West Cobb Church / Ken Williams Blog

some people have asked for the link to the joel osteen video.  here it is…

Here are some questions that I didn’t get answered in the service (or I only answered in one of the services).  Yesterday’s topic was a difficult one to communicate clearly, so if you still have questions, email me and I’ll answer them through email or the blog.

Q: What do you do with the verse, “There is no other name given to men by which we must be saved?”

I believe it.  We are not saved by the name of Muhammad, Buddha, Abraham, or _________ (insert your name here).  We are saved only because of what Jesus did on the cross.  Jesus is the “way, the truth, and the life.  No one comes to God except through Him.” (John 14:6)

Q: @what point does mercy become enabling…and how do the merciFULL learn to trust the “tough love” of the “merciLESSON”?

I’m not sure that I understand the question, but… Often people with the gift of mercy become enablers.  We should always have a merciful attitude toward people, but we enable them when we remove natural consequences from their lives.  God tends to teach through natural consequences, but we forget that.  If you suspect that you’re an enabler, meet with a wise, mature, older believer and seek their advice.

Q: How do people know that Christianity is the right way while others think that other religions are right to them???

This happens after someone tries life his way (or his religion’s way) and figures out that it doesn’t work.  In other words, s/he realizes the s/he can’t become perfect or remove his/her guilt.  Once we figure that out, then we can choose (or not choose) to approach God through faith and grace.

Q: Is it wrong to be accepting and tolerant of gay people?

I’ll answer this question on July 4th when I teach on: Dumb Stuff Smart People Believe: ‘Don’t Judge!’

Q:  I’ve heard my entire life that God is waiting, until the last person hears the gospel, to return…true or false?

This teaching comes from Matthew 24:14 and 2 Peter 3:8-9.  These verses definitely teach that God is slow in returning because He wants to give us more time to repent and come to Him.  Have you ever been frustrated with God and asked, ‘What’s taking you so long???’ The answer is: He wants others to come to Him.

Q: What about babies that die? Does the Bible teach anything on an ”age of accountability?”

We are innocent before God until we “know enough to reject the wrong and choose the right” – which in Old Testament times was about 12 years old.  We take this teaching from Jewish tradition, Deut 1:39, and Isaiah 7:16.

Q: Can someone who has ONLY experienced general revelation go to heaven?

Yes.

Q: What’s the link to the Billy Graham video?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TNCnxA91fHE

Q:  Since God has made himself known to all, does this minimize the importance of missionaries?

Absolutely not!  It’s MUCH easier to understand salvation through specific revelation (the Bible).  Otherwise, God would not give us the Bible.  Faith comes from hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17).  So when we hear the full message, it helps people have faith in God through Jesus Christ.

Q:  Is it possible for a believer to intentionally choose “big” sin (i.e. divorce or unfaithfulness) and ultimately have peace, even if not in same marriage?

Yes, but s/he has to work through a TON of guilt and regret – and most people never do.

Q: Why can’t I embrace Jesus and Oprah?

I’ve always felt that Oprah gave fairly good advice, but (for me) she ‘jumped the shark’ when she started talking about The Secret.  When she entered the world of spiritual adviser, I turned her off.

I’d love to hear your thoughts and questions from yesterday.  Join the discussion and post them in the comments.

Q: Does God forgive big sins different that little ones?

I’ll answer this one on Sunday.

Q: Was the story of Adam and Eve literal or figurative?

I believe the first chapter of Genesis is a song, a figurative account of creation.  (I also believe that chapter two supports this view.)  I believe that Adam and Eve are literal figures of history, but some intelligent, conservative scholars believe that they are figurative.  Do you know when we’ll be 100% sure about this?     (You’ll get that joke if you were in yesterday’s service.)

Q: How do I balance child-like faith with being able to give an account for the faith that I have? How do I keep from dishonoring God with distrust??

My follow up question to this one is, ‘Who are you trying to fool?’  Think about it.  God knows our hearts better than we do.  He already knows our doubts.  So start by being honest.  But like I said yesterday, Make sure your faith rules your doubts, instead of your doubts ruling your faith.

Q: What does God say about tattoos?

Read the blog from June 9th… last question.

Q:  I don’t doubt but I get impatient w God because of His apparent lack of interest in destroying the evil in this world.

It’s easy to feel this way, but you’re making a critical mistake… you believe you know and understand everything that’s going on right now.  We don’t have a clue.  We even misinterpret current events.  Don’t let yourself get into that trap.  I promise you.  God is your champion and thwarts Satan more than we ever know.

Q: I trusted God, let him in my life, and accepted him but now I just go with the flow… What can I do to feel that way again?

God doesn’t want you to feel ‘that way’ again.  That’s like us saying, ‘How can I feel giddy and care free like a baby.’  That said, I understand what you’re saying.  There are times I feel close to God and times I don’t.  It’s a normal pattern of life.  Try praying daily and buy the devotional, Jesus Calling. It will help you understand how God works in the world and you’ll be encouraged by it.  If you want a link to the book, CLICK HERE

Q: Does God really intervene on our behalf?  Does He really want us to be happy on this Earth with all of this evil surrounding us?

Yes to #1.  No to #2, but He does want us to live with love, joy, and peace… even with all the evil going on around us.  God leaves us here to join His mission in redeeming this world.  Come next week and you’ll learn more about what I mean.  In the meantime, as you learn to trust God more, you’ll develop more love, joy, and peace… even with all the evil in the world.

Q: Doesn’t God have an obligation to make Himself know in order to help me know He is real?

Come Sunday and I’ll answer this question.

Q: Are Catholics Christians?

If they trust Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins, yes.  I quoted one of my mentors in the 9:30 am service.  He said, “If Mother Teresa isn’t in heaven, we’re all in trouble.”

Q: How do we respond when a unbelieving friend has a bad experience with a crazy “sidewalk preacher” or a Christian who is not preaching grace?

I always say that Jesus would be turned off by these people, too.  Here’s a good life principle (one that WE should embrace FAR more than we do)… Don’t Ever Judge a Group by the Fringe Elements of That Group.

Q: What do you think about the missing books of the Bible and the Dead Sea Scrolls?

See my sermon on May 3, 2009.  It’s a podcast on the website.  If you haven’t heard that sermon, it’s the second most important sermon you could listen to.  The most important sermon was last Sunday’s.

Q:  Do you think the Lakers will win?

No.  Boston will wrap up the series tomorrow night.