1. #1 – How does the Bible answer the question, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” (or, vice versa: “Why do good things happen to bad people?”) Real & unsatisfying part of life – Eccl. 8:14Real & unsatisfying part of life – Eccl. 8:14 Pondered for ages – Job 21:7Pondered for ages – Job 21:7 1

2. #1 - “Why do bad things happen to good people?” -Bible answers include… The vanity & uncertainty of all earthly things – Eccl. 8:14The vanity & uncertainty of all earthly things – Eccl. 8:14 -Whether righteous or sinful (Lk. 16:19) Heb. 11:35-38 2

3. #1 - “Why do bad things happen to good people?” -Bible answers include … Time & chance happens to us all – Eccl. 9:1-2, 11Time & chance happens to us all – Eccl. 9:1-2, 11 -Both calamities & blessings 3

4. #1 - “Why do bad things happen to good people?” -Bible answers include… One of the consequences of sin in the world – Gen. 3:14-15, 19One of the consequences of sin in the world – Gen. 3:14-15, 19 -Does not necessarily mean it is due to one’s own sins (Job 4:7; Lk. 13:1-5) -Opportunity for faith in God’s works (Jno. 9:1-5) -Better to suffer for good (1 Pet. 3:17; 4:14-16) 4

5. #1 - “Why do bad things happen to good people?” -Bible answers include… Satan is active in the world – Job 1:7Satan is active in the world – Job 1:7 -Seeks opportunities to discourage, dishearten & destroy (1 Pet. 5:8) -Uses trials of suffering (Matt. 24:7-13) 5

6. #1 - “Why do bad things happen to good people?” -Bible answers include… Evil people will do harm to the innocent – 2 Tim. 3:12-13Evil people will do harm to the innocent – 2 Tim. 3:12-13 -Sin & its effects are all around us (Psa. 51:5; Eccl. 7:29) -Good people are affected 6

7. #1 - “Why do bad things happen to good people?” -WHAT SHOULD WE DO?- Enjoy life as a gift from God, Eccl. 8:15Enjoy life as a gift from God, Eccl. 8:15 Accept that all of your questions will not be answered in this life, Eccl. 9:16-17Accept that all of your questions will not be answered in this life, Eccl. 9:16-17 Remember God in the face of life’s trials, Eccl. 12:1, 6-7Remember God in the face of life’s trials, Eccl. 12:1, 6-7 7

8. #1 - “Why do bad things happen to good people?” -WHAT SHOULD WE DO?- Do not envy the unrighteous, Psa. 73:1-3 (Job 21:7-16; Psa. 37)Do not envy the unrighteous, Psa. 73:1-3 (Job 21:7-16; Psa. 37) -Their end is demise & destruction! (73:18-20) -God is good to the pure in heart! (73:1) -Continue with God…live by faith… eternal glory! (73:21-28) 8

9. #2 – Since God hears the prayers of the righteous (“the prayer of the righteous man avails much”) then does someone (friend/family) in a denominational or “unsound church” who prays for you do any good? While we cannot render judgment on the validity of every prayer offered, we can know when to be confident that God hears & acts upon prayer – Jno. 7:24While we cannot render judgment on the validity of every prayer offered, we can know when to be confident that God hears & acts upon prayer – Jno. 7:24 9

10. #2 – …does someone (friend/family) in a denominational or “unsound church” who prays for you do any good? KEY: The power of answered prayer lies, in part, in who has the privilege of coming before God in prayerKEY: The power of answered prayer lies, in part, in who has the privilege of coming before God in prayer -The righteous person (James 5:16) -God’s children – Matt. 7:11 (6:9) -The person of true faith – Jas. 1:2-6 -Christians – Heb. 4:14 (3:1; 10:23), 15-16 10

11. #2 – …does someone (friend/family) in a denominational or “unsound church” who prays for you do any good? If the denominationalist is saved, then his prayers avail…if he is not, then they do notIf the denominationalist is saved, then his prayers avail…if he is not, then they do not -Endorse division - 1 Cor. 1:10 (Jno. 17:20-21) -Have not been baptized into Christ - Gal. 3:27 -Not of the “one body” of Christ – Eph. 4:4 (Acts 2:41, 47) -Offer vain worship to God – Jno. 4:23-24 -They are lost & need salvation – Rom. 6:3-4 11

12. #3 – Why and how did the dinosaurs become extinct? In the Bible it says Noah brought two of all living things into the ark (Gen. 6:19-20; 7:8-9). Did Noah forget them (they are now extinct)? No, Noah did not forget them – Noah fully obeyed God – Gen. 6:22; 7:2-5No, Noah did not forget them – Noah fully obeyed God – Gen. 6:22; 7:2-5 Became extinct before or after the floodBecame extinct before or after the flood Bible does not reveal such detailsBible does not reveal such details 12

13. When did dinosaurs live? (Gen. 1:20, 24) Why doesn’t the Bible mention them? (Gen. 2:19; Job 40:15-24; 41:1-34) 13 Could dinosaurs fit into the ark? Yes! (Gen. 6:15-17) Man & dinosaurs stood together! (Gen. 2:19)

14. Of God’s great works & wordsOf God’s great works & words Of God’s holy character which anchor & support His works & wordsOf God’s holy character which anchor & support His works & words His name (which is holy & reverend! (Eccl. 12:13)His name (which is holy & reverend! (Eccl. 12:13) We Stand in Awe! Psa. 111:7-10 14