The UnSafe Bible

There are a lot of people who would probably consider coming to God in faith, but who won’t because of something really bad they did once. They think that their past is so terrible, that there’s no way God would ever accept them. But as Pastor Ken shares today, that’s a misconception about God. God has always been faithful to His promises to forgive those who have turned to Him. If you’re a Christian, then no matter what you’ve done, or may do in the future, you can’t outdo the perseverance of God to forgive.

As Christians today, we believe in One God who exists in Three Persons – The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit. But that’s a completely New Testament idea, right? Today, Pastor Ken shows that the concept of One God existing in multiple persons has been known and understood throughout the Old Testament. We have the privilege today of seeing that truth with much greater clarity than they did. How is your relationship with God made richer through knowing The Father AND The Son AND The Holy Spirit?

God has always led and guided His people. At times He’s led them by a pillar of fire. He’s made paths for them to follow His will. He’s spoken to them through His prophets. But, as Pastor Ken shares today, we Christians have something that His people of old didn’t have – the Holy Spirit. And when God has given you His Holy Spirit, He has promised that His presence will remain with you forever. Just as you can read of God’s guidance of His people throughout the Bible, you can know that He’s guiding you today.

In the Bible, we often read where God gave someone a new name. He gave Jacob the new name, Israel. Jesus gave Simon the new name, Peter. Today, Pastor Ken shows that these new names don’t describe who the person is, at the time of the new name, but who they will become. You’ve also been given a new name: Christian – meaning “Christ-one”. That doesn’t mean you’re completely like Christ – right now. But it does mean that He’s transforming you over time to become more and more like Him.

Which is more important, worshiping God, or following Him in your daily life? Unfortunately, it can be easy to go to church, enjoy the fellowship, sing inspiring music, listen to a message, and then go home completely unchanged. Today, Pastor Ken urges us not to leave our religion at the doorstep of the church. Absolutely, God wants you to love trust, and worship Him. He also wants to transform your real, actual, practical life. You don’t have to pick one or the other. He wants to give you both!

What does it mean to be a follower of Jesus? What promises does He give us? What purposes has He called us to? How can we do it? Today, Pastor Ken talks about the mission that God has always given His people. And for us today who are Christians, we have something new, that they didn’t have in the Old Testament. God has placed His own Holy Spirit within you. Just as Jesus spoke God’s word, so can you. Just as He comforted those in need, He will love people through you too. 

We often hear the question: “How is the God of the Bible any different than any other god?” And there are plenty of good answers for that. But today, Pastor Ken explains one particular answer that you may not have thought about - God offers, and He desires, a personal relationship with you. You can look at all the religions in the world today. You can study the ancient religions, or mythology, or atheism. Nowhere will you find a God like the One who revealed Himself to Israel, and to the world through Jesus. 

Have you ever known someone who seemed so devoted to something that it’s almost like worship? Maybe it’s their sport or their hobby. Possibly their job. Or it could be a political party or some specific “cause”. Today, Pastor Ken points out that you become like what you worship. Your house, your car, or your gym membership can’t save you. Sure, it may bring some benefits, or some comforts, in this life, but it won’t help you in eternity. Only God is reliable and worthy of your life’s worship.

Sometimes it seems like we’re living in a culture of fear. We see on the news what’s happening all over the globe. There’s discord and disunity within the country. The list of impending disasters seems to have no end. But as Pastor Ken shares today, there’s no need to fear when you know the outcome. And when you know Who’s calling the shots. It takes faith, but you can step away from a life of fearfulness, into hope and trust. Simply place yourself in the hands of the God of the Universe.

It’s quite often that we’ll take matters into our own hands, rather than waiting on the Lord. And that almost never works out well. When we’re not trusting in the Lord in faith, problems are bound to occur. But as Pastor Ken shares today, our failures to operate in faith can be an opportunity. It’s not one we’re usually excited about, because the Lord’s correction is not usually pleasant. But you can know that when you’ve gone wrong, God will patiently and lovingly pick you up, and get you back on the right road.