Authority of Jesus

 i)      Asking a counter question can take the pressure off you. (1)  In an effort to help us grow in our GOING value, I’ve compiled some examples of how you and I can use questions effectively. (2)  Before I list them, generally speaking, why and how questions are better because they are more open ended.  (3)  By the way, if you want a written copy of these questions, let me remind you that you can read the full sermon manuscript on our website.(a)   When an atheist asks, “Why is there so much evil in the world?” you could reply, “It’s perplexing isn’t it?  How does your atheism account for why terrible things happen?”(b)  When a co-worker declares that all religions are the same, smile and simply ask, “How do you know that?”(c)   When someone says that churches are filled with hypocrites, I often respond this way, “Why don’t you join us and then we’ll have one more?”  (d)  When someone sarcastically asks, “So I suppose you think all those sincere followers of other religions are going to hell?” you could respond with, “Do you believe in hell?”(e)   When you hear someone say that all people are basically good, you could simply respond with, “Really?  What about Osama bin Laden?”(f)   If you’re faced with a really difficult question, you could respond this way, “Wow, that is a really deep question.  Can you unpack that some more?”(g)  When someone makes a very bold statement about what they believe, you could say, “Can you explain that to me?  How did you come to believe that?”(h)  When you hear a classmate make a statement related to sexuality, you could say, “That’s one way to think about it, but isn’t it possible that God has something to say about marriage?”(i)    As people are talking about the Hurricanes in Texas and Florida, you could ask, “I heard that Christian ministries are providing more relief work than FEMA is.  Why do you think that is?”(j)    Some time ago I was with someone who claimed to be a Hindu.  He had just gotten in a car accident and was really angry.  I didn’t really plan to say this but I blurted out this question, “How’s your Hinduism working out for you right now?”  We’re still friends so I guess that’s good.  We’ve had several gospel conversations since.(k)  Once when speaking to a Buddhist about all the gods in his religion, I simply asked, “How do you know which God to pray to?”  This made him pause before he said something about praying to his favorite one.  I could tell the question unsettled him a bit.(l)    Over the years I’ve developed a go-to question that often leads to a deeper conversation, “Where would you say you are on your spiritual journey?”  (m) And it’s always good to have the questions from Evangelism Explosion ready to go: “If you were to die tonight, do you know for sure that you’d go to heaven?”  (n)  Here’s the other one, “When you die and are standing before God and He asks, ‘Why should I let you into heaven?’ what would you say?”(o)  Here’s one more question that I’ve been asking that almost always gets a positive response.  When someone is expressing some sadness or sorrow or I detect some worry, I’ll often ask, “Can I pray for you right now?”  Almost everyone accepts this offer.b)    Questions are like hinges that open doors into another person’s life.  c)     I should add that it’s more difficult for many of us to ask questions than it is to make strong statements.  d)    Some of us would rather listen to ourselves talk then listen to someone else.   e)     Asking questions forces us to focus on the other person and to patiently listen to their answer.