Questions - Thursday

How do I know what my gift is? 

Spiritual gifts are supernatural enablements for ministry that focus on the "common good" and glorify God (1 Corinthians 12:4-7; 1 Peter 4:10-11). There is a diversity of gifts distributed among believers (Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 28-30; Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Peter 4:10-11) by the Spirit at the moment of salvation (1 Corinthians 12:11-13) to build up the Church (1 Corinthians 14:12) and strengthen its unity (1 Corinthians 12:21-26). There are three key aspects which contribute to identification and fruitful enjoyment of your spiritual gift: 

Attitude: Humility (Romans 12:3) and Love (1 Corinthians 13)

Availability: Romans 12:6-8 describes how believers are to use their gifts: with faith, generously, diligently, cheerfully. As God gives a heart of loving humility, we begin to serve others wholeheartedly. 

Assessment: As a believer keeps in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26), studies the Scriptures related to Spiritual gifts, and cheerfully serves in the body, God will begin to use that person as a blessing to other believers. Personal joy and spiritual blessing to others in specific ministries are key indicators of potential gifts. As we ask for wisdom (James 1:5) and rest in the Spirit's intercession for us (Romans 8:26-27), God will guide us toward our niche of most effective ministry. 

I've heard that Jesus is now reigning on the throne of David. Is he? 

When Jesus ascended to heaven, he was exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33; 1 Peter 3:22) where He is interceding for His followers (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25), building His Church (Matthew 16:18; Ephesians 4:11-16) through His Spirit-led followers (John 14:25-27; John 16:7-15), preparing a place for them (John 14:1-3) and sovereignly guiding the supernatural and natural realms (1 Peter 3:22; Colossians 1:16-18) toward "times of refreshing" when God fulfills all of His promises to the Church, Israel, and the world at the end of human history (Acts 3:17-26). 

Currently, Jesus is seated at the right hand of His Father's throne (Hebrews 12:2). He is the King of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16) but He is not yet seated on David's throne which is an earthly throne in Jerusalem from which David's descendant, the Messiah will rule (2 Samuel 7:11-16; Luke 1:31-33). The use of Acts 2:22-46 to link the Davidic throne with Jesus' heavenly rule tends to emphasize theological projection more than a clear connection within the Text. 

Questions - Wednesday

If there is no more prophesy to be fulfilled, why do you think Jesus hasn't returned? 

Peter tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 that at least one reason Jesus has not returned is that He is patient and gracious. Although Jesus' coming for His church will be a time of great rejoicing for those of us who have placed our faith in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17), it will be a time where wickedness on the earth is dramatically increased (Matthew 24:21) and a time of intense judgment on those who have chosen to reject Jesus Christ (Matthew 24:31).  By holding off His return, Jesus is demonstrating grace and patience in order to give all men an abundance of opportunity to turn to Him. 

Questions - Tuesday

My baby slept through your whole sermon, Ken. Where can I get your tape to help my baby sleep through the night?

CDs are available in the main lobby after every service. Also, you can view or listen to sermons online either on our website or by subscribing to the audio or video podcast on iTunes. Previous sermons are available as well so you might want to invest in a docking station for your iPod, download 8 or 9 hours worth of sermons, set that puppy on "repeat," and enjoy a full night's sleep! 

You say nothing else must be fulfilled [before Jesus returns for His Church], But what about every people group hearing the Gospel. I know we are close, but some have yet to be reached.

We received several versions of this question and will flesh out an answer in even greater detail in two weeks.  In short, there are several prophecies that must be fulfilled before the Second Coming of Christ to the earth. Matthew 24 records many of these prophecies including the one you reference (24:14), the revelation of "The Antichrist" (Revelation 13:4-18), and others. However, it is important to distinguish between the rapture of the Church (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18) and the Second Coming of Jesus to the earth (Acts 1:11; Revelation 19:11-21). Many signs will precede His coming to the earth, but nothing needs to be fulfilled in order for the rapture to happen. It could happen at any moment. 

Does God hear us the same when we pray out loud or pray silent? Are both heard by God?

When Jesus taught on prayer He placed the emphasis not on the volume or the mode of prayer, but the heart behind the prayer (Matthew 6:5-13). Jesus Himself modeled both out loud (John 17) and silent (Matthew 14:13) prayers. The indication from Scripture is that God hears both and responds to both. 

Questions - Monday

When you pray, how do you know the answer is from God?

Yesterday, this question came up in the second service and Ken responded that God always answers prayer as a loving Father who knows what is best for His children. He either answers "yes," "no," or "wait." 

But there is a second part to this question he didn't have time to answer yesterday: When you receive a "yes," "no," or "wait," how do you know that answer is from God? To put it more practically, if you have been praying for a job and receive a job offer, how do you know that specific job offer is God's answer? 

Here are a few questions to ask as you wade through whether or not the answer in front of you is God's answer. 

1. Is it in line with Scripture? James 1:17 indicates that God's answers to prayer are consistent with His character. God will not contradict Himself. If a perceived answer to your prayer explicitly contradicts Scripture, you can know with certainty it is not God's answer to your prayer. If the issue in question does not contradict Scripture, you can move on to the next question. 

2. What do wise, godly people say? Proverbs 13:10 indicates that there is wisdom in the counsel of others. If you are wondering whether or not God's answer to your prayer, it is never a bad idea to seek counsel from other godly, wise people who can help you think through whether or not an answer is from God. 

3. Can I honor God in this? Above all, our lives are supposed to be lived in such a way that God can be honored (2 Corinthians 5:20; Matthew 5:14-16), because God delights in revealing Himself to the world. If the answer to your prayer (say, a job offer) does not contradict Scripture or the wise counsel of others, but does not give you the opportunity to shine a light on who God is and what God has done, it is wise to wait until an answer comes along that gives you that opportunity. 

If you have prayed about something and have an answer before you that is in line with Scripture and wise godly counsel, and gives you the chance to honor God, the best option is to move forward thanking God for answering your prayers. Rest in God's sovereignty and know that He will always bless the heart that is seeking ways to honor Him. You may accept a job feeling as though it is the answer to your prayers only to find out two years later that another job is a better fit for you. But throughout that process you have lived obediently to God, sought wise counsel, and moved forward in a way that gave you the ability to honor God. You cannot go wrong with that! 

As a related note: This is one of the reasons it is so important to pray specific prayers. "Lord bless my child" is a prayer worth praying. "Lord, provide a godly spouse for my child" is a specific prayer that gives you the double joy of allowing you to rejoice when God specifically answers your prayer. When your prayers are specific, you have a better chance of knowing when the answers are directly from God.

Questions - Thursday

Why did Jesus observe the Law and festivals? Should we? 

According to Matthew 5:17-18, Jesus came to fulfill the Law and the prophets. His obedience to the Law revealed His perfect holiness and His faithful obedience. His birth (Isaiah 7:14; Micah 5:2), ministry (Isaiah 61:1-2), death (Psalm 22; Isaiah 53) and resurrection (Psalm 16:7-11) demonstrated prophetic accuracy. While we are free to celebrate Jewish festivals in ways that reflect Jesus as God’s fulfillment of Messianic promises, we are not obligated to do so (Acts 15:28-29). The Law points us toward Christ (Galatians 3:21-25) so that we can follow Him through the power of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:1-16) without focusing on the requirements of the Law.

Does God love everyone? Please use references and explain Romans 9 if He does love everyone.

God is love (1 John 4:7-10) and He demonstrated perfect love when Jesus willingly died on the cross in our place (Romans 5:8). God loves the world (John 3:16), and according to John's usage of the word "cosmos" throughout his Gospel, "world" includes everyone. God’s loving goodness to all people is also expressed by every tangible and relational blessing He provides in this earthly existence (James 1:17). Even though we rebelliously go our own way (Isaiah 53:6), God persists in His kindness (Acts 14:15-17). 

While every person experiences God’s love in these earthly ways, John 6:35-44 emphasizes God’s gracious initiative in drawing individuals toward faith in His Son. When a person “looks to the Son and believes in Him” (John 6:40), agreeing with God about their sin and accepting Jesus’ death on the cross as full payment for their sin, they begin a relationship with God that will last forever.   

In Romans 9, Paul grapples with our perspective of God’s sovereignty as He works in different ways in people’s lives. It also wrestles with why God does not show the same degree of mercy to everyone.  Reflecting on God’s dealings with Jacob and Esau as well as Moses and Pharaoh, Paul asserts that God has mercy on whom He wants to have mercy and He hardens whom He wants to harden.” (Romans 9:18) Paul anticipated the logical question, “Why does God still blame us?” His answer is, “Who are you to talk back to God?” (Romans 9:19-20) God is portrayed as a potter who has the right to work in different ways in different people. After two more chapters of affirmation for both God’s sovereignty and our responsibility in our choices, Paul does not resolve this tension. Instead, he urges us to worship the gracious, loving, sovereign God with gratitude and humility. We may not be able to fully grasp how God works in our salvation, but even a child can understand that when we trust Jesus for our forgiveness, He is faithful and just in cleansing us from sin (1 John 1:9). Focus on our opportunity to tell others about Jesus, trust that God is faithful to His promises and purposes and worship God whose ways are beyond our full comprehension.

Questions - Wednesday

Does "No Regrets Confidence" give me freedom in future decisions? 

"No Regrets Confidence" will give you confidence to move into the future, but it is actually God's sovereignty that gives you freedom in future decisions. As you walk with Christ in the confidence of His power and love for you (Romans 8:31-39), you have the freedom to make future decisions knowing that God is in complete control, gives wisdom to those who seek it (James 1:5), and makes a smooth path for those who trust Him (Proverbs 3:5-6). Because of His resurrection we have a living hope (1 Peter 1:3) for the future and can lean into future decisions with confidence and freedom, because we know He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). 

If we are made in God's image, why do we sin and need salvation? 

Being made in God's image (Genesis 1:26-27) does not mean we are exactly like God in every way. We are not exact replicas of God, but have been set apart from the rest of creation as His special representatives. We know that God has created us to live in community, as a representation that the Triune God co-exists in perfect unity (Isaiah 48:16; Matthew 28:19; John 10:30; John 17:22; Galatians 3:15; 1 John 5:7). We are given dominion over the earth and display God's glory in a unique way to the rest of the creation in order that we might represent God on the earth (Genesis 1:28; Psalm 8:3-6). 

One of the most glaring ways we are we are unlike God is that we chose to abuse our decision-making capacity in such a way that we chose not to represent God as we were created to (Genesis 3:1-7).  That sin brought separation from God, and put us each in dire need of salvation. 

Questions - Tuesday

Why do we stand to read the Bible? 

We don't always stand to read the Bible, but we do from time to time. The primary reason for standing is to change posture in honor and respect of God's Word. When an honored guest enters a room it is polite to stand as you greet them as a demonstration of honor. Similarly, we attempt to demonstrate honor and respect when we stand to read Scripture because we hold God's Word in such high regard. 

Why did God say that without faith (as opposed to "loving others" or some other good quality) it is impossible to please Him? 

The passage you reference is Hebrews 11:6. "Faith," in this instance, means choosing to live as though what God has said is true. If we are doing "good" works, but doing them for some purpose other than to honor God, our good works are an offense to God. If we are doing the right things for the wrong reasons, ultimately we are doing the wrong things since God is primarily concerned with our heart! Scripture is pretty clear that even the best things we do apart from God fall short of His standard (Romans 3:10-18; Romans 8:7-8) because they are done with an inaccurate understanding of the One who is the Source of everything good (James 1:17). God does not want us to earn our way to Him or try to prove our way without Him. God wants us to trust Him to save us (Acts 16:31), empower us (Acts 1:8; Ephesians 5:18) and work within us to do good (Galatians 5:24-25, Philippians 1:6 1 John 4:4). Without coming to Jesus Christ through faith as God has required, God cannot be pleased with any "good" work we do. 

What are some creative ways to share my faith and help my friends grow in their walk with Christ? 

The most creative way to share your faith is to recognize that you are sharing your faith every moment of every day. Every decision you make, large or small, demonstrates something about who you believe God to be. When it comes down to a conversation with someone close to you, most people already know what you really believe about Jesus Christ before you tell them. 

Beyond that, it helps to be able to look for opportunities within normal conversation to turn the topic to spiritual things. A conversation about the weekend allows you to tell a person what you are doing on Sunday, and to ask if they have any kind of spiritual convictions. A conversation about your children allows you to ask what the number one concern your friend has for their children. If they are polite conversationalists, they will turn the question back around to you and give you the opportunity to share your perspective on the importance of having eternally focused children who have a relationship with Christ. 

The best advice I have ever received in sharing my faith is to ask lots of questions. If you politely ask genuine questions about another person's spiritual beliefs, you will (1) prove that you care about the individual, (2) allow them to articulate their beliefs, which often leads to them questioning their own positions, (3) give them the chance to ask you what you believe in polite conversation. You can never go wrong asking polite questions. 

That advice is also helpful in helping friends grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ. As you begin to show an interest in them, modeling Christlike friendship, you will give yourself the context through with you are able to encourage them spiritually. 

Be creative. I know a lot of moms who would leap at the chance to get together with a few close friends to pray for their children. I know many men who would get pretty excited about meeting for breakfast or lunch to discuss how biblical principles could help make them a better businessman, or father, or husband. You don't have to "teach" them, you just have to be an initiator who invites a friend (or group of friends) to grow alongside you.