Feb
01
In response to the Associated Press story that was released over the weekend, we are providing you with two resources to help address the questions that have been asked about God and suffering.
Geoff Ashley, Discipleship Resource Pastor at The Village wrote a blog on Seven Thoughts on Suffering.
Matt Chandler’s teaching at a Men’s Bible Study last fall.
Does God Ordain Evil? | Study Guide
[...] You can find these resources by visiting this page… HERE! [...]
I’ve been lying, face down, on my floor, listening to the peaceful breathing of my sleeping husband, pleading with our most gracious Heavenly Father for your complete healing. May God in Heaven and all around us, touch, comfort and heal you with His infinite power and love. We ask in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen. Glory to God!
[...] More related resources and updated videos by Matt Chandler on his faith in God’s sovereignty in the face of suffering can be found here: http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=489 ; [...]
Hello,
I read an article about Matt and wanted to share a testimony of my friend Rev. Jerry Baysinger. In 1993 (when Jerry was 21 years old) he was diagnosed with 5 melanomas and liver cancer and was given one month to live.
He got healed completely by the power of God and is now His Minister. More about his story and complete recovery – http://lifehealingministries.com/
I join my faith with all those who believe and pray for Matt’s complete recovery, in Jesus’ Name, according to God’s Word in 1 Peter 2:24.
You say that you are waiting for God to heal you……but it seems you are depending on science and medical treatment, aren’t you? I find you to be a hypocrite…
Why isn’t your faith in God enough to heal you? Is it that you REALLY know He is no more omnipotent than any of us humans are?
If your faith was true and pure you would NOT be seeking out medical/science treatments…you would be simply waiting for Him to come and take you to eternal life…
I’m sorry for your pain and suffering Matt, but I suggest you put your faith in medical science and thank the PEOPLE that ACTUALLY cure you…..your God had NOTHING to do with it….
Hello Matt,
First of all let me say that I will add you to my prayer list, and pray that God will heal you.
Secondly I would like to say that I believe that the falleness of the world and the introduction of sin is the cause of all misfortune we see. I do not believe this is Gods will but the evil ones, and this evil one is waiting to see how you handle misfortune. As a Christian I believe that God will see me through anything, and sometimes marvel at how strong He thinks I am. That thought (He gives you no more than you can handle) has encouraged me immensly. I also know that no matter the outcome of your cancer you will get to go home, either your earthly home or your heavenly home. What peace!
God bless you as you continue to serve him.
Mary,
Thanks for your e-mail. I will try to answer some of your concerns. It’s obvious that we are coming from two different worldviews and I am taken a little off guard by your hostility toward me. If you have been hurt by or wounded by religion, I’m sorry. The idea of science and Christianity being incompatible is a historic argument, but not a good one. The Scriptures are filled with God reminding all of us that as the Creator, He created things to “be a certain way.” This includes all the sciences and philosophy. Let me show you what I mean:
1.) Agriculture: Isaiah 28:24-29 – Does he who plows for sowing plow continually? Does he continually open and harrow his ground? When he has leveled its surface, does he not scatter dill, sow cumin, and put in wheat in rows and barley in its proper place, and emmer as the border? For he is rightly instructed; his God teaches him. Dill is not threshed with a threshing sledge, nor is a cartwheel rolled over cumin, but dill is beaten out with a stick, and cumin with a rod. Does one crush grain for bread? No, he does not thresh it forever; when he drives his cartwheel over it with his horses, he does not crush it. This also comes from the LORD of hosts; he is wonderful in counsel and excellent in wisdom.”
So the SCIENCE behind how you plant and harvest these things are a part of the creative order; it’s called common grace, God’s grace given to all mankind. As Christians we reap and sow and eat because God designed it that way. We don’t wait around for food to fall out of the sky. Although we see some of that in the Old Testament.
2.) Everything else from government, education, marriage, MEDICINE etc. is similar. God wired the universe to BE a certain way. The commands of God in Scripture are about leading us into that design for our joy and His glory:
Proverbs 8:22-23 and 27-30 – “The LORD possessed me (wisdom/Jesus) at the beginning of his work, the first of his acts of old. Ages ago I was set up, at the first, before the beginning of the earth. When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep, when he assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters might not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, then I was beside him, like a master workman, and I was daily his delight, rejoicing before him always.
3.) I am definitely a hypocrite – One of the reasons I love the message of the gospel is that God loves me based on Jesus and not my perfection. I am not a moral Deist. I believe in the grace of God in Christ and have put my hope in Him and my gratitude in His love for us all that He gave us radiation and Temodar (Chemo I’m on) and doctors and science.
For the Joy of All people,
Matt Chandler
Matt, you look better without hair, you are quickly becoming one of my hero’s of the faith.
So why shouldn’t you look like my other two…CJ MaHaney and Joshua Harris.
Dear Matt ~ I `We/Many continue to pray for your complete healing!!!! I’m quite sure that Medical science ( which is wonderful), along w/the beautiful grace of god ( which is forever present)… Will answer our prayers! I pray that your hope and spirit stay strong and mighty!!! I pray that Mary will find peace and be` rid of her bitterness!!!
Wishing you and your family all the beauty of growing old together!!!
Sincerely, Sally K :~))
Esther and I are praying for you. We thank God for His good grace that sustains you and your family and gives you the power to be His witness in the midst of suffering.
Dear Matt,
I am praying for your complete healing whether it is here, or in heaven. Thank you for your honesty and transparency as your journey through this trial. I listen to your podcasts every Sunday from my trailer in Baja Californina where I have been serving at an orphange for 13 years. I have grown, and been challenged to pursue Christ more deeply, by the teachings that you share. Thank you so much for your openness, it is very healing.
Love in Christ,
Nora
Matt
I agree with everything that you posted and appreciate the “sermon” that you are preaching with how you are responding to your season of suffering. Nothing is more true than the fact that “all” we have is in the person and work of Christ. God is using you for his glory and your overall joy. Stay focused and faithful and remember you have so many people lifting you before the Lord daily. I also appreciate the way you responded to Mary…count me in on the hypocrite label as well…the greatest truth of the gospel is that it has “nothing” to do with me and everything to do with Jesus!
To God alone be the glory
Jeff
Matt,
Just want you to know that Andy & I are lifting your needs to the Great Physician! We love you and believe in God’s perfect plan for your life. Just know your Borger friends are praying.
Becky
Matt,
Thank you for sharing your story and remaining faithful to the author of life.
My daughter Megan was diagnosed January of 09 with an Ependymoma tumor. During surgey they were able to remove 95% of the tumor that was resting on her brain stem. Radiation has reduced another 1/3 of the tumor. Sadly, due to the massive amounts of steriods she now has been told she has Osteonecrosis which requires both of her hips to be replaced.
While I know God is the author of life and that he is aware of all trials we encounter here on earth… I find she struggles (which breas my heart) with accepting her current physical limiations. I pray each day that tiny seeds of faith will be planted in her and that one day she will find the strength to embrace what she is living through.
She works for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and travels to local elementry schhols to raise awareness and funds for blood cancer. I am going to share your story wih her and pray that the Lord will water the seeds of faith and hope in her through your story. Thank you for being brave and faithful in your journey.
faithfully,
Tammy
Matt,
Have been praying for you and your family. Through your sermons over the past couple of years, I have felt as if you all were part of my family. Peace. Jeff
Matt-
I am sitting in the hospital RIGHT NOW in the waiting room…waiting for my husband. His brain tumor was revealed last Wednesday. He is 30 years old we have a 10 month old son, Asher. Within an hour of this revelation my husband new that he has been chosen worthy to endure this to advance the gospel and we are dwelling deep. We attend FUMC of Carrollton and are not a part of The Village body of Christ but we are part of the universal body of Christ. We are suffering with you, will be healed with you, and share the same hope and glory!!!! Last night we posted to facebook for all our friends who know Christ and don’t….to read the first chapter of Philippians. I will be using your blog all day as I await news…..We love you and are unified with you and your family! I pray for your strength today as you endure your treatment.
IN CHRIST.
Rachel Knight
I have been wrestling with fear for a long time about doing something I feel the Lord has called me to do. Thanks for the courage you have shown in a much more serious situation. I have been inspired and have finally faced that fear and am waiting for the event to unfold as I know God has ordained.
Courage is not being without fear, it is doing what we should inspite of our fears.
Blessings to you again for your courage. I am praying for you and your family. I kinda like that random “draw a line” half hair head look. Could start a whole new trend.
Hi Matt,
I stumbled upon your story quite by accident, but felt compelled to write to you. I admire your courage and faith despite your illness. I hope you and your family will find peace each day in your journey. My God’s perpetual light shine upon you.
Take Care,
Jim
I just heard of your story and listened to your last video. As a child of the Living God, Jesus said that I am a King and a Priest. And, as a King serving the King of Kings, I have authority in the name of Jesus to decree total healing in your body, and as a Priest serving Jesus, the High Priest, I can boldly come before the throne of God. I speak forth that you are healed by the stripes of Jesus Christ. This cancer is not unto death but unto life and to the glory of God. You have overcome this cancer by the Blood of the Lamb and the word of your testimony. I speak to this cancer in the name of Jesus and call you dead, I speak to the cancer branches,cut them at the root and call them powerless and dead. I speak to the genetic abnormality, cut it at the root, and call it powerless and dead. I thank you Lord Jesus that there will be no negative side effects from the radiation and chemo because I cover Matt with the healing blood of Jesus Christ. I loose the healing power of Jesus Christ’s blood into Matt’s brain cells for full and complete recovery. I thank you Lord Jesus that Matt walks daily in your strength, power and might. I praise your Lord for blessing Matt with a long and prosperous life – spiritually, physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially. I thank you Lord that what the enemy meant for evil, you Lord Jesus, have turned it into a triumpant blessing upon Matt, his family, his ministry, and his church. I praise and thank You Lord that Your promises are Yes and Amen, that You watch over Your Word to perform it, and that heaven and earth will pass away but Your Word will endure forever. In the precious name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ I pray and decree. Amen. P.S. Matt pray Psalm 91 daily. Your Sister in Christ.
Hi matt,
What a great testomomny and encouragement you are to us all.I have been diagnosed with the same tumours while on the 2nd last day of our European holiday with the wife and three kids in france.Check out the fire truck footage with a search simon campbell france on utube. my son recorded and posted it.Im on the same treatment plan,timing as you and totally believe God planted the desire and gave the talent to the doctors I have.He’s bigger than the bubble of our church world.Even in Europe i felt the most loved and valued man in the world.yes i get the “i need to sleep nows” but God has it all.We can trust Him.Keep up the fight simon
I tell people not to wait for a crisis for a revelation