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Surrendering Every Question to God’s Word

Scripture References

Primary text

• Genesis 2:24
• Matthew 19
• 1 Corinthians 6

Other references

• Hebrews 13:4
• 1 Corinthians 6:18
• Matthew 16:24
• Philippians 4
• Hebrews 12:15
• 2 Timothy 4
• Colossians 3:13
• Matthew 6

Overview

Craig opened the four-week series “Asking for a Friend” by explaining how thousands of congregants sent in hard, personal questions. His aim is to answer with biblical clarity and compassion, never with mere opinion. In this first message he tackled living together before marriage, homosexuality and same-sex attraction, anxiety and medication, and forgiving unrepentant offenders—continually returning to the call to surrender every desire, fear, and hurt to Jesus.

Context

• Ground rules: Scripture, not culture, will be the final authority.
• Where the Bible is explicit, we obey even when unpopular; where it is silent, we apply principles with wisdom.
• Unity in essentials, love in non-essentials; disagreement is possible without division.

Main Points

Living Together Before Marriage

• Scripture portrays marriage as a covenant before God, not just a private feeling (Genesis 2:24; Malachi reference).
• The sexual gift is reserved for that covenant (Hebrews 13:4).
• Living together outside marriage:
  • heightens sexual temptation,
  • weakens Christian witness,
  • offers marital benefits without marital commitment.
• If unsure about marriage, don’t let a shared address decide your future; separate, pray, seek counsel.
• Story: Craig confessed past compromise—letting Amy stay overnight before they wed—so his stance flows from grace, not perfection.
• Goal: God’s best, not guilt.

Homosexuality & Same-Sex Attraction

• Jesus defined marriage as male and female becoming one flesh (Matthew 19).
• Any sexual activity outside that design—pornography, adultery, same-sex behavior—is called sin (1 Corinthians 6; 6:18).
• Paul’s list of sins indicts everyone; the gospel washes and justifies all who trust Christ.
• Same-sex attraction ≠ same-sex sexual activity. Temptation itself is not sin (cf. Jesus tempted).
• Identity is never found in strongest desires but in Christ alone.
• All believers deny self and carry a cross (Matthew 16:24).

Anxiety, Mental Health & Medication

• Feeling anxious does not make you a bad Christian—it proves you are human.
• Response pattern (Philippians 4): pray, petition, thank, present requests; God’s peace guards heart and mind.
• Medication can be one tool God uses for healing—no shame if recommended by a trusted doctor.
• Whatever the battle, it is not your identity; you are an overcomer in Christ.
• Illustration: Craig’s playful dig at essential-oil headaches underscored that God heals through many means.

Forgiving When the Offender Isn’t Sorry

• Forgiveness is not: excusing wrongdoing, erasing hurt, removing all boundaries, or automatic reconciliation.
• Forgiveness is releasing the right to make someone pay and refusing bitterness (Hebrews 12:15).
• You can forgive before the other person repents; your healing is not hostage to their apology.
• Boundaries remain wise. Paul forgave Alexander yet warned others (2 Timothy 4).
• “Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13).
• Forgiveness determines what you carry; boundaries determine what you allow.

Surrendering Whatever God Points Out

• Under every question lies this issue: What must I surrender to Jesus?
• Congregation invited to cast fears, desires, relationships, mental health struggles, bitterness—anything—onto Him.
• No one earns salvation; everyone needs the washing and justification found only in Christ (Matthew 6 call to forgive; 1 Corinthians 6 gospel).

Key Truths

• God’s word, not opinion or culture, defines truth for every difficult question.
• Marriage is a covenant before God; sexual intimacy belongs inside that covenant.
• Temptation does not equal sin; true identity is found solely in Christ.
• Anxiety or taking medication does not signal weak faith; bring every concern to God.
• Forgiveness is mandatory for Christians, but restored trust requires wisdom and sometimes new boundaries.

Response

• Evaluate every belief and practice by Scripture, not popularity.
• Resist sexual temptation; honor God with your body.
• Run to God with anxiety—pray, thank, and receive His peace.
• Forgive those who hurt you; release bitterness and, where necessary, establish healthy boundaries.
• Deny self, take up your cross, and surrender every area the Holy Spirit highlights.

Closing

Craig reminded the church that these discussions are not about winning arguments but about becoming like Jesus. Each listener was urged to let the Holy Spirit reveal anything that needs surrender—desires, fears, hurts—and to trust God’s grace to heal and transform.

“We are not trying to make a point on any question asked. We’re trying to let God’s word lead us to His perfect will to glorify Him in the way that we live.”

Prayer

“Heavenly Father, forgive me all of my sins. I surrender to You. Save me; be the Lord of my life. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit so I can live for You. My life is not my own—I give it all to You. In Jesus’ name I pray.”

Resources

None mentioned explicitly.