http://www.pastordanwalker.org Truth from Life Church St Louis Thu, 08 Dec 2011 23:02:10 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 Truth from Life Church St Louis Pastor Dan's Blog no Truth from Life Church St Louis http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.pastordanwalker.org http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/11/helping-others-in-their-quest.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/11/helping-others-in-their-quest.htm#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2011 21:19:51 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=698

Why Is There Suffering?

Opening Doors For Others

Life’s Greatest Questions

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2011/11/helping-others-in-their-quest.htm/feed 0 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/whats-my-mission-in-life.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/whats-my-mission-in-life.htm#comments Sun, 10 Oct 2010 16:45:52 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=612

Mission Possible

Character Qualities of a Disciple of Jesus

Helping Others In Their Quest

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/10/whats-my-mission-in-life.htm/feed 0 message,outreach I'd like to talk about the mission that Jesus has for each disciple. A mission is a special task given to a person or group to carry out. Before we begin discussing what Jesus has to say about your mission, we need to look at some biblical background. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/101010.jpg)I'd like to talk about the mission that Jesus has for each disciple. A mission is a special task given to a person or group to carry out. Before we begin discussing what Jesus has to say about your mission, we need to look at some biblical background. 1 John 5:19 (NIV) We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. The world that we live in is a spiritual war zone between two opposing kingdoms. On one side is the kingdom of God, inhabited by disciples of Jesus. On the other side is the world, the kingdom of darkness, inhabited by those who are not Jesus’ disciples. The world is under the control of Satan, the evil one. Every person is on one side or the other. 1 John 2:15 (NIV) Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. These two sides are in direct opposition. A disciple is not to love the world or it’s ways. In fact, if a person loves the evil of the world, it proves they are not Jesus’ disciple. What then do you think the world thinks of Jesus’ disciples? John 15:19 (NIV) If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. As we have seen, the character qualities of a disciple of Jesus are exactly the opposite of what the world teaches. So, true disciples, committed followers of Jesus, are hated by those who are of the world, those who are not believers. So, what is the mission of a disciple of Jesus? Jesus’ mission for you and me is to influence people in the world for God so that they go from hating Jesus and His disciples to loving Jesus and His disciples. Our mission is to work with God in rescuing people from the dominion of darkness and bringing them into the kingdom of light. Today, we’re going to look at Jesus’ instructions on how to carry out your mission, one of your primary purposes in life. Listen to my October 10, 2010 message "Jesus on Mission." [flashvideo file=http://www.lifechurchstlouis.org/images/stories/video/101010.mp4 stretching=fill /] Pastor Dan's Blog no 35:48 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/how-to-pray-for-lost-loved-ones-part-2.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/how-to-pray-for-lost-loved-ones-part-2.htm#comments Mon, 20 Sep 2010 01:39:24 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=597

How To Pray For Lost Loved Ones – Part 1

A Church of Prayer

Advanced Prayer Disciplines

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/how-to-pray-for-lost-loved-ones-part-2.htm/feed 0 message,outreach,prayer We’ve been looking at the biblical principles that a believer needs to practice to pray powerful prayers. Our theme verse for the entire series has been James 5:16b (NIV) The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/100919.jpg)We’ve been looking at the biblical principles that a believer needs to practice to pray powerful prayers. Our theme verse for the entire series has been James 5:16b (NIV) The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Now this verse does not say that prayer by just anyone is powerful and effective. Only the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. A righteous person is a believer walking rightly before God, a believer that is not walking in any known sin. When you are living righteously, then you can be confident in your prayers being powerful. In this mini-series within our Power Prayer series, we’re looking at how we can pray powerfully and effective for those dear to us to be saved and walk with God. Last week, we began the discussion of why it is often not any easy task to seeing a loved one come to salvation. One of the first barriers is simply that most people think they are Christians already. 84% of adults in America think they are Christians. 88% say they feel accepted by God. Yet only 38% of adults actually believe they are saved by confessing their sins and accepting Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Only 7% of adults have a correct understanding of 8 basic Christian beliefs. So, whereas the vast majority of people believe they are Christians, the true Christians are a distinct minority. Jesus came to save the lost, to set those in spiritual bondage free. Luke 4:18 (NIV) "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed,” As a Bible-believing church, our mission is the same as Jesus, to set the lost free. Today we’re going to continue to talk about how to do that through prayer. Late one night, a woman named Chrissy was awakened as the phone rang. When she answered, it was her older brother on the line. He shouted. “Sis, I just invited Jesus into my life, I’m saved. The preacher said to tell someone immediately, so I called you because you’ve been praying for me for so long.” Chrissy was speechless. Her brother had screamed at her at their mother’s funeral when she tried to share Jesus with him. He had broken up a pastor’s home to marry his third wife. He had been antagonistic to the things of God for years and years. Yet somehow, her prayers had finally been answered. A captive had been set free. God wants to do the same for you, as you pray for your lost loved ones. So, let’s continue with the question, How can I pray for lost loved ones? Listen to my September 19, 2010 message "How to Pray for Lost Loved Ones - Part 2." [flashvideo file=http://www.lifechurchstlouis.org/images/stories/video/100919.mov stretching=fill /] Pastor Dan's Blog no 36:42 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/how-to-pray-for-lost-loved-ones-part-1.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/how-to-pray-for-lost-loved-ones-part-1.htm#comments Mon, 13 Sep 2010 01:33:47 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=595

How to Pray for Lost Loved Ones – Part 2

Is Mormonism Christian? Part 2

The Lost Tomb Of Jesus?

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/09/how-to-pray-for-lost-loved-ones-part-1.htm/feed 0 message,outreach,prayer Prayer is one of the most important things you can do with your time. Now it’s not the only important thing, but it should have the priority in our lives. One of the reasons that prayer is so important is that it is one of the essential things that lea... (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/100912.jpg)Prayer is one of the most important things you can do with your time. Now it’s not the only important thing, but it should have the priority in our lives. One of the reasons that prayer is so important is that it is one of the essential things that leads people to become believers. So prayer affects the eternal destinies of people. A lost person is someone who has not believed in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They may or may not believe in God, they may or may not attend church, but they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Everyone in the world is in one of two categories, they are either a believer or an unbeliever, they are either saved or lost. Luke 19:10 (NIV) 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. The reason that Jesus came to this earth was to save the lost. He loved us so much that He came from heaven to die on the cross that our sins might be forgiven. Everyone who believes in Jesus has their sins forgiven and moves from being lost to being saved. Now, if this was Jesus’ purpose in life, shouldn’t this be our purpose as well? An executive hirer, or “head hunter” whose job is to hire corporate executives for large corporations, told this story. He said that when he tries to assess a potential executive, he tries to disarm them. He takes them out to dinner, takes off his coat and tie, talks about sports or family until they’re relaxed. Then he leans over, looks them square in the eye and asks, “What’s your purpose in life?” He said, that it’s amazing how many executives fall apart at that question. However, when he interviewed an executive named Bob, he asked him the question, “What’s your purpose in life, Bob?” Bob looked him squarely back in the eye and without hesitation answered, “To go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can.” The headhunter was speechless. I think Bob had a great answer. I also want to go to heaven and take as many people with me as I can. How about you? For many of us, we especially want to make sure that our loved ones will be with us for eternity. Our spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, friends and whoever else is dear to our hearts. Yet, sometimes, these are the people that seem most resistant to the Gospel. Sometimes, it seems impossible that they will ever be saved. Prayer is the key to seeing a lost loved one saved and that’s what we’re going to talk about today. So keep in mind someone that you love that is far from God today. Listen to my September 12, 2010 message "How To Pray for Lost Loved Ones - Part 1." [flashvideo file=http://www.lifechurchstlouis.org/images/stories/video/100912.mov stretching=fill /] Pastor Dan's Blog no 34:27 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/trusting-gods-power.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/trusting-gods-power.htm#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 21:04:17 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=539

Understanding the Darkness

Designed To Shine

Finding Courage To Shine

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/trusting-gods-power.htm/feed 1 life issues,outreach We’ve been looking at the ancient book of Esther as a model for how we should live for God in the world that God has put us into. Our world in the 21st century AD is a dark world, but so was the world of the Persian empire that Esther found herself in ... (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/100328.jpg) We’ve been looking at the ancient book of Esther as a model for how we should live for God in the world that God has put us into. Our world in the 21st century AD is a dark world, but so was the world of the Persian empire that Esther found herself in the 5th century BC. Let’s review the story of Esther that we’ve covered so far. If you haven’t yet read the book of Esther, I encourage you to read it this week, it’s only ten chapters long. The setting of the book of Esther is the capital city of the Persian empire ruled over by King Xerxes. The queen of the empire was deposed and a young Jewish girl, Esther, was chosen to replace her. Esther was part of the exiled Jewish community in Persia. Esther’s uncle Mordecai counseled Esther to conceal her Jewish identity and remained in contact with her. Mordecai saved King Xerxes life by uncovering a conspiracy against him. However, Mordecai was hated by the evil prince Haman for refusing to bow to him. Haman conspired to destroy both Mordecai and the entire Jewish community throughout the Persian empire and a date was set. Mordecai persuaded Queen Esther to risk her life and approach King Xerxes with the goal of thwarting Haman’s evil plot. Esther requested that a banquet be held with the King and Haman. At the first banquet, Esther did not reveal her concern, but requested a second banquet with King Xerxes and Haman. How could Esther persuade the King to reverse the decree to destroy the Jews? What does this story from thousands of years ago have to do with us? NIV Romans 15:4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. The stories in the Old Testament, such as the book of Esther was written to teach you about how God works in our world. Esther was written to encourage you and give you hope to live in the dark world of the 21st century. Now, I’m going to give away the ending to the story, if you haven’t read Esther yet. It is a great ending, evil is defeated and Esther and Mordecai are honored. We’ll see how God’s power accomplished that today. A thinking person might ask me the question, Pastor Dan, what is God teaching us in Esther, that evil will always be defeated and the righteous always exalted? The answer to that question is Yes and No. The proper understanding of that answer is crucial to your understanding of God, the Bible and life. Theologians call the concept, the Already and the Not Yet. Here it is in a nutshell. One day, all evil will be defeated and every righteous person exalted. When will that be? It will be at the end of time when Christ returns. However, in our lives, we do not always see evil defeated and righteousness always exalted. We are living in the Not Yet. But oftentimes we do already see evil defeated and righteousness exalted. We are living in the Already. NIV 1 Corinthians 15:25 For he [Jesus] must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. So you and I are living in the period of time where Jesus is reigning and defeating enemies already. However not yet do we see all enemies defeated. Our destiny is to allow Christ to use us to bring the not yet into the already and we do that through faith. Listen to my March 28, 2010 message "Trusting God's Power" (message-notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/100328-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/understanding-the-darkness.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/understanding-the-darkness.htm#comments Sun, 14 Mar 2010 20:02:40 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=531

Designed To Shine

Understanding Your World

Finding Courage To Shine

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/understanding-the-darkness.htm/feed 0 life issues,outreach The Bible speaks of two kingdoms, the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. Every person is in one of those kingdoms or the other. No one can straddle the fence. Those two kingdoms are in conflict. There is a battle raging between these two kin... (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/100314.jpg)The Bible speaks of two kingdoms, the kingdom of darkness and the kingdom of light. Every person is in one of those kingdoms or the other. No one can straddle the fence. Those two kingdoms are in conflict. There is a battle raging between these two kingdoms that has gone on since man was created. What does that have to do with you? Whether we like it or not, you and I are trapped in the war zone between these two kingdoms. In fact, we are either on one side or the other. The problem is that most people have no idea that any type of conflict is going on between these spiritual kingdoms. Many people see the world in shades of gray, rather than the contrast the Bible teaches between light and darkness. The result is that many people’s lives are being destroyed and short circuited by forces and conflicts they either don’t believe in or don’t understand. I want to talk about “Understanding The Darkness.” Let’s gain some insight about what the dark side is all about from God’s words to Paul. NIV Acts 26:17-18 I am sending you to them [the Gentiles] to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins. So we see that people are in darkness and need to be rescued. The dark kingdom is ruled by the power of Satan, whereas the kingdom of light is God’s kingdom. Unfortunately, the majority of people in America no longer believe in the existence of Satan. So they are incredibly naïve about the dark side and it’s power. People just think that they are dealing with evil people, rather than with any evil power behind them. They’re wrong. NIV Ephesians 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Your real struggles in life are not ultimately with people, but against the powers of this dark world, against spiritual forces of evil. When you begin to understand who the real enemy is, it simplifies life and makes you much more effective in dealing with the struggles of life. In this message series, we are looking at the ancient book of Esther from the Old Testament, but we are looking at it through the lens of the New Testament. Jesus said of Himself ... NIV John 12:46 I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. Jesus showed us the forces behind the darkness and how to defeat them through His power. So let’s look again at the book of Esther. Listen to my March 14, 2010 message "Understanding the Darkness" (message-notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/100314-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/designed-to-shine.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/designed-to-shine.htm#comments Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:51:47 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=526

Finding Courage To Shine

Understanding the Darkness

What’s My Mission in Life?

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/03/designed-to-shine.htm/feed 0 current events,outreach Light is needed in dark places and the world today is a dark place. The Bible teaches that there are two kingdoms in conflict, the kingdom of light, God’s Kingdom and the kingdom of darkness, Satan’s kingdom. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/100307.jpg)Light is needed in dark places and the world today is a dark place. The Bible teaches that there are two kingdoms in conflict, the kingdom of light, God’s Kingdom and the kingdom of darkness, Satan’s kingdom. The results of the kingdom of darkness are violence, death, sickness and sin of all kinds. We see the kingdom of darkness in action in the news all the time. This past week, the news headlines have shown: an earthquake in Chile, shootings, suicide bombings, violence, high unemployment, political fighting and so on. You might say that the news media is not a true barometer of what is going on in the world. I think there’s a certain amount of truth to that – seems like the only news fit for print is the bad news. However, you have to admit that everything is not right in our world – there is a lot of darkness, there is a lot of evil. It’s also in St Louis, Here’s local headlines: man shot to death in East St. Louis parking lot, officials point fingers in abuse case, video gambling puts Illinois governor on the spot. Looks like we’ve got plenty of problems, plenty of darkness right here in St Louis. Just because the world is a dark place, I don’t think that we need to throw up our hands and say that life is hopeless. I don’t think that we need to get down or depressed about the darkness. God wants us to live brightly in our dark world, He wants us to let our lights shine. He doesn’t want believers overwhelmed by the darkness. NIV Philippians 2:14-15 Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe. In a dark world, a lot of people go around complaining about the darkness. In a dark world, a lot of people argue with others about their behaviors. God’s Word tells us that complaining and arguing don’t help at all, we shouldn’t do either. In fact, to complain or argue puts you right back into the darkness. But there’s a better way, a way to live a blameless and pure life, to shine like stars in a dark world. My message today is entitled “Designed To Shine.” It is no accident that you and I are living in 2010 in a dark world. God designed you to live in such a time of this. So no complaining or arguing. In this series, we’re going to look at a book in the Old Testament called Esther. If you’ve never read it before or not recently, I’d encourage you to read it this week. It’s only 10 chapters long. The book is about a young Jewish girl named Esther who was living in a dark world. Esther was part of the exiled nation of Israel living in captivity in Persia during the reign of King Xerxes between 486 and 465 BC. The story begins with King Xerxes throwing a royal banquet that lasted for 180 days, showcasing the enormous wealth and splendor of the kingdom. Near the end of the banquet, the King sent for Queen Vashti to parade her beauty before the guests, but she refused to come. Needless to say, she was removed from her position of queen and that’s where our story of Esther begins. The first lesson we can learn about bright living in a dark world is ... Listen to my March 7, 2010 message "Designed To Shine" ( (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100103-message-notes.pdf)message-notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/100307-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/01/courageous-influence.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/01/courageous-influence.htm#comments Sun, 31 Jan 2010 23:19:55 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=512 http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2010/01/courageous-influence.htm/feed 0 life issues,outreach Medical science has made many advances in recent years. Largely because of those advances, the average life span has steadily increased and now stands at 78. People working in the medical field have found cures for many diseases and influenced the worl... Medical science has made many advances in recent years. Largely because of those advances, the average life span has steadily increased and now stands at 78. People working in the medical field have found cures for many diseases and influenced the world for good. It would be unthinkable for a medical researcher to find a cure for a fatal disease and then not tell anyone about it. When you find a cure that will help others, you do everything you can to let others know about that cure. There is a disease that no medical researcher is working on. This disease is widespread. In fact, it infects every human being at birth. This disease is terminal. Unless cured, you will die from it. The disease I am talking about is sin. No person is immune from it. Romans 3:23 (NIV) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, How many people are infected by sin? All have sinned. What is sin? Sin is actions, attitudes and thoughts that fall short of how God designed people to live. Sin hurts the person who sins, hurts others and hurts God. Sin has a tragic final outcome. Romans 6:23a (NIV) For the wages of sin is death … The end result of the disease of sin is death. First of all, physical death in this life. The ultimate reason that people die physically is the result of sin. Secondly, the end result of sin is eternal death. Separation from God forever in a place of unbelievable torment called hell. That is the fate of every person born into this world, unless they find the only cure for the disease of sin. Here is the cure … Romans 6:23b (NIV) … but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. This cure works in every person and has a 100% cure rate. The cure for sin is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Most, if not all of us here at Life Church have been cured of sin. We have become believers, followers of Jesus Christ. We have the gift of eternal life. We’ve found the cure or perhaps more accurately, Jesus has brought us the cure. What is our responsibility to all those around us who are still dying of the disease of sin? That’s what we’re going to talk about today. My message is entitled “Courageous Influence.” God has designed you to influence those around you for Jesus. God has chosen you to tell others about the cure for sin that you have found. God is calling us to not be ashamed, but be courageous in spreading the Good News of Jesus to others who need to know. Romans 1:16 (NIV) I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes ... So can we be courageous influencers in our world? How can we share the cure for sin with people around us? Listen to my January 31, 2010 message "Courageous Influence" ( (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100103-message-notes.pdf)message-notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/100131-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/09/looking-out-with-love.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/09/looking-out-with-love.htm#comments Sun, 27 Sep 2009 20:44:34 +0000 Pastor Dan http://www.pastordanwalker.org/?p=479

Love That Challenges

The Importance Of Love

Looking Back With Thanksgiving

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2009/09/looking-out-with-love.htm/feed 0 outreach In the message series called “Building Tomorrow Together,” we’re going to be talking about tomorrow for our church family. What is God’s vision for our church? What does He want us to do? Those are very important questions. To answer those questions, In the message series called “Building Tomorrow Together,” we’re going to be talking about tomorrow for our church family. What is God’s vision for our church? What does He want us to do? Those are very important questions. To answer those questions, we need to realize that tomorrow will be different than today. As you read the Bible, you begin to understand that God wants your tomorrow to be different than today. God wants you to grow to become more like Jesus than you are right now. In the same way, God’s vision for our church tomorrow is different than where we are today. Remember the church is not a building, the church is a family of believers. Luke 9:23 (NIV) Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” How do we get to God’s vision for our tomorrow? We get there by sacrificing ourselves and following Jesus. Think about how a child learns and grows. A child learns and grows by watching their parents and following their example. In that way, a child goes from being a child today to ultimately adulthood tomorrow. In the same way, a church family matures as it follows Jesus. In the book of Revelation we see that a church has spiritual significance. Jesus told John … Revelation 1:20 (NIV) The mystery of the seven stars that you saw in my right hand and of the seven golden lampstands is this: The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands are the seven churches. The Lord Jesus is in charge of every true Bible-believing church. He is the one that allows each church to let their light shine in a dark world. Some churches, Jesus praised and others he warned that unless they repented, He would remove their lampstand. So, at Life Church, we want to be a church that follows Jesus. We want to be a church that looks to a better tomorrow. We want to be a church that lets it’s light shine. In order for that to happen, we’ve got to keep on following Jesus, even though it means change, even though it means sacrifice, even though it means denying ourselves and taking up our cross. Listen to my September 27, 2009 message "Looking Out With Love" ( (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/090906-message-notes.pdf)message notes (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/090927-message-notes.pdf)). Pastor Dan's Blog no http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2007/05/opening-doors-for-others.htm http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2007/05/opening-doors-for-others.htm#comments Tue, 22 May 2007 00:22:00 +0000 Pastor Dan http://192.168.1.105/wordpress/?p=50

Life’s Greatest Questions

]]> http://www.pastordanwalker.org/2007/05/opening-doors-for-others.htm/feed 2 outreach Today, I am excited to begin a new series at Life Church called “God Questions.” In this series, we’re going to look at some tough questions that people have about God. Take a look at the God Questions survey in the middle of your bulletin. (http://www.pastordanwalker.org/uploaded_images/070520.jpg)Today, I am excited to begin a new series at Life Church called “God Questions.” In this series, we’re going to look at some tough questions that people have about God. Take a look at the God Questions survey in the middle of your bulletin. I’m going to read through the questions and as I do, put a 1 next to the hardest question for you to answer, then 2 then 3. Here are the questions: What happens to me when I die? What proof is there that the Bible is true? If God is so good, why is there so much pain in the world? Why is the church full of hypocrites? Doesn’t every religion have a valid path to heaven? How can I really know that God exists? Why would a loving God send people to hell? Isn’t it narrow-minded to believe that Christianity is the only way to heaven? What do other religions believe about God? A lot of people have unanswered questions about God. Some of those people don’t believe in God, others aren’t sure what they believe and for others their questions undermine their faith. Although God has not promised to answer every question we may pose, there are good answers to the questions that most people have. In the next five weeks, I am going to look at those questions and give answers from the Bible. To get the most out of our God Questions campaign, I’m going to ask you to follow four habits. The four habits are: Attend church every weekend. Be part of a weekly Life Group (they will be studying the topics of the previous Sunday’s message in greater detail). Read a chapter a day from the God Questions book. Invite a friend to church for the God Questions series. Today is just a warm-up to let you know what is coming up and to prepare you to make the most of the opportunity. I believe God has two purposes with this God Questions series. The first purpose is to deepen the confidence of believers in their knowledge of God and ability to share it with others. The second purpose is to provide an opportunity for you to invite others to come to Life Church. This second purpose is the one I’m focusing on today. Today, my message is entitled “Opening Doors For Others” The Bible says that people who are not believers are locked up as it were in a spiritual prison, in spiritual bondage. They can’t get out by themselves. They need someone else to open the door to freedom in Christ for them. How can you help open a door for someone else?To hear more about this topic, listen to my May 20, 2007 message entitled Opening Doors For Others Pastor Dan's Blog no