QUESTIONS & ANSWERS (125)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.   If you had one question you could ask God, what would it be?

1.    That is a difficult question to answer.

a.    Perhaps we feel we shouldn’t ask God any questions.

b.    Perhaps we already know the answer to the question.

c.    Perhaps we really do not want an answer.

2.    Let’s assume we do ask our question.

a.    God may answer it, and the answer enables us to understand.

b.    God may answer the question, but we still do not have a complete understanding.

c.    God may refuse to answer our question.  As the sovereign one, this is His prerogative.

 

B.   When we ask questions, on our Q&A Sunday, we are posing questions to God. 

1.    The preacher gives the answer, but his answer should spring forth from the Scriptures.

2.    Thus, he is just a spokesman for God.

3.    Luke 10:16

 

He that heareth you, heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

 

C.   This is the first Sunday of August.  It is our Q&A lesson.  We will be examining 3 questions today.

 

I.             QUESTION #1:  The Bible:  Life, not A Burden

 

A.   Stated:  How do we help people to come to understand that the Bible is life and not burden?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    When I first read this question, two things immediately came to my mind.

a.    John 10:10

 

…I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

 

1)    The word “life” in the Greek language is “zoe.”

2)    It means a full, abundant, animated life.

3)    Jesus came so that each human being can live life to the full.

4)    NOTE:  In order to explain how we can have the life Jesus wants us to have, there had to be communication between Jesus and man. 

a)    That communication is found in the pages of the New Testament of Jesus Christ.

b)    It is interesting that Paul refers to this covenant as “the law of the Spirit of life” in Romans 8:2.

b.    Hymn:  Wonderful Words of Life

 

Sing them over again to me,

Wonderful words of life;

Let me more of their beauty see,

Wonderful words of life;

Words of life and beauty,

Teach me faith and duty.

 

 

Beautiful words, wonderful words,

Wonderful words of life.

Beautiful words, wonderful words

Wonderful words of life.

 

c.    Listen to what these two things involve:  life, abundant life, wonderful words, wonderful words of life, and beautiful words.  These descriptions are a far cry from a word like “burden.”

2.    The view a person has of the Bible lies in one’s knowledge, training, understanding, discernment, and appreciation of what is found between Genesis 1:1 and Revelation 22:21.

a.    The Bible originates from a place other than the world (2 Tim. 3:16).

b.    It educates a different part of man than the world (i.e., food for the spiritual man, 1 Pet. 2:2).

c.    It transforms man differently than the world (Rom. 12:2; Eph. 4:22; Col. 3:10).

d.    It blesses differently than the world (Ps. 119:1-2; Jam. 1:25).

e.    It brings joy differently than the world (John 15:11; 1 John 1:4).

f.     It matures differently than the world (Phil. 1:9-11).

g.    It strengthens differently than the world (Col. 1:9-11).

h.    It satisfies differently than the world (1 Tim. 6:10-11)

i.     It makes promises that are other worldly (John 6:51; Rev. 22:14).

 

II.           QUESTION #2:  Our View of Wealth

 

A.   Question:  How is the Christian supposed to view wealth?

 

B.   Answer:

1.    This is an interesting question.

a.    If I were to ask:  “How many people in this audience are wealthy?  Most would not raise their hand.

b.    Yet, in the United States, those who live at the poverty line are wealthier than many in other countries throughout the world. 

c.    From a worldview, all of us are very wealthy individuals.

d.    And how we view wealth is a very important question.

2.    If I were to summarize how a Christian should view wealth, it would be with one word, “Beware.”

a.    The Bible does not condemn riches, but it certainly warns about the dangers thereof.

1)    Luke 18:25

 

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

 

2)    James 2:6b-7

 

Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before judgment seats?  Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

 

3)    1 Timothy 6:9

 

But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

 

b.    Riches can sprout sins such as pride, self-sufficiency, covetousness, wastefulness, contempt for the poor, revelry, etc.

c.    There are several rich individuals in Scripture who were faithful to God:  Job, Abraham, David, and, even, Martha.

d.    Here are three guidelines regarding riches.

1)    Riches are not to be loved (1 Tim. 6:10).

 

For the love of money is the root of all evil…

 

2)    Riches are not to be trusted (1 Tim. 6:17).

 

Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.

 

3)    Riches are to be used to assist others (1 Tim. 6:18).

 

That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate.

 

III.         QUESTION #3:  The School of Evangelism

 

A.   Question:  Tell us more about the Seminar we are having called:  “The School of Evangelism.”

 

B.   Answer: 

1.    We have been advertising The School of Evangelism Workshop” which will take place on August 22^nd & 23^rd.

a.    This course is conducted by Rob and Nicole Whitacre.

b.    It is a six-hour course, 2 hours on Saturday and 4 hours on Sunday.

1)    The program works, examples

2)    The power of the Word of God.

3)    A method:  Back to the Bible

4)    How to get a Bible study

5)    Difficult situations and Q&A

6)    Break out session, men and woman, application

c.    It is designed to create enthusiasm for evangelism and to give congregations a method to find and study with those who are lost.

2.    The success of this program will depend on us.

a.    First, we must have a good attitude about the seminar. 

b.    Second, we must participate in the seminar.

c.    Third, we must put the information from the seminar into practice.

3.    Word Association:  Evangelism

a.    Lost:  Mankind is lost in sin (Rom. 3:23).

b.    Good news:  Jesus, blood, the plan of salvation (Matt. 1:21)

c.    Mission (Matt. 28:18-20)

d.    Growth (John 15:8)

e.    Priority:  Jesus’ mission should be our mission (Luke 19:10).

f.     Crown:  Our converts will be part of our crown in eternity (Phil. 4:1; 1 Thess. 2:19)

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.   The Bible should not be a burden.  It should be a “wonderful” way of life.

 

B.   We must be careful of riches.  Only God can save us.

 

C.   The School of Evangelism will be here soon.  Let’s start preparing our minds for this event.