In 2008 and again in 2012, Madison Park Church of God in Anderson, IN asked different groups of people for their questions. The questions could be about anything. The group in 2008 was primarily from inside the church and the group from 2012 was from primarily outside the church. The questions were paired down to the top 10 questions and then each question was the subject of a Sunday morning sermon. Pastor Jim Lyon attempted to provide answers based on a biblical framework.
My brother leads a Wednesday night bible study and has been leading the class through this series of questions. Pastor Jim wrote a book based on the 2008 series and the class used that as a study aid. Since there is no book for the second series and the class wanted to have something in their hands to help them focus and remember, I have attempted to outline the questions from the 2012 series. There is no outline for question 10 and question 9 was pretty rough, so here is the outline for question 6.
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There is no video of the sermon for Question 6. An audio version can be found at madisonparkchurch.org.
Madison Park Church of God
Jim Lyon
God in the Midst of Evil and Misery
Question:
Where is God in the slums of India? Where is He when an unattended toddler drowns in a swimming pool, when your Dad locks you in a closet for weeks, when Mama’s boyfriend rapes you? Why doesn’t He answer our cry in our misery?
Some people say “God is in charge.” I’m not sure what they mean. Are they being flippant? 40-60 million Chinese murdered. Millions in USSR. The Jews in WWII. The many disasters. Did he O.K. these or…?
- It is a question we all have to face.
- Innocent suffering is at the root of these questions. Or why do bad things happen to good people? That would make for a good book! 🙂
- If there is a God;
What is he doing?
Is he paying attention?
Has he fallen asleep?
Is he not active?
Does he have a heart as cold as stone? - Where is God in the midst of all the suffering?
- Every faith system must wrestle with this question?
Buddhists believe there is suffering because of our unhealthy attachment to material things. Answer: Detach from material things.
Hinduism believes that suffering is the consequence of our past lives. Answer: Better do it right this time.
Islam believes that suffering is a consequence of our need to submit to God. Suffering is how we submit to Allah’s will. Answer: Better observe ALL the rules and regulations.
Jewish thought is that our suffering is because we have failed to submit completely to God. Answer: Be more committed. - Christianity has a unique and different idea. Suffering is the consequence of a contest between good and evil. A contest between God and an adversary, Satan. Satan is trying to gain control of the physical world and we are in the crosshairs of this desperate attempt.
- God created the world perfectly and without suffering, but when Adam and Eve allowed Satan to gain access through sin, Satan entered and corrupted the created order.
- In Christianity, there is no way for “man” to reach up and escape suffering. God reaches down to us! Jesus comes down and suffers as we do. Then pays the price with His own life that suffering might be broken.
So, with all of that, where is God in the midst of suffering?
Psalm 22:1-2 (NLT)
1My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? 2Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night I lift my voice, but I find no relief.
- Note that even in the midst of suffering, the writer holds on to a tiny amount of faith, even as he cries out.
- Note that Jesus quotes this passage.
Matthew 27:46 (NLT)
46At about three o’clock, Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”
- So where is God in suffering? He is right there with us!
- We deserve to die for our sins, but Jesus, who did no wrong, took our bad stuff on Himself.
- Why do we believe this? Because God is always there throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
- Look at Daniel 3. The famous story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.
Freebie: People who are insecure and feel powerless inside, have to compel other people to agree with them in worship. For all of Nebuchadnezzar’s power, he was insecure.
Daniel 3:24-25 (NLT)
24But suddenly, Nebuchadnezzar jumped up in amazement and exclaimed to his advisers, “Didn’t we tie up three men and throw them into the furnace?”“Yes, Your Majesty, we certainly did,” they replied.25“Look!” Nebuchadnezzar shouted. “I see four men, unbound, walking around in the fire unharmed! And the fourth looks like a god!”
- There is Jesus, in the midst of suffering! Right there with them!
- Did they wonder where God was as they were being thrown in?
- Jesus does not come out. He was with them in their suffering.
Jim’s testimony about his house fire.
- Letter from Chief that states the house should not be standing
- Overcome by the sense that angels were guarding the house
- Jesus was there in the midst of the suffering
- What a relief to know that we are not abandoned. To know that he is there and understands.
But wait. What good does that do me? Now what?
- If God is really there and knows all about it, why doesn’t he stop it?
- Out of every terrible tragedy, if it is surrendered to God, something beautiful can be born.
- The cross is the most desperate moment in all history, and yet the cross has become the greatest symbol of hope the world has ever known.
The story of Gus, dropped behind enemy lines during WWII.
It took more than a year, but eventually the church bells rang and Gus was saved.
Daniel 10:12-13 (NLT)
12Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia.
- It is not always as easy as we think, but God will prevail and defeat the forces arrayed against Him to prevent Him from relieving our suffering.
- Where is God in the midst of suffering? He is right there with us and Heaven’s army is on its way!
- There will come a day when Satan and his minions are vanquished, but until then hold steady.
- Know this:
You are not alone!
Your prayers have been heard!
The answer to your prayers has already been sent forth from the throne of God to where you are.
