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Why Did God Let It Happen?  
Why Did God Let it Happen? (sermon outline) Lay aside the hindrance of nagging doubts (Heb 12:1-3). "The fact of suffering undoubtedly constitutes the single greatest challenge to the Christian faith." - John Stott "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15; cf. Matt 22:37; 2 Cor 4:3,4). A. The skeptic's challenge regarding MORAL evil An answer from the Bible *God "limits Himself." Titus 1:2; James 1:13 *God has purposed to create people in His image who can voluntarily respond to His love and obey His will. Gen 1:27; John 14:21; Rev 22:17 An answer from logic *The agnostic or atheist has no ultimate basis for moral absolutes. If there is no absolute wrong, what really is evil? According to their worldview, why is "evil" offensive? B. The skeptic's challenge regarding NATURAL evil An answer from the Bible *How did God originally make this world? Gen 1:10,12,18,25,31 *What is man's role over this world? Gen 1:26-28 *What are the consequences of the Fall? Gen 3:1-19 An answer from logic *If we exist by natural evolution, what is "evil" about natural disasters? On the other hand, a biblical worldview inspires compassion and relief work. Acts 11:28-30 Therefore: 1.Humbly admit your limited capacity for complete knowledge. Isa 55:8,9; Job 38-41 2. Trust in the wisdom and goodness of God. 1 Cor 1:18-21; Ps 100:5 3. Accept His providence with faith and perseverance. Rom 8:28 4. Keep learning of His purposes in allowing suffering. Ps 119:71 by Pastor John Woodward Winona Gospel Church , March 12, 2000 The mystery of evil The revelation of God's wisdom 1. Why did God allow Israel to be afflicted? 2 Chron. 36:14-16; Gal. 6:7 2. Why did God allow Job to be afflicted? Job 1:1,2; James 5:11 3. Why does God allow Christians to be afflicted? Rom. 8:28 Phil. 1:29; 3:10 - to affirm our union with Christ Heb. 12:6-9 - to train us as God's children Rom. 5:1-3 - to develop our character Matt. 7:24-29 - to verify our salvation 1 Pet. 1:6-9 - to purify our faith John 16:33 - to remind us that we are pilgrims 2 Tim. 2:12 - to prepare us for future reigning with Christ Matt. 5:10,11 - to gain future rewards 2 Cor. 12: 9 - to demonstrate the sufficiency of God's grace Deut. 8:2; James 4:6 - to rid us of pride and self-sufficiency 1 Pet. 2:11,12; 4:1 - to influence us away from sin 4.Why did God allow His Son to be afflicted? -in His life: Luke 9:58; Heb. 2:10-11 -in His death: Isaiah 53:2-6; 1 Pet. 3:17,18 by Pastor John Woodward Winona Gospel Church March 19, 2000 "The Weaver" Behind my life the Weaver stands, And works His wondrous will. I leave it in His all-wise hands, And trust His perfect skill; Should mystery enshroud His plan, And my short sight be dim, I will not try the whole to scan, But leave each thread with Him. Nor till the loom is silent, And the shuttles cease to fly, Shall God unfold the pattern, And explain the reason why The dark threads were as needful (In the Master's skillful hand) As the threads of gold and silver In the pattern which He planned. (anon.) "WHO AM I TO QUESTION GOD?" Who am I to question God and His perfect plan? Am I wiser than He? Do I know more about what is best for me -- and others, than the One who created us? Does God not know what He is doing? Does He ever make mistakes? I have been saved by faith and am to live by faith, not be what I see -- the suffering, the abuse, the disasters, the heartaches. If I grieve at what I see, how much more must God be grieved by those He created and loves? - loves so much that He died for them: the abused, the abuser, the suffering, the murdered -- ALL of them; and He would have died had there been only one sinner and they committed only one "small" sin, even if it was me. In my own mind it seems that I determine what sins are not so bad and what sins someone should be struck down for committing. To God, sin is sin and it all grieves Him and breaks His heart. Did my sin not cause Christ to be beaten, nailed to a cross, have His side pierced, and die? Am I less guilty of Christ being crucified because I feel my sins were not as bad as someone else's? How I must have grieved God as He had to turn away from His Son as He hung on the cross because He was bearing my sins. How God must have grieved. I could ask, where was God when His Son was being crucified for my sins? Why did He not intervene to stop the suffering of His beloved Son? Because, had He intervened I would be eternally lost. Praise God He loved me so much He showed His mercy to me, a sinner, just as He does to ALL sinners. WHO AM I TO QUESTION GOD AND HIS PERFECT PLAN? -Diane Falla
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