IS THERE REALLY ONLY ONE WAY TO GOD?

A live audio version of this sermon can be heard at http://generationschurchofgranbury.sermon.net/sermonid/2287456

In our QUEST FOR TOUGH QUESTIONS: Thinking People are Asking, this query rated #4 in order of importance by survey participants. It ran in conjunction with similar inquiries like, “Why would a loving God allow good people to go to hell?” and “Will those who have never heard the gospel go to Heaven?”

To answer such questions according to the New Testament is to risk being labeled a bigot or at best, narrow-minded; which happens to not be completely untrue, because as followers of Jesus, we are to be narrow way minded.

CAN WE LOSE OUR SALVATION?

Several questions were asked in our Quest for Tough Questions that all boiled down to this one question; determined by our Survey to be #3.
Other questions asked included: “Is ‘once saved always saved’ the truth or “once saved always changing” the truth?
“Why can't we just take the chance to live sinful lives for a few years of enjoyment and then get it right with God again before we die?”
“Can I live like hell and then repent later in purgatory?”
Questions like this have been argued about for centuries, with one side saying, “Yes” and the other resounding, “No” with both quoting verses to prove their points.

WHY DOES GOD LET BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE?

This question has often been asked by us because of a lack of knowledge on our part, to which the Bible - as usual - has much for us to learn. Addressing this subject Biblically is only difficult - in this short effort - because of the abundance of things that the New Testament has to say about it.

In this age of “itching ears” and popularity contests the truth must be told here without any fear or intimidation. What does the Bible have to say about a question like this one?

HOW DO YOU KNOW THE BIBLE IS TRUE?

Recently, I conducted an informal survey of over 500 Email and Facebook Contacts, asking them what they thought were the most important questions people are asking today about God, Christianity, the Bible and life in general.

From this simple research, the number 1 question – our participating contacts think people are asking - turns out to be, “How do you know the Bible is true?”

In fact, 73% of these participants think this question is very important and 21% think of it as important, while only 6% think it is unimportant.

In obedience to 1 PETER 3:15 - which says to “always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you….” – I shall endeavor to answer this important question, “How do you know the Bible is true?”