Thank Goodness, God's Not Fair!

DISCOVER (Message Notes)

INTRODUCTION

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Before we jump into today’s cliffhanger topic of, “Thank Goodness, God’s Not Fair!”, I want to look back at last week’s message, where we focused in on the universal fact that we’ve all come to accept, and that’s...

Life Is Unfair!

Briefly talk about how unfair life is.

Yet, with as unfair life is, as we can take comfort knowing...

Jesus Understands Life Isn’t Fair

Jesus Understands Life Isn’t Fair Because Life Wasn’t Fair to Him!

Even after all the good Jesus did in His short thirty-three years of life on earth, the people were just as fickle back then as they are today.

In the last week of His life, they went from shouting “Hosanna, glory to God in the highest,” to “Crucify Him!”

Last week we learned from the story of Easter that...

The “System” Wasn’t Fair to Him

Including the Religious Leaders and Courts

The Crowds Weren’t Fair to Jesus

Justice Wasn’t Fair to Him

The Cross Wasn’t Fair to Him

That’s why we can trust that Jesus understands when we cry out to Him, “Lord, It’s just not fair!”

But...

Even harder than dealing with the unfair, is seeing someone we love to go through something that’s “unfair.”

Janet Duke Story

That’s why we can also take comfort in knowing...

Our Heavenly Father Understands Life Isn’t Fair

God knows what it’s like to see someone we love dearly treated unfairly because He watched His Son Jesus endure the pain and suffering of the cross!

But why did He do it?

In his book, “Where Is God When It Hurts?” Philip Yancey explains God’s motivation in making such a sacrifice writing...

“To some, the image of a pale body glimmering on a dark night whispers of defeat. What good is a God who does not control his Son’s suffering?

But another sound can be heard: the shout of a God crying out to human beings, ‘I LOVE YOU.’

Love was compressed for all history in that lonely figure on the cross, who said that he could call down angels at any moment on a rescue mission, but chose not to—because of us.

At Calvary, God accepted his own unbreakable terms of justice. Any discussion of how pain and suffering fit into God’s scheme ultimately leads back to the cross.”

https://www.relevantmagazine.com/faith/craig-groeschel-on-why-christians-shouldnt-expect-life-to-be-fair/

This led us to...

The Most Important Point of All...

We concluded last week’s message with the most important point and that was...

As unfair as all the things Jesus endured while on earth—including the cross, there was one thing that was so unfair to Him, it surpasses them all!

That the spotless—sinless—Lamb of God—became the ultimate sacrifice for filthy—vile—ungrateful sinners, just like me—just like you!

Romans 5:8 NLT

8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.

And this is where we pick up this morning...

You see...

1. JESUS ENDURED THE UNFAIR SO WE DON’T HAVE TO LIVE THERE!

While life has treated all of us unfairly, sometimes it’s easy for us to turn it into a name badge, or even worse—a badge of honor!

That’s the point where we end up looking for the “unfair” in everything and we make sure everyone knows about it!

This leads us to...

The Victim Identity

Andrea Mathews of “Psychology Today” writes,...

“The belief systems of the person with a victim identity fall along these lines:

Life is really, really hard.

Don't get up, you'll just get kicked back down again.

Beware, always beware of trickery; it's around every corner.

You can't trust anyone.

I can't.

You just don't understand how hard it is for me.

Everyone is always picking on me.

"They" are always bigger, badder and smarter than me.

These belief systems are in place to protect the victim from ever having to really engage life and hurdle its hurdles.

Doing so is just plain too risky. 

No, the best way to cope is to just stay on the down-side of life, and never, never, never expect more.”

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/traversing-the-inner-terrain/201102/the-victim-identity

Here’s the deal...

All of us have, are, and will again be treated unfairly.

Like taxes and death, no one can escape it.

Remember, even Jesus—the only person to breath, yet never did anything wrong to anyone was treated unfairly.

The real question is, are you going to let the unfair things in life identify you as the eternal victim?

Are they going to become a name badge you introduce yourself with wherever you go.

“Hi, my name is Chriss—I’m a Victim!”

Go around and...

Introduce myself

Hand them a VICTIM Name Badge

Tell them about all the unfair things people have done to me

What kind of life is this? Not the one Jesus wants for us!

Here’s the deal...

Jesus endured the unfairness of the cross so we wouldn’t have to live life as a victim.

While we’ve spent most of our time focusing on the unfairness of the cross, there’s something that we mustn't forget; and that’s...

The Easter Story Didn’t End on Friday!

If the Easter Story had ended with the death and burial of Jesus, then sure, victimhood is all we really have to look forward to in life—at least that’s what the media and news keeps telling us.

If the Easter Story had ended with the events that took place on Good Friday, then you and I have no purpose in being here this morning.

Jesus would have been just another...

Good Man

Prophet

Charismatic Teacher

Or even Cult Leader

He would have been on the same level as Muhammad, Confucius, and Buddha.

They lived, they taught, they died.

No one ever makes the argument that they came back to life.

But thank goodness the story didn’t end on Friday—it continued on Sunday because that’s what separates Christianity from every other World Religion!

So...

When someone asks, “What makes Christianity different than any other religion? Why should we follow Christ when there are so many other paths?” how should we answer?

The answer is simple—JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE IN ALL OF HISTORY WHO HAD/HAS THE POWER TO BRING HIMSELF BACK TO LIFE

“Oh, common Pastor, do you really believe that?”

Again, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t!

I believe it so much, I’m willing to bet my eternal soul on it—are you?

While there are plenty of great resources like Lee Strobel’s book, “The Case for Christ,” that lay out the argument that Jesus did indeed rise from the dead and that it isn’t some fairytale, Assemblies of God Superintendent, Doug Clay also raises some...

Historical Reminders of the Reality of Christ’s Resurrection

For the sake of time, I am going to move through these fast, but I think it’s important that we be reminded that there were the...

Lying Soldiers - Those charged with guarding the tomb couldn’t keep Him there (Matthew 28:11-15).

So, they were bribed to provide an elaborate story to explain away the resurrection.

Grave Clothes – Jesus’ grave clothes were discovered lying undisturbed (John 20:3-7).

Not as if someone hurriedly unwrapped a body, but rather, as if the body literally vanished from within the garments.

Massive Stone – The tomb was sealed with a boulder to keep anyone from stealing the body.

Yet, when the first visitors arrived that Easter morning, the tomb was open. The stone had been rolled away.

Angels – Along with the stone being removed, angels greeted Mary and those visiting the tomb.

They proclaimed the news that Jesus was not there. He had risen!

Disciples – Remember His disciples, cowering behind a locked door after His burial?

Then, a short time later, they’d each begin lifelong ministries proclaiming the good news of Jesus.

All but one of them would be martyred for their faith.

How do we explain such a transformation?

They saw the risen Christ and believed, going out to tell a lost world the news through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Empty Tomb – The tomb is still empty, and nobody has ever been found. Why? Jesus is alive!

You! Personal Transformation – Each of us believers has our own testimony of how Christ has transformed our lives, giving further proof that He lives!

https://news.ag.org/Features/The%20Significance%20of%20Easter

Because the story didn’t end of Friday and continued on to Resurrection Sunday....

Jesus Went From the Victim of the Cross to the Victor of Death!

AND, THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!

Briefly talk about this.

So, which one is it for you...

Victim or Victorious?

While VICTIM may have been our old identity before we came to the cross, Jesus has a brand-new identity and name tag ready to give us!

This is why Paul is able to tell us in ...

2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Jesus wants to take the old—worn out—peeling on the sides name tag you’ve made up for yourself and replace it with a brand new one.

One that has the name VICTORIOUS written on it!

You see...

When we give our lives to Jesus and make Him both Lord and Savior of our lives, His victory over death becomes our victory in both life and death!

This is why He told us in...

John 16:33 NLT

33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Life is unfair, but it’s ok, because in the end—I will give you victory!

This is why Paul tells us in...

1 Corinthians 15:57 NLT

57 But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thank God church, even though we may struggle with sin today and even though these bodies of ours face sickness and one day death—in the end, we will experience complete VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ!

It’s like the old song I love to sing!

Invite Jason to come up and play drums (impromptu / unplugged style)

Hymn: Victory in Jesus

I heard an old, old story, how a Savior came from glory How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me I heard about His groaning, of His precious blood's atoning Then I repented of my sins and won the victory

Oh victory in Jesus, my Savior forever He sought me and bought me with His redeeming blood He loved me 'ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood

Our ultimate Victory is in Jesus!

Not in ourselves

Not in education

Not in self-help

Not in government

Not in a better job

Not with our spouse—finally getting it all together

Not in more money

Not in anything else but Jesus!

So...

When You Are Being Treated Unfairly, Be Like Jesus, Let God Defend You

When we are able to trust in God’s victory, we empower our trust in His protection.

We briefly talked about this last week, but when Jesus was being unfairly accused before Pilate, He did something quite peculiar—He didn’t defend Himself.

:) Probably not what I would have done!

Take a look at...

Matthew 27:11–12 NLT

11 Now Jesus was standing before Pilate, the Roman governor. “Are you the king of the Jews?” the governor asked him. Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 12 But when the leading priests and the elders made their accusations against him, Jesus remained silent.

Matthew 27:13–14 NLT

13 “Don’t you hear all these charges they are bringing against you?” Pilate demanded. 14 But Jesus made no response to any of the charges, much to the governor’s surprise.

So...

Why didn’t Jesus defend Himself?

The reason, John Bevere gives in his book, “Under Cover: The Key to Living in God's Provision and Protection,” was so that He would “remain under His Father’s judgment and thus His protection.”

Peter tells us...

1 Peter 2:23 NLT

23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

You see...

“When we refuse to defend ourselves, we are hidden under the hand of God’s grace and judgment.”

There is no safer place, for...

Romans 8:33 NLT

33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself.

“In contrast...

Those who defend themselves come under the jurisdiction of their accusers and their judgment and thus forfeit divine intervention.”

Bevere goes on to say…

“The moment you justify and defend yourself, you yield to your accuser as judge.

You forfeit your spiritual right of protection, for he rises above you in the realm of the spirit as you answer his criticism.

His influence is elevated by your self-defense. Attempting to prove your innocence, you are at the mercy of your accuser.”

Bevere, John. Under Cover: The Key to Living in God's Provision and Protection (pp. 164-165). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

Ok, by now you may be wondering, “Is he ever going to address the cliffhanger from last week’s message?”

The one where I ended by saying...

2. THANK GOODNESS, GOD’S NOT FAIR!

Wait! What?

“Pastor, did I just hear you correctly?

Did you just say, Thank Goodness, God’s Not Fair”?

Yup...

But hear me out...

In his book, “Hope in the Dark: Believing God is Good When Life Is Not,” Pastor Craig Groeschel of life.church explains it like this...

“When we’re busy complaining about how life is so unfair, we usually forget that God is also totally unfair.

Yes, you read that right. Not only is life unfair, but in this case God is unfair. To be clear, God’s never unfair according to His standards, but He’s certainly unfair according to ours. And that’s good news for us! ~ Craig Groeschel

Because if He were fair (according to our understanding), then none of us would stand a chance. We are all guilty of sin. We’re inherently selfish, both in small, subtle ways and in bold, dramatic ways.

When we commit adultery or murder in our hearts, to God we’re just as guilty as those who are exposed and convicted of the same acts. At least, that’s what Jesus said.

If we got what we deserve, [if He were fair] then we would be stuck with ourselves, with no hope of change, no hope of forgiveness, no hope of eternal life in heaven. Just the torment of regret, the terrible loneliness of knowing that we got what we thought we wanted—to refuse God’s grace and be left alone. We would lose our souls to our own selfish pursuits.

But, thank God that He loves us so much that He never gives up on us. Even when we get angry and hurt and rage at Him. Even when we doubt and question Him. Even when we aren’t sure what we believe about Him. Even when we feel as though we can’t trust Him. Even when we try to walk away from Him.”

https://www.relevantmagazine.com/faith/craig-groeschel-on-why-christians-shouldnt-expect-life-to-be-fair/

If God Were Fair (According to Our Standards), We Would All Deserve Eternal Death (Hell)

If God were “fair” according to our standards, we would still be “subject to God’s anger” and that’s not a good thing!

Ephesians 2:1–3 NLT

1 Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. 2 You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. 3 All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

We think we know what’s fair and just, but we really don’t.

What’s fair to me may not be to you.

What I call justice you may call a travesty.

Just look at the news and you will see what I mean.

But you know who does?

Proverbs 16:11 NLT

11 The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.

So, you know what, I...

Thank Goodness, God’s Not Fair (According to Our Standards), Because That’s Exactly Why Jesus Unfairly Paid the Price of Death for Our Sins!

And here’s what Paul tells us came of it in...

Ephesians 2:4–5 NLT

4 But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!)

Ephesians 2:8–10 NLT

8 God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. 9 Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. 10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

CONCLUSION

Jesus endured the ultimate unfairness and because of that..

We Need to Stop Living a Friday Life, When Jesus Want’s Us to Start Living the Sunday Life!

It’s time for us to go from the VICTIM Identity to the VICTORIOUS Identity!

And to do that, we got to take off our old name tags and put on some new ones.

But...

Before we can do that, we need to first, accept the Victory that He purchased for us on that first Easter weekend.

And to do that, we have believe in our hearts that Jesus did in fact unfairly die on the cross for the wrongs we did, and more importantly, God raised Him from the dead!

Paul tells us in...

Romans 10:9–10 NLT

9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

It is only then, can we take off the VICTIM name tag and put on the one Christ paid the price to give us—the one labeled VICTORIOUS!

GROW (Going Deeper for Personal Study)

Skip this section and go directly to RESPOND

What’s the danger in living life with a Victim Identity?

What impact does the truth, “Jesus went from the Victim of the Cross to the Victor of Death!” have on our lives?

Read 1 Pet. 2:23. Why is important that we let God be our defender?

Write down some things you are thankful the Lord didn’t repay you “fairly” for and then thank Him for His amazing grace.

RESPOND (How is the Holy Spirit Challenging You to Respond to Today’s Message?)

Use this section as the Altar Call / Response

____ I’ve been treated unfairly or someone I love has and I need prayer.

____ I’m ready to take off my VICTIM Name Tag and trade it in for VICTORIOUS, the one Jesus purchased for me on the cross.

____ I’ve allowed myself to put back on my old Victim Name Tag and I want to trade it back in for the Victorious one I used to wear.