Pursuing Jesus

In both testaments, the Bible says, "Without holiness, no one will see the Lord." How do we get to that point? How do we live a Christianity that's more than just a ticket to eternity?

If Jesus's references to hell are more than just metaphorical, what can we make of it? How can we keep people from going there?

What does the Bible say about going to heaven? Assuming one wanted to go, how would one get there?

In Jonah 4 we see God's passion for people. Jonah wanted Nineveh destroyed - God had said destruction was coming! But God relented when they turned from their evil ways. God is still passionate for people, wanting all to turn from their sin and turn to Jesus.

God sent Jonah to proclaim judgment on Nineveh - as a sign of his love for the people of Nineveh.

In the belly of the big fish, Jonah could see (and feel!) that he had failed big time. Stuck in a bad situation and with no way out, what could he do? He called on God and was delivered.

Jonah had a clear call from God. He didn't ask questions, he didn't argue, he just disobeyed. The Bible gives us examples in Abraham and Jesus (and others) or people who argued with God for the good of others and for their own good.

What kind of nation, if any, can please God? In Isaiah 19 we see not only the obvious - Israel, God's chosen people - can please God, but also that Assyria and Egypt can also please God. How does that happen?

How can we talk about God and avoid idolatry and taking God's name in vain? We start by approaching God through Jesus rather than through abstract concepts of deity.

We can learn from David what to do - and what NOT to do - to be godly men.