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Guest (Female): Welcome to PowerPoint with Jack Graham.

Jack Graham: It is in the cross and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ that we are given victory. So in the dread of darkness, in the heat of the night, we look to him, to his cross. And what do we do? We become overcomers.

Guest (Female): On today's PowerPoint, Dr. Graham brings a message about the answer to one of life's biggest questions and how it gives you hope. Now here's Dr. Graham with his message, "Why?"

Jack Graham: Take your Bibles and turn with me to John's Gospel, the 16th chapter. We live in an increasingly difficult, dangerous, and even terrifying world.

The Apostle Paul said in the last days, perilous times will come, dangerous days. And we're seeing an increase in violence, terrorism within, nuclear weapons proliferating, rogue dictators, ready to push the button. The fuse is lit. And more and more on our screens, on our small screens, as well as the larger ones in our rooms, we're seeing violence played out. Satan is on the loose.

Once again, we raise the very human question. The question that is unanswerable in many ways, but yet there are answers in God's word that I want to share with you today as to why.

Now, I can't answer all the questions and wouldn't attempt. No one has in all these generations, philosophers, theologians, pastors, preachers, Bible teachers. We've all spent a lot of time thinking about these questions and answering the question of why, when there's so much tragedy and so much hurt around us.

It's an important question, knowing that there are unanswerable questions this side of heaven, this side of eternity. We do want to know God's grace and God's help in times like these. And we admit that we can't answer everything this side of heaven because now we see through a mirror darkly. But then, when we're there with a brand new perspective, we will we will know even as we are known.

The ultimate problems of the question of sin, sorrow and suffering is death. That's the that's the ultimate big question, isn't it? And when death comes in some tragic way, we can't compute this. We can't deal with it if it's a small child, if it's if it's a senseless shooting. And let me let me just say that I come to you as your pastor, but I also come to you as someone who has dealt with tragic violence.

Because many of you know my story, when I was 20 years of age, my father was tragically and senselessly beaten with a hammer. Lived 10 days, never regained consciousness, but he died. And our little family was was face-to-face with evil and and tragedy and the darkness, and and it I can tell you, it it rocked our world.

So I I've asked those same questions that we all ask when tragedy comes, when trials come, whether it's one of the big Ds of disaster or disease, or depression, or despair, divorce. We've all faced these big issues, but ultimately, it's about death and dying. And we're all on our way into eternity.

Jesus was saying goodbye to his disciples. It was a dark night before the cross, on his way to the cross. And in John's chapter 13, 14, 15, 16, he is conversing with his disciples about these ultimate questions of life and death. And the senseless tragedy that was on the way, the cross of the Lord Jesus. And he said, "I'm leaving you behind, but I'm not leaving you as orphans. I'm not leaving you alone." He said, "I'm sending the Holy Spirit. One just like me, my very living presence, God in you."

The disciples didn't know what to think. They didn't know what to say. They they were asking all those questions, "Why? What? Are you talking about?" Jesus explained to them that he was on a mission to save the world. And he spoke to them about God's love, that no matter what happened in their lives, that God loved them, that he loved them. So in verse 30 of chapter 16, he says, "Now we know that you know all things and do not need anyone to question you. This is why we believe that you came from God." And Jesus answered them, "Do you now believe?"

And then in verse 33, he said, "I have said these things to you that in me," there's the key, "in me, you may have peace. In this world, you will have tribulation, but take heart. Be of good cheer. I have overcome the world." What a statement! "In this world, you will have tribulation." Nowhere in the Bible does it teach that Christians are exempt from pain, suffering, tribulation, whether it is physical disaster or illness or emotional pain or struggle.

We live in a real world where we are living under the curse if you will, and the consequences of sin, and with sin comes sorrow and death, crisis and catastrophe. And Jesus spoke very frankly with his followers then and now about our future, that our future does include darkness, it does include unanswerable questions. And we've all experienced this.

And yet, it's my observation over the years that many of the happiest and certainly holiest believers that I've ever known have been through great tragedy in their lives. Sorrows, struggles. But they have as the scripture says, learn to rejoice in tribulation. The word tribulation there means extreme pressure, tribulation in the world without, tribulation in the world within.

And yet it's possible in spite of our circumstances, even death itself, to be of good cheer, to take heart, and to have hope. Jesus called us after all, to pick up our cross and follow him. There's no easy road. He says, "Come and die, live a selfless, sacrificial life. Count the cost, and whatever, don't turn your back on me when tough times come." That's what he was saying to his disciples earlier in this chapter. He was talking about the the darkness of the cross and and he said, "They're going to hate you and they're going to come after you," and said, "Don't give up your faith! Whatever you do, don't give up on me."

The Apostle Paul gave that witness at the end of his life when he said, "I have I've fought the good fight, I have I've run this race, and what? I have kept the faith." Christians endure. Christians persevere. And never give up. We rise up. The Apostle Paul was talking about this to the Corinthians who knew a great deal of problems and struggles in their lives. And Paul talked about it as well in second Corinthians 4 verses 8 and 9. "We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed, perplexed, but not driven to despair." There is sorrow. You cut us, we bleed. You hurt us, we hurt.

Even the Apostle Paul said, "We are afflicted in every way, but we are not crushed." Perplexed? Yes. Questions we cannot answer? For sure. But not forsaken. What do you do when you have questions you can't answer and problems that you cannot solve? You run to Jesus. That's what I did as a 20-year-old young man and preacher. I hurt so much, I just had to run to him. And frankly, I can tell you, many have said the same thing to me. I mean, you don't need a lot of answers right there, you just need Jesus.

And the old song says, "When answers aren't enough, there is Jesus." You know, sometimes I think we in in our humanity, we ask these questions and we think, "If I just knew the answer, if I just knew the why or the what, then it would be better." Not necessarily. Not necessarily because if you knew the answer to some of the big why questions in our our world and in your own life, it it might not be enough. It could even make things worse this side of eternity.

Warren Wiersbe writes, "We don't live by explanations, we live by promises." This is why Jesus said, "These are the things that I've said to you." So that when the trouble comes, and the tribulation is on, and the tragedy strikes, you will have a word from me. This is why it is so important that you know your Bible. You have God's word hidden in your heart. That you can turn to him because ultimately, God's word will strengthen you. The Bible talks about the comfort of the scriptures, and many times I've been comforted by God's word.

"Be of good cheer, I've overcome the world." There is joy in circumstances beyond our control. We can be triumphant through tears. And one reason is because we know we are living for eternity. We're not made for just right now. We are made for God. We are born into his family, and one day, we will be with him. So we experience joy even in trouble and sorrows. Jesus said, "I have overcome the world." How is that? He conquered sin, which is the source of all sorrow and suffering. And with conquering sin and sorrow and suffering, he conquered death and hell.

It is in the resurrection, the cross and the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we are given victory. Victory. So in the dread of darkness, in the in the heat of the night, in the midst of the most profound suffering, we look to him, to his cross, triumphant, ever triumphant because of the resurrection. And what do we do? We become overcomers. And we are overcoming because we persevere through the pain. We are persevering through the pain, enduring.

Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message why. We are excited to share that we have a new way to connect with us. It's our texting service designed to keep you connected with everything happening here at PowerPoint. You'll be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements, and truly enriching content. To join, start a new text conversation by texting the word connect to 59789. Again, text connect to 59789. Every gift given to PowerPoint Ministries before June 30th will be doubled through a $200,000 matching grant. This is a crucial moment as we close out the financial year because your support helps ensure that the truth of Jesus continues reaching people who are searching for something real they can trust. And as our thanks for your gift, we'll send you the Jesus Discoveries by Dr. Jeremiah Johnston, a resource designed to strengthen your confidence in the truth of the gospel. To give your gift and request your copy, text June to 59789. That's June to 59789. Now, let's get back to today's message, why.

Jack Graham: "Count it all joy," James says, "when you fall into various trials, knowing that your trials produce steadfastness or endurance." Romans 5:3, "We also rejoice in our sufferings." How so? Because we are we know suffering produces perseverance, strength. Perseverance means getting back up again, and again, and again and again. To stand strong and to finish well. At the end of life, I want to be able to say with the Apostle Paul, "I have kept the faith." And yes, the faith has kept me because while we're holding on to hope, holding on to Jesus, he is holding on to us.

"The steps of a righteous man are ordered by the Lord. And though he fall, he will not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholds him by his strong righteous hand." "Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my strong right hand." Amen. Our perseverance through pain enables us to overcome. Christians don't quit. It's not always easy, but I can tell you, it's worth it.

Look to the Lord for your strength. He's working everything for good, your good and his glory in your life. And his providence. God has a plan. It's not your life is not a series of random incidents and accidents. Circumstances for the Christian are his providence. And I can guarantee you because God's word declares it, that everything God allows in our lives, everything God allows in our lives, over and above it is the word permitted. Permitted.

And in the providence of God, we understand that he is God and we are not. That we don't rule our own world. But that God himself is ruling and reigning in our lives. And so sorrow puts us into dependence and into obedience with him. We're trusting God's perfect plan. That's another thing why we're overcomers, we're trusting in God's plan. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean unto your own understanding." It doesn't say don't try to have understanding, but it says don't lean in it, don't trust in it. Lean into the providence of God, lean into God, not unto your own understanding. "In all your ways, acknowledge him, and he will direct your path."

And we find at the end of the road, at the end of the broken road, a greater love than we've ever known of God. When we walk through the valley, he is with us, and we can trust in him. And then prayer, praying with Thanksgiving. There are prayers and then there are prayers. By that, you know, we pray and we should pray always and about everything in normal prayers and life is good and we're praying on. But then there comes that day when we pray desperate prayers. We're crying out to God. We're hurting and we say, "Oh God! Oh God, help me!" And he will because God hears the prayers of fervent and faithful men. "The prayers of a righteous man avail much." This is pleading prayer.

And then we overcome by comforting others. We're told in second Corinthians chapter 1, verses 3 through 4, that God is the God of all comfort. And he comforts us, and with the comfort that we are comforted, we comfort others. I tell you, because I have been comforted by God in the midst of senseless tragedy and other difficulties along the way. Deb and I, we've known tragedy. Within 18 months of our marriage. We got married as college students. We were 20. My father died three months later, was killed. Her father was diagnosed with cancer the next fall and was gone in the first 18 months or so of our marriage, we lost both of our fathers. We had to grow up in a hurry. But I'm convinced that God prepared us in that brokenness and made something beautiful of our lives.

I've known, I've faced life-threatening illness, as many of you have. And in the midst of that pain and darkness, I've known the presence of God, and I know how to comfort others. Because because I've dealt with cancer, I can help others who have dealt are dealing with cancer. I talk to men all the time who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, and because I've had it and survived it, and thank God have been healed of it, yet yet there are others who are going through it. I talk to a man just this week, when you've been there, when you've been through it. It could be anything, it could be addiction. You've been through addiction, and you by the grace and mercy of God, you are overcoming. And therefore you're able to help others.

If you if you've miscarried, you can help people who have walked through that lonely dark valley, or if it's depression or infertility or divorce or or death or the loss of a child, the loss of a spouse. You see what I'm saying, when you go through this, don't waste your sorrows! Don't turn inward, get yourself healed in the presence of God, and then give your life away. Teach people what God has taught you. Because all around us, people are hurting, and there's common ground in crisis. No matter your socio-economic background, your race, your education, your career, crisis, tribulations, struggle, we're all there. It happens to all of us.

When we travel to Israel, one of the things that I love to do, of course, is to see the biblical sites. We go to the empty tomb, we go to Calvary, the place where Jesus gave the sermon on the mount, the pool of Bethesda where he performed a great miracle, all through Jerusalem, up in the Galilee, the sea of Galilee. I still love going and taking people. It's like unwrapping Christmas gifts with people, and it's so exciting. But one of the places that and sites that I love to go, and I go every time that I'm there, is to the American Colony Hotel. It's a quaint, unique turn of the 20th century house that became a hostel, that became a hotel. Here's the story.

In the mid-19th century, a man by the name of Horatio Spafford and his wife experienced the tragedy of the loss of their home and business in the Great Chicago Fire. While Spafford was trying to rebuild his life and his business, he sent his wife and four daughters on a cruise to Europe, and in the midst of the cruise, the ship went down, and with the ship, the four daughters. The wife telegraphed back, "Saved alone." Spafford got on a boat as fast as he could and was on his way to pick up his wife. And it was there that the words began to form to the song that we sing, and it's blessed the church. So many of the songs we sing are songs in the night, people gave them written and wrote them given in great tragedy and hurt and pain, and such were these words. And so when I go to Jerusalem, I make my way to the American Colony Hotel and there posted under glass in the foyer of that hotel are the handwritten words that Spafford wrote.

"When peace like a river attendeth my way, when sorrow like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say, 'It is well, it is well with my soul.' Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, let this blessed assurance control, that Christ has regarded my helpless state and has shed his own blood for my soul. And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight, the clouds roll back as the scroll, the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend. Even so, it is well, it is well, it is well with my soul."

That's the answer to the why question. That's the ultimate eternal answer to every why, to every experience, to all evil. We overcome evil with good because the greatest good is God himself. And if you ever doubt the love of God in your life, just go to Calvary. See Christ dying on the cross for you. Because he has carried our griefs, he has borne our sorrows on the cross. He took our sin, he took our sorrows on the cross. And he died and he rose again. And therefore when Jesus says it, "I've written, I've said these things to you, that you may have peace. In this world, you will have tribulation. But be of good cheer, be strong-hearted. I have overcome the world."

Guest (Female): You're listening to PowerPoint with Jack Graham and the message why. When you support PowerPoint Ministries, you help share God's word with people around the world through programs just like this one. And as a thank you for your gift this month, we'll send you the Jesus Discoveries by Dr. Jeremiah Johnston as our thanks. This powerful resource walks through real historical evidence that points directly to Jesus, helping strengthen your faith and giving you confidence in the truth of God's word. And right now, every gift given before June 30th will be doubled through a $200,000 matching grant. This is a crucial moment as we close out the financial year because your support helps ensure that PowerPoint Ministries continues reaching people with the gospel in the months ahead. To give your gift and request your copy, text June to 59789. That's June to 59789. We are excited to share that we have a new way to connect with us. It's our texting service designed to keep you connected with everything happening here at PowerPoint. You'll be the first to know about upcoming events, special announcements, and truly enriching content. To join, start a new text conversation by texting the word connect to 59789. Again, text connect to 59789. Pastor, what is your PowerPoint for today?

Jack Graham: I want you to know how grateful I am for you. None of this would happen without the consistent support of listeners just like you. Through your gifts and prayers, PowerPoint broadcast the gospel in over 800 cities and on TV in 113 countries. Those numbers are exciting, but the best part is that each one of those broadcasts is an opportunity to share the love of God with someone who needs it. You are helping get the gospel into homes and cars and headphones all over the world, to the ends of the earth. Thanks to your support, thousands of people visit our website and see our social media feeds every week. That's thousands of people who are finding the encouragement and hope they need, whether they're turning to Christ for the first time or learning how to make his name known among their families and friends. And I hope you've been encouraged by something you've heard from PowerPoint recently. No matter how long you've been listening, my prayer is that God speaks into your life every time you tune in or flip on the TV or connect online. Because he is always working to reach people with his love and truth. And that's why I'm asking for your special help today. Your support is vital to keep these biblical messages coming your way and going out strong to tell more people about the love of Jesus. So please, knowing how God has used PowerPoint in your own life, give a gift today to extend that blessing into more lives around the world. You can be sure that God will use your support to proclaim the gospel till the whole world hears. Thank you for your generosity.

Guest (Female): And that is today's PowerPoint. Remember, when you give a gift to PowerPoint, we'll send you Dr. Jeremiah Johnston's book, The Jesus Discoveries. Just text June to 59789. And join us again next time as Dr. Graham brings a message about what it will take for a national revival. That's next time on PowerPoint with Jack Graham. PowerPoint with Jack Graham is sponsored by PowerPoint Ministries.