Why Do Bad Things Happen? John 9:1–3

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Why Do Bad Things Happen? John 9:1–3 by Mind Map: Why Do Bad Things Happen? John 9:1–3

1. II. EVERYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO US IS FOR OUR GOOD AND GOD’S GLORY.

1.1. Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

1.2. Ephesians 1:11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

1.3. Ephesians 1:12 12 God’s purpose was that we Jews who were the first to trust in Christ would bring praise and glory to God.

1.4. Helen Keller once said

1.4.1. Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.”

1.4.2. By helping us face and overcome suffering and pain, God constantly works for our good and his glory.

2. III. ONE DAY THE SCALES WON’T JUST BALANCE BUT WILL TILT BEYOND OUR COMPREHENSION TO OUR GOOD AND GOD’S GLORY.

2.1. We live in a world where God has the last word

2.2. It’s important always to remember that pain and suffering here are transitory but that the glory God will give us is eternal.

2.3. Paul reminds us in 2 Corinthians 4:16–18

2.3.1. 2 Corinthians 4:16 16 That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day

2.3.2. 2 Corinthians 4:17 For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they produce for us a glory that vastly outweighs them and will last forever!

2.3.3. 2 Corinthians 4:18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

2.4. “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

2.5. Romans 8:18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.

3. APPLICATION

3.1. We need to keep the right perspective on pain, suffering, and hardship

3.2. Our God is faithful

3.3. He makes no mistakes

3.4. Everything that happens to us who are believers is for our good and his glory—and whatever temporary suffering we may experience

3.5. God will have the last word.

3.6. The French writer, Paul Claudel, once said that

3.6.1. “Christ did not come to do away with suffering; he did not come to explain it. He came to fill it with his presence.”

4. John 9:1–3

4.1. John 9:1–2 As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. 2 “Rabbi,” his disciples asked him, “why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?”

4.2. John 9:3 3 “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

5. THE QUESTION OF THE AGES

5.1. “Why does pain and suffering exist?”

5.2. At first it seems the case of the blind man was an easy one to answer

5.3. He was born blind to display God’s glory

5.4. Jesus was about to heal the man

5.5. He would miraculously receive his sight! But what about all the other blind men who would never see?

5.6. What about the lame beggars who would never walk?

5.7. The lepers who would never be clean?

5.8. The grieving mothers who would not receive back their dead children from the grave?

5.9. What about them?

5.10. Though Jesus doesn’t heal every case of blindness, as he did this one

5.11. His answer to the question gives us a clue to facing pain and suffering in life

6. God works everything for our good and his glory

7. I. PAIN HAS A PURPOSE

7.1. The pain and suffering we see in the world is the result of human sin

7.1.1. It reminds us that the universe is not “normal,” that we live in a fallen and sin-cursed world.

7.2. Hard as it may be to believe

7.2.1. Pain is often beneficial

7.2.2. Sometimes pain is a spiritual warning that rouses us from our satisfaction and complacency in this earthly life

7.2.3. C. S. Lewis wrote

7.2.3.1. “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

7.3. Pain can also be a means to and a sign of growth.

7.3.1. Athletes often say

7.3.1.1. “No pain, no gain.”

7.3.2. It is through the sweat, strain, and soreness of intense physical training that our bodies become stronger

7.3.3. In the same way, hardship and suffering are also keys to building character

7.3.4. 1 Peter 1:3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation

7.3.4.1. 1 Peter 1:3-4 and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.

7.3.4.2. 1 Peter 1:5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.

7.3.4.3. 1 Peter 1:6 6 So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while.

7.3.4.4. 1 Peter 1:7 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.

7.4. Sometimes pain and suffering are the price for following Christ

7.4.1. Jesus warned us in John 15:19,20

7.4.1.1. John 15:19 The world would love you as one of its own if you belonged to it, but you are no longer part of the world. I chose you to come out of the world, so it hates you.

7.4.1.2. John 15:20 Do you remember what I told you? ‘A slave is not greater than the master.’ Since they persecuted me, naturally they will persecute you. And if they had listened to me, they would listen to you.

7.4.2. Clarence Jordan

7.4.2.1. Clarence Jordan, a minister to the poor in rural Georgia, was getting a red-carpet tour of another minister’s church

7.4.2.2. The minister pointed to the rich, imported pews and luxurious decorations with pride

7.4.2.3. As they stepped outside, darkness was falling, and a spotlight shone on a huge cross atop the steeple

7.4.2.4. “That cross alone cost us ten thousand dollars,”

7.4.2.4.1. the minister said with a satisfied smile

7.4.2.5. “You got cheated,” said Jordan.

7.4.2.5.1. “Times were when Christians could get them for free.”

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