CRCF–4/26/09
Questions of the Heart: #1
Introduction–“Study without desire spoils the memory, and it retains nothing that it takes in.” (Leonardo da Vinci)
That’s the idea behind this sermon series. These are YOUR questions-questions that trip you up in your journey of faith, questions that haunt you when you’re all alone, questions that keep you from trusting Him more fully because you just don’t know the answer. Your listening to these messages is bound to be full of “desire” and, therefore, life-changing.
I’m not going to pretend for a minute that I’ll conclusively or comprehensively answer any of these questions. But what we WILL do is bring our thoughts and God’s thoughts together on these matters and, with His help, come closer to having His perspective on these issues.
“Humankind cannot stand very much reality.” T. S. Eliot
Life is full of hard, cold realities. We do all we can to try to avoid dealing with those realities head on as often as we can. We come up with our own diversions that keep us from confrontations with realities that we don’t understand, like or enjoy. We formulate our own answers to our deepest questions-and, for a time, they may even appease us. But then, in those still, silent moments when we can’t find anything to distract us, we find ourselves toe-to-toe with our questions, doubts, pains, and frustrations. If we get honest in that moment, refusing to side-step reality anymore, we begin a conversation-not with one of our friends or coworkers or family members. Rather, we engage God.
And, more often than not, in our seldom-found honesty, our talk with God begins with a question . . . perhaps a question much like your first question:
“Why do I often see evil triumph, on the one hand, and, on the other, witness a child of God suffering for no apparent reason?”
This is a HUGE question that deserves (and requires) much more than we can give it this morning. But, if you’ll put your heart into listening, then we’ll be further along towards an answer by lunchtime!
Psalm 37 gives us the big-picture backdrop, the ultimate answer to this question:
1-2-“Don’t bother your head with braggarts or wish you could succeed like the wicked. In no time they’ll shrivel like grass clippings and wilt like cut flowers in the sun.”
9-“Before long the crooks will be bankrupt.”
18-“God keeps track of decent folk; what they do won’t soon be forgotten.”
21-“Wicked borrows and never returns; righteous gives and gives. Generous gets it all in the end; stingy is cut off at the pass.”
God will ultimately settle the score and make all things right!
But we still need to know WHY God’s people DO suffer a lot in the here and now, right?
4 Possible Reasons a child of God may suffer:
1. God may bring suffering as Discipline for your Personal Sin.
Psalm 32: 3 When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. 4 Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude 5 Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.
Hebrews 12:5-13: 5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children?[a] He said, “My child,[b] don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. 6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”[c] 7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?[d] 10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening-it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. 12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Always start here-in humility and prayer and confession! Even if you’re suffering is NOT due to your sin, it never hurts to get low before your Father-you’ll always stand up a stronger Christ-follower.
2. God often allows suffering as Training for your
Personal Strength.
James 1:2-4, 12-16: 2 Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. 12 God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong,[c] and he never tempts anyone else. 14 Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. 15 These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. 16 So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters.
1 Peter 1:6-7: 6 So be truly glad.[a] There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while. 7 These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold-though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You may not have signed up for “God’s Gym” or desired the workout that you find yourself in the middle of. Remember-you’ve been bought with a price, you’re owned by the One who died for you. And He loves you too much to let you get spiritually flabby and a candidate for heart disease. So, cooperate with your Personal Trainer and get the most out of the workout. And by the way, God can use your suffering to strengthen your faith even if there are other reasons for it involved!
3. God often permits suffering as Evidence of your
Personal Faith in Jesus.
1 Peter 3:13-17: 13 Now, who will want to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will reward you for it. So don’t worry or be afraid of their threats. 15 Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. 16 But do this in a gentle and respectful way.[a] Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. 17 Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!
1 Peter 4:1-3, 12-19: 1 So then, since Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you have suffered physically for Christ, you have finished with sin.[a] 2 You won’t spend the rest of your lives chasing your own desires, but you will be anxious to do the will of God. 3 You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy-their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.
12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. 13 Instead, be very glad-for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 14 So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian,[e] for then the glorious Spirit of God[f] rests upon you.[g] 15 If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. 16 But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! 17 For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News? 18 And also, “If the righteous are barely saved, what will happen to godless sinners?”[h] 19 So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you.
John 15:18: 18 “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.
John 16:1-4: “I have told you these things so that you won’t abandon your faith. 2 For you will be expelled from the synagogues, and the time is coming when those who kill you will think they are doing a holy service for God. 3 This is because they have never known the Father or me. 4 Yes, I’m telling you these things now, so that when they happen, you will remember my warning. I didn’t tell you earlier because I was going to be with you for a while longer.
Jesus shot straight with us so that we wouldn’t be surprised when the world deals with us Christ-followers the same way it did with Jesus Himself! Expect to be treated bad by those who don’t love Jesus simply because you do!
4. God sometimes bring suffering for No Apparent
Reason which is His Divine Prerogative.
This is really the main answer to the question, isn’t it? No sin, no conflict with Jesus-haters. Just pure and painful suffering for what appears to be no reason.
While his wife was battling the cancer that eventually killed her, “C.S. Lewis was once asked, “Why do the godly suffer?” And he answered: “Because they are the only ones who can take it.” Those who can take it – whatever it is – suffering, injustice, pain, sickness, loss – these are the heroes we need, not just those who always defeat their evil archenemy, save the city, and get the girl at the end of the movie” (Ronnie McBrayer).
Our best friend on this subject is old Job. His experience with God and his 3 friends is God’s only answer to the question of suffering when there is no reason. Before it was all said and done, even Job was asking God why. Listen to God’s answer:
Job 38:1-7: 1 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. 5 Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line? 6 What supports its foundations, and who laid its cornerstone 7 as the morning stars sang together and all the angels[a] shouted for joy?
Does that seem harsh to you? I mean, do you remember what Job went through? Listen fast:
Job 1:6-22: 6 One day the members of the heavenly court[a] came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan,[b] came with them. 7 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan. Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.” 8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless-a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” 9 Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. 10 You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! 11 But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” 12 “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence. 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. 19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.” 20 Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. 21 He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord!” 22 In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
Job’s wife sounds a lot like some of us when we get to the end of our faith’s rope and the lack of reason threatens to kill our trust in God:
Job 2:8-10: 8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
An important truth to remember: It ALL comes to us through God’s hands, no matter how you slice it!
What about Job’s “good friends”? Want to learn how NOT to be a good Christian friend? Spend some time reading the whole story of Job. You’ll find yourself agreeing with some of their thinking, because sometimes personal sin is the reason God turns up the heat on our lives. But their mistake that they had no room in their theology for another reason for suffering-a reason that has nothing to do with our sin or our faith (or lack of faith) and everything to do with God’s Divine prerogative!
Job 16:19-22: 19 Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. 20 My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God. 21 I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends. 22 For soon I must go down that road from which I will never return.
Job 19:25-29: 25 “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. 26 And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God![a] 27 I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought! 28 “How dare you go on persecuting me, saying, ”˜It’s his own fault’? 29 You should fear punishment yourselves, for your attitude deserves punishment. Then you will know that there is indeed a judgment.”
Job knew he needed a Savior and was dependent on God’s Messiah long before Jesus ever showed up. But he also had a better understanding of suffering than his friends-an understanding that left room for God to simply be God and never explain Himself. And by the way-IF God explains Himself, it is an act of grace, NOT something He owes us or that we deserve.
Are you ready to hear what God thinks about folks that tell Him how He has to operate and arrange your life?
Job 40:1-14: 1 Then the Lord said to Job, 2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” 3 Then Job replied to the Lord, 4 “I am nothing-how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. 5 I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” 6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 7 “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them. 8 “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right? 9 Are you as strong as God? Can you thunder with a voice like his? 10 All right, put on your glory and splendor, your honor and majesty. 11 Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. 12 Humiliate the proud with a glance; walk on the wicked where they stand. 13 Bury them in the dust. Imprison them in the world of the dead. 14 Then even I would praise you, for your own strength would save you.
So, when we’ve been honest before God about our sin and we’re all “fessed” up, when we’re NOT being opposed because we love Jesus, how are we to deal with suffering then-when there are no answers, no reasons that come to the surface?
Job 42:1-6:
1 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. 3 You asked, ”˜Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I-and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. 4 You said, ”˜Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ 5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. 6 I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
Like a child that can’t understand his Daddy’s plans, so we must humbly endure quietly, trusting His heart when we can’t see His hand. Again, we can be sure that God will make us stronger through the suffering, that He’ll deepen our trust in Him through the storm.
The most mature faith doesn’t have all the answers but admits to more questions than most. The most mature faith lives in a relationship with a Father Who is untamed by our thoughts and desires and does just what He knows He needs to do.
Conclusion–“This is how Kenneth Copeland put it not long ago, in the face of the economic crisis we are all in: “This world has a $65 trillion economy! You mean you don’t have the faith to get two or three hundred thousand dollars worth of it?” Apparently not.
It’s easy to have faith when your 401K is in tip-top shape. It’s easy to preach health, wholeness, and wellness for all when you own a $20 million Citation 10 leer jet, like Copeland does. It’s easy to say “just trust God” when the sun is shining. But for many people of faith, the outcome is not as rosy as we have been led to believe. Many find that faith has not insulated them from trouble. Faith has not protected them from disease, poverty, bankruptcy, or injustice. Faith is not a fix or a means of getting what we want. It is a way of living, and often it has nothing to do with how well life will treat you. If faith secured for every person who claimed to have it, a soft life, never a disappointment, abundance on every hand, the elimination of doubt, and the absence of fear, hospital bills, hunger, attorney fees or loss – well, then God owes a great many of our heroes of the faith a colossal apology… We don’t need romantic, super-hero faith. It is useless, nothing more than an opiate to dull our senses and keep us from seeing the way things really are. We need realistic faith . . . Enough of this faith that professes the ability to only change our circumstances; what about the faith that changes us? ” (Ronnie McBrayer)-and (I would add) that lets God be God without accusation!
The most mature faith understands that God owes no one an apology for being God! And we will find peace-NOT in an answer for our every question-but in resting in our Father, Whose Divine prerogative it is to bring suffering our way without explanation. We will find peace when we, like Job, put our hands over our mouths and-while life hurts, confuses, disappoints-praise Him anyway!
There have been times in my life when, due to circumstances/trials/etc., I didn’t feel my faith in God-no warm fuzzies, no sense of His presence, no feeling assurance inside that any of it is real, no feeling that Jeremiah 29:11 is true. In fact, I’m right there, right now-and have been for awhile. And that’s OK! It’s not a lot of fun. It’s not easy. But it doesn’t mean I’m a second-rate Christian or that I don’t have enough faith or that I’m not spiritual. It just means that God has us somewhere we didn’t ask to be. We’re not here because Robin’s faith isn’t strong enough. We’re here because God brought us here-and that’s His prerogative. After the occasional fussing/cussing and questioning and screaming, all we can do is silently crawl back up into our Father’s lap and lay down, exhausted, trusting Him to take care of us according to His good plan-because we have no where else to go!