Why does God allow suffering Genesis 2:8-17 86 223 284 1
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A Dead End 3
The Atheist s Argument If God is all-powerful then He would be able to prevent suffering If God is good, He would wish to prevent suffering But Suffering exists in the world! Therefore there cannot be a God who is good and all-powerful 4
Back to the Beginning God created human beings He wanted them to love him But:- He wanted to give them: Freewill Choice Back to the Beginning Freedom of action Choice to use his freedom wisely Consequences Genesis 3:16,17 Sorrow (suffering) Sin and Death Cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. 5
Who is Responsible? God created illness and death Man invented: The Bomb Gas chamber The Gun Weapons If man had no weapons, he would still fight with his fists and cause suffering!! God s Plan He foresaw the outcome He sentenced the human race to death He provided a solution 6
A Natural Disaster Jesus Comments Luke 13:4 those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? Luke 13:5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. This is what salvation is about! Life is NOT a human right. We ALL deserve to die. We need to be grateful for every day of life. 7
Summary 1. God gave man free will, so he would have the opportunity to love 2. Man chose hatred, not love 3. Sin, suffering and death came into the World 4. There is hope of life after death The Future Isaiah 35 5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; 6 then shall the lame man leap like a deer, and the tongue of the mute sing for joy. For waters break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; 7 the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; 8
George Mackay November 1937 9 years old John Hopkins medical school in Baltimore Had no sense of pain Scarred by a heater Scars all over his body Partly blind Left foot broken Both hands badly cut Fingers could not be extended Congenital Analgesia Steven Pete and Paul Waters They have no feeling of pain 9
Vittangi Vittangi is a village situated in Kiruna Municipality, Sweden with 784 inhabitants in 2010. The locality is very notable because about 40 people suffering from congenital analgesia live there. Pain is a Warning! 10
No Suffering No courage No compassion No endurance Know Suffering Know courage Know compassion Know endurance 11
Summary 1. Pain is useful for developing healthy bodies 2. Without suffering we would not develop strong characters 3. Our own sufferings are easier to bear if we think of someone else s, especially Jesus It was written in Aramaic, in Latin and in Greek (John 19:20) 12
There they crucified him, and the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Luke 23:33 The Repentant Thief we are receiving the due reward of our deeds but this man has done nothing wrong. Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom Luke 23:41-42 42 13
Declaration of faith 1. Owning up to sin. Repentance 2. Admitting the righteousness of Jesus his ability to save 3. Believing in the Kingdom that Jesus will establish 4. Dying with Jesus Christ What happened to him? Was he saved from his suffering? NO He believed in God and Jesus YET He still suffered He died BUT He died in hope Hope gave him courage to cope with suffering 14
Three People Suffering The Lord Jesus Christ: Hung on the cross of redemption He was a sacrifice, the benefactor of mankind He died for sin. The Thief on the Left: Hung on the cross of rejection, a scoffer, a blasphemer, who died in sin. The Thief on the Right: Hung on the cross of reception, a seeker who strengthened Jesus, a believer, who died saved from sin. The Resurrection of Jesus is the Foundation stone of Christianity Without it - sins cannot be forgiven - there is no life after death - there is no solution to suffering - belief is in vain 15
Hope for the Future Those who never learn any better from life and suffering Those who accept the problem of suffering, and Jesus as the answer A parable of the whole human race Die in ignorance Die with hope 16
Matthew 24:3 when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age? distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world Luke 21:25-26 26 17
Summary 1. Pain and suffering are the result of God s natural laws and man s folly and stupidity. 2. God does care. Eternal life, free from suffering, is promised to those who accept Jesus as Saviour. 3. Much suffering today is the indication Jesus is coming soon. YOU? Which one is YOU 18