Questions and Answers - Part 5

Note: The time signatures [00:00] below indicate the start of a question if you'd like to skip to a particular one of interest in the audio file.

1. [01:32] - Q: Can you do whatever you want to in heaven?
    
2. [02:35] - Q: How did we get the Bible we have today (with books, chapters, and verse numbers)?
   A: See Luke 24:44
    
3. [06:49] - Q: If infant baptism is not Biblical, what is the justification of so many churches/denominations practicing it? What is the history/origin of the practice?
   A: See Acts 2:37
    
4. [13:39] - Q: What’s your favorite cliché that Dan Smith uses?
   A: "Prayerlessness is carelessness!"
   A: "Hell is too long to be wrong, so you better get it right!"
    
5. [17:22] - Q: Can Christians lose their Salvation?
   A: No! See: John 10:28-30 and 1 John 2, security (the fact: objective) vs. assurance (the feeling: subjective) 
    
6. [21:12] - Q: So if you are supposed to be able to see Jesus in heaven, how can that happen? The bible says that He is so bright you can't look at Him or see Him.
   A: See Rev 1
    
7. [21:58] - Q: Please discuss what the Bible says about why women of all ages should dress modestly.
   A: See 1 Tim 2: 9-10, Rom 14:13. Modesty = having regard for others
    
8. [26:05] - Q: Other than His birth, what reliable history is out there about the childhood, teen, and younger man years of Jesus? Since much of that isn't in the Bible...I think...
   And if it is not in the Bible, should we assume not to trust it anything else that is out there?
   A: See John 2:11, Luke 2:41
    
9. [29:34] - Q: Can you explain the term "ministry" and broad examples of ministries?
   Can I make something that I love, that isn't "churchy," a ministry that is God-honoring and valuable in a Kingdom perspective?
   A: Ministry = service in the name of the Lord with the mindset of advancing His kingdom or glorifying His name.
    
10. [33:11] - Q: Can we pray to the Holy Spirit, that is asking for wisdom or discernment, or are we only supposed to direct our prayers to God the Father. And what is the biblical basis for this?
    A: See Matt 6, Luke 11 (Jesus teaches how to pray), John 17 (Jesus praying), John 14:14 (Jesus teaching prayer to God the Father), Rom 8:26 (the Holy Spirit prays with us), John 15:16 (we pray in the name of the Son). No biblical basis to pray to anyone else.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):

Review and discuss the questions and answers given on Sunday's Q&A day together. Have you found any additional biblical support for the answers given?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

The War on Sin

Why I Must Fight My Sin:

1. Because my sin Dishonors God. (Col 3:5)



Review: Psalm 16



2. Because my sin Brings serious consequences. (Col 3:6)



Review: Romans 6:1-2



3. Because my sin Belongs in the past. (Col 3:7-10)



4. Because my sin Ruins relationships. (Col 3:8-11)

Review: 1 Cor 10:13

Guest Speaker - Taylor Brown

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Colossians 3:5-11

1. When you sin, what are you telling God with your actions? Why do we at times

   believe that sin is more satisfying than God? Why can sin never compare to a

   relationship with Christ?

2. Even though we are new in Jesus, why do we choose to go back to our old ways

   of living? How can we fight against the temptation to go back to the old self?

3. Does sin only ever affect us? How does it hurt other people? How can we help each other to fight against sin?

Breakout Questions:

1. Confess the recurring sin(s) in your life that you struggle with. Pray for one another and develop an accountability plan to grow in your support among each other.

Power in Personal Evangelism.

Review:

Personal Evangelism 101:

1. Look for those that are Seeking. (Acts 8:26-29)



2. Meet people where they Are. (Acts 8:30-35a)



Review: John 4



3. Make it about Jesus. (Acts 8:35b)



4. Encourage a Decision. (Acts 8:36-40)

(Listen to Baptism 101)

• What is baptism?
  Baptism is a visible, God-chosen, God-commanded, response to my faith. See Acts 2


• Who is baptism for?
  It is for people who have received Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

Common Excuses for not getting Baptized:

1. "I was baptized when I was a baby."
2. "I'd offend my parents and and family." See Acts 5:29
3. "I need to wait until I'm on track spiritually."
4. "I don't like being in front of people."
5. "I need to pray about it."


• What is the purpose of baptism?
  It is the profession of faith. See Rom 6:1-5


• When should a person be baptized?
  It is to be done immediately upon belief.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 8:26-40

1. How can you tell if an unsaved person YOU know (coworker, gym buddy, neighbor, whatever) is seeking?

2. In Acts 8:35, we see Philip’s message was about Jesus. What specifically do unsaved people need to know about Jesus?

3. *Imagine a Christian friend of yours never got baptized, but asked you, "Why should I get baptized?" How would you answer this?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

The Power is Not for Sale.

Review:

Repent: 4 Sins that Will Keep You From Christ

1. Thinking too much of Yourself. (Acts 8:9-11)



See Matt 5:3



2. Thinking too much of Religion. (Acts 8:12-13)



3. Thinking too much of Money. (Acts 8:14-19)



See Rom 8:9 | Isa 55:1
Listen to I Love to Give!



4. Thinking only of Consequences. (Acts 8:20-25)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Acts 8:9-25

1. Do you think Simon was saved in this passage? Why or why not? Do you think HE thought he was? Why or why not?

2. How did Peter know Simon’s heart wasn’t right (Acts 8:21-22)?

3. Is "fear of consequences" a right motivation to get saved? Why or why not?

Breakout Questions:
Pray for one another.

A Biblical Response to Tragedy.

How to View a Tragedy, According to Jesus.

1. Tragedy can happen to Anyone.



2. Tragedy is always Unexpected.



3. Tragedy is a wake-up call for the Living.



Review: Eccl 7:2 | John 3:16



4. Tragedy is a reminder to the Church for Urgency.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Luke 13:1-5

1. What do you typically say when people ask your opinion about events like the shooting in Orlando?

2. How did Jesus respond when asked about a similar massacre (Luke 13:1-3)? Why did He also mention the "tower in Siloam" incident (Luke 13:4)? Why is His response to the tower scene exactly the same as the Pilate scene (compare Luke 13:3 and Luke 13:5)?

3. *Imagine a similar tragedy happening in the Pittsburgh area. For discussion's sake, let's say a "gentlemen's club" downtown experiences a shooting that kills many people. Describe specifically how we as a church should respond. 

Breakout Questions:

1. Personally and as a small group, what should your response be to tragedy, according to Jesus? Have a plan now for when it happens!