False Christian teachings, trends….
In less than 4 minutes, Pastor Nelson, of Bible Munch, makes some very understandable statements about dealing with trials, troubles, pain… something that every Christian needs to know. This post also contains a brief comment on Jesus’ words, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” The comment is from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible. Both work together to provide greater understanding.
This post is for people who aren’t quite clear on the gospel and want to know it better; or for those who have witnessed the gospel and want to also provide material for reviewing discussion points…. The initial couple of minutes of the video explaining Washer’s booklet cover the following points: who is God; what is man – it is essential that believers understand these two points from a biblical perspective; what God has done to satisfy His own justice and to simultaneously be able to show mercy to the wicked; why was the resurrection necessary; what does it mean to believe; how can you know that you believe; what does it mean to repent; how can you know that you actually have repented; what is assurance and how can you grow in it….
R C Sproul, What is the Gospel? In the process of his sermon to define the gospel message, R C identifies about 10 FALSE ways of proclaiming the gospel that have been used by modern evangelists since the 20th century. Furthermore, he explains the problem of all the versions of the gospel as having to do with an improper attitude towards it, which dishonors its owner, God. If you cannot come up with a clear definition of the gospel for your own witnessing of it to others, then knowing the contents of this sermon is essential for you.
The following 1-minute video short was excerpted from a recent podcast by pastor Hines: Romans 1:18-22 – God’s Wrath & Mercy, Man’s Truth Suppression. Herein, pastor Hines explains that the background for the biblical gospel message is God’s wrath against sin. He talked briefly about the ‘Christian Liberal’ message that is devoid of God’s wrath, as contested by J Gresham Machen in the early 20th century via his still very relevant book, Christianity and Liberalism:
This post contains two linked posts from this blog that explain justification by faith alone; faith; and repentance. One video by Paul Washer provides an example of trusting in his performance instead of the finished work of Christ. That is the reason for using these linked posts; but I wanted to further provide a fuller definition of justification by various pastors by way of very brief videos. These are foundational doctrines of the Christian faith with which believers should be more than familiar.
This post contains an 11-minute video podcast by Pastor Patrick Hines on Romans 1:8-17. Verses 16 and 17 are about the gospel; he spent time speaking about justification by faith alone and trusting in the finished work of Christ. He plans to do podcasts through Romans, so this topic and the various important, related topics will come up numerous times. [However, I have to say that I have spent many years trying to firmly grasp the idea of trusting ‘only’ in Christ’s finished work and that is a very difficult thing to do; that is, to do it, you must clearly see when you are trusting in your performance or in some other thing besides Christ’s work. The Holy Spirit shows one what he/she is placing trust in, rather than Christ. The next post will deal with this topic. Pastor Hines will likely deal with it at some point, but I don’t think a believer can hear to much about this critical topic.]
This post contains a brief video podcast by Pastor Patrick Hines on Romans 1:1-4. Therein, he explains the gospel of God of which Paul testifies in his teaching. If you do not understand ‘justification by faith alone,’ then you can benefit by hearing Pastor Hines’ explanation of this text. Additionally, he provides a basic overview of the apostle Paul’s conversion and his former life as a Pharisee. [This is the most foundational doctrine of Christianity, over which the Protestant Reformation was fought; it is still largely misunderstood by Christians, especially those who do not study scripture; your understanding of ‘faith’ may also be bolstered by Pastor Hines teaching ]
The following 4-minute video answers the Question: How Can I be filled with the Holy Spirit? He explains the difference between ‘indwelling’ and ‘filling’ by the Holy Spirit, and provides verses that support his explanation. The verses he mentions are plugged in below the video; you can pause the video or slow it down and read as he speaks.
In the following sermon, R C Sproul explains the gospel in a basic but very complete manner. Most Christians don’t know all the points he covered. …as we currently have in American culture, a Christianity without the gospel. [Sermon HIGHLIGHT points precede the 49-minute sermon video]
His morning thoughts provide some understanding about God’s purposes in affliction. All believers are shaped by it, and receiving it is not always something we want to do; Spurgeon’s words help with that in particular. His evening thoughts encourage us in learning to hold the things of this earth loosely because they are temporary, while we are being taught to see the things of Christ as precious. The Spirit shows the foolish and temporal things we have been trusting in as He helps us make the transition to trusting wholly in Christ. Spurgeon’s words remind us that our trust in earthly things must be let go of and transferred to Christ alone.