Asking For A Friend–Week 2

Question #1-Since there are so many world religions, how do we know that our religion, Christianity, is the real one?

#1–Logical analysis-

All relevant religions, cults and spirits of this evil age compete.

They can’t all be true

Koran vs the bible

Today’s culture is no absolute truth, fluid, changing, feelings set my reality

One religion must be true, others are copies or counterfeits,

#2–Historical evidence or empirical claims. Documented evidence for Christ.

Can we find proof of His birth, life, ministry, death, resurrection, and ascension?

What sets apart the Bible, particularly the NT- all written by eyewitnesses

#3–Existential relevancy- does the bible and Christianity answer life’s big questions

Why am I here, why does sin exist, what happens to me after death, how do I reconcile to Christ, what is my purpose in this present evil age? How should I live?

Christianity is not about us, it is about Christ and he alone. Other religions make man the center, works to achieve a higher state.  We have salvation a free gift from Christ.

Key concepts of Christianity that are foreign to all other religions

CONCLUSION TO QUESTION #1–

Paul’s final word, his magnum opus, the pinnacle of proof of Jesus Christ, his life, death and resurrection. Paul knew that this truth would be battled for many years to come.  He wanted there to be absolutely no doubt.    He is giving his proof for his own eyewitness account and of others for decades to come.   I Cor. 15: 1-20.

 

Question #2-God calls us to tithe the first 10% of our income to Him. However, for many of us our monthly expenses outweigh our income. What encouragement can we find in God’s Word to help us tithe 10% when we struggle to cover our basic needs and expenses?

#1–Scriptures that speak to this issue:

Matthew 6:19-34

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

Malachi 3:8-10

#2–The Origin of the Tithe

Genesis 14 is where we find the first tithe given by Abram (Abraham) and it is found throughout the Mosaic Law and the prophets.

What the New Testament says about the tithe is only in reference to what Abram did and what the Law of Moses said about it.

Jesus, in Matthew 5-7, takes common idioms of the Law of Moses and deepens their meaning to more of God’s original idea.

Love your neighbor, hate your enemy.

Do not commit adultery.

Do not murder.

Originally in the Law, God provided for the people to be generous so the poor, needy, and foreigners would be find the care they needed.

#3–The Principles of Giving and Generosity

The Law of Sowing and Reaping (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)

The Promise of Blessing from God to Others (2 Corinthians 9:8-15)

The Challenge (Malachi 3:8-10)

CONCLUSION TO QUESTION #2–

Looking at what God has said about our giving, we need to make our giving to God a priority. Stories like the Widow of Zaraphath (1 Kings 17), the Feeding of the 5000 (Matthew 14, Mark 6, Luke 9), and the challenges we find in Malachi, 2 Corinthians, and Matthew 6 all call us to give to God first, and then allow Him the room to provide. He will provide us with everything we need (food, clothing) and we will have it. Psalm 37:25 says, “I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.” He’s the same God today, and when we put our faith and trust in Him, we’ll have what we need!

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