SUFFERING HAPPENS

Romans 10:21 All day long I’ve held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.

the problem of EVIL

we really do need each other

the problem of reconciling  an all powerful all good God  with this world that is all messed up.

How do we wrestle with this stuff?

Be honest with yourself CrapPainStuffMess What comes to your mind in terms of your own life?

Don’t minimize the pain

Some maximize every issue

spiritual cheerleading can become sort of a surrogate for dealing with the real issue.

wrestle with the text

God is all powerful

If God is all powerful…  He could …  He doesn’t want to…  He wants you to have…  It’s good that…

Are you talking about God or the devil?

where do you ge t your picture of God from ?

John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.

Colossians 1:15-16 Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.

Colossians 1:15-16 He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see – such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

Philippians 2:6 Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.

Hebrews 1:1-3 In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe.

Hebrews 1:1-3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.

John 14:7-9 If you really know me, you will know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father and that will be enough for us.”

John 14:7-9 Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?

where do you see Jesus involved in …

The God that Jesus reveals… …heals diseases, he doesn’t cause them. …comes to liberate us, he doesn’t put us into captivity. …comes to rejuvenate creation, not afflict creation. …comes that we might have life & have it more abundantly.

sense of intimacy and closeness with God is wrapped up in their belief that God controls everything

Is the problem:  in believing that God is all powerful  or is it that we’re not thinking about power in a Christ-like way?

power NeanderthalMachiavellianWisdomAgape

Jesus & power Neanderthal Jesus casting out demons Machiavellian Jesus doesn’t manipulate people Wisdom Jesus lives out wisdom Agape Jesus & the power of the cross

if relationship is what God wants, wisdom and love are the primary ways that he does it

how do we understand…  stuff happening in our lives  what we’re supposed to do in response to it?

Romans 10:21 All day long I’ve held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.

God experiences … … frustration … disappointment … a broken heart

God is in it

as kingdom people “God, I trust that you are here getting your hands dirty in the mess.” Help me to:  see you;  to align my will with yours;

it smells like crap, but it’s good fertilizer. He uses it to grow things in our life, and our job is to cooperate with him doing it.

SUFFERING HAPPENS