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Food for Thought
_{^{For the week of August 3, 2008}}
(Questions and Scriptures for further study)

 
1.   We heard this weekend that one of the enemy’s lies is that a God of love would never send anyone to hell. There’s no question that the topic of hell can be uncomfortable or even confusing (it’s hardly politically correct these days – but neither was Jesus in His day). Let’s see what the Bible actually says about a time and place of future judgment. Look up each passage and jot down your own observations.
   
Isaiah 33:14
    The sinners in Zion are terrified;
        trembling grips the godless:
    "Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire?
        Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?" _^[NIV]

Matthew 13:41-42
    The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. [42] They will throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. _^[NIV]

Matthew 25:46
    "Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life." _^[NIV]

2 Thessalonians 1:9-10
    They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power [10] on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. _^[NIV]

2. God is a God of holiness and justice as well as a God of love.  But because of the severity of biblical descriptions of hell, it’s not surprising that some question how this fits in with God’s love.  How do the following verses speak to God’s heart and the extent of His love for all of us?
 
John 3:16-17
    "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. [17] For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. _^[NIV]

Romans 5:6-8
    You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. [7] Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. [8] But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. _^[NIV]

2 Peter 3:9
    The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. _^[NIV]

1 John 4:9
    This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. _^[NIV]

3.  We often talk about what it means to become a follower of Jesus and to give Him the “steering wheel of our life.”  The verses below describe what this commitment involves – and why it’s so important.  Read each verse and summarize it in your own words.  Is there one verse that particularly catches your attention or had a special impact on you in the past?  If so, why?
  
Romans 1:19-20
    since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. [20] For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities--his eternal power and divine nature--have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. _^[NIV]

Romans 6:23
    For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. _^[NIV]

Romans 3:23
    for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, _^[NIV]

Romans 10:9-11 
        That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. [10] For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. [11] As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." _^[NIV]

Romans 5:8
    But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. _^[NIV]

Romans 12:1-2
    Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. [2] Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. _^[NIV]

If you would like more information on what it means to “give Jesus the steering  wheel of your life,” don’t hesitate to contact one of our pastors, 760.724.6700. You can also pick up a free Steering Wheel Packet at the church office or Info Booths, or request one online at www.northcoastchurch.com.