South Decatur
Baptist Church

Can you believe the Bible?

 

The Bible says it is the word of God. We must believe the Bible is the word of God or not believe. You cannot just believe that part of the Bible is the word of God. Who is smart enough to pick and choose which parts are? Its either all or nothing! God is able to create and keep his word.  2 Timothy 3:16: "ALL scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" 2 Peter 1:21: "For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (Spirit)."

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A God who is powerful enough to create the things we see around us is powerful enough to preserve His word for us to read today.

 

Is Biblical Christianity full of hate and fighting?

 

The lessons Christ taught was not one of hate for our fellow humans, but one of love. The so called Christians that teach hatred do not have a Bible basis for their personal hate of others. The Bible teaches for us to hate SIN but to love the sinner. The greatest lesson of love is what Christ did on the cross. He forgave those who had placed Him there.

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Luke 23:34: "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do..."  Jesus put aside their sin of condemning  Him to death on the cross.

Matthew 5:44: But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;" 

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The Bible doesn't teach to join in any of their sinful deeds, but don't hate them and just pray for them.

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Christians should remember that before we invited Christ into our lives we were controlled by our sin. (Sin as defined in the Bible) After we gave Christ control of our lives He now helps us with our sin problem. God because of the sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, forgave our sin. The only difference between a Christian and a non-Christian is whether we have received Christ.

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1 John 4:11: "Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another." Some try to discredit Biblical Christianity by pointing out crimes in the past and present committed by self proclaimed Christians.  Let me ask a question: "How do we know they were really a Christian"? A person can say they are anything and even Join a group, but are they really what they say? Were they following the leading of God in their evil deed? No matter what they say they were not following the teachings of Christ.

 

Is Christ any different than any other religion?

 

The Bible tells of a Christ that is the savior of the whole world. When Peter was teaching a crowd of people in a city, he told them: 

Acts 4:12: "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." (Notice he said: "NO other name") Christ said of himself:  John 14:6: "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me."( Notice he did not say:" I am A way", but "I am THE way"). Romans 6:23:  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Does the Bible teach a judgment?

 

The Bible tells of a judgment of the individual. Hebrews 9:27: "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" Justice demands that there be reward for good and punishment for bad. What if the government decided to turn loose all those convicted of a crime and jail all those who never committed a crime. Would that be fair? God would not be just if He did not have both reward and punishment. Sin is a crime against God. The Bible says we all have a sin problem: Romans 3:23: "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Solving our sin problem is why Jesus Christ came to earth and died on the cross) Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:21: "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." (For those that receive Christ (ask Him into their life) he will cover their sin with His righteousness). 1 John 1:8-9:  "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

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We must go to Christ if we are to be saved from our sin problem.

 

Did God create the heavens and earth?

 

 There are many theories of how this world began. Some state that just natural forces created the earth and there was no God creator involved. It takes a lot of faith to believe that this intricate world just happened by a series (over billions of years) of chance happenings. One problem with this belief is that faith in Atheistic evolution is directed toward the ideas of other people who disagree among themselves and change their theories often. (Evolution theory begins with the premise that there is no creator)

 The natural design of all things on this earth is so complex that there must be a designer. Romans 1:19-20  "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20  For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:"

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If there is a designer then there must be a plan for this world. If there is a plan then it has to include us. That would mean that this great designer of these complex things would also have a plan for your life (and my life). A God who cares so much about the little details we see in His creation, surly does cares about our life's details. (Just look at the detail in the creation and especially our body for a example)

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The idea that there is no creator God ignores the facts of life on this earth. The consistencies of the creation around us allows people to do many things. Medical science and engineering are possible because of the absolutes God has placed in His creation. His perfect design enables their designs to work. Things like gravity, water, air and the sun work according to God's perfect design. These things and happenings are too complex to happen by chance. This world is not just a game of chance. It is a creator's design. Genesis 1:1: "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." Genesis 2:4: "These are the generations of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens,"

 

What is God's plan for my life?

 

  As mentioned in the last answer; a God who has demonstrated such care for detail in the creation, would care about us. Look at your finger and notice your print. No two people on this earth have the same finger print. I believe God is showing  that each one of us is special and different. The question is not: "Does Jesus care"; He cares as He proves every day the sun comes up. The question for us is:" Do we care enough to let Jesus Christ into our life and follow God's will". Christ said: Revelation 3:20: "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me". Christ is knocking at your heart's door. He wants you to let Him into your heart, mind and soul. He will not force His salvation on you. In prayer you must invite him in, just as you would if someone came to the door of your house. Christ cannot fully work His wonderful plan for your life if you won't let Him come in and work. 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 1 Peter 5:7: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.  Romans 8:28: And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

Does God Love me?

 

Everyone has felt the pain of being unloved. It may have been when you were a child. Some have felt that pain as an adult. The greatest love question is: "Does God love me?" The answer from the word of God is: "YES". God loves us enough to make a way of salvation. God tells us in His word: Romans 5:8: "But God commendeth (demonstrates) his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us". Romans 8:39: "..Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord". Galatians 2:20: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" Ephesians 5:2: "And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour". 1 John 4:8: "He that loveth not knoweth not God; for GOD IS LOVE".  "YES" God loves us that is why he sent Jesus Christ. He could have just left us in our sin. John 3:16-17  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." But God gave us a way out!

 

Why do I need God?

 

We are God's creation and have been designed so we can be in fellowship with God. Inside of each of us is a God shaped void. We can try to fill this void with the things of this world, but they will not fit. That void (empty place) can only be filled by God himself. If we are going to be truly happy and have peace, we must have God in our life. God wants to be much more in our life than one to be called upon in time of great trouble. We need to get off the roller coaster of praying to God in needful times and forgetting about Him when times are good. It is fellowship with God through His son Jesus that we need in both good times and bad. The only thing that prevents God from filling the void in our life is our sin and pride. God wants to be close to us, if we will humble ourselves before Him and receive Christ so our sin can be forgiven.  Philippians 1:21: For to me to live is Christ...

 

What about Church?

 

Some people say they do not need church. No doubt each person has different reasons why. Just remember that church (a Christian assembly) was God's idea. It is a command: Hebrews 10:25: "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."

 

Church is part of God's plan for spiritual growth and to strengthen true believers. It is to be a refuge where we can grow spiritually and then go out to lead others to Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:11: "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify (Build up) one another, even as also ye do."

 

Christ instituted the ordinance of baptism and communion in connection to church.  Not for the purpose of salvation, but for the remembrance of what Christ did and the obedience to God's word.