Forward In Faith

The question this week it the most important question of all. It is the question that clarifies our relationship with Christ. Jesus asks of his disciples and of us, “Who do you say that I am?” In this message we will consider the power of our confession. Who do you say that Jesus is? Have you confessed him as the Christ of God as Peter did. If so the right confession comes with many promises that you won’t want to miss.

This weeks question is, "Where is my honor?.” God asks us, if you call me Father why don’t you honor me as a father and if you call me Lord why don’t you serve me with honor? These again are important questions for us to consider. Does my life honor God? Is my worship worthy of His Name? As you ask yourself these questions let God’s Spirit reveal the truth to you.

This weeks question is: what are you doing here? This question from God is not as much about our location as it is about the condition of our soul. It asks, where are you? Do you stop often and consider this question for yourself? Are you in God’s will are you seeking His best? Or are you letting your own ideas and desires lead your far from God’s presence?

This weeks question should really get us thinking. What if God were to ask you, “What do you want, ask of me anything…” What would you ask for? What we ask for does reveal what is on our heart. Solomon was given this very opportunity. How he responded made all the difference in his life. How and what we ask God for makes a difference in our lives as well.

As we consider the questions God asks us, this morning we look a question that sets the perimeters of truth. We tend to only think of truth in terms of the here and now. We are rarely conscience of the eternal. We in turn ask questions of God based on a temporal experience. These questions are in truth nonsense questions because we do not have the capacity to understand the answer. So God asks of us, "where were you when I established the earth?” From this and the questions that follow God is saying, you are asking a question that has an eternal answer.

This morning we will look at Genesis 18 and the question that God asked Sarah. He asked, “why did you laugh?” The question exposed Sarah’s doubt in God’s word. The story also gives us the opportunity to be reminded that the good news of God’s redemptive love gives to us the opportunity to laugh with God in joy. So, the question can still be asked, “why do you laugh?”

As we read Genesis chapter 4 this week we see the steps of a person that is not walking with God in fact they are walking away from God. This begins in the heart and then finds expression in actions leading to God’s question of Cain, “What have you done?"

This week we start a new sermon series titled: The questions God asks us. The first question from God in the bible is asked of Adam and Eve. “Where are you?” This question challenges us to understand that God is still seeking us. All of His questions in scriptures reveal his redemptive love. A love that does not leave us alone in our sin but seeks us to save us and open our eyes to His presences.

As God deals with our excuses in Haggai 2, He asked the question, “What do you see.” He is challenging us to consider what we are looking at and what we are looking to. The things we focus on can lead us to discouragement and confusion. But, God has given us his Holy Spirit that we might be sensitive to what He is doing in the world. When we begin to open our eyes to God’s activity we will be energized and encouraged!

Jesus' parable of the "Two Sons", confronts our practice of saying the right things and putting on good appearances with out faithful service.