False Christian teachings, trends….
This post contains one commentary explanation of poverty of spirit from Matthew 5:3; it also contains a brief excerpt from two other posts about Jonathan Edwards, the excerpts are extremely relevant to the Matthew 5:3. One of those posts gave glimpses into his struggle for obedience; the other into his analysis of what constituted a truly born again person as opposed to a false convert.
C H Spurgeon’s three sermon points were: the outward appearance of our trials; blessed fruitfulness of trials; and those exercised by trials. It is a 45-minute sermon that mentioned points I had never heard on this topic. The section about being exercised is very beneficial to know if you are in the midst of trials. All Christians will eventually be there. There are sermon highlights, and several term definitions.
The fruit of the Spirit cannot be artificially produced. These qualities must be developed in us by God’s grace. Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the Lord’s purpose of growing His people in a wonderfully balanced way to make us increasingly like Christ. [Highlight points are provided after video.]
The purpose of this post is to clarify the prerequisites for dying to self and living to God, as in Romans 12: 1-2. The next post will cover some specific ways of dying to self and living to God.
In this sermon, Dr. Boice delves into the paradox that as a Christian, we must die in order to live. His sermon text was Romans 12:1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. [Dr. James Boice was a contemporary and a friend of R C Sproul; they were born in the late 1930’s; Boice died of cancer in 2000, 17 years before Sproul.]
This post contains a 3 minute, 30 second video that explains Romans 12:1 and 2. All born-again believers need to learn and do the things specified in these two verses. It also indicates how that is accomplished in a believer’s life. For those who might want more, a recent post is added; that post explains the mindset of surrender
This post contains an 8-minute excerpt from Dr James Boice’s 35-minute sermon. The excerpt speaks to how believers must deal with the world if they would follow Christ. In that portion, Dr. Boice spoke of how Alexander Solzhenitsyn wrote of facing such trials when he was placed in the Soviet prison system. Boice’s quote came from Solzhenitsyn’s work, The Gulag Archipelago; he framed it as the correct perspective of a follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. The quote actually explains Jesus’ words: deny yourself, pick up your cross and follow Me. [Highlight points are below video for those who would rather read]
This post contains a 5-minute video from Got Questions Ministries that explains what it means “to take up your cross and follow Jesus.” You will also learn what it does not mean and how you may evaluate your commitment to Jesus.
This post contains Bible commentary on Isaiah 40:31, about waiting on the Lord. The comments are from Barnes’ Notes on the Bible; but there is a link to commentaries on the verse at Bible Hub, for those who would like to read other commentators. The concept of ‘waiting’ on God is found often in scripture and something that we all need to understand and seek God’s help in doing.
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.