False Christian teachings, trends….
This post contains two videos about faith, the first, by John MacArthur is ‘walking by faith.’ In this 5-minute excerpt, he talks about the disciples having walked with Christ in this world, had to adjust to walking by faith after His ascension; the second video, 31-minutes, is a reading of A W Pinks, ‘evidences of saving faith.’ Sermon points are supplied before each video.
In this post is an introductory sermon of John MacArthur’s series on Galatians. Sermon highlight points precede the 48-minute video for those who would rather read. The initial 20 minutes or so is devoted to the lives of Job and Luther, to show godly fear that moved these men to seek God, but that did not avail in reconciliation until God intervened. If you know little about the difference between the seeking of salvation/reconciliation with God via works or via faith, then you should benefit from hearing his words. Also, he describes some current false teachers, also highlighted in the points.
The video in this post is a podcast of Pastor Patrick Hines wherein he addresses Christian suffering. He used the text of 1 Peter 1:3-9 and after a brief intro, talked about a Christian pastor who committed suicide, and near the end, he discussed a man who was tortured by Vladimir Lenin’s officers and imprisoned for more than a decade. The latter, grew immeasurably from his ordeal and was more used by God…. Much was said about each man and his response / reaction to afflictions sent by our Sovereign God. You can learn something from Pastor Hines teaching to deal with the afflictions God sends into your life. He discusses a couple of useful books in the podcast.
To me, the following scripture passage gives much direction and encouragement about how and why to study the word of God. As we get ready to enter into a new year, these words may be the encouragement you need to more consistently meet with God there. Charles Bridges’ commentary makes this passage very clear: Proverbs 2:1-6 [KJV]
A W Pink considers Hebrews 10:26-31 in discussing the apostate’s doom. He discusses how preachers had watered down that [and all] scripture in his day [he died in 1952]. They promised believers that if they had accepted Christ [signed a card; uttered the sinner’s prayer…] that their eternal future was secure…. He discussed a three erroneous takes on this passage by Arminians, over-zealous Calvinists; he called out the dispensationalists for “trifling with God’s word.” He aimed to present a biblical take on the passage and seemed to do so. It is an important message for all Christians in this day of far greater heresy and apostasy than in the 1950s. I recommend reading the preceding post on the impact of Christian Liberalism on the church before this post. Video is 43 minutes with a long list of highlights beforehand
The following 5-minute devotional says much about repentance and the hindrances to it. The chief obstacle is self, which he addresses in a succinct but thorough manner. [One big problem of the Christian walk is learning to deny self. This culture has made that a huge problem because we are taught from childhood, by TV ads and by observing what the people around us value, that self-gratification is the height of personal freedom.] Sermon highlights precede the 5-minute video
This post contains 3 very brief video excerpts from Thomas Watson’s book The Christian Soldier, or Heaven Taken by Storm. Two excerpts are about the ‘world’ and one is about the ‘flesh.’ Before each video, a significant point from the video and the time is noted.
In the 3-minute video of this post, the words of Puritan Thomas Watson speak to those who let the pursuit of pleasure take them away from God, and the cost of such an error.
This post contains a 20-minute reading from A W Pink’s writings about fighting the good fight of faith. His description of the fight is very useful because he boils things down such that one can begin fighting. Sermon points precede the video, so those who do not have 20 minutes to spare, can read the points, which are more than just highlights.
The following brief commentary is on Hebrews 13:13 – “Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured.” Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp – As if we were going forth with him when he was led away to be crucified. He was put to death as a malefactor. He was the object of contempt and scorn. He was held up to derision, and was taunted and reviled on his way to the place of death, and even on the cross. To be identified with him there; to follow him; to sympathize with him; to be regarded as his friend, would have subjected one to similar shame and reproach…. [This intro is most of Barnes’ commentary; John Gill’s Exposition of the Bible is also included in this post. Together, they provide better understanding]