Why? God...

Do you ever wonder why?
Why is the sky blue, or why do dogs chase their tail, or perhaps why bad things happen, or why science and faith always seem at odds?

As a parent I realize that most days I am going to get asked 100 or so questions by my two kids, particularly my 8-year-old son. He is inquisitive and wants to understand why certain things happen the way they do. As a kid I was the same way and even more so as an adult. Tony Bennett, musician and composer, is quoted as saying, "The more I learn, the less I know." Thus, we are in a perpetual state of learning. I am fascinated by the stars, the way coffee is brewed, how our body gets in a state of ketosis, why certain phone batteries swell, and what constitutes as offsides in soccer (I'm refereeing my son's team).

I am also constantly wondering about God, Faith, and life along with many other people. The state of the church worldwide seems to be in a fragile state and many people are asking questions about their faith, about who God is, and whether God is still relevant to our society today. Personally, I think it is a great thing when we deeply reflect upon our faith. We see Jesus doing this all the time in the scriptures, he is questioning common false beliefs or teachings the religious leaders had. In Matthew 22:41-46, Jesus asks the pharisees, religious leaders, about the Messiah. Jesus first asks them about the Messiah, and they reply, the son of David. Then Jesus V45 "If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” In Mark 2, Jesus heals a man and then is questioned by the religious leaders. Jesus responds, "Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?"

Here is what I'm getting at is that questions and doubt aren't necessarily a bad thing. Actually, they are a good thing and if we lean into them as Jesus did then our faith grows stronger. This month we are focusing on questions and doubts. We are talking about the bible, Jesus being the only way, Does God Discriminate, Science, and Bad things. I hope you will lean in with us and discover what God has to say about these topics.

By Pastor Alex Hardt

OCTOBER SERMON SERIES
Week 1 - Should I Trust the Bible?
Main: 2 Timothy 3:15-17
Memory: 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Week 2 - Is Jesus the Only Way?
Main: John 14:1-7
Memory: John 14:6

Week 3 - Does God Discriminate?
Main: Luke 7: 37-50
Memory: Titus 2:11

Week 4- Is Science and Faith Opposed?
Main: Genesis 1-3
Memory: John 1:1-3, 14

Week 5- Do God Let Bad Things Happen
Main: John 16:32-33
Memory: Ephesians 6: 12-13