Mythbusters-8-Everything Happens For A Reason (The Lost Episode)

This was originally recorded on June 30,2019. In this lost episode, Pastor Brad takes on the Myth that Everything Happens For A Reason.

Pastor's notes:

Romans 8:26-28 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

INTRODUCTION

Good morning, everybody! I’m so that glad each and every one of you are here today. Today, I’m happy to be bringing the Word to you. I’ve been so excited about this series.

Today, I want to teach you a lesson I have learned from the Scripture. I want to address the Myth: “Everything Happens For A Reason”. ILLUSTRATION
In this life things happen that can boggle our minds:

I heard the story a few years back about a young couple who were on fire Christians. Both had kept themselves sexually pure for marriage, and were anticipating spending their life together. They got married, got in the car headed to their honeymoon, and the husband was killed instantly in a car wreck. They were godly kids. I can’t wrap my head around that! But in those moments and situations, it helps us cope with the unanswerable by saying “You know, everything happens for a reason.” or, “You know, God’s ways are much higher than our ways.”

TRANSITION

In these moments, sometimes the things that we say can cause others to get angry and blame God for the misfortune that has come their way. I believe some of answers come from an often misunderstood topic called suffering. That is exactly what our text is about today.

BACKGROUND

In our text this morning, Paul is writing to the believers at Rome. Paul, being the perfect spokesperson for suffering, tells them that the things we are going through now are nothing compared to the greatness of eternity that we will experience on that great day when we are in glory.

Paul then tells the believers several great things about suffering:

a. b. c.

All things are working together for our good Nothing can separate us from God’s love

If God be for us, then who can be against us?

This morning, I want to look at some areas of suffering, and to see that it isn't always God or the devil trying to cause havoc. We are going to learn that yes, everything does happen for a reason, but sometimes that reason is not some big spiritual reason.

APPLICATION

1. SUFFERING CAUSED BY SELF

Several years ago, there was a tragedy in my family where a young teenager was killed by fireworks. Rather than follow the instructions that came with the items,they forgot that and ended up making an explosive device that exploded and took his life.

At my grandmother’s funeral, I overheard a a family member talking to sthe pastor saying “I can understand why God took my mother, but I can’t understand why God took my grandson.” The pastor replied, “Well, everything happens for a reason.”

My family member had some bitterness and resentment toward God for something He didn’t do!

God didn't take their family member. A consequence of choice caused a life to be cut short.

Ecclesiastes 7:17 says

Do not be overly wicked,

Nor be foolish:

Why should you die before your time?

In other words, we can leave prematurely.

Did he go to heaven? He was a believer, so yes. Was that God’s perfect will for his life? no. Did God get glory out of it? OF COURSE! An auditorium was with precious young people, and many accepted Christ as savior due to the message. If we are God’s people, He always causes the glory to come out of our sufferings and trials.

We just don't understand why stuff like that has to happen. We just have to make sure like Job, we don't curse God or charge Him wrongly. God is good.

2. SUFFERING CAUSED BY THE DEVIL

In this also, we can't always blame the devil either.

I heard of a true story once of an evangelist who had a flat tire on the way to preach for one of his friends. This experience led to him being over an hour late for the meeting. Upon arrival, the guest minister began to tell his friend how “the devil” was responsible for flattening his tires, etc. The pastor, being a good friend, told him.

“You can blame the devil all you want, but it’s YOUR fault. You buy those cheap two ply tires and you drive them until they are bald!”

This man didn't have a devil problem. He had a common sense problem. There is however a demonic suffering. This kind we can rebuke and handle. We this with people who are afflicted with demon spirits.
3. SUFFERING CAUSED BY OTHERS




How many people innocent people are killed each year by the misdoings of others? Murders, accidents, drunk driving, and all the like?

My mind reverts to September 11, 2001. During the great tragedy of the world trade center, many innocent lives we lost at no fault of their own. It was caused by the decisions of others.

4. SUFFERING CAUSED BY THE FALL




The truth is, we live in a fallen world. A lot of suffering we go through

in the natural realm is simply because of the fallen world. When sin entered, it messed everything up. Storms, catastrophes, etc are all caused by the fact that we do live in this sinful world.

The atmosphere and things of the like are also affected by the fall.

5. SUFFERING BECAUSE OF CHRIST

Christians are persecuted all over the world by people who hate God. Churches are burnt. Children are murdered.
The Foxes Book of Martyrs is filled with these stories.
Jesus told us in John 15:18 that the world would hate us.

CLOSING

We must realize that God is good all the time, no matter what. He never ever promised that we would not suffer. He did however tell us that He would work it all out to our benefit.

It can be easy to ask the question “Where is God in the middle of all this?” He is there in the storm. He is there in our crazy decisions. He is there in the middle of demonic attack.

As a matter of fact, Jesus was the picture of suffering. Where was God when Jesus died on the cross, He was right there. God used the suffering of Jesus to work together OUR GOOD!!!!

God doesn't cause all the bad in the world, but He also doesn't allow it to be wasted.

CONCLUSION