Eastside Baptist Church, Winfield, Alabama

“The Invisible God” (Exodus 20:4–6)

“The Invisible God” (Exodus 20:4–6)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, April 8, 2018
Exodus 20:4–6 (NIV) 4 “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. 5 You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
1. The Command: You shall not make or worship images/idols
2. The Reason: For I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God.
3. The Consequences for Disobedience
4. The Blessings for Obedience
5. How Should Christians obey the 2nd commandment?
a. Why Idolatry is wrong:
i. An idol is a physical representation of God or a god. ii. Making an idol of worship destroys the Creator/Creature distinction. iii. Worshiping an idol reverses the order of the created realm. iv. When we worship an idol, we treat with contempt the incarnation of Christ. v. When we worship an idol, we are lifting up something as worthy of worship that we ourselves have made.
b. How does a NT Christian obey the second commandment?
Main Idea: God’s people must worship their one, true God in the way that he has required, without the aid of visual objects of worship or aids to worship, because He is the Invisible God who is Jealous for our exclusive love and devotion.

“God’s Unshakable Purpose” (Romans 8:29–30)

“God’s Unshakable Purpose” (Romans 8:29–30)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, April 8, 2018
Romans 8:29-30, NIV29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
1. God loved his children before the creation of the world.
2. God determined from eternity past to glorify his children in the image of his Son, Jesus Christ.
3. At a point in time, God graciously and effectually called his children to salvation.
4. God’s gracious and effectual calling awakened faith in his children justifying them before God on the basis of Christ’s redemption.
5. Every beloved, predestined, called, and justified child of God will infallibly be glorified.

"Why Believe in God Despite the Evil in the World?" - Chapter 9 of Know Why You Believe

Know Why You BelieveBy K. Scott Oliphint
“Why Believe in God Despite the Evil in the World?” – Chapter 9
Introduction
The Pervasiveness of Evil
The Root of Evil
The Problem of Evil for the Christian FaithIs there a God?
Is He good?
Is He powerful?
Then, why is there evil and suffering?
The Problem
Christians should be “ready to give an answer” regarding the problem of evil, because it directly relates to our belief in God and to the character of our God.
Secularists also have a “problem of evil.” They have no way of explaining what evil is.If everything is chance, then shouldn’t we expect “accidents” and “tragedy”?
If everything is chance, then how can there be moral categories of good and evil?
The character of our God and the presence of evil.God is omnipotent, omniscient, and wholly good.
There is a vast amount of evil in the world.
How do we reconcile these truths?
The problem of evil is not only philosophical; it is also personal.
What are the solutions to the philosophical and personal dilemma of the presence of evil in the world?
Potential solutions cannot create bigger problems.We can’t deny one of God’s attributes.
Atheists suggest we give up our belief in God because they attempt to show the direct conflict between our belief in God and the presence of evil in the world.
But, is there another way? Is there a way to maintain faith in the God of Scripture while holding to a compelling explanation for the presence of evil in the world?
Reasons
We can’t deny the existence of God or one of his core attributes; so, the challenge is put to Christians to come up with a “God-justifying” reason for evil.Theodicy – what reasons or justification God could have in creating a world that contains so much evil.“Greater Good Defense”
The “non-existence” of evil – Augustine
The “Free Will” Defense
Biblical Reasons
The ultimate explanation for why evil is in the world must come from Scripture.
Three central teachings of Scripture that provide clarity on this issue:GodThe Creator and Sustainer of Creation
God’s Eternal Decree – Evil was not a “surprise” to God. It was all a part of his all-inclusive, eternal, sovereign decree.
Image of GodHuman beings are created in the image of God with dignity and dominion.
Humanity had a responsible relationship to God, with responsibility that included dominion over what God had made.
Their dominion was not exhaustive; there were limitations. God is still sovereign.
Adam and Eve sought to extend their dominion beyond God’s boundaries.
These actions had consequences for humanity and all of creation.
God and Image of GodEverything that happens in the world was initiated by God in eternity past.
Even the remedy for the problem was guaranteed before creation ever was.
It was planned by God that those made in his image would be responsible agents in God’s world.
When Adam and Eve sinned, God judged them for their disobedience.
Their sin brought real consequences, both to themselves and to all creation.
God with UsGod himself sees the incompatibility of his character and evil as a serious problem.
God determined to deal with it in a way that deeply involves him.
God is not “outside” the problem of evil.
God involves himself in dealing with the problem of evil in the Garden in Gen. 3.
“Theodicy” is solved by “Theophany.”
God comes down to his creation to solve the problem of evil.
The ultimate and permanent “theophany” of God is Jesus Christ, who is God with us.
Jesus Christ, as fully God and fully man as one person, came into this world to set right what we ruined.
The cost that Christ paid to deal with our problem of sin was high – it involved death and taking on himself the wrath of God against evil.
The problem of evil could be conquered only if the penalty we should pay was paid by him, the innocent one.
God, in the person of his Son, comes to us to solve the horrendous problem that we started and that only he could finish.
No greater concern for the “problem of evil” could God show than the sending of his only Son to be forsaken by him and to die.
The problem of evil, which is our fault, finds its solution only when God solves it.
Responses
Why did God create then, knowing that sin and evil would follow?We don’t have all the answers; we can’t see all things as God sees them. We must not “condemn God in order to justify ourselves.” (Job 40:8)
God didn’t provide answers to Job, but he did remind him of his character.
But that still doesn’t answer the question! Why would God plan this kind of a world?This is the wrong focus.
A better question would be: “Why would God, from eternity past, plan and create a world where he himself, in the person of his Son, would come and suffer and die, being forsaken by his Father on the cross, to bring rebellious human creatures to himself?”
His plan, from all eternity, included suffering in it—the suffering and death of his Son.
And this is where the Bible requires that we stop asking the question.God has given us all we need to know about the solution to the problem of evil.
We stop asking because of the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God. He is God and we are not.
God has solved the problem of evil. The solution is working itself out in history until the most obvious indication of the problem—death itself—will finally be destroyed.
In the meantime, the proper response to the problem of evil is to trust him.
Since God is God, we can place ourselves in the hands of the one who knows the end from the beginning, who through Christ has provided our deliverance from evil for eternity.
Questions
Why is God’s solution to the problem of evil not satisfactory for some people?
What do you know of how other religions deal with the problem of evil?
Why do you think Paul calls death the “last enemy” (1 Cor. 15:26)?

"On the Emmaus Road" (Luke 24:13-35)

“On the Emmaus Road” (Luke 24:13–35)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchEaster Sunday AM, April 1, 2018
Luke 24:13–35 (NIV)
13 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. 15 As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; 16 but they were kept from recognizing him.
17 He asked them, “What are you discussing together as you walk along?”
They stood still, their faces downcast. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, asked him, “Are you the only one visiting Jerusalem who does not know the things that have happened there in these days?”
19 “What things?” he asked.
“About Jesus of Nazareth,” they replied. “He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. 20 The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; 21 but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. 22 In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning 23 but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. 24 Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.”
25 He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
28 As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if he were going farther. 29 But they urged him strongly, “Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.” So he went in to stay with them.
30 When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. 32 They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?”
33 They got up and returned at once to Jerusalem. There they found the Eleven and those with them, assembled together 34 and saying, “It is true! The Lord has risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 Then the two told what had happened on the way, and how Jesus was recognized by them when he broke the bread.
1. It’s Over…
a. Going home…b. We were hoping…c. It’s now the third day…d. They did not see Jesus…
2. It’s Not Over; It Is Finished!
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit. (John 19:30, NIV)
After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. (Hebrews 1:3, NIV)
a. The Scriptures have been Fulfilled.
25 He said to them, "How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?" 27 And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself. (Luke 24:25–27, NIV)
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12, NIV)
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. (Romans 1:16, NIV)
b. God’s Plan has been Accomplished.c. God’s Purpose has been Realized.
Main Idea: We come to know the risen Christ through the Holy Scriptures and through the eye-opening grace of God.

Reflections from John 6: “Jesus, the Bread of Life”

Reflections from John 6: “Jesus, the Bread of Life”Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchMaundy Thursday, March 29, 2018
John 6:25–59 (NIV)
25 When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”
26 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. 27 Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”
28 Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”
29 Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”
30 So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? 31 Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”
32 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. 33 For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
34 “Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”
35 Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. 36 But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. 37 All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away. 38 For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me. 39 And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those he has given me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
41 At this the Jews there began to grumble about him because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” 42 They said, “Is this not Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How can he now say, ‘I came down from heaven’?”
43 “Stop grumbling among yourselves,” Jesus answered. 44 “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day. 45 It is written in the Prophets: ‘They will all be taught by God.’  Everyone who has heard the Father and learned from him comes to me. 46 No one has seen the Father except the one who is from God; only he has seen the Father. 47 Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life. 48 I am the bread of life. 49 Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 50 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die. 51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever. This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
52 Then the Jews began to argue sharply among themselves, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?”
53 Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. 55 For my flesh is real food and my blood is real drink. 56 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in them. 57 Just as the living Father sent me and I live because of the Father, so the one who feeds on me will live because of me. 58 This is the bread that came down from heaven. Your ancestors ate manna and died, but whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.” 59 He said this while teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
1. As human beings, our default position is to look for purpose and meaning for life in all the wrong places (vv. 25–27).
2. When confronted with the prospect of our souls and eternal life, we naturally think that we can merit our way there on the basis of our performance (vv. 28–29).
3. When confronted with belief in Jesus, the Messiah, our default position is skepticism and/or self-interest (vv. 30–31).
4. When presented with Jesus, the Son of God, as the source and meaning of all of life, our natural eyes can't see it (vv. 32–36).
5. It is only through divine grace that we can see and believe that Jesus is the bread of life, the Son of God. (vv. 37–45).
6. Through faith in Jesus, and only in him, we come to know the source of all meaning and purpose and joy, and the giver of salvation and eternal life (vv. 46–59).

“Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9–10; Luke 19:37–38; John 12:13)

“Hosanna!” (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9–10; Luke 19:37–38; John 12:13)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchPalm Sunday AM, March 25, 2018
The crowds that went ahead of him and those that followed shouted, "Hosanna to the Son of David!" "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Matthew 21:9, NIV)
9 Those who went ahead and those who followed shouted, "Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" 10 "Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David!" "Hosanna in the highest heaven!" (Mark 11:9-10, NIV)
37 When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen: 38 "Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!" (Luke 19:37-38, NIV)
They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, "Hosanna! " "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!" "Blessed is the king of Israel!" (John 12:13, NIV)
1. The King who comes to save (Hosanna!).
22 The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone; 23 the LORD has done this, and it is marvelous in our eyes. 24 The LORD has done it this very day; let us rejoice today and be glad. 25 LORD, save us! LORD, grant us success! 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you. (Psalm 118:22-26, NIV)
a. A spiritual savior not a political savior.
b. A suffering savior not a conquering king (yet).
6 For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame." 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the cornerstone," 8 and, "A stone that causes people to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the message-- which is also what they were destined for. (1 Peter 2:6-8, NIV)
2. The King who comes to represent God and accomplish his will.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:9; John 12:13)
a. With his approval, bearing his name.b. With his authority, representing his cause.c. With his purpose, accomplishing his will.
3. The King who comes to reign on David’s throne and fulfill God’s promises.
Hosanna to the Son of David! (Matthew 21:9)Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord! (Luke 19:38)Blessed is the king of Israel! (John 12:13)Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! (Mark 11:10)
a. Fulfilling the Lord’s Word (to David)
Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this. (Isaiah 9:7, NIV)
b. Proving the Lord’s faithfulness (to his people)
4. The King who comes to give glory to God in heaven.
Hosanna in the highest heaven! (Matthew 21:9; Mark 11:10)Peace in heaven and glory in the highest! (Luke 19:38)
Luke 2:14 "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
a. Salvationb. Peacec. Gloryd. On earth as it is in heaven – one day in Christ it will be.
Main Idea: Jesus is the suffering King who brings salvation to his people, accomplishing the will of the Father, fulfilling his promises, and achieving his glory.

"Why Believe in God in the Face of Modern Science?" - Chapter 8 of Know Why You Believe

Know Why You BelieveBy K. Scott Oliphint
“Why Believe in God in the Face of Modern Science?” – Chapter 8
Introduction
ShortsightednessWhen we consider our present circumstances, we lack a historical horizon to give us perspective.
The comforts and conveniences that we use every day are relatively new in the history of the world.
This historical shortsightedness is detrimental:Whenever we ignore anything beyond our own circumstances, we tend to think that what is “now” is normal. We lose a critical perspective.
We lose context.
When we lose historical perspective, we tend to think that what is new is always better.Technology makes some things better but some things worse.
Now is not always normal. Newer is not always better.
Reasons
The purpose of this lesson is to provide a historical perspective on the relationship between science and Christianity.
Modern science began in the nineteenth century when science was defined and carried out in a radically different way than before.
The word “scientist” was not even coined until the nineteenth century.
There are two reasons for believing in Christianity in the face of modern science: Historical
Foundational
Historical Reasons
In its historical context, the relationship of science and Christian belief has been mostly harmonious, not hostile.
Natural Philosophy or Natural Theology
Natural philosophy concerned itself with the workings of nature. It sought to discover and utilize the forces and laws of nature in order: To better understand how the world works
To improve the quality of life for people
The goal of natural philosophy (or theology) was to connect the workings of the world with the “One” thing or being that could explain and justify those workings.
Natural philosophy intuitively recognized that there had to be something that provided for the harmonious display of nature, something that connected all the different parts.
From a Christian perspective “natural theology” understood that “nature” was a “book” written by the one God and that it could only be properly understood through God’s written book, the Bible.Francis Bacon (1561-1626)“Scientific Method”
Offered a genuinely Christian approach to nature. Bacon tried to eliminate pagan roots of natural philosophy and see its task in light of Christianity.
Robert Boyle (1627-1691)One of the founders of modern chemistry
Believed that science could make no progress if viewed through atheistic assumptions.
It was God’s providence that provided for the constancy and regular and rapid motions of celestial bodies.
This consistency had to be there in order to pursue science.
Isaac Newton (1642-1726)One of the most influential thinkers in Western civilization.
Recognized that his task was dependent on the character and activity of God.God, Providence, and therefore theology was central to any proper understanding of science and nature.
The modern antipathy between science and Christianity is not normal in history.
Science and Christianity are fully compatible and meant to work together.
The divide between science and Christianity began to form during the Enlightenment.All external authorities began to be challenged.
The problem with challenging all authority is that the one challenging becomes the ultimate authority.
The Age of Reason sought to ground all truth in individual thinking. Truth could not come from religion or a creed. The search for “real truth” needed to throw off the shackles of religion.
We have all now been “breathing the air” of the Enlightenment for 300 years.
Its influence is profound, deep, and nearly universal.
The “battle” between science and Christianity began in earnest in America in the mid-19th century.John William Draper – “History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science”
Andrew Dickson White – “A History of the Warfare of Science with Theology in Christendom”
Charles Darwin – “The Origin of the Species”Probably the greatest influence on the divide between science and Christianity in the last 150+ years.
In the history of science, Darwin’s view is new, but it is not, from the historical perspective, normal.
The norm in the history of science was to see nature as understandable only within the context of nature’s God.
Darwin’s view didn’t need God.
Foundational Reasons
New is not necessarily normal, and new is not always better.
Darwin’s views are not better because they are new.
The modern assumption of the separate and hostile spheres of religion and science is virtually universal.
The concept of an unguided process of species development and change is nearly universal in the realm of science today.
Richard Dawkins – “It is absolutely safe to say that if you meet somebody who claims not to believe in evolution, that person is ignorant, stupid, or insane (or wicked, but I’d rather not consider that).”
To hold a Christian worldview and not believe in evolution is to invite the hatred (or pity) of much of today’s society.
How could someone not believe in evolution in the 21st century?Initial thoughts:The theory of evolution has gone through numerous changes and mutations since its ascendancy in the last hundred years. There are really numerous theories of evolution (not just one).
The main reason Darwin’s theory caught on and developed is not because it was a completely new and previously never conceived theory. Ideas like Darwin’s can be traced back to ancient Greece.
Darwin’s theories caught on and spread like wild fire because they were planted in the soil of the of the Enlightenment.
The Enlightenment was intent on abolishing all external authority and finding answers by human reason alone.
Evolution and Enlightenment goals were mutually affirming and acted like gasoline being poured on a small flame.
With an evolutionary explanation for all things, the Enlightenment could now get rid of God once and for all.
Evolution suffers from a major flaw: it is intellectually incoherent (despite its near universal acceptance).Evolution believes the universe is random and chance-produced and only natural (no supernatural allowed) and only made up of matter (nothing immaterial or spiritual).
Everything we believe about this view is produced somehow by the material that makes up a human being. All of our beliefs are a product of the matter that composes our bodies.
If all of this is true, how can we have any guarantee that our beliefs our true?These beliefs might help us adapt to our environment.
But whether our beliefs are true or not cannot be determined simply through the material workings of our brains and bodies.
Belief in evolution is nothing more than a random collection of chemical reactions or bodily materials. It is no more special or unique than carbonated bubbles.
Evolution in reality has no foundation. It is a theory that cannot make sense of itself.
A lack of foundation is not just an academic or philosophical problem; it goes to the heart of what is true and why it is true.
An atheistic physicist has no way to affirm or argue why the laws of physics are the way they are. He can only teach the laws. He has no way to guarantee that the laws are actually laws and that they will be there tomorrow and continue to run in a predictable pattern.
In order to approach the world in any kind of predictable and stable way, we must assume some organizing principle or being that makes it predictable and stable.
Any theory that is based only on the natural and the material will never be able to make sense of the world.
In the history of science, the recognition of a unifying principle of nature found its true home in Christianity. It gives us a true starting point for a proper understanding of human life and all of nature.
Given the relative novelty of modern science it would be more appropriate to ask how could someone believe in modern science in the face of Christianity?
The Enlightenment was not an argument that human beings were self-sufficient; it was a declaration that they wanted to be.
Modern science has done nothing to discredit the truths of Christianity; it has simply dismissed them.
The rejection of Christianity is more about self-autonomy than it is about “science.”
Unlike unguided evolution, belief in Christianity has a foundation. That foundation is in what God has said in his Word and his world.
Science can flourish with a solid foundation in God’s revelation.
Without this foundation the scientist has no place to stand. He is unable to produce the coherence needed for science to thrive.
Responses
What about the fossil record that show evolutionary changes in species?Darwin himself recognized that the fossil record was actually an evidential argument against evolution.
If evolution were true, then we should have an abundance of fossils of intermediate species not just changes within species.
Some scientists responded with “punctuated equilibrium” – quick evolutionary changes that didn’t have time to leave a fossil record of intermediate species.This is only a red herring solely designed because of the lack of fossil evidence of intermediate species, not because there is actually any evidence of rapid evolutionary change.
The evolutionary view of the fossil record assumes a principle of uniformity, that things have progressed at relatively stable rates throughout time. But there is really no scientific evidence of this kind of uniformity; it is simply assumed.
Scripture provides one explanation for the fossil record: the cataclysmic universal flood. Given the flood we simply cannot assume a principle of uniformity in the formation of fossils and other evidence.
Don’t Christians just assume their position, while evolution is based on scientific evidence?Lewis: “I believe Christianity as I believe the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
We believe Christianity because we see it. We see it in God’s world. We see it in Scripture. We see it in the church. We see it in our friends and ourselves. It is our life.
Through Christianity we see everything else and make sense of God’s world.
Christianity is a full worldview that can carry the weight of all of life’s most important questions.
Evolution is not a comprehensive worldview; it cannot answer many of life’s questions. It doesn’t provide a full view of the world. It can’t even sufficiently account for its own theory.
Evolution is random, unguided, and without moral or ethical content.Christianity provides the only sure foundation for scientific inquiry.
Questions
Why is it important for most who believe in evolution that it be unguided?
How should Christians respond to the Enlightenment view of human reason?
In what ways does the abundance of design in the universe refute typical views of evolution?
Is it possible to believe what the Bible says and to believe in evolution?

“No God but the LORD” (Exodus 20:1–3)

“No God but the LORD” (Exodus 20:1–3) Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, March 18, 2018
1 And God spoke all these words: 2 "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. 3 "You shall have no other gods before me. (Exodus 20:1-3, NIV)
1. The LORD speaks with authority (v. 1).
2. The LORD redeems his people (v. 2).
3. The LORD is worthy of exclusive worship (v. 3).

“All Things for Good” (Romans 8:28)

“All Things for Good” (Romans 8:28)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 18, 2018
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, NIV)
1. Who is this promise for?
a. There is a limitation in this passage, not generally applicable to everyone. b. This promise is spoken:
i. To those who love God. ii. To those who are called according to God’s purpose.
1. Called2. God’s Purpose
11 Yet, before the twins were born or had done anything good or bad-- in order that God's purpose in election might stand: 12 not by works but by him who calls-- she was told, "The older will serve the younger." (Romans 9:11-12, NIV)
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, (Ephesians 1:11, NIV)
10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Ephesians 3:10-11, NIV)
He has saved us and called us to a holy life-- not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, (2 Timothy 1:9, NIV)
a. Originates with him – his own purposeb. Eternal, unchangeablec. Predestined, settledd. All-encompassing, universale. Operates by grace not works/meritf. Works in concert with election/selectiong. Issues in a gracious, effectual calling
2. What does this promise say?
a. Various translations
i. All things work together for goodii. God works all things together for goodiii. In all things God works for the good
b. “All things”c. “Work together”d. “For good”
3. Do you believe this promise?
a. “We know that…”
4. How should you respond to this promise?
a. Love God. b. Trust God.

"Why Believe in Life after Death?" - Chapter 7 of Know Why You Believe

Know Why You BelieveBy K. Scott Oliphint
“Why Believe in Life after Death?” – Chapter 7
Chapter Overview
Introduction
ReasonsProblems with Persons
Problems with Proofs
Christianity and Life
Responses
Questions
Introduction
An overwhelming majority of people believe in an afterlife.75% believed in life after death.
82% believed they would go to heaven.
But why? Why do most people believe in life after death?
Many believe in an afterlife but without sufficient reasons for doing so.
“Heavenly Tourism” books are popular because people are looking for evidence.
Reasons
A minority (avowed atheists) will prefer to argue that death is the end of everything.
The majority who believe in the afterlife never sufficiently ask the “why” question.
Some have tried to scientifically prove the existence of the afterlife, but these generally come from “near-death” experiences.
But “nearly dead” is not the same thing as “dead.” So, these are not sufficient proof.
There are two dominant traditions that explain the prevalence of belief in an afterlife in Western culture:Christianity and its remnant ideas
Greek philosophy (Plato)The dominant tradition in Greek philosophy believed in the immortality of the soul.
Greek philosophy popularized the concept of a “soul.”
Problems with Persons
Greek philosophy took for granted that there was some kind of “animating” or life-giving aspect to human beings.Plato thought this “soul” was immortal.
Souls preexisted their bodies and existed after they died.
This idea of an immortal soul that continues after we die is still the majority opinion in Western culture.
Most of us recognize that there is more to us and our existence than just our physical bodies and our physical appearance.
Because of Greek influence, most philosophers throughout time have believed in a duality of body and soul.
The problem is that this concept is virtually impossible to prove philosophically or scientifically.Philosophy can’t account for “consciousness.”
What makes us the same person even while our physical bodies grow and change, sometimes drastically?Most of our bodily cells completely replace themselves every 7-10 years.
Do our memories make us a person?What happens if we lose our memories?
How many retained memories constitute a “person”?
Does “continuity of consciousness” make us a person?What about sleep and those in a coma?
Even though we don’t have conclusive answers to these questions, we assume that we are the same persons that we were decades ago. We have not become different persons over time.
We seem to inherently believe in the idea of “personhood” or “consciousness” that is separate from mere biology.
What is significant is that there is a wildly popular belief in the reality of life after death without adequate or successful reason for that belief.
Problems with Proofs
Some Christians have attempted philosophical or scientific proofs, but without much success.
Bishop Joseph Butler (1692-1752) attempted to refute deists by affirming belief in the supernatural and life beyond death.
Butler argued that we all use reason and perception, even over various changes in time, even if we don’t know where they come from or how they are put into practice by us.
In other words, since we use our reason and our senses even though we have no idea of their source, can’t we also recognize that there is a high probability that they will continue after our physical existence ceases?
Problems with this type of “proof”:Butler never really advanced much beyond the typical philosophical argument for the reality of life after death. Like philosophy, there were things he couldn’t sufficiently account for.
The foundation of his argument was in what we do not know and then moves to some kind of probability.
These “proofs” still only leave us with “probability.” This is not sufficient warrant to believe in life after death.
How can it be “probable” that our consciousness and our ability to reason and perceive will continue after death if we don’t even know for sure where they come from or how they function in this life?
We need more solid reasons for believing in the afterlife than philosophy can give us.
The Christian faith and the biblical story provide a coherent explanation for “personhood” as well as the reality of life after death.
Christianity and Life
Only the Christian position is able to give a full account of what it means to be a person and of what life as a person means.
Humanism (and pure naturalistic atheism) is incapable of providing meaning and dignity to human personhood.For the naturalist, the human body is just a collection of physical materials that will one day decompose and be no different than a trash heap.
And yet the “Humanist Manifesto II” declares: “The preciousness and dignity of the individual person is a central humanist value.”
But how is our life precious if it is just a collection of cells and physical materials that arrived completely by accident?
The humanistic position on human personhood is inherently contradictory.
“Preciousness” and “dignity” are terms that point beyond the material and the accidental.
There is only one way to ascribe dignity to human persons: They have to be more than their simple physical existence.
The Christian message provides a more coherent framework for understanding personhood.
Human beings were made from the dust of the ground as were the animals, but then a significant difference took place:God breathed the breath of life into mankind and the human being became a living person or living soul (Gen. 2:7).
God made human beings in his image and likeness.Dignity of BeingSelf-consciousness
Reason
Language and Communication
Morality – sense of right and wrong
An immortal “breath of life”
Dignity of FunctionDominion over creation
Responsibility to care for creation
Special relationship with God
The original command of God to Adam and Eve points in the direction of permanent life:If they had never disobeyed, they would have lived forever.
There would be no life “after death,” because there would be no death.
Adam’s disobedience brought death, which was “unnatural.” It was part of the curse.
Death is not the end of the story.
God provides a way for fellowship with him to continue.Promise of a “seed” to come.
Clothed with animal skins from sacrifice.
We see pointers throughout the Bible of life beyond death:Enoch “walked with God” and “was not” for “God took him.” (Gen. 5:24)
God is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – not the God of the dead but the living.
Jesus speaks of a divide separating those who die in Christ and those who do not.The rich man and Lazarus
They both continued to exist in consciousness after death, but with two radically different destinies.
For those who die in Christ, existence continues in him and with God.
For those who die in their sins, existence continues, but it consists of nothing but eternal torment (Luke 13:28-30).
The “image of God” in Scripture includes an inbreathed life, an inbreathed character, that is distinct from everything else in creation.It implies a relationship with God for eternity that ends either in eternal fellowship with him or in eternal torment under his wrath.
In either case, human beings continue to exist beyond death.
The troubling thing about the poll of people who believed in the afterlife is that 82% of them believed they were going to heaven.This demonstrates a great lack of understanding about salvation.
On what basis do they believe that they will go to heaven?Probably on the same unsure foundation as their belief in the afterlife in general.
They are holding on to some basic remnants of Christianity without the true biblical substance.
Some clarifications:When we die, it is not just a “soul” (a thing) that goes to heaven (Greek philosophy).
The Bible speaks of “us” personally going to be with the Lord.
Our separation from our bodies when we die is an abnormal separation.For the Christian, to be “with Christ” after death is to be absent from the body.
But there will be a time, at the end of time, when we will receive resurrected bodies.
The time between our death and the end of time is commonly called the “intermediate state.”This means that even though we live “with Christ” after we die, we have not yet become what we will be for eternity.
In Scripture, our final destination is not heaven.
The place where Christians will reside for eternity is called “a new heaven and a new earth.” It will be a real physical place, and we will have real bodies (imperishable).
While Christians live eternally in a new heaven and new earth, those who die in rebellion against God will experience eternal death. It is called the “second death.”
The second death is not an end, but an eternal existence. It is the final and eternal punishment for sin.
Existence after death is a fact of life. A majority of people believe it. The only real reason to believe it, however, is given to us in the Christian faith.
Responses
The primary objection to the idea of life after death is that there is no real evidence for it. Neither philosophy nor science can provide an adequate explanation or proof.
There is, however, evidence for life after death.The Bible records real historical events.
Biblical events did not take place in a hidden corner.
The Bible records numerous facts about life after death, including testimonies from some who actually saw those alive who had previously died (Mark 9:2-8).
It is our status as “image of God” that alone can support our belief that there is more to us than our physical bodies, and that we, as persons, will exist for eternity.But because the “image of God” is defaced by the effects of sin, our existence can be restored to true life again only if we are, by faith, in Christ.
Questions
What evidence is there that people are more than simply material bodies?
Why is it important for us to receive new spiritual bodies in the end?
Why do most people believe that they will spend life after death in heaven?

“The Lord of the Mountain” (Exodus 19:16–25)

“The Lord of the Mountain” (Exodus 19:16–25)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, March 11, 2018
Exodus 19:16–25 (NIV)
16 On the morning of the third day there was thunder and lightning, with a thick cloud over the mountain, and a very loud trumpet blast. Everyone in the camp trembled. 17 Then Moses led the people out of the camp to meet with God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. 18 Mount Sinai was covered with smoke, because the Lord descended on it in fire. The smoke billowed up from it like smoke from a furnace, and the whole mountain trembled violently. 19 As the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke and the voice of God answered him.
20 The Lord descended to the top of Mount Sinai and called Moses to the top of the mountain. So Moses went up 21 and the Lord said to him, “Go down and warn the people so they do not force their way through to see the Lord and many of them perish. 22 Even the priests, who approach the Lord, must consecrate themselves, or the Lord will break out against them.”
23 Moses said to the Lord, “The people cannot come up Mount Sinai, because you yourself warned us, ‘Put limits around the mountain and set it apart as holy.’ ”
24 The Lord replied, “Go down and bring Aaron up with you. But the priests and the people must not force their way through to come up to the Lord, or he will break out against them.”
25 So Moses went down to the people and told them.
1. The Lord manifests his holy presence in power (16–19).
a. The Lord’s presence comes on the third day in accordance with his word.b. The Lord’s presence is marked by displays of power and authority from his created worldc. The Lord’s presence is met with appropriate fear and awe.
2. The holy Lord must descend (condescend) to meet with his people (19b–20).
a. The Lord condescends to listen to the voice of a man and respond (19b).b. The Lord descends on the mountain to meet with a man (20).
3. The Lord delays the giving of the covenant in order to further instruct his people to honor his holy presence (21–25).
a. The Lord delays the giving of the covenant to reinforce his holiness (21).b. The Lord: Warn the people again (21–22).c. Moses: The people have already been told (23).d. The Lord: Tell them again and bring Aaron with you next time (24).e. Moses: He goes down to get Aaron and warn the people and priests again (25).
Main Idea: The Lord is so holy that his creation cannot help but respond to his presence, and his people must be ever mindful of the perfect holiness of their God and not presume to think that they are worthy in and of themselves to approach his holy presence.

“The Holy Spirit, Our Helper” (Romans 8:26–27)

“The Holy Spirit, Our Helper” (Romans 8:26–27)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 11, 2018
Romans 8:26–27 (NIV) 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
1. The Holy Spirit helps us when we are weak (26).
2. The Holy Spirit intercedes for us when we don’t know what we should pray for (26).
3. The Holy Spirit prays for us in accordance with God’s will (27).
Several applications:1. We are not alone in our times of weakness and suffering. God is not only all around us and ever-present, but in a very special sense, God is within us through his Holy Spirit.
2. We have an advocate in prayer, who intercedes for us and prays for us. But the implication is that to fully avail ourselves of this precious ministry of the Spirit, we must pray.
3. We don’t have to be overly anxious about whether we are asking God the right thing or are praying the right words to God. The Spirit is praying for us. He is praying for us in line with the will of God.
4. This ministry of the Holy Spirit is a further ground of our assurance that we are children of God. Just as the Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are God’s children, so too his inner intercessory ministry is a gift given only to those who are God’s in Christ.
Main Idea: God has not left us alone. He has given us his indwelling Spirit to help us and to pray for us in our sufferings, weaknesses, and limitations.

"Why Believe in Salvation?" - Chapter 6 of Know Why You Believe

Know Why You BelieveBy K. Scott Oliphint
“Why Believe in Salvation?” – Chapter 6
Chapter Overview
ReasonsThe God Who Saves
The “People” Problem
The Divine Design
Divine Determination
Response
Conclusion
Questions
Reasons
The God Who Saves
Who is the God who saves?Triune God: Father, Son, and Spirit
No salvation without the harmonious but distinct operations of the triune God.The Father sends the Son.
The Son comes as a man to suffer, die, rise, and ascend.
The Spirit glorifies the Son and applies the redemption accomplished by the Son.
The “People” Problem
The Human ConditionMust be understood through the lens of God and his Word.
Made by God in his image.Given responsibility over creation.
Given moral commands to be obeyed.
Original human parents rebelled.
Adam, our representative, plunged all of humanity into the universal condition of sin.
All of humanity is now in this fallen sinful condition and liable to the judgment of God.
Death is the penalty for sin against God.
Now, “There is no one righteous; there is no one who seeks God; there is no one who does good.”
All of humanity is guilty of sin and condemned to death and all of creation suffers under the weight of the curse.
We cannot measure up to God’s standard.
The Need for DeliveranceIt is essential to understand that sin and death is the universal condition of humanity in order to understand salvation.
“Salvation” means there must be deliverance from something.
Divine salvation is deliverance from sin and its consequences.
We All Need SalvationComparing ourselves with others doesn’t work, because the standard is God.
Salvation is not just for the “really wicked,” because we are all wicked.
We are all rebels against God, and we all need to be saved.
The Divine Design
The One OffendedGod is holy and righteous.
Sin is an offence against God’s holy and righteous character.
God’s holiness and righteousness demand that he judge sin.
God cannot simply overlook our rebellion.
We are condemned sinners; we cannot remedy our standing before God.
The One Offended Removes the OffenceOur sinful and rebellious condition is not the end of the story.
God has determined to rescue and forgive sinners.
Salvation is God’s design.There is no possibility of self-atonement.
Salvation involves atonement for sin by means of sacrificial death.
The death that sin brings can be covered only by the death that bloodshed requires.
The only sacrifice that can truly cover our sin is a sacrifice that God initiates, that he can accept, and includes the shedding of blood.
But more than an animal sacrifice is required to atone for human sin.
Only another human being in God’s image can stand in the place of another person.
Only a perfect, spotless human being can stand in the place of a condemned, guilty person.
Divine Determination
Christ, the Final SacrificeThe good news is that God’s attitude toward sin is not only to punish it. God also determines to cover the sin that we have brought into the world.
Animal sacrifices in the OT were only provisional and temporary.
Only the perfect God-man, Jesus Christ, could truly atone for our sins.
Christ’s whole work from Bethlehem to Jerusalem and then to heaven is necessary for our salvation:Incarnation as a man to represent us.
Life of perfect obedience.
Sacrificial, blood-shedding death as an atonement.
Resurrection as validation of his atonement and victor over death and the forces of evil.
Ascension to reign at God’s right hand.
The sacrifice that God requires was now met in the Son. It was met because God provided it. He provided it in his own Son.
He alone was able to accomplish what we could not accomplish in order to provide a solution to the problem that we ourselves perpetuate in the world.
Response
Unless we respond properly to what God has done, we will remain in our sins and will suffer the deserved penalty, which is eternal death.
What Christ has done has to be applied to us to be effective in and for us.
What is the response?Believe the Lord Jesus Christ.
What does this mean?
Saving FaithNot just a mental acknowledgment of facts about Christ
Acknowledgment of sin and rebellion and a renouncing of it and desire to turn from it
Acknowledgment of personal inability and insufficiency to save ourselves
Trust/reliance on Christ aloneWhen we trust Christ, we place ourselves—our very lives each and every day—into his hands.
Saving Faith Is a Work of GraceIt is an awakening and transformation by God himself.
Our eyes are opened to see things properly for the first time. We see the world as God’s world.
We see Christ, our Savior, as the only one capable of delivering us from eternal peril.
He transports us from the darkness of our sin into the light of his glorious grace.
Conclusion
We can’t believe in salvation without believing in sin (our sinfulness).
We can’t believe in sin without believing in the holy, righteous God whom we have offended.
When we see God as he has revealed himself to us in creation and in his Word and when we see ourselves as we truly are, we recognize that we need God’s salvation.
We believe in salvation, because without it we perish.
A further argument for the truthfulness of biblical salvation is that it is so unlike every other religion in the world.Every religion has some way of reaching the “right” place, but it is always by human effort.
Christianity is unique in that it tells the story of a holy God who in grace condescends to save those who rebelled against him.
Questions
What would God be like if he did not punish sin?
Why is death deserved for those who sin?
Are there different kinds of “belief”?What is biblical saving faith?
What are some reasons why people do not trust in Christ to be saved from their sins?

“Preparing to Meet God” (Exodus 19:9–15)

“Preparing to Meet God” (Exodus 19:9–15)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, March 4, 2018
Exodus 19:9–15 (NIV)
9 The Lord said to Moses, “I am going to come to you in a dense cloud, so that the people will hear me speaking with you and will always put their trust in you.” Then Moses told the Lord what the people had said.
10 And the Lord said to Moses, “Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes 11 and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people. 12 Put limits for the people around the mountain and tell them, ‘Be careful that you do not approach the mountain or touch the foot of it. Whoever touches the mountain is to be put to death. 13 They are to be stoned or shot with arrows; not a hand is to be laid on them. No person or animal shall be permitted to live.’ Only when the ram’s horn sounds a long blast may they approach the mountain.”
14 After Moses had gone down the mountain to the people, he consecrated them, and they washed their clothes. 15 Then he said to the people, “Prepare yourselves for the third day. Abstain from sexual relations.”
1. God is coming (9).
a. God is going to come. b. God is coming in power.c. God is coming to speak.d. God is coming to validate.
2. Prepare yourselves for the presence of God (10–11, 14–15).
a. Be consecrated.b. Be clean.c. Be celibate.
3. Worship God with fear and awe (12–13).
a. God’s presence is holy.b. God’s presence is terrifying.c. God’s presence is inviting.
Main Idea: Those who approach God must prepare and consecrate themselves and worship him with reverence and awe.

“Our Future Glory” (Romans 8:18–25)

“Our Future Glory” (Romans 8:18–25)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, March 4, 2018
 
Romans 8:18–25 (NIV)
18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19 For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. 20 For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God.
22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.
 
1. Our present suffering magnifies our hope for the future (18).
2. The future for Christ’s people is so glorious, that all of creation longs for it (19–22).
3. Like the rest of creation, we as Christ’s people should long with great expectation for our future hope (23–25).
Main Idea: The troubles and sorrows that we face now can be viewed through the lens of hope instead of despair because we, along with all of creation, have the hope of a glorious future.

"Why Believe Jesus Rose from the Dead?" - Chapter 5 of Know Why You Beleive

KNOW WHY YOU BELIEVEBy K. Scott Oliphint
Why Believe Jesus Rose from the Dead? – Chapter 5
Reasons⦁ Historical Reasons⦁ Christian Reasons
Historical Reasons⦁ How can we prove that an event actually happened in history when all of the original people and witnesses involved are now dead?⦁ How can two people investigate all of the historical evidence and have the same information and come to opposite conclusions?
Two Reasons:○ The nature of historical investigation
► Uses limited resources► Gaps in knowledge and data► Purpose not to give absolute certainty► Historical evidence can only bring us to a probably conclusion.
○ The nature of presuppositions
► Presuppositions are even more stubborn than facts.► We all have basic commitments that force us to interpret facts a certain way.► Our basic commitments lead us to different conclusions.
Christian Reasons⦁ The historical reasons point to the probability of the resurrection of Jesus.⦁ Historical reasons point to the credibility of the Christian faith.⦁ Christianity has more historical evidence than any other religion.⦁ Historical data can support our belief in the resurrection, but this evidence is insufficient to conclusively answer the “why” question.
○ Why believe Jesus rose from the dead?
⦁ The center of our response to the “why” question is that, without the resurrection of Christ, there is no Christianity at all.
○ The historical fact of the resurrection and the “meaning” of the resurrection go together.○ The resurrection is the “key” that unlocks the whole of Christianity.
⦁ Three aspects of the resurrection make it central to Christianity:
○ “According to the Scriptures”○ “If Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith…”○ “The firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep…”
⦁ Christians believe in life after death because Jesus is risen.
○ He is not probably risen or probably alive.○ That only leads to the conclusion that our faith is probably in vain.○ But if he is risen indeed, and because he lives, we will live.
⦁ Only Scripture testifying of itself through the Holy Spirit can give ultimate certainty.⦁ Our belief in life after death hangs on the resurrection of Christ.
○ Life and death are more than physical concepts in Scripture○ Death in Scripture is an existence without fellowship and communion with God.○ Life is union with Christ and eternal existence in the presence of God in his eternal kingdom.
Responses⦁ Objections based on Historical Evidence⦁ Objections based on the “problem” of miracles⦁ Objections based on presuppositions and impossible demands of proof on Christians.
Conclusion⦁ Historical Evidence is helpful but insufficient⦁ The Holy Spirit must open the eyes of faith through the testimony of the Scriptures.⦁ “If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.” (Luke 16:27-31)
Questions⦁ How does Scripture make clear that the resurrection of Christ was a public event?⦁ Why couldn’t Jesus just come to earth and give life to any who trust in him? Why did he have to be raised from the dead?⦁ What do you think is the most significant objection to the resurrection of Christ? How would you respond?

“On Eagle’s Wings” (Exodus 19:1–8)

“On Eagle’s Wings” (Exodus 19:1–8)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, February 25, 2018
Exodus 19:1–8 (NIV)
19 On the first day of the third month after the Israelites left Egypt—on that very day—they came to the Desert of Sinai. 2 After they set out from Rephidim, they entered the Desert of Sinai, and Israel camped there in the desert in front of the mountain.
3 Then Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: 4 ‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, 6 you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.”
7 So Moses went back and summoned the elders of the people and set before them all the words the Lord had commanded him to speak. 8 The people all responded together, “We will do everything the Lord has said.” So Moses brought their answer back to the Lord.
I. The Mountain of God (1–3)II. On Eagle’s Wings (4)III. My Treasured Possession (5)IV. A Kingdom of Priests (6)V. A Holy Nation (6)VI. A Covenant Accepted (7–8)
Main Idea: God rescued his people and brought them into his presence in order to make them his precious treasure, his mediators of righteousness to the world, and a society modeled after his holy character for the sake of his own glory and praise.

“Children of God” (Romans 8:14–17)

“Children of God” (Romans 8:14–17)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday AM, February 25, 2018
Romans 8:14–17 (NIV)14For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
 
1. The Holy Spirit provides assurance that we are God’s children (14, 16).
a. By leading us to walk in the ways of the Spirit producing the fruit of the Spiritb. By testifying with our human spirit that we are God’s children
2. The Holy Spirit guarantees our adoption into the family of God along with all of the rights and privileges of full sonship (15).
a. From slaves to sonsb. From fear to love
3. The Holy Spirit guarantees our final inheritance as an heir of God and co-heirs with Christ (17).
a. Full inheritance as a full child of God through Christb. Suffering is the path to glory.

"Why Believe in Miracles?" - Chapter 4 of Know Why You Believe

Know Why You BelieveBy K. Scott Oliphint
“Why Believe in Miracles?” – Chapter 4
Lesson Overview
ReasonsFrom Hume to Hitchens
Theism to the Rescue?
Christian Theism to the Rescue
Responses
Conclusion
Reasons
From Hume to Hitchens
Objections to the Idea of MiraclesDavid Hume (1711-1776)Empiricism – we can know only what we experience through the senses (“naturalism”). Everything else is illusion.“A wise man…proportions his belief to the evidence.”
If there is no evidence for a miracle, or if the “proportion” of evidence is only slight, the possibility of the miracle must be rejected.
Probability – the likelihood of something happening or taking place.Probability is in part determined and dependent on other things.
The probability that I will drive to work depends on what day it is.
Hume’s philosophy:Can it be measured or quantified?
Can it be sensed by experience?
Is it matter or physical?
No to all of these: “Commit it then to the flames: for it contains nothing but sophistry and illusion.”
Christianity is by definition ruled out of bounds in this philosophy.
No place for miracles or “supernatural.”
Hume’s definition of a miracle: “an act which is a violation of the laws of nature.” Since the laws of nature are unalterable and fixed, then there can be no such thing as miracles which violate these fixed laws.
Which is more probable? To think that a man was raised from the dead or to think that a person was deceived into thinking someone was raised from the dead?
So, Hume rejects miracles on the basis of empiricism (what is experienced through the senses) and probability (miracles are not as likely as other more likely explanations).
Hume’s argument against miracles is still followed today by many atheists. It is viewed as the preeminent argument against miracles and the supernatural.Christopher Hitchens is a modern example.
Theism to the Rescue?
There is a major flaw in Hume’s argument: his understanding of “nature”It assumes that no one has ever experienced a miracle.
Empiricism only works as an argument against miracles if miracles have never happened in anyone’s experience and perceived by the senses.
The only way to know with certainty that no one has ever experienced a miracle is if miracles are impossible.
Arguing in a circle: miracles are impossible because no one has ever experienced them; no one has ever experienced them because miracles are not “normal” and “natural” – thus not possible.
What if we suppose the existence of God—that there is more to what is “natural” than what can be seen or experienced empirically?
Would establishing God’s existence prove the possibility of miracles?
Benedict de Spinoza (1632-1677) didn’t think so.A Jewish theist who reasoned that the unchangeability of God required the unchangeability of nature – no miracles.
The miracles of the Old Testament were “natural” occurrences that only appeared new or supernatural because of man’s ignorance.
So, like Hume, Spinoza thought that “witnesses” of miracles were themselves deceived or confused.
Bare theism alone does not solve the debate over miracles.Deism would deny miracles based on the unchangeability of the nature God made. He wound it up and let it go.
Christian Theism to the Rescue
Some flaws in definitions that need correcting:The assumption that “nature” is all there is and that it moves on its own according to unchangeable laws/forces.
The assumption that God’s unchangeability prevents him from disrupting or momentarily changing the “laws of nature.”
Is “nature” moving on its own?The Scriptures know nothing of a “nature” or creation that moves on its own.Psalm 104:10-13: “He makes springs pour water into the ravines… He waters the mountains from his upper chambers; the land is satisfied by the fruit of his work.”
The workings of nature are the workings of the God who made it.
The “laws of nature” are actually the faithful activity of a faithful God.
Hume denied miracles because he defined nature as a predictable, closed system.
Spinoza denied miracles because he defined nature as invariably law-like.
Both of these conclusions misunderstand “nature.”Nature is what it is because God is working in and through it – actively and dynamically.
Why would God want to act differently in his world at special times?Miracles are not God’s magic tricks.
They are not arbitrary displays of God’s power.
They are given to point toward the redemption that is in Jesus Christ.
Miracles are testimonies; they communicate a message. That message is ultimately pointing to salvation through Christ.
Example:Jesus calms the sea (Mark 4; Matt 8; Luke 8).Given to increase the faith of his disciples in their Savior.
This miracle demonstrated the nature of the kingdom of God that Jesus had been teaching his disciples about.
Miracles are given to authenticate the message and the messenger.
The works affirm the words.
The calming of the sea was intended to point the disciples to Psalm 107:“He stilled the storm to a whisper… Let them gives thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.”
The disciples were meant to see that Jesus was himself the Lord of creation who calmed the sea in Psalm 107.
Miracles are intended to point to something higher. They accompany the proclamation of redemptive truth.When you come across a miracle in Scripture, ask “What redemptive truth is God communicating through this miracle?”
Responses
Are Christians arguing in a circle in the same way as David Hume?There is an important difference:When Hume assumed “nature” as a closed, law-like uniformity he was making an assumption that he could not prove because he had not experienced all of nature. He had not experienced the entire system that he speculated about.
When Christians begin with God, we are not beginning with our limited experiences. Our belief in God is grounded in what he has said and done.
We begin with God not because we “sense” him, but because he has spoken.
We do not believe that we can know only what we experience. We can know because of who God is and what he has done.
How can we believe in an unchangeable God who at times disrupts the normal pattern of nature/creation?The unchangeable God is not aloof, disconnected from his world.
We believe in the Triune God; we believe that God the Son became flesh and lived among us. This was the “Grand Miracle” and certainly a disruption of the normal order of things.
God is dynamically, actively involved.
God is at work in his world and in history to save a sinful people.
All the miracles in the Bible are meant to point to, explain, and testify to that great and glorious “Grand Miracle” of God coming to man by becoming a man.
All other miracles serve that one redemptive act of God.
Conclusion
We believe in miracles because we believe in Christ.
When we believe in Christ, we believe that he is the greatest miracle of all.
Once we believe in him, it is no step at all to believe in those great acts of God that show us his plan of redemption, in and through his Son.

“It’s Not All on You” (Exodus 18:13–27)

“It’s Not All on You” (Exodus 18:13–27)Pastor Cameron JungelsEastside Baptist ChurchSunday PM, February 18, 2018
Exodus 18:13–27 (NIV)
13 The next day Moses took his seat to serve as judge for the people, and they stood around him from morning till evening. 14 When his father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he said, “What is this you are doing for the people? Why do you alone sit as judge, while all these people stand around you from morning till evening?”
15 Moses answered him, “Because the people come to me to seek God’s will. 16 Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God’s decrees and instructions.”
17 Moses’ father-in-law replied, “What you are doing is not good. 18 You and these people who come to you will only wear yourselves out. The work is too heavy for you; you cannot handle it alone. 19 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25 He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 26 They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.
27 Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own country.
1. The Problem: Shouldering the Responsibility Alone (vv. 13–18).
a. Moses was rightly serving as judge and overseer over the people (13, 15–16).
i. The people did need God’s Word and His Will, and Moses was in the position to mediate that Word to the people (13, 15).ii. The people did need matters that were in dispute to be decided by someone who knew God’s Word and His Will (16).
b. Moses was wrongly thinking that he needed to do it all by himself (14, 17–18).
i. Just because the people needed God’s Word didn’t mean that Moses had to give it to them directly and personally himself.ii. Just because the people needed matters that were in dispute to be decided by a judge who knew God’s Word didn’t mean that Moses had to be the only judge deciding every matter.
c. Shouldering the Responsibility Alone leads to overworked servants of God and frustrated and under-served people (18).
2. The Plan: Share the Responsibility with Others (vv. 19–23).
a. The one suggesting the plan: Jethro, Moses’ father-in-lawb. The plan itself:
i. Moses should be the primary mediator between the people and God (19).
1. Bringing matters to be decided to God2. Bringing God’s Word/Judgments to the People
ii. Moses should be the primary teacher of God’s Word and God’s Ways to the people (20).
1. Teaching God’s people God’s Words2. Teaching God’s people God’s Ways
iii. Moses should select and appoint men of character and capability to help shoulder the load of judgment and leadership (21).
1. Capable men 2. God-fearing 3. Appoint them to various levels of leadership and responsibility commensurate with their level of experience and qualifications
iv. The ministry of judgment/leadership can be shared with these qualified men, and Moses can continue to handle the more difficult cases. He is still the ultimate mediator of God’s word and his judgments to the people (22).v. Shared Responsibility lessens the stress of fatigue on the minister/leader and provides more personal and consistent ministry to the people (23).
c. The approver of the plan: this plan comes from Jethro; it is his advice. But still God must give the approval for this plan.
i. The text seems to indicate that this plan is subject to approval by God:
1. May God be with you (v. 19).2. If you do this and God so commands (23).
3. The Process: Begin the Process of Training and Selecting Others to Share the Responsibility (vv. 24–27).
a. No matter how good a plan is, it still must be implemented (24) – Moses listened and implemented (assuming God’s approval).b. A plan such as this can’t be implemented overnight. It appears that the implementation of shared judgment and leadership was a process.
i. It takes a process to show the people the value of shared leadership.ii. It takes a process to train the leaders to know God’s Word and become capable of handling their sphere of responsibility.iii. It takes cooperation and humility for everyone to maintain their sphere of responsibility and not try to do more than what they’ve been given or slack in doing less.
Main Idea: Ministry is not intended to be responsibility of one person, not even one leader. Ministry is intended to be shared by godly, qualified leadership, and by willing, serving people.