Understanding God's Character Amid Life's Challenges
Summary
In this sermon, I explored the concept of God's character and the importance of understanding His nature in the face of life's challenges. I emphasized that the gospel is good news, and that many people have not truly heard this good news due to the destruction they see around them. I discussed the importance of not discrediting God's character, even when we face difficulties or questions that we cannot answer. I highlighted that we often focus on the reality and pain of our situations, rather than on the One who is in control of all things. I also touched on the idea that Jesus is not a king who authors pain to harm and destroy people, but rather, He is a king who can use pain for His purposes.
In the second part of the sermon, I addressed the complexity of explaining the infinite nature of God to finite beings. I acknowledged that there are people who are more knowledgeable in certain fields, but emphasized that the truth of the scriptures supports these fields. I also discussed the importance of not hiding behind the phrase "because the Bible said so," but rather, teasing out the truth and reality of the scriptures. I concluded by reminding the congregation that while we should strive to make advances in various fields, we must remember that these things will not save us - only Jesus can.
Key Takeaways:
- The gospel is good news, and it's important to focus on God's character, especially in times of difficulty ([41:41 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
- Jesus is a king who can use pain for His purposes, not a king who authors pain to harm and destroy people ([44:02 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
- It's crucial to not just say "because the Bible said so," but to tease out the truth and reality of the scriptures ([29:51 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
- While we should strive to make advances in various fields, we must remember that these things will not save us - only Jesus can ([38:09 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
- We may not always get the answer to our questions, but we will get the love of God ([45:22 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:22 - Creation groans [32:52 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]
2. Genesis 3:17-19 - The fall and the curse on creation [33:26 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]
3. John 19:2 - The crown of thorns on Jesus's head [44:02 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]
Observation Questions:
1. What does it mean when it says "creation groans" in Romans 8:22?
2. How does Genesis 3:17-19 explain the brokenness we see in the world today?
3. How does the crown of thorns on Jesus's head in John 19:2 symbolize Jesus becoming "king over pain"?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the groaning of creation in Romans 8:22 relate to the brokenness of the world we see today?
2. How does the curse on creation in Genesis 3:17-19 affect our daily lives and the world around us?
3. What does it mean that Jesus is "king over pain" as symbolized by the crown of thorns in John 19:2?
Application Questions:
1. How does understanding that creation is groaning impact your view of the world's problems and your role in them?
2. In what ways have you personally experienced the effects of the curse on creation mentioned in Genesis 3:17-19?
3. How can understanding Jesus as the "king over pain" change your perspective on personal suffering or hardship?
4. What is one specific way you can respond to the groaning of creation in your daily life?
5. How can you demonstrate to others that Jesus is "king over pain" in a practical way this week?
Devotional
Day 1: The Illusion of Complete Control
We often fall into the trap of believing that if we can control or fix one aspect of our lives, everything else will fall into place. This is a dangerous illusion that can lead us away from relying on God. We must remember that while we are called to steward God's creation and work towards its restoration, we are not the saviors of the world. Only Jesus can truly save us ([37:34 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
Ecclesiastes 7:14 - "When times are good, be happy; but when times are bad, consider this: God has made the one as well as the other. Therefore, no one can discover anything about their future."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you are trying to maintain control instead of surrendering it to God?
Day 2: The Character of God
In times of suffering and pain, we often question God's character. However, we must remember that God is not the author of pain, but the King over it. He can use our pain for our good, not because He causes it, but because He has authority over it ([44:02 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
Job 42:2 - "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted."
Reflection: How can you trust God's character in the midst of your current struggles?
Day 3: The Love of the Who
We may not always understand the 'why' behind our circumstances, but we can always trust in the 'who' - God's love for us. Even when we don't get the answers we seek, we can find comfort and assurance in the person of Jesus ([45:22 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
1 John 4:16 - "So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him."
Reflection: How can you lean into God's love when you don't understand the 'why' of your circumstances?
Day 4: The Call to Serve
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be His hands and feet in the world. This means actively working to share the gospel and serve our communities. However, this work should not be done out of a sense of obligation, but out of a love for God and His people ([46:32 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
1 Peter 4:10 - "Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms."
Reflection: How can you use your unique gifts to serve your community this week?
Day 5: The Groaning of Creation
The world around us is broken and groaning under the weight of sin. This groaning is a reminder of the fallen state of creation and the need for redemption. As followers of Jesus, we are called to participate in the restoration of creation, not as its saviors, but as stewards of God's good creation ([33:26 <3gw0mSG-sTg>]).
Romans 8:22 - "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time."
Reflection: How can you participate in the restoration of creation in your daily life?
Quotes
1. "The big part about discrediting God is his character... we oftentimes look at the reality of the situation and the pain of the situation rather than the person who's in charge over all things. He becomes king over pain, not King who authors pain to harm and Destroy people but that he can use pain." - 41:19
2. "We always go to these places if I can get that one education if I can get that job everything will be good... we have to remember that those things won't save us. Jesus will save us and because Jesus will save us he's called us to make those things and I think that's what makes it beautiful." - 36:25
3. "God wore a crown of thorns that Fallen creation he gets killed by his own creation and then wears Fallen creation as a crown... sometimes we don't get the answer but we do get the person and if we can see the ethos and the ethics um of the Kingdom which are the attributes of God then we can see we can see the answer somewhat revealed in Jesus." - 44:05
4. "There's pain in this world, there's evil in this world, there's natural disasters... these are fields that are not your fields but the truth of the scriptures support these things so how do you and how do you communicate those in a way to where people are saying okay he didn't just say because the Bible said so." - 28:21
5. "You're a finite being trying to describe the infinite and you're trying to explain to people who don't believe in finiteness tell them that there is like there's an infinite." - 28:21
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