Central UMC Lenoir City
Why is there Evil and Suffering in the World?
9:00am Modern Worship / 11:00am Traditional Worship Helping People to Find and Follow Jesus
Locations & Times
Central UMC Lenoir City Tn
301 Hickory Creek Rd, Lenoir City, TN 37771, USA
Sunday 9:00 AM
Sunday 11:00 AM
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https://www.centralmethodist.com/connectioncardThese past seven weeks, we have looked at some big topics:
- The Sunnier Side of Doubt
- When the Church is Toxic
- Is the Bible Relevant?
- Science and the Existence of God
- Why Does the Church Ignore What Matters?
- How can a loving God send people to Hell?
- Why is their evil and suffering in the world?
This morning we want to talk about "Why is there evil and suffering in the world?" This is an important question.
It is a personal question. We have experiences that make us wonder why thighs happen.
It is a universal question. Different religions try to answer this question.
It is a biblical question. If God exists, is good, all-powerful, all knowing and loving, how can evil exist?
Four Truths About Evil and Suffering
1) Evil and Suffering are not God'd design. We see in Genesis 1, that God created all things and they are good. In Genesis 3 we see human beings chose to go their own way because he gave them free will. Sin not only separated us from God, all of creation fell. We see in Romans 8:19-23 that all of creation is subject to frustration. This is not the way it was meant to be.
2) Don't blame God for what humans do. Human beings do evil and suffering. Just read the news. This is not God's fault, it is ours.
3) Suffering and hardship can positively shape us. Romans 5:3-4 says that suffering produces character and character hope. While we would not choose our hardships, they have shaped us to become who we are today.
4) Christ suffers WITH us and FOR us. The worst human evil was crsificying Christ on the cross. God transformed the cross to be a symbol of love. God is with us in our suffering. On the cross, Christ bore our sins and our sorrows. He walks with us in the valleys of life.
What do I do if I am suffering?
1) Psalm 34 says that God is close to the brokenhearted. God may feel far but he is close.
2) Pray as you can. Romans 8:26 tell us the Spirit fills in the gaps that words cannot express.
3) Romans 8:28 says that God can use all things for his good. While God does not cause bad, he can use the bad for his glory.
4) Everything will be set to right. Rev 21:4-5 reveals that God will redeem not only us but all creation.
Bottom Line: Even though I don't understand, I will trust.
- The Sunnier Side of Doubt
- When the Church is Toxic
- Is the Bible Relevant?
- Science and the Existence of God
- Why Does the Church Ignore What Matters?
- How can a loving God send people to Hell?
- Why is their evil and suffering in the world?
This morning we want to talk about "Why is there evil and suffering in the world?" This is an important question.
It is a personal question. We have experiences that make us wonder why thighs happen.
It is a universal question. Different religions try to answer this question.
It is a biblical question. If God exists, is good, all-powerful, all knowing and loving, how can evil exist?
Four Truths About Evil and Suffering
1) Evil and Suffering are not God'd design. We see in Genesis 1, that God created all things and they are good. In Genesis 3 we see human beings chose to go their own way because he gave them free will. Sin not only separated us from God, all of creation fell. We see in Romans 8:19-23 that all of creation is subject to frustration. This is not the way it was meant to be.
2) Don't blame God for what humans do. Human beings do evil and suffering. Just read the news. This is not God's fault, it is ours.
3) Suffering and hardship can positively shape us. Romans 5:3-4 says that suffering produces character and character hope. While we would not choose our hardships, they have shaped us to become who we are today.
4) Christ suffers WITH us and FOR us. The worst human evil was crsificying Christ on the cross. God transformed the cross to be a symbol of love. God is with us in our suffering. On the cross, Christ bore our sins and our sorrows. He walks with us in the valleys of life.
What do I do if I am suffering?
1) Psalm 34 says that God is close to the brokenhearted. God may feel far but he is close.
2) Pray as you can. Romans 8:26 tell us the Spirit fills in the gaps that words cannot express.
3) Romans 8:28 says that God can use all things for his good. While God does not cause bad, he can use the bad for his glory.
4) Everything will be set to right. Rev 21:4-5 reveals that God will redeem not only us but all creation.
Bottom Line: Even though I don't understand, I will trust.
