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Unexpected: Wicked Good
This morning, we’re continuing our series entitled, “Unexpected” where we are going to recall the truly unexpected ways in which God worked in the past and some of the unexpected places and times where He showed up.
These reminders of God’s faithfulness and miraculous power and authority will serve to encourage us in our present and give us hope toward our future.
One of the unexpected ways in which God works is a commonly asked question about Him. Through the years, it has caused many to stumble in their faith and even cause many to never begin their faith journey. It is the question of, “How can a good God allow bad things to happen?” In fact, this morning’s message title is, “Wicked good.”
This morning, we’re going to primarily focus on the “bad things” that happen at the hands of people. After all, much of what we consider to be the world’s greatest sufferings are the direct result of people’s choices.
Ultimately, all bad things happen because of the choice of one man and woman; Adam and Eve right at the beginning of our existence. Even the bad things that happen now that are not the direct result of a person’s choices are ultimately the result of a world broken and corrupted by sin.
Hunger, poverty, disease, access to fresh water, shelter, safety, and many other global injustices often exist as the result of human choice. Despite the ever-increasing population of earth, God created this planet in such a way that it possesses all of the resources necessary to meet the demands of these needs if it is stewarded well.
Often the very overseeing governments that should be providing the infrastructure and opportunities for all of their citizens to have access to these basic human needs serve as the hindrance to them. Many governmental structures serve to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Intentional oppression is often what results in this human suffering.
Without a doubt, this is one of the very unexpected ways in which God works. God created everything on this earth and then entrusted it to humans created in His image to steward and to manage it. The Bible records a few times when He regretted handing off this stewardship, too (Gen. 6, 1 Sam. 15).
Similar to what we learned last week, God reigns sovereign over all; possesses all power and authority over all things, but chooses not to use it to override our free will. God created everything perfectly and then handed it over to us. Oh and what have we done with it?
This thought crossed my mind Monday we visited Kennywood. Here stands a huge steel structure with powerful hydraulics that could accomplish all sorts of amazing tasks. What do we use it for? We spin thousands of people round and round in circles for hours every day for their entertainment…
It’s like that meme floating around social media about milk. An angel approaches Jesus to let Him know that we’re making milk out of almonds and soy. Jesus says, “What? I gave them like eight animals to get milk from and they’re doing what?”
God entrusts us to steward His creation.
Abel was the first to experience firsthand just how badly people can be at stewarding God’s creation. The violence leading to his murder wasn’t a gun problem, it was a heart problem. God stepped in and tried to stop it, but ultimately refused to override Cain and Abel’s free will.
Genesis 4:6-8
6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Why did God allow bad things to happen to a righteous person at the hand of an unrighteous one? God knew what Cain was planning to do, so why didn’t He step in and forcibly prevent it from happening?
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By Steve Kromer
5
22 ratings
This morning, we’re continuing our series entitled, “Unexpected” where we are going to recall the truly unexpected ways in which God worked in the past and some of the unexpected places and times where He showed up.
These reminders of God’s faithfulness and miraculous power and authority will serve to encourage us in our present and give us hope toward our future.
One of the unexpected ways in which God works is a commonly asked question about Him. Through the years, it has caused many to stumble in their faith and even cause many to never begin their faith journey. It is the question of, “How can a good God allow bad things to happen?” In fact, this morning’s message title is, “Wicked good.”
This morning, we’re going to primarily focus on the “bad things” that happen at the hands of people. After all, much of what we consider to be the world’s greatest sufferings are the direct result of people’s choices.
Ultimately, all bad things happen because of the choice of one man and woman; Adam and Eve right at the beginning of our existence. Even the bad things that happen now that are not the direct result of a person’s choices are ultimately the result of a world broken and corrupted by sin.
Hunger, poverty, disease, access to fresh water, shelter, safety, and many other global injustices often exist as the result of human choice. Despite the ever-increasing population of earth, God created this planet in such a way that it possesses all of the resources necessary to meet the demands of these needs if it is stewarded well.
Often the very overseeing governments that should be providing the infrastructure and opportunities for all of their citizens to have access to these basic human needs serve as the hindrance to them. Many governmental structures serve to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. Intentional oppression is often what results in this human suffering.
Without a doubt, this is one of the very unexpected ways in which God works. God created everything on this earth and then entrusted it to humans created in His image to steward and to manage it. The Bible records a few times when He regretted handing off this stewardship, too (Gen. 6, 1 Sam. 15).
Similar to what we learned last week, God reigns sovereign over all; possesses all power and authority over all things, but chooses not to use it to override our free will. God created everything perfectly and then handed it over to us. Oh and what have we done with it?
This thought crossed my mind Monday we visited Kennywood. Here stands a huge steel structure with powerful hydraulics that could accomplish all sorts of amazing tasks. What do we use it for? We spin thousands of people round and round in circles for hours every day for their entertainment…
It’s like that meme floating around social media about milk. An angel approaches Jesus to let Him know that we’re making milk out of almonds and soy. Jesus says, “What? I gave them like eight animals to get milk from and they’re doing what?”
God entrusts us to steward His creation.
Abel was the first to experience firsthand just how badly people can be at stewarding God’s creation. The violence leading to his murder wasn’t a gun problem, it was a heart problem. God stepped in and tried to stop it, but ultimately refused to override Cain and Abel’s free will.
Genesis 4:6-8
6 Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? 7 If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
8 Now Cain said to his brother Abel, “Let’s go out to the field.” While they were in the field, Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him.
Why did God allow bad things to happen to a righteous person at the hand of an unrighteous one? God knew what Cain was planning to do, so why didn’t He step in and forcibly prevent it from happening?