Suffering – God’s Sovereignty
We saw last week that good always overcomes evil. However, we will see in this lesson that God is the definition of good, and He is actively involved in each situation to bring about His desired end. And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if…
Christ-like Love (John 13:31-35)
Jesus’ death is going to bring glory to God Jesus is now going to be betrayed, arrested, and crucified. He is very clear that this will bring glory to God. God’s love, justice, righteousness, mercy, and grace will be on full display as Jesus dies on the cross. Jesus’ death is the highest expression of God’s love for His people. Indeed, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13.)…
Suffering – Good vs. Evil
As we continue to study human suffering we are heading towards understanding the purpose of human suffering. In order to have a full understanding of these things, we have to first understand the relationship of good to evil. And when Joseph’s brethren saw that their father was dead, they said, Joseph will peradventure hate us, and will certainly requite us all the evil which we did unto him. And they sent a messenger unto Joseph, saying, Thy father did command before…
Foreknowledge: Proof of Divinity (John 13: 18-30)
Jesus did not choose all the disciples Jesus is clear that not all of the disciples are clean and not all of them have been chosen. The Scriptures taught that one of them would betray Jesus. Jesus knows that it is Judas who will betray Him. He clearly indicates this later in the passage. The disciples did not know Judas would betray Jesus There was absolutely no indication that Judas would betray Jesus. The disciples were so perplexed that they…
Suffering – What is evil?
And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.Genesis 2:16-17 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me: That they may know from the rising of the sun,…
Faith Without Works (Hebrews 11:24-34)
The author of Hebrews reminded the people of God that all of the great works in the old testament were the proof of the faith of old testament heroes. Faith without works is taking the Lord God’s name in vain When you tell someone you are a Christian they will take notice of everything you do. If you don’t live a life that is glorifying to God, you will mar God’s name in the eyes and hearts of those people.…
Suffering – Man’s Purpose
In order to better understand human suffering, we must fully grasp the purpose for which God created this world. From this perspective we can better understand how human suffering fits into His purpose. To the chief Musician upon Gittith, A Psalm of David. O LORD our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies,…
Don’t Forget to Be Thankful (Luke 17:11-19)
While Jesus is on His way to Jerusalem ten lepers see Him and cry out to Him for mercy. He promptly heals them, but only one of them turns around and thanks Him. We do not see what we are apart from Christ Lepers were complete outcasts from Jewish society, but Samaritans were even more despised. The other lepers were not grateful for healing, but the Samaritan showed immense gratitude. One of the reasons we are not grateful is because…
Suffering – Introduction
One of the most difficult questions that we face as human beings is, “If God is good why doesn’t He stop all the pain and suffering in this world?” This line of thinking has caused many people to abandon their faith, fall into sin, stumble in their walk, or even become atheists. As compassionate followers of Christ we must seek to know and understand God and how this knowledge of God relates to human suffering. Genesis 1:31 And God saw…
How to be Happy (John 13:1-17)
Judas has already made arrangements to betray Jesus. Jesus knows that tonight He will be betrayed by Judas, abandoned by the rest of the disciples, and denied by Peter. He knows that He will be illegally tried, brutally beaten, and tortured to death on the cross while bearing our sins. This would make most of us depressed, cynical, bitter, angry, and detached. However, this is not how Jesus responds. Jesus loves the disciples John reminds us that Jesus is doing…
Economics – Poverty (Part 4)
What is the church’s obligation to the poor? For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.Romans…
Faith in the Divine Savior (John 12:44-50)
In this passage, Jesus gives us a summary of His teachings. Jesus is God Many people believe that they are right with God because they believe in God. However, Jesus is very clear that it is only through Him that people can come to God. He is God. To reject Jesus is to reject God. To receive Jesus is to receive God. Jesus saves from sin Jesus did not come to save people from hell and take them to heaven…