Audio Answers
June 8th Loving God + Suffering World = ???
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June 15th Gay+God = ???
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June 15th Gay+God = ??? Notes
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Jan 22 - Being Right < or > Being Loving???
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Jan 29 - 15 Answers in 60 Min.
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Notes for Jan 29th 15 Answers in 60 Min
1 - Do you think the “God Story” is really the accurate truth?
(Service - Humanity, is there a blueprint? Conception of a Community)
Ro 1:20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.
Biologist J. B. S. Haldane famously observed - The universe is not only more unbelievable than we suppose, it is more unbelievable than we are able to suppose.
2 - Is the bible holy? Man wrote it and assembled and decided what
would go in and what wouldn't go in. How can 100% of that be
divinely inspired? Some of the books in the bible are just letters to
churches. What makes them different from reading the writings of
a "godly" author in present times?
Not all scripture is equal in style, content it presents, the purpose it was given for, and all has to be weighed in light of scholarly interoperation.
3 – Does morality come from God? If so, why do "ungodly people" still make moral decisions?
DNA - does not know and does not care
Rom 2:14 Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law, 15 since they show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.
The fact that people who claim no belief in God have a moral compass is evidence that the moral law is encoded in us by our creator.
(CS Louis - Mere Christianity)
4 – Why do we pray for things to happen if God already has the plan?
Not a pre-arranged puppet show / Not a path it’s a plan / “Free will”
God changes his plans a the request of prayer /
Moses (Nu 14:20 The LORD replied, “I have forgiven them, as you asked.)
Call for a King!! Samuel said no... God Said give it to them.
God stand’s outside of time - Man viewing wreck from mountain top
God has a purpose, and a destination. Like a plane or ship, not a car on a road.
5 – Can Satan interfere with God's plan?
Temporarily but not permanently...
Eph 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
1Jo 4:4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.
6 – I don't feel that we teach enough that the enemy is the prince of this earth and that's why it's so messed up
Joh 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Jas 4:7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
The four reasons for pain and suffering in our lives:
1) James 1:13 When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
2) Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground
3) John 16:33 In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
4) Heberws 12:10-11 God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
(Service - Loving God + Suffering World = ?)
7 - Spirits demons and ghosts (Above Eph 6:14)
(Service - 10-31-10 Don’t be a Holloweenie?)
8 – Why don’t you pray very much? Why don't you believe God listens to your prayers? Why don't you trust the God who created you?
James 1: any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.
9 – How do I find help to deal with everyday problems? (...AND 10)
Truly allow God to inform every area of our life. Our attitude and understanding of life, our conduct and actions, and our purpose which is to be one with God.
10 – Have you actually read the Bible? How can you answer questions about the Bible if you haven't actually read it?
WWJD - We don’t know what Jesus would do!!
11 – How do you navigate a family of multiple religions?
I passionately believe that truth will ultimately stand out. It is virtually impossible to argue a person into changing beliefs. First respect / then authentic faith live out, willingness to share the reason for our hope.
1 Pet 3: 15 In your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
12 – Forgiveness / Boundaries / Grace / Tolerance / Sanity
Forgiveness Audio coming soon
13 – If Jesus is the only way, what about those that don’t know him.
Mt 18:14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost.
2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Luke 12: 47 “That servant who knows his master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows. 48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.
14 – If sin is temporary then why is hell eternal?
Heaven is filled with Sinners / Hell is for those who reject God
Loving father cannot allow the rebellious child to bring disfunction to perfection.
15 - What does Heaven / Hell look like?
Hell - Inmates running the asylum
(Service - Loving God + Suffering World = ?)
5 Men you call pastor at GodWhy - Statistically none of us should be healthy, with stable marriages and our incredibly healthy kids.
Pastor John - Child of divorce, dyslexic, child of an alcoholic verbally abusive father, who was the child of a physically abusive alcoholic.
Pastor Willie - 12th child of immigrant parents from Puerto Rico, grew up in the projects, abused as a child.
Pastor JD - Family history of divorce and adultery, no Christian background, hostile to the church, twice divorced, child out of wedlock history of Drugs and Alcohol.
Pastor Mark - Family history of divorce and adultery, struggled with anger, violence, drugs and Alcohol, months before entering GodWhy his wife left him for all of these traits.
Pastor Josh - experienced the death of both parents by age 13, no Christian background, raised by alcoholic uncle, on his own at age 18, history of drugs and alcohol, when he began coming to GodWhy had a child out of wedlock, overwhelmed and searching.
This dysfunctional background was cut of in this Generation for everyone of us.
2 Cor 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
Man with a life changing experience never at the mercy of a man with an argument.