September 7, 2025: Sunday School

Order of Service

• Sermon

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Sermon Title: Facing Evil with Biblical Perspective

Scripture: Psalm 13

I. The Reality of Evil in a Fallen World

A. Recent events of horrific evil — the murder of a Ukrainian refugee and the killing of Charlie Kirk — have forced the nation to confront evil B. Social media and news give us access to far more evil than we can bear; discernment is needed about how much we consume C. Evil is not new; it is the outworking of sin in a fallen world, seen from the very beginning in Genesis 3–4

II. How the Psalms Give Us Language to Respond to Evil

A. Psalm 13 — David cries out "How long, O Lord?" in raw honesty, yet settles himself in God's steadfast love

1. Personal lament addressed to the Lord and given to the choir master — it is for the whole church
2. David moves from despair to trust: "I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation"

B. Psalm 73 — Asaph is tempted toward envy of the wicked who seem to prosper

1. "My feet had almost stumbled... I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked" (Psalm 73:2–3)
2. The turning point: "Until I went into the sanctuary of God; then I discerned their end" (Psalm 73:17)
3. The wicked are set in slippery places and will be utterly swept away (Psalm 73:18–20)

C. Psalm 69:22–29 — An imprecatory psalm: the believer is invited to pray for God's just wrath upon the wicked

1. "Pour out your indignation upon them, and let your burning anger overtake them"
2. We may rightly desire retribution so long as we rest in the Lord's form of vengeance, not our own

III. Tracing the Lines of Evil and God's Justice Through Scripture

A. Genesis 3–4 — Wickedness enters at the fall; its first fruit is Cain killing Abel

1. Sin crouches at the door: "Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it" (Genesis 4:7)
2. Cain gives in to jealousy; evil is the outworking of unmastered sin
3. God promises in Genesis 3:15 that the seed of the woman will crush the seed of the serpent — God always has a plan

B. Psalm 2 — The nations rage and plot against the Lord, but he is not threatened

1. "He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision" (Psalm 2:4)
2. God has set his King on Zion; wickedness does not win in the end

C. Isaiah 33:22 — "The Lord is our judge, the Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our king; he will save us"

D. Revelation 19:11–16 — The end of the story: Christ returns as King of kings and Lord of lords to judge in righteousness

1. The whole message of Revelation can be summarized: God wins
2. Victory is already secured through the cross, where God poured out his just wrath for sin upon Christ

IV. Holding Right Perspective as Believers

A. God is sovereign even over evil — Joseph's testimony: "You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good" (Genesis 50:20)

B. We are not to be surprised by fiery trials (1 Peter)

C. We may grieve, but not as those without hope (1 Thessalonians 4:13)

D. The day of the Lord will come; he will purify all wickedness (2 Peter 3:7–10)

1. "The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise... but is patient, not wishing that any should perish"

V. Practical Applications

A. Know your limits — turn off social media and the news cycle when needed; guard your mind B. Fill that time with Scripture; the Psalter gives perspective and language for responding to evil C. Pray Scripture back to the Lord — use the words of the Psalms to cry out to him in trust D. Read Psalm 46 — God is a refuge and strong tower; the basis for A Mighty Fortress Is Our God E. Rest in God's steadfast love and his promised justice; do not grieve as those without hope