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Tough Questions 2020

A sermon series from August 9 to September 6, 2020

God and Science

August 9, 2020 • Brian Jennings

HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTIAN CHURCH Tough Questions: Can I Believe in both God and Science? Sermon Handout, Discussion Questions & Resources (Brian Jennings, 8/9/20) (This is an outline of the sermon with added Questions – in italics – for you to ponder and discuss.) Why we do this series: Spiritual Growth Witness: Q. When was a time that you were left in awe? Part 1: Genesis 1 “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light” (Genesis 1:1-3). Part 2: Two polar-opposite opinions. Opinion 1: There is no God and everything in our universe is here by chance. A few enormous problems: Science can’t answer our deepest questions. Answers (without God) endlessly lead to more questions. Opinion 2: Science can’t be trusted unless it aligns perfectly with my view of the Bible. This position has problems as well. The Bible is uninterested in correcting scientific misunderstandings. We know a lot about the universe now that the Bible authors did not know. If we get it wrong, we might harm people. Remember Galileo? The literary style matters. I Sam. 2:8; Job 9:6; Ps. 75:3 all say that the earth sits on pillars. God is more concerned with communicating to them that God is in control and unconcerned about their scientific assumptions. And what about the Bible’s use of sunrise and sunset. Does the sun actually rise or is it the earth rotating? Q. Did you learn something new as you considered the problems of the two extreme positions? Part 3: Understanding the purpose of the Bible When it comes to the story of the creation of the world, the Bible cares a lot more about the Who and Why than it does the When and the How. Q. How does the Bible answer the questions of Who and Why? We believe, in essentials unity, and in non-essentials liberty and in all things charity. Q. What are the essentials and non-essentials in the discussion about the creation of the world? Part 4: Application Read the Bible as it was intended to be read. Don’t demonize scientists. Build bridges with people scientifically-inclined. Be cautious about publicly sharing stuff which you have little to no knowledge, especially without consulting your friends who do. If you love studying and exploring our world, attach your heart, not just your head, to God’s great creation. Renew your sense of awe. We’re thankful for you. Part 5: God wants to walk with you. The Bible begins with a beautiful garden where mankind is invited to walk with God. The Bible ends with a beautiful garden-city, where mankind is again invited to walk with God. Q. Will you set aside 20 minutes to go on a walk with God this week? Pay attention to nature. Pay attention to him. Talk with him. Listen to him. Q. Will you give thanks for Baxter’s baptism and pray for his spiritual journey? Resources The Late Great Ape Debate by Bayard Taylor The Lost World of Genesis One by John Walton The Works of His Hands: A Scientist’s Journey from Atheism to Faith by Sy Garte (and you can find his recent article in Christianity Today and an interview on the Quick to Listen podcast) American Scientific Affiliation - https://network.asa3.org/

Politics

August 16, 2020 • Brian Jennings

We will allow God’s Kingdom to transcend and inform our politics: 5 Warnings:

Justice

August 23, 2020 • Brian Jennings

HIGHLAND PARK CHRISTIAN CHURCH Tough Questions: What does the Bible say about Justice? August 23, 2020 Sermon notes and discussion questions Q: “What’s the first thing you think about when you hear the word justice?” Does God care about justice? God cares a ton about justice because he loves people more than we can imagine. Q: Read Matthew 23:23. How does this apply in our day? How does the Bible define justice? To do justice is to do what is right for someone else. Q: What is the connection between righteousness and justice. 5 principles of Biblical Justice All resources belong to God. I can’t claim what’s in my pocket, nor can I claim what’s in yours. A lot of the Proverbs can be summarized to tell us that the wicked person takes advantage of others for his own gain, but a Godly person disadvantages themselves for another person’s gain. All people are created in the image of God. Lev. 24:22 – “You are to have the same law for the foreigner as for the native born.” Q: What unlikely people did Jesus affirm? I have some responsibility for the sins of others. Dan. 9, Josh. 7, Numbers 16, I Sam. 15, Dt. 23 teach it. I’m fully responsible for my sin, but only partially for my outcomes. If I’m wealthy, it’s not all because of my good. If I’m hurting, it’s not all because of my bad. I’m responsible to act. God commands us over and over to show special concern for the poor and marginalized. Prov. 31:8-9 “Speak up for those who can’t speak up for themselves. Defend the rights of the poor and the needy.” Q: When was a time that someone spoke up for you? Q: Will you take the time to read Deuteronomy. 23:15 through ch. 25? What fuels injustice? Fear (Exodus 1 and Matthew 2) Prejudice (John 4). Greed (I Kings 21) Ignorance (Matthew 25) About the Bible About the plight of others Apathy (Matthew 20) Why is Biblical justice the best solution? Q: Why do attempts at justice without God always fall short? 2 Don’ts: Don’t chase a form of justice without God. Don’t dismiss Biblical justice because you see the faults in secular justice. Q: What did you learn about Biblical justice? Q: Why does God speak so much about justice? Q: Will you pray about these matters? Resources Whose Justice? Which Rationality? by Alasdair MacIntyre When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert (foundational book for our Food Pantry) Deep Justice in a Broken World by Chap Clark and Kara Powell (Biblically rich book designed for student ministries) Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen (founder of International Justice Mission) Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It) by Robert D. Lupton Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah I leaned heavily on Tim Keller’s research. I was pleased to hear so many trusted friends in the justice world recommend it to me. https://quarterly.gospelinlife.com/a-biblical-critique-of-secular-justice-and-critical-theory/ I highly recommend “The New Activist” podcast, produced by International Justice Mission. They’ve become faithful partners with Blackbox International.

Injustice

August 30, 2020 • Brian Jennings

To do justice is to do what is right for someone else. Q: Can you recap the stories of I Sam. 20:1-4 and John 11? The ABCDEs of responding to injustice. Acknowledge and lament. Q: Why would Jonathon’s dismissal of David’s plea for help (at first) be so painful? Q: Is there an injustice you’ve dismissed too quickly? Begin learning. Q: In what area should you learn through reading and relationships? Care for their whole being. Q: In what ways does HP care for people… …Physically? …Emotionally? …Spiritually? Discern what you should do. a. Am I called to engage? b. Is God providing me with the means, resources, gifting? c. Have I sought God’s guidance? d. Have I sought wise counsel? e. Are my heart and head in the right place? Do I need the credit or glory or spotlight? f. With whom will I partner? Engage. Q: Engaging may mean you defend others. Whom might God be calling you to defend? How can you do so in a way that honors Jesus? Andy Stanley says, “Do for the one what you wish you could do for everyone.” Wade Landers says, “God always tells you to start with what’s right in front of you. If he wants to expand that, he will.” All of this wrapped in prayer, in humility and prayer. The amazing thing about Jesus is that he entered into an unjust world. And he died for unjust people – people like you and me. Q: Is there a way that you can serve a family in need this semester? Extra: Want to explore another chapter with lots of “injustice” application? Read II Samuel 12. Resources Whose Justice? Which Rationality? by Alasdair MacIntyre Welcoming the Stranger: Justice, Compassion & Truth in the Immigration Debate by Jenny Yang and Matthew Soerens (If you want to learn about immigration, start here.) When Helping Hurts by Steve Corbett and Brian Fikkert (foundational book for our Food Pantry) Deep Justice in a Broken World by Chap Clark and Kara Powell (Biblically rich book designed for student ministries) Let Justice Roll Down by John Perkins Good News About Injustice by Gary Haugen (founder of International Justice Mission) Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help (And How to Reverse It) by Robert D. Lupton Prophetic Lament: A Call for Justice in Troubled Times by Soong-Chan Rah

Marriage and Singleness

September 6, 2020 • Brian Jennings

Tough Questions: How does God bless the married and unmarried? I Corinthians 7 9/6/2020 Brian Jennings Q. Read I Cor 7:1. If you were writing Paul about relationship/marriage matters, what would you ask him? Take the time to memorize I Corinthians 7:17 – “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them.” 4 Gifts From God – regardless of our relationship status: He gives us eternal identity - we are children of God. Gal. 2:20 says, “I’ve been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ now lives in me.” John 1:12: “To all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Q. When has your relationship status become your primary identity? How did this effect you? Your primary identity is not Single, Married, Engaged, Widowed, Divorced, Separated. Nope. You are a child of God. He gives us a spiritual family - we should live like it. Q. How does this crazy season of life offer opportunities for the church to live as family? There is an interesting progression in John’s Gospel as to how Jesus sees the disciples over the course of his ministry: 1. Followers - John 1:43 2. Servants - John 13:16 3. Friends - John 15:15 4. Brothers - John 20:17 He gives us restrictions that help us fly – we are wise to obey. Q. How are restrictions are like the string on a kite? Dr. Tony Evans “When any woman considers a man for marriage, they need to remember that before God gave Adam a wife, He gave him responsibility.” Q. How is following Jesus the foundation of healthy relationships. He gives us His presence - we are never alone. Resources Our staff is always glad to recommend you to a counselor. We have several excellent options from within HP and several not connected to HP. We like to give folks several great options. Let us know if we can help. Tim Keller’s book, “Meaning of Marriage,” is my all-time favorite book on marriage. Tony Evans offers great online resources here - https://tonyevans.org/tony-evans-christian-marriage/ Ozark Christian College offers a bunch of free “Next Level” video teachings. An 8-session series on marriage and love by Randy Gariss is excellent for people married or unmarried. https://occ.edu/series/married-and-in-love-coming-october-2017