Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible: Part 2 www.westsidecoc.org Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible: Part 2 1 Peter 4:17-18

INTRODUCTION God’s Word appeals to man on every level: intellectually, logically, and emotionally: Eph. 5:17; Lk. 8:11-15; Matt. 11:25 God’s Word “abound[s] toward us in all wisdom and prudence”: Eph. 1:8 Recall in our last lesson we considered important rhetorical questions: “Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?” Heb. 2:1-4 “For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26

INTRODUCTION God requires us to be diligent in our study of His Word and to T-H-I-N-K! Prov. 2:2-5 “So that you incline your ear to wisdom, and apply your heart to understanding; 3 Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, 4 if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord, And find the knowledge of God.” Psa. 2:2-5

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible Background What is your perception of God? Doting grandfather? Impersonal scientist? Merlin the magician? Cosmic bug zapper? Celestial Santa Claus? Each of these perceptions are wrong! They are based on feelings and not on what the Bible says! Eccl. 12:13-14; Jer. 9:23-24; Hos. 6:6; Jn. 17:3 Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible Background Can anything be more important than our concept of God?! Affects how we relate to the world we live in. Affects the relationships with our families, brethren, friends, neighbors, co-workers, government, etc. Affects our understanding and application of God’s Word in our lives. Affects our goals and aim in life: Phil. 1:21 We cannot spend too much time searching God’s Book that we may KNOW HIM! Rom. 1:20; 1 Cor. 2:6-13 Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible God’s True Nature Scriptures reveal a God very different than the anthropomorphic false concepts previously mentioned: Psa. 50:16-21; Isa. 55:8-9 Some important aspects of the true God’s character: God is sovereign: Dan. 4:34-35; Psa. 89:8; Num. 23:19; Isa. 46:9-10; Psa. 31:5; 2 Sam. 7:28; 1 Pet. 1:22-23 God is judge: Heb. 12:23; Rom. 3:10; Acts 17:31; Jn. 12:48; 8:31 God is wrath and love: 1 Jn. 4:8-10; cf. Rom. 3:25; Heb. 2:17; 1 Jn. 2:2 Propitiation simultaneously expresses God’s wrath and His love! Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible 1 Peter 4:17-18 Question addressed to Christians who likely faced severe persecution: 1 Pet. 4:12-16 How can “fiery trials” bring blessings? They judge “the house of God”! Determine who is really faithful: 1 Pet. 1:3-7 “Will a man serve God just because it’s the right thing to do?” Job 1 & 2 Only a tested faith is a “genuine” faith! A Job-like faith! “For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 Now: ‘If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?’” 1 Pet. 4:17-18 Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible 1 Peter 4:17-18 To understand the questions we must consider the context: Soon to face “the fiery trial”: v. 12 Proves who is the “real article”! Acts 5:41; Rom. 8:17 Makes it clear who is faithful and who is not! That God allows His people to undergo “fiery trials” tells the world: Satan is wrong! Man will serve God when there’s no immediate gain! Man will serve God just because it’s the right thing to do! Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible 1 Peter 4:17-18 “scarcely” denotes that which is accomplished only with great difficulty” (Woods, p. 119-120). Cf. Acts 14:22 God allows trials for the faithful because He CARES! Psa. 56:8 Doesn’t mean one will barely make it to heaven! 2 Pet. 1:10-11 This rhetorical question addresses a vital proposition: 2 Thessalonians 1:4-10 If God is willing to permit the “fiery trials” of persecution to “judge” His own faithful children; those whose tears He keeps in a bottle and records in His book, “what will be the end (ultimate outcome) of those who do not obey the gospel of God?” Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible Take home message Christians: Never quit! 1 Pet. 3:17; Gal. 6:9; 2 Cor. 4:16-17 Awestruck with importance of growing! Only those that pass the “test” will make it! Never forget that God CARES! Psa. 56:8 Need to reach the lost! Acts 26:28-29 Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible Take home message Non-Christians: You have zero hope! 1 Pet. 4:18 Good works? No! Acts 10:1-3; 11:13-14 Cannot judge using human standards! Isa. 55:8-9 Can one be saved without being tested? Without recognizing God’s propitiation? Eph. 2:1-13; Rev. 20:15 Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible

Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible CONCLUSION Where do you stand? Have you obeyed the gospel? “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” Great Rhetorical Questions in the Bible