In this sermon, Pastor Rob Rotola opens Part One of a new sermon series called Answers, addressing 13 questions submitted by the congregation in the order he received them. He notes that some topics deserve much deeper treatment than the few minutes he can give each one, and invites people to follow up privately if needed.

Read the summarized highlights of the sermon below, listen to the full sermon here, or watch it here.

Sermon Highlights

1. Is Cremation Wrong?

Pastor Rob explains that the Bible neither endorses nor condemns cremation. He addresses two common concerns: that some pagan or occult groups practice cremation, and the worry that a cremated body cannot be resurrected. He dismisses both concerns, noting that cremation has become far more common in recent decades largely due to the rising cost of traditional burial.

2. Is Dispensational Theology True?

He affirms that dispensational theology is true, explaining it in two senses:

• Historical dispensations. He outlines eight time periods: Innocence, Conscience, Human Government, Promise, Law, the Grace or Church Age, the Millennial or Kingdom Age, and the Eternal Age.
  

• The seven churches of Revelation. He discusses the view that the letters to the seven churches (Revelation 2–3) may also foreshadow successive eras of church history, though this is not explicitly stated in Scripture. He affirms this is a legitimate pattern to observe, describing how God often embeds meaning for future generations within messages written to a specific original audience.

3. What About Those Who Never Heard the Gospel?

Pastor Rob rejects the idea that ignorance of the gospel guarantees automatic entry into heaven, arguing this would make sharing the gospel counterproductive. Drawing on Romans 1:18–21, he explains that God reveals Himself to all people through creation, leaving humanity without excuse.

He shares an anecdote about a tribal convert who encountered Christ through a vision, and cites conversion accounts among Muslims of coming to Christ through dreams, framing these as evidence that God pursues those without access to Christian preaching. However, he stresses that active gospel outreach remains far more effective and is commanded in the Great Commission.

4. Can Someone Who Knowingly Continues in Sin Still Go to Heaven?

Using 1 John 3:6–10 and Hebrews 10:26–31, he stresses that ongoing, unrepentant sin is incompatible with genuine faith. However, he draws a careful distinction: true believers do stumble repeatedly, but they are convicted by the Holy Spirit when they do, unlike someone who treats salvation as a license to sin without remorse. He cites Proverbs 24:16 ("a just man falls seven times and rises again") to affirm that struggling believers are not disqualified, but warns against making ongoing sin one's deliberate "plan."

5. What About God's Feasts in the Old Testament?

He clarifies that Old Testament feasts are not commanded under the New Testament (citing Colossians 2:16) but retain deep symbolic and devotional value. He briefly lists the seven feasts: Passover, Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Weeks (Pentecost), Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Tabernacles (Booths). He notes that some practices, like Passover seders and first-fruits giving, remain meaningful to Christians today without being obligatory.

6. What Day of the Week Did Jesus Die?

He acknowledges this isn't conclusively settled, noting scholarly disagreement between Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday due to how Jewish days were reckoned (from sundown) and how partial days were counted. He personally holds to the traditional Good Friday view but stresses this is not a major doctrine, cautioning against groups that treat it as essential.

7. Are Easter and Christmas Pagan Holidays?

He addresses the claim that these holidays have pagan origins by reframing the issue: even if the dates overlap with pagan observances, Christians have "redeemed" these days for Christ's purposes. He uses a hypothetical scenario about a pagan group claiming a calendar date to illustrate that no day inherently belongs to evil, and criticizes believers who avoid days like Halloween out of fear, noting that October 31st is also Reformation Day, commemorating Martin Luther's 95 Theses in 1517.

8. Who Are the "Gods" in Psalm 82?

Reading Psalm 82:1–8, he explains that the "gods" referenced are not deities, but human rulers and judges. They are earthly authorities rebuked by God for injustice and told that, despite their power, they will die like ordinary mortals.

9. If God "Protects" One Person and Not Another, Does That Mean He Didn't Want to Protect the Other?

He teaches that God desires to protect and bless everyone, but not everyone receives or accesses that provision. He clarifies that when someone doesn't experience healing or protection, it doesn't reflect God's highest will for them; rather, His protection is available to all who access it through faith.

10. Why Do Some Christians Avoid Talking About Sickness?

He traces this practice to a "faith confession" culture, especially prominent in the 1980s, where believers avoided verbally acknowledging illness. He offers a balanced view: it's appropriate to name symptoms when requesting prayer, but he warns against dwelling on sickness after prayer has been offered, citing Proverbs 6:2 about being "snared by the words of your mouth."

11. Is There Significance to the Stones in the New Jerusalem's Foundation?

Referencing Revelation 21:18–21, he notes the symbolic significance of the 12 foundation stones, connecting them to the 12 Tribes of Israel and the 12 Apostles, describing the New Jerusalem as an eternal memorial to both.

12. Why Did Heaviness Come Over Me After a Conversation About Honesty?

Citing Isaiah 61:3, he explains that spiritual heaviness can stem from oppression or spiritual attack, and that God offers "beauty for ashes" and "the garment of praise" in exchange. He encourages actively taking authority over heaviness rather than dwelling on its source.

13. What Are the Five Crowns in Heaven?

He previews five rewards described in Scripture, promising a fuller treatment the following week:

• Imperishable Crown: awarded for self-control and disciplined living

• Crown of Rejoicing: awarded to those who win souls

• Crown of Righteousness: awarded for longing for Christ's return (2 Timothy 4:8)

• Crown of Glory: awarded to shepherds or elders who faithfully care for their flock

• Crown of Life: awarded to those who persevere faithfully through trials

Closing Invitation

Pastor Rob closes with an altar call, emphasizing that Heaven and Hell are real, that Jesus is the only way to the Father, and inviting anyone present who wants to commit their life to Christ to respond.

Tune Into the Word With Word of Life Church

Word of Life Church is dedicated to making the world a better place by spreading the Word and love of God. Our mission is to create an authentic and welcoming worship community that empowers Christians to live a life of faith and service in the name of Jesus.

To that end, we have two convenient locations serving North and South Wichita. We also offer accessible church services to support you in your journey. If you’re unable to attend in-person church services, you can watch our live-stream sermons or listen to our podcast sermons from the comfort of your home or preferred location. If English isn’t your primary language, you can take advantage of our weekly international and Spanish-language services.

Our church offerings include a variety of worship experiences, such as Life Groups, youth programs, and service initiatives for individuals of all ages, all designed to offer community and opportunities to engage with God and to enhance a mindset of gratitude. Contact us today to find out how we can serve you!