What is more important?
Knowledge or Faithfulness
Being faithful to what you know
OR
How much you know
We know in part and we must prophesy in part
We must use what God has given to us
To him who is given much, much is expected
What is more important?
Holiness or Forgiveness
Forgiving Sinners
or
Being Holy
What should we do with a brother who sins?
What should we do with an elder who sins?
Can we forgive people who are abusing us?
What should we expect from elders, teachers and 'staff'?
Is it right to get rid of people who simply annoy us or disagree with us?
He who has been forgiven much loves much!
He who has been forgiven has to forgive!
The world expects priests to be perfect; but does GOD?
Should the media be dictating who oversees the flock?
What sort of elder would you like?
A perfect elder who has forgotten he was once a sinner and expects you to be perfect
or
Somebody who knows what it means to be forgiven and forgives others
Should we forgive sinners if they repent?
Should we invite thieves, murderers, adulterers, homosexuals, divorcees, child abusers and spouse abusers into the church?
What if they are still living in sin?
What if they are in trouble with the law?
How will they hear the Gospel otherwise?
Are you any better?
He who does not forgive will not be forgiven.
Who are you to turn people away from the Kingdom of God?
What is more important?
Truth or Unity
Would you rather be one, but wrong
or
Have the truth and be divided
Is it possible to have both?
Would you rather be a beacon of truth or provide a forum for unity?
There is only one God
If we all seek him we will be one
We need to be faithful to what God has shown us by revelation
but we must seek more revelation
What is more important?
Standing for something or being open to to Change?
Is it possible to stand for what you believe yet still be open to hear from God and to learn something new?
Is it possible to stand for something and listen to others who have a different point of view?
Is it possible to stand for something without rejecting others who disagree with you?
Is it possible to stand for something without imposing your view on others?
Can you be open to God if you are closed to what others have to say?
Whose job is it to convict / convince people?
Who opens our eyes and ears and gives us understanding?
What is more important?
Freedom or Control
Should we control what can be said in the meeting or should people be free to say whatever they like?
Should we let anybody come into our meetings and say anything they want?
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom and liberty
Should we leave no opportunity for freedom of speech or should we plan every aspect of the meeting?
There are many ways of controlling what people can say in the meeting:
ordination
church membership
prayer books
rehearsals
scripts
orders of service
styles of leadership
are just a few
Other Paradoxes in the Bible
Grace vs Law
Should we have boundaries or should we let people walk all over us?
How do know where to draw the line?
God's Law tells us where to draw the line
Without God's law, we don't know when we have done the wrong thing
When we overstep the boundaries of others, we sin against God
Who is not guilty of this?
Can we forgive others while they are still abusing us?
Should we enforce our boundaries when they are not respected?
What if the person has repented?
What if there is no compensation for damages?
Faith and Works
IT IS BY GRACE THAT WE HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH
WE ARE SAVED THROUGH THE BLOOD OF JESUS AND NOT BY OUR WORKS
WE CANNOT EARN SALVATION
BUT IF WE DO NOT BEAR FRUIT WE WILL BE CUT OFF
WE TAKE HOLD OF GRACE BY FAITH
WORKS HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH SALVATION
THE EVIDENCE OF FAITH, HOWEVER, IS OBEDIENCE AND ACTION
Predestination vs Free Will
Can we boast in our salvation?
Can we take credit for choosing to follow Christ?
Did we choose God or did God choose us?
Do our choices matter?
Do we really have a choice?
see God Reveals and Man Responds
To answer these Questions,
you need the Spirit of God
