EPISODE 43: Q&A

Date: 8/26/2020

Lighting Round

  1. Kinos when set up his reign for the first 1000 years (Rev 20) and then “Neos” when a new heaven and earth comes down from above (Rev 21)?
    1. Nope. 
    2. New Heavens and New Earth isn’t mentioned in Revelation 20. 
    3. As I said in my sermon, when New Heavens and New Earth are mentioned in Revelation, the Greek word for “new” is always kainos. (2 Peter 3:13 as well)
    4. Maybe revisit the marriage illustration from sermon.
  1. As my boys delight in fishing, I have been speaking with them about how God has given Man the responsibility of caring for creatures. So this week’s sermon hit on topic for our family. One thing that my mind keeps dwelling on is the word “dominion” in Genesis 1:26. Is having dominion over creation the same as caretaking?
    1. The Hebrew word that we translate as “dominion” means to exercise authority over.
    2. What’s important to remember is that this came before the Fall so we need to not think of authority being exercised in any way that’s sinful or sin influenced.
    3. So this is an exercise of authority that’s for the benefit of those under authority. What we long for from those in authority over us. Where they lead us, but do so with our good in mind.
    4. So does dominion mean the same as caretaking? I think it at least includes caretaking, because of the fact that sin was not a thing yet when God gave mankind this mandate.
  1. Loved your sermon about taking care of creation on Sunday. What can we as a church be doing better, practically, even on Sunday mornings? Has Gateway implemented a recycling program themselves? Can we reduce the paper handouts that often get thrown out, or encourage people to bring their own coffee mugs?
    1. Someone texted me after the service asking if the coffee cups in our cafe are made of styrofoam.
    2. I’d love for folks to bring their own coffee mugs.
    3. We’ve done our best to reduce paper copies of most everything (handouts, etc…).
    4. We’ve recently installed new lighting that will be better economically and in use of electricity.
    5. Recycling?

Questions

  1. I want to love others with no record of wrong (1 Corinthians 13:5). But when my mind is quiet I unintentionally go to a place where I relive past conversations and hurts. I want to hold every thought captive to Christ. How do I accomplish this?
    1. The last verse was 95% quoted correctly. But a key word was left out.
      1. 2 Corinthians 10:5 “We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ”
      2. Paul is arguing against critics of his in Corinth who are trying to divide the church. And essentially, Paul says, “Remember that we all belong to Christ. And all have work to do on his behalf. But shouldn’t divide but be a united people.”
    2. So regarding this person’s situation who is having trouble reliving past hurts.
      1. Have you forgiven them?
      2. Forgiving doesn’t mean forgetting and there may be times when you do need to think about the past in order to move towards personal healing.
      3. They also say this is “unintentionally” — this thinking about the past.
        1. Are there any patterns that this “unintentional” thinking happens?
        2. Is it when you’re bored? Alone? Or some other pattern that maybe you can recognize.
    3. Obedience comes by being empowered with God’s Spirit and by living under the authority of God’s Word. The Spirit desires to help you obey God’s Word, but you have to know it in order to obey it. So be a person of the Word (read, study, memorize, meditate on it).
    4. Resources (in other doc)
  1. Questions from an almost 10 year old about Moses and the Passover (submitted by her dad): I know God is holy, but how can He be holy if he kills people?” (then we talked about God’s righteousness and justice). Does God (or His angels) kill people or does he allow Satan to kill people for Him? Also, why is it that children ask their most deep spiritual questions when they know it’s already past bedtime??
    1. Why do kids ask these questions at bedtime? They want to stall going to bed.
    2. Difference between killing/murder and righteous judgment (which is hard for us to distinguish).
    3. It’s easy to think of the people who are judged as innocent. As being in the wrong place at the wrong time. But that’s an inaccurate view.
      1. All have sinned.
      2. All are guilty.
      3. All deserve judgement.
      4. Yet God is merciful. What should surprise us is his mercy not his judgment. But it’s his judgment we question and we presume upon his mercy.
    4. Finally, Satan kills (steal, kill, and destroys). God judges. I’d be cautious to say that God kills because that seems to imply innocence on the one killed and guilt on the one who kills. And that’s vastly different than God judging guilty people.
  1. The question asker has concluded a nearly 3 year personal Bible study on God, the Holy Spirit; His Person, Characteristics, and Ministry. At the conclusion of the study, a specific question continually surfaced. After all that God has done for us through the New Covenant, why do we Christians live our lives at a much lesser spiritual quality than Jesus died to give us?
    1. We’re like the father in the gospel of John. We believe but we need help with our unbelief.
    2. We get caught up in what our eyes can see instead of what faith requires of us (believing and living for things not seen).
    3. We’re still in a spiritual war.
    4. Resource recommendations (in other doc)