Finding Hope and Purpose in Life's Unfairness

Devotional

Day 1: The Gift of Grace

Description:
God's mercy and grace are foundational to the Christian faith. Because of His mercy, we no longer have to pay the debts for our sins. This is not fair, but it is good. We receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ, though we have done nothing to earn it. This is the essence of grace, and it should fill us with gratitude and hope. Grace is receiving what we don't deserve, and mercy is not receiving what we do deserve. This divine exchange is a cornerstone of our relationship with God and a source of immense hope and joy.

Understanding this can transform how we view our lives and our relationship with God. Instead of seeing our shortcomings and failures as barriers, we can see them as opportunities to experience God's grace more deeply. This perspective can change our daily interactions, making us more compassionate and forgiving towards others, knowing that we too are recipients of unmerited favor. [32:53]

Bible Passage:
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved." (Ephesians 2:4-5, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a recent situation where you felt undeserving of forgiveness or kindness. How can you see this situation through the lens of God's grace and mercy today?

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Day 2: Divine Purpose in Unlikely Circumstances

Description:
God can use even the most unlikely circumstances and people to accomplish His purpose. He used the wicked Pharaoh to set free the nation of Israel and two seemingly insignificant people in the story of Esther to save a generation. This reminds us that God is always at work, even when we can't see it. Our limited perspective often blinds us to the grand tapestry that God is weaving, where every thread, no matter how insignificant it seems, has a purpose.

This understanding can bring immense comfort and hope, especially in times of confusion and despair. When life seems unfair or when we face insurmountable challenges, we can trust that God is using these very situations to fulfill His divine plan. This trust can transform our outlook, enabling us to face difficulties with a sense of purpose and hope. [34:25]

Bible Passage:
"For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong." (1 Corinthians 1:26-27, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a challenging situation you are currently facing. How might God be using this situation for a greater purpose that you cannot yet see?

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Day 3: The True Glory of Heaven

Description:
Heaven is not about indulging in our fleshly desires but about dwelling in the presence of God. The true glory of heaven is that we get to look God in the eye, have a relationship with Him, and dwell in His presence for eternity. This is why heaven is so great. Many people have misconceptions about heaven, thinking it is a place where all earthly desires are fulfilled. However, the real beauty of heaven lies in the unbroken fellowship with God.

This understanding shifts our focus from earthly pleasures to eternal joy. It encourages us to seek a deeper relationship with God here and now, as a foretaste of the eternal communion we will enjoy in heaven. This perspective can transform our daily lives, making us more focused on spiritual growth and less on material gains. [29:36]

Bible Passage:
"Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." (Psalm 73:25-26, ESV)

Reflection:
Consider your current desires and aspirations. How can you shift your focus from earthly pleasures to seeking a deeper relationship with God?

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Day 4: Trusting God's Plan in an Unfair World

Description:
Romans 8:28 is a cornerstone for understanding that God can use an unfair world to accomplish His purpose. In a world ruled by fairness, there would be no mercy or grace. Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve, and grace is receiving what we don't deserve. This verse reminds us that God is always at work for our good, even when circumstances seem unjust or painful.

This understanding can bring peace and trust in God's sovereignty. When we face unfair situations, we can rest in the knowledge that God is using these very circumstances to shape us and fulfill His divine plan. This trust can transform our response to life's challenges, enabling us to face them with faith and hope. [30:26]

Bible Passage:
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28, ESV)

Reflection:
Think of a recent experience where you felt life was unfair. How can you trust that God is using this situation for your good and His purpose?

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Day 5: Eternal Hope in the Midst of Pain

Description:
Our light momentary afflictions are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comprehension. The things we see now are temporary, but the things of the kingdom of heaven are eternal. This is why we can have hope in the midst of our pain. Revelation 21:1-4 describes a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. This is the ultimate hope we have in Jesus Christ.

This perspective can transform how we endure suffering. Knowing that our pain is temporary and serves a greater purpose can give us the strength to persevere. It also shifts our focus from our current struggles to the eternal joy that awaits us, filling us with hope and anticipation. [24:33]

Bible Passage:
"For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal." (2 Corinthians 4:17-18, ESV)

Reflection:
Reflect on a current pain or struggle you are experiencing. How can the promise of eternal glory and the new heaven and earth give you hope and strength to endure?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Welcome, everyone. Today, we are diving into some profound questions that many of us grapple with: Why is life unfair, and why do people die? These questions often arise from a place of deep pain and confusion, and they can sometimes morph into accusations against God. But I want to assure you that there is hope and purpose even in the midst of our suffering.

We began by acknowledging the mercy and grace of God. Because of His mercy, we no longer have to pay the debts for our sins. This is not fair, but it is good. We receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ, though we have done nothing to earn it. This is the essence of grace. We then took a moment to pray, asking for hope and acknowledging those who are struggling. Many hands were raised, indicating a deep need for hope in this house.

I reminded everyone that God can use all things for His purpose. He used the wicked Pharaoh to set free the nation of Israel and two seemingly insignificant people in the story of Esther to save a generation. God is in the business of providing hope where there seems to be none. We prayed for galvanized hearts and restored hope, asking for God's presence to fall upon us.

We then discussed the misconceptions about heaven. Many people think heaven is a place where we can indulge in all our fleshly desires. But the true glory of heaven is that we get to dwell in the presence of God, look Him in the eye, and have a relationship with Him. This is why heaven is so great.

Next, we delved into Romans 8:28, a verse that has been a cornerstone in my life. It says, "All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose." This verse is a reminder that God can use an unfair world to accomplish His purpose. In a world ruled by fairness, there would be no mercy or grace. Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve, and grace is receiving what we don't deserve. Because of God's mercy, we no longer have to pay the debts for our sins.

We then transitioned to a more interactive part of the service, where we passed out index cards for questions and took tithes and offerings. This was an opportunity to exercise generosity and engage with the community. We also announced upcoming events like Summer Nights, a time for fellowship and fun without a structured environment.

Returning to our main topic, we explored the story of Adam and Eve. When they sinned, death and destruction entered the world. This is why people die and why life is unfair. Sin creates a wedge between us and God and causes suffering for others. However, knowing why does not provide hope. The hope comes from understanding that our pain is not permanent or purposeless. It is only through a relationship with Jesus that our pain can have meaning and purpose.

We looked at 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, which tells us that our light momentary afflictions are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comprehension. The things we see now are temporary, but the things of the kingdom of heaven are eternal. This is why we can have hope in the midst of our pain.

Finally, we turned to Revelation 21:1-4, which describes a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. God will dwell among His people, and all things will be made new. This is the ultimate hope we have in Jesus Christ.

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Key Takeaways

1. All Things Work Together for Good**: This verse is a cornerstone for understanding that God can use an unfair world to accomplish His purpose. In a world ruled by fairness, there would be no mercy or grace. Mercy is not receiving what we do deserve, and grace is receiving what we don't deserve. This verse reminds us that God is always at work for our good. [30:26]
5. Hope in the Midst of Pain: Our light momentary afflictions are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comprehension. The things we see now are temporary, but the things of the kingdom of heaven are eternal. This is why we can have hope in the midst of our pain. Revelation 21:1-4 describes a new heaven and a new earth where there will be no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain. This is the ultimate hope we have in Jesus Christ.

### [30:26]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:09] - Introduction and Prayer
[02:12] - Tithes and Offerings
[03:21] - Announcements and Summer Nights
[04:23] - Bible Recap and Goodie Bags
[05:57] - Introduction to Sermon Series
[07:10] - Why is Life Unfair?
[08:26] - Questioning God
[10:02] - The Story of Adam and Eve
[11:33] - Accusations Against God
[13:44] - The Short Answer
[14:44] - Sin Enters the World
[16:34] - Cain and Abel
[17:34] - Suffering Due to Sin
[18:27] - Knowing Why Does Not Provide Hope
[19:09] - Hope in Jesus
[20:10] - 2 Corinthians 4:17-18
[22:00] - Pain is Not Meaningless
[23:40] - Fixing Our Gaze on Eternity
[24:33] - Revelation 21:1-4
[25:35] - God’s Ultimate Plan
[26:29] - The Good News of the Gospel
[27:30] - Jesus Paid Our Debts
[28:33] - Communion with God
[29:36] - Misconceptions About Heaven
[30:26] - Romans 8:28
[31:17] - God’s Power in an Unfair World
[32:09] - Mercy and Grace
[32:53] - God’s Mercy
[33:52] - Prayer for Hope
[34:25] - God Uses All Things

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What does Romans 8:28 say about how God uses the circumstances in our lives? How does this relate to the concept of fairness discussed in the sermon? [30:26]
According to 2 Corinthians 4:17-18, what are our "light and momentary troubles" achieving for us? How does this perspective help us endure suffering? [20:10]
In Revelation 21:1-4, what are the promises given about the new heaven and new earth? How do these promises provide hope in the midst of our current pain? [24:33]

Interpretation Questions

How does the concept of God's mercy and grace, as explained in the sermon, challenge our understanding of fairness? [32:09]
What does it mean that our pain is "not permanent or purposeless" according to the sermon? How does this align with the message in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18? [19:09]
How can the story of Adam and Eve help us understand why life is unfair and why people die? What does this story teach us about the consequences of sin? [14:44]
How does the promise of a new heaven and new earth in Revelation 21:1-4 shape our understanding of eternal hope? How does this promise affect our daily lives? [24:33]

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you felt life was unfair. How did you respond, and how might understanding God's mercy and grace change your perspective? [32:09]
Romans 8:28 says that "all things work together for the good of those who love the Lord." How can you remind yourself of this truth during difficult times? What practical steps can you take to trust in God's purpose? [30:26]
The sermon mentioned that knowing why bad things happen does not provide hope, but understanding that our pain has purpose does. How can you find purpose in your current struggles? [19:09]
How can the promise of no more death, sorrow, crying, or pain in Revelation 21:1-4 provide comfort in your current situation? How can you share this hope with others who are suffering? [24:33]
The sermon emphasized that our light momentary afflictions are preparing us for an eternal weight of glory. How can you shift your focus from temporary troubles to eternal promises? What specific actions can you take to fix your gaze on what is unseen? [20:10]
How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with Jesus to ensure that your pain is not purposeless? What specific practices (e.g., prayer, Bible study, community) can help you grow in your faith? [19:09]
The sermon discussed the importance of generosity and community engagement. How can you practice generosity in your daily life? What are some ways you can get involved in your church or community to support others? [02:12]

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "Christianity is not that life will be painless. But that we can have hope because our pain can have a purpose. The purpose is that God can use it. See, in Second Corinthians 417, it says, for this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all comprehension. For this light momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond comprehension. And really, it's hard sometimes for us to consider the things that we're going through as a light momentary affliction. But if we're going to be honest, in the grand scheme of eternity, what we're going through today, the thing that's causing the anxiety today, when we compare it to the scale of eternity, it's a light momentary affliction because it lasts for right now, but it does not last forever. And it has a purpose." [20:10]( | | )

2. "I want you to look to your neighbor and say your pain is not meaningless. Your pain is not meaningless. Look to the neighbor you've been neglecting. And say yours either yours either it is not doing something. It's doing something to you. It is preparing something in you. It is producing something with inside of you. The pain that we're going through right now is preparing us for the calling that is on our life. The things that we're enduring are molding us and making us more in the image of Christ Jesus." [21:10]( | | )

3. "I want you to understand that you do not get to that place in your life by walking through rosy fields. But you know what? But God uses that. He uses the pain in our life to be able to produce within us something far beyond what we ever can produce in ourselves. And so what I want you to understand that when you're going through it right now, God will use it. And when you're going through those moments and saying, man, I just feel like this anxiety has got to hold on me. I just begin to remind yourself that God is going to use this for the calling that he has on my life, that I am going to one day stand before a group of people and be able to speak confidently that God does not leave us in our anxiety." [22:00]( | | )

4. "I want you to know not only is God using it for a purpose, but this is telling us that those things, the things we see with our physical eyes, they are not permanent. But the things that are permanent are the things of the kingdom of heaven. And those are the things that we need to fix our gaze on. Those are the places that we need to store our treasure. Because you know what? I can be I can have hope in the midst of my pain, I can have hope in the midst of a life that's not fair because I know without a shadow of a doubt that it does not last forever." [24:33]( | | )

5. "God sees the world is bad, but he did not come simply to deal with the symptoms of a sick world, death and selfishness, unfairness. They're all symptoms of a sick world. But God didn't come to put band aids in areas that need stitches. He made a way to deal with the cause of the issue because the cause of the issue is sin. Sin is the cause. Sin is the wedge that stands between ourselves and God. Whenever we do not have a relationship with him, he made a way. He dealt with the sin with through Jesus Christ, took our sin upon himself, suffering the punishment that we deserved." [26:29]( | | )

### Quotes for Members

1. "Because of the mercy of God. We no longer have to pay the debts for our sins. Amen. It's not fair, but it's good because of God's grace. We do receive the righteousness of Jesus Christ, though we've done nothing to earn it. That's not fair, but it's good." [32:53]( | | )

2. "If I can remind you of anything, is that all things can be used by God. That God used the wicked pharaoh to set free a nation of Israel. That in the story of Esther, God used two seemingly insignificant people to save a generation. That God is in the business of providing hope where there's none to be found." [34:25]( | | )

3. "See, mercy is not receiving. What you do deserve. Grace is receiving what you don't deserve. What I mean by that is God's mercy is that we no longer have to pay the debts for our own sin because we took upon ourselves the righteousness of Jesus Christ. It's not fair, but it's good. Amen." [32:09]( | | )

4. "I have conversations about heaven with students all the time, and oftentimes there's a misconception about heaven, right? We have this idea that going to heaven is about going into this place where we can just indulge all of our fleshly desires. I don't know why, but it's like we get to heaven and then I can eat whatever I want and do whatever I want. We got this idea that going to heaven is just gets to all about me. But the reason heaven is so glorious is because we get to dwell in the presence of God and I get to look him in the face and I get that and he gets to ask me about my day and I get to say, God, you already know how my day was, but he says, but tell me anyway, because I love you." [29:36]( | | )

5. "Romans 828. All things work together. For the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose. What things work together? And all the things, everything. So what's not in all things? Nothing. There's nothing that's not in all things. All things work together for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to his purpose." [30:26]( | | )

6. "It's only through a relationship with Jesus that our pain is not permanent or purposeless. I'm going to say that again. It is only through a relationship with Jesus Christ that our pain is not permanent and purposeless to the problem. The pain and suffering of the world is not unique to Christians. But the solution is the solution is that there is a king who is coming to restore that the enemy came to kill, steal and destroy." [19:09]( | | )

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