Apr 28, 2013
CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 4. Analyzing the Data
Series: CSI Creation
Evidence is just data. What’s important is how one interprets the data.
A company’s financial ledger, for example, is just data. A negative bottom
line may mean that the company is a bad investment or it may be a good
investment – depending on what you believe to be true about that company
and their business practices. Similarly, the beauty and complexity of life
is a fact. Whether it points to haphazard naturalistic processes or the
grand design of a magnificent God depends on how one interprets the data.
Today we will compare some different interpretations of the same data. It
is ours to decide what it implies.
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- Apr 28, 2013CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 4. Analyzing the DataApr 28, 2013CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 4. Analyzing the DataSeries: CSI CreationEvidence is just data. What’s important is how one interprets the data. A company’s financial ledger, for example, is just data. A negative bottom line may mean that the company is a bad investment or it may be a good investment – depending on what you believe to be true about that company and their business practices. Similarly, the beauty and complexity of life is a fact. Whether it points to haphazard naturalistic processes or the grand design of a magnificent God depends on how one interprets the data. Today we will compare some different interpretations of the same data. Itis ours to decide what it implies.
- Apr 21, 2013CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 3. Interrogating the WitnessApr 21, 2013CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 3. Interrogating the WitnessSeries: CSI CreationIn any kind of trial, various witnesses and pieces of evidence are brought before the judge and/or jury. Their testimony is considered and weighed in light of all the known and verifiable facts. Some evidence is considered circumstantial – meaning that what it indicates is not necessarily relevant in the investigation. The best kind of testimony, however, comes from eye-witnesses - those who actually saw the event in question. Their testimony is further strengthened if there are other witnesses who saw the same things. In some cases, the credibility of a witness is brought into question. Can they be trusted? In regards to witnesses proposing to tell an account of creation, we ask the questions: what or who are the witnesses? Were they really present at the scene? And can their testimonybe trusted?
- Apr 14, 2013CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 2. Establishing the TimelineApr 14, 2013CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 2. Establishing the TimelineSeries: CSI CreationOften we are led to believe that the universe is tens of billions of years old. Why is it important for the theory of evolution that the world be so old? Why would it be necessary for humans to inhabit the planet for hundreds of thousands of years? But what does God say about the timeline of His creation? Is it really at odds with what we see when studying the universe, or is it rather a clash of worldviews and assumptions? And if humans did evolve slowly over a very long period of time, doesn’t thatviolate what Scripture says about Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden?
- Apr 7, 2013CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 1. Securing the SceneApr 7, 2013CSI: Examining the Evidence of Creation – 1. Securing the SceneSeries: CSI CreationThe Bible is the looking-glass through which people can correctly view the world. Though not a science book, Scripture does portray the history of the universe. How the accounts of God’s creation, when death first corrupted God’s perfect creation, and the global flood are taken by people today – as either historical fact or mythical accounts – will greatly influence whether they put their faith and trust in the Bible as the authoritative word of God. The foundation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the Bible. If the Bible cannot be trusted, then the truth and hope theBible proclaims is in vain.
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- Mar 24, 201324 – The CrowdMar 24, 201324 – The Crowd“Hosanna” means “save us now!” Jesus received great praise as he entered into Jerusalem and the people shouted, "Hosanna. Save us, and do it now!" But that day was also the beginning of the end for our Lord, an end that will culminate in the most humiliating of deaths: by crucifixion. Yet we can rejoice, not for a palm parade, but for the truth that after his death, resurrection and ascension, God exalted his obedient and humble Son to the highest place where he receives all glory as King of kings and Lord of lords, having won for us the forgiveness of sins!
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- Mar 10, 201324 – The JudgeMar 10, 201324 – The JudgeJudges are often not popular people. When a verdict is determined, the judge is condemning someone to punishment. Good judges have the responsibility to punish wrong doing. In one sense Pilate was a bad judge because Christ did not deserve to die – He had done nothing wrong. But in another sense, Pilate was a good judge because He sentenced Jesus to the punishment that was required – Christ’s death for our sin! Jesus Christ, the True Judge, get’s judged for our wrong doing. Because of that, you and I are forgiven and free. Thanks be to God!
- Mar 3, 201324 – The HearingsMar 3, 201324 – The HearingsIt’s a common phrase used when a person is sworn in for testimony in court: “Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth?” At the most critical time of determining justice, the truth must be completely and fully heard. Why do we make such a big deal of telling the “whole” truth? It is because as people we are often content to tell and accept “half” truths. Something that is not completely true must necessarily be partly lie. Satan, the father of lies, is the master at mingling lies with truth. In fact the best lies contain some truth! But at Jesus “hearing” before the high priest, the whole Truth comes out: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God! What difference did that Truth make for Jesus? What difference does that Truth make for us?
- Feb 24, 201324 – The ArrestFeb 24, 201324 – The ArrestPeople sometimes think Christians are wimpy and prudish, or they think we’re "do-gooders" who never get into trouble. But our leader, our master, got himself arrested! Imagine coming upon the scene of a large crowd including the authorities, and one man is at the center… and it’s a Christian – not just any Christian, but the Sunday School Teacher – no it’s the pastor! The question for us today is do you run and hide? Or do you say – "yep, that’s our man… we're with him!?”
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