I mustache you a question part 2 10 19 14 outline by Charles Bernal

I MUSTACHE YOU A QUESTION Part 2 – 10-1914 - Pastor Chuck Bernal

QUESTION 1: WHY DOES GOD ALLOW EVIL & SUFFERING – WHY DO BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE? There are times in our lives when we are overwhelmed by tragedy and pain. It is in those difficult times that God can be more real and speak more clearly than in any other time in life. C. S Lewis once said, “Pain is God’s megaphone.” It is a sad thing that it often takes tragedies and pain for God to get our attention and it is even more sad that when He calls out to us in these situations that, even then, we don’t listen to Him. (Chuck Swindoll)

We are ________________________________ in our __________________________________________ about God and life Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me. (1 Corinthians 13:12 – GW) “I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” (Isaiah 55:9 – Msg)

God created humans with a fantastic but frightening quality called ____________________________________________ “Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20 – NLT)

The “ _________________________ ” Principle

Some have estimated that 95% of the world's suffering results from our own sins or the sins of others - the pain and suffering that comes when we choose to be selfish or arrogant or uncaring or abusive or hateful and hurtful toward others. (Bill Hybels)

God never ____________________________________ bad things to happen, but He can _______________________them! And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose . . . (Romans 8:28 - NLT) Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7 – GNB)

God ____________________________ us and is always for us – even when we can’t _____________________________ it! What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? . . . For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 31-32, 38-39 - NLT)

TWO FACTS ABOUT PAIN & SUFFERING: 1. God ________________________ 2. it’s only _________________________ God did not create evil and suffering and death. God did create the "potential" for evil to come into the world but it was the only way to create the potential for genuine goodness and genuine love. Isn't there the potential that your own children could cause you disappointment, tragedy and pain? But you still had them! Why? Because you knew there was also potential for great joy and love and meaning. As did God! He knew we'd rebel, but He knew there would be those who freely chose to follow Him, freely choose to take up his offer of eternal salvation. And it would be worth it to God - - even though he would have to give up his own son in great pain and suffering to achieve the redemption. (Lee Strobel)

Q UESTION 2: W HAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SUPERSTITION ? ARE HO RO SCO PES W RO NG? IS W ITCHCRAFT A SIN? Carefully guard yourselves so that you don’t look up into the skies and see the sun and moon and stars, all the constellations of the skies, and be seduced into worshiping and serving them. (Deuteronomy 4:19 – Msg) Manasseh was 12 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 55 years in Jerusalem . . . He did what the LORD considered evil by copying the disgusting things done by the nations that the LORD had forced out of the Israelites’ way . . . He burned his son as a sacrifice, consulted fortunetellers, cast evil spells, and appointed royal mediums and psychics. He did many things that made the LORD furious. (2 Kings 21:1-2, 6 – GWT) You, LORD, have abandoned your people . . . They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs. / The Lord has rejected you because you . . . practice magic and communicate with evil spirits, as the Philistines do. (Isaiah 2:6 – NIV - LB) You must not participate in divination or fortune-telling / Don’t practice any kind of witchcraft / Do not practice any kind of magic. (Leviticus 19:26 – CEB - CEV – GNB) Therefore GOD says, “I am against all the devices and techniques you use to hunt down souls. I’ll rip them out of your hands. I’ll free the souls you’re trying to catch. I’ll rip your magic bracelets to shreds and deliver my people from your influence so they’ll no longer be victimized by you. That’s how you’ll come to realize that I am GOD.” (Ezekiel 13:20-21 – Msg) Be careful that no one changes your mind and faith by much learning and big sounding ideas. Those things are what men dream up. They are always trying to make new religions. These leave out Christ. For Christ is not only God-like, He is God in human flesh. When you have Christ, you are complete. He is the head over all leaders and powers. (Colossians 2:8-10 – NLV)

THREE FACTS ABOUT SUPERSTITIONS, HOROSCOPES & WITCHCRAFT 1. Built on _____________________ 2. Based in ____________________

3. Brought by ____________________________

QUESTION 3: HOW CAN I GET CLOSER TO GOD? Come near to God and he will come near to you . . . You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. (James 4:8 – ETRV) Give yourself completely to the LORD; trust in him, and he will help you. (Psalm 37:5 – GNB) Your heavenly Father already knows your needs and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. (Matthew 6:22 – LB) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. (Luke 9:27 – NCV)

THREE WAYS TO GET CLOSER TO GOD 1. Give Him your __________________

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CLOSER TO GOD

2. Put Him _________________

3. Love Him __________________________

They spent their time in learning from the apostles, taking part in fellowship, and sharing in . . . prayer . . . And every day the Lord added to their group those who were being saved. (Acts 2:42, 47 – GNB)

1. ____________________

2. ___________________

3. ______________________

4. ________________________

W e are

limited

in our understanding about God and life

Now we see a blurred image in a mirror. Then we will see very clearly. Now my knowledge is incomplete. Then I will have complete knowledge as God has complete knowledge of me. (1 Corinthians 13:12 – GW) “I don't think the way you think. The way you work isn't the way I work. For as the sky soars high above earth, so the way I work surpasses the way you work, and the way I think is beyond the way you think.” (Isaiah 55:9 – Msg)

God created humans with a fantastic but frightening quality -

freedom

“Now listen! Today I am giving you a choice between life and death, between prosperity and disaster. For I command you this day to love the LORD your God and to keep his commands, decrees, and regulations by walking in his ways. If you do this, you will live and multiply, and the LORD your God will bless you and the land you are about to enter and occupy. “But if your heart turns away and you refuse to listen, and if you are drawn away to serve and worship other gods, then I warn you now that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live a long, good life in the land you are crossing the Jordan to occupy. “Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the LORD your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. (Deuteronomy 30:15-20 – NLT)

The “ Jonah ” Principle

The “ Joseph ” Principle

The “ Job ” Principle

The “ Jesus ” Principle

God never

causes

bad things to happen, but He can

use

them !

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose . . . (Romans 8:28 - NLT) Be glad about this, even though it may now be necessary for you to be sad for a while because of the many kinds of trials you suffer. Their purpose is to prove that your faith is genuine. Even gold, which can be destroyed, is tested by fire; and so your faith, which is much more precious than gold, must also be tested, so that it may endure. Then you will receive praise and glory and honor on the Day when Jesus Christ is revealed. (1 Peter 1:6-7 – GNB)

God

loves

us and is always

for

us – even when we can’t see it!

What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? . . . For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8: 31-32, 38-39 - NLT)

TW O FACTS: God

understands

our pain and it’s only

temporary

God did not create evil and suffering and death. God did create the "potential" for evil to come into the world but it was the only way to create the potential for genuine goodness and genuine love. Isn't there the potential that your own children could cause you disappointment, tragedy and pain? But you still had them! Why? Because you knew there was also potential for great joy and love and meaning. As did God! He knew we'd rebel, but He knew there would be those who freely chose to follow Him, freely choose to take up his offer of eternal salvation. And it would be worth it to God - - even though he would have to give up his own son in great pain and suffering to achieve the redemption. (Lee Strobel

QUESTION 2: WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT SUPERSTITION? ARE HOROSCOPES WRONG? IS WITCHCRAFT A SIN? Carefully guard yourselves so that you don’t look up into the skies and see the sun and moon and stars, all the constellations of the skies, and be seduced into worshiping and serving them. (Deuteronomy 4:19 – Msg) Manasseh was 12 years old when he began to rule, and he ruled for 55 years in Jerusalem . . . He did what the LORD considered evil by copying the disgusting things done by the nations that the LORD had forced out of the Israelites’ way . . . He burned his son as a sacrifice, consulted fortunetellers, cast evil spells, and appointed royal mediums and psychics. He did many things that made the LORD furious. (2 Kings 21:1-2, 6 – GWT) You, LORD, have abandoned your people . . . They are full of superstitions from the East; they practice divination like the Philistines and embrace pagan customs. / The Lord has rejected you because you . . . practice magic and communicate with evil spirits, as the Philistines do. (Isaiah 2:6 – NIV - LB) You must not participate in divination or fortune-telling / Don’t practice any kind of witchcraft / Do not practice any kind of magic. (Leviticus 19:26 – CEB - CEV – GNB) Therefore GOD says, “I am against all the devices and techniques you use to hunt down souls. I’ll rip them out of your hands. I’ll free the souls you’re trying to catch. I’ll rip your magic bracelets to shreds and deliver my people from your influence so they’ll no longer be victimized by you. That’s how you’ll come to realize that I am GOD.” (Ezekiel 13:20-21 – Msg) Be careful that no one changes your mind and faith by much learning and big sounding ideas. Those things are what men dream up. They are always trying to make new religions. These leave out Christ. For Christ is not only God-like, He is God in human flesh. When you have Christ, you are complete. He is the head over all leaders and powers. (Colossians 2:8-10 – NLV)

THREE FACTS ABOUT SUPERSTITIONS, HOROSCOPES & WITCHCRAFT 1. Built on lies 2. Based in fear 3. Brought by the enemy QUESTION 3: HOW CAN I GET CLOSER TO GOD? Come near to God and he will come near to you . . . You are trying to follow God and the world at the same time. (James 4:8 – ETRV) Give yourself completely to the LORD; trust in him, and he will help you. (Psalm 37:5 – GNB)

Your heavenly Father already knows your needs and he will give them to you if you give him first place in your life and live as he wants you to. (Matthew 6:22 – LB) Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind. (Luke 9:27 – NCV)

THREE WAYS TO GET CLOSER TO GOD 1. Give Him your life

2. Put Him first

FOUR WAYS TO STAY CLOSER TO GOD

3. Love Him most

1. Bible Study

2. Fellowship

3. Prayer 4. Sharing Christ