You May Never Know, The Reason Why?

Why is this the way it is? 

Hello. Welcome, today. Today we will begin a new series entitled "You May Never Know." We will look at the most common "You May Never Know" topics that many people both wonder about and struggle with.

You May Never Know,

1 - Why.
2- Who you may be dealing with.
3- Who you are influencing.

Why?

Today we will start with a big one, that really is not so big. But it is one that bothers many people. Why? Why is it the way it is? Why does God allow this or that? Why do I have this illness? Why do I have to go through this? Why did my loved one die?

Now the title of this sermon series is "You may never know." However, I believe that this answer is true here, while we are on this earth. Now when you go and be with God, I think you will have all the answers to whatever questions you may have. But here on earth? This may not be the case.

There are many questions that could be crammed in here. We will just cover a couple in-depth, but answer the question in general.

People ask why about a lot of things.

Bad people getting ahead? Sickness? Disease? Death? Why? Why does a loving God allow all this? Yes, we are going to try to answer all these today. Emphasizing the word try.

Bad People? 

First I want you to think of this. You were once a bad person. You became saved and adopted into the family of God by His grace and patience. This is why Peter tells us to not think about God as being slow to deal with evil people. Turn to Peter 3:9

"The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance."

In Ezekiel 33:11 we read this.

"Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel?"

He is not being slack or slow. Rather He is being patient. Hoping all, say all, all will come to repentance. He wants no one to end up in hell. Jesus told us this story.

“The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.” Matthew 13:24-30

Again, we see God being patient. Now we could spend a whole day on just this topic. God created all, gave to Adam, Adam gave it all to the devil. Man is born into sin. All mankind. Why does it seem like some evil people get ahead? The devil can bless people and give them many things here on Earth. Yet at the end of their life awaits the same fate as the devil himself. Jesus is the only way out of that. God is waiting and hoping that as many as can be possible will accept the way that He gave us. Sadly many will not. However, make no mistake about it. There IS a judgment day coming when all the evil people WILL answer for their sins and rejection of Jesus the Christ.

Sickness and Disease?

This is another that could be a stand-alone sermon that many people struggle with. However, in the interest of time, we will look at a couple of passages, that I hope will shine a light on a possible reason why. First, look at this story. John 9

"As he passed by, he saw a man blind from birth. And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."

Wait? Does that mean God wanted him blind? Yes. Why? "That the works of God might be displayed in him." It wasn't about him. Think of the woman that had the issue of blood for 12 years, spend all she had, and suffered for so long? {Luke 8:43-48} Jesus healed her, even though she was not even worthy to be out in public. It wasn't about her. Look at this story in Luke 5 17-26. A man paralyzed and laying on a bed was brought to Jesus. The crowd was so big that they lowered him through the roof. Turn to verse 20

"And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.”

If the man was not paralyzed, this would have never happened. All these situations were for the glory of God. All of them were for lessons for us. We see sickness and disease as bad horrible things, and they are. Yet? They may have a purpose in God's overall plan. We may never know why here and now, but we will understand it one day.

Death?

"For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace."

Death is as natural as life itself. Wasn't always this way. Physical death and sin entered the world through the sin of Adam and Eve. So death comes to every living thing on this earth. However, physical death is not the end. As we just talked about in the last series, there will be a resurrection for all. {John 5:28-29.}The child of God and the evil. For the evil, it IS most definitely something to be feared. But not for the child of God. For the child of God, it is a time of celebration. A moving up if you will. A time where we will know the answers because we will be with the Creator of all things.

"He will swallow up death forever, and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken." Isaiah 25:8

It will be a place of peace and no more suffering.

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

The truth is, there are many topics that we could cover in this category today. Why? The truth also is, we may never know why. Maybe not here on this earth. When you find yourself asking "Why?" start by asking your Father. Pray to Him. Search His word. Ask the Church. Seek the answers you are seeking, just know that you may not get the answer you are hoping for. Just because we do not understand it, doesn't mean God is caught off guard. Remember what God told Isaiah in Isaiah 55:9

"For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts."

God has a purpose and a plan for everything. Remember Romans 8:28

"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."

What things? ALL Things. For what? Good. All things. Just because we do not understand it at the time, doesn't mean there is no reason for it. It may not have anything to do with you. You just have to trust in the Lord.

Next time we will be talking about how you treat and deal with people. Be a careful child of God. You may never know who it is you are talking to. Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray.

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I believed He raised from the dead. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God hath raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Romans 10:9. You need to find a Church that God leads you to and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A New Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him."Colossians 3:10

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. 2 Corinthians 13

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus is Lord!