Did God Really Say Session 10 | Misc. Topics 1. My sister has sort of a karma philosophy. She says 'if you put good out into the world, you will get good back. If you put bad out into the world, you get bad back!' How do I explain that it's not about good works = good or bad = bad? I want my sister to know that God loves her no matter what and that bad things can happen to good people. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Romans 3:21-26 But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, 22 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 26 to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Apologia Sermon Series-Sept-Nov. 2021 http://Catalystnwa.com/cultishclass 2. What does the Bible say about the age of the earth? When God created the land and water does this justify the science of the tectonic plates and shifting of the continents? Refer to David’s message on Science and the Bible being complimentary. History and science are different. “You cannot find out what Napoleon did at the battle of Austerlitz by asking him to come and fight it again in a laboratory with the same combatants, the same terrain, the same weather, and in the same age. You have to go to the records. We have not, in fact, proved that science excludes miracles: we have only proved that the question of miracles, like innumerable other questions, excludes laboratory treatment.” CS Lewis in The Grand Miracle. Genesis 2:4 This is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and the heavens, Three common beliefs: Young Earth Creationism, Old Earth Creationism, Theistic Evolution. There is a great deal of discussion and debate about this within the Christian Church. Very godly Christians who hold scripture as the ultimate authority and are quite knowledgeable continue to wrestle with this topic. Some people understand the age of the earth to be fairly young and point out that Adam and Eve appear to be created with age so it would seem appropriate that the earth could also have apparent age as well. This view is generally called “young earth creationism.” This view generally states that the earth was created just over 4000 years ago in seven 24-hour days. There are many variations withing this view that would posit the “days” are time periods, and we remember the verse “do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.” 2 Peter 3:8. So some young earth creationists see the earth as being less than 15K years old. Other views include an understanding that the Genesis account is recording an order and that the age of the earth could be much older. They would note that the fourth day (they would call an age) is when the sun is recorded to rule the day and that this could include the idea that these are not literalistic 24-hour days. Some with this view also ponder that the Bible does not record when angels were created and when they rebelled, but we see from the beginning that the Devil is in the garden. This view is generally referred to as “old earth creationism.” Both of these views agree strongly that God is the creator, and that man was made in an instant in His image. These views should not be confused with Theistic Evolution that claims man came through evolution by God’s plan. Theistic Evolution does not appear to be supported by scripture. There are several other views on the age of the earth but most fall into these loose categories. The first two of these views have a long history of being held that predates Charles Darwin. Church fathers that held an older view of creation include Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Augustine who even changed his view during his lifetime. Theistic Evolution came about as a way to harmonize Darwinian Evolution to the Bible. 3. Did God really tell the Israelites it’s good to lust after food? Deuteronomy 12:15 Answer: Deuteronomy 12:15 15 “However, you may slaughter and eat meat within all your gates, whatever your heart desires, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you; the unclean and the clean may eat of it, of the gazelle and the deer alike. 1 Timothy 4:1-5 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. 4. That I struggle with and seems to be debated frequently is the use of marijuana. Now it's not only marijuana but the use of CBD. I see the use of marijuana as a gateway drug, and I have always been firmly against it. My wife and I have been through multiple struggles with my oldest son on this topic. Is it considered like alcohol where it's something that is allowed but not in excess? Many youth are dealing with the pressure of marijuana, not only with the typical use but now with THC vaping has become as huge issue. Not exactly sure where the Bible is on this topic as it's not specifically mentioned. Any thoughts or direction would be appreciated. Answer: The legal vs moral. Legal vs. sin. Legal vs wise. Some people can casually drink alcohol or smoke marijuana but become addicted to prescription pain meds. US Department of Health and Human Services: In 2019, an estimated 10.1 million people aged 12 or older misused opioids in the past year. Specifically, 9.7 million people misused prescription pain relievers and 745,000 people used heroin. Lustful behavior vs. medically or naturally appropriate. Genesis 1:29 And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Sometimes we choose a crutch that we should be allowing the Holy Spirit to fulfill. Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. I Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s. Titus 2:1-3 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine: 2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience; 3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things— 1 Peter 4:1-6 Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries. 4 In regard to these, they think it strange that you do not run with them in the same flood of dissipation, speaking evil of you. 5 They will give an account to Him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. Romans 13:13-14 Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. 14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. 5. Why did God allow people to be born attracted to the same sex, yet also have it be a sin? Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned Romans 6:15-19 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? 17 But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. 19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness. Book-Is God anti-gay? Sam Allberry Recommended Reading Amazon List- https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/KDME7M61U3D4?ref_=wl_share Pain of Porneia Series and Resources- https://www.catalystnwa.com/painofporn 6. Was Jesus involved in Politics? “To let politics become a cesspool and then avoid it because it is a cesspool, is a double crime.” -Howard Crosby What hill are you willing to die on? For me it’s the gospel not nationalism or politics. 7 Thoughts on Politics in America 1. Politics is earthly, we are heavenly No politician or election is our savior Our first allegiance is to Jesus. Politics is one tool among many that we use to better our country. Our eyes must ultimately be on the main prize, the Great Commission. Our battle is more spiritual than natural, cultural, political, societal. America is a great nation but is quickly moving away from Christ. “Jesus was not involved in politics”. (Where did Jesus spend a lot of his time?) · Sanhedrin · High Priest · Elders · Pharisee and Sadducee · Scribes https://www.voterview.ar-nova.org/VoterView Message on Politics 2020: https://vimeo.com/440382419 Genesis 3:1 The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Take Away: Communion and consecration