The Big Questions Of Life

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This is kind of a great thing, and I'll tell you what. Where pop culture, current events, and theology all come together. Speak your mind. And now, here's today's Truth Talk Live host. Good afternoon, Truth Talk listeners.

This is Alicia Grimes, and I want to welcome you to the show today. I hope that you've been doing well. It's been a while since I've been on here feeling in for Robbie and Stu, and I just love every opportunity that I get to do this.

So today, I want to talk about kind of the cultural moment that we are in. I don't know how you feel or what you perceive, but it seems like some of the events of the last few weeks have kind of Brought on a cultural moment where I have perceived that people are asking a lot of questions, having a lot of discussion, maybe about things that we don't typically discuss. There's controversy that comes with that. There's clarity that comes with that. And so, as I've been just reflecting on the last few weeks, And having conversations with people, there are a lot of questions that are coming to the surface.

You know, for one thing, people are asking just those. big questions that we ask as humans. Why am I here? Who is God? How can I know Him?

Where did I come from? What's my purpose? How should I live? And some of the questions I'm hearing more frequently recently are why is there so much evil and suffering in the world? what happened to humanity?

What happened to me? Why is there brokenness? Am I destined for death? Is there hope for humanity? Is there hope for me?

And so, those are some of the questions we're going to tackle today. I talked to Stu earlier and I told him my topping, and he said, You're going into the deep end. And I said, Let's go.

So, if you, I guess, the question I have for you as a listener are: What are some of the big questions that you've asked yourself? And these are questions that most they're they're They're questions that we ask just because we're human. They cross cultures. They cross racial, gender, all kinds of demographic divides. People ask these questions that really boil down to purpose and meaning in life.

And so I would love for you to call in and just share. When's the time that you ask yourself one of these big questions? And maybe what was the context? And where did you land?

So I'd love to hear your stories. I feel like stories are so compelling for us. When we hear someone else's story, it just encourages us to lean in and think about our own stories.

So, where I want to start is the big story of the Bible, the metanarrative from Genesis to Revelation, because The Bible overall is giving us answers for those big questions that we have, those questions that we have when we wake up in the middle of the night. or when we just um are reflecting on our lives or the lives of others or what we read in the news. But what is your question? What's a question that you've had that maybe has been answered through your relationship with God? Or maybe you're still wrestling with one of these questions.

And so this is just common To humanity, and I would love for you to call in and let me know when you've kind of wrestled through one of these questions. But when we read the Bible, One way to think about the story of the Bible, the what God has been painting from eternity past until eternity future, we can break those into four we can break the big story into four parts. And this is not original to me. Lots of people have Unfolded the Bible in this pattern.

So it starts with creation, then we have the fall. then we have redemption and then restoration. But the gospel is actually the central message of Christianity.

So, like the sun to our solar system, Jesus's life, death, and resurrection are at the center. and everything else revolves around him. There's a verse in the New Testament that says, Everything is yes and amen in Christ. Every question we have is answered when we look to Jesus and what He has done. through his life, death and rex resurrection.

The big story, focusing on Jesus, gives us the answers for all these questions that we have. This means that creation, fall, redemption and restoration are absolutely critical, but they're kind of the subplot that unfolds and revolves around the central message of Jesus and the gospel. Have you ever stopped and asked yourself some of these big questions of life? When our kids were in elementary school and middle school, we did this awesome worldview curriculum. It's from Summit Ministries in Colorado.

And we just read different about different religions and different worldviews and how All religions and all worldviews are trying to answer these questions. There are questions that define the human experience. These questions are universal, but they're actually answered very differently depending on your belief system or an individual person. Or a culture.

So just as a reminder, our call-in number is 866-348-7884. 866-348-7884. And if you want to call in and talk about a time in your life when you asked one of these big questions, or maybe you worked through a crisis when you were having this crisis of faith, this questioning, that's just part of the human experience.

So I'd love to hear your story. But when we think about these questions, we need to remember that everybody, whether they appear to be thinking about these questions or not, They are. Maybe not all the time, but once in a while As I said, maybe when you wake up in the middle of the night. or when a person's been working a job that's dissatisfying, when you find yourself alone and you didn't expect it. Maybe you've experienced a loss.

or an achievement which you thought was just gonna mean the world, it just kind of comes up hollow. When something confusing happens in culture, And you really can't make sense of what you see around you.

So, most people. Have some of these questions at least when they observe their own life or they look around and they see what's going on in the world. And I really believe, as I said earlier, that we are somewhat in a in a cultural moment. a unique season where the Holy Spirit is stirring hearts, of people around us and and in ourselves to ask these questions. Jesus seems to have risen to the forefront of our cultural discussion.

and I'm observing people who are intrigued with Jesus. people who were angry at Jesus, angry at his followers, asking questions. People are scared. and they're confused by evil, and they're seeking answers to these deeper questions. Just a few weeks ago, I just started a disciples a discipleship study in our city.

We meet at two different places, and we have about seventy five or eighty women involved between the two locations. But a lady After the death of Charlie Kirk, she asked a friend of hers who's a Christian. She said, You know, I've never really. Um I've never really had any religious background. I don't know who God is, but I'm really confused about what is happening in our culture.

And she said, you know, I think maybe I need to try God. And so her friend invited her to our discipleship study, and she came. And within a few days, she had come to faith in Christ. And she said, I'm starting to be able to make sense of my life and the things I see around me. And it was just so tremendously encouraging because sometimes when we walk through life and we You know, we see the things happening around us that are so confusing, and we're like, God, what are you doing?

But God is always working. Even back in the story of Joseph in the Old Testament, when he told his brothers in Egypt, he said, What you meant for harm, God used for good. And I really see that happening. I I feel like people are soft right now. There, you know, sometimes this window opens and sometimes it closes.

And so, I think for us as believers, it's an important time that we're talking to people about our faith and really delving into the questions that they may have. We'll be right back. But if you want to call in, the number is 866-348-7884. We'll be right back. Truth to the majority of the world.

You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Welcome back to Truth Talk Live. This is Alicia Grimes and we're talking about the big questions of life. Who is God? How can I know him?

Who am I? What's my purpose? There's so many big questions that are just central to life as a human. And no matter what culture, no matter what demographic you live in or you were born into, these are questions that most everybody across the world asks at some point.

So we're looking at those questions from the perspective of the Bible and how the big story of the Bible answers really all of those questions. And as I said before, we went to the break, every person, every culture, every worldview, every religion. Has to come up with an answer for those questions. And so we're going to look at how. Christianity and the Bible answer those questions.

So I wholeheartedly said, I believe we're in a cultural moment where we really need to engage in these conversations because people are asking these questions. Really, in a unique way from my perspective. You know, I talk with a lot of people about their faith and just their different beliefs, and I see an openness. And a an an openness to be receive some of the information that we have to share as believers, to share our testimonies, to share our stories, to share God's story. And so I want to encourage you Right here on the radio, you can tell a little bit of your story.

Maybe somebody out there will hear your story of struggling through one of these big questions and how you came out on the other side, or maybe that you're still in the middle of that struggle. But what I want to do in our time together today is just talk about how the good news, the gospel of Jesus, speaks directly to each of those questions. Not just in theory, but in a way that can change your life. It can restore your heart. It invites you into a relationship.

who is love, who is holy, who is faithful, who is relational. and I want to share how the gospel answers the deepest questions that we ask from eternity past. and that we ask about eternity future.

So in the past I've explained this in the context of this is the very core of Christianity, this is what we believe that makes us Christian. But I really want to talk about it from the perspective of the whole Bible and how that circulates and finds its meaning in Christ.

So, the North American Mission Board came up with something called the Three Circles. And I've used that to explain the gospel to so many people, but lately I've found myself. Realizing that the gospel message, the Bible answers all of these big questions that we have. And I think that's a great way to approach this moment that we have in time with people who are open to hearing God's story.

So, the questions I asked earlier: who is God? How can I know Him? Who am I? Where did I come from? What's my purpose?

How should I live? All of those questions are answered in the in the first unfolding section of our story, which is called creation. But I want to back up even from creation because Before creation God existed. God existed as a Trinity, as a relationship of love, of glory between the Father, Son, and Spirit. And so out of that relationship, out of the overflow of that relationship, God created us.

And you know, if you think about it, it really helps to know someone's back story so that you can understand why like you just understand more about them. And when it comes to God, when you know and you can understand more about who God was before He created us, that has implications on why He created us and what He might want for us.

So when we understand that God is self existent, that's what I am means. He's self existent, He doesn't need anything else, but he overflows out of who he is. To create us.

So when he creates us, he creates us in his image. Genesis 1, 26 through 28, God said, let us make mankind in our image. There's the Trinity. Let us make God mankind in our image, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.

so God created mankind in His own image in the image of God He created them male and female He created them. God bless them. And said to them, Be fruitful and increase in number, and fill the earth and subdue it. Rule the fish and the birds and every living creature.

So, where did you come from? You came from a God who made you in his image.

So, we're going to press pause on that right now because we have a caller, Stu Epperson. I saw we had a caller, but I didn't know it was Stu. Welcome, Stu, to your station. And your show.

Well, listen, I've got a powerful testimony that I want to share. Related and very relevant to what you're saying, Alicia. But I have another real big issue. Yes. That I just need to clear the air on.

Let's clear the air. Are you going to take me to task? You're doing such a good job. Guest hosting on Truth Talk Live. Robbie and I are getting phone calls as we speak of people saying, Hey, can you guys stay away a little bit longer?

Can you guys take a couple more days off so we can have more Alicia Grimes? She's really hitting it really well. Thank you for that compliment. They just need to call in. They just need to call in.

Yeah. That's exactly right. And well, that's why I'm calling in because I can't help but think about what. There was a I think the Charlie Kirk celebration service, his memorial service was a real inflection point in our culture. I think so.

Some estimate that more people saw or heard the gospel in one sitting. than had ever heard it before in that kind of I heard a hundred and ten million people Streamed it or watched it live. I'm not sure about that number. That might be a lot of time. I think that's pretty close.

And because of the. The nature of these kind of shareables and videos, because of the generation that was watching that, okay. You have These videos now spiraling out of control. Like I have seen Erica. And her powerful words of forgiveness.

And, you know, you know, you know, Julie, you know, w my wife, Julie, she she said I can't believe that Erica even got up to speak. Right. Yeah, that was amazing. She was carried along by the Spirit that day. Absolutely.

She was by the prayers of God's people. And to say those kind of words. I two things that have happened subsequent to that. One is A friend of mine who I've been sharing the gospel with for like five years. She came out.

And said he was at the funeral and he surrendered his life to Christ. Wow. Yeah. at the funeral. And I'm hearing testimony after testimony at uh One gentleman.

Came out, and this was on a reel, and he did a video, and he said, I forgive. He says, I'm openly, publicly forgiving the man who murdered my brother. And, you know, and God's changed my heart and it was it was it was It's interesting that you have an opportunity We all have an opportunity to break that. that curse, that chain of constant Hate and vengeance and Anger, and there's people that are In a bondage of unforgiveness with other people in her life, and here you have her forgiving her husband's murder. Just to your point, I think this generation is looking for authenticity.

You know, I was on the campus of High Point University with my Jesus Winds t-shirt this morning. Yeah. giving out Christian radio cards, just having coffee with Little Cub. And one of the basketball guys over there, and people saw the shirt. They said, Wow, we love that shirt.

I gave little Christian radio cards and. I said, tune in this afternoon. We got a really good, really gifted host on at four, you know, and then I went to met with some ministers who minister at Elon. Doing the same stuff. And then I interviewed J.D.

Greer. I said, J.D., why are all these people These young people, what's going on? And so I'm hearing you talk about this. It's almost like there's a movement, a wave. of the Holy Spirit and And I really think God's, you know, for such a time as this, God's called us, you know, all to be a part of this thing.

I mean, how exciting is this? It really is, Due. I've been a Christian a long time and been in some great movements, but never a movement of God that feels exactly like this. And so I think it calls us to pray because God is inviting us to participate with Him. But if we don't join in what He's doing, He'll just move to another city.

So, all Christians, you know, own your city, you know, pray for your city, speak out, love people well, and let's see what God's going to do. Thank you. You're listening to The Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Hello. Truly Talk listeners, this is Alicia Grimes and I just got off with a call from Stu Epperson, which was a lot of fun, and Stu were Stuart, our listeners, we are talking about the big questions of life and how does the gospel, how does the big story of the Bible answer those questions?

So the first question we were asking: where did I come from? And we just read in Genesis 1:26 through 28 that you were created by a life-giving Father, Son, and Spirit. The Trinity created you. Theologians call that the cascading love of God, that the love of God, the, the, Character and nature and essence of the God overflows in creation when He creates us. This same passage answers, what is my purpose and why am I here?

And I don't know anybody who hasn't asked that question. Even if you're a believer, I often find myself asking myself, What is my purpose?

So, just a reminder: if you have been created by God, this is your purpose. He created us in His image, which means you're a relational being. That's very important. You have the capacity to love God and love other people. Being made in the image of God means that you were made to represent and reflect Him in the world.

It explains that God designed you. He designed us to create, to steward, to build, to work for the flourishing of the world. And to make the world a better place. And I love that in Genesis 1, when he gives this image to the man, the male and the female, that he gives them both this creation mandate. And so we really see that very clearly in the New Testament, where brothers and sisters, spiritual mothers, and spiritual fathers are to go.

into all the world, making believers, making disciples. inviting him to the into life with the Trinity and teaching them to obey what Jesus commanded us. And so we are partners in the gospel and the idea of that started in the garden when God put his image in them and gave them this creation mandate.

So this is another very important question. How should I live? Like, what are the rules? What does God want from me as far as my life?

Well, God created us to live in this state of shalom. That's what they had in the garden, and it represents wholeness, completion. safety, contentment. They lived in freedom. They loved God.

They loved each other. They had a perfect relationships with themselves and creation. But God set one boundary. God told Adam and Eve that they could not eat they could eat of the fruit of any tree except for one. Because he wanted them to trust him.

that he knew best. He wanted to trust them to trust his love, live within his boundaries, and represent them him to the world. His love had overflowed to them and now his love in them would flow for the flourishing of humanity. What a glorious purpose Can it get any better than that? But that's not what we see around us.

The world we see around us is broken. And that takes us to the second chapter in this big. Story, this big meta-narrative of the Bible. And the second chapter comes quickly in the narrative, chapter three of Genesis, and we call this the fall. Because the first chapter is definitely not what we experience.

We don't live in the state of shalom with perfect relationships with God. each other in creation. We see a world and we experience a world that is broken. We are broken. This brokenness manifests itself in a thousand ways, probably more.

We have broken relationships. I'm going to list off several, and maybe you can think of one or two in your life as I'm speaking. Broken relationships. Greed? Racism addictions, betrayal, poverty, rebellion?

murder, adultery, distorted identity Fear, anxiety, despair, despair. depression. emptiness, spiritual blindness, disease, death, and natural disasters. guilt, shame, inner conflict. selfishness, pride, envy, hate, violence, justice, and exploitation.

We see a lot of brokenness. that affects and infects every area of the human experience. I think all of us have asked. Why is there so much evil and suffering in the world why? What happened?

So God's unfolding story actually tells us what happened. You know, there's so many people in the world scratching their heads, wringing their hands, and they have no idea how to explain what we see in the world around us. But God has actually revealed to us What went wrong? Rather than live in perfect shalom, Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan, and they ate the fruit from the tree. At that point their relationship with God was broken, Sin entered the world, and that brokenness, as I said, has infected and affected.

every aspect of our human existence. One might ask what's the big deal with the fruit? Seems like a really big consequence. for a small mistake. They sinned by disobeying God and eating the fruit who cre they diso Sorry about that.

Eating the fruit represented their rebellion against God who created them. Out of love, and put his image in them And this is really important. I don't know if you've heard this before, but the tree represented God's reminder. that he would give them everything they needed. but there was a danger in believing that they could be God.

He knew that they could not handle the weight, of being God. and if they tried it would crush them. It's the same for us. How often are we tempted to want to play God, in our relationships or in the things that we experience in this world. But God knows that He is the only one strong enough to handle the weight of our sin and our rebellion and the truth and you know, the taking that rightful place Place as judge, all those things that only God can do.

He wanted to warn them that they could. He would take care of them and they needed to trust him, but that he was God and they were not. In eating the fruit. They reveal their desire to be like God. They trusted Satan's lies Over God's truth, They chose their own power over his, They cho chose their own image over God's and their glory over His.

And truly they chose to align themselves with the kingdom of darkness. instead of the king of light. And that's what happened. The Christian story actually has an explanation. for the evil and suffering that we experience in the world.

And that's their story, but it's also our story. because brokenness is not just what happens out there. We see it when we look in the mirror. The Bible explains that every one of us has sinned against the God who created us. We've all gone our own way.

And Paul writes in Romans that all of saints Sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, and that sin has consequences. and the consequence is death. Physical death, spiritual death, death from every perspective. Our sin has separated us from God. and we have no way to reverse the consequences of our rebellion.

So that is the Christian answer. That's the biblical answer to what happened. What went wrong with humanity? Hinduism teaches that suffering comes from karma. Everything is about cosmic re retribution or reward based on your works.

Buddhism views suffering as universal, caused by desire. and can be solved through ethical living, mindfulness, insight. In other words, if you do the right things, you can eliminate your perception of suffering. I'm just bringing these up because every world view has to offer an explanation for ev evil and suffering.

So just for chi just for kicks, I asked ChatGBT this question. Which world view seems to have the most compelling explanation for evil and suffering. And here's Chat's conclusion. Christianity uniquely explains suffering. offers relational hope and provides ultimate restoration.

not just an understanding, but a true solution. I thought that was pretty good.

So that brings us to our next set of questions. We've talked about who is God, how can I know Him? Why am I here? What is my purpose? What happened to the world?

Why is there evil and suffering in the world? And that brings us to the question, Am I destined for brokenness and death. Is there any hope for humanity? Is there any hope for me? The third chapter in this metanarrative is redemption.

Because God did something about our brokenness. The term is actually the gospel, which means good news, and this is good news. It is the core message of Christianity. Athanasius wrote in the third century, and he called the sit situation the dilemma of God. Of course God never has a dilemma, but from our perspective it seems to be that there's a dilemma.

On one hand, The Father, Son, and Spirit have created us out of love. On purpose, for a purpose, and He placed His image in us. But on the other hand, God's eternal nature is holy and He interacts uh interacts with us in righteousness. He is bound by His own nature to always do the right thing. He can never do anything that would deny his character or nature, and he cannot overlook our sin and rebellion.

Our rebellion deserves death. and separation from him in hell for eternity. But God. Oh, that's one of the sweetest phrases in Scripture, but God. If you want to do a great word study, look up all the places in Scripture that start with but God.

But God, the Father, Son, and Spirit, the Trinity does not want to destroy those he loves, and those he made in his image. That's what Athanasius was describing as the divine dilemma.

So the Trinity made a way for us to be redeemed by sacrificing himself. I'm going to say that again. the Trinity made a way for us to be redeemed. by sacrificing himself. The Father sent the Son and the power of the Spirit to carry out this ultimate rescue and provide a way for our redemption.

Jesus the Son of God, God the Son, the second member of the Trinity, added humanity to his deity. and he came to earth. And when we come back, we're gonna find out what he did for us. Truth Talk Live You're listening to the Truth Network and TruthNetwork.com. Welcome back to Truth Talk Live.

I think we have a caller. Let's see if we can get this person on the line. Hello. Hey there, how are you? Hello, this is Mike.

Hey, Mike, how are you? Yeah, I had a big question. I said, okay, God, um I know. I know uh the the end of the world's coming soon. I know I know, I can see the signs.

I see the writing on the wall, I I guess you would speak say. Um You know, I God, I said to God, God, what do you want me to do? And I'm sharing this with the listeners. God said to me, Write a list of everyone you know. Put it in two columns.

Columns that people you love and care about and know God. and column that Don't know God, but you love. And pray for all both columns. And God's going to show you that These people on one column are going to go over to the other column. And uh because I'm going to work in in their lives.

And I read Yeah. You you should Care for one another and pray for one another and pray for the lost. And that's that's What I have to say. Mike, I love that. I love that.

Yeah, if I think if every Christian were to make a list Of people who are far from God, but close to you, and pray for those people. Obviously, pray for the Christians as well, but like what God could do and what He wants to do and what He is doing, but that He invites you into being part of that.

So, that is a great suggestion, and I just really appreciate your call. It takes me back, we were just talking about what is our What's our purpose? Why did God put us here? And he placed his image in us, and we're supposed to reflect and represent him to the world and work for the flourishing of the world. Wow, you can do that as a school teacher, you can do that as a bus driver, as a doctor, you know, any role that you have.

If you know that your calling is to work for the flourishing of the world and ultimately people flourish when they know Christ, that's a really big vision for your life.

So I appreciate your call, Mike. Anything else you want to add? Yeah, um You know, it's just, um Ha, shoot. I I have a lot of thoughts in my head, but I just want to you know, that's where The rubber meets the road. God wants us to be disciples.

And by praying by praying for them Once it gives you a a uh heartfelt connection with those people that you're praying for. And when you pray for them, then you're going to be a light to them. Instead of being a darkness to them, you know? Yeah. I also find when I'm praying for people that I am more Sensitive to the Holy Spirit or sensitive to an opportunity to have a conversation or just to care about them.

And so prayer really turns my heart to people and it makes me more open to what God is doing around me. And You know, prayer accomplishes so many things. God does so many things through. our prayers and Um it's just awesome that he invites us to be part of what he's doing in the world. Yeah.

I would uh to even challenge people to put on the list. Um uh the people that uh you see every day, the cashier that you uh buy the coffee from. Right. Uh that The uh the uh the the guy that you work with every day. um you know, challenge yourself a little bit and pray for those people.

And that you know and and then maybe the opportunity to come along this year. Correct. Definitely. Our pastor has called that. Our pastors called that the ministry of proximity.

That people who are near you are probably near you for a reason. And so, yeah, even people that you don't even notice, Jesus, he had such a way of looking aside and seeing people, seeing people that other people didn't see. And so, I think when we have the heart and the mind and the eyes of Christ, we're going to start to see people the way God sees them and, you know, see the image of God in there, even if it's hard to see, and know that they were made for a relationship with God. And if you're a believer, you have hope to share with them. And so, well, thank you so much, Mike.

I appreciate your call and your input and that challenge just to make a list of people in your life and start to pray for their salvation and just their flourishing. Yeah man. All right, you take care. Enjoy the rest of your day. You too, perfect.

Well, Mike kind of dropped us off at a great spot. We were talking about. What Jesus did when he came? Because he came to show us who God is. I wrote a Bible study on the book of John, and I called it Revealed, because Jesus reveals God to us, the character and nature of the Holy Spirit, of the Father, of the Son.

And he came to tell us about his kingdom and then to invite us into his kingdom. He he lived a human life, fully God and fully man, and we can never say that he doesn't understand our suffering or our trials. He was tempted in every way, but he didn't sin. He came to love people, to heal, to overturn tables, to call out religious leaders who cared more about their power than their people. and to walk past so many social boundaries, economic boundaries, religious boundaries, to reach people.

and then at the end of his life he willingly gave his life for us. He does what we can never do for ourselves. he fully absorbs the weight and the consequences of our sin and brokenness. Jesus's love is costly, it's personal. and it's intentional.

and through his death he removes the barrier of sin, Reconciling us to God. And don't forget after three days he raised from the dead. To defeat death and make a way for us to have eternal life with him.

So the Gospel is Jesus's life, death, and resurrection for you. It's the Trinity's rescue and our redemption.

So the last question that's not on our list, but it's the question how do I respond to such love, grace and mercy? The Bible teaches us when we recognize our brokenness, we come to the end of ourselves and we turn to God. That we can be saved. We repent from our sins and we place our faith in God, in the Father, Son, and Spirit, and what Jesus did for us.

So, repent. and believe. and at that point the Holy Spirit comes in us, we receive a new identity, a new life in Christ. and we're adopted into the eternal family of God. That's where true life begins.

So, for people who are asking these deeper questions about purpose and meaning, and why is life like it is, and can it ever be different? Can I change? Can the world be different? God's answers are yes and amen in Christ. From Genesis 1 through Revelation, God has been making a way for us to understand who He is, to understand ourselves, and understand our need for a Savior.

and then He made a way to take care of our sins by sacrificing Himself. One last thing I want you to think about. and this this may require your thinking, cap. But through all of our struggles, all of our questions, all of our rebellion and brokenness, God has made a way for us to be redeemed. We've already said that.

but along the way he did something amazing and unexpected. Along the way, he revealed the fullness of his character. to us in ways that we could never have experienced if we had stayed in the garden. We see our worship expand. from Revelation four to Revelation five.

In Revelation, it's the last book of the Bible when God is restoring all things. This is a future redemption, a future restoration. That's the fourth part of this unfolding narrative. But in Revelation 4, the living beings cry out and say, You are worthy, O Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. And I call this, this is just my personal title for that section, the Song of the Created.

It was Shalom. and it was sweet. But in Revelation five we read that the living beings sing a new song. This is what they have to say. you are worthy to take the scroll and open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God, pr persons from every tribe, language, people, and nation.

and I call that portion of Scripture the Song of the Redeemed. That means for all eternity, we are not eternal. We will know, love, and worship. The Father, Son, and Spirit. not just as our Creator, but our Redeemer and our Saviour.

So that's the gospel, that's the big message of the Bible. And it answers all those questions that we ask, the things that we wake up in the middle of the night and think, what is my purpose? Why am I here? What's gone wrong with my life? How can I find hope?

Is there any hope for me? Is there any hope for humanity? Why all the evil and suffering? Why all the sin?

So, as you search and as you look, and as people around you are asking those questions, just like our caller Mike said, be praying for people, people who are in your path, people that you know that you might be able to have conversations with. A good question, if you get into some of those conversations, is just to ask somebody, Where do you find hope? And a lot of people will say, you know, I really don't have any hope. And that's an opportunity for you to ask: can I share where I find hope or where I've found hope?

So there's so many ways to engage people with God's truth. It's a glorious story. It's a glorious love story of our God who created us and knows us and has made a way for us to know Him. He's relational. He's Overflowing with love and holiness, and He has extended Himself to us as His creations.

And so, I just hope that encourages you today. Ask questions, have conversations, and pray. Ask the Lord to open the hearts of the people around you. Have a great day. you