“Say What?”

Why Bad Things Happen to Good People

Sunday, July 15, 2007

 

THE PROBLEM WITH LIFE IS IT’S UNPREDICTABLE

 

Luke 13:1-9 (NIV)

Now there were some present at that time who told Jesus about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2Jesus answered, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? 3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. 4Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? 5I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." 6Then he told this parable: "A man had a fig tree, planted in his vineyard, and he went to look for fruit on it, but did not find any. 7So he said to the man who took care of the vineyard, 'For three years now I've been coming to look for fruit on this fig tree and haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it use up the soil?' 8" 'Sir,' the man replied, 'leave it alone for one more year, and I'll dig around it and fertilize it. 9If it bears fruit next year, fine! If not, then cut it down.' "

 

 1. Jesus never answers the why tragedy happens…but it does happen.

2. Tragedy is not the sign of some great sin in a person’s life.

3. Life is both short and has unexpected turns.

4. The greater question is, “What are you doing with your life?”

5. Difficulties can help us to mature in life.

James 1:1-8 (NIV)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings.
2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.

 

1.    Fact…Trials — Temptation: it is certain; we will have many trials and temptations.

2.    Fact…we need the right attitude to navigate through them.

3.    Fact…difficulties build endurance, patience or what is called perseverance which is really the ability to hang tough.

4.    FACT…difficulties build us into the person God always meant for us to be.

5.    Fact…maturity develops a dependency on God.

 

 

1. Trouble often comes from others. 

James 5:1, 5-6

Now listen, you rich people… weep and wail because of the misery that is coming upon you… 5You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6You have condemned and murdered innocent men, who were not opposing you.

 

2. You may suffer for doing the right thing.

James 5:7, 10-11

7Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

 

10Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

 

3. Picture of a Biblically functioning Community.

James 5:13-16

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.