The Andrew McKinney Podcast

What causes people to kill others? And how should we as Christians respond to this evil? Do we simply trust God? Do we arm ourselves to protect our lives as well as our families? What role does the government play in the gun debate? And what does the Bible say? We try our best to answer these questions on the podcast today.

How do we respond when life just doesn't go our way? What do we do when things don't work out the way that we had originally planned? Do we worry, fret, or stress? Today on the podcast we look at how Jesus responded to the most painful situation that we could ever possibly imagine. We submit to the will of God and trust Him - even when everything else around us seems to tell us to do otherwise.

Do we, as believers, look to those in power for our hope? Are we guilty - as nonbelievers are - of looking to men and politicians for the solutions in life? God’s Word is clear: we look to one place (the Gospel) for man’s deepest problem (sin). We have a living hope in the Gospel and a responsibility to share it with those who do not. __ 4 prefaces - this is not to evaluate whether Trump is a good or bad pres - this is not intended to advocate for or against Trump - the most honest way to evaluate a pres is to give credit when good and criticize when bad - this happens on both political sides The mistake many Christians are making with Trump is thinking of him or talking about him with this kind of God complex - Comparing him to King david - The saying of his presidency is like the second coming of God (not indicative of all) GOD ORDAINS ALL LEADERS FOR HIS SOVEREIGN PURPOSES - BOTH RIGHTEOUS AND EVIL Hab 1:5-6 Isaiah 45:1-2 Romans 13:1 We should view all leaders as ordained by God for His good and righteous purposes and submit to the sovereignty of God But this indicates a dangerous trend - we are looking to men Ezekiel 23:20 Isaiah 2:22 Non-believers must look to the state (progressivism) We as Christians have a greater hope 1 Peter 1 - a living hope Our hope is in the Gospel

Should Pastors use their position and power of the pulpit to push for certain political agendas?

1. What is this? - This is a kid throwing a tantrum - This is intimidation 2. How did we get to this point? - This is what happens when people know what they believe, or think, but have no idea why - Heard a statement yesterday that I think catches it pretty well, “When someone resorts to name calling, (in this case kicking you) then you have won the argument” - We have gotten to this point because no one thinks for themselves anymore, they merely conform to groupthink 3. How do we get back to actual dialogue? - I don’t know fully - I think we have to at least do four things: - 1 - Stop demonizing (calling evil) the other side for having different ideas, view one another as fellow human beings and neighbors - 2 - Stop identifying ourselves solely based upon our political ideologies (abortion and marriage are theological disagreements) so that we stop defending “our guy” in ridiculous ways - 3 - Think through the opposing view point in a serious way - 4 - Remember the goal is discovering the truth, not “owning the libs” or “owning the cons” or protecting our “side” I think we all would benefit greatly if we just put down social media, any kind of media, and went and read through Ecclesiastes, or the historical books in the Old Testament, or at least Plato’s “The Republic” or Aristotle’s “Politics.” I think we can take a great a great lesson from God’s willingness to be patient and not shut us out. In Isaiah 1:18 God states, “Come now, let us reason together.” This is what I hope we can do as well.

How Can You Believe in God With So Much Evil in the World? 1. The acknowledgement of evil also acknowledges an objective moral law. The acknowledgement of the moral law constitutes the need of a Moral Law Giver. 2. There are only three options for evil in the world when one assumes the existence of God: a. God is sadistic b. God is not sovereign c. God has a higher purpose 3. The question "How Can You Believe in God With So Much Evil in the World?" assumes that evil (as well as suffering and pain) has inherent meaning. The only way suffering can have meaning is if there is a Sovereign God that has a higher purpose for that suffering.

I am not discussing medical problems that can cause depression - if this is the case then the problem is not depression, but medical. I am also not discussing biologically caused depression, such as chemical imbalances that can be helped medically. I am discussing circumstantial depression in which something in life (known or unknown) has caused someone to become depressed. 1. What is Depression? - Circumstantial depression is a severe, severe disappointment in life - Everyone struggles with depression - This is shown perfectly in the story of Elijah in 1 Kong’s 18 & 19 - We have a picture, or expectation of what life should or will be like - When life does not turn out this way, or something tragic occurs, we become depressed 2. How Does Depression Make Someone Feel? - Job 9:25-35 - Depression sucks the joy out of all aspects of life - Depression makes us feel like our lives are wasting away - Depression causes us to feel alone and isolated - Depression causes us to dread each day - Depression makes us feel hopeless and useless - Depression makes us feel irredeemable 3. How Do We Deal With Depression? - Job 9:25-35 - Psalm 42:5 - Acknowledge it / Embrace it - If your spouse is suffering, understand and come alongside them - Hope in God - “Hope” means to wait for an expected end - Understand that God is using problems in our lives to cause us to turn to Him and trust Him - The ultimate goal of life is not my happiness, my relief, or my comfort - The ultimate goal is for God to make me like Him (Christ) - Trust God in the midst of depression (or any other problem) and rest in Him as He molds you into the image of Christ

The Washington Post story of the Lobster's being sedated by marijuana is silly, but it also is telling about the culture's views of animals and humans. The CNN story regarding Bert and Ernie simply shows that tolerance and inclusivism are truly intolerant and exclusive.