When Reason Meets Faith
2017 Bible Reading Challenge • Sermon • Submitted
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· 12 viewsThis is an open invitation to all skeptics to dare examine their own beliefs or doubts in light of the reason and logic we find in the Bible.
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18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Introduction:
Introduction:
Are you a skeptic? Are you a doubter? Do you come to this service or this TV program with reservation, thinking that perhaps all this religious fervor is founded an baseless superstition? Are you pretty sure that you are done with religion, and you would prefer not to identify with any one belief because, who knows which one if any actually have a corner on the truth?
If this describes you, then this message is for you. In our passage this morning God challenges all those who have not yet fully committed to His to a debate. You see, contrary to popular opinion, faith and reason are friends, not enemies. God invites you right now to examine your doubts, your presuppositions, and your beliefs in the light the reason and logic we find in the Bible. Perhaps if you are brave enough to honestly evaluate your position reason will meet faith.
The Skeptic Is Invited to an Open Discussion
The Skeptic Is Invited to an Open Discussion
18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; Though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: ...” (, KJV 1900)
Reason = law term used of arguing , convincing, or deciding a case in court.
Real open minded people should not fear examining their presuppositions from an opposing view.
Think through the acts of God.
7 Now therefore stand still, that I may reason with you before the Lord of all the righteous acts of the Lord, which he did to you and to your fathers.
Think through the truth of the Word of God.
2 And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures,
40+ authors
1600+ years
3 Languages
Scientific truths before its time
One main message… your scarlet sins can be made clean and white.
Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2004 Edition Stats, Stories and More
Amnesty
The word amnesty comes from the word from which we get amnesia. It means to forget. When God washes away our sins, they are forgotten. We’re left whiter than snow, purer than wool.
The Skeptic is Dared to Discover His Sinful Condition.
The Skeptic is Dared to Discover His Sinful Condition.
“... Though your sins be as scarlet… Though they be red like crimson...” ()
God has seen in secret
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
10 As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
12 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death.
11 The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: But the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
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The appointed penalty is death.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Useless rituals will not erase the scarlet stain.
10 Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; Give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; And I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12 When ye come to appear before me, Who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; The new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; It is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: They are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
10 Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; Give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.
11 To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the Lord: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; And I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.
12 When ye come to appear before me, Who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?
13 Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; The new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; It is iniquity, even the solemn meeting.
14 Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: They are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.
Empty prayers will not erase the stain
15 And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: Yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: Your hands are full of blood.
The Skeptic is Dared to Believe there is Hope!
The Skeptic is Dared to Believe there is Hope!
A Chance for absolute purity
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
A Chance to replace our sin with Christ's righteousness.
21 But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
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21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Nelson’s Annual Preacher’s Sourcebook, 2004 Edition Stats, Stories and More
Whiter Than Snow
Evangelist E. Howard Cadle (1884–1942), was converted from a debauched life through the power of Isaiah 1:18. He was the black sheep of four children in a Christian family who started drinking at age twelve. He became addicted to alcohol, gambling, and sexual adultery, becoming known as the “Slot Machine King” in much of the Midwest because of his gambling enterprises. He attempted to murder a man, only narrowly escaping the penitentiary. Broken in finances and health, he finally “hit bottom” and returned home and collapsed into his mother’s arms, saying, “Mother I’m tired of sin. I’ve broken your heart, betrayed my wife, broken my marriage vows—I’d like to be saved, but I’ve sinned too much.” His mother replied, “Son, I’ve prayed for 12 years to hear you say what you’ve just said.” Getting out her Bible, she turned to Isaiah 1:18, and on that morning, March 14, 1914, E. Howard Cadle was converted. He later became a powerful and popular evangelist and radio preacher.