How could a loving God allow evil and suffering?
Suffering; nv 9/2/07 am
OS: 1 If you could ask God any question and you knew you would get an answer, what would it be: #1 question – Why is there suffering in the world?
Day by Day, hour by hour, Pain drips upon the heart
As, against our will, and even in our despite Comes wisdom from the awful grace of God.
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It is easy when we are in prosperity to give advice to the afflicted.
Aeschylus (ĕs'kĭləs, ēs'–) (The Father of Greek Tragedy)
I. Question: How could a loving God allow evil and suffering?
A. Lesson on bitterness – last 5% mentioned bitterness with God – most comments referred to that.
B. Barber – “If God exists there would be neither suffering nor pain”
C. If suffering disproves God’s existence then good must prove His existence.
D. The real issue is – how do we deal with suffering in faith? How are we prepared to give an answer to those who question?
II. Take a look at Job
A. Beginning / End / no answer.
B. 2 Deuteronomy 29:29, The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
C. Consider what we know.
TS] Before you begin remember….
I. 3 God did not create evil and suffering and death.
A. People ask: Why didn’t He create a world without suffering or evil? – He did!
1. Genesis 1—Everything was “good”.
2. No suffering, no pain, no problems, no briars, thorns, etc. (Paradise)
3. This is fundamental for dealing with suffering and pain in life.
B. Mankind abused the freedom of choice God provided and the result was two very powerful realities.
1. Sin (moral evil) entered the world – Some have estimated that 95% of the world’s suffering results from our own sins or the sin of others. (Example – our world produces enough food products to supply each person with 3000 calories per day. It’s our own self-centeredness that causes others to starve.
2. Natural evil or suffering – Pain and death are a result of fallenness. Genesis 3:18, It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field.
3. 4 5 Romans 8:18-22, I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
C. 6 God did not create evil and suffering – He did create the ‘potential’ for evil to come into the world. (Necessary for genuine goodness and love).
1. “Couldn’t God have seen it coming, and just not started the whole mess?”
2. Answer: Yes, Just like us parents – we all knew the potential heart break, disappointments, hurts, that our children might experience – but we still had kids!
3. Why? Because you knew there was also potential for great joy, love, and meaning. As did God.
TS] Before you begin…remember God didn’t create evil and suffering, and by the way….
II. 7 Suffering is not all bad. (God has taken this ‘bad’ thing and used it for good)
A. Pain and suffering often draw people to God.
1. 8 Romans 5:3, Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
B. 9 “God can make use of what He hates to accomplish what He loves”
1. 10 Hebrews 12:10-11, Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
C. God uses our suffering to…
1. Cleanse us of sin, strengthen our commitment, bind us together, discipline our minds,
2. Prepare us to minister to others, strengthen our character.
TS] Before you begin remember God didn’t create suffering and pain, suffering is not all bad, and finally…It’s not a “why” question, but rather a “how” question.
III. 11 The real question: How can I get through the pain of life?
A. John 16:33, Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble”
B. Like Job there may be no answers. The key to living through the pain of life is not found in answers to questions of why – but rather what now?
C. Psalm 23
D. 12 Video