Bob and Ed Stetzer had a great conversation about this on the web in reflecting on the event. Check it out here.  To see the message from that Sunday, click here. To see the actual Question & Answer  forum, click here.

We are now in dialogue with the Rabbi and Imam about how we will engage one another in the future and will let you know as details emerge.

We are shutting down comments as we start a new series. Check back, throughout the year we’ll post more of these opportunities.

Several of you have asked for more resources. Here are some I, Jordan, recommend.

The best book on Genesis 1 and creation/evolution, I have found is The Lost World of Genesis One by Walton. If you really want to read Genesis 1 in its context you must consider its claims. It is bombshell on the playground of the materialist view of Genesis and is creating a stir in OT studies.  It deals with Genesis as an account of God giving function to creation in Gen 1, not materialism. A great read that will challenge you to really think about the purpose of Genesis 1 as the Ancient Near East would read the text. Frances Collins, the genome scientist states of the work, “Walton elevates Scripture to a new level of respectful understanding, and eliminates any conflict between scientific and scriptural descriptions of origins.” A bold claim, but if you take the argument of this book as valid, it does.

Of interest for scientist is Jim Tour, Rice professor and one of the most quoted in scientific publications (big stuff in the academic world) who is a believer.

If you don’t chose to embrace Walton’s view….check this as a Young Earth Creation site http://www.answersingenesis.org/

OR check this as an Old Earth Creationist website http://www.answersincreation.org/

Several verses teach us to continue to boldly worship in grace.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Romans 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Ephesians 2:7 He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. 18For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

If you had to wait until you “got it together” to worship God, when would you ever be able to worship Him this side of heaven? Never. Coming into worship actually puts us in the presence of God where He can begin to reveal to us both our sin and His provision to not only forgive the penalty of our sin (separation and death) but to begin transforming us from the power of our sin (sanctifying us or making us holy).

Jesus said it well concerning who should come to Him.

Matthew 9:12But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. 13 Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Satan will try to convince you that you aren’t good enough to worship God. He’s right. You are not. Jesus is!!!! And you are now hidden in Christ. Worship with abandon.

A non-Christian religion is an organized group that teaches something clearly different than Christianity does about God or the spiritual/supernatural realm.

A cult is a group that can, at first, appear to be aligned with the orthodox teaching of Christianity but upon further examination actually does not hold to the same beliefs as Christians on core doctrinal issues. Often these groups will deem themselves to be “Christian.” Trying to discern? Start with these questions:

1. Who do you say Jesus is?
An orthodox follower of Jesus believes:

• Jesus Christ is the only and eternal Son of God.
• All things were created through Him.
• He is God.
• He is not created, but is co-eternal with the Father and the Spirit.
• He was born of the Virgin Mary, thereby becoming fully human in both body and soul, while remaining fully God—giving up none of His divine attributes.
• He has both a sinless and complete human nature and a complete divine nature, and yet He is one person.
• Untainted by the sin of Adam, He lived a life without sin.
• His death on the cross was as a substitution and a payment for the sins of the world.
• He was buried, and on the third day after His death, He was resurrected in a physical, yet glorified body.
• He ascended into Heaven and will return again to judge the living and the dead.
• see Matthew 1:22, 23; Isaiah 9:6; John 1:1-5, 14:10-30; Hebrews 4:14, 15; I Corinthians 15:3, 4; Romans 1:3, 4; Acts 1:9-11; I Timothy 6:14, 15; Titus 2:13

Most cults will not honor Jesus as co-equal with God nor as eternally existing as God. They will make Jesus a little less than God and not see Him as an equal part of the Trinity.

2. How do you receive salvation or a restored relationship with God?
An orthodox follower of Jesus believes that sin has broken our relationship with God. Being reconciled with God invovles:

• Salvation is God’s redemption of a person from sin.
• It is offered to humankind through Jesus Christ.
• Salvation is the free gift of God.
• It is through faith in Jesus Christ (which is a genuine turning from sin and trusting in Christ’s completed work on the cross as the only sufficient payment for sin).
• Salvation includes (1) the work of the Holy Spirit to draw a person to Jesus Christ, (2) one’s being forgiven of sin and given the positive righteousness of Christ, (3) the lifelong process by which the Holy Spirit transforms one’s character to be like Christ’s, and (4) glorification, which will be brought about when believers are bodily-resurrected to be forever with God.
• Those who do not receive salvation through faith in Jesus Christ will be eternally separated from God in Hell.
• Because God gives us eternal life through Jesus Christ, the believer is secure in his/her salvation for eternity.
• Salvation cannot be lost. It is maintained by the grace and power of God, not man.
• see Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 14:6, 1:12; Titus 3:5; Galatians 3:26; Romans 5:1; John 10:29;  II Timothy 1:12; Hebrews 7:25, 10:10, 14; I Peter 1:3-5; John 3:16, 2:25, 5:11-13; Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:15; 1 Corinthians 15:35-55; Daniel 12:2

Most “Christian” cults will grant that Jesus died on the cross. However, they will add works that we must do in order be saved. In this sense, they require adding to Jesus’  accomplishment on the cross. They believe that while Jesus might have accomplished something on the cross, more is needed and we are reconciled to God by our good works, good character, or good activity. A cult teaches that salvation is not only by grace through faith.

Usually with these two questions, discerning if a group is a cult becomes evident quickly. For more, see NorthWood’s doctrinal statement.

How can God give so much to some while others struggle for existence?

Be here Sunday for the answer and to be a part of multifaith weekend.

In this weeks message, Jordan made reference to the importance a new earth, not only heaven, as our final place of permanent residence. In doing this, God restores us to Eden, fully reconciling all that went wrong in the Fall. Here is a fantastic chart from Randy Alcorn that shows how a new earth brings Eden full circle.

Eden, Present and New Earth Chart

Source: Randy Alcorn’s book Heaven, which we highly recommend.

Instead of a lengthy blog post answer, we want to share three great books by Scientist Edgar Andrews who has more degree letters after his name than a can of alphabet soup. For more resources, including a great book on Genesis 1, see this post.

• From Nothing To Nature. A great first read for non-scientist to explain creation from a brilliant scientist with more letters behind his name than you can imagine. Should be required reading for high school students heading off to college.
• From Christ to the Cosmos. The evolutionary scenario for the origin of life is almost universally accepted and taught. Yet against this stands the Christian contention for a biblical view of origins. In this, Professor Andrews’ last work, he moves on from the basic evolution/creation debate to examine our whole concept of the creationist position. Can creationism be proved by scientific evidence? Indeed, how much weight should we give to scientific findings in relation to biblical teaching? Professor Andrews contends that if our concept of the cosmos is to be a true one, then the Christ of the Bible must be at the center of our thinking. Nay theory of origins, whether scientific creationism or evolution, that fails at this point is equally false. Only in Christ, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, can Christian faith find its ultimate and glorious fulfillment.
• Who Made God? If you have been looking for a thoughtful, cogent and accessible counterpoint to the recent flurry of publications by the so-called New Atheists, you need look no further than Edgar Andrews “Who Made God?” Rather than offering an ad hoc response to the assertions made by Richard Dawkins and the like, Dr. Andrews instead asks us to consider a different way in to the conversation to approach belief in the biblical God as a thesis in and of itself, one that is worthy of our thoughtful consideration. He asks us to apply the methodology of hypothesis to the question of God to see how it fits and, in fact, it proves to fit remarkably well. With great clarity and rousing humour, Dr. Andrews applies the thesis of God to questions like the problem of time, the nature of humanity and the question of morality and demonstrates how belief in God has both simple elegance and far-reaching explanatory power. A slightly harder read than the first two but non-scientist can still follow his argument.

Are ghosts real? If not, what happens to us immediately after we die?

Here are the poll results:

Don’t forget to check back for the online at the blog to answers to your questions that didn’t win. Invite a friend to hear Sunday as their will be a very eternal focus to the message.

The simple answer is: NO.

The longer answer: No. Someone who has truly come into a saving relationship with Jesus cannot lose her or his salvation, because they did nothing to earn it. Salvation was accomplished for us on the cross by Jesus and then offered to us as a gift (2 Corinthians 5:21). We simply responded to the free gift of God in faith. Ephesians 2:7-10 points out that even faith itself is a gift so we don’t think we somehow have a better “faith chooser” than someone else. I Peter 1:5 points out that God Himself guards our salvation. Ephesians 1:13-14 says that God gives us the Holy Spirit (God Himself) as a guarantee of our salvation.

The words “once saved/always saved” are sometimes used by people licentiously. These want to pray for salvation and, afterward, live according to their own desires while maintaining some kind of assurance that their ticket for heaven is punched. That attitude does not fit someone who has had a true encounter with Jesus Christ through the Gospel. The get-saved-and-go-my-own-way lifestyle is not the Biblical pattern we see of any follower of Jesus. The grace that saves a person is also the grace that is effective enough to begin transforming them to have the character of Jesus (the theological term for this is sanctification).

This idea that grace works is seen in another doctrine the Church has called the perseverance of the saints. This means that:

• Those who are truly in Christ will endure in their faith in Him. (John 10:26–30; 2 Timothy 4:2-4; Mark 13:13 )
• We will display obedience which is evident of the inner working of God in our hearts. (Galatians 5:19-21; John 8:31; 2 Timothy 2:19; Philippians 2:12,13)
• True followers of Jesus will not remain in a permanent state of rebellion against God (l John 2:19; 2 Timothy 2:11-13)

See also Romans 8:28-30, Jude 24-25, Philippians 1:6; l Thessalonians 5:23-24

Today, you can rejoice in the fact that God holds you in His hands and is working in you to conform you to Jesus Christ’s image until the day you cross the finish line.