Gods Plan

Index cards.....

God’s Plan

Promises Pt. 4- Rom. 8:28

People have a lot of reasons and excuses for their decision to reject God. If you go to school or work with people who don’t know Jesus, you’ve heard a lot of them. If you aren’t sure about God, this might even represent your way of thinking:

· I don’t need God. I’m doing just fine.

· I’m going to make time for God later. Right now, I’m going to do my own thing.

· Christianity is too restrictive - I don’t buy the whole “only one way to heaven”. I think there have to be other ways.

· If I become a Christian, I’ll have to give up too many things. I want to have fun.

· I can’t believe a loving God would send people to hell. Who wants to serve a God like that? If God was really all that loving, everyone would go to heaven.

People have a lot of questions, doubts and misunderstandings about God. But, this is the biggest one of all.

This is the question people who don’t know Jesus wrestle with. And - to be honest, this is the question people who do know Jesus wrestle with. It’s a tough one - that preachers generally try to avoid because it isn’t an easy or popular subject:

“Why do bad things happen to good people?”

People have questions like:

· Why did my wife get cancer? She’s been a Christian her entire life. Why her?

· How could God let my child die after all I’ve done for Him?

· She’s such a good lady. Why did God let her lose her husband?

· Why did I lose my job? How could God let this happen?

· Why didn’t He stop it somehow?

· Why do bad things happen to good people?

Because they aren’t sure of the answer, people are filled with resentment, bitterness and anger. They blame God and say things like: “If this is what I get for loving and serving God and giving my time and money, then I’m not sure I want to do this anymore.”

All the things people tell you, and all the Christian clichés people spew out in those situations don’t help. In fact, most of the time they make it worse.

· What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Well - a bullet in your arm doesn’t’ make you stronger.

· It’s always darkest just before the dawn - that’s bad science.

· This too shall pass… That’s great to say to someone who is dealing with…mmm…kidney stones.

· This builds character. I’ve got all the character I want - thank you.

People use those clichés because they aren’t really sure of the answer - they don’t know what to say.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Is it reasonable to expect if you love God, pray, treat people right and give your money, that things will go right - that you’ll be employed, healthy, happy and blessed - that you’ll be healthy until 85, and then die in your sleep and go to Heaven?

If bad things happen, why? What’s going on? Is there some other agenda at work?

I want to look with you at a moment in the life of a Bible character named Joseph. Even if you’ve never read the Bible, you’ve probably heard of Joseph because of a movie or a Broadway show.

I’m going to give you a really quick overview. I encourage you to go back and read it all starting in Genesis, chapter 37. It’s a great story.

Joseph was his father’s favorite son. He had a beautiful, colorful coat - a gift from his father - to prove it. As you might imagine, his brothers didn’t like that.

Joseph had two dreams where his brothers bowed down and served him. In a not very wise moment, Joseph shared the dreams with his brothers who grew to absolutely hate him.

Joseph’s brothers couldn’t forgive - or even tolerate him. So, one day while out taking care of the cattle, they decided to kill him. They tore off the stupid coat and threw Joseph in a well. In kind of a last second, not so merciful decision, instead of killing Joseph, they decided to sell him. They trafficked their own brother. Joseph was sold, re-sold and ended up a slave in Egypt.

From there, life was a rollercoaster. Joseph was a faithful, trusted servant. He climbed the organizational ladder and ended up in charge of the household of a guy named Potiphar - a high official. But, the official’s wife falsely accused Joseph of trying to seduce her and Joseph was thrown in prison - for several years.

While in prison, Joseph had a lot of time to think about his brothers and what they had done. I can only imagine how he must have fought anger, bitterness and the desire for revenge.

Through a miraculous set of circumstances, Joseph was released from prison and at the age of 30, was elevated to the number two man in the nation of Egypt – then the most powerful country in the world.

Joseph’s journey from being sold to being a national leader took thirteen years!

Joseph’s plan to store food during abundant years positioned Egypt to be the only nation with food during a world-wide famine.

Joseph’s dream of his brothers bowing before him came true. His brothers came to Egypt to ask for food.

They didn’t know that the guy they were asking, who held their fate in his hands, was Joseph. They didn't recognize their own brother!

Joseph didn’t tell them who he was. He gave them food and sent them home, but kept one brother as kind of a ransom - so they could prove they weren’t spies.

Finally, the brothers were before him again, pleading for food and for the release of their brother. They still didn't know the person they were asking for help was the brother they sold into slavery. It was Joseph’s big chance to get even. But, instead of punishing his brothers, Joseph chose to forgive.

That was a really quick recounting. Now, let’s slow down and go through all the bad things that happened to Joseph. It’s important to know - Joseph loved, served and pleased God. In fact, repeatedly in his story, you read the line, “The Lord was with Joseph.”

· God gave Joseph a dream. Everyone he shared it with hated him.

· Joseph was beat up by his brothers and his prized possession - a gift from his father – was destroyed.

· Joseph was thrown in an empty well and left there to die.

· Joseph was sold as a slave.

· Joseph was sold again - to the enemy.

· Joseph was separated from his family. His father thought he was dead.

· Joseph was betrayed by his brothers.

· Joseph was falsely accused of trying to seduce his boss’ wife and thrown into prison.

· In prison, Joseph made friends who promised when they were released, they would help him get released. When they got out, they promptly forgot him.

· Joseph spent two more years in an Egyptian prison - no friends, no family, no hope.

If ever there was a guy with a right to be bitter and angry at God, it was Joseph. Even though he was a good guy who loved God, lots of bad things kept happening.

In our humanity you wold think One day, Joseph finally decided enough was enough. He stepped outside, shook his fist at God and made an angry declaration:

“That’s it. No more. I won’t love you. I won’t serve you. If this is what following God gets me, I’m done. I’m a good person and bad things keep happening. I’m through with you, God.”

On some level, you wouldn’t blame Joseph. After all, he had it pretty bad! But, that’s not what Joseph said or did. Instead, Joseph’s powerful response provides us with a glimpse, a clue into the answer to one of life’s most difficult questions - “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

When your world is crashing in - when bad things seem to be piling up and you are wondering, “Why me?” - this story, and Joseph’s words will help you have a completely different perspective.

When Joseph finally revealed his true identity to his brothers, they were frightened he was going to have them put in prison or killed.

Instead, Joseph revealed unusual insight into everything bad that happened to him. Apparently, during all those years of slavery, captivity and prison Joseph had considered the question, “Why does this keep happening to me?” We pick the story up at Genesis 45:4 - Joseph is talking to his brothers.

Gen. 45:5And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

Wait a second. God sent me? God sent me ahead of you? God didn’t send him. His brothers sold him! But, that’s no longer how Joseph saw it.

6For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

There it is again - “God sent me.” Wow. Instead of “You sold me here to get rid of me”, “God sent me here to save your lives.”

8“So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God.

For the third time, Joseph said, “It wasn’t you that sent me here. I was mad. It looked bad. It didn’t look fair. But now, on this side of things, looking back, I can see - it wasn’t you who sent me here. God sent me here.”

You can look at all the bad things that happened to Joseph and reasonably decide:

· His brothers did it to him.

· Potiphar’s wife was responsible.

· The Egyptians did it.

That’s your natural assumption when things go wrong - it’s an attack of the enemy. But, Joseph says, “God did it…

He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

“God sent me here for a purpose - to save your lives and to rule. Hey guys, remember that dream I had? The one where you all bowed down to me? You didn’t know it, but when you sold me as a slave, that was the beginning of my dream - God’s plan - coming true.”

9Now hurry back to my father and say to him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt.

For the fourth time, Joseph said it. “God did this. Tell Dad that God was behind it all. He sent me here for a purpose and He made me ruler. Tell Dad so he doesn’t blame you.”

Now, flip forward five chapters to Genesis, chapter 50. Their father is dead and the brothers are afraid again. Now that Dad is dead, they expect Joseph to finally take revenge and get even. Joseph calmed them by saying:

Gen. 50:19… “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.”

Wow. “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” Beaten up, thrown in a well, sold, sold again, falsely accused, put in prison, left in prison, isolated and alone - God intended all that for good. He put me here to save you and many others.”

“OK pastor- thanks a lot. So the reason God lets bad things happen to good people is so other people can be saved? Are you trying to tell me everything bad that happens to me is God’s design? Now, I really don’t want to serve Him! What kind of God is that?”

Look again at Joseph’s words:

20You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

God didn’t intend evil for Joseph. What God did was take the evil intent of others and turn it in such a way as to position Joseph for impact and blessing. God took what looked like and seemed like a really bad series of circumstances and used them to make Joseph’s dreams come true.

That brings us back to today’s promise. I want you to take an index card. make it a promise card for yourself today.

Paul wrote, in Romans 8:28

Rom. 8:28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

The NASV says it this way:

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Do you believe that? Paul said, “In all things.” That’s good things, bad things, evil things, unfair things, horrible things, and great things. In all things, God works for the good of those who love Him.

Bad things happen to good people and bad people - and God’s people. That’s part of life on earth. No one is immune from sickness, heartache or trouble. But, those who love God have a promise. When bad things happen, God will use it and turn it for your good and the good of others.

Even when it looks like life is spinning out of control, God is still working. God is working behind the scenes, orchestrating circumstances on your behalf.

“But, pastor, what about death? What about when a good person dies before their time?”

We get fairly short-sighted when it comes to death. The whole point of living for Jesus is to go to heaven. When we die, we win! Paul said,

“To live is Christ, to die is gain.”

We mourn and grieve, but trust me, your loved one isn’t mourning and grieving in heaven. They aren’t asking, “God, why did you let this happen?” Instead, they are dancing and singing and worshipping and praising in the presence of Jesus.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Because bad things happen in a bad, sin-filled, evil world - to good people and to bad people. The difference is - God ultimately uses the bad things that happen to you to bring about good - for you and for others.

Did God cause the bad? Absolutely not.

But, God will use what enemies and the enemy try to use to destroy you and turn it around for good, in a way you would never imagine! In life’s giant challenges, and in life’s minor inconveniences, God is working for those who love him.

It really is true:

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

JALEN

Many of you have heard me share our story before senior pastoring LG

Now, in the rear-view mirror we understand what we couldn’t understand three years ago. God, who knows all things, put us exactly where we needed to be. God put us in the right place at the right time. God spoke to s to stay put

How many times have you faced trouble or hardship and wondered: “Where is God in this? How could a loving God allow this? How could God let this happen to me?”

One day, what doesn’t make sense now will make perfect sense. And, you’ll discover that all along God was working and moving and orchestrating things you couldn’t see.

“So, Pastor - are you saying you believe God caused the things that lead to yo becoming the SP?” I’m not saying that. That might have been an attack from Satan. It sure felt like it. It might have been a natural result of living in this sin-filled world. But, regardless of what it was or where it came from, God used it!

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

Even when you can’t see it or sense, it, God is still working!

Now, look one more time at Joseph’s words:

20You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

How was Joseph able to say that? Years later, Joseph had the benefit of hindsight.

Looking back, he could see, “God was positioning me to save you. God used the bad you did to put me in a place where I could save you.”

Joseph realized, “All that time, God was still in control. He was still working. Even when you tried to destroy me, that couldn’t and didn’t stop God’s plan.”

What an amazing God perspective. “You tried to do evil to me. You tried to kill me. God’s response to that evil was to leverage it and put me in a place to save you.”

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

NOW LISTEN TO ME VERY CAREFULLY

It is wrong to see Paul’s intent in this verse as just, “it will all work out in the end”.

It is the exact opposite of that. It is not random. It is not just trying to make sense of a bad situation.

It is the directed purpose of God who will use everything in your life for good. Even the most evil, horrible thing, God will turn around.

I said it earlier: bad things happen to good people and bad people - and God’s people. The difference is in how you respond.

Here’s a powerful way to apply this promise - when you are facing really, really bad things, or even just little things like missed flights, flat tires, sick kids and mean people,

trust God’s promise more than your perspective.

Some of you are on an emotional roller coaster, moving from crisis to crisis, each one knocking you down.

Others of you give up on a regular basis. I know that because I see your Facebook posts!

When the next bad thing comes, you are ready to quit on God and church. You swing to hopelessness in a moment. The Lord would say to you today:

“Trust Me. I am working for your good. I know it looks bad. Hey - it is bad! But, don’t give up. Don’t give in. Don’t quit. You may not be able to see it right now, but I am working. What the enemy intends for bad, I am going to turn for your good. You are not defeated and cannot be defeated because I your God am working on your behalf. Get your hopes up. Trust me. You will see how I will use this for your good and for my glory!”

God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

PRAYER

There’s one more thing I want you to remember. Listen to me. When good things happen to you, it’s not just blind luck. God, who loves you is working on your behalf!

You’re not lucky, you’re loved!

Jerry Miller quote

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