False Christian teachings, trends….
Dr. Matthew Everhard, of Presbyterian, PCA, and a Jonathan Edwards scholar; Pastor of Gospel Fellowship PCA, North of Pittsburgh, preached the following sermon on Isaiah 50: 3-10, on Isaiah’s third servant song. This song specifically addressed the Messiah’s suffering, with an application. Sermon highlight points accompany this 42 minute video sermon.
Living Without Worry, J. R. Miller. This 5 minute devotional is about God’s purposes in sending affliction, suffering, pain…into His children’s lives. …“The golden weed of godliness is so wrapped up in the strong chaff of the flesh that only the heavy flail of suffering can produce the separation”
The video is a compilation of preachers talking about the ‘gospel’ of God. If you have been a little fuzzy on what the term ‘gospel’ means, then you should have a clearer definition of it by the time you finish reading the sermon highlights and listening to the 23 minute video. …The video opens with Steven Furtick preaching his gospel; following him, R. C. Sproul concisely defines the gospel; then Voddie Baucham gives a lengthier and fuller definition; Dr. MacArthur follows Baucham with a brief definition and the video closes with Dr. S. Lawson saying a few things about the gospel. [Sermon highlights are given for those who do not have 23 minutes to listen to the great video]
The following 18 minute video is about how the social justice movement is opposing Christian speech presently. We all see that it is changing rapidly; pastor Everhard offers an analysis of what is going on with speech limitations and direction regarding preparation and taking a stand for your faith. His video is 18 minutes long; bulleted sermon highlights are provided
Psalm 50:15 [ESV 2011] and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” The believer’s present portion: trouble; his constant privilege, prayer; his future prospect, deliverance… Present: expect trouble; trouble springs up all around us in myriad forms: in mind, circumstances, body…from almost every quarter …We are poor pilgrims, this world is not our home; nor our country – we are strangers and aliens …Every day, trouble. Everything declares, “Happiness is not in me!” Only in Jesus is solid peace, holy satisfaction, and permanent comfort
James Smith was a predecessor of Charles Spurgeon at New Park Street Chapel in London from 1841 until 1850. Early on, Smith’s readings were even more popular than Spurgeon’s! This post is related to the preceding one, Walking in the Spirit; it provides a few insights about how the Spirit works in the born-again believer. …Although I have written about that topic a lot, especially the beatitude posts, I have only scratched the surface. And since contemporary Christianity seemingly understands nothing of the matter, this post is to help believers who seek answers to such questions.
This post contains a link to a lecture series by Elisabeth Elliot on Suffering – Suffering is not for nothing. I linked part 4 and recommend parts 5 and 6 also. Additionally, I linked a site that has 40 or more talks by her about life topics, several may be of interest to you. Her purpose was to teach a biblical perspective on suffering, as Christians are called to suffer (those mainstream churches that are about other things, are not biblical).
There are several posts from this blog linked to this post because they are directly related to the last post about how the Holy Spirit helps the weak. These linked posts are about the following: the five stage struggle of faith developed by Jonathan Edwards; instruction about self-observation, examination, journaling…from Jonathan Edwards; instruction in basic doctrines such as justification and faith; and lastly, some basic instruction on God’s purpose in affliction; and spiritual disciplines that help Christians deal with the aforementioned
This post contains a section of Jeremiah Burroughs’ book, Rare Jewel Of Christian Contentment; therein, he provided many insights that encourage instead of discourage one who perceives himself to have a low, insignificant calling from God. His book is all about how Christians should receive (unavoidable) afflictions from the hand of God – without murmuring, without rebelling, seeking pleasurable escape…because thereby, they bring chastisement upon themselves; furthermore, they dishonor God and Christ by murmuring….
John Nuzzo is the senior pastor of Victory Family Church; he preached this sermon to God’s people who are trapped in rage, anger, bitterness…as a result of the political and social situation the US is presently experiencing. His sermon began on a political note, but quickly turned to the Bible to provide a diagnosis and a cure for God’s people who are trapped in bitterness…