I think most people are dealing with some big, unresolved question about life, God, or the world around them. These aren’t the things we banter about in the break room or write on a Facebook wall. Even at church we hesitate to voice these thoughts for fear of seeming ignorant or unfaithful. We wonder things like—
• Is there really a God?
• What happens when you die?
• Would anyone love me if they knew the worst thing about me?
• If there is a heaven, how can I know for sure I’ll go there?
• Is Christianity really true?
Not surprisingly, many of the people who met Jesus during his life on earth were dealing with these same questions. Some sought out Jesus in order to pose these queries. Others weren’t seeking him at all but simply happened across Jesus at critical moments in their lives.
In either case, their few minutes with him formed a turning point in their lives as they gained certainty about matters that had plagued or intrigued them for years. In short, they found faith.
During the next few weeks, I'll be examining a few of these fascinating people in my messages at Fall Creek Wesleyan church. I hope this will motivate some people to take the next step in their relationship with Jesus—whatever that might be.
This week, I'll be looking at the story of Nathaniel in John 1:35–51 and asking this question: “How can I know that the things people say about Jesus are really true?”
• Is there really a God?
• What happens when you die?
• Would anyone love me if they knew the worst thing about me?
• If there is a heaven, how can I know for sure I’ll go there?
• Is Christianity really true?
Not surprisingly, many of the people who met Jesus during his life on earth were dealing with these same questions. Some sought out Jesus in order to pose these queries. Others weren’t seeking him at all but simply happened across Jesus at critical moments in their lives.
In either case, their few minutes with him formed a turning point in their lives as they gained certainty about matters that had plagued or intrigued them for years. In short, they found faith.
During the next few weeks, I'll be examining a few of these fascinating people in my messages at Fall Creek Wesleyan church. I hope this will motivate some people to take the next step in their relationship with Jesus—whatever that might be.
This week, I'll be looking at the story of Nathaniel in John 1:35–51 and asking this question: “How can I know that the things people say about Jesus are really true?”
What about you? Are you one of those early adopters who seem to latch on to new ideas easily? Or are you more like Nathanael--a bit of a skeptic, a late adopter of faith?
What are the "big questions" that you've come up against in learning to trust God?
3 comments:
I've never had a problem with those kinds of questions.
That's because you have the gift of faith :-)
Is God good? So often His process of proven character that He uses to mature us SEEMS as if He is not good. He seems so unsafe.
Fortunately the Old Testament gives lots of biographies! Lots of "big pictures" that show us His hand in the midst and at the end of lives. Then there is always Romans. :0)
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