Bible?

Why does God allow suffering?

That’s a good question.

Today’s question is something that I have struggled with for really my entire life, has anyone ever wondered? Show of hands please.

If God is good...

Why are there wars?

Russia and Ukraine?

Israel and Palestine?

Slavery?

Women and children sold into human trafficking?

Why are kids shot in school shootings?

Why did someone get murdered on a livestream this week in front of hundreds students?

This concept is called the problem of evil. And it’s something that theologians and philosophers have been dealing with for centuries.

Is He [God] willing to prevent evil, but not able? Then is he impotent? Is He able, but not willing? Then is He malevolent? Is he both able and willing: whence then is evil? —David Hume

David Hume (Scottish Philosopher)

For the longest time, these things were credited to the gods. They were either mad at you or they had bad chili last week.

Word

The answers to some these questions are found in the front of your Bible in Genesis.

Paraphrase the creation story...

1 — Light and darkness.

2 — Oceans and the sky.

3 — Land and vegetation.

4 — Sun and moon.

5 — Sea creatures and birds.

6 — Land animals and mankind.

Genesis 1:31 NIV

31 God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

That was the original design, no pain, no suffering, just joy and it was good.

Fast forward a little bit…

Genesis 2:16–17 NIV

16 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”

Death was not reign here, but if you do this thing I’ve asked you not, and refuse to follow my commands then you’re going to allow something in the world that I never intended.

Adam and Eve decided they knew better than the Lord. Shocker.

Now, if you walked away from faith because of evil or suffering in the world I want you to lean in for just a moment.

Death, pain, and suffering were never in God’s plan.

Pain, suffering and evil exist because of Sin, not b/c of God. Why do bad things happen?

Sin. If you noticed God gave us free will. He allows you and I to do things, b/c without free will there is no love.

So some people use that free will for evil. God never intended us to do these horrible things to one another, but without choice we cannot love.

Everyday we are tempted – do things God’s way or do things the other way. We have the choice and the enemy and his minions whisper in our ears to try to get us to do evil. James says it this way…

James 1:13–14 NIV

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

Now pause for just a moment, isn’t this true in your experience? Isn’t it true that the reason that person hurt you was b/c of their own desires? Isn’t it true that they hurt you b/c they had their own desire? In fact, they put their desires over what was good for you?

Relationship

At work

You can track just about anything bad that happened to you by another person and you can see this verse come to life.

Brandon, what about times when that isn’t the case? What about natural disasters and when kids die from disease?

Sin.

Sin entered and broke creation.

Broke: something doesn’t work correctly – sure you can still make it work, but it’s still not going to work the right way.

Why Brandon, because humanity rejected God. God is the author of life. You cannot remove the author of life without some consequences to life. So currently we live in a fallen world. A world where disasters do happen and people get cancer and disease that they did nothing to deserve. Why?

B/c When sin entered into creation death, disease and destruction came with it.

It’s not because God does not love us, quite the contrary humanity chose to be separated from God in the garden, and therefore God honored that decision. So it is a consequence of our actions. The author of life does not walk in the creation, the same way he used to. Because at the time of the garden, there were no calamities, no disease, no natural disasters.

Which means there will be times when you and I experience pain and suffering.

Since we live in a fallen world, and we struggle and deal with pain and such, what should we do?

There is a moment in the life of Jesus when he is explaining a lot of this to his disciples. It’s at the last Supper and he has their full undivided attention. There is a tension in the air and they all lean into what he is saying. He tells them that he only has a little longer with them and he will soon be crucified.

John 16:33 NIV

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble....”

It’s a guarantee, are you having issues in this world? How many of you would say you have or are experiencing trouble in this world? Good, you are favored by God.

Jesus doesn’t leave the disciples there he brings them along. He says...

John 16:33 NIV

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Overcame the world by defeating hell and the grave.

So we are reminded that this place is not our home.

We have hope b/c Jesus has already overcome all of it. Christians all over the world respond different than other people b/c we have a hope they don’t have.

Paul addresses this very thought in his letter to the Corinthian church. (Preach through this)

2 Corinthians 4:16–18 NIV

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

You and I have hope b/c this place is stopping place, there’s more to this life than this life and our struggles and pain will be relieved in the eternity. Great Brandon… what do we do though? Evil is in the world, suffering is in the world, what now? Hunker down?

Application

No, we do what Jesus told us to do. He told us to be salt and light.

You know it and so do I, the world would change forever, for the better. Bc the Church is the light and hope of the world.

That’s why we…

choices

FXBG food bank

Reach PH

Guatemala Happy Tummy facilities

Host the food bank distribution location

Bc we are the light and hope of the world.

Sin entered and broke creation.

Salt: Make it better.

Light: Push back the darkness.

Invitation.

Extras

We have hope b/c Jesus has already overcome all of it. What does that mean Brandon? B/c

I still have the dr report.

My mom is still sick.

The kids aren’t passing their classes.

I still got laid off.

Paul addresses this very thought in his letter to the Roman church.

Romans 8:18 NIV

18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

In other words, this place is not your home. Jesus has cleared the way into eternity where death, disease suffering and sin have no place.

Providing us a way to the Father — that’s how Jesus overcame the world.

——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

Now, that’s great for long term stuff Brandon, but what do we do right now? Jesus gives us pretty clear instructions.

Matthew 5:13 NIV

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

What does salt do? It makes this better doesn’t it? Ever had food without salt, it’s not good right? Jesus says that you and I are to be salt — we should make things better.

Matthew 5:14 NIV

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.

The picture is perfect, in that area a town on a hill can be seen for miles at night - why? The light.

Matthew 5:15 NIV

Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

Again, why have a light? To illuminate the room. What does it do ultimately? It pushes back the darkness.

As followers of Jesus places should be better b/c we are there. Why? B/c we make things better and we push back the darkness.

So in the meantime, we the Church work together to relief as much suffering as we can. Physically and spiritually.

Hands (physically) = Missions, Local Missions.

Hearts (spiritually) = Spreading the Gospel. Everyone should know that this present suffering isn’t forever and Jesus has already overcome it.

Hands to serve others and hearts to share the Gospel.

Invitation