Embracing Questions: Seeking Truth in Faith
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, everyone. Today, we explored the theme of questions, inspired by a passage from 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. We began with a light-hearted introduction involving a book about baseball, which led us into the deeper topic of questions and their significance in our lives and in Scripture. Questions are a fundamental part of human existence, and they appear throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation.
We examined various types of questions, including rhetorical, leading, and even humorous ones. We noted that God has a high tolerance for questions, much like a parent tolerates the endless questions of a child. This tolerance is evident in the numerous questions posed by biblical figures, from the patriarchs to the prophets, and even Jesus Himself.
We then delved into two specific biblical questions to illustrate the right and wrong ways to ask questions. The first was Pilate's cynical question to Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38). Pilate's question was not an honest inquiry but a dismissive, ironic statement reflecting his disbelief in absolute truth. This serves as an example of how not to ask questions, as it lacks sincerity and openness to the truth.
In contrast, we looked at Abraham's question to God in Genesis 18:25, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" Abraham's question, though bold, was asked out of a genuine desire for understanding and compassion for the innocent. This illustrates the right way to ask questions—honestly, seeking truth, and rooted in a relationship with God.
We concluded by acknowledging that while questions are natural and even necessary, there is a right and wrong way to ask them. We should strive to ask questions like Abraham, with honesty, seeking, and trust, rather than like Pilate, with irony and disbelief. God welcomes our questions and engages with us through them, as long as they are asked in the right spirit.
### Key Takeaways
1. The Nature of Questions in Scripture: Questions are a recurring theme throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. They serve as a means for humans to seek understanding and engage with God. This reflects our innate desire to comprehend our existence and our relationship with the divine. [33:59]
2. God's Tolerance for Questions: Just as parents tolerate the endless questions of a child, God shows a high tolerance for our questions. This is evident in the numerous questions posed by biblical figures, indicating that God understands our need to seek clarity and express our doubts and feelings. [38:39]
3. The Wrong Way to Ask Questions: Pilate's question, "What is truth?" serves as an example of how not to ask questions. His question was not an honest inquiry but a dismissive, ironic statement reflecting disbelief. This teaches us that questions asked with cynicism and irony are not conducive to finding truth. [42:39]
4. The Right Way to Ask Questions: Abraham's question, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" exemplifies the right way to ask questions. His inquiry was bold yet sincere, rooted in a genuine desire for understanding and compassion. This shows that God welcomes questions asked with honesty and a seeking heart. [49:04]
5. The Ultimate Answer in Jesus Christ: While many questions may remain unanswered, God has provided the ultimate answer in Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. In the presence of Jesus, all our questions and the need for answers will ultimately fall away, as we find complete understanding and peace in Him. [55:30]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[30:02] - Introduction and 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
[31:35] - The Importance of Questions
[33:59] - Questions in Scripture
[38:39] - God's Tolerance for Questions
[42:39] - Pilate's Question: What is Truth?
[47:47] - Abraham's Question: Shall Not the Judge Do What is Just?
[52:44] - The Nature of Honest Questions
[55:30] - The Ultimate Answer in Jesus Christ
[59:16] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
2. John 18:37-38
3. Genesis 18:22-25
#### Observation Questions
1. What is the main point Paul is making in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 about the nature of spiritual discipline and the pursuit of an eternal crown?
2. How does Pilate's question "What is truth?" in John 18:38 reflect his attitude towards Jesus and the concept of truth? ([42:39])
3. In Genesis 18:25, what is Abraham's concern when he asks, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" and how does this reflect his relationship with God?
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Paul's analogy of an athlete's discipline in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 relate to the Christian life and the pursuit of spiritual goals?
2. What does Pilate's question "What is truth?" reveal about his understanding or misunderstanding of Jesus' mission and message? ([42:39])
3. Why is Abraham's question in Genesis 18:25 considered an example of the right way to ask questions, and what does it show about his character and faith?
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you asked a question with a cynical or dismissive attitude. How did that affect your ability to find the truth or receive an answer? ([42:39])
2. Abraham's boldness in questioning God was rooted in a genuine desire for understanding and compassion. How can you cultivate a similar attitude in your own prayers and questions to God? ([49:04])
3. Paul talks about strict training and discipline in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27. What specific spiritual discipline can you commit to this week to grow in your faith?
4. Pilate's question "What is truth?" was asked with irony and disbelief. How can you ensure that your questions to God and others are asked with sincerity and openness? ([42:39])
5. Abraham interceded for the innocent in Sodom. Is there a situation or person in your life for whom you need to intercede with God? How will you approach this in prayer? ([49:04])
6. The sermon mentioned that God has a high tolerance for our questions, much like a parent with a child. How can this understanding change the way you approach God with your doubts and uncertainties? ([38:39])
7. The ultimate answer to our questions is found in Jesus Christ. How can you deepen your relationship with Jesus this week to find peace and understanding in your unanswered questions? ([55:30])
Devotional
Day 1: The Nature of Questions in Scripture
Questions are a recurring theme throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation. They serve as a means for humans to seek understanding and engage with God. This reflects our innate desire to comprehend our existence and our relationship with the divine. Questions in Scripture are not just about seeking answers but about deepening our relationship with God. They help us to explore our faith, our doubts, and our understanding of God's will. By examining the questions posed by biblical figures, we can learn how to approach God with our own inquiries, seeking wisdom and guidance.
In the Bible, questions are often used to reveal deeper truths and to challenge individuals to grow in their faith. For example, when God asks Adam, "Where are you?" in Genesis 3:9, it is not because He does not know Adam's location, but to prompt Adam to reflect on his actions and their consequences. Similarly, when Jesus asks His disciples, "Who do you say that I am?" in Matthew 16:15, He is encouraging them to consider their understanding of His identity and mission. These questions invite us to engage with God on a deeper level, to seek His truth, and to grow in our relationship with Him. [33:59]
Job 38:4-5 (ESV): "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?"
Reflection: What is a question you have about your faith or your relationship with God? How can you seek understanding and engage with God through this question today?
Day 2: God's Tolerance for Questions
Just as parents tolerate the endless questions of a child, God shows a high tolerance for our questions. This is evident in the numerous questions posed by biblical figures, indicating that God understands our need to seek clarity and express our doubts and feelings. God’s patience with our questions is a testament to His loving nature. He does not dismiss our inquiries but rather invites us to bring them to Him, knowing that through our questions, we can grow closer to Him and deepen our faith.
Throughout the Bible, we see examples of God engaging with the questions of His people. Moses questioned God about his ability to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, and God provided reassurance and guidance. The Psalms are filled with questions from David and other psalmists, expressing their struggles, doubts, and desires for understanding. God’s willingness to listen and respond to these questions shows that He values our pursuit of truth and our desire to know Him more intimately. [38:39]
Psalm 13:1-2 (ESV): "How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?"
Reflection: Think of a time when you felt uncertain or had doubts about your faith. How did you bring those questions to God, and how did He respond? How can you approach God with your questions today, trusting in His patience and understanding?
Day 3: The Wrong Way to Ask Questions
Pilate's question, "What is truth?" serves as an example of how not to ask questions. His question was not an honest inquiry but a dismissive, ironic statement reflecting disbelief. This teaches us that questions asked with cynicism and irony are not conducive to finding truth. When we approach questions with a closed heart and mind, we hinder our ability to receive genuine answers and to grow in our understanding of God’s truth.
Pilate’s question to Jesus was not a sincere search for truth but a rhetorical question meant to dismiss the concept of absolute truth. This attitude reflects a lack of openness to the possibility of divine truth and a refusal to engage in meaningful dialogue. In contrast, when we ask questions with a genuine desire to learn and understand, we open ourselves to the transformative power of God’s truth. It is important to approach our questions with humility, sincerity, and a willingness to be changed by the answers we receive. [42:39]
Proverbs 18:2 (ESV): "A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you asked a question with a closed heart or mind. How did this affect your ability to receive an answer? How can you approach your questions with sincerity and openness to God’s truth today?
Day 4: The Right Way to Ask Questions
Abraham's question, "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" exemplifies the right way to ask questions. His inquiry was bold yet sincere, rooted in a genuine desire for understanding and compassion. This shows that God welcomes questions asked with honesty and a seeking heart. When we approach God with our questions in this manner, we demonstrate our trust in His wisdom and our desire to align our understanding with His will.
Abraham’s question to God was motivated by his concern for the innocent people of Sodom and Gomorrah. His boldness in questioning God’s justice was not out of defiance but out of a deep sense of compassion and a desire to understand God’s ways. This kind of questioning is encouraged in Scripture, as it reflects a heart that seeks to know God more fully and to align with His character. By asking questions with honesty and a genuine desire for understanding, we can grow in our faith and deepen our relationship with God. [49:04]
James 1:5 (ESV): "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him."
Reflection: Think of a question you have about God’s character or His ways. How can you approach this question with honesty and a genuine desire for understanding? How can you seek God’s wisdom and guidance in your inquiry today?
Day 5: The Ultimate Answer in Jesus Christ
While many questions may remain unanswered, God has provided the ultimate answer in Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. In the presence of Jesus, all our questions and the need for answers will ultimately fall away, as we find complete understanding and peace in Him. Jesus embodies the fullness of God’s truth and offers us a relationship that transcends our need for answers, providing us with the assurance of His love and the promise of eternal life.
In Jesus, we find the ultimate revelation of God’s character and His plan for humanity. While we may continue to have questions and seek understanding, the presence of Jesus in our lives offers us a foundation of truth and a source of peace. By focusing on our relationship with Him, we can find comfort in knowing that He holds all the answers and that our ultimate fulfillment is found in Him. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus, we can trust that He will guide us and provide the wisdom we need for our journey of faith. [55:30]
Colossians 2:2-3 (ESV): "That their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge."
Reflection: Reflect on how your relationship with Jesus provides you with answers and peace. How can you deepen your relationship with Him today, trusting that He holds all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge? How can you find comfort in His presence, even when you have unanswered questions?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "Children are always full of questions. Do you ever question yourself? Do you ever question God? Is that allowed? Now, some sermons are expository, Bible expository in nature. As, for example, Pastor Scott's sermon series on the book of Acts that he's still leading us through. But today's sermon is more of a ramble through scripture. Summertime is great for rambling. So we're going to ramble." [33:03] (31 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Apparently, judging by this book, God has a very high tolerance for questions, just like you parents do. Now, there are lots of different categories. There are lots of questions. I spend my working day drowning in questions. Why does my knee hurt? Is this pill more likely to help me or kill me?" [34:32] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "I believe that our propensity to ask these questions reflects the fact that we are created in the image of God. And as such, we have a burning desire to understand fully what that means. But like everything else that we humans touch, that questioning and that search for knowledge can be distorted into sin." [52:44] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God shows us in this book that he fears no questions. He is capital T Truth, and any honest question leads to him. Of course, in Scripture, and in life, more questions get asked than get answered. The simple fact is that the answers to these questions are beyond our human capacity." [54:57] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "I think there will come a time in everyone's life where taking matters in your own hands will no longer work. Some of you have been through that already. And then, like the psalmist, you will be asking those hard questions of God. And when that time comes for you, remember, the problem is not the questions, but there is a right way and a wrong way to ask a question." [58:19] (26 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "If you survey Scripture, you find a long list of famous questions. We've already encountered, you know, did God really say you may not eat of this? The serpent is asking in Genesis 3. And then one chapter later, we mentioned, am I my brother's keeper? By someone who's just been deceived by that question of Satan." [38:39] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "There are questions that man directs to God. How long, O Lord, will you hide your face from us? The psalmist asks. What is man that you are mindful of him? The same psalmist asks that rhetorical question. Psalm 8. Then there are questions that, flowing in the opposite direction, God asks of man. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the world? God asks Job, rhetorically again." [39:47] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "So two questions, both directed to the deity, but each question revealing the character of the one doing the asking. Some random thoughts about questioning. I believe that our propensity to ask these questions reflects the fact that we are created in the image of God. And as such, we have a burning desire to understand fully what that means." [52:44] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "God demonstrates the same parental tolerance with us. When we look at the questions that are modeled for us, in Scripture, we see that God understands. We desire to ask for clarity in understanding the world around us. He understands our human need to express feelings, to express doubt, to express anger, all out of our inadequate human understanding." [53:55] (32 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "So may we all try to ask them, not out of the ironic and disbelieving detachment of Pilate, but out of the same attitude as Abraham, in honesty, in seeking, in compassion, out of trust in relationship. I believe that this book teaches us in virtually every chapter that we can ask boldly. So ask away." [58:45] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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