Brother Godwin has sent us another good sermonette.  It is too long for our WRAP AROUND feature but I do want to put up a couple of his points that should make sense to any honest skeptics visiting our site who have trouble with God's omnipotence (His being all powerful) and His Goodness.
BROTHER GODWIN WROTE:

 

"The God Who Can Help"

THE OBJECTIONS TO GOD'S OMNIPOTENCE

As soon as we begin to talk about the omnipotence of God objections arise. The first objection comes from the skeptic.

The Skeptics Objection

It is possible that you have had someone say to you: If God is all-powerful, can God make a rock too big for Him to lift? There are many variations to this question but they all present the same dilemma. If God can't make a rock too big for Him to lift then it proves that God is not all-powerful because there is something He cannot do. If God can create a rock that is too big for Him to lift it proves that He is not all-powerful because He can't lift the rock.

But this is what is called a false dilemma. The question is based on a false premise. These people assume that God's omnipotence means that God can do anything. But such thinking is not what the Bible affirms. The Bible tells us that there are many things God can't do. He can't lie, change, sin, cease to exist, or be subject to anyone. The reason God can't do these things is that they are contrary to His nature. God will never act in a way that is contrary to who He is.
...

The Objection of the Sufferer

The second groups of people are not asking questions because of their stubbornness. They ask because of their pain. They ask questions like: "If God is all-powerful, why is there so much suffering in the world? Why are there tragedies at schools? Why do planes crash? Why do tornados destroy homes? Why are Christians persecuted throughout the world?" In other words, if God is all-powerful, why doesn't He stop the hurt and pain? The dilemma is an old one, "Either God is good but cannot do anything which means He is not all-powerful; or God is all-powerful and doesn't do anything because He is not good.

Due to time restraints let me point to two issues. First, if God were to eliminate every painful event He would also eliminate our freedom. To be free means to make choices and if those choices are going to mean anything we must live with the consequences of those choices. For God to allow us freedom He must also allow the painful consequences. Some of the things that bring pain we do to ourselves.

Second, we must always remember that God's definition of good is that which moves us toward godliness and holiness. Sometimes difficult circumstances will do that . . .so God allows them. We believe that anything pleasurable is good. But that is wrong. It is that belief that causes us to overeat, overspend, engage in immoral behavior and much more. Sometimes the painful is ultimately good.

Now, do I have any notion that I have answered all these questions? No. I have questions too. But I am learning to trust God more than I trust my ability to figure things out. I would encourage you to trust that God is not indifferent. He is not powerless. He does care...

DON WROTE:

Like brother Godwin--indeed, like all of God's children, I, too, am in the process of learning to trust God.  In this process, I have learned that there is something greater than intellect and reasoning.  I'm fortunate to have some "intellectual" friends and in trying to share my faith with them, this truth was made evident.  This is not to say that there is anything wrong with "reasoning" for the ability to do so is a gift of God; and when used at its zenith, it has great rewards.  Consider the following Scripture:

Isaiah1:18
Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

But let me suggest that reasoning alone is not enough.

Obviously, my cyber-visitors have some computer savvy, so let me use the computer to make my point.  Most all will agree that the computer is a great tool, but the average person has been given a far greater "computer," if you will, i.e., their functioning brain.  This fleshly "computer" is able to handle the most mundane task as well as the spectacular, even putting a man on the Moon.  Nevertheless, the "software" in this "computer" has been intentionally flawed.  Let me explain.  No matter how hard the human brain tries, it cannot compute its existence by logic and reasoning--for in so trying, it does just the opposite.  That is, no matter how hard we figure, we cannot get past the flawed understanding that before something can be, there must first be something to bring it into existence.   In fact, our computers "freeze up" when we ask ourselves: "If God did make us, where did God come from?"  So if we trust our intellect alone, then it is impossible for us to exist! But, exist we do--so it's left to us to make some sense out of our existence--and this is the great quest that we all are upon!

When we think upon our fleshly computers with their myriad of thoughts, there are some Scriptures that we should consider.

Isaiah 55:8-9  
For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

So, we see from the Scriptures that God has purposely limited our fleshly computers.  Oh, in the realm that man lives, his mind serves him well; but God is not impressed by the thoughts of man--nor can man please God by his fleshly computer alone which, as we've already noted, can only deduce that it is impossible for God (and man) to exist.  In fact, the Bible tells us that the thoughts of man apart from God are evil and vain.

Psalms 94:11
The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they [are] vanity.

I Corinthians 3:19-20
For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.

Psalms 10:4
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek [after God]: God [is] not in all his thoughts.

However, God has not left us without an option of being able to please Him if we so desire!

Hebrews 11:6
...without faith [it is] impossible to please [him]: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and [that] he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

So then, faith is greater than logic or reason for through faith we can please God and understand things that the doubting fleshly computer cannot comprehend.  In fact, according to the Bible, it is only through faith that man can understand his existence. 

Hebrews 11:1-3
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
For by it the elders obtained a good report.
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

If faith, then, is greater than logic or reason; is God a respecter of persons--giving faith to only a select few?

Romans 12:3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think [of himself] more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

Ephesians 2:8
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

So then, faith is a gift of God given to all of mankind--alongside the conscience and the Ten Commandments of the Law (Cf. I Tim. 3:9; Rom. 2:15)--given that whosoever will might enter into the salvation that God had planned for man before the creation of the world.  (The doorway to this salvation is faith in the the Lord Jesus' finished work on the cross. [Cf. John 10:7-9])

I'm quitting before I preach a sermon, but let me quit with this. The ultimate use of our fleshly computers is to reason with God and to agree with Him that our sins are "...as scarlet" and "...red like crimson."  (To agree with Him concerning our sin should not be that hard to do for our experience bears witness that what He says is true.)  However, God not only highlights our sinful nature; but He also presents the remedy for it.  Paul sums it up like this:

Galatians 3:22
But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.

---

John 3:16-21
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
 

 

DON WROTE:

Hello,

You say that you are called to preach as though someone might say that you can't be!!! If you have been called to preach–then you and God know it.  So, it doesn't matter what anyone else has to say about it!  The devil might tell you that you've been too big of a sinner to be called to preach.  Man might tell you that you must belong to this or that denomination or that, or if you've been divorced, you can't preach.  I repeat, if you've been called to preach, then you and God know it.  So, get busy preparing yourself.  Study the Word to show yourself approved unto God and capable unto man.

Don't be discouraged if you are tried and tested as you learn the Word; for this is part of the preparation.  Remember, it was several years after Paul was called before he knew enough to preach.  Also remember, Paul was called when he was on the way to Damascus to murder the Christians there.  The Blood of Christ can make even the vilest sinner clean--and this fact should be at the heart of every message that is preached in the name of Jesus.

As to what we believe, just check out our web site. 

Love,

Don

Hello to you again.  I am so humbled when I hear about your obvious struggles.  I keep sending my most fervent prayers to all of you and may Jesus meet your needs in a mighty way.  We have been in a position where our cars broke down.  However, we always took that as an opportunity to witness.  God probably had you to tarry at that dangerous crossing so that you could pray and bind the forces that make it a dangerous place.  I hope you anointed the ground with oil, prayed a prayer regeneration over the corner and went away rejoicing that God "dropped you right into the lions den."  Just like the prophets of old, you came away unhurt. I had a church member lamenting that their church didn't seem to be doing anything constructive for the Lord.  I said, " There is not a night club, a business of ill-repute, or a bad neighborhood surrounding this area." After I reminded her that the corner was a sanctuary and not a dangerous one, she thanked me for the good word.  We will pray that the corner you mentioned starts improving, that the elements/businesses that cause it to be bad will close, and that God will raise up a church there.  We had a friend named Sister Wallace who would take a little tent and set it up in a bad area.  It was too dangerous for people, so she had a big banner printed across the front of the tent that said "Jesus Saves: John 3:16".  The tent sat there empty but occupying that space. She would leave it there until God told her to take it down.  So, there are many ways to "Brighter the Corner Where You Are".  Do you know that song? 

This is a link I found on line that has that song. (We need to record it for you and change the rhythm to make it easier to sing.)

Here is a link you will enjoy. http://newhopemusic.com/songbook1.htm

Hello to you.  I have already written a WRAP about suicide before the 911 terrorists attacks and the suicide bombers.   However, you have voiced my sentiments exactly.   People that commit suicide normally feel that there is "no hope."  How did the Middle East religion or culture become such a vast area "with no hope"?  They have twisted an "act of futility" into one of "supposed salvation."  The Bible speaks of a people that speaks "of peace when there is no peace."  The world governments interpret this "peace" to mean literally a time when there is no war or strife.  However, the Bible is speaking of "The Prince of Peace" which is Jesus.  He is the only true peace.  If they had him living in their hearts, they would not ascribe to the act of hopelessness. 

John 14:27
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Isaiah 9:6
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Earlier WRAP:

The following is an excerpt from another WRAP AROUND done in Sept.2, 2001. We would certainly never advocate suicide.  We just want to point out that there is no Scripture to support the belief that one automatically dooms their soul to hell if they do this hopeless act.

There are two prominent "suicides" mentioned in the Bible that stand out as examples. One was Saul and one was Judas.

I Samuel 31:
4 Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it.
5 And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him.

Here we find that Saul was mortally wounded and in intolerable anguish of body, heart, and mind. We can see from these Scriptures that he committed suicide.  We know that Saul went to the same place as all the other "chosen" people of his day because we have this Scripture:

II Samuel 1:23
Saul and Jonathan [were] lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

In this Scripture we find that Saul and Jonathan were together after death.  Since Jonathan was very gentle and he had helped King David, it is very evident that he went to the bosom of the Lord. Consequently, we can know that Saul went there, also.  I had always heard it preached that suicide was never forgiven.  But when I found this Scripture, I had to rethink what I had been taught. It is not as clear about the armor bearer but the word "likewise" give the connotation that he was going before God in the same manner as Saul.

Judas, according to the Scriptures, was never one of God’s chosen but was of his father the devil (John. 6:70-71 cf. John 13:18-19). We look at the attributes of his actions and find that he was sneaky, underhanded, money-conscious and disloyal. We do know that he committed suicide.

John 13:
26 Jesus answered, He it is, to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped [it]. And when he had dipped the sop, he gave [it] to Judas Iscariot, [the son] of Simon.
27 And after the sop Satan entered into him. Then said Jesus unto him, That thou doest, do quickly.

John 6:
70 Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you
twelve, and one of you is a devil?
71 He spake of Judas Iscariot [the son] of Simon: for
he it was that should betray him, being one of the
twelve.

Mt. 27:
3 Then Judas, which had betrayed him, when he saw that he was condemned, repented himself, and brought again the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and elders,
4 Saying, I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood. And they said, What [is that] to us? see thou [to that].
5 And he cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.

As always, God makes the final decision about where each individual will spend eternity.  However, we need to caution these people who are taught that "suicide/homicide bombers" earn a special place in heaven.   No where do the Scriptures even hint at such.  In fact, Jesus says that He is the only door to heaven; and "eternal life" is the Precious Gift that only Jesus has to give–a gift which cannot be bought or earned in any way.  Consider the following Scripture.

1 Peter 1:

²Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
...
¹⁴As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: ¹⁸Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; ¹⁹But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

This is probably the greatest summation that the Bible gives about the entire matter.  You and I can put up these Scriptures, give our opinions/beliefs/dogmas/creeds–but until these words become energized by the dynamo of the Holy Spirit and jump from this screen into the hearts of the reader, it is all in vain.  It is my prayer that the following truth that Jesus taught will become the seed that starts to drive our spiritual darkness everywhere.

John 10:1-18
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.
And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

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