Guiding Faith: Addressing Doubts and Seeking Truth

Devotional

Day 1: Seeking Answers in Faith

When faced with questions about faith, it is vital to seek answers from a reliable source grounded in Scripture. This pursuit of truth is not just an intellectual exercise but a journey that strengthens one's relationship with God and fosters a deeper understanding of His will. It is important to remember that doubts and uncertainties are a natural part of spiritual growth. By providing a supportive environment where questions can be asked without fear, individuals are encouraged to explore their faith more deeply. This process involves not only seeking answers but also being open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom found in the Bible. [59:27]

James 1:5-6 ESV
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind."

Reflection: What faith-based question have you been hesitant to ask, and how can you seek a biblically grounded answer to it this week?

Day 2: Discerning Biblical Truth from Cultural Beliefs

The concept of "soul ties" serves as a reminder that not all spiritual teachings align with biblical truth. It is crucial to discern and separate what is explicitly stated in Scripture from cultural beliefs and extra-biblical doctrines. This discernment prevents confusion and the adoption of practices that may lead to unhealthy spiritual conditions. Believers are called to examine teachings critically and to root their faith in the authority of Scripture, which provides a firm foundation for understanding God's design for life and relationships. [01:19:10]

1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 ESV
"But test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil."

Reflection: How can you practice discernment this week in distinguishing biblical truths from cultural beliefs that have influenced your understanding of faith?

Day 3: Understanding the Nature of Miracles

Miracles are a powerful testament to God's presence and sovereignty, yet their occurrence is not always as we might expect. While miracles were indeed more frequent during Jesus' time, they continue to manifest in various forms today. Understanding the biblical perspective on miracles helps believers maintain a faith that is rooted in God's Word rather than in the pursuit of signs and wonders. This understanding also allows believers to recognize and appreciate the miraculous in everyday life, acknowledging God's hand at work in both the extraordinary and the mundane. [01:24:35]

Hebrews 2:3-4 ESV
"How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will."

Reflection: Can you identify a moment in your life that might be considered a 'small miracle,' and how did it impact your faith?

Day 4: Living Within God's Design for Purity

The Bible provides clear guidance on sexual purity, emphasizing that sex is a gift intended for the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman. Living within these boundaries is not only a matter of obedience but also a path to true fulfillment and protection from spiritual and relational harm. Cohabitation before marriage, even without sexual activity, is cautioned against as it can lead to temptation and compromise. Repentance in this context means a genuine turning away from sin and a commitment to a lifestyle that honors God's design for relationships. [01:14:52]

Ephesians 5:3 ESV
"But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints."

Reflection: What steps can you take to honor God's design for purity in your current or future relationships?

Day 5: Embracing Wholeness in Mental Health

Mental health is an integral part of a believer's overall well-being, and seeking help, including medication, is not indicative of a lack of faith. The stigma surrounding mental health treatment within the Christian community needs to be dismantled. Recognizing that God can use various means, including medical professionals, to bring healing and wholeness is an important step in caring for oneself and others. Believers are encouraged to support one another in seeking help and to view mental health as a component of their stewardship of God's creation. [01:41:09]

3 John 1:2 ESV
"Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul."

Reflection: How can you support someone in your community who is struggling with mental health, and what can you do to promote a healthy understanding of mental well-being in your church?

Sermon Summary

In my sermon, I began by addressing the importance of answering faith-based questions and providing a safe space for individuals to seek answers. I emphasized the responsibility of a pastor to guide their congregation through doubts and queries, ensuring that no one leaves without the answers they need. I encouraged the congregation to email me directly with any pressing questions, especially those that we might not have time to cover during the service or the upcoming podcast. I also mentioned that there were three specific topics—LGBTQIA+ issues, abortion, and politics—that I would not address in this sermon but would dedicate entire Sundays to due to their complexity and the need for a more thorough discussion.

I then moved on to discuss various topics, starting with the concept of "soul ties," which I clarified as not being a biblical concept. I urged the congregation to focus on what is explicitly stated in Scripture and to avoid extra-biblical doctrines that can lead to confusion and unhealthy beliefs. I also touched on the painful reality of church hurt, emphasizing that while it is often individuals who cause pain, one should not dismiss the entire church or their faith because of these experiences. I encouraged those who have been hurt to seek healing and to find a healthy church community, like our own, that can provide support and guidance.

I addressed questions about miracles, stating that while they were more frequent during Jesus' time to validate His divinity, miracles still occur today, albeit less frequently. I explained that the expectation of constant grandiose miracles is not biblically accurate, and I shared personal testimonies of witnessing miracles within our own church community.

On the topic of premarital sex, I reiterated the biblical stance that sex is reserved for marriage between a man and a woman and that living together before marriage, even if not sexually active, is unwise and akin to playing with fire. I also discussed the importance of repentance, which involves not just seeking forgiveness but also a change in behavior.

I spoke about the role of sororities and fraternities, advising caution as these organizations can sometimes lead individuals away from Christ. I emphasized the need to prioritize one's faith above all else and to avoid any group that demands allegiance over one's relationship with Jesus.

Regarding the use of marijuana, I differentiated between medicinal and recreational use, cautioning against the latter and reminding the congregation that just because something is natural or legal does not mean it is beneficial or in alignment with a life of faith.

I also addressed the issue of female pastors, explaining my hermeneutical approach that considers cultural context and historical background. I shared my personal wrestling with the relevant scriptures and concluded that the cultural context of Paul's time does not prohibit female pastors today.

Lastly, I spoke about the importance of physical, spiritual, and mental health for believers, advocating for the use of prescribed medication, including for mental health, and rejecting the stigma that seeking such help indicates a lack of faith.

Key Takeaways

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Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

According to the sermon, why is it important for a pastor to provide answers to faith-based questions? ([59:27])
What is the biblical stance on premarital sex and cohabitation before marriage as discussed in the sermon? ([01:03:34])
How did the pastor differentiate between medicinal and recreational use of marijuana? ([01:05:24])
What reasons did the pastor give for the occurrence of miracles being less frequent today compared to Jesus' time? ([01:24:35])

Interpretation Questions

How does James 1:5 relate to the pastor's encouragement for the congregation to seek answers to their faith-based questions? ([59:27])
In what ways does 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 support the pastor's teaching on sexual purity and the importance of repentance? ([01:14:52])
How can Romans 12:2 be applied to the pastor's advice on avoiding extra-biblical doctrines like "soul ties"? ([01:19:10])
What are the implications of the pastor's stance on mental health and the use of prescribed medication for believers? ([01:41:09])

Application Questions

Reflect on a time when you had a pressing faith-based question. How did you seek answers, and what was the outcome? How can you create a supportive environment for others with similar questions? ([59:27])
The pastor emphasized the importance of repentance involving a change in behavior. Is there an area in your life where you need to seek true repentance? What steps can you take to change your behavior? ([01:14:52])
Considering the pastor's advice on the use of marijuana, how do you discern what is beneficial and aligns with your faith? Are there any habits you need to reconsider? ([01:05:24])
Have you ever experienced church hurt? How did it affect your faith, and what steps did you take towards healing? How can you support others who have been hurt by the church? ([01:22:19])
The pastor mentioned the importance of mental health and seeking help when needed. Do you or someone you know struggle with mental health issues? How can you support them in seeking the help they need? ([01:41:09])
How do you prioritize your faith in environments that may lead you away from Christ, such as certain social groups or organizations? What practical steps can you take to ensure your faith remains your top priority? ([01:15:58])
Reflect on the pastor's explanation of female pastors and the cultural context of Paul's time. How does understanding the historical and cultural background of scripture influence your interpretation of it? ([01:44:18])

Sermon Clips

"And so there are things that you need to do for your physical health, right? You wouldn't just throw that out and be like, well, God's going to be taking care of me, it's going to be fine. No, you need to take care of yourself physically. There are some things you need to do to take care of yourself spiritually... There are things that you need to do for your mental health. And the reality is, there's been some danger done, some damage done by the big C church in stigmatizing, or in downplaying mental health issues..." [01:41:09]( | | )

"Congratulations on having a two-bedroom place. Congratulations on your lease being up. Those things do not mean you should engage in dangerous activity... Until a pastor, a priest, a judge says, I now pronounce you man and wife, you're not together, okay?... It's just dangerous. It's playing with fire. Don't do it." [01:03:34]( | | )

"Is there grace when we sin? Yes. Is there forgiveness when we sin? Yes. We repent, which is not just saying I'm sorry, but it's a change in behavior. And so if you feel guilt for premarital sex, but then you keep continuing in that action, then was there real remorse? Is there real repentance taking place in that?" [01:14:52]( | | )

"I would say any organization that is going to lead you away from Christ, stay away from. And so if there's something in the sorority you're a part of that's trying to put identity in the sorority as the most important thing in your life, that's sinful... Can you be a part of a sorority? Yeah. Is it going to benefit your life? Maybe. Is it going to be detrimental to your faith with Jesus? Could be." [01:16:43]( | | )

"The reality is, uh, don't throw out the baby with the bathwater. So the, the, what I mean by that is it was a person that hurt you. It wasn't the church that hurt you... So the healing process, it does take time. It does take, uh, some risk even to say, Hey, I'm, I'm going to go back into a scenario where I was hurt before." [01:23:22]( | | )

"To have an expectation that miracles are going to happen, uh, all over the place at magnificent levels is just not, uh, it's not biblically accurate. Now for, for scripture that says, Hey, we're going to do greater work. Well, I think that that is a quantitative... Jesus healed one, the disciples healed 50." [01:25:33]( | | )

"My personal hermeneutics, I use, first, I start from a literal standpoint. So I'm looking for the literal interpretation of scripture... How I come to the conclusion that it is okay to have female pastors is a cultural understanding. That at that time, there was not female education the way there is today." [01:44:18]( | | )

"I do take very seriously the role, the responsibility of a pastor to answer faith-based questions of people. And so I think that a horrible thing that we do, a horrible feeling is when you have doubts or you have questions, but you don't know where you can go for answers. And so I want to always be a place where you can come for answers." [59:27]( | | )

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