Leftover Questions, Part 2
Feb 22, 2012 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
This is the second installment of answers to questions we didn’t get to at the God’s Not Mad At You event we hosted last weekend. You can read the first part here and watch my answer to another question here.
Question: If God’s not mad at us, why does He allow lengthy and repeated trials of his children?
Answer from GotAnswers.org: As in all things, God’s ultimate purpose for us is to grow more and more into the image of His Son (Romans 8:29). This is the goal of the Christian, and everything in life, including the trials and tribulations, is designed to enable us to reach that goal. It is part of the process of sanctification; that is, being set apart for God’s purposes and fitted to live for His glory. The way the trials accomplish this is explained in 1 Peter 1:6-7: “In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which perishes, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” The true believer’s faith will be made sure by the trials we experience so that we can rest in the knowledge that it is real and will last forever. (Read the rest of the answer here)
Question: What’s your position on reincarnation?
Answer from GotAnswers.org: The concept of reincarnation is completely without foundation in the Bible, which clearly tells us that we die once and then face judgment (Hebrews 9:27). The Bible never mentions people having a second chance at life or coming back as different people or animals. Jesus told the criminal on the cross, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43), not “You will have another chance to live a life on this earth.” Matthew 25:46 specifically tells us that believers go on to eternal life while unbelievers go onto eternal punishment. Reincarnation has been a popular belief for thousands of years, but it has never been accepted by Christians or followers of Judaism because it is contradictory to Scripture. (Read the rest of the answer here)
Question: How do you recommend sharing the gospel with those who don’t believe?
Here are a whole bunch of great articles to get you thinking:
- Mission: Suburbs
- Talking about your Faith in the Workplace
- Evangelizing and Spirit-Following
- Telling your friends about Jesus without pushing them away
- 7 Ways to be a Missionary in College
- Delving Deeper in Gospel Conversations
- How to share your testimony
Tags: gospel, reincarnation, sanctification, trials
John Piper and Rick Warren
Jun 1, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
I very rarely use my blog to repost content from other sites (with the notable exception of Fridays, which I dedicate to the practice). However, this video is way too good to bury in a list of other content.
In this video, John Piper and Rick Warren discuss doctrine. These are two wildly successful pastors who have decidedly different approaches to how they do ministry. And yet, in the video, you see their kindred spirits and unity in Jesus.
This is a very long video, clocking in at over an hour and a half. It is worth every minute to watch; not just because it is an excellent doctrinal discussion, but because it shows the kind of heart we should have toward those we disagree with in non-essential issues.
Tags: cross, doctrine, election, gospel, heaven, hell, Jesus, John Piper, Rick Warren, sovereignty
How Beautiful Are The Feet
Mar 24, 2011 Uncategorized Hodge Podge
I heard two stories this past week that brought huge smiles to my face.
The first was from a little kid. This 9 year old girl was taking a bath with her 5 year old sister when the topic of Jesus came up. She had recently learned the bridge diagram from the RivKids program at church so she drew it on the side of the tub with washable marker. There, amidst the bubbles and soap, she proclaimed the message of redemption to her sister.
The second was from an old man. This Riverview pastor (who shall remain nameless…ahem) was perusing emails from vistors to Riverview when he came across one that caught his eye. It was from someone who hadn’t been in church since she was a little kid, but had been to Riv for 3 weeks and was spiritually searching. He called her up and scheduled a meeting. There, in his office, he shared the Gospel with her and she repented and prayed to receive Christ.
Both of these stories reminded me of this passage in Romans:
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Romans 10:14-15)
When was the last time your feet were beautiful? It’s all about seeking the opportunity to share your faith with someone. It may come in a bathtub or in an email, but those opportunities are there if we are looking for them.
Tags: gospel
“A Trustworthy Saying…” Part 1
Jan 26, 2011 1 Timothy
During the course of Riv’s current series on 1 Timothy, I am going to take some time to blog about some interesting stuff I wasn’t able to get to during the weekend services.
“This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ – and I am the worst of them!
-1 Timothy 1:15
Five times in the New Testament and three times in 1 Timothy alone, Paul prefaces a statement with “This saying is trustworthy…” Why does he say that? He is most likely simply trying to draw our attention to what he is saying, kind of like when I say, “now this is important” when I am teaching.
What was this saying that was so important?
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.”
It’s the Main Thing.
Tags: gospel
