Questions from the Congregation - Part 2

GENESIS

Why does Genesis seem to have two accounts of creation? Or is chapter 2 an expansion on Day 6? Gen. 2:4 seems to start the account again.

If "death" in Romans 5 is taken as spiritual death as it is in other places in the New Testament (eg John 3:16), what is preventing us from taking the creation account of Genesis 1 - 2 as non-literal? In other words, is there any way God could have created the world not in one week ~6000 years ago?

Who are the Giants of Genesis 6 and will they be back? "As in the days of Noah, so it shall be in the coming of the Son of Man."

REVELATION

What does the Scriptures say about the timing of the rapture of the church? Will it occur before, or at the start of, the end times?

Does the Bible indicate if the antichrist actually knows he is the antichrist?

Satan and ⅓ of the angels fell from God's grace because of sin (him wanting to be God). How can I be sure it won't happen to ME in eternity (I certainly know I'm no angel)? Revelation 7:4 and 14:1,3. Is the number of 144,000 a literal number of those who will be marked with the seal of God? What does this mean? Will only 144,000 people (believers) make it into Heaven?


HEAVEN and HELL

How will we relate/react to our earthly spouse when we are in Heaven?

If God loves all people as His children and is all powerful, how can He allow ANY of His children to be eternally separated from Him in hell?

Is there a purgatory?

I recently heard a message on the radio that said "sheol" is not the same as "hell". It was said that "sheol" is a holding place. Is this where the Catholic religion gets their model for "purgatory"? Also, IS "sheol" different from "hell"?

When someone dies who is not saved and their loved ones say "he/she is in heaven/in a better place", I don't feel that it's the proper time to explain that is just not so (meaning at the time of the funeral/death). What do I say, then, in response to this at this time?

In 1978, Pope Paul (VI) said, "One day we will see our pets in the eternity of Christ" and a few weeks ago, Pope Francis said, "Paradise is open to all God's creatures." Is there any Biblical basis for either of these statements?


DOCTRINAL ISSUES

What is the deal with the apocrypha? Why is it not included in the protestant canon?

If Jesus forgave us for all of our sins on the cross, why does 1 John 1:9 say that we need to confess our sins and then we will be forgiven? What happens if we don't confess? Are we not forgiven? Signed: Confused!

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK

Christmas from God's Point of View

Do the Math About Jesus:


Jesus = WITH God + IS God (John 1:1-3)



Jesus = LIFE + LIGHT (John 1:4-9)


Jesus = GRACE + TRUTH (John 1:14)


Becoming a Child of God = RECEIVE + BELIEVE (John 1:10-13)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read John 1:1-14

  1. How would you explain Jesus was WITH God AND Jesus IS God? (John 1:1)
     
  2. How does Jesus enlighten people? Explain how that happens. (John 1:4-9)
     
  3. Based on John 1:12, how would you share with someone how to become a child of God?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

Spoiler Alert! This is How It Ends! - Part 3

Review


SPOILER ALERT! How to Apply End Times Teaching...


  1. Pay ATTENTION . (Mk 13:28-32)



  2. Stay AWAKE . (Mk 13:33-37)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 13:28-37

  1. What is the lesson of the fig tree (Mk 13:28-29)? What are the signs to be looking for?
     
  2. Do you expect the Rapture / Second Coming Events to happen in your lifetime? Why or why not? 

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another to live in the expectation of the certain and imminent return of Jesus.

Spoiler Alert! This is How It Ends! - Part 2

Review (Mk 13:1-13)


SPOILER ALERT! The Countdown of Final Events:


  1. ABOMINATION . (Mk 13:14)

  2. EVACUATION . (Mk 13:14-20)

  3. INDOCTRINATION . (Mk 13:21-23)

  4. DELUMINATION . (Mk 13:24-25)

  5. CORONATION .(Mk 13:26-27)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 13:14-27

  1. What are the 5 events Jesus highlighted describing the "end of the world"?
     
  2. Reread Mark 13:23. Why did Jesus tell all of this beforehand? What does this mean to you as a follower of Christ?

Breakout Questions:

Pray for one another!

Spoiler Alert! This is How It Ends! - Part 1

A Compliment, a Prediction, and a Question... (Mk 13:1-4)


SPOILER ALERT:

Three ways Jesus describes the world until He returns...


  1. There will be great D ECEPTION . (Mk 13:5-6)

  2. There will be global D EVASTATION . (Mk 13:7-8)

  3. There will be gospel D IVISION . (Mk 13:9-13)

Three Glorious Realities

  1. The gospel is proclaimed! (Mk 13:10)

  2. The Holy Spirit reigns! (Mk 13:11)

  3. There is a finish line! (Mk 13:13b)

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

Small Group Questions (Whole Group):
Read Mark 13:1-13

  1. Have you ever been hated by someone because of Jesus? Share with the group how it made you feel and how you handled it.
     
  2. List the things that Jesus describes in this passage. Does this change your expectations about the world? Why or why not?
     
  3. "But the one who endures to the end will be saved." (Mk 13:13). What did Jesus mean by this statement? Do you lose your salvation by running out of endurance? Does this mean only saved people have endurance? Explain what this statement means - and what endurance looks like.

Breakout Questions:

What is one thing you have a hard time understanding concerning the Bible's teaching on End Times?