TheBible

Series Outline• The Big Reveal

• What’s the big deal?

• PROVING the Myth

• DISPROVING the Myth

• Busted?

“A loving God would never do that...”

What is the Big Deal?• “A loving God would never do that…”

• If you’re right:– You’re going to have to come to grips with the degree to which God is truly in control of the universe.

• If you’re wrong:– You’re going to have to come to grips with why bad things happen and why God would let them happen.

The Bible tells us that God is a God of love, so He would never do anything to harm anyone.

Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of

your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than

many sparrows.

Matthew 10:29-31

Hair & Sparrows• God’s watching out for me (knows how much hair I’ve got).

• Jesus says “don’t be afraid” because I’m worth more than many sparrows.

• So, nothing bad’s gonna happen to me, right?

If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. And so we know and rely on

the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have

confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has

to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

1 John 4:15-18

See? God is love.• The verse said “God is love,” so that means God won’t do anything that doesn’t seem to be loving, right?

• It also says “there is no fear in love.” That means that nothing fearful will happen, since we have a God of love. Yeah?

Okay, pre-busted myth.• We need to close up shop a little early.

• You’re not going to get very far without relying on Scriptural fragments, outside of their own context or hermeneutical examination.

• Today’s phrase is a favorite of:– Atheists looking for a logic trap.– New Agers looking for warm fuzzies.

Application of Logic• Do bad things happen?– Yes.

• Is God all-powerful and intimately interested in His creation?– Yes.

• Does God let bad things happen?– Yes.

• Is this part of God’s will?– Yes.

• Is God a God of love?– Yes (and more).

YUP.

The Bible uses many words to describe God, including love, but love is not His only expression.

God of Hate?• From basic concepts to entire sections of scripture, we often overlook certain aspects of God’s character, because we can’t seem to reconcile them to the grace of Jesus Christ.

• Does God kill without mercy?• Does God express hatred toward anyone?

Every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, wild animals, all the creatures that swarm

over the earth, and all mankind. Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died. Every living thing on the face of the earth was wiped out; men and animals and the creatures that move along the ground and the birds of the air were wiped from the earth. Only Noah was left, and those with him in the ark.

Genesis 7:21-23

After the Rainbow?• Okay, most of us focused on arks, doves, and rainbows in that story.

• Didn’t God guarantee that His wrath would no longer include, well, massacre?

• God upholds and protects all “innocent” life, right?

and when the LORD your God has delivered them over to you and you have defeated them, then you must

destroy them totally. Make no treaty with them, and show them no mercy.

Deuteronomy 7:2

Now go, attack the Amalekites and totally destroy everything that

belongs to them. Do not spare them; put to death men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels

and donkeys.’”

1 Samuel 15:3

Men, Women & Children• God ordered the annihilation of entire populations, including those we would classify as “innocents.”

• In his instructions to King Saul, the Amalekites were to be punished for delaying Israel’s journey.

• These verses are favorites of atheists and abortion proponents.

“I have loved you,” says the LORD. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved

us?’

“Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?” the LORD says. “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have hated, and I have

turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert

jackals.”

Malachi 1:2-3

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy,

and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

Romans 9:17-18

Hate and Wrath?• God hated Esau?

• God raised Pharaoh to display (destructive) power?

• If He has chosen some for mercy, doesn’t that mean he’s chosen some for “not” mercy?

Connecting the Dots• What were some of Esau’s stand-out characteristics? Were any worthy of God’s withheld love?

• Why did God command Joshua to utterly destroy the people he was displacing?

for they will turn your sons away from following me to serve other gods, and the LORD’s anger will burn against you

and will quickly destroy you.

Deuteronomy 7:4

Highest Good• Is it God’s highest “calling” to make life comfortable and prevent any bad thing from happening?

• Why would He punish? Why would He send trials?

• What does it produce?

• ETERNITY is the greatest good!

Multiple Attributes• God IS love.

• God is also just. – Justice demands both mercy and wrath.

• Around His own throne, He is called HOLY, HOLY, HOLY.

• This is not repetition.

Final Analogy• For God so loved the world...

• Do you love your own body? Do you love being alive?

• What would be your response to cancer cells?– Part of your body, but working contrary to their design?

• What would you do to them?

Application• Avoid the temptation to define God with the simplicity of your own mind.

• Do not doubt God’s love. He gave up EVERYTHING for you.

• The fear of The Lord is the beginning of wisdom.