What Do You Say To That?
The following video deals with that and 4 other common objections to your faith that you need to be ready to graciously respond to. Take notes and be ready to share one that particularly grabs you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFV0RF5VSVQ
Read Rom.2:12-16. It makes it clear that such people have their consciences bearing witness of right and wrong. But none of us lives up to even the law of our conscience, let alone the law of God. We all need a Savior. The conversion of Cornelius in Acts 10 makes it clear that God will send the gospel message to those who want such. If someone doesn't want the Savior, then there is another way of being saved. If a man perfectly obeys the law of God, he will be declared righteous in God's sight (Rom.2:12-13). To the man confident of his own righteousness, we could say, "Good luck with that approach buddy! Could we talk to your wife about how you're doing with that?:)
1.-Share one thing from the video and/or Rom.2:12-16.
2.-Write on your MP3 card "God will judge men's secrets through Jesus Christ" Rom.2:16
Announcements
Thanks for being a great, encouraging band of brothers.
There was a question regarding scoring. Give yourself one point for each group of people you mass text or mass email, and one point for each individual you text, email, call or visit with face to face.
Especially Tuesdays' team (Eddie, Phil, Alex, Ismael and James), please contact Israel and Lucas to give them a word of encouragement. They are good brothers. As a reminder to all, you'll see your name and the team you're on, by clicking on the Contacts tab at the bottom of the Scoreboard spreadsheet.
Announcements
Thanks for being a great, encouraging band of brothers.
There was a question regarding scoring. Give yourself one point for each group of people you mass text or mass email, and one point for each individual you text, email, call or visit with face to face.
Especially Tuesdays' team (Eddie, Phil, Alex, Ismael and James), please contact Israel and Lucas to give them a word of encouragement. They are good brothers. As a reminder to all, you'll see your name and the team you're on, by clicking on the Contacts tab at the bottom of the Scoreboard spreadsheet.
1. Great concise video that explains several important truths that we should all know in order to effectively defend our faith. One point that I thought was important was that " religion is centered on man's good works, Christianity is centered on Christ's good work on the cross." Knowing this is very liberating because none of us could be good enough or do enough good works in order to save ourselves, it is all done through the redemptive work on the cross by Jesus. Thank you Lord that you provided such a loving and miraculous way for us to be saved.
ReplyDeleteThank you Roger! Right on.
DeleteVery true! Good word.
DeleteIt is by Grace you have been saved. And this is not of yourselves, this is the gift of God. Not by works so no man can boast. (Paraphase Eph 2:7-8)
DeleteRoger you always bring out so much from the day message God bless you.
Delete1. It's all about our COMMITTMENT to Jesus as our Savior. Too many others get caught up in religion, going to church, and their own works earning points with God-- but as a true believer in Christianity it's about God reaching down to us and providing our Savior for our Salvation. God will present himself to all the world as in Romans- it is up to us to choose eternal life or death-- I chose to follow Jesus. It is by God's grace that we are saved alone and only through Jesus sacrifice.for us on the cross
ReplyDelete2. Did it
That's right Jack- it's by God's grace, His favor in reaching down to rescue the likes of us.
DeleteAmen Jack. It's about that everyday commitment. Thank you for making that commitment and living it out for others to see.
DeleteJack you so right it is by God grace alone that we are saved Amen!
DeleteAmen thank you for proclaiming God's truth, may we all choose to follow Christ.
DeleteGreat job Jack. HE>i. Dying to ourselves and committing to Him. We trumps me.
Delete1.Romans 2:14 ESV For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. This verse showed me everyone's going to be judged whether we heard of Jesus or not. The video also did a good job explaning that.
ReplyDelete2. Did it!
Everyone has some type of compass that they live by. Ours is not based on what society says, but what God says.
DeleteGood words James and I like Eddie's words as well.
DeleteYou da man James! ;)
DeleteYou really don't actively believe in Christ until you make a commitment to him that he is your lord and savior. There is a bigger truth, Those who have heard the truth and are ignoring it.
ReplyDeleteI brought up a series of questions that I have been contemplating for a while now since I have came my lord and savior and that's of being a Jew or a gentile and I'm not sure if the whole world is just divided in those 2 "categories". I feel that I am in the middle right now. I would like everyone's input on this if you may.
I have always contemplated the religious part of it and I didn't wanna be a part of religion but life taught me to have a relationship and I see now where the lord has led me to.
DID IT.
Guillermo good questions. Gentiles are a term for non-Jews or people who aren't Israelites. Historically, there has been tension between Jews and Gentiles. God's plan to save the world began with the Jewish people, but with the aim to bless everyone in the world. Jesus came as a human, a Jew, to die on the cross for all, Jews and Gentiles.
DeleteThanks for texting me that question. To reiterate my answer, Eph.2:11-22 makes it clear that God's plan is to take out of both Jews and Gentiles (non Jews) to make one new man- a third group, if you will. That is what you and all of us as believers in Christ are- whether Gentile or Jew by birth. The new birth brings us into God's family. Here the lines of ethnicity are no longer to divide us. We are all equally children of God.
Delete"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him." 1 John 3:1
DeleteAs believers in Jesus Christ we all become children of God he does not see us as Jews
Deleteand Gentles.
1. Yes there is only one Way. It is only by the name of Jesus in which we can be saved. We have been given a mandate to share this with people. Everyone will stand before the Judge. And some people argue that God in His just ways may not hold people accountable for something they never knew. Perhaps He offers people that opportunity then? But just like Romans 1:20 says, men are without excuse for knowing that God exists and that He has created the world. However, some may acknowledge God, a creator, and may find God's mercy because they acknowledged what has been revealed in general, but it still leaves those people darkened to the Way of our Savior. That's why it's important to preach the Gospel to all. God brought light for the darkened land through the light of the world, Jesus. As illumination comes so does revelation. As revelation comes so does higher responsibility.
ReplyDelete2. Did it.
Very good Eddie! If men could be saved apart from the gospel, then there would be no need to proclaim it. Glad you even leave the comforts of America to spread the knowledge of the Lord. You are a great example!
Deleteummm. Yes we are responsible to share His truth and hope for illumination...Great statement eddie.
Delete1. "They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them." Romans 2:15
ReplyDeleteGod's judgments are infinitely just! "Only let us live up to what we have already attained." Philippians 3:16
"But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked." Luke 12:48
Video= Relationship, not religion!
Excellent cross references Robert and quite challenging.
Deleteamen let us understand the rich's we have recieved, so that we may have a clear goal for which to strive.
DeleteThanks Robert for backing up what you say with scripture. I pray that you continue to speak and write wit the sword of the spirit.
DeleteThe video makes it clear that people who have never heard of Jesus Christ will be judged
ReplyDeleteon their own consciousness. But none of us can even live up to are own consciousness,
let alone the law of God. I like the verse in romans 2:13 For it is not the hears of the law
who are righteous before God,but the doers of the law who will be justified.
amen let us be doers
DeleteGreat mind set John. We who believe in God and follow His examples will do well in life and than the after life.
DeleteAmen I completely agree with your words. Great to see you faithful in God's word.
DeleteIsn't it great to be in such a great band of encouraging brothers John?
Delete1) video: The constant theme that stands out to me is in every scenario is responsibility for the knowledge we hold and are able to obtain and the consequences of those choices. Fear rightly applied is the ability to see danger and avoid walking into its consequences.
ReplyDeleteRomans 2:12-16
I am glad Gods goodness, grace, and mercy only hold us accountable for the good we know to do and the evil we know to avoid but even in this we stand condemned. Thank you father for the death of our innocent Christ which covers the deeds of this Guilty man.
I echo your prayer Antonio!
DeleteYes let us be doers of the word because we are blessed by the grace and mercy of God.
DeleteThe video speaks about our conscience. I believe before you are saved God is trying to tell you what is right from wrong in our decisions making. Once your are saved than our conscience turns into the Holy Spirit trying to keep us on the straight path. God does not want us to fail. He gives us free will to make our own decisions but he wants us to follow Him and be good examples for others. I didn't state great examples because we don't want to set the expectation bar to high. Being a good example is easier to achieve if we let the Holy Spirit guide us. To be a great example would mean we are equal to God and there is no other God than Jesus Christ Himself.
ReplyDeleteYes Mike, it is much easier to be a good example than a great example. The best of men are men at best. The Holy Spirit uses our consciences we have as believers, though it at times needs to be re-educated by the truth of God. 1 Cor.8 speaks to this. see also Rom.9:1
DeleteMike I like to thank you for your encouraging words it means a lot to me and say that
DeleteDave is right it is good to be in a band of encouraging brothers
What about Those Who Have Never Even Heard of Jesus...?
ReplyDeleteWhen I hear that objection it makes me get back to my objective. Which is to go out in the world and proclaim the name of Jesus Christ. I have noticed that the objections that we have been learning about has me thinking about my knowledge of Gods word and my mission to proclaim Jesus to the world. I pray the Lord drives us to proclaim his name out to the word. Thanks for the Videos brother Dave its been a wake up call for me.
God bless
"O good, thank you!" is what fell out of my mouth Vince as I read your words. God bless you.
DeleteI like how it touched on the difference of "being in a religion" and "being in a relationship with GOD". I always find myself explaining to people, "just because you go to church doesn't mean you're going to heaven, there are works that need to go hand in hand with going to church"
ReplyDeleteGood explanation from the video. If you were never informed about Christ then God will judge you on your conscience. I'm grateful that God is just. We are fortunate to know who Christ is and are obligated to spread the word to those who don't.
ReplyDeleteVery good Chuy. As a born again Christian, our consciences are made super sensitive to the Holy Spirits convictions. And we still have a choice to listen and heed the Holy Spirit or ignore Him. We do not want to quench the Holy Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19) Make sure you do what He shows you is right thing to do.
DeletePeople that never hear about Jesus will not be sent to hell but instead they will be judged on there conscience. I like how it states that if they are seeking there conscience and to know there creator that God will introduce them to Jesus Christ.
ReplyDeleteIt's wonderful to see that you've been so consistently blogging on M3 Philip. This is great training we are receiving.
DeleteJust a slight clarification about what Dave G. said in the video - "But if some never hear, He won't send them to hell for rejecting one they never heard of. Instead, such people will be judged on the basis of their conscience."
The point is that they may still go to hell if they violate their conscience. And sadly the majority do act against the guidance of their consciences.
1.-Share one thing from the video and/or Rom.2:12-16.
ReplyDeleteRomans 2:13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God’s sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous. The unregenerated man, when exposed and surrounded by the truth and light – will seek to do the minimum that they think is required by God. This could include going to church, (minimum Christmas & Easter) reading the Bible, and participating more or less in religious activities. Often times they tend to walk right on the edge of the cliff of what they consider to be right and wrong. This man is actually under greater judgment then those who know not God and are unaware of His truths. But the regenerated man, who is born again, seeks closeness to God. Out of love for God he is obedient. He desires and is eager to do what God says in His Word. This man will be declared righteous.
From the video > I appreciated the typical objections and the clear, concise answers that where given by Dave G. I really, really liked that last point by Bill Graham “ “To know about Christ is not enough. To be convinced that he is the Savior of the world is not enough. To affirm your faith in Him as we do in the Apostle's creed is not enough. You really don't actively believe in Christ until you make a commitment of your life to Him and receive Him as your Savior.” I will include it in a letter that I need to write to someone.
2. Did It.
Brother Dave H, I call those individuals that attend service just twice a year, two timers! lol :-) I always enjoy the insights of your postings, God bless you brother!
DeleteSummary of Video
ReplyDeleteThose who do not know Jesus are judged based on their conscience. Don't ignore the word of God once you have learned about Him. Otherwise, suffer the consequences.
God came to give us abundant life. It is not about religion, but relationship with God. It is about a commitment to God.
I pray that we continue to seek opportunities to share the gospel. I pray that those that listen will make the right choice and heed the warning, God is patient and loving, not wanting us to perish.
I see the did it is still popular :)
Brother Sam, I come in agreement with your prayer. I thank God for you brother :-)
DeleteInteresting to note that God gave us all (starting with Adam and Eve) the consciousness to know what is wrong from right. Even if you don't know the name of Jesus, you know God exists.
ReplyDeleteActually a question I had myself but never sought after, but none the less it further more explain that all will be judged. video helps clarify it more. Also let us pray for those who have heard the fullfilment of Christ through the cross and yet reject the promises of God through His son Jesus.
ReplyDeleteDid it.
It was great seeing you earlier at Group tonight :) It is a scary thing to reject Christ for all of eternity, so I agree with you, we need to really pray for those who are rejecting the promises of eternal life thru Christ Jesus.
DeleteBrother Ismael, for far too many years I also questioned how can God judge someone for not ever hearing of Jesus. I thank God that He makes provisions through many venues to make Himself known to ALL humanity so that we are without excuse. God bless you brother :-)
Delete1. I like when Dave G says, "God doesn't try to scare us with make believe horrors, but He does warn us of a real danger, hell." It is a rare occasion that preachers or sermons will use the word "hell" as a real danger, if you ultimately reject Christ as personal savior. We really need to speak of heaven and hell more often, Christ did!
ReplyDelete2. did it
Brother Israel, agreed! That's why I enjoy Pastor Job's messages. They're well balanced and he doesn't shy away from preaching the truth of an eternal place of condemnation (Hell) for those who reject salvation! Glad to see you posting, God bless you brother :-)
DeleteI like how the video says that if a person is seeking to know God, then God will make sure they learn about Jesus. This video (similar to the other one we had just watched) reminded me again of Jeremiah 29:13- "You will seek me and find me when you seek for me with all your heart." Cornelius is a great example of that fact.
ReplyDeleteGreat point Alex and it was great seeing you at Group tonight.
DeletePS.. don't forget to write "Did it" when you wrote down the verse in today's blog :)
Brother Alex, yes! God searches the heart of the matter :-)
DeleteI like the example of someone walking towards a cliff and warning them about it. It is really similar to what evangelizing is. It also made me laugh.
ReplyDeleteBrother Lucas, agreed, I'd laugh too if it weren't so tragic. Glad to see you posting, keep up the good work :-)
DeleteThe detail about "I'm just not that into that stuff," comes up often in the school I work at. I took not of the response that the choice is yours to make along with the consequences however take heed or be warned that there is a very real danger that I would like to warn about, which is Hell.
ReplyDeleteThis section from God's word was very hefty and difficult to understand when I first studied it. But to put things plainly: If nature declares the Creation, the Gospel will be delivered, and in the conscience a person will then be held accountable.
Did it
DeleteBrother Gary, "in the conscience a person will then be held accountable." Just like in our modern day law, so called ignorance is not an excuse nor does it negate the wrong done. Great insight brother :-)
DeleteRomans 2:16 And this is the message I proclaim—that the day is coming when God, through Christ Jesus, will judge everyone’s secret life.
ReplyDeleteThis verse is a good reminder that God is always watching, He will judge us by what He sees in our conscience and by how we act when we think nobody is watching.
Brother George, right on "He will judge us by what He sees in our conscience and by how we act when we think nobody is watching." May the Lord cultivate us to be M.A.N.L.Y. men of God.
Delete1.-Share one thing from the video and/or Rom.2:12-16
ReplyDeleteLike where the video shows the difference between a religious religion where man attempts reaching God through religious rituals, where as in Christianity God is reaching down to man for his salvation. Romans 2:15 talks of the Godly moral laws to be abide by from all humanity, these morality conscience sensors are God's command principles for us to uphold. They are heart felt emotions instill in man for us to know the difference from right and wrong. There are also deep hidden heart felt conscience thoughts that corrupt our spirit and state of mind that cannot be conceal from God. For God knows all, the truth and the lies.To ignore your righteous conscience and continue in a deceitful path will be judge by God. 1 Cor.4:5 "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until The Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God."
Brother Armando, Love that verse in 1 Cor 4:5. You're becoming unstoppable, "No Word, no sleep!"
ReplyDelete1.To reject the Messiah means that you will spend eternity in hell. Christ work on the cross is what gets us to heaven and are accepting him as our Savior is like the ticket to heaven we need to commit our lives to him.
ReplyDeleteSorry for the late post. We need to be unstoppable.