Why is There Something Rather than Nothing?

9:52 AM Eastern Standard Time, Sunday, January 13,
2019, Planet Earth, American Continent of the
Northern Hemisphere, the United States of America,
State of North Carolina, County of Guilford, City of
Greensboro, 5945 North Church Street, room 205. All of these are labels for a specific time and a unique place. By the way, that unique time and place is where you’ll find about twenty people involved in a Bible study group in our church building.
Why is this important? Because, in an obvious way, it reminds us that people exist in real time and that the universe contains real places. We, to use the words of Acts 17:28, “live, move, and have our being,” in this type of certainty, where time and place are the markers of our existence. Other markers, like name, age, family relationships, and community membership, further identify us in this “time-space” reality.
     Gospel Baptist Church
At some point in this time-space reality we are faced with this
question, “Why is there something rather than nothing?” It is a worthy question to ponder and is indeed a question that has cast a shadow over human thinking for about as long as people have existed. Furthermore, other big questions are sure to follow, for example: Where did life originate? Why are so many things both alike and different? When did everything begin? How did various physical forces such as gravity, electromagnetism, and buoyancy originate? What caused the natural processes, such as thermodynamics, weather, and decomposition? Has the earth always been the same as it is today? And maybe most importantly, What does it mean to be human? These types of questions cannot be ignored. Indeed, the weight of the answers provide perspective to life regarding its creation, purpose, and destiny.
These types of questions have answers that can be extracted directly or indirectly from the Bible. The Bible provides sound and rational insights that do not contradict science or logic. After all, the Creator of the Universe is the Author of Scripture, so whether we examine the complexity of the DNA molecule, gaze into the starry night sky, or study the Scriptures, we see the obvious fingerprints of God.
These are issues and questions that Christians should be able to discuss and answer. That’s why beginning on January 9th the Wednesday evening services will focus on the issues related to origins in a series entitled, Something Rather than Nothing. The goal of the series is to plainly see how the Bible addresses the issue of origins and answers the big questions that are related to it. In an age where atheistic ideas such as the big bang, natural selection, and survival of the fittest dominate much of the cultural and educational conversations, it’s important that Christians understand the issues and the implications related to Origins.
This series will address origins from a variety of perspectives. The goal is to help everyone understand more of
what the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments, teaches about origins and why it’s important. Additionally, resources for further study will be shared so everyone can access answers for future questions and conversations. Don’t miss this timely study that’s appropriate for all ages and backgrounds as we understand more about why there’s something rather than nothing.

I Believe

I would like to share lyrics from my favorite Christmas Song: 

“In a land far away time stood still long ago. 

There were shepherds in fields 

or at least this is how the story goes. 

Woman with child and an inn with no room, 

born in a manger foretelling a tomb. 

This is how the story goes. 

It’s more than a fable, more than a fairy tale 

and more than my mind can conceive. 

I believe the wise men saw 

the baby boy the angels called the Son of God. 

Heaven’s child, the Great I AM, 

born to take away my sin through nail pierced hands. 

Emmanuel has come, I believe. 

Two thousand years still the story lives on. 

God’s gift to us, sent to earth, wrapped in flesh His only Son. 

The heartbeat of heaven confounded our wisdom 

and it’s still the simple truth that sets me free. 

Precious child, how can it be 

that God’s great plan for history would send you to 

a lonely tree, 

and that you would come for one like me? 

I believe, in a cross.

 I believe He came for one He came for all. 

Heaven’s child became a man 

and gave His life for me in spite of all I am. 

I believe, Christmas lives in me, I believe.” 

– Natalie Grant 

Truly, Christ our Emmanuel came to save and the impact of his physical life will never fade. I hope this season we remember the foundational principles that make this time of year so remarkable, the virgin birth, God Himself in the flesh, fully God and fully man. Let us not forget that He moved forward and has given us, who have accepted Him, the power to become Sons of God. May we ever abide in His presence and give Him rule and reign! Merry Christmas!

 - Pastor Jason  // Youth and Worship Pastor