God's Goodness Through the Lens of Evil
Summary
### Summary
Today, we delved into the profound theological question: "Why does God use evil to do good?" This question is not only central to our study of Ezekiel but also resonates deeply with our personal experiences and the broader narrative of the Bible. We explored how theology, the study of God, can be both enlightening and perplexing, often leaving us with more questions than answers. Yet, it is essential for our faith journey to grapple with these difficult questions to avoid a shallow or rattled faith.
We examined the story of Ezekiel, where God uses the evil empire of Babylon to discipline Israel. This raises the unsettling question of how a good God can allow or even orchestrate such evil for a greater good. We also looked at the story of Joseph, who was sold into slavery by his brothers but later rose to power in Egypt. Despite the evil intentions of his brothers, God used these events to save many lives, including those of his own family.
The climax of our discussion was the crucifixion of Jesus, the most innocent and perfect being, who suffered the most unjust and evil act in history. Yet, through this act, God brought about the greatest good—the salvation of humanity. This paradox of using evil to accomplish good is a recurring theme in the Bible and serves as a reminder that God's ways are higher than our ways.
We concluded with the powerful verse from Romans 8:28, which assures us that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. This verse encapsulates the essence of our discussion and serves as a beacon of hope and trust in God's ultimate plan, even when we don't understand it.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Necessity of Theology: Engaging deeply with theological questions is crucial for a robust faith. Without wrestling with difficult questions about God and His ways, our faith can become shallow and easily shaken. Understanding theology helps us to see the bigger picture of God's plan and His character. [04:13]
2. God's Sovereignty in Using Evil: The story of Joseph illustrates how God can use even the most evil intentions for a greater good. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rose to a position of power and saved many lives, including those of his family. This teaches us that God is sovereign and can turn our darkest moments into opportunities for His glory. [31:18]
3. The Paradox of the Cross: The crucifixion of Jesus is the ultimate example of God using evil for good. The most innocent person suffered the most unjust death, yet through this act, God provided salvation for humanity. This paradox challenges us to trust in God's greater plan, even when we face inexplicable suffering. [42:12]
4. The Role of Suffering: Suffering and struggle can be tools that God uses to refine and discipline us. These experiences, though painful, can produce something good in us, shaping our character and drawing us closer to God. Understanding this can help us endure hardships with a sense of purpose and hope. [39:27]
5. Trusting in God's Goodness: Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. This promise invites us to trust in God's goodness and His ultimate plan, even when we don't understand our circumstances. It encourages us to hold on to faith, knowing that God is always at work for our good. [43:29]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[01:06] - Invitation to Metro at the Movies
[01:55] - Introduction to Ezekiel Series
[02:30] - The Importance of Theology
[04:49] - The Question: Why Does God Use Evil to Do Good?
[07:01] - Romans 8:28: Memorize This Verse
[08:45] - The Theological Dilemma in Ezekiel
[10:20] - Ezekiel 21: The Sword of God
[12:47] - The Imagery of the Sword
[15:00] - The Indiscriminate Nature of Suffering
[18:12] - The Story of Pharaoh and Moses
[21:10] - The Story of Joseph
[30:52] - Joseph's Perspective: God Intended It for Good
[34:47] - Babylon's Role in God's Plan
[40:02] - The Greatest Act of Evil: The Crucifixion
[43:29] - Romans 8:28 Revisited
[44:50] - Closing Prayer and Reflection
Study Guide
### Bible Reading
1. Ezekiel 21:1-5 - "The word of the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, set your face against Jerusalem and preach against the sanctuary. Prophesy against the land of Israel and say to her: This is what the Lord says: I am against you. I will draw my sword from its sheath and cut off from you both the righteous and the wicked. Because I am going to cut off the righteous and the wicked, my sword will be unsheathed against everyone from south to north. Then all people will know that I the Lord have drawn my sword from its sheath; it will not return again.'"
2. Genesis 50:20 - "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."
3. Romans 8:28 - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
### Observation Questions
1. What was the message that God gave to Ezekiel to deliver to Jerusalem in Ezekiel 21:1-5?
2. How did Joseph interpret the actions of his brothers in Genesis 50:20?
3. According to Romans 8:28, what assurance do believers have about the events in their lives?
4. In the sermon, what examples were given to illustrate how God uses evil to accomplish good? ([04:49])
### Interpretation Questions
1. Why do you think God chose to use Babylon, an evil empire, to discipline Israel as described in Ezekiel 21? ([09:12])
2. How does Joseph’s perspective on his suffering and eventual rise to power in Genesis 50:20 help us understand God's sovereignty?
3. What does Romans 8:28 suggest about the nature of God's plans for those who love Him, even when they face suffering or evil?
4. How does the crucifixion of Jesus serve as the ultimate example of God using evil for good, according to the sermon? ([42:12])
### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you faced a difficult situation. How did you see God working through that situation for good, even if it was not immediately apparent? ([07:21])
2. How can you apply the lesson from Joseph’s story to your own life when dealing with betrayal or hardship? ([31:18])
3. Romans 8:28 encourages believers to trust in God's plan. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's goodness and sovereignty in your daily life? ([07:21])
4. The sermon mentioned that theology can be both enlightening and perplexing. How can you engage more deeply with theological questions to strengthen your faith? ([04:13])
5. The crucifixion of Jesus was described as the greatest act of evil turned into the greatest act of good. How does this perspective change the way you view your own suffering or the suffering of others? ([42:12])
6. How can you remind yourself of God's presence and plan during times of struggle or pain? What practical steps can you take to keep this perspective? ([33:39])
7. The sermon emphasized the importance of memorizing scripture. How can you incorporate scripture memorization into your routine to help you during challenging times? ([07:01])
Devotional
### 5-Day Devotional
#### Day 1: The Depth of Theology
Description: Engaging deeply with theological questions is crucial for a robust faith. Without wrestling with difficult questions about God and His ways, our faith can become shallow and easily shaken. Understanding theology helps us to see the bigger picture of God's plan and His character. This is not just an academic exercise but a spiritual discipline that strengthens our trust in God. By delving into the complexities of theology, we can develop a more resilient and mature faith that can withstand life's challenges. [04:13]
Bible Passage: "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." (Isaiah 55:8-9, ESV)
Reflection: What is one theological question you have been avoiding because it seems too difficult or unsettling? How can you begin to explore this question in a way that strengthens your faith rather than weakens it?
#### Day 2: God's Sovereignty in Using Evil
Description: The story of Joseph illustrates how God can use even the most evil intentions for a greater good. Despite being sold into slavery by his brothers, Joseph rose to a position of power and saved many lives, including those of his family. This teaches us that God is sovereign and can turn our darkest moments into opportunities for His glory. Understanding this aspect of God's character can help us trust Him more deeply, even when we face situations that seem overwhelmingly negative. [31:18]
Bible Passage: "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." (Genesis 50:20, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a difficult situation you are currently facing. How might God be using this situation for a greater good that you cannot yet see?
#### Day 3: The Paradox of the Cross
Description: The crucifixion of Jesus is the ultimate example of God using evil for good. The most innocent person suffered the most unjust death, yet through this act, God provided salvation for humanity. This paradox challenges us to trust in God's greater plan, even when we face inexplicable suffering. It reminds us that God's ways are higher than our ways and that He can bring about incredible good from the most tragic circumstances. [42:12]
Bible Passage: "But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering or injustice. How can the paradox of the cross help you trust in God's plan during such times?
#### Day 4: The Role of Suffering
Description: Suffering and struggle can be tools that God uses to refine and discipline us. These experiences, though painful, can produce something good in us, shaping our character and drawing us closer to God. Understanding this can help us endure hardships with a sense of purpose and hope. It is through these trials that we often grow the most spiritually, learning to rely on God in deeper ways. [39:27]
Bible Passage: "Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope." (Romans 5:3-4, ESV)
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are currently experiencing suffering? How can you see this as an opportunity for God to shape your character and draw you closer to Him?
#### Day 5: Trusting in God's Goodness
Description: Romans 8:28 assures us that God works all things for the good of those who love Him. This promise invites us to trust in God's goodness and His ultimate plan, even when we don't understand our circumstances. It encourages us to hold on to faith, knowing that God is always at work for our good. This trust is not based on our understanding but on God's unchanging character and His promises. [43:29]
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 current challenge or uncertainty in your life. How can you actively choose to trust in God's goodness and His plan for you today?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You know, there's a lot of people out there who have this profound interest in God, spiritual things, but they're not necessarily in tune to church or interested in going to church. They think it's boring and irrelevant. That's because they haven't tried Metro. Okay? But we want to. We want to work really hard at making it not boring and not irrelevant." [01:06] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Theology can be fun. It can be aggravating. It can be confusing. It can be mind-bending. It can be argumentative. Awfully frustrating. But there are moments where all of a sudden, you've been contemplating something, thinking deeply about something. It's like a light bulb goes on, and you're like, oh, my goodness. I didn't understand this." [03:02] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Now, that's crazy, because it starts with, and we know. But the problem with that is I don't know. If I'm honest, I read that and I go, no, I don't know that it's all good. Because I look around and I go, what could possibly be good by this? What could possibly good come from this?" [07:21] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Some things happen in life just so that you're reminded that he's God and you're not. It's just that simple. He's God and you're not. I think sometimes like when this crazy stuff happens, like, you know, tornadoes, or hurricanes, or forest fires, or war comes, and it seems like everyone's hurt. Innocent, guilty, righteous, unrighteous, the wicked, the good, all of it." [16:50] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But God had a different plan. Because what the enemy meant for evil, God meant for great good. Listen, not just in my life, but in your life. He meant something good from this. The greatest act of evil became the greatest act of good because God's full wrath and his full grace was fully on display on the cross that day." [42:12] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If you're a Jesus People person in the room, any Jesus People in the room at all? Okay. If this is you, theology is essential to you. You have to think about God. You have to think about the things of God and study the things of God, difficult things, hard things. You've got to deal with some of the hard questions because if you don't, listen. Listen to me. If you don't, your faith will eventually become rattled. You'll struggle deeply. If not, lose it. Lose your faith altogether." [04:13] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "How could God allow all of this evil stuff actually to be for his good? Because if you were to read through this book, it says, you remember this whole deal, Ezekiel the prophet is warning them. He's saying it's too late. You're going to be disciplined. You're going to have the consequences of God. And then he has the nerve to tell us, it's for your good. It's for your good, because God wants what is good for you. And we're supposed to believe this." [09:12] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Joseph recognizes God, God's hand in this entire situation. His brothers meant evil, but God used evil for good. Listen to me. God used evil for good. You think about the entire pathway of Joseph's life. All of it was set up for a trajectory of disaster, right? Jealousy, bitterness, anger, revenge. All of it was set up for a pathway of destruction. All of it. But God had a different plan." [31:42] (38 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Sometimes the judgment of God seems so indiscriminate, doesn't it? Just so indiscriminate. It doesn't seem fair, let alone good. So, now. For Israel, and maybe even for us, it says that this happens so ultimately, everyone will know that I am God. He says that's the point of it. Some things happen in life. Listen to me, listen to me, listen to me. Some things happen in life just so that you're reminded that he's God and you're not." [16:50] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. But God was with Joseph. Amen? And listen. This is emotional for me because God is with you, and God is with me all the way through, and we don't even realize it. We're just wallowed in our pain. We're wallowed in our suffering. We're wallowed in our struggle. We're going, where are you? But God's going, I'm here. I'm here all the way through." [34:12] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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