Message Notes for September 15, 2019

Series: God on Trial

Title: God – the way you manage good and evil is so unfair

Free will and sin has this world in a fallen state.

Romans 8:19-23

John 9:1-3

Luke 13:1-5

God’s ideal is for there to be no suffering, evil or sin.

Revelation Chapters 21 & 22

Amid evil and suffering in this world God chose:

1. To give His Spirit in the battle of free will.

2 Peter 3:9

2. To establish law and government for order and protection.

Romans 13:1-4

3. To show us the magnitude of eternity as compared to the now.

2 Corinthians 4:18

Romans 8:18

4. To help us in our current suffering.

Romans 8:26-28

John 14:26-27

5. To use evil and suffering for ultimate good.

James 1:2

Romans 8:28

Psalm 119:67-72

6. To come and suffer among us.

Job 1:21

Romans 5:8

1 Peter 3:18

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of September 15, 2019

Series: God on Trial

Title: God – the way you manage good and evil is so unfair

• Where have you seen examples of absolute evil?  Where have you seen examples of absolute good? What do you think drives these two opposite behaviors? 
• Why do you think we as human beings long for such fairness?  Why do we typically see others as unfair, but not our own actions?
• How do you think God considers justice and fairness from an eternal perspective?  Read Romans 8:19-23.  What is Paul speaking of in this passage?  Why does creation groan?  What about this world causes us to groan?  What is the promise in this passage that God offers? 
• Read Revelation 21.  What is this passage describing?  What do Christians have to look forward to?  How does this perspective give hope in the midst of evil and struggle now?
• Read John 9.  How does Jesus address the disciples’ question about sin in vs.2?  What do you learn about Jesus in this passage?  What do you learn about human nature?  What power does Jesus have over evil and suffering?  How does this passage give a glimpse of Revelation 21?
• How can God use evil and suffering for ultimate good?  Read James 1: 1-4.  What is the promise in this passage? What are examples in Scripture?  IE:  Joseph, Moses, Ruth, Paul.  What are some examples from today or in your life?  How can suffering draw us nearer to God?
• Gather in smaller groups and pray for each other.