Christianity: Boring, Untrue, Irrelevant?

Perceptions of ChristianityObjections:-• Boring•Untrue• Irrelevant

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)

1. Direction for a Lost World• Questions of life• Answers:– Pleasure– Money– Family / relationships

• “You can have everything in the world and still be the loneliest man, and that is the most bitter type of loneliness. Success has brought me world idolisation and millions of pounds, but it’s prevented me having the one thing we all need – a loving ongoing relationship.”

Freddie Mercury (Lead singer ‘Queen’)

• “Countries like ours are full of people who have all the material comforts they desire, together with such non-material blessings as a happy family and yet lead lives of quiet and at time noisy desperation, understanding nothing but the fact that there is a hole inside of them and however much food and drink they pour into it, however many motor cars and TV set they stuff it with, however many well-balanced children and loyal friends they parade around the edges of it, it aches.”

Bernard Levin (Newspaper columnist)

2. Reality in a Confused WorldDoes it matter what we believe?• The importance of truth

• “Christianity is a statement, which, if false, is of no importance, and, if true, of infinite importance. The one thing is cannot be is moderately important.” C.S. Lewis: author of the

Narnia books

Francis Collins: director of the Human Genome Project

3. Life in a Dark World• We were created in God’s image• Spoilt through selfishness (sin)

1. The patient has no previous history of suicide.2. She has no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.3. On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it disappeared.4. The patient has been depressed since she began seeing me in 1993.5. Discharge status: Alive, but without my permission.

6. Patient had waffles for breakfast and anorexia for lunch.7. She is numb from her toes down.8. She stated that she had been constipated for most of her life until she got a divorce.9. Patient has two teenage children, but no other abnormalities.10. The patient was in his usual state of good health until his airplane ran out of fuel and crashed.

3. Life in a Dark World• We were created in God’s image• Spoilt through selfishness (sin)• Christ came– To die to forgive us– To give us real life with God

• Jesus said, “I am the Life”

The average person who lives to 7020 years, 3 months asleep10 years, 5 months watching TV7 years, 6 months eating and drinking5 years 9 months in some form of transportation 18 months waiting in line6 months at a red light in traffic

If you are 30 and live to 70 you have about 350 400 hours left!- We are asking you to give us 22 hours over the next 8 weeks to follow the Alpha course and talk about some of the big questions of life

Conclusion1. Not for you2. Alpha Course3. Ready to invite Jesus now