Steve Gentry
[0:00] All right, well welcome to Village Church. If this is your first time here, my name’s Steve. I’m one of the pastors here at Village Church [0:05] And as always I’m thankful and grateful to see each and every one of you [0:09] If you have your Bibles go ahead and open them to Romans chapter 1 in the New Testament [0:13] If you don’t have a Bible, that’s fine. The verses are all going to be on the screen behind me [0:18] We are going to be in a lot of different texts this morning [0:22] So don’t necessarily feel the urge to try to keep up with me. It probably would be futile
[0:28] So just for anything other than Romans just look on the screen because I’m going to be jumping all over the Bible [0:33] Specifically in the New Testament today [0:35] But we’re in week two of a series called explore God [0:39] And so we kicked this series off last week by kind of trying to answer the question [0:44] Of is there a purpose in life or does life have a purpose? [0:48] And so we came to the conclusion or I did whether you did or not that yes
[0:52] Life does have a purpose it kind of would have been [0:55] Defeatist for you to show up to a church and me just be like not really [0:59] Good luck. See you later [1:02] So, of course, you know, we’re in a church [1:05] So I think we think that there’s a purpose to life and so we talked last week though about how the purpose for life [1:11] Is dependent on there being a god and so if there is no god then purpose
[1:18] Is not something that you can really land on a concrete foundation for [1:25] That for life to have any meaning there has to be [1:30] Someone greater than I or something other than me to define that [1:35] or [1:36] We will all kind of be left to our own devices to our best guess as to what the purpose for life is [1:42] And what’s necessarily going to happen there is they’re going to come times if that’s the case where your purpose
[1:47] Is going to be against my purpose and there will be collision [1:51] And that’s really the story of humanities searching for purpose that’s where wars come from that’s where great [1:58] Disunity and divide comes from so this week we’re going to ask the question that was really begged last week [2:05] And that is the question. Is there a god? [2:08] And so in the video that you guys watched before I started we see many different perspectives [2:13] We see even questions to that question about god’s existence come up some expressing deep longing to be
[2:20] able to know [2:21] But with kind of a hesitancy to land anywhere concrete and even some with a rejection [2:28] Of there possibly being any being that would dare be [2:32] Authoritative over us and so what you really saw though is that the number of people? [2:39] Who question the existence or deny the existence of god is on the uptick? [2:45] So there’s been some research done recently and the highest number of people where religion are concerned
[2:53] Is not atheism the highest number of people is not in theism or even if we went further christianity [2:59] The highest number of people in the united states is something called the nuns [3:03] That’s the fastest growing segment of our population and that really is just people with no religious affiliation [3:09] People who basically say [3:11] I don’t know if there’s a god. I don’t know if I can know that there is a god [3:16] Maybe there’s a god, but i’m not going to be you know, some people would say so arrogant
[3:22] To actually claim that that I know who this [3:26] Omniscient being actually is and so that kind of begs a couple of questions from us [3:32] Is there kind of new evidence that’s come up that has brought even more? [3:37] Question into the existence of god or have people who claim that there is a god [3:43] You know theists somebody like me that that believes that there is a god [3:47] Have we done a really bad job?
[3:51] At proving that he exists a worse job than anyone in the history of the world has done [3:57] Is that the case and so for many of you one thing that I want to clear up is that I don’t think that’s the case [4:03] I really don’t think that it is my responsibility [4:08] To prove god [4:10] I don’t think that’s anybody’s responsibility. I think that if you take that responsibility onto your shoulders, it will crush you [4:18] Because there is no one point that I can make this morning that I believe is going to satisfy every single person
[4:25] Even in this room much less the entire world, but let’s put all the cards on the table [4:32] You are in a church [4:36] So my assumption is that you came here with a little hint as to what we believe about god [4:44] Yes [4:46] We believe there’s a god [4:49] See you later
[4:52] Boom we just solved the crisis right our existential dilemma is over [4:56] No, I am not so naive that I think that we live in a time in the world maybe at one time [5:03] That’s just a glad assumption that everyone brings into light [5:07] But as you’ve already seen that is not a glad assumption [5:11] That that I can embrace or even that I can pretend is the case this morning that god [5:17] though has
[5:20] Made himself known. I believe that I believe further than that. I believe that god has given us [5:26] sufficient [5:28] Ways and sufficient let’s call them revelations. He’s revealed himself [5:34] insufficient ways for you [5:37] To be able to believe and walk through life in a concrete way [5:42] saying at the least
[5:44] yes [5:46] There is a god, but I think it goes way further than that [5:50] I don’t think that god has just revealed. Hey, I’m out there somewhere. Good luck [5:55] Rather I believe that god has made himself known by name. I believe that we can know [6:02] Specifically who that god is and so what I want to do this morning is kind of unpack [6:07] A way for us to get there because I don’t believe
[6:12] That anyone is born [6:14] With a natural disposition to not believe in god. I actually believe the opposite [6:19] But what I believe happens is that because we are born with a natural disposition to rebel against that god [6:28] That our life ends up going in such a direction [6:32] That the environments and the atmospheres that we build in our lives oftentimes even the messes that we make with our lives [6:40] Lead us to a place and i’ve had these conversations with people who at once believed in god
[6:46] But now deny the existence of god that we end up in such rebellion against god that it is actually [6:54] Easier to deny that he exists [6:57] Than to make the drastic changes that would be necessary [7:02] In admitting that he exists [7:06] So that’s what I think is happening in culture [7:09] That’s what I think is happening in life
[7:11] And if you’re here this morning and at one time you’re like, oh, yeah [7:14] I believe there’s god now you’ve gotten to a place where you’re like, no, probably not [7:18] I think that’s probably the story that your life is telling
[7:25] Scholar john frame put it this way. He says that the problem with the existence of god is not an information [7:33] problem [7:34] The problem is a moral problem [7:37] And so what he posits towards us is that knowledge of god is actually a moral issue [7:44] That we were created with a responsibility to know our creator [7:49] And even if we attempt to abdicate
[7:53] That responsibility by denying his existence. We will still be accountable [8:00] for that knowledge [8:03] And so what we often do is that we kind of put the burden of proof on god [8:09] We say hey [8:10] If you’re real [8:12] If you’re out there prove it to me prove that you exist or somebody else needs to do a job of proving
[8:21] that he [8:22] Exists and what we’re doing there is that we’re already forecasting the answer that we’re looking for before we even get to an answer [8:30] because if god [8:34] Had a burden to meet my responsibility or rather my [8:39] Calling on him to be responsible for showing himself to me the way that I want him to show it to me [8:44] At the time that I want him to show it to me. What am I doing? I’m actually saying god
[8:49] submit to me [8:52] And so in that sense you’ve already defeated the purpose of the question because what you’re doing is you’re saying even if he exists [9:00] I’m his god [9:03] Therefore you’re just painting a picture for yourself [9:07] But rather [9:08] God has created us. I believe with enough revelation in our lives and around our lives
[9:15] to make us responsible [9:17] For responding to what he has chosen to reveal to us about himself [9:22] And I believe this morning that we can do this in three different ways [9:26] In no way do I think that over the next 40 to 45 minutes i’m going to be able to give you an exhaustive treatment [9:34] On the doctrine of god [9:36] But rather what I think I can do though is kind of lay some groundwork
[9:41] On three general ways that god has made himself known and we are don’t miss this [9:47] responsible [9:48] For responding to those ways that god has made himself known and so the question isn’t just [9:55] Is there a god? [9:58] The question also needs to be how should [10:02] I know him
[10:03] Because lots of people claim theism in lots of different ways [10:07] I mean you’ve got pantheists that believe god is basically in everything you’ve got [10:11] People who believe that god’s name is alai you’ve got people on the norse mythology that say there’s a whole bunch of them people [10:16] In greece did the same thing and they named every different thing under the sun has its own god [10:20] So not just is there a god because we can say yes to that question and still be deadly wrong in where we land [10:29] So the question that’s begged on top of the answer to that question is how should
[10:35] I know who god is and I think that god has told us specifically how we should know him [10:42] So the first place that we can know god is in nature because he’s revealed himself in nature [10:48] Look at roman’s chapter one starting in verse 19 this morning [10:53] The apostle paul writes about the existence of god saying for what can be known about god is plain to them [10:59] Because god has shown it to them for his invisible attributes [11:04] Namely his eternal power and divine nature have been clearly perceived
[11:09] Ever since the creation of the world and the things that have been made [11:13] So they are without excuse [11:16] And so right there the apostle paul writes the argument and he says [11:21] God can be known he is there and he has not been silent [11:28] As francis schaeffer once put it when we look around at the world around us. It is not only reasonable [11:36] To believe that there is a creator of it all but it is actually the most logical conclusion that you can come to
[11:44] Romans one states that the god that exists has revealed himself to us through the intricate [11:50] Details of creation and the beauty of all that is around us [11:55] in rebellion though [11:57] We deny his intricate signature in all that is and it is not because there is no obvious message [12:05] That god exists instead it is an out of a sinful pride and desire to be free from any constraints [12:13] That an eternal authority figure would actually be able to put on us if he does exist
[12:17] That would lead us to deny his existence. It’s like going to a school and saying well [12:22] There’s obviously no principle so we can do whatever we want [12:26] That is what leads us down the dark path to atheism [12:29] And in romans chapter one he continues in verse [12:33] 21 he says for although they knew god they did not honor him as god or give thanks to him [12:38] But they became feudal in their thinking and their foolish hearts were darkened
[12:44] claiming to be wise [12:46] they became [12:47] fools [12:48] And right there in verse 22 is this interesting statement that actually explains much of what goes on [12:54] Not just in pop culture around us but what’s been going on really since the beginning of time [12:58] Whereas wisdom that would deny the existence of god is concerned
[13:02] Is that it is those who look at those who believe in a creator as some kind of ham-fisted corn pones [13:08] That can barely read [13:11] They actually look to us and say you fools how unintelligent it is to believe that there is a great divine [13:16] designer of all that exists but right there in this text paul [13:20] Pinpoints the problem by saying no in the wisdom of the world [13:25] God is actually going to eternally make a fool out of you
[13:30] And he already has [13:32] By the fact that you have to look at all that there is and claim randomness where there’s actually order and claim chaos [13:38] Where there’s actually great design [13:41] And so what I want to do now is I want to just take a look at [13:45] What paul is stating about the world that is around us and how responsible we are to responding to just natural [13:52] law
[13:53] Of his existence of intricate design and I want to say almost everyone [13:59] And I want to talk about scientists here and philosophers as well believes that at some point [14:06] There was an event in which everything that we know of in this world had a beginning [14:14] You can call it a big bang. You can simply call it the origin of the universe [14:18] Or you can even go so far as to call it the genesis [14:24] There was an event that kicked it all off
[14:27] Stephen hawking himself has said that there is no way that all that exists [14:33] Came out of absolutely nothing there’s an event there’s a beginning and he goes further and says [14:40] Not only was there a beginning there has to be a cause [14:45] For the beginning for this event that kicked it all off. So most [14:50] Also conclude that there must have been a cause behind the origin [14:54] You know everything in the universe the way that the universe works the way that the world works itself
[15:01] Can be drawn to something that it is contingent upon for the action upon which takes place [15:07] Therefore it can be also concluded very easily that the beginning itself must be contingent upon [15:15] something and this is what we know of as [15:20] cause [15:21] There is a cause [15:23] Behind everything that exists and when you get there
[15:28] It’s clear to see what paul was talking about in romans one that is divine attributes [15:35] Have been obvious since the creation of the world and this gets even further seen in the unexplainable [15:42] regularity of nature itself [15:45] There are simply certain things that are the exact same when done [15:51] Over and over and over you know that water will always boil at 212 degrees [15:58] No matter how many times you try no matter how many different ways you do it
[16:01] There’s just a certain temperature that water gets to where boom boiling [16:05] And that’s just one example of a great number of things that are simply called the laws of nature [16:14] But have you ever wondered why they are this way? [16:19] You see without purpose and design [16:21] Logic would dictate that these things would be different every single time, but they are not [16:28] You see a design can reasonably be inferred
[16:33] And unreasonably be denied. This is called the principle of regularity. There is order rather than chaos [16:41] an organization rather than randomness [16:44] It can go even further even the natural law of longing that takes place inside of you [16:50] Let us not miss the reality of beauty [16:53] The way that melodies interact in music [16:56] With some notes fitting together and other notes so obviously not fitting together
[17:02] the beauty of the world around you and the [17:05] interactions of art and space are either random and purposeless or a sign that we were created to long for something [17:13] and these longings [17:15] Whatever they are for serve to create within us a desire for true beauty [17:21] And design that only a master artist as creator can ultimately fulfill [17:27] And so your longings for fulfillment is the message of god
[17:32] In psalm 19 the psalmist puts it this way [17:34] He says the heavens declare the glory of god the sky above proclaims his handiwork [17:38] Day to day pours out speech and night to night reveals knowledge [17:42] There is no speech nor are they words whose voice is not heard [17:46] Their voice goes out through all of the earth and their words to the end of the world in them [17:51] He has set a tent for the sun
[17:56] He says that the very way that you look out into the world and it speaks to you [18:02] Is a revelation of god the very way that you receive [18:07] Beauty [18:08] At a sunset the very way that you see beauty and awe at the grand canyon [18:14] That is not a purposeless exercise [18:17] But rather that is the very speech of god to come to you to woo you towards himself to the reality that yes
[18:24] There is a god and to this psalm 14 remarks and says it is only the fool that takes it all in and says [18:32] There is no god [18:35] There’s a second way though [18:37] That god has revealed himself and that is seen through his word [18:41] God has revealed himself through his word and to that you might say. Oh, I knew we were going to get there [18:47] He’s going to try to use the bible to prove that there’s a god that exists
[18:51] So I want to tell you first off [18:54] This is not going to turn me into the bible says so sermon [18:57] But it’s also not going to not turn into a bible says so sermon and I want to explain why [19:03] The atheist sam harris quite a pronounced atheist once commented that even if all of this design is submitted to [19:10] It does not prove that the god of the bible is behind it all and to that I say correct [19:17] It does not
[19:19] Which is why god gave us the bible [19:21] You see otherwise all that we would be left with is god playing cosmic marco polo with us [19:27] It’s like all right. Well, i’ve created all that exists [19:30] Good luck finding me i’m hidden over here behind saturn and it’s like, you know [19:35] It’s like that’s kind of the delusional effort that we’re going to have to put into it [19:39] If god has not specifically named who he is and so the nature itself
[19:46] Serves as a natural revelation that there is a god in such a distinct way alvin planenga puts on us [19:55] It’s as if we would be playing a game of poker not that you should play poker [19:59] But let’s say that we are playing a game of poker and you’re sitting on one side [20:05] There’s a couple people on the other side and someone gets dealt
[20:10] 20 straight [20:12] Four ace hands in a row [20:15] All right [20:16] after about the third hand [20:19] You’re going to be like all right somebody if you’re wearing long sleeves [20:23] Or is something taped under the table?
[20:26] But certainly after 20 hands of cards and someone’s dealt four aces out of each hand [20:34] After the 20th time you’re going to say this is impossible [20:37] There must be a fix in somewhere and to which he exclaimed [20:42] I’m not cheating. No, no, there’s a statistical chance that every time i’m dealt a hand [20:50] It’s got the exact same cards [20:53] Four aces such a great hand and actually there is a
[20:58] Statistical possibility that you could be dealt those cards over and over and over but it is such a small [21:06] just minute [21:07] little [21:09] Possibility that the safe bet is you’ve got quick draw McGraw there and he’s a big-time cheater [21:15] All right [21:16] But so also alvin planega points out is it with the creation of the universe that there are well over a dozen
[21:26] Constants [21:28] That exist in our world with temperatures with distances from the sun with the axis in the tilt [21:34] There are well over a dozen [21:37] Constants that exist that if they were all just [21:43] one [21:45] millionth
[21:47] Off [21:48] Would destroy us all [21:51] And all of those constants have to be at the exact same constant [21:56] Together for the world to remain at the set at the right temperature for ourselves to develop in the right way for the world [22:03] to continue marching on and so the [22:08] possibility of those constants happening by just random coincidence
[22:16] Are so low [22:19] That it is not a safe bet to say there is not an intricate [22:26] detailed designer [22:27] setting the standard [22:29] But who is he is the great question? [22:34] You see the world around us is
[22:36] Sufficient to tell us there is a creator, but it is not personal enough [22:40] To tell us enough about him for us to know who specifically he is the longing that nature creates within us
[22:50] Causes us to search for something greater it compels us to look for it therefore God himself [22:58] over the centuries has [23:01] Inserted himself into certain people’s lives so that it could be passed on from generation to generation to generation [23:08] Who specifically he is and he’s been very specific [23:13] and so I submit to you that God is kind enough and [23:18] Gracious enough to tell us who he is in his way
[23:21] And he has done that through the Bible and to that you may submit to me and you may say [23:28] But he hasn’t told me so why would he tell Abraham and Moses? [23:34] Why would he tell Paul what would you tell Peter? [23:36] Why hasn’t he done for me what he did for them and to that the only response that I can give you is two things [23:44] First off I don’t know [23:46] Second off who do you think you are?
[23:53] That’s up to God [23:55] and so most of our responses that are to the negative of these submissions [24:02] Ultimately reveal a self seeking attitude of God needs to make me the center of his universe and [24:11] Instead what God has done is he’s given us sufficient revelation [24:16] Not just for you, but also your neighbor and your neighbor’s neighbor and your co-worker and your family member [24:23] And how did he do it well he spoke through generations to certain people to give us his
[24:29] Authoritative word here’s what second Timothy 3 has to say about it the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy and says from childhood [24:36] You have been acquainted with the sacred writings which are able those are very important words [24:42] Which are able to make you wise for salvation [24:47] Through faith in Christ Jesus, and we’re gonna get to him in a minute all scriptures breathed out by God and profitable for teaching [24:55] reproof correction training and righteousness [24:58] That the man of God may be complete equipped for every
[25:02] Good work, and so he’s claiming sufficiency [25:06] Let us not be so prideful that we would demand that God specific revelation of himself is [25:13] Insufficient to show us who he is [25:16] Scholar again John frame has stated that the Bible defends itself in three aspects in revealing God [25:24] First it sets forth the truth with its rationale [25:28] Second it gives direct answers to objections to that truth and third it shows the foolishness of
[25:35] competing messages you see this is the revelation of God and without the excuse me and with enough evidence of history [25:42] miracles that many attempt to explain away, but are rooted in actual events and [25:48] Ultimately culminating the record of Jesus’s life death and resurrection [25:52] So if you look at the Bible if you look at the record of all of the Bible no one even questions did these [25:58] Amazing events that really stood out in history so much so that people recorded them in this book [26:05] It’s been passed on for generations. They don’t question. Hey did an amazing event happen
[26:09] No instead what they do is they look at Israel on the shore of the Red Sea and instead of saying man a crazy [26:16] Miracle happened where God parts the sea and people walk through they start looking at tide patterns [26:21] Can we explain away that people didn’t swim but rather walked through because history says that’s what they did [26:28] Was the current right on that day? [26:30] So it’s not even a debate on did these amazing events happen? [26:33] But rather it is a futile attempt to explain away God by questioning
[26:39] Not the occurrence but rather the minute details to take [26:44] Responsibility away from God so there’s no authority over these events and [26:50] Second Peter chapter 1 starting in verse 20 [26:53] The Apostle Peter tells us that this was no scam of modern man [26:58] But the very act of God he writes knowing this first of all that no prophecy of scripture comes from someone’s own [27:05] Interpretation for no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man
[27:08] But men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit [27:14] The problem is not one of scripture being inadequate [27:19] But rather our unwillingness to submit to truth out of a desire to create believe and follow [27:28] competing [27:29] Messages that’s where our desire really comes to be when a problem for these things and it’s not that the Bible [27:37] Is insufficient nor is it that the record that we have is incorrect because if you pause it that well
[27:44] This is just a translation of a translation of a translation [27:46] How do you know that you even have a Bible that is good enough? There are more [27:52] ancient copies of the original languages of scripture than there are any other books in [27:59] existence I’m talking hundreds and [28:02] thousands of copies that [28:04] actually coincide
[28:07] Give the exact same message in the exact same words [28:11] That’s unheard of with the record of ancient texts even the one that many people point to historians will say oh we’ve got a great [28:18] Translation of Homer’s Iliad there are only about a dozen [28:23] copies of original translations of that one that they hold to be completely consistent with the [28:30] original yet with the Bible with the hundreds and [28:35] thousands of direct
[28:37] Quoting recitations of ancient Hebrew and Greek and Latin writings we look to the Bible and we say [28:43] insufficient not because we historically don’t have enough but rather there is something else at play [28:51] There’s the great denial of an authoritative God when accosted with the claim that a resurrection [28:58] Would prove that there is a God Jesus even has an answer to such a claim [29:03] He points to the Bible as sufficient and Luke chapter 16 verse 31 [29:07] Jesus says to him he says if they do not hear or believe
[29:12] Moses and the prophets neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead
[29:20] And this is a guy that knew that he was about to rise from the dead
[29:26] And he points backwards and he says [29:29] If the prophecy of the resurrection is not enough for you to believe that it’s coming you’re never going to actually [29:37] Believe and so Jesus himself points to the scripture as a sufficient [29:42] standard upon which the existence of God stands [29:47] You see friends so many times in life [29:50] We are tempted to put the burden away from ourselves and submitting to God because that’s what this really is about
[29:57] This is as much about belief as it is submitting [30:01] To the reality of God [30:03] We put the burden on God that we say hey do a miracle [30:07] Hey prove yourself [30:09] You ever done the silly thing where you take a Bible and you’re like, alright [30:13] I need a passage that’s gonna truly change my life right now
[30:19] Mephibosheth Beget oh [30:22] Well, there must not be a God [30:25] See so many times we look to God and we say kneel to my standard when God says if [30:34] me [30:36] Invading people’s lives over hundreds of years taking history to directly where I said [30:44] I was going to take history to to send my son
[30:49] If that’s not enough [30:51] friend I [30:52] Could show up right in your bedroom right now and tomorrow you’d be questioning things
[30:58] Because God wants us to believe [31:02] But what of those who don’t have the Bible [31:05] Well, God tells us in Romans 2 that God is gracious enough to work within us in our conscience [31:12] To give us a law of himself so that we will long for the specifics
[31:19] Surely the word works inside of us and God works [31:24] Supernaturally to bring us the rest of his special revelation of his word [31:31] But there’s a third way that God has revealed himself that we’ll talk about today [31:34] And we’re gonna talk about the Bible and Jesus in a couple of weeks answer some more questions about that [31:39] But I also want to show you that God has revealed himself through Jesus [31:44] If you’re an unbeliever in here you’re probably like oh I knew this was coming now you’re gonna try to get me to believe in Jesus
[31:51] correct
[31:54] Hey, you’re the one that came to church God himself [31:59] Was on display in Jesus when we proclaim that we are dissatisfied with how God has revealed himself
[32:09] Ultimately what I want you to understand is is that it does not show a problem with God [32:13] It shows a problem with you [32:16] You cannot see life. You cannot see light and that’s what Jesus came to show [32:21] This is what John 1 says about him says in the beginning was the word and the word was with God and I want to [32:26] pause right there [32:28] Because this is a really important phrase
[32:31] Because what he’s doing for that reader of that time because John’s thesis statement for the entire gospel according to John is [32:40] Jesus is God [32:41] That’s that’s his entire thesis that he sets out to prove it’s the most [32:45] book that shows the most [32:47] qualities of Jesus that point to godness in him and if you’re a reader at that time and you read the phrase in the [32:54] beginning
[32:55] Was the word you’re immediately going to think? [33:00] Genesis 1 [33:01] So John from his very outset of this book is saying [33:06] Jesus is the eternal God that created all [33:10] He continues and he says the word was with God the word was God [33:14] He was in the beginning with God all things were made through him and without him was not anything made that was made
[33:22] In him was life and the life was the light of men [33:30] So what he’s claiming about Jesus right there is that if you want to know [33:35] Not just that there is a God not just a lot of information about that God [33:40] But who God is specifically who God is personally you need to know [33:47] Jesus because he was [33:49] literally God
[33:51] Become human being he was life [33:56] So without him you can’t know life [33:59] more than that he was the light of [34:03] Men and so you don’t have life without him nor can you see [34:10] without the revelation of God that was and is [34:16] Jesus Christ
[34:17] We will talk about all of the reasons that Jesus is God in a few weeks in this same series [34:22] But let me be clear there is enough evidence to reveal that the life of Jesus was extraordinary [34:29] I mean there’s enough evidence to say it was more than extraordinary [34:33] It was supernatural and I would say there’s more evidence than just to say his life was extraordinary supernatural [34:41] There was enough evidence to see he is God [34:45] Jesus healed he spoke with uncommon authority about all of life. He fulfilled every
[34:52] prophecy that the Bible [34:53] Predicted about who God would be and who the Savior of the world would be and then [35:00] He rose from the dead [35:04] And that’s just to name a few things about Jesus and I would say that that is [35:10] Sign that this is God. I mean to die and then three days later. Just get up out of the grave. That’s enough [35:18] God has not been silent
[35:22] He is to be believed in [35:25] But more than that God is to be known as a specific person through Jesus Christ [35:32] And so I submit ultimately that faith in God is warranted [35:38] But that brings a very peculiar word into the conversation. It brings the word faith in [35:46] Ultimately you do not have an information deficit [35:50] You have a faith deficit that is rooted in rebellion against God
[35:55] Because the common question that comes from most people [36:01] about the existence of God isn’t a [36:05] Really, you know a scholarly [36:07] intellectual conversation about things that have nothing to do with us [36:12] But rather most of our questions of God are very personal [36:16] Most of our questions of God are if he is out there, why isn’t he answering my prayers?
[36:22] If he is out there, why hasn’t he cleaned up this mess? [36:27] If he is out there, why is my life so? [36:31] Unfulfilling why won’t he fix things and to that I want you to understand [36:37] That God number one in all of his revelation has never promised [36:42] That he’s going to fix everything that you want him to fix in your life [36:47] but number two most of the messes that we make in our lives we
[36:53] do by our own hand and [36:55] Rebelling against God and then once we have made a great mess [37:01] Then our response is hey if you’re there fix this mess. I just made
[37:08] And so again we kind of have this self-seeking response to God I broke it now [37:15] It’s your responsibility to fix it. And if you don’t fix it. Well, you’re just not there
[37:24] When the reality is that in your life [37:28] This deficit that you have this moral problem with the existence of God and this faith that you need [37:34] While it will certainly not take away everything that pains you or every situation that you have in your life [37:41] That isn’t what you want it to be instead. It will give it purpose
[37:47] That God has promised in both the good that I experience and I enjoy and [37:54] The bad that I experience and would rather negate [37:59] That all of them with him have great purpose [38:02] Because as I am walking through this life with the trust that there is a God behind it all giving meaning to it all [38:10] And purpose to it all [38:12] What he has said is that on this path there’s going to be great vines in which you’re probably going to need a machete
[38:19] There’s going to be some poison ivy upon which you’ll need calamine lotion [38:22] And at some points you’re gonna be begging for a bush hog or a bulldozer because the trees just look too big [38:27] Bush hogs is a really big lawnmower for those of you that don’t know now [38:31] That’s what God has said but he has said I [38:35] Will walk with you every step of the way and ultimately you will see the purpose [38:43] Behind all of the pain and all of the joy
[38:47] He has been abundantly gracious and vocal about his existence and his name [38:56] So what’s the problem with some people? [39:00] Maybe even why don’t you believe? [39:04] Well, I think first Corinthians one sums it up pretty nicely [39:08] When it says in verse 18 for the word of the cross or Jesus [39:13] Which is how they often said it in the New Testament is folly to those who are perishing
[39:18] But to us who are being saved it’s the power of God [39:22] For as it is written [39:23] God will destroy [39:25] The wisdom of the wise and the discernment of the discerning God will thwart [39:31] Where is the one who is wise? [39:34] Where is the scribe?
[39:36] Where is the debater of this age? [39:39] He excuse me has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world [39:43] For since in the wisdom of God the world did not know God through wisdom [39:48] It pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who [39:55] believe [39:57] So what we often do is demand God meet our standards and when he doesn’t well
[40:03] We keep demanding with our hands over our eyes and our ears as to all the other evidence [40:11] You see so often in a great example in philosophy that’s given we are like the drunk who has lost his keys [40:20] We find a streetlight and begin looking under that street light for our keys [40:25] And when a police officer comes over and tries to assist us we look to him. We say I can’t find my keys [40:31] They’re nowhere to be found [40:33] Which the officer says well, did you lose your keys here?
[40:39] No, I lost my keys two streets over but this is where the best light is and [40:44] So often that is our journey in searching for God [40:50] That we’re setting the standards [40:53] We’re trying to make the environment the way that we want it and when God isn’t found under the streetlight of our choosing [41:02] We demand for answers that he is not [41:06] Responsible to give
[41:08] I’ll admit that there’s no surefire proof that will satisfy everyone [41:13] What there is is a God who has given evidence and [41:17] Whether you like it or not you are responsible to believe in him at his standards [41:23] Otherwise you will be left purposeless with no real reason for anything that ever happens in your life [41:31] This is as good as you will ever get [41:35] but with God
[41:37] Eternity is better see otherwise you’re [41:42] Not going to know [41:43] You will forever be deluded by your oath of your own self-sufficient selfishness [41:50] God has shown himself in nature [41:53] His word and in Jesus Christ [41:56] Friend do not deny him any longer
[41:59] Trust him under his terms and live for him [42:05] As the band comes up [42:08] this morning [42:10] God has been gracious enough to to reveal himself to me and [42:16] All of the ways that I’ve talked about and he’s gifted me with the faith to trust him and all of it [42:24] So if you’re in here this morning and and you’re struggling to believe
[42:29] Maybe you even believe there’s a God but you’re struggling to say be so specific is to say his name is Jesus [42:36] What I want you to know is is that I believe that God has brought you here today for a specific purpose [42:43] I think it was gracious that he brought you here and I believe that you are here for him to reveal himself to you [42:50] and so if you’re in here and you’re struggling with the questions of life and [42:54] You’re struggling to know the answers of God and you’re struggling to believe even the gospel of Jesus Christ [42:59] There are people in the foyer that would love to talk to you right now
[43:03] They would love to pray with you they would love to to answer maybe any more questions that you might have about life [43:11] Or maybe you just need a little more encouragement. You’re not ready to take a step of faith [43:16] But rather you would just like to hear a word of encouragement. So you keep coming back getting more of your questions answered [43:23] When just a few minutes I’m gonna ask that you just trust me and walk out there and talk to someone [43:28] But if you’re in here right now and you’ve trusted in Jesus Christ you’ve believed in the gospel [43:34] Not only do you believe there is a God but you believe in his word and even as
[43:39] Imperfectly as maybe you and I are doing it. You’ve trusted in Jesus to save you from your sins [43:46] Well this morning the good news is that Jesus didn’t just die on the cross [43:53] Yeah, he died for all of my rebellion and for all of my sins that I could be forgiven [43:58] Three days later Jesus Christ got up out of the grave [44:02] So that I could look at him and say yes [44:05] You are God and yes, you have the power to give me life
[44:12] If you believe that this morning there are tables in the front and in the back and these are communion tables [44:17] We practice something called the Lord’s Supper here. He commanded us that when we gather [44:23] We eat and we drink the bread represents his broken body the cup [44:28] Represents his shed blood his body broken for our sin [44:32] His blood shed for our sin and when we eat and when we drink what that represents is that? [44:39] Jesus is in us that all of the barriers that existed between us and God are gone
[44:46] Through faith in Jesus Christ [44:48] So he invites us to have a meal and when we eat and drink we proclaim to everyone in this room yes, I [44:56] If you can say that today [44:59] When you are ready, there’s tables in the front tables in the back come proclaim the death of Christ
[45:26] You