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Westboro Baptist Church & The Will of God Introduction: The Westboro Baptist Church is a group in Topeka, Kansas. They have gained notoriety by protesting outside of the funerals of soldiers slain in service to our country. Often holdings signs saying things such as: Pray for more dead soldiers, God hates America, God Is America's Terrorist, etc. They claimed the shooter in Tucson, Arizona was sent by God. I) Recently the Supreme Court heard a freedom of speech case involving The Westboro Baptist Church. A) They say: 1. Our nation has made a policy of sin 2. Scriptures point out the punishment of nations and individuals for sin 3. All death i.e. soldiers killed in combat is God's will B) Why? 1. Because they say God causes all things to come to being. In other words they are Calvinist. Those who believe everything that happens is because of God's predestination. 2. What asked on a television show about the death of other people their spokesperson said that they could not see a cause and effect relationship. 3. They praised God for the Supreme Court decision that allows them to continue to protest outside of funerals because of free speech. But then denied it was God's will when the Supreme Court ruled in favor of homosexuals in other cases. 4. They pointed out that God speaks to us in the scriptures and speaks of His punishment. II) Facts In The Old Testament A) God judged nations for their iniquity 1. Assyria judged, Isaiah 10.24-25 2. Babylon judged, Isaiah 14.22 3. Philistia, Isaiah 14.28-32 4. Moab, Isaiah 16.14 5. Egypt judged, Isaiah 19.1-4. B) How do we know? Because God said so! 1. God permitted nations to prosper and flourish. Israel is example and He promised them punishment if they became unfaithful. Deuteronomy 30.11ff 2. Sin ultimately brings calamity: breaking up of homes, disregard for life, dishonesty, etc. C) Individuals were killed for their sins 1. Nadab and Abihu were killed for offering strange fire, Lev. 10 2. Uzzah was killed for touching the ark, 2 Samuel 6. D) Individuals suffered because of the wickedness of the nation (carried off into captivity) 1. Individuals were not punished for the sins of others, Ezekiel 18.20 2. Individuals were judged for their own sins, Ezekiel 18.4. 3. Most of the punishment is not in this life but on the other side of the grave. 4. Sometimes the righteous suffered because they were righteous: Joseph, Daniel, Jeremiah, Job, etc. III) God Speaks To Us In The Scriptures A) God has appointed 1. For man to die, Hebrews 9.27a a. This means we are all going to die unless Jesus comes back while we are alive. b. This means most of us will get sick, or die in an accident, or some other way. c. Why? Because Adam sinned against God and physical death entered the world when the tree of life was taken away. 2. The Day of Judgment, Hebrews 9.27b a. This is the ultimate time of judgment when everything that seems to be so unfair will be made right. b. Sometimes we wonder about God's judgment because we want justice now, but God is waiting for that Day of Judgment. 3. Those in Christ will be saved, Ephesians 1.3-6 a. God determined to send Jesus to die for our sins. b. Prophecies concerning -- His birth, betrayal, death, resurrection, His rule and authority. i. Those who obey will be saved. ii. Those who do not obey will be lost. 4. It is up to us as individuals to determine for ourselves what we will do. Acts 2.21;13.46-48. B) The Bible warns us of the judgment of God 1. Proverbs 14.34 shows the results of sin and righteousness 2. We cannot speak for God but we can speak God's word. Conclusion: The Calvinist cannot be consistent. If everything is God's will then why preach the Gospel? Why tell people to repent? Then God becomes the one who determines who does evil and who is righteous. Also, if God was to punish this nation for its sins then why not all the other nations? Did Japan have an earthquake and a Tsunamia because of its sins? If you say yes, then why not all the other nations? If one person then why not another? We are all guilty of sin therefore we should all be punished. Such is the problem with linking human suffering with God's direct judgment. We are to realize that we were born to die. We all suffer physically because this world is temporary. But God made us for eternity. To have a home with Him.
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