Embracing Faith Amidst Uncertainty and Controversy

Today, we gathered to celebrate the holiness of God, to witness the baptism of Scarlett, and to reflect on some of the most challenging questions of our faith. Our purpose as a community is to glorify God in all we do, and baptism is a beautiful reminder of our shared journey—each of us called to remember our own commitment and to welcome others into the family of believers. As we move forward as a church, we’re also excited about the growth of our children’s ministry, with new space opening up to better serve the next generation.

We then turned our attention to some “hot topics”—questions that are often debated, sometimes avoided, but always important for how we live and represent Jesus. We began by considering the return of Christ and the timing of the tribulation. Scripture gives us glimpses but not all the details, and even the most learned theologians disagree. The key is not to be anxious or dogmatic, but to trust in God’s sovereignty and to study the Word with humility, knowing that some mysteries are intentionally veiled so that God’s plan cannot be thwarted.

Next, we explored the question of eternal security: once saved, always saved, or can salvation be lost? The Bible offers verses that seem to support both sides, and the debate often centers on whether someone was truly saved to begin with. Ultimately, the call is not to divide over this issue, but to pursue holiness and to encourage one another to live lives that reflect God’s grace and love, regardless of where we land on the debate.

We also addressed the tension between the Old Testament’s commands for judgment and the New Testament’s call to love and forgiveness. God’s justice in the Old Testament was specific, limited, and aimed at preserving His redemptive plan, while Jesus in the New Testament calls us to respond to evil with grace, leaving vengeance to God. Our mission is to point people to Christ, even our enemies, and to trust that God’s justice and mercy are perfectly balanced.

Throughout, the encouragement is to wrestle with hard questions, to study, to admit when we don’t know, and to keep the main thing the main thing: Jesus. Our faith is not about having all the answers, but about trusting the One who does, pursuing holiness, and living out love in a confused world.

Key Takeaways

• 1. Wrestling with Uncertainty Is Part of Faith It’s not only acceptable but necessary to grapple with difficult questions about prophecy, salvation, and justice. God’s ways are often intentionally mysterious, not to confuse us, but to ensure His purposes are fulfilled beyond human or even spiritual opposition. Our faith is strengthened not by having every answer, but by trusting God’s wisdom and sovereignty in the midst of uncertainty. [53:09]
• 2. The Timing of Christ’s Return Is a Mystery for a Reason Debates about pre-tribulation or post-tribulation rapture have persisted for centuries, with compelling scriptural arguments on both sides. The lack of clarity is not a flaw but a feature—God’s plan is protected from being manipulated or thwarted by human or spiritual forces. Our focus should be on readiness, faithfulness, and hope, rather than anxiety over details we cannot know. [54:01]
• 3. The Security of Salvation Calls Us to Holiness, Not Division Scripture offers both assurance and warning regarding salvation, leading to different interpretations about whether salvation can be lost. Rather than allowing this to divide us, we are called to pursue holiness and encourage one another in faith. The fruit of our lives—our pursuit of God and His best—matters more than winning theological arguments. [59:46]
• 4. God’s Justice and Mercy Are Consistent, Though Expressed Differently The Old Testament’s commands for judgment were specific acts of divine justice to preserve God’s redemptive plan, not models for ongoing violence. In the New Testament, Jesus calls us to respond to evil with love, forgiveness, and trust in God’s ultimate justice. Understanding the context and purpose of God’s actions helps us see His unchanging character and our calling to reflect His grace. [65:33]
• 5. The Main Thing Is Always Jesus While it’s important to study, question, and seek understanding, our ultimate focus must remain on Christ—His life, His return, and His call to love. Arguments and debates are secondary to the transformation Jesus brings and the mission to point others to Him. Pursuing holiness, living with love, and trusting God to finish what He started is the true mark of a faithful life. [69:01]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [27:21] - Scarlett’s Baptism Story
• [29:28] - Baptism Ceremony and Prayer
• [38:28] - Kids Ministry Expansion Announcement
• [41:15] - Why We Study Hot Topics
• [42:21] - Approach to Controversial Questions
• [43:20] - Focusing on Scripture, Not Opinion
• [44:43] - The Value of “I Don’t Know”
• [45:30] - When Will Jesus Return?
• [48:23] - Pre-Tribulation vs. Post-Tribulation
• [49:55] - The Mystery of Prophecy
• [51:55] - Why Prophecy Is Intentionally Vague
• [54:01] - Can You Lose Your Salvation?
• [59:46] - Pursuing Holiness Over Division
• [62:49] - Old Testament vs. New Testament Justice
• [65:33] - God’s Redemptive Plan and Justice
• [67:15] - The Call to Love Our Enemies
• [69:01] - Keeping Jesus at the Center
• [69:36] - Closing Prayer

Bible Reading

Revelation 3:10 (ESV) — > "Because you have kept my word about patient endurance, I will keep you from the hour of trial that is coming on the whole world, to try those who dwell on the earth."

2. John 10:28-29 (ESV)
> "I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand."

3. Matthew 5:38-39 (ESV)
> "You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Observation Questions

1. According to Revelation 3:10, what is the promise given to those who keep Jesus’ command to endure patiently?
2. In John 10:28-29, what kind of security does Jesus say believers have in Him?
3. How does Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:38-39 differ from the Old Testament approach to justice?
4. The sermon mentioned that even the most educated theologians disagree about the timing of Jesus’ return. What reason was given for why some details about prophecy are intentionally unclear? [[51:55]]

Interpretation Questions

1. What does it mean for God’s plan to be “intentionally mysterious,” and how might that affect the way believers approach questions about prophecy and the end times? [[53:09]]
2. The sermon discussed both assurance and warning in Scripture regarding salvation. How should believers respond to this tension in their daily walk with God? [[59:46]]
3. How does understanding the context of God’s commands for judgment in the Old Testament help us reconcile them with Jesus’ call to love and forgiveness in the New Testament? [[01:05:33]]
4. The pastor said, “Our faith is not about having all the answers, but about trusting the One who does.” What are some practical ways to live out this kind of trust? [[01:09:01]]

Application Questions

1. The sermon encouraged wrestling with hard questions and being willing to say “I don’t know.” Is there a faith question you’ve been avoiding because it feels too difficult or confusing? What would it look like to bring that question to God or your small group this week? [[44:43]]
2. When it comes to debates like pre-tribulation vs. post-tribulation, do you tend to get anxious, dogmatic, or disengaged? How can you shift your focus from anxiety or argument to readiness and hope? [[54:01]]
3. The issue of “once saved, always saved” can be divisive. Instead of focusing on the debate, what is one specific way you can encourage someone in your life to pursue holiness this week? [[59:46]]
4. Jesus calls us to respond to evil with love and forgiveness, not vengeance. Think of a recent situation where you were wronged. What would it look like to “turn the other cheek” or leave justice in God’s hands? [[01:06:29]]
5. The sermon highlighted that God’s justice and mercy are perfectly balanced. Is there a person or group you find it hard to show grace to? What is one step you can take to reflect God’s grace toward them? [[01:07:15]]
6. The main thing is always Jesus. Are there any “hot topics” or secondary issues that have distracted you from focusing on Christ lately? What practical step can you take to keep Jesus at the center of your faith this week? [[01:09:01]]
7. The church celebrated a baptism as a reminder of our shared journey and commitment. How can you remember or renew your own commitment to follow Jesus this week? [[29:28]]