Why God doesn't suck {#1}

Judgment day is not a pop quiz.

1 Thessalonians 5:3:
While people are saying, "peace and safety," destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness, so this day should not surprise you like a thief.

Keep your hands inside the car at all times...

"When we suffer, we feel as though we have lost control. The reality is that we were never in control in the first place."

Tim Keller

Oversight

There is a way
that seems right to a man,
but in the end
it leads to death.

-Proverbs 14:12

Cosmic cost-benefit analysis

How did Jesus endure suffering?

Hebrews 12:
"For the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame and sat down at the right hand of God."

Isiah 53:
"The results of his suffering he will see and be satisfied, for my servant has justified many."

Check, please.

Somebody always has to pay when wrong is done; there is a debt created. But we continue to do wrong, and therefore continue to create debt, how can our salvation be permanent and secure?
Jesus paid the debt for all sin—past, present, and future—for those that will accept his payment on their behalf. God then forgives because he is just; he will not demand payment for the same thing twice.

Tim Keller

Why Jesus doesn't suck {#1}

Jesus had unlimited power, and yet refrained completely from using it to benefit himself.

Fair weather friends

"Don't waste your suffering. See that what you trust in and value will always fail [or leave] you if it is not God. He is the only thing that can always come with you into suffering."

Tim Keller

Playing in the mud

Since I am united with Christ, he is always with me. Therefore, when I sin, I drag him through it too.

Philippians 2: 1-2:
"If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose."

On God's playlist

"When we walk along a clear road feeling fine, and someone takes our arm to help us, as likely as not we shall impatiently shake him off; but when we are caught in rough country in the dark with a storm getting up and our strength spent, and someone takes our arm to help us, we shall thankfully lean on him. And God wants us to feel that our way through life is rough and perplexing, so that we may learn to thankfully lean on him."

J.I.Packer

It's not about you.

The bible is not about you or what you've got to do to be saved. The bible is about Him and what he's done for you.