This episode kicks-off a 20-week series on 1 Corinthians. Today Rick and Svea dig into the series thesis and then look at "knowing your why."

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 04:47 1 Corinthians Series overview
• 06:19 Understanding Paul and looking at our own assumptions and what the original authors were trying to communicate.
• 08:33 Interesting parallels between Corinth and Rochester.
• 11:12 Delving into our 1 Corinthians series thesis and key verse.
• 13:34 Stand firm.
• 19:40 Be fearless.
• 23:32 Let love lead.
• 27:46 At the end of 16 chapters and 20 weeks, what's the goal for the church to say, "We've grown in these ways?"
• 32:53 Being in tune with our "why." The results of not knowing your why.
• 37:13 Hand-holds to help see your why.

During the month of December Rick and Svea turn the microphone around and answer your questions on the podcast. Do you have a questions you'd like them to address in future episodes? Email your questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:40 Five questions for today's episode: 1) (04:37) God is all-knowing. He knew the fall was going to happen, why didn't he prevent it? 2) (13:21) Creation, the fossil record and the biblical timeline. 3) (23:46) Why doesn't Jesus save everyone, in reference to Matthew 22:14 - many are called but few are chosen. 4) (37:28) Jesus serving Judas at the last supper knowing his betrayal was imminent. 5) (45:29) When do we receive our resurrection body? What happens when we die?
• 04:37 QUESTION 1: God is omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent. God knew his two masterpiece creations in His own image would rebel in self-reliance in the Garden. He knew Eve would be deceived and Adam would fail to lead his wife. God, throughout the Bible intervenes and rescues. Why not intervene and rescue at the beginning and prevent the Fall as the all-knowing, all-present, and all-powerful God?
• 07:07 A biblically informed speculation: God knew all the possible outcomes to all the possible scenarios and this is the path he chose.
• 09:23 Getting practical. Why do we choose to have kids knowing they're not going to be perfect and there will be some heartache along the way?
• 13:21 QUESTION 2: How do we reconcile the fossil record and Biblical timeframe?
• 16:17 Our interpretation - Genesis 1 & 2 doesn't give a rigid timeframe. It gives an account of creation. It's not saying how and how long it stating who created and why he created.
• 21:58 Apply Romans 14: If there is disagreement on the understanding of Genesis 1 & 2, be convinced in your own mind and show grace to the other point of view.
• 23:46 QUESTION 3: Can you address Matthew 22:14, where Jesus says many are called but few are chosen? This is one of the most heartbreaking verses of the Bible for me. I desperately want to believe that God has made a way for many to be chosen. I know and believe that salvation comes only through Jesus, and I am hopeful that there are ways people accept Jesus that perhaps we cannot see from the outside, so it is not few that are chosen. Is it possible that I am misunderstanding this verse?
• 25:14 A framework for reading about parables.
• 27:52 Parables are made up stories intended to communicate truth - usually one truth. The truth of this parable is respond to the invitation appropriately.
• 29:55 What's the deal with the man dressed inappropriately for the wedding?
• 33:10 What does it mean many are invited but few are chosen?
• 37:28 QUESTION 4: Can you speak on the significance of when Jesus first instituted communion at the last supper and Judas received? He shared that with Jesus and then led him to the cross and Jesus knew that was going to happen.
• 38:40 Fencing the table.
• 39:54 This was a Passover meal instituted in the Old Testament book of Exodus.
• 45:29 QUESTION 5: When do we receive our new bodies? Is it when Jesus comes again and the rapture happens? Do we go to heaven and come back when Jesus comes back, get our new bodies and return to heaven? Do those in heaven stay there? What does revelation or other parts of the Bible reveal about this?
• 48:41 What happens to someone who dies now?

During the month of December Rick and Svea turn the microphone around and answer your questions on the podcast. Do you have a questions you'd like them to address? Email your questions to podcast@autumnridge.church.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• 00:00 Intro
• 02:15 QUESTION 1: The discussion on not being able to lose one's salvation was new to me and in the end I still didn't understand.
• 03:58 John 3:16-18 It's indispensable to see Jesus as the King, the Authority, the One who is rightly holding us accountable.
• 05:41 The moment of salvation and receiving forgiveness of sin from God (justification) and living with growing into sinning less often and becoming more like Jesus (sanctification) are similar to a marriage. You are married when you say "I do" but you have the daily process of choosing your spouse.
• 08:02 QUESTION 2: What drew us to a non-denominational church such as Autumn Ridge?
• 11:45 Some of the benefits of being a non-denominational church.
• 14:04 Potential drawbacks to being a non-denominational church.
• 16:07 QUESTION 3: How do we address the fraud happening in MN as a church family?
• 17:41 All ethnicities and cultures are batting 1.000 when it comes to crime.
• 21:43 Let's remember that ALL people are made in the image of God and ALL people are flawed.
• 23:46 QUESTION 4: Mary wasn't given a choice was she? Gabriel just tells her, "You will conceive and give birth to a son and you will call him Jesus."
• 26:25 Where and when does God need permission to do something in your life?
• 29:39 Mary's response shows not only was she willing, but she was honored to be chosen.
• 32:20 QUESTION 5: Can you explain the Trinity?
• 34:39 There are a number of verses that talk about the Trinity, but the term "Trinity" never appears in Scripture. God is one being that exists in three persons. "Person" and "Being" are not synonyms.
• 40:08 QUESTION 5B: How do you know which person of the Trinity to pray to?