Kenneth D. Koeman

I should have known better. It was, granted, quite a strange request. Almost bizarre. But I thought I could work with it. I thought that perhaps it could be made into something meaningful; something, in fact, faithful to God’s Word. Besides, it was a garden wedding—an informal setting compared to a sanctuary. Perhaps in that context it just might communicate.

It's fall. You are already noticing the Christmas catalogues showing up in your mailbox. Though school has barely begun, your calendar tells you it is time to plan for Advent and Christmas. And the very thought of it makes you tremble just a little.

Questions are powerful. Ronald Reagan may have won an election simply by asking, 'Are you better off now than you were four years ago?" Wendy's Hamburger chain may have propelled itself into major contention with giant McDonald's by asking a simple three-word question: "Where's the beef?"

And consider this: When Adam and Eve fell into sin, God responded not with charges, accusations, or pronouncements, but with questions ... one after another. Listen:

The Question that Haunts Us

"However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

Scripture: Luke 18:1-8
Related Scriptures:
Old Testament: Deut. 32:48-52
Psalter: Psalm 62
Epistle:! Peter 1:3-9

The question for this first week is very instructive, because it reveals the first thing Christ will be looking for at the great moment when history reaches its climax, and he returns to sift the hearts of all peoples.

The Question that Arrests Us

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul?"

Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28
Related Scriptures:
Old Testament: Daniel 5
Psalter: Psalm 73
Epistle: Philippians 3:4b-16

The Question that Focuses Us

"Do You Love Me?"

Scripture: John 21:15-19
Related Scriptures:
Old Testament: Deut. 13:1-5
Psalter: Psalm 86
Epistle: Revelation 2:1-7

The Question that Challenges Us

"Who do you say I am?"

Scripture: Luke 9:18-27
Related Scriptures:
Old Testament: Malachi 3:14
Psalter: Psalm 45
Epistle: Revelation 1:9-18

Simply put, this is the single most critical question Jesus Christ ever asked. Our answer to it reveals nothing less than our very destiny itself. In judging him, we are judged.

The Question that Delivers Us

"Do you want to get well ? "

Scripture: John 5:1-15
Related Scriptures:
Old Testament: Exodus 15:1-13
Psalter: Psalm 103
Epistle: 2 Corinthians 1:3-11