Unasked Questions, Unexpected Answers

Good evening!

Good evening!It is always a joy and honor to be able to preach the word of God to his people. Even more joyous is the fact that the Lord has granted the opportunity to speak to His congregation, the gathering of the church of God. Pray with me as we ask God to prepare our hearts, mine as I preach and yours as you listen, to receive the teaching of the Word of God and enable us to apply it in our lives.

It is always a joy and honor to be able to preach the word of God to his people. Even more joyous is the fact that the Lord has granted the opportunity to speak to His congregation, the gathering of the church of God. Pray with me as we ask God to prepare our hearts, mine as I preach and yours as you listen, to receive the teaching of the Word of God and enable us to apply it in our lives.

The Confessions of St. Augustine Chapter 12

See, I answer him that asketh, “What did God before He made heaven and earth?” I answer not as one is said to have done merrily (eluding the pressure of the question), “He was preparing hell (saith he) for pryers into mysteries.”

There’s a story told of a man who asked St Augustine, the great Christian theologian, with a question that he thought Augustine wouldn’t be able to answer. His question was, “What was God doing before he created the world?”

There’s a story told of a man who wanted to catch Martin Luther, the great Reformer, with a question that he wouldn’t be able to answer. So he asked Martin Luther, “Dr Luther, what was God doing before he created the world?”

Pat comes the reply from Augustine, “God was preparing hell for people who ask such questions.”

Pat came the reply from Martin Luther saying, “He was creating a place called hell for people who ask questions like that.”

Questions are good, doubts are good. It is through them that we seek to find the answer to some of the most intriguing events of life. And throughout the ages, great thinkers and common people alike have both sought after an answer to one question which supposedly is one of the most perplexing questions of life:If God is so good, why is there evil in the world?To put it slightly differently, why do good, innocent people suffer? Does God not care?Based on their convictions, people have answered this question in radically different manner. Our atheists friends would say, “Look! God does not exist because if he did exist then the world wouldn’t be such an evil place and people wouldn’t suffer.”Our Hindu friends would say, “All that we see in this world is just an illusion - maya. Good or bad is just an illusion, like Brahman, they are two sides of the same coin and all that we need to do is achieve moksha by doing works that are good according to you.”Of course, our Muslim friends would say, “Insha Allah. Everything is the will of Allah and all things happen according to what he has decreed. We just have to submit.”So, our Atheist friends answer this question by denying the existence of the Divinity, our Hindu friends answer the question by denying the Reality of evil and our Muslim friends appeal to the seemingly arbitrary nature of Allah’s decree.

Questions are good, doubts are good. It is through them that we seek to find the answer to some of the most intriguing events of life. And throughout the ages, great thinkers and common people alike have both sought after an answer to one question which supposedly is one of the most perplexing questions of life: If God is so good, why is there evil in the world? To put it slightly differently, why do good, innocent people suffer? Does God not care?

To put it slightly differently, why do good, innocent people suffer? Does God not care? Based on their convictions, people have answered this question in radically different manner. Our atheists friends would say, “Look! God does not exist because if he did exist then the world wouldn’t be such an evil place and people wouldn’t suffer.”Our Hindu friends would say, “All that we see in this world is just an illusion - maya. Good or bad is just an illusion, like Brahman, they are two sides of the same coin and all that we need to do is achieve moksha by doing works that are good according to you.”Of course, our Muslim friends would say, “Insha Allah. Everything is the will of Allah and all things happen according to what he has decreed. We just have to submit.”So, our Atheist friends answer this question by denying the existence of the Divinity, our Hindu friends answer the question by denying the Reality of evil and our Muslim friends appeal to the seemingly arbitrary nature of Allah’s decree.

Based on their convictions, people have answered this question in radically different manner.

Questions are good, doubts are good. It is through them that we seek to find the answer to some of the most intriguing events of life. And throughout the ages, great thinkers and common people alike have both sought after an answer to one question which supposedly is one of the most perplexing questions of life:If God is so good, why is there evil in the world?To put it slightly differently, why do good, innocent people suffer? Does God not care?Based on their convictions, people have answered this question in radically different manner. Our atheists friends would say, “Look! God does not exist because if he did exist then the world wouldn’t be such an evil place and people wouldn’t suffer.”Our Hindu friends would say, “All that we see in this world is just an illusion - maya. Good or bad is just an illusion, like Brahman, they are two sides of the same coin and all that we need to do is achieve moksha by doing works that are good according to you.”Of course, our Muslim friends would say, “Insha Allah. Everything is the will of Allah and all things happen according to what he has decreed. We just have to submit.”So, our Atheist friends answer this question by denying the existence of the Divinity, our Hindu friends answer the question by denying the Reality of evil and our Muslim friends appeal to the seemingly arbitrary nature of Allah’s decree.

Our atheists friends would say, “Look! God does not exist because if he did exist then the world wouldn’t be such an evil place and people wouldn’t suffer.”

Our Hindu friends would say, “All that we see in this world is just an illusion - maya. Good or bad is just an illusion, like Brahman, they are two sides of the same coin and all that we need to do is achieve moksha by doing works that are good according to you.”

Of course, our Muslim friends would say, “Insha Allah. Everything is the will of Allah and all things happen according to what he has decreed. We just have to submit.”

So, our Atheist friends answer this question by denying the existence of the Divinity, our Hindu friends answer the question by denying the Reality of evil and our Muslim friends appeal to the seemingly arbitrary nature of Allah’s decree.

What about us? Those of us who call ourselves Christians because of our faith in Jesus Christ, how do we answer this question? Is there evil in the world because God does not exist? Or is it that good and evil are merely illusory constructs that are helpful just to live in this world? Or are both these realities equally valid and true? How do we respond to the reality of evil and injustice in the world?

What about us? Those of us who call ourselves Christians because of our faith in Jesus Christ, how do we answer this question? Is there evil in the world because God does not exist? Or is it that good and evil are merely illusory constructs that are helpful just to live in this world? Or are both these realities equally valid and true?How do we respond to the reality of evil and injustice in the world?

Well, if ever we need to find an answer to that question that makes both, sense in our minds, and affects our hearts without denying any of the reality that we see in the world, we must turn to the only one who alone can answer it. It is not man nor God but the God-man, Jesus Christ. Only he can provide for us the answer since he is both fully God and fully man.As God, His answer addresses the reality of evil how God sees it and the remedy that God provides for it and as a man, his answer affects the way we live our lives in this world knowing this great truth.

Well, if ever we need to find an answer to that question that makes both, sense in our minds, and affects our hearts without denying any of the reality that we see in the world, we must turn to the only one who alone can answer it. The only one who perceives all things fully and completely yet experiences the same from the vantage point of humanity, for he is truly the God-man, Jesus Christ. Only he can provide for us the answer since he is both fully God and fully man.

As God, His answer addresses the reality of evil how God sees it and the remedy that God provides for it and as a man, his answer affects the way we live our lives in this world knowing this great truth.

So, let’s turn to the passage for our learning today and my prayer & desire is that the Spirit would make all of us sensitive to what He is teaching us today from His word.

Luke 13:1–9 ESVThere were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

ESV

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”

The two incidents mentioned in this passage:The killing of the Galileans by Pilate and the fall of the tower of Siloam has no historical mention in any extra-biblical sources that we know of. Maybe it is a reference to Judas the Galilean who gained a significant following and was killed for his teaching that the Jews ought not to pay tribute to Rome. (cf. Acts 5:37; Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 112.But, knowing Luke’s penchant for historical details and accuracy in the recording of the same, we can be assured that this surely was a historical event. Yet, since it was most likely a localized event, it probably was not recorded by any historian since historians were primarily concerned with significant or major events in history.Nevertheless, the fact this was recorded by Luke shows that it was nevertheless an important incident for the Jews, an even more so for Jesus in the driving a point across.

The two incidents mentioned in this passage: The killing of the Galileans by Pilate and the fall of the tower of Siloam has no historical mention in any extra-biblical sources that we know of. Maybe it is a reference to Judas the Galilean who gained a significant following and was killed for his teaching that the Jews ought not to pay tribute to Rome. (cf. ; Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset, and David Brown, Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, vol. 2 (Oak Harbor, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), 112.

But, knowing Luke’s penchant for historical details and accuracy in the recording of the same, we can be assured that this surely was a historical event. Yet, since it was most likely a localized event, it probably was not recorded by any historian since historians were primarily concerned with significant or major events in history. Nevertheless, the fact this was recorded by Luke shows that it was nevertheless an important incident for the Jews, an even more so for Jesus in the driving a point across. And if Luke has recorded it, then it is because the Holy Spirit impelled him to do so which would then be of importance to us, as well.

Furthermore, this text comes immediately after 12:54-56 Jesus reprimands or rebukes the crowd calling them hypocrites for they knew how to interpret the seasons and the weather but the concerning the things of God, particularly concerning the arrival of the Messiah and the salvation of God, they were oblivious!

Furthermore, this text comes immediately after 12:54-56 Jesus reprimands or rebukes the crowd calling them hypocrites for they knew how to interpret the seasons and the weather but the concerning the things of God, particularly concerning the arrival of the Messiah and the salvation of God, they were oblivious!Furthermore, in anticipation of the incident recorded in Luke 13:1-9, Luke in 12:57-59 presents the need to settle with the one taking us to court because once the judge delivers the verdict, unless we make complete payment we will never get out of prison.

And even more clarity is given to us to understand in for those verses present the need to settle with the one taking us to court because once the judge delivers the verdict, unless we make complete payment we will never get out of prison.

With this background in place, the words of Jesus provides for us the answer to two types of evil that we see in this world. As I said earlier, Jesus does not escape from providing an answer in denying the reality of evil. Rather he affirms that evil is real and bad things do happen in this world to people.But, neither does Jesus see the reality of evil as an argument against God wherein just because evil exists it does not necessarily mean that God does not exist.Instead, the beauty of Jesus’ answer is that he gives a response that both informs the mind and affects the heart of every person. And my hope and prayer is that it would inform our minds and affect our hearts as well as we study this passage.

There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor of Judaea from AD 26 to 36. He was the governor who had the final, reluctant word in the condemnation of Jesus to death. Yet, outside of the Biblical literature, Pilate is known for his cruelty and ruthlessness in enforcing Roman power against the Jews so much so, some time after the crucifixion of Jesus, he was dismissed from his post possibly because of the abuse of his power.Some of the crowd who had just heard Jesus reprimand the crowd and exhort them to make peace with the one whom they have offended, told Jesus about certain Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifice.This event may have occurred at some feast in Jerusalem, during which time riots were often known to take place (see Jos. Antt. xvii. 9. 3; 10. 2), and in the outer court of the temple.The use of the phrase, “mingled with their sacrifices” seem to hint at the fact that the people thought that these Galileans were very depraved sinners:Henry Alford, Alford’s Greek Testament: An Exegetical and Critical Commentary, vol. 1 (Grand Rapids, MI: Guardian Press, 1976), 572–573.

Jesus brought out their hidden assumption by asking the question that was on the minds of these Jews. Keeping in line with their knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures they had assumed that the worst sinners deserved the worst affliction. (Ps. 73:2–14,Gen. 42:21, Job 4:7–9; cf. John 9:1, 2; Acts 28:4)Jesus asked them rhetorically if these Galileans were indeed worse sinners than other Galileans just because they suffered this way.We may not be prone to asking such questions but rather we assume it to be true that evil people deserve to suffer more violently than ordinary people. Implicitly, we think we are better off than the others. We think we are morally superior since we don’t commit atrocities, we don’t commit murder or adultery or any such evil.Hey, in fact I read my Bible, I serve God as a missionary or a pastor or I am studying in a Bible college. That makes me at least a little better than these so-called evil people in the world.We therefore think we deserve better since we are good people.

Jesus brought out their hidden assumption by asking the question that was on the minds of these Jews. Keeping in line with their knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures they had assumed that the worst sinners deserved the worst affliction. (,, ; cf. , ; )Jesus asked them rhetorically if these Galileans were indeed worse sinners than other Galileans just because they suffered this way.We may not be prone to asking such questions but rather we assume it to be true that evil people deserve to suffer more violently than ordinary people. Implicitly, we think we are better off than the others. We think we are morally superior since we don’t commit atrocities, we don’t commit murder or adultery or any such evil.Hey, in fact I read my Bible, I serve God as a missionary or a pastor or I am studying in a Bible college. That makes me at least a little better than these so-called evil people in the world.We therefore think we deserve better since we are good people.

Jesus shatters such a notion by jolting his hearers into reality saying, “No!”No, I tell you but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.Did you catch that? Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.Jesus is clear. There is not a single person in this world that is good. As says, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Do you know who Paul is talking about? He is talking about Jews and Gentiles. He is talking about all people. He is talking about you and me!Thus, the warning of Jesus makes it evident that we are not good people by anything we do. We are not good people because of our background or our Christian heritage. We are not good people. Period. What you and I deserve is judgment and unless we repent we too will perish.But, repent of what and repent to what? Who is the one bringing about judgment that leads to perishing? Stay with me and that question will be answered in a bit.

Jesus shatters such a notion by jolting his hearers into reality saying, “No!”No, I tell you but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.Did you catch that? Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.Jesus is clear. There is not a single person in this world that is good. As Romans 3 says, “None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one. Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive. The venom of asps is under their lips. Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes.” Do you know who Paul is talking about? He is talking about Jews and Gentiles. He is talking about all people. He is talking about you and me!Thus, the warning of Jesus makes it evident that we are not good people by anything we do. We are not good people because of our background or our Christian heritage. We are not good people. Period. What you and I deserve is judgment and unless we repent we too will perish.But, repent of what and repent to what? Who is the one bringing about judgment that leads to perishing? Stay with me and that question will be answered in a bit.

Jesus addresses another issue. If God is so good why do bad things happen in the world? Why are there natural calamities? For the atheists, an imperfect world is reason to reject the existence of God.

We are living in a place and time that is still recovering from one of the worst natural calamities to happen in the state of Kerala in the recent past. The wounds are fresh. The loss is still being felt. The pain is still so vivid in all our minds.One of my friends too raised the question just about a week back. If God is love, why is allowing innocent people to suffer? Why is such distress happening to people who are not bad?

Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem?Were the people who were killed worse sinners than others in Jerusalem? Are we better people because we did not suffer the impact of the flood? Are those people who died in the floods worse people? Are they worse sinners on whom God piled up judgment?

Again, Jesus’ emphatic answer is No!Note well that there is nothing in the text about Jesus denying that this is a judgment of God. If anything, we know well that all things are under God’s sovereign control. Thus, we can be sure that any calamity that happens is indeed the judgment of God on this sinful world.But, the answer of Jesus is reaffirming the fact that the judgment of God comes on sinners without distinction. His judgment is not only on worse sinners but rather his judgment is on all sinners. And all sinners includes both you and I!And unless we repent, we too shall perish!But, do sinful people have the ability to repent from sin and turn to God for the forgiveness of our sins?No. They do not have the ability as made clear by which says that we are all dead in our sins and trespasses.

Again, Jesus’ emphatic answer is No!Note well that there is nothing in the text about Jesus denying that this is a judgment of God. If anything, we know well that all things are under God’s sovereign control. Thus, we can be sure that any calamity that happens is indeed the judgment of God on this sinful world.But, the answer of Jesus is reaffirming the fact that the judgment of God comes on sinners without distinction. His judgment is not only on worse sinners but rather his judgment is on all sinners. And all sinners includes both you and I!And unless we repent, we too shall perish!But, do sinful people have the ability to repent from sin and turn to God for the forgiveness of our sins?No. They do not have the ability as made clear by Ephesians 2 which says that we are all dead in our sins and trespasses.

And that’s where the next four verses of this text answers our question.

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”This imagery of a fig tree in a vineyard was a familiar imagery to the Jews drawn from several Old Testament passages (; ; ; ). Israel is seen as the fig tree that was planted for three years; three referring to a sufficiently long period of time for the tree to have borne fruits.Yet, it does not!The master wanted to chop down the tree but the vinedresser intercedes for the tree and saves it from being lopped off immediately promising to provided the needed work to make it fruitful.Jesus’ parable was communicating the truth that Jesus is the vinedresser. It is through his work that the fig tree is saved. In a like manner, we are saved from the punishment that is coming upon the world not because we are Christians or because of something we do. On the contrary, we are saved by what Jesus has already done on the cross! He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. Jesus bore sin on the cross as a representative and substitute. Through the repentance that the Spirit of God brings about in our lives and the faith that God grants us to put on Jesus we are saved. We are saved not because we bore fruit by our own works but rather we are enabled to bear fruit because of what the vinedresser does to us and does for us.

And he told this parable: “A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it and found none. 7 And he said to the vinedresser, ‘Look, for three years now I have come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and I find none. Cut it down. Why should it use up the ground?’ 8 And he answered him, ‘Sir, let it alone this year also, until I dig around it and put on manure. 9 Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down.’ ”This imagery of a fig tree in a vineyard was a familiar imagery to the Jews drawn from several Old Testament passages (Hos. 9:10; Jer. 8:13; 24:1–10; Is. 5:1–7). Israel is seen as the fig tree that was planted for three years; three referring to a sufficiently long period of time for the tree to have borne fruits.Yet, it does not!The master wanted to chop down the tree but the vinedresser intercedes for the tree and saves it from being lopped off immediately promising to provided the needed work to make it fruitful.Jesus’ parable was communicating the truth that Jesus is the vinedresser. It is through his work that the fig tree is saved. In a like manner, we are saved from the punishment that is coming upon the world not because we are Christians or because of something we do. On the contrary, we are saved by what Jesus has already done on the cross! He who knew no sin became sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God. Jesus bore sin on the cross as a representative and substitute. Through the repentance that the Spirit of God brings about in our lives and the faith that God grants us to put on Jesus we are saved. We are saved not because we bore fruit by our own works but rather we are enabled to bear fruit because of what the vinedresser does to us and does for us.

Chapter 12:54-59, Jesus reprimands the people for being able to discern the things of the world but not being discerning regarding the testimony of God in the person of Jesus Christ. He exhorts them to make peace with the one against whom they have wronged. We have wronged God. God, who is the maker of all things, we have rebelled against him and thereby are guilty before him. He is the judge who will judge all those who have sinned against him.And, yet, our text, chapter 13:1-9, Jesus makes it clear that it is not those who have been afflicted by the evil people of this world or those who have been affected by natural calamities that are sinners. It is not just them who are to repent, if not perish. No. It is every single person in this world who, unless they repent, will perish. All of us are sinners without exception!Yet, it is only through Jesus are people saved without distinction. We are saved by having our sins forgiven, our hearts transformed to desire the things of God and our destinies forever changed from the very moment we believe in Jesus since we would no longer be the enemies of God but the rightful children of God!

Evil and disaster is a reality in the world. Atheists believe that denying the existence of God has solved the problem of evil. Hindus deny the very reality of evil and good. And for Muslims, it’s just how things are because of Allah’s decree.But, for us, as Christians, the answer is clear: evil is real and calamities are real. Yet, the God who exists has provided the solution to it through his son Jesus Christ. Jesus has atoned for the sins of all those who put their faith in him and starting from within, God is making all things new. Salvation is not just about getting to heaven. It’s not just about what happens after we die. It is about the present as well since it is through a right relationship with our Creator can we be partakers of the eternal kingdom of God. And as 2 Cor 5:17 says, if any man is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has passed away and behold, the new has come” God has made it possible for us to be partakers of his new creation through Jesus Christ. There is no other way.

Evil and disaster is a reality in the world. Atheists believe that denying the existence of God has solved the problem of evil. Hindus deny the very reality of evil and good. And for Muslims, it’s just how things are because of Allah’s decree.But, for us, as Christians, the answer is clear: evil is real and calamities are real. Yet, the God who exists has provided the solution to it through his son Jesus Christ. Jesus has atoned for the sins of all those who put their faith in him and starting from within, God is making all things new. Salvation is not just about getting to heaven. It’s not just about what happens after we die. It is about the present as well since it is through a right relationship with our Creator can we be partakers of the eternal kingdom of God. And as says, if any man is in Christ he is a new creation, the old has passed away and behold, the new has come” God has made it possible for us to be partakers of his new creation through Jesus Christ. There is no other way.

CS Lewis put it rightly when he said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

Friends, if there is any one who has not put their faith in Jesus Christ, I plead with you to escape the judgment and the perishing of this world that God is bringing about. Don’t be enemies of God caught in the cross-fire of God’s judgment.Instead, repent of your sins and put your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and as your God; and through him experience the joys and peaceful assurance of being in a right relationship with God as his children. And this also guaranteeing that our eternity is secure and we can live in this world boldly without any fear, calling others as well to put their faith in Jesus Christ. Today is the day of salvation for you!And brothers and sisters, those of you who have put your faith in Jesus Christ, those of you who have the assurance of being saved, are you calling on others to repent of their sins and be forgiven of their sins through faith in Jesus Christ? We as a church need to wake up, we need to be be unashamed and boldly, courageously proclaim to the world that they are sinful and unless they repent, they too will perish.Let’s pray!

Unasked Questions, Unexpected Answers

Pre-Introduction

Main Introduction

Main Introduction

Get Interest

Get Interest

Raise Need

Raise Need

Orient Theme

Orient Theme

Purpose

Purpose

The Text

The Text

Background

Background

Context

Context

Transition

Transition

The Question of Human Evil (v1-3)

The Question of Human Evil (v1-3)

The Unasked Question (v2)

The Unasked Question (v2)

The Unexpected Answer (v3)

The Unexpected Answer (v3)

Transition

Transition

The Question of Natural Evil (v4-5)

The Question of Natural Evil (v4-5)

The Unasked Question (v4)

The Unasked Question (v4)

The Unexpected Answer (v5)

The Unexpected Answer (v5)

Transition

Transition

The Only Answer (v6-9)

The Only Answer (v6-9)

Conclusion

Conclusion

Close the Text

Close the Text

Close the Sermon

Close the Sermon

Application

Application