Unquestioned Answers
Rejecting Simple Answers About Faith
It's Not My Place To Judge
October 24, 2021 • Dr. Carlo Serrano • Matthew 7:1–2, John 8:31–59
After Jesus’ death and resurrection, his followers couldn’t re-embrace a temple religion. They were left with Jesus’ odd assortment of commandments—impossible to imagine before the resurrection but made possible by the resurrection. These commandments would fuel a movement that changed the world. Perhaps the most popular commandment among those who don’t follow Jesus is “judge not.” It’s the one Christians are most often accused of violating. However, it’s also one of the most misunderstood of Jesus’ commands. BIG IDEA: If you’re going to judge, then judge like Jesus.
God is Good, All the Time
October 17, 2021 • Chris Edmondson • Job 23:2, Habakkuk 1, Habakkuk 3, Habakkuk 2
God is good, all the time. That proclamation is an unquestioned answer not because it is theologically suspect—it isn’t—but because it risks sounding naive and at the very moment when life tells us the exact opposite. What do you do when you don’t doubt God’s God-ness, but you question His goodness? Our problem might be that our perspective is too narrow. We’re only looking at what’s right in front of us, and don’t see the bigger picture. BIG IDEA: To see the goodness of God, zoom out to see the big picture by remembering.
Jesus Loves Me, This I Feel
October 10, 2021 • Chris Edmondson • 2 Timothy 4:9–16
A lot of people stall out or quit their faith journey because they get discouraged. Some just grow disillusioned because as hard as they try to get close to God, they still don't feel connected. Isn't it true that the more you grow in your faith, the more you'll feel God's presence? But what if your spiritual connection isn't always reflected in your emotional condition? BIG IDEA: You can't equate your emotional condition with your spiritual connection.