The Answer To: “Why God?” (Heb 12:5-11; Ja 1:5)
Tonight I want to tell you about something I’m starting to u’stand better. It has to do w/ the hardest question we ask God… “WHY?” And I’m talking about in relation to OUR life events! It’s when WE ask… “Why are you doing this?” or “God, why are you letting this happen?” Been there?
I’ve heard two responses. The first is… “I know we’re not supposed to question God.” To which I say… WHY NOT? The 2nd response is… “We can’t know why God does what He does… so we just have to trust Him.” To which I say… Why can’t we know?!
Didn’t Jesus say everyone who asks receives?[i] Didn’t James write, “If any man lacks wisdom (u’standing), let him ask of God who give to all men liberally & it will be granted?” (Ja 1:5). T’sition…
God grants us 2 things… the 1st is to believe in Christ. The 2nd is to suffer (Phil 1:29). (P) I want us to consider the reason for the 2nd thing God grants… suffering… which is where our “Why God?” question comes from.
The reason God causes/allows difficulty is to Conform us to the image of Christ. (P) That’s it… that’s the reason. It’s to make us more like Jesus. Now let’s consider this thought a little more…
Right now… none of us are AS loving… forgiving… merciful… compassionate… gracious… or patient as we should be. None of us have attained godliness to the level Jesus possessed. That is not onlyunacceptable, it must be reversed. Therefore God works in & on us to MAKEUS more like Christ.
God is so determined to accomplish Christ likeness IN the believer that He takes an active role in making it happen! Conformity to Christ IS God’s will for EVERY believer. Listen to Heb 12:5-11…
Have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by Him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, & chastises every son whom He receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left w/out discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children & not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us & we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits& live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but He disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Discipline is formative & corrective. Formative is, “Clean your room & take out the trash.” Corrective is, “B/c you didn’t clean your room or take out the trash you’re grounded.” That is a penalty for disobedience. There is a difference!
Note! Just b/c you are having a tough time does NOT mean God is angry w/ you. In fact, God can’t be angry at any believer b/c Jesus satisfied God’s wrath toward us on the cross! So discipline in the believer’s life is ALWAYSan expression of God’s love… NOT anger!
God’s goal is Christ-likeness, expressed in Hebrews as “Sharing in His holiness.” The result of Christ-likeness (sharing in God’s holiness) is the “peaceful fruit of righteousness.” So the result of difficulty in the C’ian is PEACE (Confusing??)! God is working in… thru… & around us to give us the Peace of Christ which surpasses all comprehension. (P) Now let’s go toRomans 8…
8:28 (NASB). “God causes all things to work together for the good.” Look at the text. Who is behind everything that happens? (P) God is! Now… how many things does God CAUSE? “All things.” But don’t stop there… “God causes all things to work together for the good.”
So if you are a believer, take whatever situation you are in… or ever find yourself in… & know this… God IS at work. He has a purpose. His purpose is your ultimate good. Your ultimate good is to share in His holiness (Conformity to Christ). The result of sharing in His holiness is peace.
Look at God’s activity in Ro 8:29. The way I u’stand this verse is that God does not leave to chance believer’s conformity to Christ’s image. As I read this verse, God wills conformity as certain… not “a possibility!”
There is no chance of the believer NOT becoming more like Jesus. Conformity to Christ WILL take place in the life of EVERY C’ian! God WILLS it!
When life is hard & it seems like we’re being crushed into powder, we know what God is in the process of doing… He is making us more like Jesus!(P) Knowing this truth then has a result IN US which is found in Ja 1:2 (Please turn there)…
Count it all joy (This is the Result of God’s discipline!), my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for youknow that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (Maturity). 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Joy is not b/c of the trial… but the result of the trial. The reason I took you to Ro 8 & Heb 12 was to show God’s purpose in trials… the reason He does what He does. So that the next time you ask “Why?” you will have GOD’S answer. And what is it? He’s conforming us to the image of Christ!
Therefore Paul could write, “Rejoice in the Lord always! Again I say rejoice!” Once we get our arms around the fact that God’s love for us is behindall the events of our life, THEN our perspective will begin to change. THENwe’ll be better able to endure. THEN we’ll be better able to persevere. THENwe’ll begin looking for the area of our life God is working on to conform to Christ’s image!
The problem is that we don’t “get it.” We don’t learn the lessons. Thus God keeps working in an area until we get it. The reason the same things keep on happening is b/c you haven’t submitted to God’s sanctifying work in a particular area. Learn the lesson…
Then guess what? Once you’ve learned THAT lesson… God moves to another area of your life that needs disciplining. He works on that area until you get that one… then another & another. That will happen for the rest of your life. (P) Thru this process God peace is added to you little by little!
Listen… I haven’t mastered this. I hope & pray I’m getting it more now than I did a few years ago. If this is a new thought that intrigues you. Let me close w/ a suggestion or two…
Next time a hardship enters your life… look for God’s hand at work. Do that by asking Him to reveal to you what He’s doing. Ask Him to help you submit to His discipline. Ask Him to open the eyes of your heart that you may u’stand what He’s doing… for His glory… & your ultimate good!
Then, rejoice at what you know is coming as a result of what is taking place. What’s that? You will be more like Jesus. You will share in God’s holiness. The peace that surpasses all comprehension will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus more and more each day.
CCL. Some here today have been asking God “Why?” w/ the wrong attitude. You’ve been demanding God answer you. You’ve misunderstood God’s loving discipline as punishment. I suggest that what you need to do is confess your sinful attitude toward what God has been doing & trust that God knows what is best for you… to become more like Jesus!
Someone here may need to trust in Christ b/c He’s calling you to a r’ship SO THAT he can transform you. All the events of your life have been working to bring you to a saving faith in Him.
Regardless of which situation you’re in… now the ball is in your court. Respond to God’s call today…
NEXT MESSAGE
The Most Important Thing: God’s Glory (1 Cor 10:31, Selected)
Admittedly I’ve given this message a heady title… “THE most important thing?” There is ONE thing above ALL others that is important for C’ians?! Yet the second part of the title should remove any doubt of a mistaken title. GOD & His glory will be the focus of our thoughts.
In Scripture “glory” is used a number of ways. It refers to general beauty & splendor. In reference to wealth, power, & influence of men. Most often the word is used in relation to God.
The OT word is KABHODH. The fundamental idea is “weight” or “heaviness.” It conveys an idea of external, physical manifestation of dignity, preeminence or majesty. Think this way. You’ve heard them say on “That 70s Show,”“That’s heavy!” When one is influential we say “They carry a lot of weight.”Now infinitely apply that concept to God & you have a idea of God’s glory…
The NT word is DOXA which can refer to high moral attributes… abundance, wealth, treasure… the infinite moral attributes of God… or the splendor, brightness, & majesty of God. Context determines which is applied.
The OT & NT together convey the greatness, perfection, weightiness, splendor, & honor of God’s glory. You’ll see in our texts that God’s glory is #1 in His mind… & as such… glorifying God is our purpose for living. (P) Hear that clearly… our purpose for living is TO GLORIFY GOD.
Look at 1 Cor 10:31. What does that include? (P) Is there anything that can be excluded from the intent of that verse? When people mistreat you… you’re to glorify God. When your life is full of material blessings, you are to glorify God. When we vote… go on vacations (Vegas?!)… at work… during retirement… relate to others… IN EVERYTHING our actions & words are to glorify God! (BIG PAUSE) God’s glory is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.
We’re always to make God look good. We’re to reflect His greatness, power, & majesty… His glory. We’re to live in a way that people WANT what they see IN us b/c of Christ! 1 Pet 3:15…
In your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you…
(P) Negatively, we are NEVER to give people a reason to blaspheme God or make Him look bad. We must never do anything that would give God… the Faith… or the Church a black eye. (P) For the rest of our time let’s consider ways to can glorify…
By Seeking God’s Glory Over Our Desires (Jn 12:27-28). When Jesus asked God to glorify His name & God spoke from heaven… it was in relation to how Jesus would die (12:33). In the Garden Jesus prayed… “Let this cup pass from me… never the less, not my will but Yours be done!”
Jesus’ goal was for God to be glorified, & it would take Him dying on the cross! For God to be glorified, Jesus HAD to suffer. For God to be seen as great, Jesus’ humanly desire came 2nd!
When we pray… our desire must be for God to be glorified. For God to be thought much of by others EVEN WHEN it costs us. (P) Jesus told us to lay up treasurers in heaven, RIGHT? Nothing can lay up more treasure in heaven than God using US to glorify His name… no matter the cost!
Here’s the point… as C’ians… we are to seek God’s glory above our own desires when we pray. So as we pray… our most passionate request should be… “God glorify Your name!” And He will…
By Loving Other Christians (Jn 13:31-35). Here Jesus proclaimed God’s glory 5 times in 2 verses. The Father glorifies the Son & the Son glorifies the Father. Together they glorify one another… and then Jesus gives an interesting command in v 34! Love each other as I’ve loved you!
People should be able to say about us by observing us, “One thing I can tell you about them… they love each other!” (P) People determine the validity of the C’ian faith based on how we treat one another! The way we interact… talkabout… & talk to one another as C’ians affirms or undermines the credibility of C’ianity!
Remember what love is from this AM? LOVE IS ACTION! The words “I love you” w/ a hug don’t mean anything unless they are followed by actions that prove it! As Jesus said, “Greater LOVE has no man than this that he lay down his life for his friends.” Notice Jesus said in Jn 13:34 that we’re to love one another AS HE HAS LOVED US! (P) That requires some meditation to work out…
By Living In Harmony W/ Each Other (Ro 15:5-7). As Paul began to close Romans, he prayed that God would grant harmony in the church. This is a constant theme for Paul… that those in the church be “of one mind” & “one spirit.”
Paul knew division & disharmony in a fellowship doesn’t glorify God. People who are at odds w/ one another CANNOT worship God together in one Spirit.
Only as C’ians love each other can they live in harmony. As they live in harmony, C’ians glorify God together. Thus harmony & unity w/in a church is imperative IF they’re to glorify God! This is of great practical importance for all of us today! This is important for FBC-Florence!
To live in harmony w/ others takes work! It requires mercy, grace, & forgiveness. It means being patient. Why? B/c all these other people are hard to live w/ aren’t they? (Snicker) The #1 way Satan hinders a church is thru disharmony & disunity! The way to defeat him is to willfully, consciously, & with purpose LIVE in harmony w/ others. THIS glorifies God!!
I’ve said this many times… the question is not IF someone will say/do something that offends you at church but WHEN will it happen and HOW WILL YOU RESPOND? The proper attitude is love, mercy, & forgiveness. When THAT is done… God is glorified! Look at Ro 15:7! (P) Last…
By Living A Godly Life (1 Cor 6:19-20; 1 Pet 2:11-12). 1 Cor 6 is behind 1 Cor 10:31. 1 Pet 2 is how 1 Cor 10:31 is worked out. All these passages are inter-related. Let me show you how. Please turn to 1 Cor 6:19-20…
1 Cor 6:19-20. Paul’s point is that when we were saved, our rights went out the window. God literally owns the believer. B/c He purchased/bought us w/ the blood of His son, we are His to do w/ as He pleases. Not only that… we are called to reflect Him, His character, & traits in all things at all times.
The reason you are who you are, & do what you do, is so the world will see Jesus thru you! You’re to show the world thru YOUR actions what Christ looks like as a student… an athlete… a boss… employee… spouse… parent… child… banker… lawyer… when retired… single… on dates. Whatever we do… we’re to glorify God in what we do!
That’s the test! If what we do glorifies God… GREAT! If it doesn’t… we have no business doing it. All inclusive… nothing excluded. Why? The H.S. dwells in us… that’s why!
1 Pet 2:11-12 is the negative expression of 1 Cor 6:19-20 (1 Cor 10:31). Peter reminds us this world is NOT our home. Therefore when it comes to certain conduct, we are to ABSTAIN. Tell me, what does ABSTAIN mean? (P) It means don’t do it! Don’t even play around doing it!
Why? 2:11b. There is conduct that wages war against your soul! Listen… God made us. So He knows what is best for us to function most effectively. He’s wired us in such a way that some conduct is beneficial & others are destructive. Thus the commands are for our protection!
Would anyone here decide that b/c gas prices are so high they will begin using sugar water to fill their tank instead of gasoline? No! Why? Car engines weren’t built to burn sugar water. Likewise, if we live in a manner other than God intended the result is catastrophic… to our soul!
Instead, we’re to live lives that are pure & honorable (1 Cor 6:19-20). We to live in such a way that, while they may not necessarily like us, they affirm that we are living in a manner consistent w/ the one who saved us. When they affirm our God B/C OF how we live, that glorifies God!
CCL. We’ve covered a lot today haven’t we? I’ve done that on purpose so you’ll have some things to meditate on this week. Thus your outline. Take it home this week and examine one passage a day. Ask God to do two things: 1)Show you ways to glorify Him from the Scriptures, 2) Give you the strength TO glorify God as a result of what He revealed to you.
1 Cor 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
C’ians. Are you glorifying God?
Do you know Christ?
