False Christian teachings, trends….
Though many Christians talk about being “born again,” few actually understand what this phrase means. What is this mysterious work of the Holy Spirit that changes our hearts and causes us to place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation? In this message, R.C. Sproul addresses the mysterious nature of regeneration and the effects that the new birth produces in our lives. [Sermon highlights are provided]
Alistair Begg preached this two-part sermon for the New Year, to orient his congregation in accordance with God’s purposes in this world. Sermon series title: Behold Your God He had two points, the message and the mission: those need to be the chief concern of the individual Christian and the church. We are not to listen to some new prophet claiming to have a new, improved message for the church… but commit, recommit to God’s gospel message and its propagation.
I recently uploaded a video by Pastor Matthew Everhard on The Valley of Vision.
I have owned a copy for a decade or so and I began reading again from it this morning. I have come to understand most of this first prayer in the past 16 years during my Christian walk; however, I do not yet have such experiential understanding. I wanted to share it because the thoughts are so biblical
In the 7 minute video of this post, Pastor Matt offers a few suggestions to help parents teach Christian basics to their children.
For failure to count the cost, the children of religious parents often do not turn out well, and they bring disgrace on Christianity. Familiar from their earliest years with the form and theory of the gospel, taught even from infancy to repeat the most common Bible verses, being used to being instructed in the gospel every week, or even to instruct others in Sunday school, they often grow up professing Christianity without knowing why or without ever having thought seriously about it. Then when the realities of grown-up life begin to press upon them, they often astound everyone by dropping all their Christian ways and plunging right into the world. Why? Because they had never thoroughly understood the sacrifices that Christianity involves….
This post contains the first few pages of J C Ryle’s book, Holiness; this chapter is about ‘The Fight.’ I pasted in enough of the book to provide the foundational aspects of the fight. A few relevant links are provided at the end of the post, one is to a wonderful reading of The Pilgrim’s Progress
In the 6 minute video of this post, Jeff Mayfield explains chapter 8 of Dane Ortland’s book, Gentle and Lowly. Herein, Christ’s intercession for believers is discussed in terms of Hebrews 7:25. Once a believer realized it is impossible to make himself acceptable to God the Father, he is inclined to solely trust in Christ. This message is very encouraging if you have been struggling and failing in your fight against sin.
I do not say for a moment that holiness shuts out the presence of indwelling sin. No – far from it. It is the greatest misery of a holy man that he carries about with him a body of death (Romans 7:24); that often when he wants to do good, evil is present with him (Romans 7:21); that the old nature is blocking all his movements and, as it were, trying to prevent every step he takes. It is the excellence of a holy man, though, that he is not at peace with indwelling sin, as others are. He hates it, mourns over it, and longs to be free from its company. The work of sanctification within him is like the wall of Jerusalem – the building goes forward even in troublous times (Daniel 9:25).
…I will try, by God’s help, to examine what true holiness is and the reason why it is so needful. Then I will try to point out the only way in which holiness can be attained. I have already approached this subject from a doctrinal side. Let me now try to present it in a more plain and practical point of view. …What, then, is true practical holiness? …Holiness is the habit of being of one mind with God, according as we find His mind described in Scripture. It is the habit of agreeing with God’s judgment – hating what He hates, loving what He loves, and measuring everything in this world by the standard of His Word. He who most entirely agrees with God is the one who is the most holy.
This post contains material from chapter 3 of J C Ryle’s book, Holiness; specifically, what he identified ten visible behaviors that characterize one who is becoming sanctified.