20 Questions with Pastor Mike (Episode 94)

Mar 4, 2023

Discover the essence of worshiping God in spirit and truth, exploring how personal connection trumps institutional practices. Dive into the balance between divine sovereignty and human effort in life's outcomes, emphasizing faith and hard work. Uncover the humanitarian aid provided by Restoring Faith for refugees in crisis, showcasing integrity in charity. Engage in thoughtful dialogue about atheism, faith, and the complexities of salvation, encouraging reflection on biblical interpretations and moral choices.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Worship in Spirit and Truth

01:38 • 26min

Humanitarian Aid for Refugees: Restoring Faith's Mission

28:00 • 2min

Divine Sovereignty and Human Effort

29:44 • 37min

Exploring Age Discrepancies of King Ahaziah

01:06:41 • 9min

Challenging Atheism: Engaging in Thoughtful Dialogue

01:15:25 • 4min

Navigating Faith and Salvation

01:19:18 • 23min

A worthwhile ministry to support right now….

"Restoring Faith" is a ministry that helps bring aid to people in crisis. They are sending funds to Syria to assist victims of the recent earthquake. 100% of the money donated goes to aid for the victims: http://restoringfaithinc.org/

Today's Time Stamps:

0:29 What does it mean to worship God “in Spirit and in truth”?
14:14 Is Hebrews 1:1 a reasonable proof text for cessationism in relation to prophecy? It says God spoke to our ancestors through prophets, but "in these last days," He has spoken to us through Christ. Are we in the "last days" Paul refers to?
21:23 At my age and health, it’s hard to manage my long hair. May I cut it chin length as long as I keep it looking feminine and still relatively longer than a man’s? Is simply maintaining that gender distinction the important part?
23:16 Coming from a “2 works movement” (CHM), I’ve always heard 1 Thessalonians 5:23 taught as calling people to a second work of Grace, or an experience of entire sanctification. What is Paul actually saying there?
29:42 How much do my efforts influence situations when God is sovereign and in control? For example, my hard work vs. God blessing my business, improving my health to "extend" my life vs. God setting the number of my days, etc.
33:25 What does the harvest refer to in Luke 10? I've always heard it talked about relating to evangelism, but a harvest implies that the work has already been done and you're able to get the fruit of your labor.
37:01 Can Satan stop God's plan? I had to cancel a mission trip at the last minute due to something I couldn't control, but doors had opened and things had fallen into place for us to go, so it seemed like it was God's will.
41:47 1 Timothy 3:4-5 and Titus 1:6 seem to indicate if someone desires to be an elder they are disqualified by unbelieving children. Does this include adult children? The wife? What do these verses mean?
48:19 How are we to relate to fallen brothers in terms of fellowship, and to cult members with hospitality according to 1 Corinthians 5:11 and 2 John 1:10?
55:56 If I have a friend who is not saved and I have tried to evangelize them and have only been met with resistance, do I need to stop hanging out with them?
58:41 Why does God allow success for celebrities that don’t follow Him?
1:02:17 1 Corinthians 14:27-28 says that someone should not speak in tongues unless there is an interpreter, but how are they supposed to know if there is an interpreter present?
1:04:19 What is a correct approach to reach someone you care about who is dealing with suicidal thoughts?
1:06:18 In the KJV, 2 Kings 8:26 and 2 Chronicles 22:2 give two completely different ages for Ahaziah when he took the throne. How can we account for this?
1:14:43 I am a new Christian and my brother is an atheist. He has brought up the question of “What if God is lying about everything and this all a big cosmic joke?” How do I combat this thinking?
1:19:55 Ephesians 5:5 says that the sexually immoral will have no place in the Kingdom of God, yet later, Ephesians says we’re saved by grace through faith. Is this contradictory?
1:25:20 If all meats were made clean, then how do Christians interpret Isaiah 66:15-18, as that passage, I believe, refers to Christ’s second coming, and in it He “destroys” those who eat unclean meats?
1:28:48 When is the right age to evangelize? I'm 15 and I used to evangelize and many believed, but I also got into trouble with the police and at my school. My pastor told me to wait until I’m more mature and I’ve learned more of God’s Word.
1:31:09 How do I help my dad (an unbeliever) who thinks religion is used to control us? He also says, “If God exists, where was He when my father was beating my mother and I, and I cried out to Him?”
1:38:24 What's the biblical response on what a Christian should do if they move into a haunted house? I know "hauntings" are demonic, and I've been there before for 3 years. What do I do if it happens again?

CLICK HERE for the “Jesus in the Old Testament” series

Here is the “Got Questions” article I read during the stream.