ASK THE PASTORS

GOT QUESTIONS?

Well we got answers. OK so it's we have answers. We still don't have answers to every question -- like where your socks go or how belly button lint really happens. But we can find answers and share them with you.

Q. Can you prove to me God exists?

Empirically NO ... PS: It takes faith.

Q. I don't believe there is a God, so what do you have to say about that?

At one time people believed the earth was flat. Their mere belief did not change the shape of the world. Eventually their belief conformed to the real truth. Even if we don't believe the same though, I will respect your choice to believe differently.

Q. Why do you Christians try to shove your beliefs down our throats?

Sounds like someone has before and for that I am sorry. We are sure HOPE won't try to shove anything down anyone's throat. We simply try to share with you and let you make your own choices.

Q. Well I'm a good person, God won't send me to hell. (Will he?)

The problem is you are not good enough. Romans 3:23 says "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," And God does not send us to hell, we choose to go there -- by not choosing his son Jesus Christ as our saviour.

Q. God is a god of love, right?

Yes he is. In fact Romans 5:8 says "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us."
However he is also a holy and righteous God. Jesus told us he was the way the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father except through him. got Jesus?

Q. Wasn't the Bible just written by a group of religous guys?

God did use men throughout time to write the books of the Bible, but God authored and inspired those men. The Bible is the one real book of truth. When you consider that the many individuals wrote their respective book at different times throughout history without collaboration and yet it confirms each other; I find that amazing

Q. Well the church is just a bunch of hypocrites, isn't it?

Just hypocrites, no. But we can find hypocrites anywhere. I find it amazing that that this is so often brought up, yet there are fake $20 bills, and I have never encountered anyone and I repeat anyone who has stopped using currency just because there are conterfeit bills out there. Hmmmm --

Q. I'm not a religious person!

Neither am I. Don't confuse relationship with religion. God wants the former, not the later. It's not about following God, it's about seeking after him.

Q. There are many ways, aren't there?

Jesus said "I am the way, the truth and the light and no man comes to the father except through me"

Q. I've done some really bad things, can God really forgive me?

YES. Not only can he, but he will. We have all done things we regret and are ashamed of. I know I have. But God's grace is truly amazing. If we sincerely come to him, through his Son, we can find forgiveness for everything. Hebrews 8:12 says "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." God does not hold your past sins over your head. He just simply forgives you.

Q. How can you say there is a God with all the pain and suffering in the world?

How can you say there isn't a God with all the love and hope in the world?

Q. How can I believe in a God I can't see?

It's called faith. No one said it was/is easy. Hebrews 11: v1 & 3 says "1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ... 3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible." We trust in things that we can't see or fully understand everyday. Everyday we flip a light switch and the lamp comes on. We push a button on a remote and the channel is changed on our TV. I don't see the electricity and I won't see the infrared beam, but yet it all works. Just like God. We must have that simple child-like (not childish) faith.

Q. Well I have been hurt at church, so why should I come back?

Ever been hurt at a bar, a restaurant, or a store. Well that hasn't stopped you from going back. Stop using that as an excuse. I am sorry that you were hurt and a church should be the last place that it happens. But it does sometimes and sometimes people don't apologize and seems to make it hurt worse. But don't listen to the little voice telling you not to go back. Find another church. Find a place of healing, a place of hope.

Q. People will just make fun of me!

God won't and neither will we.

Q. I don't want to change, why should I?

You don't have to, you have a choice. Oh didn't I mention eternity? So what is your seating choice - smoking or non? But more than what is at the end of life, there is a loving God who wants to be with you now. Who desires a relationship with each of us

Q. Why should I change? God made me the why I am!

God knew each of us while we were still in the womb (Psalms ) . I believe he gave each of us different and unique abilities and personalities. And he also gave the gift of choice. God does not make us sin, in fact (I know I will get some who argue with me), even Satan really can't make do anything. We choose, good or bad - we make the choices.

Q. How do you know you are saved?

Faith, but faith in what? Read the next question.

Q. OK then, how do I get saved?

Wow, ask a dozen people and you will probably get a dozen answers. Some would tell you what church they attend, maybe some would say they were baptized, other would tell you they repeated a prayer. Let me share with you the ABC's of Salvation.

Acknowledge - you acknowledge that you are a sinner and only God can save you
Believe - you must believe that Jesus Christ came to die for you
Confess - you must confess with your mouth

Q. Is there really a Hell? I heard that Hell is on earth.

Yes there is. Despite what some may say, Hell is not a state of mind. Hell is not what we are going through here on earth. Jesus talked about in Luke chapter 16 verses 19 - 28.
19 "There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. 20 At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores 21 and longing to eat what fell from the rich man's table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 "The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham's side. The rich man also died and was buried. 23 In hell, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side. 24 So he called to him, 'Father Abraham, have pity on me and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am in agony in this fire.' 25 "But Abraham replied, 'Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. 26 And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.' 27 "He answered, 'Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father's house, 28 for I have five brothers. Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of torment.'

Q. Doesn't it take a leap of faith to believe in Creationism (that God created the universe)?

It takes a leap of faith to believe in both Creationism and evolution. But I believe it takes more faith to believe in evolution.

Q. Is evolution true?

Despite what you may hear, I don't believe evolution to be entirely true. (A more defintive answer is forth coming).

Have other questions? Email us!

Please understand that these short answers are not meant to replace your own personal study of the Word of God or to replace your pastor if you are going to a Bible believing Christ centered church.

They are meant to provoke thought.