• Can the Bible really make sense today?

Many years ago a man named Paul wrote to a young man named Timothy about the Scriptures, what we call the Bible today. In his letter Paul told Timothy that the Bible was the source of knowledge and truth. He summed it all up by saying: "All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right." (2 Timothy 3:16 New Living Translation) Sounds like something that would be as useful today as well as when Paul wrote his letter to Timothy almost two thousand years ago. The Bible can and does make sense today. The Bible is God’s Word to all people. It reveals truth about God and how we can relate to Him. The Bible helps us to learn about ways of living that are good for us and pleasing to God. The Bible is a book that has our best interests at heart, a book that shows us a picture of a loving Heavenly Father who wants each person on earth to accept and experience His love in a real way. Can the Bible make sense today? You bet! If you have questions about the Bible you can e-mail us at church@algiersumc.org. No one will call you or come to your house unless you desire a call and we respect your right to privacy. Or better yet, visit with us one Sunday. Service times, a map and directions are available on our web site. Back to the FAQ Index

• If I am doing so well, why do I fell so empty?

Many people have all the trappings of success: nice house, nice car, happy marriage, well adjusted kids. But many of these same people will say they do not feel fulfilled, that something seems to be missing from their lives. What is that inner need that material things won’t satisfy? The Bible tells us a story about a young man who came to see Jesus one day. Apparently, this young man also had all the trappings of success for he is referred to as being very rich. But, he obviously felt that something was missing in his life. The young man had a question for Jesus: "Good teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16) Jesus answered the man by saying that he should obey all the commandments. The man was pleased at this because he had kept all the commandments, but Jesus went a step further. "There is still one thing you lack," Jesus said. "Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The story goes on to say that the man went away disappointed because he was very rich. The key to what Jesus told the man was not giving up his worldly possessions, but in following Jesus. Jesus knew the man’s loyalties lay in his possessions not in things that really mattered. Following Jesus as the leader of his life would help the man get his priorities in order and focus on things that were truly important. There is nothing wrong with achieving success or making money or having material wealth. But, these things won’t give us the fulfillment we all need. Only following Jesus as the leader of our lives can do that. If you have questions about making Jesus the leader in your life you can e-mail us at church@algiersumc.org. No one will call on you or visit your home unless you ask us to and we always respect your privacy. Or, better yet visit us one Sunday. Service times, a map and directions can be found on our web site. Back to the FAQ Index

• What is that inner need that material things won’t satisfy?

The Bible tells us a story about a young man who came to see Jesus one day. Apparently, this young man also had all the trappings of success for he is referred to as being very rich. But, he obviously felt that something was missing in his life. The young man had a question for Jesus: "Good teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16) Jesus answered the man by saying that he should obey all the commandments. The man was pleased at this because he had kept all the commandments, but Jesus went a step further. "There is still one thing you lack," Jesus said. "Sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The story goes on to say that the man went disappointed because he was very rich. The key to what Jesus told the man was not giving up his worldly possessions, but in following Jesus. Jesus knew the man’s loyalties lay in his possessions not in things that really mattered. Following Jesus as the leader of his life would help the man get his priorities in order and focus on things that were truly important. There is nothing wrong with achieving success or making money or having material wealth. But, these things won’t give us the fulfillment we all need. Only following Jesus as the leader of our lives can do that. If you have questions about making Jesus the leader in your life you can e-mail us at church@algiersumc.org. No one will call on your or visit your home unless you ask us to and we always respect your privacy. Or, better yet visit us one Sunday. Service times, a map and directions can be found on our web site. Back to the FAQ Index

• Can I learn about God without "being" religious?

This an interesting question. After all, isn’t God religious? Actually, the Bible tells us that God is spirit and those who wish to worship God should do so in spirit and in truth. Spirit and truth...you see these are really the answers to the question about knowing God and not being "religious". There are many religions in the world that have nothing to do with knowing God. In fact, most religions involve people adhering to a strict list of rules, do’s and don’t’s. The Christian Faith centers on coming into a relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Jesus told some people one day that a relationship with God began with a relationship with him: "I am the way and the truth and the life. If anyone wishes to come to the Father they must come through me." (John 14:6) Jesus said this so people would know they didn’t have to perform any religious ceremony or join a particular church to get to know God. They only had to trust in Jesus and they would come to know God through a relationship with him. A great place to learn about God is at a church. There are many kinds of churches out there. How do you choose one? We would like to suggest you start with Algiers United Methodist Church. There’s a map that will guide right to our door. Our services are "come as you are" and last about one hour. Join us next Sunday! Learning about God can also begin by reading about God in the Bible. The New Testament book called the Gospel of John is a great place to start. Try reading the first three chapters on your own. If you need a Bible we would be happy to give you one. If you have questions feel free to e-mail us at church@algiersumc.org. No one will call on you unless you ask us to. You won’t be put on any mailing list and your privacy will be honored. So, learning about God has little to do with being religious and lots to do with having a relationship with God by trusting in Jesus Christ. Back to the FAQ Index

• Why was Jesus referred to as a radical?

Whenever someone upsets the status-quo, the way things have always been, people get nervous. When Jesus was alive the church of his day had become very legalistic and demanding. Jesus taught that God was more interested in the condition and intent of a person’s heart than in perfect adherence to a list of manmade rules and regulations. This was opposite of what the religious leaders of the day were teaching. They felt threatened enough to have Jesus killed. Jesus was a radical because He taught a radical message. A message that the world today still needs to hear. That message is that God loves each and every person in the face of the earth and wants to have a personal relationship with each one. There are no prerequisites, no tests to pass and no set of predefined rules to which one must adhere in order to experience God’s love. It’s free and available to anyone who will talk to God and tell him they accept His love. That’s radical. In a world that can be cynical and disbelieving about a lot of things, Jesus’ message of unconditional love is refreshing, invigorating and still very radical. If you have questions about how to experience this radical love you can e-mail us at church@algiersumc.org or join us join Sunday as we celebrate God’s love for us and our love for God. Service times, a map and directions to the church can be found on our web site. Back to the FAQ Index

• If there is such a thing as real love, how can I find it?

Finding and experiencing real love is not as hard as the world would have you believe. Hollywood has produced a myriad of movies depicting people seeking real love. These movies portrays real love as something between two individuals, leading people to believe that finding real love lies involves finding the "right" person. While it rue that finding a person with whom you fall in love, marry and spend you life with can be fulfilling, this is not real love. Real loves begins and ends with a relationship with God. The Bible tells us that God is love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (1 John 4:16 New Living Translation) You see, real love has little to do with finding the right person and everything to do with finding God. Fortunately for you and me, finding God is easy. All we have to do is talk to God and let Him know we would like to receive the love He wants to give us. That’s all there is to it! God never turns anyone away, no matter what kind of life a person has led. The Bible goes on to say that as we continue to love God our love grows more perfect. (1 John 4:17) This means that as we learn to love God we will be able to love other people the way God loves us, unconditionally. You see, that is real love. To be loved and to love unconditionally. If you have questions about real love that still need to be answered you may e-mail us at church@algiersumc.org or better yet come experience real love one Sunday as we gather together at Algiers United Methodist Church. Service times and a map with directions can be found on our web site. Back to the FAQ Index

• What does "come as you are" really mean?

Some might think it has to do with a dress code. While many churches do have unwritten dress codes, most churches today are fairly relaxed about attire for Sunday morning. At Algiers UMC you will see people dressed in everything from suits to shorts. You are encouraged to come "as you are" to worship with us each Sunday. A deeper meaning of "come as you are" has to do with how each one of us personally approaches God. Unfortunately, some people think they have to get their lives in order before they come to church. We feel it is exactly the opposite. The relationships you build with God and other people while attending church are what help to get your life straightened out. Jesus Christ was often ridiculed and criticized by the "church folk" of his day for hanging out with "sinners". Jesus never worried about how a person’s life looked at the moment; Jesus knew what their lives could look like if they trusted in him, loved God with all their hearts, and loved their neighbors as themselves. Jesus said, "I came that [people] may have life in all it’s fullness." (John 10:10 NLT) If fullness of life and being accepted just the way you are sound good to you, join us this Sunday at Algiers United Methodist Church. Back to the FAQ Index

• What does the Bible say about God's love for me?

This is real love. It is not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. (1 John 4:10) "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in him. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. (1 John 3:16) Long ago, even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. (Ephesians 1:4) (All Scripture references are from the New Living Translation © unless indicated otherwise.) Back to the FAQ Index