Why? Sermon Series Starts This Sunday!
I’m jazzed about kicking off our new series this Sunday called “Why?”
On July 19th we asked everyone in the CCV congregation to answer one question: “If you could ask God any question and you knew he had to give you an answer, what would you ask him?”
We received stacks and stacks of index cards full of profoundly moving questions (and not so moving, like “Why did you create men without communication skills?”).
Here are the ones we’re going to tackle…
(Aug 2) "Why in the world would God allow me to experience so much crap in my life?"
(Aug 9) "I find it absolutely ridiculous to think that God would send an amazingly good person to hell. Will he do that?"
(Aug 16) "How do I know I’ll be chosen?"
(Aug 23) "I trust science way more than your Bible. Prove to me scientifically there is a God."
I’m kinda nervous to say the least. Got any suggestions for me? Resources? Things to include?
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Comments (11)
Lorayne VanDeventer on Jul 29, 2009 10:16am
Brian has your team seen the Why curriculum? We did that here as a Sunday morning series and an aligned Small Group study. We also had a scientist, Dr Richard Swenson, in one week that spoke at our morning services and he spoke again in the evening. You can hear the morning messages at this link http://manchesterchristian.com/sermon/ and then scrolldown to May 2008. ope you find something helpful there. We may even have some of the Why? books around.
Dick Alexander on Jul 29, 2009 10:19am
Suggestions? Pray Jesus comes back really soon!
Natalie Cimonetti on Jul 29, 2009 10:22am
I remember once as a child I was listening to a Family Radio ministry about the "Book of Life" and how if you're name wasn't in it you weren't going to get into Heaven. I panicked until the radio minister said that we shouldn't worry because if our names weren't in it, we wouldn't even be worried about it in the first place and that made me feel a lot better :)
Natalie Cimonetti on Jul 29, 2009 10:24am
oops! misspelled "your", this thing needs an edit option...lol
Diane Stortz on Jul 29, 2009 10:36am
Ahh, Brian. Really good questions. And I know you'll use the Book, and Second Guessing God, and speak with great compassion. I'll be listening in!
Mike Edmisten on Jul 29, 2009 2:37pm
Dang! This is going to be a smokin' series...if the sermon prep doesn't kill you!
Brett McFarland on Jul 29, 2009 5:46pm
My question is not why does God allow bad things to happen - that's easily answered with the whole "free will" thing. My question would be, why would God create man to have such evil will?
Michele Sapovits on Jul 29, 2009 6:26pm
In answer to your initial question (and I am sorry to have missed the sermon "live", but thank you for podcasting!): Does He evolve? It seems like He has created everything to change, but does God change, even if ever so slightly? I'm not trying to ask Him for a self-evaluation, just curious to know about the environment in which He is working.
Keith Ham on Jul 29, 2009 10:16pm
Go to Africa, soon! No really, I would catch up on my C.S Lewis, "Problem of Pain" and the chapter on "pride" in Mere Christianity.
Greg Sidders on Jul 29, 2009 11:20pm
Brian, a few years ago we did a series at the church I pastor called "If You Could Ask God One Question." We polled the community, not just the congregation, and these were the 5 questions we answered:
-Why did You create us?
-What can you tell me about my future?
-Why do bad things happen to good people?
-What is heaven like?
-Which religion is the right one?
It turned out to be our best outreach series ever.
I like your titles better ... God bless you as you teach the WHY series!
Greg from Sunridge Community Church, Temecula, CA
Nate Wolff on Jul 31, 2009 10:59am
I've often come across people who want proof of the existence of God. My answer is that if God could be scientifically/mathematically proven, there would be no freedom of choice. Right now people could argue that 2+2=5 but no one does because we can prove otherwise. If there were an equation or scientific proof, it would just be the universally accepted way of thinking. If everyone knew there was a God because it is proven, who would chose to not acknowledge it? God designed our relationship so that a measure of faith is required. By requiring this faith, he’s showing the ultimate expression of love by allowing people to reject him.