25-1005p - Detailed Summary

Steve introduces the evening’s subject as addressing atheism and agnosticism. He defines atheism as the belief that there is no God, with individuals firmly convinced of human existence through evolution or even absurd ideas like UFOs leaving garbage that evolved into life, which he mocks as requiring immense faith. In contrast, agnostics do not outright deny God’s existence but question how one can know, demanding convincing evidence. He notes that in essence, agnostics also do not believe in God and may not be open to input or education on the matter due to their attitudes and perceptions.

Steve shares a common starting point from his Bible classes, posing the question of what pleases God, and directs attention to Hebrews 11 for the answer. He reads verses 1 through 3, defining faith as confidence in hoped-for things and assurance in the unseen, for which the ancients were commended. By faith, the universe was formed at God’s command, with the visible made from the invisible. He pauses to emphasize that this affirms the Genesis creation account as inspired by the Holy Spirit through Moses, insisting that true faith requires believing in God’s creation of the earth to sustain humanity before placing people in it.

Continuing from Hebrews 11, Steve reads verse 4 about Abel’s faith in offering a better sacrifice than Cain, leading to his commendation as righteous, with his faith still speaking despite his death. He then introduces Enoch in verse 5, who by faith was taken from life without experiencing death because God took him away, commended as one who pleased God.

Steve highlights verse 6 of Hebrews 11, stating that without faith, it is impossible to please God, as anyone approaching Him must believe He exists and rewards those who earnestly seek Him. He transitions to Romans, intending to comment on faith in relation to atheism and agnosticism, viewing them as acts of rejection and defiance against God. Such individuals challenge God’s authority over their lives and moral standards.

Drawing from the Psalms readings, Steve explains that humans can discern God’s existence, though His nature and what pleases Him require divine revelation. He uses the analogy of a watch implying a watchmaker, asserting that creation—like stars, earth, trees, flowers, animals, and wildlife—proclaims God’s existence. One can sit in a forest and perceive this truth through observation.

Steve stresses that deeper knowledge of God, including how to please and worship Him, comes solely from the Bible, which is the product of the Holy Spirit searching God’s mind and revealing what He wants known. According to 2 Peter, prophets did not originate these ideas but were inspired by the Holy Spirit to write them. Thus, recognizing God’s existence leads to the need to explore the Bible for further understanding.

Steve urges consideration of Romans regarding God’s disappointment in those not seeking Him. Referencing Acts 17 from a morning reading, he recalls Paul’s address to the Athenians about their altar to an unknown God. Paul explains that God, through one man, created all people and determines their dwelling places to encourage seeking Him, as He is not far. This shows God’s divine intervention in lives to make Himself known.

Turning to Romans 1:18, Steve reads about God’s wrath revealed from heaven against godlessness and wickedness of those suppressing truth through wickedness. What is knowable about God is plain because He has made it evident; since creation, His invisible qualities—eternal power and divine nature—are clearly seen in what has been made, leaving people without excuse.

Steve expresses love for this statement as it empowers believers, declaring atheists and agnostics without excuse, merely rejecting and defying God. Their defiance targets Christians and those curious about God, particularly young people influenced by such individuals in positions of authority.

Continuing with Romans 1:21-25, Steve reads that although they knew God, they neither glorified nor thanked Him, leading to futile thinking and darkened hearts. Claiming wisdom, they became fools, exchanging God’s glory for images of humans, birds, animals, and reptiles. Consequently, God gave them over to sinful desires, sexual impurity, and body degradation. They traded God’s truth for a lie, worshipping creation over the Creator.

Steve asserts that atheists and agnostics view themselves as intelligent, not fooled by Christianity or the idea of God. He presents this critically, expressing anger mirroring God’s wrath, as described by Paul. These individuals, with advanced degrees, position themselves to influence young people who idolize education and professors over parents.

Steve continues his critique by stating that agnostics and atheists present themselves as much smarter than churchgoers. He then directs attention to 1 Corinthians, chapter 1, starting from verse 18, but first using verse 13 as an introduction.

Steve reads from 1 Corinthians 1:13-17, questioning if Christ is divided, if Paul was crucified for them, or if they were baptized in Paul’s name. He thanks God for baptizing only Crispus and Gaius, so no one can claim baptism in his name, and mentions also baptizing the household of Stephanas but not remembering others. Paul explains that Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom and eloquence, to avoid emptying the cross of its power. Steve interprets this as Paul preaching the gospel without presenting himself as highly educated.

Keeping the concept in mind, Steve moves to the core of Paul’s letter, asking where the wise person is, referring to those who set themselves up as intelligent and not falling for Christianity or the idea of God, claiming superior sharpness.

Paul questions the location of the wise person, the teacher of the law, and the philosopher of the age, showing no respect for them despite their education, as they do not believe in God. He states that God has made foolish the wisdom of the world, for through its wisdom, the world did not know God.

Steve explains that these individuals have not figured out or reject that there is a God, making no effort to know Him. God was pleased through the foolishness of preaching to save believers, clarifying that Paul does not call the sermons foolish but notes that the self-proclaimed wise view them as such.

God uses this perceived foolishness to save believers. Jews demand signs, Greeks seek wisdom, but Paul preaches Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles. To those called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power and wisdom of God. The foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and His weakness stronger than human strength.

Steve references a morning Bible class point that no human could devise God’s plan of salvation, regardless of wisdom or information. The only way to know it is through God’s revelation via the Holy Spirit in the Bible. God’s wisdom exceeds any man’s; one can discern God’s existence in nature but needs revelation for more, provided through the Holy Spirit.

Repeating that God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom and His weakness stronger than human strength, Steve mocks worldly views dismissing baptism into Christ as silly, yet it is God’s requirement. He emphasizes that God’s apparent foolishness surpasses human wisdom.

Addressing brothers and sisters, Paul urges them to consider their calling: not many were wise by human standards, influential, or of noble birth. God chose the foolish things to shame the wise, the weak to shame the strong, the lowly and despised to nullify the things that are. Steve clarifies that God is not calling believers lowly or despised but noting that the worldly wise view them as such for becoming Christians.

No one may boast before God; it is because of Him that they are in Christ Jesus, who is wisdom from God—righteousness, holiness, and redemption. As written, let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.

The wise boast in their intelligence, but believers should boast in God, who chose them before any worthiness, sending His Son to die so that whoever believes shall be saved. Quoting John 3:17, God did not send His Son to condemn the world but to save it. Boast in what God has done, is doing, and will do.

Atheists and agnostics often succeed, particularly targeting college students. Steve mentions Charlie Kirk, who targets college students to resist persuasion by atheistic and agnostic teachers, encouraging belief in God and godly living. Children are primary targets, made to think parents are stupid, influenced by education and teachers, requiring countermeasures.

Drawing to a close, Steve turns to Colossians 2, focusing on verse 8, starting from verse 6. Believers should continue living in Christ as received, rooted, built up, strengthened in faith, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy depending on human tradition and elemental spiritual forces rather than Christ.

Paul warns against people dismissing faith as misguided, often those respected as worldly wise, relying on human traditions and worldly forces instead of Christ.

Closing with that thought, Steve notes constant bombardment via television and claims of scientific proofs like evolution, using degrees to devalue the Bible. However, God reveals how to be right in His sight and seek Him.

What pleases God is believing He exists and rewards diligent seekers. Steve emphasizes "diligently," requiring energy, focus, concentration, and full faith that God communicates.

Through divine intervention, providence, and preservation, humans exist. God reaches out, wanting salvation and eternal presence at Judgment Day, making it possible through Jesus, sent to reconcile, overcome sins, forgive, and present believers spotless before God. Through Jesus, they approach God in prayer.

Upon baptism into Christ for remission of sins, He cleanses, becomes Advocate and High Priest, interceding and presenting believers spotless. To have Jesus as High Priest, obey by making disciples, baptizing in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; believers shall be saved.

This is the message to share. If anyone needs to respond, the opportunity is extended, followed by standing to sing a song of encouragement.