1. Providence
God is great.
God is utterly sovereign (he is both omnipresent and omniscient), and he is transcendent (in himself he exists above time and space, i.e., above the created order with its intrinsic limitations). - D.A. Carson
God is omnipotent, i.e., he is able to do anything he wishes to do. - D.A. Carson
The universe is not only dependent upon God for its origin, it depends upon God for its continuity of existence. The universe can neither exist nor operate by its own power. - R.C. Sproul
He rules creation with absolute sovereignty and authority. He governs everything that comes to pass, from the greatest to the least. - R.C. Sproul
If God is not sovereign... "then we would have to admit that there is evil in the universe that God did not intend, is not under his control, and might not fulfill his purpose." - Wayne Grudem
Could God have made a world in which there was no evil? Yes.
Then why did he make this world this way?
We must be mindful of why we may be asking this question. Romans 9.20, 11.33-36
It was created good. Very good.
It is preparatory for the next one. And that one will be the final and best one.
This one wonderfully displays his wisdom, glory, and goodness.
This one brings us much good; both now and later.
2. Evil
God is good.
a. What is evil?
Evil is the failure to do what God demands or the performance of what God forbids. - D.A. Carson
The dimensions of evil are thus established by the dimensions of God. The ugliness of evil is established by the beauty of God; the filth of evil is established by the purity of God; the selfishness of evil is established by the love of God. - D.A. Carson
God permits evil. But God is not passive. He is active... actively blessing, showing mercy, being patient, and bringing good into our world.
b. God is good. James 1.17
Not only is God altogether good. He is consistently good. God doesn’t know how to be anything other than good. - R.C. Sproul
He always acts according to his own character, which is essentially, eternally, immutably, and intrinsically good. James teaches that every good and perfect gift comes from God. He is not only the ultimate standard of goodness; he is the Source of all goodness. - R.C. Sproul
1 John 1.5, Deuteronomy 32.4
c. What is evil? take two...
Evil is the lack of good. The opposite of good. Evil is not matter. Evil is not a force; nor is it a person. Evil, per se, does not exist. Evil was not created.
We were. We do evil. Evil describes effect, motive, method, and activity. Evil is a failure; a failure to reflect the nature or character of God. Evil describes sin.
d. God permits (unseen) beings to oppose him.
Fallen angels (demons) are creatures that were cast out of heaven (somewhere between Genesis 1.31 and 3.1) and are awaiting final and irreversible judgment. They have been defeated and are allowed to remain only for the advancement of God's glory and for our temporal and eternal good (reward) as we contend with them.
Matthew 12.24-29, 2 Peter 2.4, Jude 6, Colossians 2.15
These defeated enemies have a leader.
"Satan" means adversary. His other names describe his character and activity: angel of light, the devil, the prince of darkness, the father of lies, and the accuser of the brethren. He disguises evil for good and enslaves unsaved humanity.
Job 1.12, 2.1-6, John 14.30, 2 Corinthians 4.4, 11.14, Ephesians 2.2, James 4.7, 1 John 3.10-12, 4.4
II. Things Seen
1. Sin
Romans 3.23
a. What is sin?
Rebellion against God’s rule, missing the mark God set for us to aim at, transgressing God’s law, disobeying God’s directives, offending God’s purity by defiling oneself, and incurring guilt before the Judge. - J.I. Packer
Any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act or in attitude.
Missing the mark of God's righteousness as the standard for our behavior.
Sins of commission. Sins of omission.
b. Why do we sin?
Original sin refers to the corruption of humanity as a result of the first sin of Adam.
Romans 5.12 -19, 1.18-19, 3.10-26, Titus 1.15.
The issue was whether Adam would let God tell him what was good and bad for him or would seek to decide that for himself, in disregard of what God had said. By eating from this tree Adam would, in effect, be claiming that he could know and decide what was good and evil for him without any reference to God. - J.I. Packer
We sin freely, making our choices without any external coercion. We freely choose what we desire. We choose according to our nature. We sin from within.
Romans 8.1-11, Ephesians 2.1-3, 4.17-19, 1 John 1.8-10
But Christians have undergone a change in our nature and our desires! The power and slavery of sin has been broken. We can say no to sin.
Titus 2.11-14
God permits me to sin. God permits others to sin against me. But God does so without being the author or cause of sin.
James 1.13-17, Genesis 50.20
God permits evil (Acts 14.16); he punishes evil with evil (Psalm 81.11-12, Romans 1.26-32); he brings good out of evil (Genesis 50.20, Acts 2.23, 4.27-28, 13.27, 1 Corinthians 2.7-8); he uses evil to test and discipline those he loves (Matthew 4.1-11, Hebrews 12.4-14); and one day he will redeem his people from the power and the presence of evil altogether (Revelation 21.27, 22.14-15). - J.I. Packer
God’s redemptive providence can work through the most diabolical actions. The worst offense ever committed by a human being was the betrayal of Christ by Judas. Yet the death of Christ was no accident of history. It was according to the determinate counsel of God. Judas’ act of wickedness helped bring about the best thing that ever happened in history, the Atonement. It is not fortuitous that we refer to that day in history as “Good Friday.” - R.C. Sproul
Acts 2.22-24
And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8.28 ESV
III. Some thing to consider before caregroup.
a. Are you sidetracked by questions about evil that cannot be answered in this life?
b. Why should we keep our thoughts about evil within the boundaries of Scripture? How is not doing so similar to what Adam and Eve did?
c. How would you help a Christian struggling with questions about evil?
d. Are you adequately aware of God's goodness? Are you ever tempted to doubt that he is good? What do you do to fight that temptation?
e. Are you adequately aware of God's sovereignty? Are you ever tempted to doubt his power; his ability save? What do you do to fight that temptation?
