October 7, 2007

WHY> Week 4

Why Is the World So Messed Up?

 

The Why Question can be interpreted:

Is God there? Does He care? Can He do anything about it?

                                                          -- Philip Yancey

 

How do we survive in a messed up world?

 

 

1. _____________(a) God is not finished.

 

Romans 8:28 (NIV)

And we know that in all things God works for the good of

those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

 

 

 

 

 

2. ______________(b) you are not alone.

 

Romans 8:31-32 (NIV)

31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for

us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. __________________(c) in God's love.

 

Romans 8:35-39 (NIV)

35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall

trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?. . . 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

 

 

 

 

 

4. ___________(d) there will come a day.

 

Psalm 56:8 (The Living Bible)

You have seen me tossing and turning through the night. You have collected all my tears and preserved them in your bottle! You have recorded every one in your book.

 

Revelation 21:3-4 (NIV)

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now

the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain,

for the old order of things has passed away.”

 

Answers:

a. Believe   b. Know   c. Rest   d. Trust

 

Next Steps

        Make a decision to invite God into your life today.  Then tell someone.

        Join a Why> Life Group and join in on the conversation (Meets 3 more times during this series.  Sign up at the Information Booth.)

        Get the Why> book in the CCM Word of Life Bookstore

        Invite people to come on Sundays to experience the Why> questions. (invitations in the Café and Bookstore)

 

Sources: 

Judd Wilhite, C.S. Lewis and quoted individuals

 

Recommended resources available in the CCM Bookstore:

WHY>, Judd Wilhite, Lee Strobel; A Grace Disguised, Jerry Sittser: A Grief Observed, C.S.Lewis; Disappointment With God, Philip Yancey

 

Today’s message is available in the bookstore on CD or DVD. Streaming audio and videos of today’s message are also available on our website:  ccmonline.org