Finding Purpose in Suffering: A Divine Perspective

Summary

In today's message, we explored the profound question of why bad things happen to good people, a question that has puzzled humanity for centuries. We began by reflecting on the story of Rabbi Harold Kushner, who faced unimaginable pain when his son was diagnosed with a terminal illness. This personal tragedy led him to write "When Bad Things Happen to Good People," a book that resonates with many who grapple with the justice of God in the face of suffering.

We delved into the nature of justice, acknowledging that while God is the embodiment of justice, our human perception is often skewed by our brokenness. This brokenness can distort our understanding of justice, leading us to question God's fairness when we encounter suffering. We also discussed the philosophical and theological implications of suffering, referencing the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis. Their disobedience introduced evil into the world, a consequence of humanity's desire to be like God without the capacity to handle divine responsibilities.

In John 16, Jesus speaks to His disciples about the inevitability of trials and sorrows, dispelling the myth that good people are exempt from suffering. Jesus Himself, the epitome of goodness, endured immense suffering, illustrating that trials are a part of the human experience. We explored the logical, eternal, and better outcome truths to understand suffering. Logically, the concept of "good" is subjective and varies across cultures and perspectives. Eternally, our earthly struggles are but a fleeting moment compared to the vastness of eternity. The better outcome truth reminds us that God can use our trials for a greater purpose, as seen in the story of Joseph, who rose from slavery to a position of power, ultimately saving many lives.

Finally, we are challenged to shift our focus from questioning why bad things happen to instead asking why God's people consistently show up in times of crisis. This shift in perspective calls us to action, to be agents of God's love and justice in a broken world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Understanding Justice and Brokenness: Our perception of justice is often distorted by our brokenness. While God is the ultimate standard of justice, our human understanding is limited and flawed. This calls us to trust in God's perfect justice, even when we cannot comprehend it. [03:14]

2. The Inevitability of Trials: Jesus assures us that trials and sorrows are a part of life, even for those who follow Him. This reality challenges the notion that good people are immune to suffering and invites us to find peace in Christ amidst life's challenges. [05:13]

3. The Origin of Evil: The story of Adam and Eve illustrates how humanity's desire to be like God introduced evil into the world. This narrative reminds us of our limitations and the consequences of trying to assume divine roles. [10:28]

4. Eternal Perspective on Suffering: Our earthly struggles are temporary compared to the eternity that awaits us. This eternal perspective helps us endure present trials, knowing that they are insignificant in the grand scheme of God's eternal plan. [20:46]

5. God's Redemptive Purpose in Suffering: Like Joseph, who rose from slavery to save many, God can use our suffering for a greater purpose. Trusting in God's sovereignty allows us to see potential good outcomes from our trials, even when they are not immediately apparent. [23:44]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [01:54] - Rabbi Kushner's Story
- [03:14] - Understanding Justice
- [05:13] - Jesus on Trials
- [10:28] - The Origin of Evil
- [19:19] - Joseph's Journey
- [20:46] - Eternal Perspective
- [23:44] - Redemptive Purpose
- [24:54] - Call to Action
- [26:22] - Jesus' Assurance
- [28:16] - Personal Story
- [29:58] - Knowing the End
- [31:05] - Prayer and Reflection
- [32:01] - Invitation to Faith
- [34:17] - Closing Prayer

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
1. John 16:33
2. Genesis 3:5
3. Genesis 50:20

---

Observation Questions:

1. In John 16:33, what does Jesus promise His disciples about the nature of life on earth? How does this relate to the idea that bad things happen to good people? [05:13]

2. According to Genesis 3:5, what was the temptation that led Adam and Eve to disobey God, and how did this act introduce evil into the world? [10:28]

3. How does the story of Joseph in Genesis 50:20 illustrate the concept of God using suffering for a greater purpose? [19:19]

4. What are some examples given in the sermon of how our perception of justice is distorted by our brokenness? [03:14]

---

Interpretation Questions:

1. How does Jesus' assurance in John 16:33 that He has overcome the world provide comfort in the face of trials and sorrows? What does this mean for believers today? [26:22]

2. In what ways does the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 challenge our understanding of human limitations and the consequences of trying to assume divine roles? [10:28]

3. Reflecting on Joseph's journey in Genesis 50:20, how can believers find hope in the idea that God can bring good out of suffering? What does this teach about God's sovereignty? [20:46]

4. The sermon suggests that our understanding of "good" is subjective and varies across cultures. How does this affect our perception of justice and suffering? [05:13]

---

Application Questions:

1. Jesus said that we will have trials and sorrows in this world. How can you find peace in Christ amidst your current challenges? What practical steps can you take to focus on His promise of overcoming the world? [26:22]

2. The story of Adam and Eve shows the consequences of trying to be like God. Are there areas in your life where you are trying to control things that should be left to God? How can you surrender these areas to Him? [10:28]

3. Joseph's story is a powerful reminder of God's redemptive purpose in suffering. Can you identify a difficult situation in your life where you have seen or hope to see God bring about a greater good? [20:46]

4. The sermon challenges us to shift our focus from questioning why bad things happen to asking why God's people show up in times of crisis. How can you be an agent of God's love and justice in your community this week? [24:54]

5. Reflect on a time when your perception of justice was challenged. How did you respond, and what did you learn about trusting in God's perfect justice? [03:14]

6. The sermon mentions the importance of having an eternal perspective on suffering. How can you remind yourself of this perspective when facing trials? What practices can help you focus on eternity rather than temporary struggles? [20:46]

7. Consider a specific injustice you are aware of in your community. What is one tangible action you can take this week to address it and demonstrate God's love and justice? [24:54]

Devotional

Understood. I will now create the 5-day devotional based on the instructions provided.

---

Day 1: Trusting in God's Perfect Justice
Our perception of justice is often clouded by our human brokenness, which can lead us to question God's fairness when we encounter suffering. While God is the ultimate standard of justice, our understanding is limited and flawed. This calls us to trust in God's perfect justice, even when we cannot comprehend it. The story of Rabbi Harold Kushner, who faced the tragedy of his son's terminal illness, illustrates the struggle many face in reconciling personal suffering with divine justice. In these moments, we are reminded that God's ways are higher than our ways, and His thoughts are higher than our thoughts. [03:14]

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV): "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

Reflection: Think of a situation where you felt wronged or treated unfairly. How can you begin to trust in God's perfect justice in this situation today?

Day 2: Embracing Trials as Part of Life
Jesus assures us that trials and sorrows are an inevitable part of life, even for those who follow Him. This reality challenges the notion that good people are immune to suffering and invites us to find peace in Christ amidst life's challenges. Jesus Himself, the epitome of goodness, endured immense suffering, illustrating that trials are a part of the human experience. By embracing this truth, we can find strength and resilience in our faith, knowing that we are not alone in our struggles. [05:13]

James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Identify a current trial you are facing. How can you find joy and peace in Christ as you navigate this challenge?

Day 3: Recognizing the Origin of Evil
The story of Adam and Eve in Genesis illustrates how humanity's desire to be like God introduced evil into the world. This narrative serves as a reminder of our limitations and the consequences of trying to assume divine roles. By understanding the origin of evil, we can better comprehend the brokenness of the world and our role in it. This awareness calls us to humility and reliance on God's wisdom and guidance. [10:28]

Genesis 3:22-23 (ESV): "Then the Lord God said, 'Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever—' therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken."

Reflection: Reflect on a time when you tried to control a situation beyond your capacity. How can you surrender this desire for control to God today?

Day 4: Gaining an Eternal Perspective on Suffering
Our earthly struggles are temporary compared to the eternity that awaits us. This eternal perspective helps us endure present trials, knowing that they are insignificant in the grand scheme of God's eternal plan. By focusing on the eternal, we can find hope and purpose in our suffering, trusting that God is working all things for our good and His glory. [20:46]

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Consider a struggle you are currently facing. How can you shift your focus from the temporary to the eternal in this situation?

Day 5: Discovering God's Redemptive Purpose in Suffering
Like Joseph, who rose from slavery to save many, God can use our suffering for a greater purpose. Trusting in God's sovereignty allows us to see potential good outcomes from our trials, even when they are not immediately apparent. By embracing this truth, we can find meaning and hope in our suffering, knowing that God is at work in our lives for His redemptive purposes. [23:44]

Genesis 50:20 (ESV): "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."

Reflection: Think of a past trial where you have seen God's redemptive purpose. How can this experience encourage you to trust in God's plan for your current challenges?

Quotes

1) "That's a question that we all wrestle with. We wrestle with, thank you, we wrestle with why do bad things happen to good people? It's a universal conversation that we wrestle with and we have. And it comes from the fact that we're created in the image of God. And so God, by his nature, is just. Justice is defined by who God is, okay? But since we're created in his image, when bad things happen to good people, when we see things that we sense are not just, we're drawn towards, hey, that should be reconciled. Hey, that should be fixed because God is just. But let me just like caution us here first as we wrestle through this question God is just, you and I are not. God is the definition of justice. You and I don't have that. We have the sense of it because we're created in his nature, but we're not it." [01:54] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "Jesus, God himself, the person who was sinless and had bad things happen to him, whipped with a cat and nine tails, crucified on a cross, when he had no sin, nothing bad that he'd ever done, bad things happened to a good person. And Jesus dispels this myth that bad things don't happen to good people from the very beginning. In fact, he says, not only are bad things happen to good people, but I promise you, you guys that have walked with me for three years, you guys who get it more than me, you guys that have worked with me, you guys who anybody else you just told me like hey we finally understand you guys that get it and know who i am who've done good things you're going to have trials you're going to have sorrows you can bank on it i promise you like so to think that bad things don't happen to good people jesus himself said let me just dispel that myth right now that's 100 not true you're going to experience trials you're going to experience sorrows" [05:13] (53 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Why do bad things happen to good people? Here's your answer I don't know I don't know because every situation is specific so I can't answer for all of these things here's why that happened here's a lot of that's above my pay grade because I am not an infinite being I'm a finite person just like you I don't know the answers to every question but but here's some things that I do know when it comes to why bad things happen to good people why why those specific things happen to me that I want you to at least be able to run that question through there's a grid it's got three questions or three truths I want to give you first truth is the logical truth when we go hey why do bad things happen to good people or I don't believe that they should let me just ask you this question who is good who is a good person here's where the logical problem comes like we're gonna look around and go well me surely me and my friends and my family um well what about terrorists no no no no terrorists are bad okay so let's just uh flip the switch and go to the country where the terrorist lives and ask them hey who are good people we're good people and who are the bad people those people over there right good is arbitrary like we all think that we're good so logically if we go bad things can't happen to good people we can't even define good as humans without we would start worshiping god for what he gives rather than who he is and that's not real worship there's a logical problem this there's also there's also the eternal truth there's an eternal truth here that's a problem see we think of of life in 80 years" [10:28] (99 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Why do bad things happen to good people there's a story of a guy named joseph in the bible and again i couldn't tell you all of job's story can't tell you all of joseph's about 10 12 chapters in genesis let me just give you the brief overview joseph loves god and here's what happens to joseph as a young man he ends up his brothers hating him his brothers end up throwing him into a pit and selling him into slavery loses his family sold as a slave he ends up in the home of a guy named potiphar who's pretty high up in egypt and potiphar loves joseph joseph's a hard worker joseph doesn't amazing things. And so Potiphar says, hey, Joseph, I want you to run everything in my household. So Joseph, who's been sold into slavery, and again, we read that story, he was thrown into a pit not knowing what was going to happen to him. And then sold to people from another country. I mean, like in real life, it's a very scary, crazy thing. But he ends up in this other country. Now he's never going to see his family again, but Potiphar likes him and now he's in charge of everything in Potiphar's home. So he went from the pit to the palace, right? Well, in the midst of that, Potiphar's out. Potiphar's wife likes this strapping young man named Joseph. She's attracted to him and she starts making advances towards him, sexual advances. And Joseph says, listen, your husband Potiphar has put me in charge of everything. I mean, I appreciate that. I'm faithful to him and I am not going to do anything with you because I respect Potiphar. And she keeps coming on to him, coming on to him. He keeps refusing, keeps refusing. She then accuses him of attempted rape. Made it up. He was trying to be faithful. Her husband comes home. She tells her husband, who's her husband going to believe? His wife or the slave? Even though he's been elevated. He believes his wife. Joseph's thrown into prison, back to the pit, from the palace to the prison. He's in prison for a number of years. Stories are pretty long. He interprets some dreams. That interpreting a dream gets him kind of a reputation. And years later, the Pharaoh, the king of Egypt, has a dream that he wants interpreted. None of his people can interpret it. And he's, he's, he's torn up by this. And out of the blue, a guy goes, hey, you know, there's a guy in prison. He actually interpreted a dream for me. And it came true. I think he has this gift. And Pharaoh goes and gets Joseph out of prison. Joseph comes, interprets the dream. Long story short, the dream comes true. And Joseph is put in charge of all of Egypt, from the pit to the palace. to prison to Pharaoh's right hand man. And in the midst of all that, the dream was about a famine coming. A famine comes throughout the land, but Joseph is prepared for it. So Egypt has stored up food for seven years before this famine, knowing that it's coming. And when the famine hits, Egypt is the most powerful country in the world. And it just so happens at the end of the story, his brothers who sold him into slavery show up at the palace looking for food." [19:19] (175 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "And you might be in one of those moments where it's like, hey, you're walking through a storm. People say this, and it's so true. If you're either coming out of a storm or you're walking through a storm, you're either coming out of a storm or you're in the middle of a storm or unfortunately heading into one that's just life that's a truth and you can shake your fist at god when the storm comes and the bad things happen or or we can remember that hey we're living in eternity like this it's just a small piece and i've got eternity and god might just be doing something in this bad thing that's going to be a better outcome that god's going to take terrible things struggles and he's going to turn turn them into good it's like the story of the guy shipwrecked on an island it's not a real story made up story we got shipwrecked on an island and doesn't know how to survive doesn't know anything and he's walking around this island it's just ocean everywhere that he can see but he kicks in he's got i got to figure this out i don't want to die so he starts scavenging the island and trying to figure out how to get fresh water from the the leaves of trees and try to collect those so he drinks he can't drink the salt water he's trying to figure out how to open up coconuts he's trying to figure out how to find food trying to figure out how to fish around the island and so for two or three days four days he's doing that he's he's starting to kind of figure out some systems i do this i can get fresh water and you know there's usually food here i could i could probably survive for a while and then it dawns on me he's like i also need shelter i can figure out some of those rhythms but there's going to be the hot sun there's going to be some cold nights maybe there's going to be rain i need shelter and so anything's i also need to figure out fire like i'm gonna need to cook some things and so he's watching enough like tv shows to kind of figure out how to get some wood together get some fire going figures that out and then he starts making a shelter and it's it's back -breaking work he doesn't know what he's doing finally gets this makeshift shelter set up and then he heads off to go scavenge for more food because that's just what his life is going to be as he comes back exhausted from a week or so of doing this and realizing that life Life is forever changed. He comes back the day that he's made his shelter and realizes the fire he made has just caught his shelter that he built on fire and it's burned to the ground." [23:44] (125 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Why do God's people seem to show up every time something bad happens? God's people are there to start bringing the love, the truth, the mercies, the grace of God to the situation. That's what we're called to do. And so if you've got something in your life, you go, man, that's an injustice. Hey, that's something that I just, it just doesn't seem like, like this is what God would want. It seems like, like it could be something big. You might, I don't even know. You might go, man, every time I read about like food shortages in the world that, that just, that resonates with me or, or maybe food shortages in your own community or human trafficking, or, or it may not even be something big. It may be, hey, I have a neighbor that's just wrestling through this. They're going through some marital struggles. And see, I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. I don't know. Step into it. Figure out how to, how to, how to bring food to people. Figure out how to step into your neighbor's life and at least show them the love of Jesus so that people stop asking, hey, why are bad things happening to good people? And they start asking, why do God's people show up every time bad things happen to good people? That's the question they should be asking. But it takes us to go sense that injustice and, and seek God out to make sure we're seeing it through the correct lens and then go do something about it." [24:54] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "I want to close back at John chapter 16, verse 33. We read that earlier. I want to read it again. is here's what Jesus said. Remember, he's talking to his disciples. In verse 33, he says, Hey, I've told you all this so that you have peace in me. Here on earth you'll have many trials and sorrows. Look at this. He says, But take heart, because I've overcome the world. You're going to have problems. You're going to have struggles. Bad things are going to happen to good people. But take heart. I've overcome the world. This world is not all there is. There's eternity. I've overcome this world. I've overcome the pains and the trials and the struggles. I've got something better. Romans 8 .28 says that God is working to the good of those called according to his purpose, which means if you're in one of those bad moments, the Spirit of God is working towards those good outcomes. And we've got to change our perspective to see eternity and to see God at work. And all of a sudden, we'll stop asking questions about bad things and good things, and we start showing up in people's lives. We'll start changing people around us." [26:22] (65 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?