In the following 7 minute video, Tim Challies answers questions sent in by his viewers. He talks about introversion, extraversion and self-denial such that we might get some insight into the small struggles of the practical Christian life.
Category: Christian Walk
Seven Sure Marks Of A False Teacher by Tim Challies
This post contains a 7 minute video by Tim Challies that gives seven marks of a false prophet; following that is a 6 minute video wherein Brian McLaren talks about his book: The Secret Message of Jesus. The points of Challies are used to critique McLaren; additionally, several scripture verses are cited that undermine McLaren’s ideas.
“They That Wait Upon The Lord…”
But they that wait upon the Lord – The word rendered ‘wait upon’ here (from קוה qâvâh), denotes properly to wait, in the sense of expecting. The phrase, ‘to wait on Yahweh,’ means to wait for his help; that is, to trust in him, to put our hope or confidence in him. …It means that the people of God who trust in him shall become strong in faith; able to contend with their spiritual foes, to gain the victory over their sins, and to discharge aright the duties, and to meet aright the trials of life. God gives them strength, if they seek him in the way of his appointment – a promise which has been verified in the experience of his people in every age.
Troubles, Troubles, Troubles, by Pastor James Smith
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
What It Costs To Be A Christian, by J. C. Ryle
J. C. Ryle stated that there is a four-fold cost for being a Christian: 1. your self-righteousness; pride; sense of personal goodness; merit… 2. your sins have to turned from, forsaken; every practice, habit, addiction that is wrong in God’s sight; you must be at war with these… 3. It will cost your love of ease: to fight a battle; to run a race; to watch and pray… and 4. It will cost one the favor of the world; to please God will result in being thought ill of by the world….
Walking in the Spirit
Pastor Kenneth Stewart of Glasgow RP Church of Scotland preached the following sermon titled, The Need To Triumph. It is about walking in the Spirit.
However, this sermon differs from many on this topic because it gives specifics on sowing-reaping; how to notice your own sowing; what to do about that; how sowing impacts one’s spiritual walk; things one needs engage in to promote a spiritual life that lends itself to walking in the Spirit….
Challenges To Fellowship With The Lord: Dr. Jeff Mayfield
The things that hinder our fellowship with the Lord may be socially respectable or shameful distractions. Dr. Mayfield uses the following three examples: politics, finances and pornography. If any of those three distractions take up much of our time and are higher than God in our hearts, then it is an idol. With socially acceptable distractions / idols, it is more difficult to identify them as problems; therefore, they may continue to be a hindrance to your fellowship with the Lord far longer than another’s porn is to him / her….
Suffering Is Not For Nothing, Elizabeth Elliot
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).
How the Spirit Helps The Weak, by Dr. Jeff Mayfield
Via 5 and 7 minute videos, Dr. Jeff Mayfield explains a portion of the works of John Owen, from his book Communion with God; his explanation enables listeners to understand Owen’s complex writings: topic of the 5 minute video – how the Holy Spirit intercedes for weak followers of Christ who have backslidden, or wandered knowingly or unknowingly; topic of the 7 minute video is about restoring one’s delight in Christ. [These are problems that every Christian will experience at some point in their walk with the Lord]
Fighting the Battle of Faith
This post aims to define faith (via excerpts from Dr. J. Piper; and Dr. S. Ferguson). The excerpt by Piper is more about the battle of faith against unbelief; it provides insight into how unbelief derails a Christian; Piper also confronts a common social doctrine held by mainstream Christians; Ferguson’s 2 minute video provides the best definition of faith I have heard, it is an excerpt of a Ligonier Bible class. The 32 minute sermon from which the Piper excerpt was taken is also provided for those who would know more.