On a recent Sunday, those worshipping at CrossPoint Community Church were encouraged to text in their questions and doubts during Matt’s message.  Some were answered “live.”  The best of the rest will be answered here.

TEXT: Pastor Matt, will my pet make it to Heaven?

As much as I tried to avoid answering this question, I just couldn’t.  Too many of you threw it my way for me to ignore it.  Apparently a lot of people want to hang out in paradise with their poodle.

This is one of those topics that the Scriptures just don’t talk about in any detail.  We’re left to make an educated guess based on what the Scriptures do speak clearly on.  And taking it all in, my personal, Biblical insticts lead me to offer a pretty confident, “no.”

[Long pause for the pet lovers to stop cursing my name.]

Let me tell you how I get there. First, the Bible tells us that mankind - human beings - are the crown of God’s creation, the height of all that He’s made.  Also, mankind carries an incredible value in the eyes of God because we are - unlike our pets or any animal - made in His image.  That is, all humans reflect something of the character and power of God.  For example, like God created all things, mankind - as His image bearer - can create small but still very incredible things.  A dog simply can’t.  (Gen. 1:27-31)
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On a recent Sunday, those worshipping at CrossPoint Community Church were encouraged to text in their questions and doubts during Matt’s message.  Some were answered “live.”  The best of the rest will be answered here.

TEXT: Pastor Matt, can two people of different faiths - a Christian and a Jehovah’s Witness - have a successful marriage?

Well, it all depends on how you define “success.”

If success is a husband and wife who deeply love one another, strive to meet each other’s needs, and build a happy home with well-behaved children then yes, two people of different faiths can be very successful.

However, if success includes having a shared peace of mind in knowing that you’ll spend eternity together; if it means raising your children to walk in step with you and your spouse in a common system of beliefs, thus teaching them the importance of being “one” in all things; and if it involves having your spiritual life be a mutual source of joy and support, then in all honesty the answer is “no.”
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Lifeway Research recently posted the results of a thorough study on the power of parents and children inviting their neighbors to church.  Check out this snippet:

LifeWay Research found that 76 percent of American parents agree with the statement, “If a neighbor I trusted invited my children to go to church with them, I would let my child go with them.” Only 24 percent disagree.

LifeWay Research conducted the study among a representative national sample of 1,210 American parents.

I was surprised.  We live in a world of fear surrounding our children and of increased religious privacy.  And yet, if you and your son invited to pick up his buddy from the soccer team for church on Sunday, his mom and dad will probably be all for it.  So what’s stopping you?

On a recent Sunday, those worshipping at CrossPoint Community Church were encouraged to text in their questions and doubts during Matt’s message.  Some were answered “live.”  The best of the rest will be answered here.

TEXT: Pastor Matt, why do even small children suffer and die?

Okay, so this is admittedly not a fun question to answer but a commonly asked one, and a very important one.

Simply put, it’s because children - like adults - are riddled with and ravaged by the great big problem of sin.  Sin is what wrecks and ruins any life, young or old.  The Bible tells us that all people from the very moment of conception are not only corrupted by sin (that is, a victim of it’s nasty effects - sickness, struggle, and complete imperfection) but culpable for it (we enter this world disconnected from God, wanting to worship only ourselves, and playing for the wrong team). (Psalm 51:5)  We enter this world alive in flesh and blood but, because of the stain of sin passed on in humanity, we are dead to God and in desperate need of His help. (Rom. 3:10; Eph. 2:1-10)  I know, not a pretty picture but an honest one.  That’s why even small children are not only affected by the sins of others but suffer the consequences of their own. (Rom. 6:23)
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On a recent Sunday, those worshipping at CrossPoint Community Church were encouraged to text in their questions and doubts during Matt’s message.  Some were answered “live.”  The best of the rest will be answered here.

TEXT: Pastor Matt, why does God ignore my prayers?

The word that stands out to me is “ignore.”  It might seem like God ignores our prayers, but let me remind you of two things.  First, the scriptures tell us that any prayer offered in Jesus’ name will not only be heard by God the Father but answered by God the Father.  Ephesians 2:18 says, “Through Jesus we both have access, in one Spirit, to the Father.”  Likewise, Jesus himself says this, “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.”  John 14:14.

So if you’re praying through Jesus - that is, with your heart holding on to him as your ultimate hope - then you can be confident that God the Father hears and receives your prayer. Continue reading »