Jesus: The Answer to Sin and Suffering

 

Summary

Understanding the core tenets of Christian faith involves grappling with complex questions about sin, suffering, and the authority of the Bible. Central to these discussions is the figure of Jesus Christ, who is presented as the one who absorbs the sin of humanity, offering a path to know God intimately. Sin is defined as the failure to love God and to love others, and it is this failure that necessitates a remedy, which is found in Jesus Christ. He lived a sinless life, bore the sins of humanity, and through his actions, believers are offered hope, freedom, and righteousness.

The Bible is emphasized as a crucial text because it recounts the story of Jesus—his life, death, and resurrection—and provides an opportunity for individuals to understand who Jesus is and the significance of his actions for humanity. The importance of engaging with the Bible is stressed, as it is seen as a means to answer life's most pressing questions and to understand the nature of sin and its remedy.

The discussion also touches on the nature of suffering and evil in the world, which is attributed to the presence of sin. The story of Job from the Old Testament is used to illustrate the concept of faithfulness amidst suffering. Job's experience raises questions about God's goodness and justice, but ultimately, it is suggested that suffering is part of human life due to the fallen state of the world. The narrative of Job concludes with God restoring what was lost, but the emphasis is not on the restoration of material things; rather, it is on the sovereignty of God and the call to trust in His ways, which are higher than human understanding.

Additionally, the conversation addresses the differences between the Protestant and Catholic Bibles, particularly the inclusion of the Apocrypha in the Catholic Bible. The Apocrypha refers to a collection of texts that are included in the Catholic Old Testament but not in the Protestant version. The New Testament is said to have minimal and questionable references to the Apocrypha, and the Protestant Bible did not remove these books; rather, the Catholic Church added them later. The Protestant Bible is presented as the most trusted source of God's word.

In summary, the central message is that Jesus Christ is the answer to life's most important questions, particularly those concerning sin and suffering. The Bible is upheld as the authoritative text for understanding Jesus' role in addressing these issues, and believers are encouraged to delve into its teachings to deepen their faith and understanding.

### Key Takeaways:

- Sin is fundamentally described as the failure to love God and others, which is a central aspect of Christian teaching. This definition broadens the concept of sin beyond mere actions to include attitudes and thoughts that are contrary to love. The remedy for sin is found in Jesus Christ, who took upon himself the consequences of humanity's failures, offering a path to righteousness and a restored relationship with God. [44:42]

- The Bible is not just a historical or religious document; it is the narrative of Jesus' redemptive work for humanity. Engaging with the Bible is crucial for understanding the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and the hope it offers. The text is a gateway to knowing Jesus personally and comprehending the transformative impact of his life and teachings on individuals and society as a whole. [46:04]

- Suffering and evil in the world are attributed to the presence of sin, which has marred the original design of creation. The story of Job is a poignant example of enduring faith amidst trials. It challenges believers to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when circumstances are incomprehensible. This trust is a fundamental aspect of Christian faith, acknowledging that God's ways are beyond human understanding. [36:01]

- The Protestant Bible is considered the most reliable compilation of scriptures, with the Apocrypha being excluded due to theological concerns and a lack of consistent New Testament referencing. This distinction is important for understanding the development of the biblical canon and for maintaining trust in the scriptures as the inspired word of God. [26:30]

- The Christian life involves a continuous process of self-examination and repentance. Believers are encouraged to consider not only the suffering in the world but also their own contributions to it. This introspection leads to a deeper understanding of personal sin and the collective need for redemption, reinforcing the importance of Jesus' role as the savior of humanity. [32:37]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 2 Timothy 3:16-17: "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."
2. Isaiah 55:8-9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."
3. 1 Peter 2:22-24: "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed."

#### Observation Questions
1. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17, what are the four uses of Scripture mentioned? How do these uses equip the servant of God? [20:47]
2. In Isaiah 55:8-9, how does God describe the difference between His thoughts and ways compared to ours? [31:33]
3. What does 1 Peter 2:22-24 say about Jesus' response to suffering and insults? How does this passage describe the purpose of Jesus bearing our sins? [45:08]
4. How does the sermon define sin, and what is its remedy according to the message? [39:53]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why is it significant that all Scripture is described as "God-breathed" in 2 Timothy 3:16-17? How does this impact our view of the Bible's authority? [20:47]
2. How does the concept of God's ways being higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) help us understand the presence of suffering and evil in the world? [31:33]
3. Reflect on 1 Peter 2:22-24. How does Jesus' example of not retaliating and bearing our sins challenge our natural responses to suffering and injustice? [45:08]
4. The sermon mentions that sin is the failure to love God and others. How does this definition broaden our understanding of sin beyond just actions? [39:53]

#### Application Questions
1. How can you incorporate the four uses of Scripture (teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness) into your daily life to be thoroughly equipped for every good work? [20:47]
2. When faced with suffering or difficult circumstances, how can you remind yourself of Isaiah 55:8-9 and trust in God's higher ways? Share a recent experience where this perspective could have helped. [31:33]
3. Jesus bore our sins and did not retaliate when insulted or suffering. How can you apply this example in your interactions with others, especially when you feel wronged or mistreated? [45:08]
4. The sermon emphasizes the importance of engaging with the Bible to understand Jesus' redemptive work. What specific steps can you take this week to deepen your engagement with Scripture? [46:04]
5. Reflect on a time when you failed to love God or others. How did this impact your relationship with God and those around you? What steps can you take to seek forgiveness and restore those relationships? [39:53]
6. The sermon discusses the differences between the Protestant and Catholic Bibles. How does understanding these differences affect your trust in the Scriptures you read? [26:30]
7. Considering the story of Job, how can you cultivate a posture of faithfulness and trust in God's sovereignty, even when you don't understand your circumstances? Share a specific area of your life where you need to apply this trust. [36:01]

Devotional

Day 1: Embracing the Remedy for Sin
Sin is not merely an act of wrongdoing but a state of being that separates us from God's love. It manifests in our failure to love Him and others, permeating every aspect of our lives. This condition of the human heart calls for a profound solution, one that cannot be found within ourselves. The remedy for our sin is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. He lived the life we could not live and died the death we deserved. Through His sinless life and sacrificial death, Jesus absorbed the consequences of our failures, offering us a path to righteousness and a restored relationship with God. This divine exchange is the cornerstone of Christian faith, providing hope and freedom from the bondage of sin. It invites us to a life transformed by His grace and compels us to love as we have been loved. [44:42]

"For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." - 2 Corinthians 5:21 ESV

Reflection: How does understanding Jesus as the remedy for your sin change the way you approach God and others in your daily life?

Day 2: The Bible as the Narrative of Redemption
The Bible is more than a collection of ancient texts; it is the unfolding narrative of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ. It is through the scriptures that we come to understand the depth of Jesus' sacrifice and the hope it offers to humanity. The Bible serves as a gateway to knowing Jesus personally, revealing the transformative impact of His life and teachings. As believers engage with the Word, they encounter the living Christ and are equipped to navigate life's complexities with wisdom and insight. The scriptures challenge and comfort, providing answers to life's most pressing questions and guiding believers toward a deeper faith and understanding. [46:04]

"But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name." - John 20:31 ESV

Reflection: In what ways can you more intentionally engage with the Bible to deepen your understanding of Jesus' redemptive work?

Day 3: Trusting God Amidst Suffering
Suffering and evil are pervasive in our world, often leaving us with questions about God's goodness and justice. The presence of sin has marred the original design of creation, resulting in pain and brokenness. The story of Job exemplifies enduring faith amidst trials, challenging believers to trust in God's sovereignty and goodness, even when circumstances defy understanding. This trust is not passive resignation but an active acknowledgment that God's ways are higher than our own. It is a call to faithfulness, recognizing that our limited perspective cannot grasp the full scope of God's plan. [36:01]

"Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face." - Job 13:15 ESV

Reflection: How can the story of Job encourage you to trust in God's sovereignty during times of personal suffering?

Day 4: Discerning the Biblical Canon
The formation of the biblical canon is a significant aspect of Christian history, particularly the differences between the Protestant and Catholic Bibles. The Protestant Bible is considered the most reliable compilation of scriptures, with the Apocrypha being excluded due to theological concerns and a lack of consistent New Testament referencing. Understanding the development of the biblical canon is crucial for maintaining trust in the scriptures as the inspired word of God. This discernment is foundational for believers as they seek to ground their faith in the truth of God's Word. [26:30]

"All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16 ESV

Reflection: How does recognizing the Protestant Bible as the reliable word of God influence your confidence in the scriptures?

Day 5: The Continuous Call to Repentance
The Christian life is marked by a continuous process of self-examination and repentance. Believers are called to consider not only the suffering in the world but also their own contributions to it. This introspection leads to a deeper understanding of personal sin and the collective need for redemption. It reinforces the importance of Jesus' role as the savior of humanity and the transformative power of His grace. As we acknowledge our shortcomings and turn from our sins, we experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers—a life characterized by love, service, and obedience to God. [32:37]

"Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" - Psalm 139:23-24 ESV

Reflection: What is one specific area of sin in your life that you need to bring before God in repentance today?

Quotes

1) "Sin is the failure to love God and to love people. That's what sin is. It's the failure to love God and to love people." [39:48] (Download)

2) "Jesus himself takes on our sin. That when we fail to love God and to love others, Jesus himself will say, 'I will be able to take the blow of your failure to love God and love others.'" [43:28] (Download)

3) "The canonical Protestant Bible is the most trusted source of God's word that we have." [26:30] (Download)

4) "Jesus is the answer to life's most important questions. We may have a bunch of different questions about the Bible, but Jesus will address the things that are most important to you and to me." [21:34] (Download)

5) "God can do whatever he wants when he wants. He's good when he needs to be good, and then God allows Satan to do what he needs to do." [34:50] (Download)

6) "If God is in control of everything, why is there so much suffering and evil in the world? It's simply this: because of sin, we've inherited and contributed to a fallen world." [34:50] (Download)

7) "The hope of this entire sermon series is that we would gain a better understanding and a deeper appreciation for God's word." [20:22] (Download)

8) "The Bible tells the story of the person who forgave our sins, who came, who died, who rose again for you and for me. And so our opportunity to know this person is all found in the pages of this book." [46:04] (Download)

9) "We have someone who says I will absorb the sin that we have committed, our failures to love God and to love other people. And we now have the hope of being able to know who God is because of what Jesus has done for each and every one of us." [44:42] (Download)

10) "Why has God poured so many blessings on me in such a horrible world? That's the question that we should be asking. We should be coming from the posture of saying, 'Man, life sucks. It's horrible. God has been so good to me through that.'" [32:37] (Download)

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Transcript
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Were there any personal stories shared?