If God is Good, Then... ?
Q&A • Sermon • Submitted • Presented • 29:36
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· 161 viewsThe question of God’s goodness in light of the world we live in is an old one. Yet the Bible does answer it!
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5/26/19
5/26/19
INTRO
If God is good then….
If God is good then….
Why is there so much suffering in the world?
Why does Evil exist?
Why does He send people to Hell?
Why do babies die?
Why did cancer take my mother?
Why did my wife leave me?
Why didn’t He heal my son?
Why…
This is a very real, natural, and I would argue visceral question for many of us personally as well as for our friends and family. Perhaps you are here today and are crying with you anger or confusion as to why a good God would allow something bad to happen in your life.
This is a very old question. In fact this question has been asked by humans for thousands of years and the good news is that God is not put off by it. God does not avoid it or seek to dismiss it, in fact He answers it quite clearly in His Word. As we look into His word to discover the answer to this question I would ask that you join me in prayer.
PRAYER
God our father in heaven, your very name is holy, righteous and true. We want for your name to receive the glory and honor it deserves both on this earth and in the larger universe in which we live, we desire for all of creation seen and unseen to herald your mighty name. We want to understand your Will and as we are trusting that you are good we ask that your will might be done in our very own lives. Father we thank you for today, the day that you have made and we long to taste and see that you are good as we feast on your Holy Word today we ask that you would forgive us of our anger and blame we so often direct toward you. Give us your spirit so that we might understand what is the hight and breadth length and depth of your love for us. Help us to have a right understanding of you so that we might see your goodness even in the face of suffering in our own lives. We ask that you might deliver us from evil and from temptations of this world.
God our father in heaven, your very name is holy, righteous and true. We want for your name to receive the glory and honor it deserves both on this earth and in the larger universe in which we live, we desire for all of creation seen and unseen to herald your mighty name. We want to understand your Will and as we are trusting that you are good we ask that your will might be done in our very own lives. Father we thank you for today, the day that you have made and we long to taste and see that you are good as we feast on your Holy Word today we ask that you would forgive us of our anger and blame we so often direct toward you. Give us your spirit so that we might understand what is the hight and breadth length and depth of your love for us. Help us to have a right understanding of you so that we might see your goodness even in the face of suffering in our own lives. We ask that you might deliver us from evil and from temptations of this world.
Amen!
MESSAGE
As we approach this topic I would like to take one step back. We are assuming God is good when we ask these questions. So before we assume we must first ask the question of God: Are you good?
As we approach this topic I would like to take one step back. We are assuming God is good when we ask these questions. So before we assume we must first ask the question of God: Are you good?
Is God actually good?
If He is not then our problem ends there, for if God is not actually good then we have no reason to ask why these things happen, for we have the answer already.
I want to affirm that I believe God is good!! In fact I would argue that God is the very definition of Good.
Let us revisit firstly some of the arguments for Gods existence from last week, surely you remember most of what was said if not all of the 50 cent words to describe them.
Teleological argument for God’s existence
Cosmological argument for Gods existence
Ontological argument for Gods existence
Moral argument for God’s existence
If a God exists it must be good
If a God exists it must be good
God exists
God is good
Circular reasoning, I know, however logic only work within a framework of absolutes and absolutes can only exist within the framework of our submission to the belief that absolutes exist and absolutes can only exist if there is an absolute standard by which to measure them by and an absolute standard can only exist if there is a being to claim dominion over this standard absolutely. Since you or I cannot claim this authority on absolutes and yet we both agree on their necessity it therefore necessitates a being greater then ourselves to claim this absolute authority! LOL, I love philosophy!!
If I lost you there that is ok, I wrote that out to read it or else I was going to lose myself… I digress…
God makes claim to His goodness in His Word…
God Alone is Good
God Alone is Good
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
Mk 10.18
4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
Deut
God Demonstrates His Goodness
God Demonstrates His Goodness
in his actions
in his creation
in his love
in his gifts
in his promises
in his commands
God Wants us to Experience His Goodness
God Wants us to Experience His Goodness
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!
19 Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! 20 In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.
Ps 31.
40 I will make with them an everlasting covenant, that I will not turn away from doing good to them. And I will put the fear of me in their hearts, that they may not turn from me.
God Works Good Even in Unfavorable Circumstances
God Works Good Even in Unfavorable Circumstances
20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
God’s Goodness Is To Be Praised!
God’s Goodness Is To Be Praised!
3 Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for it is pleasant!
But instead we question Him!...
25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?
Ez 18.25
Since God is GOOD, why… ?
1 John = God is LOVE
-------------------------------------------------------
Wrong Question
Wrong Question
Why do bad things happen to good people?
wrong question!
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
do you really believe you are good?
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
God says that we are not good, even if we think we are!
6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
apart from God even the “good” we do is not truly GOOD in the eyes of God
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
All of us are guilty before God because all have sinned!
Why do bad things happen to Good people?… there are no good people!!
Why does God put up with any of us at all?
We misunderstand that God’s goodness does not necessitate a life of ease, comfort, and safety!
----- Yet…
If God is Good then...
If God is Good then...
Why do bad things happen to good people? Why is there suffering?
How can He send people to Hell?
…
why can’t wont he put a stop to satan?
why does he send people to hell?
Arguments For God’s Goodness...
Cosmological
Teleological
And Yet…
And Yet…
Ontological
Powerful
Knowing
Good
Knowing
Moral
Our “Good”
His Good
----- Yet…
3 And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory!”
11 God is a righteous judge, and a God who feels indignation every day.
Psalm
4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.
Lk
19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
--------- Yet…
Evil
Suffering
God seems to approve of it…
3 Now go and strike Amalek and devote to destruction all that they have. Do not spare them, but kill both man and woman, child and infant, ox and sheep, camel and donkey.’ ”
S
16 And the Lord said to him, “But I will be with you, and you shall strike the Midianites as one man.”
17 The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’ 18 This dream I, King Nebuchadnezzar, saw. And you, O Belteshazzar, tell me the interpretation, because all the wise men of my kingdom are not able to make known to me the interpretation, but you are able, for the spirit of the holy gods is in you.” 19 Then Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, was dismayed for a while, and his thoughts alarmed him. The king answered and said, “Belteshazzar, let not the dream or the interpretation alarm you.” Belteshazzar answered and said, “My lord, may the dream be for those who hate you and its interpretation for your enemies! 20 The tree you saw, which grew and became strong, so that its top reached to heaven, and it was visible to the end of the whole earth, 21 whose leaves were beautiful and its fruit abundant, and in which was food for all, under which beasts of the field found shade, and in whose branches the birds of the heavens lived— 22 it is you, O king, who have grown and become strong. Your greatness has grown and reaches to heaven, and your dominion to the ends of the earth. 23 And because the king saw a watcher, a holy one, coming down from heaven and saying, ‘Chop down the tree and destroy it, but leave the stump of its roots in the earth, bound with a band of iron and bronze, in the tender grass of the field, and let him be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven periods of time pass over him,’ 24 this is the interpretation, O king: It is a decree of the Most High, which has come upon my lord the king, 25 that you shall be driven from among men, and your dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field. You shall be made to eat grass like an ox, and you shall be wet with the dew of heaven, and seven periods of time shall pass over you, till you know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will.
Dan 4.
10 he also will drink the wine of God’s wrath, poured full strength into the cup of his anger, and he will be tormented with fire and sulfur in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. 11 And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night, these worshipers of the beast and its image, and whoever receives the mark of its name.”
But, GOD IS GOOD…
Where did evil come from?
Why did he create Satan?
Why is there so much suffering?
Why do bad things happen to Good people?
Satan
God created Satan to be good
31 And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.
Satan has free will to choose
Satan choose to serve himself
13 You said in your heart, ‘I will ascend to heaven; above the stars of God I will set my throne on high; I will sit on the mount of assembly in the far reaches of the north; 14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’
Sin / Evil
God created Man to be good
Man has free will to choose
6 So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.
Man choses to serve self
2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.
Suffering
Why does he send people to hell?
Sin / Evil
Consequences of sin brings suffering
yours
theirs
Hell
Hell was not meant to be a place for humanity
Hell is chosen
Hell is consequence
Does hell bother you?
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
2 And he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.
Matt 28.
Things I disagree with happen…?
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.
9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?
Christian Attitude Toward Suffering
Why do bad things happen to good people?
wrong question!
18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
do you really believe you are good?
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.”
God says that we are not good, even if we think we are!
6 We have all become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous deeds are like a polluted garment. We all fade like a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, take us away.
apart from God even the “good” we do is not truly GOOD in the eyes of God
12 Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—
All of us are guilty before God because all have sinned!
we feel as if we are good...
This puts us in a bad spot before God, who IS good…
13 You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?
----------------… JOB
Hab
7 Behold, I cry out, ‘Violence!’ but I am not answered; I call for help, but there is no justice.
21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
25 “Yet you say, ‘The way of the Lord is not just.’ Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way not just? Is it not your ways that are not just?
… JOB
Jb 28.
28 And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’ ”
Jb
12 Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.
26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable.
Jb
7.19
19 Teach us what we shall say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.
Jb
4 “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.
Because God is GOOD...
Because God is GOOD...
------------------- For our good!
8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered.
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.
God is GOOD!
God is GOOD!
God will correct...
16 They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore; the sun shall not strike them, nor any scorching heat.
4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
12 For he who avenges blood is mindful of them; he does not forget the cry of the afflicted.
21 And when the Lord smelled the pleasing aroma, the Lord said in his heart, “I will never again curse the ground because of man, for the intention of man’s heart is evil from his youth. Neither will I ever again strike down every living creature as I have done.
1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.