Bill’s Bestowals:

“You Asked for It!”

“The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge;

the ears of the wise seek it out.”

(Proverbs 18:15)

We remain in the midst of what is – to me – a really challenging sermon series.  The purpose of the series is to answer questions you (the congregation) submitted.  I am so grateful for all I am learning as I study to offer my responses!

I know a number of people are understandably avoiding crowds since Covid numbers have been up, and I am grateful to all who avoid corporate worship if you feel there is any chance you could pass the virus to others.  Remember: when you miss, services may be accessed online (usually by Monday morning) by going to our website (www.firstchuchmena.org) and clicking on the “sermons” link.  You may scroll through them chronologically (most recent will be listed first).

Below I share a list of the topics that I received.  There were so many that the series will take us into the next year!  Wow!

May 23      = “Why does Jesus promise to give us whatever we ask in His Name when sometimes He doesn’t?”

June 6         = “What does the Bible mean when it talks about ‘Covenant’?”

June 13      = “Would a loving God kill?

June 20      = “How does God show His love for us?”

June 27      = “Why do Christians not follow Jewish dietary and other laws?”

July 4          = “Why does God need constant praise?  Is He insecure?”

July 11        = “What is Predestination?”

July 18        = “What is the ‘Afterlife?’  Why is it important?”

July 25        = “Why did Jesus delay His trip to see Lazarus, when, being Jesus, He must have know Lazarus would die?” (See John 11)

Aug. 1         = “How do we find forgiveness when others are seemingly undeserving?”

Aug. 8         = “Is God’s will changed by prayer?” “Are 1,000,000 prayers more powerful than one?”

Aug. 15      = “How do we know it is God calling, and not some crazy idea that pops into our heads?”

Aug. 22      = “How can we explain ‘unanswered prayer’?”

Sept. 5       = “Is Christianity unfair to women?”

Sept. 19     = “What woman of the Bible was most influential, but not well known?”

Sept. 26     = “How should we respond to opinionated Christians who condemn the beliefs of others?

Oct. 3         = “Does the Bible approve of slavery?”

Oct. 10       = “Who is Satan?  Is he real?”

Oct. 17       = You’ll find out!

Oct. 24       = “Why does Jesus say we must ‘hate our family’ to be His disciples?” (Luke 14:26-27)

Nov. 7        = “Is there a ‘hell’?  What is it like?”

Nov. 14      = “Do you think we are living in the last days?”

Nov. 28      = “What is the ‘unforgivable sin’? (Matt. 12:30-32) Am I guilty of it?”

That is as far as I have laid it out at this point.  Topics after this include “Creation vs. Evolution,” “Why does God allow suffering,” “What is the appropriate Christian response to homosexuality?” and “Is the virgin birth for real?”