Peace in the Midst

* 1 Corinthians 13:12
Does suffering prove that there is no God? - Judges 6:12

Two people quoting:
Templeton - If there is a God, why is there so much evil?
Augustine - If there is no God, why is there any good?

A Christian's answer/ explanation for suffering.

There are three reasons for suffering.
1. We live in a broken world.
God gave us freedom, a world without freedom is essentially a world without love. Real love means making a choice. God gave us the freedom for us to even thumb our noses at him.
The cosmos was invaded by evil. God warned Adam and Eve they would die the day they sinned. Life is not a right we deserve, it is a gift from God everyday.
Why am I still Alive, not why did that person die? is what we should be asking.
Evil things do not define the character of God - he didn't intend them in the first place.

2. Suffering can be caused by others - the result of greed and selfishness of others.

3. We bring it upon ourselves. - God gets the blame for the negligence of ourselves. Yet we demand our freedom, still wanting him to step in and prevent certain choices.
God isn't our enemy -> He is a friend that sticks closer than a brother. - Take him out of the picture.
So - How do we find peace in the midst of suffering?
- Peace in the valley means to be still and rest
we fall apart in despair because we believe that this life is all there is. We would have a reason to be cynical. There is so much more than just this life - and that will change your whole perspective.
The purpose life is to be Godly and prepare for eternity.

2. Trust God's character.
Psalm 46:10 - " and know that I am God. when you trust someone you have to know them and their character first.
Colossians 1:17. The sun doesn't stop shining because there is a cloud covering it. the same when we are suffering that God isn't just looking the other way.
Matthew 28:20 and Proverbs 18:24
His presence becomes more real in the valleys of life.
John 19: 10, 11: "Do you refuse to speak to me?" Pilate said. "Don't you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?" Jesus answered, "You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.
see Romans 8:28

3. Just keep praying anyways.- He is our present help and refuge. Prayer makes a difference - it may not change your circumstance but it may change you. Alot of times we don't persevere in prayer. We need to trust. Do not feel inadequate or unworthy.

God sometimes just says no. Other times he just delays for reasons unknown to us at the time. Don't over analyse your prayers.

We may feel unworthy or inadequate or struggle with doubt, or better ways to say things , but just pray anyways. Just pray anyways because it changes and it makes a difference. God wants us to enjoy a relationship with him.

4. Refuse to give up on God. - Choose to believe. God is God and I am man. don't ask for an explanation. Despair or trust in God - those are your only two choices really. So Trust in him anyways.

Why should I believe in the Church

A. Jesus established the church. Matthew 16:18
If we are true believers we are part of the international faith.

B. It is the only place dealing with the eternal answers of life.
- It challenges us to number our days

C. It is God's vehicle to bring peace and healing
- Pope innocent III taught that if you faught in the crusades you would earn your salvation
- ephesians 2:8-9
-> Do not worship the church because it is made up of fallible people and leaders
-> When authentic Christianity is lived out it actually attracts people rather than deter
-> It is the conditions of the human hearts, not the faith and the scriptures.
*Matthew 15:18

Change in the World begins with one changed heart. The deepest part of who we are.
Change your heart you change a family. Change a family and you will change a community. Change the community you can change the world. And when you change a country you change the world.

1. Christianity brings value to human life ~ starting with children. Jesus blessed them and now we cherish them as vaulable life.
-> We brought an end to slavery and cannibalism (through people who had a change of heart)
Galatians 3:28

Each person matters to God
2. Ministers to the the needs of the poor. - a world with out Christ is a world with out Charities.
3. High value to education.
4. Cares for the physical needs of the people
- Despite the faliures, the church has taught that people are valuable. It has laid foundations

D. True community of love.
- We are sinners saved by grace who know they need one another.
Acts 2:44-47 They met regularly to spur one another on in love.
Relationships are built upon the authority and word of God
the church is there to support, encourage, restore people that are stuggling.
We are a family - drawing our strength from God.
The church has changed lives
Jesus is in the business of changing lives **luke 19

Resting in the Soveriegnty of God

1. Truths about God
-- Our God is absolutely Sovereign
Romans 9:20 -- 'who are you oh man to talk back to God"

-- Our God is gracious
which causes us to question. We are taught that if we want something that we have to work for it. We naturally keep tabs. We have a deep sense of fairness ingrained in us. God wont be put into a box - instead of keeping tabs (blessing the good and punishing the bad) He blesses the undeserving.
Matthew 20 - the vineyard parable
Justice = getting what you deserve
Grace = getting what you dont deserve

--God is on a mission
- because he is a gracious God, he is pursuing us, wanting to extend his grace to us all, Its all about a father calling out to his children to come back into a relationship with him. remember this while you read through the bible. - God has the right to choose who is saved or not. * 2 Peter 3:9

* Predestination
* Matthew 28 - why make disciples D.L. Moody.
The issue is who he will use to bring those to Christ (not who is saved and who isn't) God chooses people to accomplish his mission.
- Why did God choose the Isrealites as opposed to other nations? He chose them for a purpose. Not necessarily to be saved. You could be a Jew - but that doesn't mean you are going to heaven. God chose the Isrealites to be missionaries. Just like God called the church to be his missionaries.
There are also times where he will use evil to work together for good.
* James 1:13
God did not make Pharoh do anything that he didn't already want to do.
* Romans 1:24,26,28
* John 3:16 "God so loved the world....."
not just certain people but everyone.
Although we are not all treated the same by God, doesn't mean we aren't loved the same. God works though and with people that are willing to allow him to.
If you are a child of God, he has a purpose for you. It might now be significant to humans but it will be equal in the sight of God
-- Are you contenet with an audience of one?? Are you content with the Idea of just Serving God?
God gives us a measure of freedom (vs.19) We have the capacity to choose, and love, and create things. We will reap what we sow. We can live anyway we want, but God's purposse will ultimately be accomplished. ( I would rather be a part of that than not)

God's way is trustworthy. He will never act contrary to his promises and character. What we see so clearly in others is often what we are so blind to in ourselves. Monitor your conversations this week and notice..... (how often do we complain.) You can go through the wilderness - with or without God, Complaining so often shows our discontent and doubt in God's plan. Resting in the sovereignty is coming to that place where you can honestly say that serving God is better than anything else and trusting in his plan -- even through the wilderness

God is good

Joseph the Dreamer

March 25th 2007

- God has a plan for your life: Jerimiah 29:11

When we commit to God, he predesintes us. God doesnt play favourites - He chooses us because He needs the job done - and He knows that we are adequate to complete the task at hand.

- Even though God's ultimate plan is a good plan - He deepens our character by giving us bumps in the road. He is always at work in us.

- Sometimes you can't feel the hope because you have been hoping and praying for so long.

- Joseph made a decision totrust God - No matter what. Whethere he saw God's plan or no. It nurtured hope in the deep disappointments

- Joseph refused to give up. " God was with Joseph" Genesis 39:2 - he was faithful and obedient with what God gave him.

- God has chosen you (me) to play a unique role. Do you quit when you are hurt or dissappointed? - Quitting chisels away at your character slowly but surely.

- I want to be like Joseph. God is working behind the scenes foraging your character.

- Joseph refused to give into temptation

- When your life does not turn out the way you planned - sin will start to look really good.

1 Timothy 6:11 "Flee from immorality"

- within hours - he came from the pits into power.

- Joseph refused to care less for others, when we reach out to others we are opening networks & channels to deepen others and our own lives.

- Joesph refused to seek revenge. He realised that God takes our choices and makes them into good. God sees the whole picture.

-Surrender and God will paint the picture of our lives. He is soveriegn and in charge.

We have a choice to make

1. To be bitter and angry (which accomplishes nothing)

2. Or to believe in God's plan. Long for the Lord because as long as we are with him it is going to be ok.

If God knows my plan -- shouldn't that be good enough for me?