Suffering: If God is good, why is there so much evil in the world? - Timothy Keller [Sermon]

Tim Keller sermons via Gospel in Life: In the midst of evil and suffering, abandoning your faith will neither help you handle suffering nor understand God. By looking back to Jesus’ death on the cross and looking ahead to the hope of a new heavens and new earth, we can understand God’s overwhelming love for us and the promise that victory will swallow up evil and death.
Download or gift the sermon on MP3 for free: www.gospelinlife.com/sermons/s...
View the series: www.gospelinlife.com/the-troub...
This sermon was preached by Rev. Timothy Keller at Redeemer Presbyterian Church on October 1, 2006.

[@DrewS777]

I love Pastor Keller. His messages helped a lot during low time. His sermons speak to my heart and my mind.

[@julieking7610]

I LOVE Timothy Keller’s messages. God uses them to speak to my heart every time.

[@marycorbett1744]

Listening while sitting next to my daughter who is in a hospital bed. Thank you for being faithful to His word.

[@jaymarcum333]

Hi Mary , I hope you and your daughter are heal and doing well . Father please give Mary and her daughter all that you are through your son Jesus Christ Amen!

[@milels6917]

This life is but a dream that we have to pass through I’ll trust that Christ will see me through it I’m witnessing my poor husband depressed because of old age and forgetfulness

[@J_bird777]

Pastor Keller, your sermons have guided me closer to Jesus, this is no exception and so timely ❤️

[@colleenjohnstoncomedy3036]

Unfortunately some people’s hard trials and tribulations are experienced in childhood when they were abused

[@kuchikiii]

Colleen Anne Johnstonp

[@loonylinn8824]

Colleen Anne Johnston you’re absolutely correct! oppressed and bullied inside our homes, school and relatives. now suffering trauma, depression, anxiety and heart attack god is laughing and just said forgive those who hurt you. wow! easy for you to say

[@c_n_c_316]

It is very sad and painful, but God is not laughing, He is crying with you, as He has also experienced unimaginable pain and abuse prior to the cross and on the cross itself. Come to Him. He has the power to heal you.

[@esauponce9759]

S. Ismailova Indeed.

[@nadinegomez8858]

S. Ismailova I don’t think Jesus knows what it’s like to be abused and raped as a CHILD. Just saying

[@jeanmilhollin5176]

Wow what a message ,hold on to Jesus he will never let go . If you want not to hold on to Jesus as you go throw your sufferings , you will have one Hell of a time

[@annchovey2089]

Bruce Long. The point you are anxious to get to will be more meaningful once the foundation is set. Reading the first and last chapter of a book is never as meaningful without all the chapters in between.

[@michellewarren386]

God doesn't allow evil man does we were given free will to choose simples...it's your choice the meaning of life is choice.....

[@blanko5953]

Thankyou Jesus.

[@scottking713]

We've all, on occasion wondered... Why did He give us this free will of ours, Knowing, how problematic that can be at times, right? Well.... It's just part of the package. He know the risks involved, but to create us in His image... There was just no other available option. Amen

[@marisolsanchez8732]

I'm having doubts. I've nerve felt this lost the way I do in these moments.

[@jericawilson1484]

Hey...how are you doing? Have things gotten better? Worse? It's been a year, but If you still need prayer then I will pray for you. And if you have questions, please go to a pastor or even express them here. I cannot answer all of them, but I'm sure others can.

[@jaymarcum333]

Dear Sister , I saw your post 4 years later I pray the God Our Father would give you his greatest gift through his son Jesus that God would give you himself ! To help you in all the trials and tribulations of this Life in the name of Jesus Amen.

[@jaymarcum333]

Hi Marisol, We all have doubts you are not alone . When we go through terrible times ( or those we love do ) we want answers to the why questions. We don’t get answer , at least in this lifetime. I learned 22 years ago , after my wife died from cancer despite hundreds of people praying for her, I was like Peter when Jesus ask him and the disciples do you want to leave too ? Peter said where can we go ? Although I was angry with God (I cussed him out several times) I couldn’t become an Atheist I knew there is a God who is Good and I couldn’t become a new age person because that is bull . So by the grace and power of God I put my why questions on the shelf and he cause me to continue to walk with me . Father give Marisol strength and joy to follow your Son Jesus !

[@thugantoinette]

Pastor Keller thank you for this sermon and all your sermons you have a way of preaching from the Bible with such Joy, Love and truth. Im working on getting your books would love to have and read them. bless you

[@CherryLifeSaver5746]

I get picked on every day by evil minions. I used to be a part of this world, but I'm trying hard not to be. I have stayed away from those people and actions I used to be with in this world as part of the world. However, everyday I get attacked by people who are part of this world. I no longer want to join in. I want the love, joy, peace found with the Holy Spirit. All I want are for those people to stop and leave me to find what I am searching for. Is that too much to ask of those people???

[@jaymarcum333]

Good Morning, It is 8/7/2022 7:06 Am in Denver Colorado , I saw your post . I have a couple of suggestions: one earnestly pray ( by name if you can ) for the people who are giving you a hard time ,in Ephesians 6:12 , 2Corinthians 4:4 ,Ephesians 2:2-4 they are controlled be forces they know nothing of. We are to help set the captives (Isaiah 61:1 )free by telling them of Jesus who has set them free. Colossians 1:22-23 You my sister are holy and blameless as you stand in his presence. Father bless my sister gave her wisdom courage strength and enjoy show her what you did for her father helping to pray for these people let her see the fruit of her prayers in Jesus name amen. Blessings Sis, Jay

[@ImaLittleCHARLIEFINK]

Not only that, but evil and suffering hurts

[@Metsada007]

How can something that doesn't exist be evil?

[@annbrucepineda8093]

What’s the title of the Danny Berrios song in Spanish?

[@richardackerman9187]

7:00

[@michelleweddle6964]

Just NY??????

[@markford2227]

Faith is one of those words that is commonly used but not always understood. Some of that confusion comes from the many different ways the word faith is used in everyday conversation; a quick look at Dictionary.com shows seven different uses! One common way that people use the word faith is to refer to belief in something despite lacking any evidence for it. But is that what the Bible means by faith? The answer is a resounding no! So, when the Bible uses the word faith, what does it mean? The closest that the Bible comes to offering an exact definition is Hebrews 11:1: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” From this particular passage we see that the central feature of faith-confidence or trust. In the Bible, the object of faith is God and his promises. A clear example of this is Abram's encounter with God in Genesis 15. In response to God's promise of countless descendants, Abram “believed the LORD, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen 15:6). Commenting on this, the Apostle Paul writes, “No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised” (Rom 4:20-21). Thus, faith means putting your trust in God and having confidence that he will fulfill his promises. Faith is more than intellectual agreement. To use an old illustration, imagine you are at Niagara Falls watching a tightrope walker push a wheelbarrow across the rope high above the falls. After watching him go back and forth several times, he asks for a volunteer to sit in the wheelbarrow as he pushes it across the falls. At an intellectual level, you may believe that he could successfully push you across the rope over the falls, but you are not exercising biblical faith until you get in the wheelbarrow and entrust yourself to the tightrope walker. Genuine biblical faith expresses itself in everyday life. James writes that “faith by itself, apart from works, is dead” (James 2:17). Faith works through love to produce tangible evidence of its existence in a person's life (Gal 5:6). Put another way, the obedience that pleases God comes from faith (Rom 1:5, 16:26), rather than a mere sense of duty or obligation. There is all the difference in the world between the husband who buys his wife flowers out of delight and one who buys them simply out of duty. Faith is so important because it is the means by which we have a relationship with God: “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Eph 2:8). Faith is how we receive the benefits of what Jesus has done for us. He lived a life of perfect obedience to God, died to pay the penalty for our sinful rebellion against God, and rose from the dead to defeat sin, death, and the devil. By putting our faith in him, we receive forgiveness for our sins and the gift of eternal life. So, faith means relying completely on who Jesus is and what he has done to be made right with God. Faith is choosing to believe First of all, the Christian faith professes an unreserved belief in the Bible, God’s Word to mankind - true, tested and unchanging. Faith is also full and unreserved confidence in God, in His love for me, and in His power to help me whatever comes my way in life. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Faith is a choice. I need faith to become a Christian. I choose to believe in Jesus Christ, that He died for my sins, and that by believing in Him, my sins will be forgiven. The promise is clear. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. It is faith in a Person that saves a believing soul, not faith in a particular philosophy or a code of rules. Every Christian will agree that salvation is a gift, not something we attain to by our own efforts. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. To acknowledge my sin and repent from it is the first and vital step. But I still cannot save myself! “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. To receive this gift, I must believe in and personally accept God’s gift to me in His Son. The forgiveness of sins is a wonderful beginning, and brings great joy to every true believer in Jesus. It is no small thing to have the burden and guilt of sin removed from my conscience! What comes next? So I am saved by grace through an act of faith. I choose to believe. Then what? Do I still need faith? Yes! If I want to live a life that pleases the Savior I have believed in. Though the guilt of sin is gone, the indwelling sin in my nature will still be the cause of many temptations. The next verse in Ephesians 2 tells us what God’s thoughts are for us after our initial experience of salvation. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. So God has something far greater, and even more wonderful in mind for us after we have believed Him for forgiveness. It is also written in Romans 5:10: “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Jesus’ life was a life of action. “Though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:8. To be saved by His life, I need a faith that leads me to action. Paul calls it the obedience to the faith. (Romans 1:5) Jesus is our great Forerunner, and the author and finisher of our faith. (Hebrews 12:2) All the heroes of faith in the old covenant acted on their faith. They did something. Every one of them believed - and acted! By faith Noah prepared an ark, by faith Abraham obeyed, and so on. (Hebrews 11) Go to action! John writes simply: “In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:4. It is this light of Jesus’ life that I need to walk in - go to action! If I really want to obey God’s good laws of life found in His Word, I will soon find myself in a battle Almost all talk of battles and wars when concerning a Christian life refers to the inner battle that arises when a sinful thought tempts you. God’s Spirit and the flesh are at odds. When you have decided to only do... , a battle against the sin the light reveals. This is the good fight of faith! To win this battle, I need to believe in a power outside of myself, in the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus Who has promised that He can save me, and that to the uttermost. (Hebrews 7:25) This ongoing salvation is a work of faith. It has nothing to do with my feelings, which can go up and down like a yo-yo. But when I believe God, and set my heart to obey, even against my feelings or my human understanding, then God goes to action too! He sends grace and help in time of need, and all honor for the salvation gained belongs to Him! Faith opens the door to a victorious life! By faith, we can truly overcome as He overcame! “This is the victory that overcomes the world - our faith.” 1 John 5:5. I believe in His power to save. I believe that when I take up my cross and deny myself as Jesus did, or as the Scriptures also put it, am “crucified with Christ,” I will be victorious over sin and self. “I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me and the life that I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. Faith is a precious possession! As we said to start with, it is not visible or tangible. However, Jesus said to doubting Thomas: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:29. Peter writes about this blessedness also. “… whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9. The result of a living faith is both visible and tangible! The disciples saw it and touched it in Jesus, and our calling as Christians is to come to this same joyful and glorious life - by faith! Come join us at Arundel Christian Church web site every Sunday morning LIVE!!!

[@charleswafula6420]

Was all this inestimable wisdom packed into a 30 minute sermon? 😮

[@matrixdeterminant3629]

God created evil! Isaiah 45:7

[@caraisabelladeborah]

John Lee the other translations from KJV use a diff word. See ESV or NIV?

[@c_n_c_316]

It always happens when one verse is taken out of context. It is much better to read the whole chapter in order to understand what it is about.

[@bryansphere6359]

Sometimes I wish they would just get to the message. The scripture readings are too long! Ugh 😒

[@jessb.2073]

Bryan Speer the scriptures are kind of the whole point...where do you think he gets the basis of the message? If you want someone else to decipher those messages for you without having to do the work yourself, you're depriving yourself of a wonderful relationship with God. You're getting glimpses of the relationship Timothy Keller has with God but you won't feel it for yourself unless you get in there and read it. I'm not suggesting Keller is irrelevant and shouldn't preach. He's been gifted with a wonderful ability to teach But he's only one very small part. He's the cliff notes version. You'll never get the whole book unless you get in there yourself.

[@Tanjaicholan]

Bryan Speer ever wondered why you chose impatience over absorption with the word.

[@caraisabelladeborah]

Faith comes from hearing the word of God! Hear hear it’s good! :)

[@johnsmith-hf1hm]

Rational people don`t believe this.

[@eddiegallegos7672]

john smith Apart from regeneration nobody can believe. REGENERATION - the spiritual change brought about in a person’s life by an act of God. In regeneration a person’s sinful nature is changed, and that person is enabled to respond to God in faith.

[@Karel4136]

Look around a bit, really look around. There are a lot of logical and rational people who believe this.