Questions from the Congregation - Part 18

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

Ice-Breakers:

1. [01:08] - Q: What is your favorite color?
   A: Gray (Jeff), Royal/Navy Blue (Taylor)
   

2. [02:19] - Q: What is your favorite book of the Bible and why?
   A: OT - Ecclesiastes / NT - Romans (Taylor), OT - Ecclesiastes / NT - Revelation (Jeff), James (Matt)
   

3. [04:40] - Q: What Christian book has made an impact on you that you would recommend to others?
   A: See TBD - TBD
   
   The Bible:
   

4. [06:35] - Q: Does God still speak to us today?
   A: See Hebrews 1:1-2 - Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
   

5. [10:06] - Q: Do you guys know anything about why certain books were included and others weren’t, such as other books found in Dead Sea scrolls? And what about books mentioned in Bible such as Enoch?

   A: TBD
   
   Old Testament:

6. [12:22] - Q: Who was the third person on earth?
   A: Cain
   

7. [12:45] - Q: If Cain killed Abel, who did Cain marry? How did humanity continue?
   A: His sister
   

8. [14:05] - Q: Genesis 5:4 - The days of Adam after he fathered Seth were 800 years; and he had other sons and daughters. Thus all the days that Adam lived were 930 years, and he died. Who or what are the Nephilim?
   A: See TBD
   

9. [18:25] - Q: What is your stance on Psalm 83? Is it a war, a lament? If you believe it to be a war, is it a past war or yet future?
   A: See TBD - TBD
   
   New Testament:
   

10. [19:55] - Q: In Matthew 7:13-14 Jesus talks about narrow & wide gates, one that leads to destruction & one that leads to life. He indicates that there will be few who find the narrow gate that leads to eternal life. Is Jesus revealing in these verses that proportionally speaking that most people born throughout the ages will go to hell compared to those that truly come to salvation through Jesus?
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

11. [24:25] - Q: The Bible says “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt 7:1), but there are other places like I Cor 2:15 where God says “but he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one”. Can you explain the seeming contradiction between these two verses?
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

12. [28:28] - Q: Can you discuss the Bema seat? I know it is a judgment for believers (good and not so good) that will take place post rapture for how we spent our lives on earth, but since God forgives our sins past, present, and future and wipes them from his memory once we confess our salvation in Him, why do we stand in judgment for things we did that are not so good?

    Or is it just situations where we could have shared the gospel or helped someone and didn't do anything that will be called out and judged?
    A: See 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 - According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw— each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire.
    2 Corinthians 5:10 - For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.
    
    Potluck:
    

13. [31:05] - Q: With as flawed, hypocritical, & inconsistent as we are as believers, why would God choose to limit Himself in such a way to effectively share the truth of His message to the lost world?
    A: See - TBD
    

14. [33:40] - Q: What does the Bible say about the use of Western Medicine example anti depressants, pain killers, medical marijuana, etc.?
    A: See Proverbs 31:6 - Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress...
    

15. [35:15] - Q: Is drinking alcohol, using tobacco/ marijuana, or gambling all sins? Should a born again believer stop these activities?
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

16. [On the Blog] - Q: Why does God allow trials in my life to test my faith, if in His sovereignty He already knows how I’ll respond (positively or negatively)?
    A: See 1 Peter 1:6-9 - In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
    

17. [On the Blog] - Q: Can you explain what Jesus means in Luke 14:26-27 where He says we can not be His disciples unless we hate our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, children? This seems totally contradictory to His message for us to love one another as He has loved us.
    A: See Matthew 10:37 - Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.

    
    Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer on the blog.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Questions from the Congregation - Part 17

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

1. [00:00] - Q: My question is how as followers of Christ are we to equip ourselves and our children (besides prayer) to stand up against evil ideology but particularly LGBTQ agenda in our schools and the "in your face" push throughout media. How do we teach our kids to respond to teachers/peers when confronted with these movements?
   A: See - TBD
   

2. [00:00] - Q: Why should I pray for this world if the Bible says that the world is going to get worse?
   A: TBD
   

3. [00:00] - Q: There's a lot of dialogue in our country about rights. What rights are actually given to us by God?
   A: See TBD - TBD
   

4. [00:00] - Q: In light of many current events, shortages, and inflation, I feel the need to hoard food and necessities. Is it wrong to have an excess of these items in stock. Does that show a lack of faith in God’s provision?
   A: See TBD - TBD
   

5. [00:00] - Q: What is a woman?

   A: TBD

6. [00:00] - Q: What are your thoughts about churches with women pastors? What does the bible say about this?
   A: See 1 Timothy 2:12-15 - TBD
   

7. [00:00] - Q: People at work say Christians can swear. Can they swear to be relevant?
   A: See Ephesians 5:4
   TBD
   

8. [00:00] - Q: What does the Bible say about the use of Western Medicine example anti depressants, pain killers, medical marijuana, etc.?
   A: See Proverbs 31:6 TBD
   

9. [00:00] - Q: Psalms are psalmists praises and often supplications, too. They are not necessarily God's promises. How shall we then treat those supplications? For example 1, Ps 6:23a, Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. Is this true for US? For example 2, Ps 90:15, Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. Does this prayer being included in Bible mean approval of this supplication by God? Can WE make the same supplication?
   A: See TBD - TBD
   

10. [00:00] - Q: If Jesus was a Galilean Jew, why aren’t we?
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

11. [00:00] - Q: Are there spirits outside of angels and demons on earth? Is there any scripture that would lead us to believe that people once they die would be a spirit on earth?
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

12. [00:00] - Q: Are we missing something when it comes to the Sabbath and the value of rest? Jesus addresses the Pharisees' legalistic approach to the Sabbath and much of the OT has been fulfilled through the cross, but this is the only one of 10 commandments that isn't expected to be followed still.
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

13. [00:00] - Q: Does Nicodemus believe that Jesus is who he says he is?
    A: See John 19:39 - TBD
    

14. [00:00] - Q: Gen. 3:15 makes mention of Satan's "offspring". Did Satan procreate with humans? Who was Satan's offspring?
    A: See John 8:44 - TBD
    

15. [00:00] - Q: What do you think is the strongest evidence outside of the Bible that Jesus of Nazareth is a historical existence?
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

16. [00:00] - Q: In Daniel chapter 10 at the very end of the chapter it says “but I will tell you what is inscribed in the book of truth there is none who contends by my side against these except Michael your prince.” Why is Michael called a prince? Are there other angels known as princes like Michael?
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

17. [00:00] - Q: When do the O.T. saints get their glorified bodies? If it is not at the time of the rapture when the dead rise first, can you explain?
    A: See TBD - TBD
    

18. [00:00] - Q: Why does the Lord send Saul an evil spirit several times in 1 Samuel? Why would the Lord do that? We are told to ‘resist the devil and he will flee…’?
    A: See TBD - TBD

    
    Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer on the blog.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Questions from the Congregation - Part 16

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

1. [02:45] - Q: What does scripture say about one world currency?
   A: See Revelation 13:16-17 - Also it causes all, both small and great, both rich and poor, both free and slave, to be marked on the right hand or the forehead, so that no one can buy or sell unless he has the mark, that is, the name of the beast or the number of its name.
   

2. [6:18] - Q: If you could experience any moment in The Bible as an observer what event would you witness?
   A: Lazarus being raised from the dead by Jesus. No wrong answers here.
   

3. [09:12] - Q: How do you break generational curses?
   A: See Exodus 34:6-7 - The LORD passed before him and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation.”
   See Ezekiel 18:20-23 and 1 Corinthians 15:33
   

4. [15:31] - Q: How long after the birth of Jesus did the 3 wise men appear? Most nativity scenes have them there along with the shepherds. Matthew 2 says they arrived about the same time as his birth. Some have told me they arrived more than 1 year after his birth which would beg the question, what did they do in Bethlehem all that time.
   
   A: See Matthew 2:11 - And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:16 - Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men. See Matthew 2:2

5. [21:26] - Q: Romans 13:3a → “For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.” This is backwards these days. 12:21 says not to be overcome by evil, but to overcome evil with good. So, we are to fight. Why don't we? Or are we to passively accept evil rulers?

   A: It is God who puts up and takes down kingdoms. We war by praying.

6. [28:58] - Q: Are there any verses in the Bible that speak against a multiverse theory (as an explanation for why our universe is so finely tuned)?
   A: The only reality that we are aware of is the one that God created.
   

7. [32:07] - Q: Is there an “Age of Accountability”?
   A: See Numbers 32:11, Psalm 51:5, Jonah 4:11
   There is an age, but it differs on a person by person basis. There has to be a point in your life where it’s possible that you can understand and make a decision whether you are going to follow and accept or reject Christ in your life.
   

8. [36:55] - Q: If we are called to forgive everyone, should we forgive the devil? Is that our place to do that?
   A: Forgiveness is about the healing of a relationship. God doesn’t forgive everyone because not everyone wants to fall into a right relationship with God.
   

9. [40:51] - Q: Why should we bring children / babies into the world? Especially if we are in the end times.
   A: See Gen 1:28, Gen 9 - We are commanded to be fruitful and multiply, fill the earth.
   

10. [42:35] - Q: If it took the Council of Trent to determine the Old Testament, how can we as Christians be assured there are not some books missing from the Old Testament and/or the Bible as a whole?
    A: See Luke 11:51 - from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who perished between the altar and the sanctuary.
    
    Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer on the blog.

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Questions from the Congregation - Part 15

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

1. [06:32] - Q: Were God the father, son, and spirit all present at the beginning of creation? How can we know this?
   A: See Colossians 1:16 - For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
   John 1:3 - All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
   
   REVELATION / ESCHATOLOGY / END-TIMES

2. [10:13] - Q: Do you personally see and feel the rise of the spirit of the antichrist throughout the world? All Romans 1 items checked within just a years time:

   • Pastors thrown in prison, churches fenced off, their homes burned with their children in them, US churches gladly shuttered in the name of "saving just one is worth it" while bowing to the alter of health, wealth, and science (the new religion)

   • Atrocities by world governments such as human trials of genetic modification supported by corporate coercion, suicide inducing lockdowns, planned starvation, destruction of small business, purposeful separating of sheep and goats due to testing and vaccination requirements, technological explosion ripe for the mark

   • Free speech removal, big tech takeover, cancel culture, woke culture, UFO/UAF disclosures, twisting of language and logic in that we have birthing persons because biological men can have babies, menstruate, and compete with girls in sports, amen must include “awomen”

   • Big tech takeover of everyone's lives: biometric data prepared for payment, cashless society by a false coin shortage, the US dollar move towards the digital dollar, shadow-banned to free speech isn't allowed on this platform to digital jail to digital exile

   • Israel: a new wars with many around them, a new government mixed with Jew and Muslim power, global antisemitism, US funded enemies, and the continued push for a 2 state solution

   • Nation fighting against nation with BLM peaceful protests, white guilt turned in to all whites are racist, Christians are racist, stolen elections, NWO schemes, and Israel is the oppressor of the world

     ...to name just a few
     
     That wedding feast seems to be getting really close now. So, personally how close are you feeling that the removal of His bride church is now?
     

3. [17:16] - Q: It seems like Christ's return is imminent, I believe that he's coming back soon. I can't wait to be taken up to heaven. I just don't know how to live day to day with that type of mindset, knowing that I'm going to be taken away. How do I live "normally" worrying about work/job, finances, buying cars/stuff, upkeep for my house, etc. In first 1 Thes Paul tells the believers there that they haven't missed it and they need to keep on working. So I know I need to continue on, I'm just challenged by how to do that. Christ's love is in me and yes I can share that with others and try to get as many to heaven as possible, but really preacher, I'm exhausted from what God has given me. I'm ready to go. Can you give a few pieces of advice for how to persevere? How should I be praying? Thanks
   A: See Matthew 24:45-51, 1 Thes 5:6-11
   

4. [24:16] - Q: In Revelation John sees the events of the end times and since John is a saved man, would he also be seeing himself in the future? Meaning that there would be a past John and a future John. Also, if John is there for the end times, that he had already seen, wouldn’t he have known that the Lamb was worthy to open the scroll and break the seals?
   
   A: 1 Corinthians 4:6 - I have applied all these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, brothers, that you may learn by us not to go beyond what is written...

   
   OLD TESTIMENT LAW / DOCTRINAL ISSUES

5. [30:22] - Q: Were multiple marriages in the Old Testament considered a sin? For example, David had multiple wives, if that was considered a sin and he continued to live in that sin seemingly unrepentant why did God still use him?

   • Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines and God still used him... what? Was Solomon saved?

6. [35:16] - Q: Why are there so many different versions of the Bible? Specifically the message, I know it gets the same point across but it says it completely differently than my NIV or ESV.
   

7. [39:15] - Q: How do we know the Bible we have today is God's complete word? How does the apocrypha and other extra-biblical literature factor in? How can we be confident in it when it was seemingly assembled and decided by humans during various meetings/councils?
   A: Luke 24:27
   
   Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer on the blog.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!

Questions from the Congregation - Part 14

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

1. [00:09] - Q: Are the Holy Spirit and the Holy Ghost the same thing?
   A: TBD
   
   

2. [00:54] - Q: What is a spirit/soul and how do they interact with our mind and body?

   A: TBD

3. [03:08] - Q: Since Genesis mentions God told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply prior to the fall, and part of the curse was to increase pain of childbirth... will babies be born in heaven?
   A: See Matthew 22:30 - For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.
   
   

4. [04:32] - Q: Did God make hell? If you go to the first book of the Bible it says God made heaven and earth so where does hell come into play?
   A: See Matthew 25:41 - Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’
   
   

5. [05:57] - Q: In the old testament God refers to Lucifer as "the morning star" (Isaiah 14:12?), in Revelation Jesus says "He is the bright morning star." (Rev 22:16) How would you explain the differences in these 2 passages to someone who believes they are the same and therefore; Jesus = Lucifer?
   A: See 2 Corinthians 4:4 - In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
   
   

6. [10:03] - Q: Are prophesies still a way that God communicates? How does God communicate to masses of people in today's world?
   A: See Romans 10:14-17
   
   

7. [13:48] - Q: We know that God is outside of time. We believe that old testament saints did not have to wait for Jesus's sacrifice to enter into Heaven (bc it was as if it already happened). We believe that absent from the body = present with God. And yet, Jesus's return will signal a new heaven and new earth, and the reception of our glorified bodies. That indicates that there is some element of time in Heaven. How is it both? How is God outside of time, but also waiting on the right time?
   A: See Galatians 4:4-5 - … fullness of time had come

   Revelation 6:10 (5th Seal) - …how long before you will judge

   Revelation 22:2 - …yielding its fruit each month.
   
   

8. [19:22] - Q: I really miss a lot of my friends that I have been very close to since childhood, but they live very sinful lifestyles and I have tried talking to them about how they act and talk, but they always say they like the way they live, so I have stopped talking to and spending time with them. I have spent a long time trying to fall out of the sinful habits they encourage and I don't want to fall back into those habits, but I have known those friends for so long and I have created such a connection to them that can't just be recreated. I know I shouldn't do anything that would encourage a Godless lifestyle but I also don't want to just abandon them. Do you have any tips or encouragement at all that could help me through this?
   A: TBD
   
   

9. [23:07] - Q: If there is evidence or individual belief that the government was elected or established through fraud or corruption, are we still called to submit to their "power"?
   A: See Mark 12:17 - Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” And they marveled at him.
   
   

10. [27:43] - Q: If Christians are the majority who don't believe in wearing masks, are we chasing non-Christians away from the church by not wearing masks? Shouldn't we be the first to want to protect others and make them feel comfortable? Thank you in advance!
    A: TBD
    
    

11. [38:27] - Q: Flat earth vs Round earth? Thoughts?
    A: See Isaiah 40:22 - It is he who sits above the circle of the earth…
    Revelation 7:1 - After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth, that no wind might blow on earth or sea or against any tree.
    
    Any question that was missed due to time constraints during the service Pastor Jeff will address the answer on the blog.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review the questions submitted above. Discuss any of these that stuck out to you, or that maybe your group finds particularly interesting.

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another!