The God Questions Series - Crossroads Community Church

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Amy's Message 8-30-09

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The God Questions Series

Sunday Morning Worship: New Series!! "THE GOD QUESTIONS" - If you have wondered and asked yourself tough questions about God or perhaps you have a friend who asks tough questions be sure to make it to church for the beginning of this great study.

If you would like to know more about this study check out "halseedbooks.com" and look for the link to "The God Questions". Books and study guides are already available. If you have been looking for a way to use your home and your spiritual gifts this may be your chance. Contact Pastor Jason 209-0171 if you are willing to host and lead.

Here is the line up for God Questions studies:

Sundays after church 11am-ish - Facilitator(s) Bonnie Henderson and team call 712-260-1404

Sunday nights in Terril - Facilitator Leslie Hayenga Adams - Call 712-331-1201

Tuesday nights 6pm Barb Cuthbertson's home - Facilitator Barb Cuthbertson - call 712-209-0888

Friday Mornings 6am HyVee (Men Only) Facilitator Pastor Jason call 209-0171

Looking forward to Fellowship and Study together with you in Christ,

Pastor Jason

For the current week, see under "This Sunday"

Below is the previous weeks Series, each has a flash video, a download of either mp3 or wmv format and the questions that were asked during the message.

Downloadable files

Introduction 11-01-09 WMV MP3

Is God Real 11-8-09 WMV MP3

Is the Bible True 11-15-09 WMV MP3

Do all Roads Lead to Heaven 11-22-09 WMV MP3

Whyis There Suffering 11-29-09 WMV MP3

What Happens When We Die 12-06-09 WMV MP3

Below are the Series in Flash video and their questions.

The God Questions Week #1 - How to Open Spiritual Doors - Introduction

During the sermon (updated when available) these are the questions being answered this week:

Colossians 4:2-3

1. _________ for an opportunity

a. Paul behind closed doors

b. When I act I get what I can _____.

c. When I pray I get what ____ can do.

2. Watch ______ the _________.

a. 2.Peter 3:9

b. Have conversations seasoned with ______

3. Create a _______ and _______ atmosphere.

a. John 1:43-46

b. John 4:29

4. __________________

a. People are waiting

b. Ecclesiastes 3:11

What to do with an open door?

1 Peter 3:15-16

1. Spend time in ____________

2. Be gracious in your ___________

3. Make sure you have a good ___________

Is God Real?

Psalm 19:1-2 "the heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge."

Everyone _______________ about God from time to time.

It's the nature of __________________.

What is faith?...It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see. (Hebrews 11:1) (NLT)

Pointers To God's Existence:

1. The existence of "______________"

...... the skies proclaim the work of his hands. (Psalm 19:1)

2. The nature of "_______________"

From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine natuare. (Romans 1:20)

3. My Sense of "___________ and __________"

Even when Gentiles, who do not have God's written Law, instinctively follow what the law says, they show that in their hearts they know right from wrong. They demonstrate that God's law is written within them, for their own consciences either accuse them or tell them they are doing what is right. (Romans 2:14-15) (NLT)

Is The Bible True?

Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.

Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

Is the Bible True?

The God Questions, Part 2

The Bible claims to be _____________.

"Flawless" = ___________________________.

1. Where the Bible came from:

1. Every book of the Bible was written by a ____________, an _________________, or someone with a ________________ to one. ...built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets...Ephesians 2:20

2. How the Bible is unique:

A. In its composition

1. It was written over _____ years.

2. By ____+ authors.

3. With different _______________.

4. In _____ different languages, from _____ different continents.

5. With _________ and ________ from cover to cover.

B. In Its Circulation

1. It's the single most _________ book in the history of the world.

C. In Its Translation

2. It's the single most ______________ book in the world

D. In its Durability

1. It has survived _____, __________, ridicule, and criticism.

E. In its Effect on People

1. They never get ________ with it.

2. It alters their view of the ____________.

3. It changes their ________ patterns

4. It changes their _________ and _________.

5. It changes their ____________.

6. It changes their view of ___________.

3. How the Bible has been copied and translated:

A. The Bible was written in ____, _______, and ______.

B. The Talmudim (A.D. 100-500) were ________.

C. The Massoretes (A.D. 500 - 900) were _____________.

D. The New Testament has ________ manuscripts to compare.

E. The English Bible is translated ____ from the ________ languages.

4. How Science and History compare to the Bible:

"Through the wealth of data uncovered by historical and archaelogical research, we are able to measure the Bible's historical accuracy. In every case where its claim can be thus tested. The Bible proves to be accurate and reliable."

Jack Cottrell, The Authority of the Bible, pp. 48-49

5. How Prophecy compares with the Bible:

A. _____ prophesies were fulfilled in Jesus' first coming.

B. The probability that even ___ of these would be fulfilled in one person is 10¹⁷

C. The probability that _______ of these would be fulfilled is 1 in 10¹⁴⁷. There are 10⁶⁶ atoms in the universe.

Do All Roads Lead to Heaven?

The God Questions, Part 3

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

The World’s Top 10 Religions:

#10 = Juche (“Self-Reliance”)

Followers = ___ million

Founder = Kim Il Sung, 1950’s

View of God = _______________

#9 = Sikhism

Followers = __ million, chiefly in

Punjab, India

Founder = Guru Nanak, 1469

View of God = _______________

Means to God = The Five “K’s”: 1. Kesa (“long hair”) 2. Kangha (“comb”)

3. Kacha (“short pants”) 4. Kachu (“metal bracelet”) 5. Kirpan (“weapon,”)

#8 = African Tradition Religion

Followers = ____ million, in Africa (+ places where Africans were enslaved)

View of God = __________________________________________

Means to God = _______________________

#7 = Primal-Indigenous

Followers = ____ million, including shamans (Siberia) andpagans (in Asia

and India) and smaller, pre-literate tribal belief systems.

Views = Similar to #8

#6 = Buddhism

Followers = _____ million

Founder = Siddharta Gautama (563-483 BC)

View of God = _________________

Means to God = _________________________

#5 = Chinese Traditional Religion

Followers = ____ million (mostly in China)

Founders = Lao-Tse (604-531 BC) and Confucius (551-479 BC)

View of God = _____________________________

(though Lao-Tse did become venerated generations later)

Means to God = __________________

#4 = Hinduism

Followers = _____ million Founded 1800 – 1000 B.C.

View of God = __________________________________________

Means to God = _________________________________________

View of Afterlife = _____________________

#3 = Secularism/Nonreligious/Agnostics/Atheists

Followers = ___billion (nonreligious Westerns, agnostics and

atheists in current and formerly-communist countries)

#2 = Islam

Followers = ____ billion Founder = Mohammed

View of God = ____________ Means to God = ________________

View of Afterlife = __________________

#1 = Christianity

Followers = ____ billion Founder = Jesus Christ

View of God = ______________ Means to God = ______________

View of Afterlife = __________________

If God is So Good,

Why Is There So Much Bad in the World?

The God Questions, Part 4

John 16:33

"In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Hard Answers –

1. Some of the harsh things in this world are initiated by a God who

is _______________________.

Will not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25

2. Normally, God does not violate the law of the harvest. Our

choices have _________________.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Galatians 6:7

Head Answers –

1. God is not the _____________ of evil and suffering.

Genesis 1, Genesis 3:18, Romans 8:22

2. Though suffering is not God, God ______ and ______ use it to

accomplish good.

A. God can use pain to ____________ people to Himself.

B. God can use trials to ____________ the character of His children. Romans 5:3, Hebrews 5:8

C. God sometimes disciplines His children to __________ us the

right path to take.

Hebrews 12:10-11, Romans 8:28

D. God uses bad circumstances to bring about ____________.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.“ Genesis 50:20

3. The day is coming when ____________ will cease and _______

will be judged. Revelation 21:4; Revelation 20:1-4;

4. Any suffering we experience in this life pales in comparison with

the ________ God has in store for His followers.

2 Corinthians 4:17; Romans 8:18

5. You get to decide whether your pain is going to ___________

you or _________ you.

The Heart Answer –

God promises to _________ with us in our pain and suffering, if we will let us.

Isaiah 42:5; Isaiah 43:1-3; John 16:33, Hebrews 13:5

This week's sermonis The God Questions Week #4 - What Happens When We Die?

James 4:14-15 Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Matthew 25:31-46

The Sheep and the Goats

³¹"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

³⁷"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

⁴⁰"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

⁴¹"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴²For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

⁴⁴"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

⁴⁵"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

⁴⁶"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."