Some Questions From God
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Introduction
Introduction
This morning, we are going to do things a little different. I want you to keep your Bibles open before you as we will be in several different passages throughout the sermon.
The first is in the book of James, so you can be finding that one right now; James chapter 4...
The Word of God is recognized as a book of answers, but I want you to see this morning that it’s also a book of questions…soul-searching, deeply thoughtful, demanding of meditation questions...
Now, you might be thinking, "But God is all-knowing. He doesn't need to ask us questions."
And to a certain extent, that's true. But when God asks a question of us, you can mark it down, that it’s for our good…Not for His knowledge...
When God asks a question, He does so...
To get us to think about our lives. These questions force us to stop and reflect. It makes us consider our choices and our priorities.
To challenge us to grow. God wants us to grow in our faith and in our relationship with Him.
To remind us that He is in control. That He is the sovereign God of the universe. He is in control of everything, and He has a plan for our lives.
With this in mind, I want to preach a while this morning on the thought of “Some Questions From God” - “Some Questions From God”
Let’s look at the first one...
Question 1-James 4:14
Question 1-James 4:14
14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
We have a very limited perspective of life in general and even specific circumstances.
It would be foolish for us to plan our lives around God and away from God.
James says that we do not even know what is going to happen tomorrow.
Warren Wiersbe wrote, “Man cannot control future events. He has neither the wisdom to see the future nor the power to control the future.”
Our lives are like the morning mist, a wisp of cloud, a puff of smoke, that appear for a few moments, and then vanish.
Our Lord spoke of the rich man who sought great riches in order that he might spend his years in ease, but in his plans left God out entirely.
20 But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?
This kind of man may be a wise planner and a clever schemer in the eyes of the world, but God calls him a fool.
Some have put this into business terms.
Yesterday is a cancelled check. Tomorrow is a promissory note. Today is the only cash we have.
Dr. R.G. Lee once said, “Yesterday is in the tomb of time, tomorrow is in the womb of time, only now is yours.”
Many of us live each day like we have all the time in the world, but we have no idea.
Question 2-Job 14:14
Question 2-Job 14:14
14 If a man die, shall he live again?
All the days of my appointed time will I wait,
Till my change come.
Job asks a question that has plagued mankind since the very beginning. What, if anything, lies beyond the veil of death?
The next verse says,
15 Thou shalt call, and I will answer thee:
Thou wilt have a desire to the work of thine hands.
Even in death Job knows that God is going to call him, and he will answer that call. In other words, God is not through with us at our death. Death is not the end of it all. We will hear Job say again later on...
25 For I know that my redeemer liveth,
And that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:
26 And though after my skin worms destroy this body,
Yet in my flesh shall I see God:
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And mine eyes shall behold, and not another;
Though my reins be consumed within me.
Hey, most assuredly I can tell you this morning ,yes, there is life after death!
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
Question 3-Mark 8:36-37
Question 3-Mark 8:36-37
36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
God brings out His scales. On the one side, He puts the whole world—something that no one has ever possessed, although many people have tried.
On the other side of the scales, God puts a human soul.
The word is too light, too flimsy a thing, when eternity’s values are in view…The world weighs nothing in comparison to a human soul!
Robert Hawker observed …
“A single soul is of more value than the whole world; and for this plain reason: The time is coming, when the whole world and all that is in it will be destroyed; but the soul of every individual must live, either in happiness or misery, forever. Reader, pause over the subject, and calculate, if possible, the value of a single soul. The creation of it called forth the council of the whole persons of the Godhead. The redemption of it cost Christ his blood. The regeneration of it was the work of God the Holy Ghost. The everlasting happiness of it engageth the services of angels and of men continually. Angels rejoice in heaven in the recovery of every sinner. Hell rageth in the event of their salvation. The soul hath a capability of grace here, and glory forever. And therefore what a loss, incalculably great, must it be, that a being of such qualities, and so formed, should be exposed to everlasting destruction.”
Question 4-Hebrews 2:3
Question 4-Hebrews 2:3
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
The ancient Greek word translated neglect is also used in Matthew 22:5 of those who disregarded the invitation to the marriage supper (they made light of it).
This word means to have the opportunity, but to ignore or to disregard the opportunity.
If you are a Christian, are you actively pursuing spiritual growth in your life and serving the Lord in some way?
What are you doing to try to reach other people for Christ including your family and your friends?
If you are not doing anything, if you are not growing spiritually in your walk with God, you are neglecting your salvation.
You have not been saved to sit and sour. Do something for the Lord!
Hebrews was written not primarily as an evangelistic tract, but as an encouragement and warning to discouraged Christians.
It was written to those who neglected an abiding walk with Jesus.
Question 5-Acts 16:30
Question 5-Acts 16:30
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Hey, God made salvation so simple that anyone can do it!
Not everyone knows the answer to this question. Not everyone in the “church” knows the answer to this question!
This is the greatest question that we can ask, but we better make sure we ask someone who knows.
The jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be delivered, saved, and rescued from eternal destruction.
The Bible says right here, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ”
Being saved is nothing more than placing your faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation. It is choosing to trust Him and nothing else to save you and to take you to Heaven.
Have you asked that question? Do you know that you need to be saved?
Do you know what you must do to be saved?
Question 6-Matthew 27:22
Question 6-Matthew 27:22
22 Pilate saith unto them, What shall I do then with Jesus which is called Christ? They all say unto him, Let him be crucified.
What you do with Jesus determines where you spend your eternity!
When the crowd chose Barabbas instead of Jesus, it reflected the fallen nature of all humanity.
The name “Barabbas” sounds very much like son of the father. They chose a false, violent son of the father instead of the true Son of the Father. This pictures the future embrace of the ultimate Barabbas – the one called the Antichrist.
Faces, circumstances, and venues may change, but the cry of humanity remains largely the same. When presented with a choice, maybe for the second, third, or numerous times, the vast majority will choose the world and the pleasures of the flesh over Christ the Lord.
To refuse Jesus is to be Lost and Doomed to Hell!
To Receive Jesus is to be Saved and Headed for Heaven!
Question 7-Job 31:14
Question 7-Job 31:14
14 What then shall I do when God riseth up?
And when he visiteth, what shall I answer him?
Job's question is a powerful one. It is a reminder that God is the ultimate Judge and that we will all have to answer to Him one day. It is also a reminder that God is the source of all justice and that He will ultimately vindicate those who are righteous.
The Bible tells us all that we have an appointment to be judged,
Job's question is also a reminder of our own mortality. We do not know when we will die or when we will stand before God to be judged. This should motivate us to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him.
Conclusion
Conclusion
What is your life?
If a man die, shall he live again?
What shall it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose his own soul?
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?
What must I do to be saved?
What shall I do then with with Jesus?
What shall I answer God?
I want you to search your hearts this morning…God is asking these questions; He’s asking us today…What are your answers?
