As I said on Sunday morning, I love getting questions and suggestions about upcoming sermons. It enables me to shape the sermons around your questions and ensure they are relevant. Since the sermons are posted on the church's website, I don't mind questions from people who don't attend Lifepath.
The sermons in the coming weeks deal with basic fundamental Christian beliefs and why we hold them.
Why do Christians worship Jesus? Why should we believe the Bible? How does Jesus dying on a cross enable God to forgive us? What the heck is up with this Trinity business?
No question is too basic. If there is a question about what Christians are "supposed to believe," and you've always wanted to ask it, now is a great time!
Feel free to post your questions and suggestions in the comment section, or if you'd prefer, email your questions directly to me at escott@lifepathHouston.com
Thanks!
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14 comments:
Thanks for opening up this discussion on your blog Pastor.
One character in the bible who I am very curious about is Elijah. Your insight into him, why he was selected to witness so many amazing things we cant imagine and why he comes back around in the New Testament would be interesting. It seems to me that for whatever reasons, he was one of a very few who seemed to have personal contact with angels, God, Christ (during his resurrection?), chariots taking him away, great winds and earthquakes at his feet, and is said to be visible in advance of Christ's return.
If all true to scripture, he seems to be a very interesting subject for a study/sermon.
Great questions. Keep them coming.
Hi Pastor Scott, first I want to say "WOW", I just took the time to check this out as I'm totally new to blogging. I spent quite some time reading from beginning to now and have enjoyed it. It's all so down to earth, very informative and interesting. Not sure what I was expecting but still, I like it.
BTW, I loved your sermon, you have a way of just knowing what people need to hear, God works wonders through you!
Ok, are you ready for this cause boy do I have questions, still, sometimes even after the answers are given to me, I still don't understand (mental block maybe?) Actually I don't really know how to put my questions into words so I'm very much looking forward to the upcoming sermons. One question (ok maybe several) has been bugging me and I can't seem to find an answer that satisfies. I brought this question up to my Church Small group and got some good responses but I'm still mystified. OK here goes, tell me if this makes sense. How do you (I, anyone) know that you (we) are joining the correct church (denomination), be it Presbyterian, Baptist, Lutheran, Catholic etc. Are we all praying to the same God but with different beliefs? If so, where or who makes up these beliefs? Does it matter if you don't belong to a demonination but are praying (how do we know we are praying to the right God)? Did any of this make sense? LOL
I'm a bit embarrassed to even send this but hey, got to start somewhere if I really want to find answers, right?!
Hugs to you and yours
Becky D
Great questions, Becky.
Denominations largely grew out of the State churches of other nations. If you were a German, you belonged to a Lutheran church. If you were from Scotland, you attended a Presbyterian Church. If you were from Italy, you were Roman Catholic. When people came to this country, they founded churches like the ones they had left behind.
For instance, the Presbyterian church continued to have deep ties to Scotland for many years. There are still some Presbyterian churches (especially out east) that still have "kirking of the tartan" ceremonies where everyone in the congregation processes through the church following someone playing the bagpipes.
But after a generation or two these cultural roots don't seem as important and people look for a congregation that fits who they are spiritually, regardless of its denominational affiliation. You might belong to a Presbyterian church in one town, but if you move, you might join a Methodist church if it seems better for you and your family.
Also, there tends to be great variation among congregations of same denomination. Two Episcopal churches within a few blocks of each other might have very different visions and messages.
Confused yet? You aren't the only one. There is a lot of confusion on the church scene in American these days. Denominations are changing rapidly and the structures that hold them together seem to be weakening.
Really, the best way to choose a church is to look at what is being taught and see if follows the Bible. Congregations and denominations often change over time, depending on who is leading them. But the Word of God is a constant and clear guide to measure if that church or denomination is headed in the right direction.
But maybe I'm not answering the right question? Let me know and I'll take another shot at it.
Not related to your post...have you heard of the book "The Shack"? It's being reviewed to be to our generation what "Pilgrim's Progress" was to it's generation. Just curious if you'd heard of it and read it.
I haven't read it. The word-of-mouth I've heard has been good. The written reviews have been less stellar.
I'll probably read it soon. I take it that you haven't read it yet?
Christianity Today's review can be found at http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/2008/august/5.44.html
The review says people have criticized the Shack for espousing a form of modalism, an old heresy which holds that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit of the Trinity are not three Persons but just one who wears "different hats" based on the situation.
I dunno. I'll read it and find out.
I just ordered it from Amazon and haven't started it yet. I'm waiting until I finish my very superficial, no-brainer chic-book. I'm anxious to read it, though.
Dear Pastor Scott,
I was wondering if you could write a sermon on zombies or aliens. And why God wouldn't allow them to take over the world or eat everyone's brains. Everyone seems to think the world will end in 12/21/2012, but just let everyone know zombies and/or aliens won't take over the world.
Ps. you should see what I got you!
Hah! Michael Wurl, I presume....
Ok,now I'm confused. Why is the concept of modalism so threatening that it's heresy? The idea doesn't change a whole lot to me.
I'd like some sermons about "Hearing God". I've started on the book by Dallas Willard that you recommended earlier and find it very interesting.
Bud Reed
Where did the devil come from? My boy asked me that tonight and I could not give him a really clear answer. I thought he is a angle that fell from grace but i am not real sure. Or did he come into being in the garden of edin as the serpent? Did he exist before man was created?
Great questions. Plus I have a couple of questions via email that are similar.
Let me plow through some work this morning and then I'll tackle some of them this afternoon or evening.
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