Reconstructing Faith
Judgment Before Gospel
July 30, 2023 • Connor Kraus
Why would I be a Christian when they are so judgmental? Many people leaving the church are asking questions like this. Many do not have a problem with what we believe, but rather have a problem with out behavior. The core message we are meant to proclaim is the Gospel. While the Gospel is "offensive" to the way many choose to live their lives, it does bring about life change. As Christians, we tend to argue over other things, like morality, with people who do not yet know or care for the Gospel. When we disagree and do not present the Gospel first and foremost, people outside of Christianity only see judgment. Our duty becomes then to express the Gospel in a way that it can be well received. We need to treat those outside the faith as Jesus did: with grace and mercy. At one point, we were ignorant of the truth too. We are commanded to be kind to a world that is resistant to what we believe. Our priority should be for evangelism, not condemnation.
Christian Division
July 23, 2023 • Connor Kraus
Why can't Christians just all get along? Christians do seem to get in a lot of fights with others and each other which can be off-putting to people looking from the outside. We are supposed to have unity in Christ but there are discrepancies in theology that diversify the Christian faith. Some of the reasons for division has been around since the very beginning of the church. Honestly, some of these theological differences can be worth splitting over and others not. In the end, we value unity in Christ, not division. However, division may be necessary if it interferes with truth.
The Importance of Church
July 16, 2023 • Spencer Kovach
Why go to church when you can just worship on your own? Reality is that church is not a perfect place and through Jesus's sacrifice, we have been given the ability to worship on our own. So why go to a physical church at all? The Christian life is meant to contain love, good works, and gathering together according to God's Word. So how do we build these good habits? We have to see that the goal is worth it. So, if going to church is a "good" habit, then we have to see the value in it. It is important for us to exert each other to be more loving and do good works. When we don't neglect to gather together, we are given the opportunity to comfort, provoke love, and encourage one another. We worship together, not alone.
Is the Bible Irrelevant?
July 9, 2023 • Connor Kraus
A growing number of Christians are believing the Bible is overall irrelevant. 1/5 Christians now say they believe in God and Jesus but not what the Bible says about it. Criticisms aimed at the Bible are typically biased in their own way. It is good to ask questions and have criticisms towards the Bible, but don't throw it all out as a result. Paul makes it clear in his writings to Timothy that he needs to be firm in his faith. the Bible is not irrelevant when it comes to understanding humanity and the world. Paul says all scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching. Jesus even affirms this after his resurrection. When you begin to take things out of the Bible that you don't think is true, you are redesigning the Bible in your own image.
Immoral Leaders
July 2, 2023 • Connor Kraus
Deconstruction is a critical dismantling of tradition and traditional modes of thought. Deconstruction of someone's faith is not inherently a bad thing, but it can be taken too far. After all, there are an abundant amount of criticisms that are completely valid towards the christian church. In this new sermon series, we will look at these various criticisms and break them down. For this week, out question is: why would I be a Christian when all the leaders have moral failures? Media loves to highlight the scandals that take place within churches and that is because scandals happen far too often. Certain Christian leaders have become idolized and put on a pedestal, and when they falter or fall, it can shake our own faith. We are not meant to follow these people who have become false idols. Instead, we are to follow God directly. Trust in the Lord. We worship God, not man.