Can You Prove God?

Text: Ps 14, Heb 11:6

Proving existence of God.    Psalm 14

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                             CAN YOU PROVE GOD?
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    I. Does God really exist?                                 Hebrews 11:6

   II. Who needs him, anyway?  The view of skeptics.
        A. We don't need a god to explain things.
        B. Other faiths cancel each other out.
        C. Why do so many believe in God, then?

  III. Existence of God cannot be proven scientifically.
        A. Science can only prove repeatable things.
        B. Consider the alternative:  existence without God.
        C. Skeptics cannot be compelled to believe.

   IV. Reasons to believe He really is there.
        A. Human history.
        B. Philosophical arguments.
        C. Order and design of universe.
        D. Truth of Bible.
        E. Personal experience.

    V. What kind of God do you believe in?

Creation Or Evolution?

Text: Gen 1:20-26...

Darwinian evolution.    Genesis 1:20-26

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                          CREATION OR EVOLUTION?
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    I. Did God really create everything?

   II. Inner tensions.
        A. Truth of Bible - but Science also tries to establish truth.
        B. Some Christians have made dumb statements concerning science.
        C. Faith and facts.

  III. A theory that has changed the world.
        A. The voyage of the "Beagle" in 1859.
        B. Theory took society by storm.
        C. Unintended consequences.

   IV. Problems with Darwinism.
        A. Improbability of random mutations.
        B. The "missing links" are still missing.
        C. Macro or micro?

    V. Varieties of Creationism.
        A. Theistic evolution.
        B. Young earth creationism.
        C. Ancient earth creationism.*

   VI. People are special.
        A. Darwinian-ism and the human animal.
        B. Bible is adamant that humans are special.
        C. Are you related to your Creator?

Do We Have A Monopoly On Truth?

Text: John 1:9-14, John 14:6

Truth, as evidenced by Jesus.  John 1:9-14

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                      DO WE HAVE A MONOPOLY ON TRUTH?
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    I. A politically-incorrect Christmas.
        A. "Merry Christmas" is taboo.
        B. Satellite dish religion.

   II. The need for toleration.
        A. There is much good in other faiths.
        B. Inadequacies in our own faith.
        C. Tolerance doesn't mean agreement.

  III. Is there any such thing as objective truth?
        A. Modern society is hungry - for something.
        B. The gospel avoids asking for mere intellectual agreement.
        C. What is demanded is conversion, detoxification, being born again.

   IV. The real meaning of Christmas.                           John 1:9-14
        A. Most don't recognize Jesus.
        B. Truth became a man.
        C. "Peace on earth" was not for everyone.                 Luke 2:14

    V. Truth doesn't convert, but it can lead to Jesus.
        A. Our problem with the gospel is moral more than intellectual.
        B. Love works better than arguments.

What Happens When We Die?

Text: 2 Cor 5:1-7, Phil 1:23

The hope of heaven.    2 Cor 5:1-7

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                         WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE DIE?
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    I. What happens when we die?

   II. Misconceptions about heaven.
        A. Heaven is boring.
        B. Heaven is escapism.

  III. What heaven will be like.
        A. It is more than puffy clouds.                        Rev 21 & 22
        B. Dramatic changes in nature.                          Isaiah 11:6
        C. Expansion of human activity.                         Rev 21:24
        D. Christians will be changed to be like Jesus.         Phil 3:21
        E. The presence of God will be focus of heaven.         Rev 22:3-5

   IV. When do we go to heaven?
        A. Nighty-night view.               1 Cor 15:51-51; 1 Thess 4:13-14
        B. Right away view.                 Luke 23:43; 2 Cor 5; Phil 1:23

    V. Most important question:  Are you going to heaven?
        A. Many people think they are.
        B. We cannot get there on our own.                      John 14:1-6
        C. Death is a victory for Christians.