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The question is often phrased this way – “If God is good and if God is all-powerful, why does He allow evil and suffering in the world?” Today we will seek to begin addressing a difficult question most of us have asked at some level at some point in our lives.
Sadly, Christians in America have become better known for what they are against than what they are for. Our society often labels Christians as bigots, intolerant, and “haters.” A lightening rod issue in these days is homosexuality. How should we view sin and sinners?
Both friends and enemies of the Christian faith have recognized the resurrection of Christ to be the foundation stone of the Faith. Paul, the great apostle, wrote to those in Corinth, who denied the resurrection of the dead: “If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is useless and so is your faith” (1 Corinthians 1:14, NIV). Paul rested his whole case on the bodily resurrection of Christ. Today, we examine the evidence. No one disputes that Jesus died and that three days later the tomb was empty. The only issue is – how did it come to be empty?
We hear the questions raised often – “Doesn’t everyone go to heaven? How could a loving God allow anyone to God to hell? Does it really make any difference what you believe, just as long as you try to be a good person?” While opinions vary widely, the Bible is clear.
We are going to visit some uncomfortable themes today. In our current series we have talked about difficult topics relating to defending the faith. In our nation today, it may be that we would be defending our faith less if we lived it more faithfully and boldly in our world. Are we willing to really live out the faith we proclaim? Why would a spiritually lost world embrace a gospel with a hole in it?
The Christian faith’s authoritative book is the Bible. We believe it is God’s word to us. How trustworthy is the Bible? Why should we accept its message as true?
In North Texas, we have people we know and have relationships with who have a radically different view of God, life, and eternity. They live, go to school, and work around us. Our culture has come to tell us that these faith systems are really all the same. Are all religions really just different paths up the same spiritual mountain?
We live in a world filled with false gods and lesser gods. There are atheists and there are people who say they believe in God but function as atheists by ignoring God’s place in their lives. As believers we are to live by faith, but it is not a baseless faith. Today we will survey some key evidence.
Today we begin a new series under the title, “Answering Tough Questions.” The series will seek to address some of the challenging questions Christians face when sharing Christ with a spiritually lost world. The discipline of defending the faith is called “apologetics.” This morning we explore the motivation for Christian apologetics.
On a Labor Day weekend, we celebrate a gift from God – work. God has created us to be productive and to make a difference in our world. A large portion of life is spent in our work. God does not intend for us to waste our time in work. Today we will seek to see our work like God sees our work.