Trust God In The Darkness John 9: , “suffering always implies sin” born his mother –Blind man was born w. his affliction, therefore his mother may have sinned?? “When a pregnant woman worships in a pagan temple, her baby participates w. her”“When a pregnant woman worships in a pagan temple, her baby participates w. her” children born w. epilepsy or leprosy suffer because of their parents’ sinsRabbis: children born w. epilepsy or leprosy suffer because of their parents’ sins

Rabbis Laqish “This one ran round to kill that one, and the other ran round to kill him”Laqish appealed to Gn.25:22 (Jacob and Esau struggling in Rebekah’s womb): “This one ran round to kill that one, and the other ran round to kill him” Bekehja“When she [Rebekah] walked past synagogues and houses of instruction, Jacob struggled to get out. When she passed idol temples Esau ran and struggled to get out”Bekehja: “When she [Rebekah] walked past synagogues and houses of instruction, Jacob struggled to get out. When she passed idol temples Esau ran and struggled to get out”

The truth: In one sense, sin did cause suffering: –Gn.3, sin introduced suffering –Some sins do directly cause suffering (e.g., drinking) notSin does not always cause suffering: –Job –Jn.9

Jn.9:3-5 3, rejects error of rabbis; shows third option 4, instead of asking how he got that way, Jesus asks, “What can we do for him?” 5. Jn.8:12 –Signs make His light shine brighter –Chap.9, what happens when Light shines: SomeSome (9:7) are enabled to see OthersOthers (9:39-41) are blinded by the light

Jesus, the Light of the world 6, Jesus, the Light of the world –Proof: gives light to a man in darkness –Jewish tradition made it illegal to put spit on the eyes on the Sabbath day 7, no one asked Jesus to heal this man; He took the initiative –The blind man had to wash The common theme in the passage: trust GodThe common theme in the passage: trust God

I Trust God In Suffering, 1 usually gives noneHe owes us no explanation, and usually gives none God is not:Job did not know why he was suffering…but he knew that God is not: –Asleep –Nearsighted –Indifferent –Indifferent (Ps.139)

John 11, Lazarus Lazarus did not get sick and die because the Lord was indifferent to him, Jn.11:3, 5 Jesus had a higher purpose for Lazarus – the glory of GodJesus had a higher purpose for Lazarus – the glory of God Jn.11:4, 11 –God did not make him sick or kill him –He overruled the disease for good and for His glory Jn.11:6, Jesus delayed…Jn.11:6, Jesus delayed…

Lessons Lessons: 1. God does not shield us from pain a friend of the Creator –Lazarus, a friend of the Creator, yet... the Son of God –Jesus, the Son of God, yet... (Jn.11:35; Hb.5:7-9) 2. God does not always immediately rescue us from pain and suffering –Jn.9; Jn.11:15 –The gospel is not an insurance policy! 3. We may glorify God in pain

II Trust God In Secret Things, 2-3 Dt.29:29; Is.55:10-11 interpretedAll data must be interpreted –Evolutionists –Job’s friends –Jews speculated “Where there is more than ordinary suffering, there must be more than ordinary sin” –Jesus corrected –Jesus corrected… “Neither... nor…”

Lessons Lessons: 1.Wait for God’s explanation – Habakkuk 2. Remember: God makes no mistakes –Gn.18:25 3. God can use evil to advance His work. 3. God can use evil to advance His work. Ac.2:22-24 – Issue is not where suffering comes from, but what we do w. it

III Trust God In Service, 4-5 Some turn from God because of… –Suffering –Hard sayings –Hard sayings (Jn.6:66) –Problems Jn.9:4-5 –Night–Light

Jn.9:4 1.We share w. Jesus the responsibility of doing what God says 2.A moral necessity 3.We have limited time to do His work 4.Night is coming

IV Trust God In Salvation, 6-7 Jesus spat...made clay w. saliva This was–This was – 1.Offensive 1.Offensive. 1 Co.1:21 2.Inadequate 2.Inadequate. 1 Co.1:22 – Can the pool of Siloam cure blindness? – The smaller the means, the greater the display of God’s power 3. Harmful 3. Harmful. 1 Co.1:23

The means had no value of its own It seemed to hinder, not assistIt seemed to hinder, not assist The Lord often uses the most unlikely instruments to achieve His purposesThe Lord often uses the most unlikely instruments to achieve His purposes marching 1.Josh.6, marching dipping seven times 2.2 K.5, dipping seven times washing 3.Jn.9, washing... [Jn.9:39-41] baptism for forgiveness 4.Ac.2:38, baptism for forgiveness