October 23, 2014

"but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;" I Peter 3:15

How do you respond to one who is skeptical of your faith?

That is the final question to be addressed in the four week series following up the "God's Not Dead" movie.

Keep in mind there are generally two categories of skeptics - religious skeptics and non-religious skeptics. Each have their unique challenges in confronting their skepticism.

Religious skeptics can be challenging because they are often self- righteous or self-satisfied about what they believe. Trying to communicate your faith with them is like trying to explain thirst to a fish. They are so absorbed with their "water" they miss the point of it.

On the other hand, non-religious skeptics can be so enamored with their intellect, their education and scientific theories that they lose their objectivity in searching for truth. They trust their "pat answers: more than they value new ideas.

So, how do you make a convincing argument with skeptics of those mindsets?

We have given you some good ammunition you could use in an argument but sometimes your argument is not as important as the your attitude.

As a Christian it is always our goal to win people's hearts, not judt winning arguments. How many times have you won an argument but lost ground in a relationship? 

The Apostle reminded the young pastor, Timothy, "The goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith." I Timothy 1:5

In our chosen text for this devotional, Peter reminds you to make your defense "with gentleness and reverence".

Stop and remember for a moment, when you came to faith in Christ was it because of a compelling argument someone made with you OR was it because of the quality of the love they showed toward you? If you were won more by an attitude than by an argument, how should you then approach others?

A powerful Biblical illustration of how to approach people who are far from God is the father in Jesus' parable of the Prodigal Son. Luke 15:20 records, "So he (the son) got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him and ran and embraced him and kissed him."

When you defend your faith, do it first with that same loving compassionate attitude demonstrated by the father. Make sure you are filled with the fruit of the Holy Spirit; love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, and self-control when discussing your faith.

You don't like a know-it-all and neither do I. Don't try to impress others with how much you know but first show them how much you care!

"with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth."  II Timothy 2:25

October 22, 2014

"So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord! But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe." John 20:25

Have you ever heard news that was so good you had trouble believing it?

Thomas has been vilified over the years as "Doubting Thomas" because he hesitated to accept the report of the appearance of the Resurrected Jesus. But was it doubt that Thomas struggled with or was it the fear of being disappointed?

I suspect it was the latter but we will never know for sure. Since we are talking about confronting skeptics, this story of Thomas reminds me that dealing with skepticism sometimes requires overcoming our own skepticism. That was the case with Thomas. It is often the case with me.

How about you?

Perhaps you are thinking, "Brad, are you saying I should have no skepticism at all? Am I supposed to believe everything I hear?"

My answer, "No and yes!"

I think Thomas is a good case study for the issue of skepticism. I say that based on how Jesus responded to him.

When Jesus appeared to Thomas he didn't condemn him He simply offered Thomas the proof he had asked for:

"A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe.” Thomas said to him, “My Lord and my God!” Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” John 20:26-29

There is a skepticism that wants to believe but needs some help and there is a skepticism that is looking for reasons NOT to believe. Thomas is an example of the former. Jesus knew that and that's why He responded as He did to Thomas. But He also urged Thomas to grow beyond his skepticism. 

If you are thinking, "How do I grow beyond my skepticism?" 

Let me offer a few ideas from this incident:

1) Consider the source

Thomas heard of Jesus' post-resurrection appearance from the other disciples. These were men he knew and loved and should have trusted. When he saw their excitement and sensed their passion, he should have dropped his guard and believed their report.

When you hear something from people you know and love and trust you have far less need for skepticism. However, if your source is less reliable then your level of skepticism should rise.

2) Consider the Scripture

Whenever you hear a report, even from reliable people, always run the report through the filter of God's Word.  If the report is consistent with the truth of God's Word and if it comes from trustworthy people, then you can drop your skepticism and lift up your faith.

In Thomas' case, Jesus had clearly told Thomas and the other disciples that He would be killed and He would rise again on the third day. So when Thomas heard his Brothers give this exciting report about the Resurrected Jesus, he should have believed and joined their celebration!

Skepticism is a natural human response. Some people are naturally more skeptical than others. But Thomas shows you that your skepticism doesn't have to turn you into a doubter! Learn to use your skepticism as a gateway to stronger faith!

October 21, 2014

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." I Peter 3:15

Following up on the thought-provoking movie "God's Not Dead", we have spent this month firming up our faith with reasons to believe by addressing there three questions:

1) If God exists, why would he allow so much suffering and evil?
2) Is faith blind?
3) Do all roads lead to Heaven?

This week we will address on final question in an attempt to help you apply what you have learned by equipping you to respond to those who are skeptical about your faith? So, "How should you respond to skeptics?"

First, you should have an awareness.

It is good to be aware of why you believe as you do, but you also should attempt to discern what is driving the skepticism of this person.

As I review the movie in my mind I recall four examples of skeptics who were driven by four different reasons for their skepticism. Let me help you recall how each of them illustrate causes of skepticism.

• Ayisha’s father–some people are not interested in the gospel at all, and are even violently opposed to it.

Ayisha was the Muslim girl in the movie who was eventually disowned by her father when she refused to renounce her Christian faith.

His skepticism was caused by his antagonism against Christians that is inherent in his Christian faith.

• Professor Radisson–some just want to argue, to contest truth no matter what proofs are presented.

The professor is typical of many skeptics who became angry with God because of some disappointment he had attributed to God. In the case of the professor, he prayed for his mother to be healed but when she died it crushed his faith and planted seeds of bitterness in his heart. Early in life as a heart-broken child, he became disillusioned with God.

• Amy–some are content with their life, as she seemed to be when dismissing Willie’s invitation to church, “No thanks.  I’m good.”

Amy was the reporter who ambushed Willie and Kory Robertson on their way into church. Her skepticism was driven by an agenda. As a journalist she was trained to be skeptical by nature. Add that to her ambition to become a well-known writer on the national scene and she was driven to create controversy that would attract readers.

• Martin Yip–and some are honestly searching for the truth about God, even someone from a communist country who knows nothing of Jesus Christ.

Martin's father was a wealthy business man back in his atheistic home country of China. Having been raised by atheistic parents in an atheistic culture he had discounted the existence of God and had never cultivated a spiritual faith.

Martin's skepticism was the result of his spiritual ignorance toward God and Christians.

If you practice your faith and live a Godly life, you will meet with skepticism from non-believers. Skeptics will not understand your faith nor will they understand your need for faith. Because they have intellectually rationalized their neglect of faith, they will consider you simple or lacking intelligence because of you believe strongly in God.

When you encounter a skeptic who ridicules you or rejects you due to your faith. Don't allow yourself to become defensive. Remember there is a story behind their skepticism. Seek to discover the reason behind their doubts:

Antagonism?

Anger?

Ambition?

Atheism?

A better understanding of their skepticism with help you be more patient and sympathetic when dealing with this person. It will give you better insights into how you should pray for this friend. 

With prayer and patience God may be able to eventually use you to turn their skepticism into faith!

October 20, 2014

“Give us this day our daily bread.” Matthew 6:11

Bread was associated with some significant events in Jesus’ earthly life and ministry.

When He was tempted in the wilderness following a 40 day fast, He was challenged to turn stones into bread. That indicates two things about Jesus: (1) He COULD have done it; and (2) there was a hungry human part of Him that wanted to do it! But He preferred being the Bread of life to having a bite of bread and He responded, “Man should not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from God.”

Of course, there were the two miraculous feedings – the 4,000 and the 5,000 – using just a couple loaves of bread each time.

There was the intimate final meal He had with His disciples on the evening before His arrest and subsequent crucifixion. Near the end of that meeting He took bread and broke it and passed it out to His disciples to eat it in commemoration of  His sacrificial death  – something He was preparing to do for them.

What does this mean for you? It means that because of Jesus, God understands your hunger. Having been hungry His self and having enjoyed feasts with His friends, Jesus understood and appreciated the importance of tasty satisfying bread! And, by feeding several thousands of people through supernatural means, He proved His ability to feed anyone who is hungry.

I saw Him provide for my family on three seperate occasions we sat down to eat with barely enough to go around. We had a partial loaf of bread and a mostly filled gallon of milk. Counting kids at the table against the number of slices of bread on the table we knew it would be close. Each time we said grace and thanked God for His goodness to us.

On one of those occasions, we were still praying grace when a knock came at the door. Going to the door my mother saw my Little League baseball coach standing with a stringer of freshly caught fish that he gave to us. We were amazed at the goodness of God to provide for us that way.

One other time we were about to sit down for a less than complete meal and again someone knocked on the door. When we went to the door we saw a woman from our church standing there with a box of groceries to give us. Again, my brothers and sisters and I had a visual example of how God could provide!

The third time, was even more incredible because the person who appeared at the door at precisely the right time as an eccentric neighbor who hardly ever ventured out of his house, but there he stood with bags of groceries for our family!

God, on those three dramatic demonstrations, proved to us that He would “give us each day our daily bread”! We learned to trust Him more!

You can trust God to give you your “daily bread” and take good care of you! He is “Jehovah Jireh” your provider!

As your Father, He cares that you have what you need. And as your God He has the power to make it happen!

October 19, 2014

"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6

Imagine you are walking your dog in your neighborhood when a stranger pulls up to the curb and asks you for directions. That person is hoping you will give him very clear, simple and specific directions.

What will you do?

You start thinking about the way you should tell him to go, but then you get worried that when you tell him the one way he should go that he will be offended and call you intolerant and narrow-minded. So, you respond. "Well, you COULD go to your left at the next intersection and then go two blocks and take a left then go straight for a mile. OR, you could turn around and go back the way you came until you come to the intersection. Take a left at that intersection where you will turn right and go for five blocks. OR, you could take a right at the next intersection and go five blocks and take a lift at the Fire Department. You can choose whichever way you like because they will all get you to the same place - eventually. After all, it doesn't really matter which way you take as long as you are sincere."

You wouldn't do that. No one would. When someone asks you to show them the way you will direct him in the best way you know.

Why, then would you hesitate to direct someone to the one true way to Heaven, through faith in Christ?

And why should someone call you intolerant if you tell him that Christ is the only true Way to Heaven? 

If he expects clear and specific directions to his desired earthly destination, why should he be offended if you share clear specific directions for his eternal destination?

But, how can you do less than share the truth about how to get to Heaven when you know the way?

How can you do less than share the one way to Heaven when you believe in that way and when you have trusted in that way for your own eternal destiny?

If they ask you for directions, and if you know the way and if you are personally convinced of that way, why should you worry about them being offended? If you don't share the truth about Heaven for fear of offending him, you will be offending God and your own conscience.

You know you can't isolate yourself to Heaven as the Buddhists try to do by avoiding all attachments and distractions in life. So why would you direct anyone down that road?

You know you can't meditate yourself to Heaven as the Hindus try to do. So why would you ever want to someone to take that road?

You know you can't earn yourself to Heaven by way of good works like the Muslims and several major cults try to do. So why you ever want to tell someone else to go on that road?

The way to Heaven comes through a relationship because Heaven is about a Person! If Heaven was just a place, then maybe a religion could get you there, but it is about God! Heaven is His place! It is the place of His presence, and the place of His peace, and the place of His purity!

Jesus boldly declared that He is the ONLY Way to Heaven, so you if you are hesitant to say that there is only one way to Heaven, just quote the Words of Jesus, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by me!" 

Exclusive?

Sure! And you may be considered narrow-minded.

Intolerant?

Sure! And some day it might considered "hate speech" to say that  Christ is the only way.

True?

Absolutely!

October 18, 2014

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life." Titus 3:4-7

We have examined three possible roads to Heaven so far.

1) The Isolation Road - just separate and detach from all pain, suffering, and corruption of life and you will become holy. That is the mindset represented by Buddhism.

2) The Repetition Road - when things get too bad hope for better next time. This is the plan of the Hindus and New Agers who believe in reincarnation, essentially you live life in such a way that when it ends you will recycle into a better form.

3) The Exertion Road - by working harder and doing more good things you can earn your way into Heaven at the end of your life on earth. Muslims and many of the best-known cults.

4) The Relation Road - this idea is that God is a personal God Who craves a relationship with the people He created and then redeemed at the expense of His own Son. This road involves depending on what He has done for us rather than anything we can do for Him. Christianity follows this road and seeks to lead others to this belief. Christians believe that the purpose of faith is to enter into a spiritual relationship with God, not just enjoy the rewards of Heaven.

Christianity believes in the concept of grace, God's undeserved kindness expressed to us when He choose not to act justly toward us as our sins deserved, but to extend His mercy to us through the life and sacrificial death of Jesus, God's Son.

This is an idea so antithetical to the mind of man because it cannot be earned or achieved. It can only be received as a gift through faith.

Christianity's Founder, Jesus Christ, was born in Bethlehem, probably around 4 BC. At age 30, Jesus began to heal, teach and perform miracles while preparing His disciples to carry on His ministry. In AD 29 He was lynched, falsely accused, crucified, buried and resurrected from the grave. For 40 days He appeared to people before finally ascending into Heaven.

Ten days later, the Holy Spirit descended on Jesus' followers, empowering them to preach, heal and perform miracles. The Christian church was born and grew rapidly in Jerusalem and then spread abroad when it experienced intense persecution. Today, Christianity is the largest faith on earth with over 2 billions of followers. Current estimates indicate 100,000 people convert to Christianity each day.

John 3:16 explains how this conversion happens, expresses the grace that makes it possible and describes the relationship that results from responding to grace, "For God so loved the world that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."

John also records Jesus' own claim that He is the sole road that leads to God and to Heaven, "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by Me." John 14:6.

You will have to decide for yourself, or the decision will be made for you. Which road will you choose in your search for God and the security of Heaven?

Will choose Someone Who came from Heaven, went back to Heaven and promises to come again, OR someone who thinks he has been enlightened OR one who thinks he can earn his way?

October 17, 2014

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12

A third major religion we will review has the second largest number of adherents and it is Islam. One person in five worldwide is a follower of Islam.

Mohammed, the founder of Islam was born in Mecca, near the Red Sea, in 570 A.D to an upper-middle class family. At the time of his birth, his Arab people were polytheistic. Some say they worshiped a different god for each day of the year. Allah, the moon god was one of the many gods worshiped. Allah's symbol, the crescent, is still seen as the chief symbol of Islam today.

In 610 A.D. at the age of 40, Mohammed testifies to having a visitation from a spiritual being he believed to be the angel Gabriel. In the Koran he wrote that this spiritual being told him that Allah is the one true god and that he was the true prophet of Allah. 

Taking courage from this vision, Mohammed began to zealously teach his newly "inspired truth" demanding absolute submission to Allah. A system of moral laws called "sharia" was developed to guide the behavior of adherents to Islam. Those laws prescribe harsh and drastic penalties to those who do not submit to Allah and the central practices of the Five Pillars of Islamic faith:

1) Recite the shahada, ("There is no god but Allah, and Mohammed is his prophet.")

2) Pray (salat) five times a day facing Mecca.

3) Give (zakat) alms to the poor.

4) Fast (sawm) during the month of Ramadan.

5) Perform a pilgrimage (hajj) to Mecca at least once.

Muslims are taught that faithful performance of these Five Pillars of their faith will earn them entrance into Paradise. Their Paradise is a place of great happiness and enjoyment centering around sensual pleasures with virgins.

There is no mention in the Koran of how women benefit from Paradise.

It must be noted that during his lifetime, Mohammed conquered by the sword and commissioned his followers to continue the practice. He said, "Believers, make war on the infidels who dwell around you. Deal firmly with them. Know that God is with the righteous." (Sura 9:123) In at least 18 places in the Koran, Allah commands his followers to fight and kill the enemies of Islam. Sura 5:51 forbids a Muslim to ever take a Jew or a Christian as a friend.

The Muslims are divided into two main sects, the Sunnis and the Shi'ites. The split happened as a result of quarrels over who should succeed Mohammed following his death in 632 A.D. These two branches of the faith have warred against each other over the centuries.

To better comprehend what is happening in the Middle East right now you will need to do some research on the Sunni Shi'ite struggle and their end time beliefs about the Twelfth Imam. Prepare for some OMG moments!

Anyone paying attention to current events is well aware that Islam claims to be the one true way to God and to Heaven. They are so thoroughly committed to that belief they zealous seek to convert or kill all who disagree with them.

But their god, Allah, is not the God of the Bible Whom we worship and serve. So, obviously, since God dwells in heaven, their Paradise cannot be the same as our heaven. Allah is not presented as a personal god to be known in a personal relationship as our God is. 

Islam is gaining tremendous strength and influence  around the world because of the zeal and intensity of their beliefs. They have submitted and surrendered to Allah and count their own lives of value only in their service to him.

How can Christians hope to counter their influence unless we match their level of commitment and dedication?