False Christian teachings, trends….
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 a 12-minute video, read by Pastor Mark Fitpatrick of Arann Reformed Baptist Church. Arann Reformed Baptist Church www.arann-reformed.com. It is from Christian Sermons and Audio Books, YouTube. [Owen is still regarded as a foremost authority on the topics of temptation and the mortification of sin. All Christians have to understand this topic and have tools for fighting the good fight….]
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.]
The following song, Rock of Ages, Cleft for Me, from the Trinity Psalter Hymnal, is sung by Brian Cochran. It is from his YouTube site Brian Cochran. Lyrics are pasted in below the song so that you can also sing along. I find it easier to sing along when someone else is singing, as though I were at church, singing along with the congregation. This song is being posted because it fits well with the topic being explained by Pastor Hines, Romans 1.
Pastor Hines explains the meaning of the following verses in this 12-minute podcast: Romans 1:5-7 [5]Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, [6] among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ; [7] To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (New American Standard Bible) [Sermon highlight points precede sermon]
This post is about a sermon on The Pilgrim’s Progress, focusing on the character ‘ignorance.’ The contents of the post emphasized how this is relevant to all Christians who are born again and walking in the WAY; in other words, on pilgrimage through the wilderness of this world. Highlight points identify the contents of the 40-minute sermon with some statements from the sermon. Also, there is a link to a post from last week that identifies all the characters in Bunyan’s book and concepts, themes…. Besides the Bible, Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress is the most meaningful book you will read about the Christian walk. It identifies many aspects of the Christian battle, especially diversions temptations, lies, false teachers… that take a believer off the true path. The believer must return to that path after becoming aware of being temporarily duped, deceived, tricked….
The two verses looked at in this post are some of the most frightening in the Bible. They are about those people who think they are getting away with sinning. These not only apply to the believer who is backsliding, but to those marauders who are doing smash and grabs; to those manipulators cheating to win elections; those malevolent globalists creating vaccines to harm others and rid the earth of them, or who are orchestrating famines to accomplish that end… but they are God’s words to all who think they can get away with sinning: the act of sin carries its own punishment. [I reviewed these for my own edification, as my attitude towards some sins is not yet biblical; hopefully, others will find this post worthy of contemplating.]
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.
This month, Mike talks about the following points: Deceived and Defiant Against the Gospel; Self-Conceit Leads to Self-Deceit; Religious Arrogance Blinds People; Deceitful Indoctrination Creates Pride; Catholic Responses to the Gospel; God’s Grace Is Greater than Man’s Defiance; Discerning Truth in a World of Deception; Catholics Hear Mary Talking Through a Statue; Plenary Indulgence for Aquinas Jubilee; Letters to the editor and more.