Podcasts about biblical christians

When someone says, "Buckle Up", you know there is something ahead you need to prepare for. It may be a challenge, a difficulty or a hard truth, but no matter what it is, you need to buckle up! This message kicks off a new series: “Buckle Up”. At FirstNLR we believe in being Biblical Christians - the Bible should guide how we talk, act, and treat others. In this series, we dive deep into Romans chapter 12, where we will raise the bar for how followers of Jesus are supposed to live.  We challenge you to live up to the biblical standard! It's your choice - will you accept the challenge?

Marxism is an ideology that has permeated cultures, education, and even churches which makes it difficult for those holding fast to a pure Biblical worldview. What is Marxism? How has it made its way into the church and potentially into our lives as Christians? How can we combat this as Christians? Patricia Engler traveled to the very beginnings of Marxism and researched its roots to write this book. In this episode she discusses what she found and how we, as Biblical Christians, can uphold a solid worldview and teach that Biblical worldview to our children. You can find her book here: https://answersingenesis.org/search/?refinement=store&q=Modern+Marxism One of the books brought up in this episode, Faultlines, can be found here: https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/fault-lines/ Another book, Sherpherds for Sale, can be found here: https://a.co/d/d2eD98n To find Patricia's podcast for Answers in Genesis, Zero Compromise, you can go Spotify or wherever you find podcasts!

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's world is full of conflicting thoughts, ideas, and problems. In this episode, we'll be answering the question: should serious Christians ever compromise?--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Q. Should Serious Christians Ever Compromise? Might seem like a weird questionMaybe you know Christians who never compromiseDraw hard lines everywhere on everything. Totally unbendingEx: Halloween Ex: TattoosThe Fundamental Law of Legalism: Drawing a hard line in gray areas weakens the hard lines we draw in the black and white.So we have to be smart about compromise!Parents: could win the battle but lose the warOur strategy: don't make a big deal of these gray areas (even though we still drew boundaries) – so our kids would take us seriously when we drew the line on serious issuesA strange paradox: Biblical Christians draw hard lines in some areasAnd then they turn around and compromise in other areasToday: We'll see the first time the church wrestled with thisIt was such a big question, they gathered in JerusalemFirst church councilEverybody was there! Peter, Paul, Barnabas, etc.To answer: When do we fight vs when do we compromise?I want to start at the end: where they landedIn the words of Paul, later, to the church at CorinthIt's a great summary, and it shows you this is a thingCompromise, that is, for serious ChristiansCause Pauls was serious, unbendingYet look at where he landed on this ?1 Corinthians 9:19-21 (NLT) 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ…. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.Hypocrite? No way! Jesus-centered vs. rule-centeredJust wanted to point people to JesusTherefore willing to compromiseHeart issuePointed Jews to Jesus by using the law of MosesPointed Gentiles to Jesus without using the law of MosesAll along obeyed the higher law “of Christ”Ie, not free to do whatever we want (antinomianism)compromising on the Lordship of ChristLast week: Acts 14, Paul's first missionary journeyProclaimed the gospelContextualized the gospel for GentilesMade disciples and commissioned them to make disciplesReturned to home base, Antioch Now we have a blended church, and with that came questions…Acts 15:1-2 (NLT) 1 While Paul and...

Welcome back to the podcast! Today's world is full of conflicting thoughts, ideas, and problems. In this episode, we'll be answering the question: should serious Christians ever compromise?--The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you're looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday. Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.Donate Now --Q. Should Serious Christians Ever Compromise? Might seem like a weird questionMaybe you know Christians who never compromiseDraw hard lines everywhere on everything. Totally unbendingEx: Halloween Ex: TattoosThe Fundamental Law of Legalism: Drawing a hard line in gray areas weakens the hard lines we draw in the black and white.So we have to be smart about compromise!Parents: could win the battle but lose the warOur strategy: don't make a big deal of these gray areas (even though we still drew boundaries) – so our kids would take us seriously when we drew the line on serious issuesA strange paradox: Biblical Christians draw hard lines in some areasAnd then they turn around and compromise in other areasToday: We'll see the first time the church wrestled with thisIt was such a big question, they gathered in JerusalemFirst church councilEverybody was there! Peter, Paul, Barnabas, etc.To answer: When do we fight vs when do we compromise?I want to start at the end: where they landedIn the words of Paul, later, to the church at CorinthIt's a great summary, and it shows you this is a thingCompromise, that is, for serious ChristiansCause Pauls was serious, unbendingYet look at where he landed on this ?1 Corinthians 9:19-21 (NLT) 19 Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. 20 When I was with the Jews, I lived like a Jew to bring the Jews to Christ…. 21 When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish law, I too live apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ. But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ.Hypocrite? No way! Jesus-centered vs. rule-centeredJust wanted to point people to JesusTherefore willing to compromiseHeart issuePointed Jews to Jesus by using the law of MosesPointed Gentiles to Jesus without using the law of MosesAll along obeyed the higher law “of Christ”Ie, not free to do whatever we want (antinomianism)compromising on the Lordship of ChristLast week: Acts 14, Paul's first missionary journeyProclaimed the gospelContextualized the gospel for GentilesMade disciples and commissioned them to make disciplesReturned to home base, Antioch Now we have a blended church, and with that came questions…Acts 15:1-2 (NLT) 1 While Paul and...

"Let us know what you think."Why should Biblical Christians not be unified now under a set of core beliefs, if we will be spending eternity together?

"Let us know what you think."Quick Quote - Source - Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective - One wonders whether we have fewer Biblical Christians in the world or, instead, perhaps those who have always been carnal Christians no longer wish to be associated with traditional theology. Further, as Christian church attendance wanes in the developed world, it seems to be rising in the undeveloped world.Matthew 18:3 - “Truly, I say to you, unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Send us a textGUEST: STEVE DEACE, BlazeTV host, Steve Deace ShowDonald Trump has been nearly assassinated twice, legally prosecuted in politically-motivated show trials, had his home raided by the FBI, falsely accused of colluding with Russia, called a “danger to democracy”, and generally vilified all day every day by the Left and the media.What is it about Donald Trump that the Left hates so much that they equate him to Hitler who actually murdered millions of people?Could it be that those who seek his defeat and death actually see him simply as the flag-bearer for those behind him that they ultimately must defeat to enact their Marxist and globalist plans?Steve Deace, BlazeTV host, best-selling author, and executive producer of the Nefarious film, joins us to discuss the election and how Biblical Christians are the ultimate target of the Left.Late in the program, we will also air a portion of the message at the recent Overcomer Foundation event.-------------------online auction extended

GUEST: STEVE DEACE, BlazeTV host, Steve Deace ShowDonald Trump has been nearly assassinated twice, legally prosecuted in politically-motivated show trials, had his home raided by the FBI, falsely accused of colluding with Russia, called a "danger to democracy", and generally vilified all day every day by the Left and the media.What is it about Donald Trump that the Left hates so much that they equate him to Hitler who actually murdered millions of people?Could it be that those who seek his defeat and death actually see him simply as the flag-bearer for those behind him that they ultimately must defeat to enact their Marxist and globalist plans?Steve Deace, BlazeTV host, best-selling author, and executive producer of the Nefarious film, joins us to discuss the election and how Biblical Christians are the ultimate target of the Left.Late in the program, we will also air a portion of the message at the recent Overcomer Foundation event.

"Let us know what you think."A Biblical Christian worldview perspective - Throughout history Christians have been persecuted. In America, we do not know what real persecution is. We have the freedom to worship our Lord without fear of physical reprisal. However, that is not the case in many other countries. According to the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, one in four nations (46 in total) restrict the right of its people to either adopt or propagate a religion."John 15:18 - “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.

Send us a textGUEST: JAMES WHITE, Alpha and Omega MinistriesIn the opening chapter of the apostle Paul's letter to the Romans, he describes God-rejecting mankind, who “suppress the truth in unrighteousness”, whose “foolish hearts were darkened”, who “exchanged the truth of God for the lie”, and worship themselves and their pleasures rather than the Creator.God's judgment on these rebels is the wrath of abandonment, where God “gives them over” to plunge deeper into sin. When this occurs, wickedness explodes—heterosexual immorality becomes homosexuality immorality becomes a “depraved mind” which takes delight in and gives “hearty approval” to all manner of iniquity.The United States of America, though founded with Christian values, has descended over the decades into a Romans 1 society. What God established—marriage, morality, gender, truth, life—is now vehemently rejected. And as we near a pivotal election, half or more of the electorate will vote for the Democratic Party, the loud and proud leaders of Romans 1, to normalize and expand their sinful “freedoms”.The Republican Party, on the other hand, is trailing a decade or two behind. Who would have thought that the GOP would abandon its former commitment to protect unborn humans in the womb? Who would think they would give up the fight for the family and go silent on unnatural “marriages” and child-rearing?But moving left is what has happened on these and other issues, such as illegal immigration, spending, and globalism. Donald Trump has led the Republican Party since becoming president in 2016. Now running for reelection in 2024, he has sniffed the wind in the country and concluded that to get elected, he needs to give our Romans 1 nation more of what it wants.And yet the alternative to Trump in our only-two-viable-parties system is Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, who advocate for the ungodly and un-American ideology of Marxism. So what are Biblical Christians to think and do in this election and going forward?James White is the director of Alpha and Omega Ministries, a decades-old apologetic ministry based in Phoenix AZ and the host of the popular podcast called The Dividing Line. A skilled debater, anti-abortion advocate, seminary professor, and pastor at Apologia Church in AZ, James will join us this week and next on The Christian Worldview to discuss a wide range of issues, from how we arrived at this point in America to the compromise in the Evangelical Church to abortion to voting integrity to whether a Trump victory would hold back the Romans 1 tidal wave.We hope you gain from hearing from a sharp Christian who recognizes the reality of our moment and offers strong Biblical insight.

"Let us know what you think."Should our worship be focused internally or externally?

"Let us know what you think."We need politicians who are true Biblical Christians. 

Patrick explores misconceptions around Catholic traditions and the term "Roman Catholic." He discusses why some Protestants reject Catholic practices without biblical basis and the origins of key elements like the Bible's canon and Sunday worship. He also dives into the importance of tradition as mentioned in the Bible itself.   Protestant Pastor celebrates being “simply-Biblical” Christians and just “Sola Scriptura”: Part 1 (00:42) Nick - There is a lot of people with special needs and our Church doesn't do a good job of taking care of them. How can we help them? (08:35) Mark - Do you think the current government policy is to make sure people are working all the time so they can't go to Church? (12:59) Isabella - How does the start of life at conception work with twins? (20:19) Jonathan - Some people will use Goddesses from their own cultures in place of Mary. (23:35) Protestant Pastor celebrates being “simply-Biblical” Christians and just “Sola Scriptura”: Part 2 (34:49)

Biblical Christians by BBC Potch

Biblical Christians are Whole-Bible Christians. Yet there are portions of the Bible that are difficult to reconcile with Christian living. For example, how do we deal with Psalm 109? Here the Psalmist prays down judgment on his oppressors. In modern Christianity, how do we reconcile this with the ideas of true Spirit-filled kindness? Listen in as your three hosts dive into the topic of the Imprecatory Psalms.Support the Show.

Andrew Brunson and his wife Norine were involved in starting churches, training, giving aid to refugees, and holding a house of prayer in Turkey for 23 years. But that came to an abrupt end in October of 2016 when Andrew was falsely accused of terrorism and arrested. This resulted in him being held without trial for two whole years in various Turkish prisons.  However, due to a worldwide prayer movement and significant political pressure from the US government, Andrew was finally sentenced and then dramatically and wonderfully released in October 2018.   Andrew and Norine's current ministry, WaveStarters, is focused on the Muslim world, the persecuted church, and in helping to prepare believers everywhere to stand strong for Jesus in difficult times. He and Norine have three children and now live in the Washington, DC area. In this second podcast with Andrew, we talk about where the American Church is heading in our day. Andrew believes we will be facing increasing persecution and opposition in our culture. Certainly we can see that happening as Biblical Christians are increasingly marginalized and viewed as being “Christian Nationalists,” bigots, homophobes and haters. Andrew believes this may result in fewer real believers in our nation; but it will also serve to strengthen the faith and resolve of those believers who remain. Is revival coming that will expand the church? Andrew is not sure, but he believes the numbers of believers could grow along with increasing persecution and opposition by culture. God does desire “all men to come to saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4). Will there be a huge revival before Christ's second coming? We pray so!

Andrew Brunson and his wife Norine were involved in starting churches, training, giving aid to refugees, and holding a house of prayer in Turkey for 23 years. But that came to an abrupt end in October of 2016 when Andrew was falsely accused of terrorism and arrested. This resulted in him being held without trial for two whole years in various Turkish prisons. However, due to a worldwide prayer movement and significant political pressure from the US government, Andrew was finally sentenced and then dramatically and wonderfully released in October 2018. Andrew and Norine's current ministry, WaveStarters, is focused on the Muslim world, the persecuted church, and in helping to prepare believers everywhere to stand strong for Jesus in difficult times. He and Norine have three children and now live in the Washington, DC area. In this second podcast with Andrew, we talk about where the American Church is heading in our day. Andrew believes we will be facing increasing persecution and opposition in our culture. Certainly we can see that happening as Biblical Christians are increasingly marginalized and viewed as being “Christian Nationalists,” bigots, homophobes and haters. Andrew believes this may result in fewer real believers in our nation; but it will also serve to strengthen the faith and resolve of those believers who remain. Is revival coming that will expand the church? Andrew is not sure, but he believes the numbers of believers could grow along with increasing persecution and opposition by culture. God does desire “all men to come to saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” (I Timothy 2:4). Will there be a huge revival before Christ's second coming? We pray so!

Quick Quote – Source – Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – In our publications, we use the term “Biblical Christian” as a replacement for what was once termed “Christian”. That is because so many Christians have lost their way theologically. Many who associated themselves within the boundaries of Christianity did so, not because of a love for God, but because it was where the “good” people hung out. Many are now disassociating themselves from true Biblical Christians as we have come under more social scrutiny for our unchanging beliefs. There is a set of core theological beliefs (here) that are both clear from Scripture, and necessary for salvation. They hinge around Rom 10:9 and Eph 2:8–9. As harsh as it may sound, Christians, or those who used to consider themselves Christians, who believe they are earning their way to Heaven by being good people, are sadly heading in the opposite direction… they are not Christians rooted in God's word. Instead, they have been inoculated with dead Christianity. 

Quick Quote – Source – Jeff HillesA Biblical Christian worldview perspective – Nearly every religion in the world offers a formula for eternal bliss. Both the recognition of an afterlife and its risks/returns are documented in sacred texts throughout history. What separates Christianity from all others is the truth that God does not demand mankind to earn our way into Heaven. Instead, He provided His Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross at Calvary and by His resurrection from the dead on Easter morning, offered evidence of His power and love for all humanity. Biblical Christians serve God out of their hearts through an appreciation for eternal salvation, rather than the fear of our efforts falling short in comparison to others. Serving our Lord results from our salvation rather than an attempt to gain salvation.

Just the Editor's opinion… It's one thing to be selling golden sneakers for $399 (here) while running for president. It's another, stratospheric level of audacity to be pandering to cultural Christians by selling KJV Bibles for $60 (here), in the view of some, to help support his (some fair, some unfair) personal legal defense. Trump endorses the Bible by saying its, “The only Bible endorsed by President Trump!” and speaking directly on Truth Social, "I'm proud to endorse and encourage you to get this Bible." My view, respectfully, is that pride is ironically part of the problem with the endorsement.  One could not create a better scenario to build a straw man on the threat of Christian Nationalism than merging Trump selling Bibles. The former president thinks his foray into religious commercialism will ingratiate him with Christians. Believers are all now expected believe he must be born-again… for sure. And non-Christians now have a perfect example to point to in locking all Christians together under the banner of our mascot, Trump. This can't help Biblical Christianity. One may choose to vote for the lesser of evils, and God can do anything, with anyone. One positive may be more Bibles put in the hands of seekers. However, this tightening of associations between Trump and Biblical Christians only serves to do damage to our attempts at evangelism, just as his reference of “Two” Corinthians 3:17 (here), while standing in front of St. John's Church, was a warning to all who were listening. Of course the spin on this faux pas was, "that's the way they say it in England". 

The year 2024 will be a window into our future. What are the major events and trends that will determine the direction humanity is headed from the perspective of a Biblical Christian worldview?A Biblical Christian PerspectiveAs born-again believers, we know that our citizenship is in Heaven, not this earth (Phil. 3:29). We are called to be God's emissaries in a sin-cursed world, to make a positive difference in the lives of others, and to draw them into personal relationship with a loving yet righteous God. We also know that God is in control, regardless of the outcomes of our individual lives, as well as that of our nation and our world.As we look back over the last 30 years there has been an unmistakable drift away from the Creator of the universe and toward an inward, self-serving belief system. This coming year holds the potential of numerous markers that will make clear if humanity is riding on a pendulum that has reached its pinnacle and is starting to move back toward a stable and just society, or if we are on a continuing negative trajectory that can only be seen as a precursor to the end-times prophesy of 2 Timothy 3:1-5, Matthew 24:21-22, 2 Peter 3:3-4, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17. As in the parable of the Ten Virgins, Biblical Christians should be prepared, not anxious (Matthew 6:34), but watching for the Bridegroom because we truly don't know the day nor the hour of His return (Matthew 25:1-13).

A Biblical Perspective on the War in Israel This post is not intended to be a defense or attempt at rationalizing Israel's current press into Gaza. Whether, from a human perspective, one believes Israel is defending or being the aggressor as it flattens Palestinian lands because of Hamas' barbarism is discussed on an hourly basis by social media pundits and channel surfing between MSNBC, Al Jazeera, Newsmax, and Fox. Instead, this article is an attempt to offer a supernatural perspective, attempting to gain insight on God's view of the Jewish race and therefore how we, as Biblical Christians should respond to the current middle east conflict.Today, we need to take the same advice offered in the book of Acts. Make no mistake, the ongoing middle east conflict is a supernatural war not merely a secular human battleground.

There is a strain of Biblical Christians who are understandably frustrated with how our culture has turned against them (us). Rather than responding with patience, grace, and love, they respond to verbal challenges with an equal portion of dogmatic and divisive responses. This goes well beyond issues such as abortion and sexuality. The point is that what is most important is to attempt to bring the conversation back to the saving love of Jesus just as He brought the conversation from where one worships to Whom we should worship.Ephesians 4:15 Speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ,

The reality is that born-again Biblical Christians remain sinners after salvation. The process of sanctification is never completed on this side of the grave. Paul states in Romans 7:14-25, that he continues to do wrong, and it frustrates him greatly (as it should). However, this reality does not give the Christian an excuse to continue bad behavior, nor can we rationalize away our sin. However, as we see this world seemingly overwhelmed in ever increasing aberrant behavior,  just as referenced in Romans 11:5, there remains a remnant of believers among the mounting rubble of humanity as we look toward Heaven for final and total relief.

Biblical Christians are called by God to conduct themselves in two, sometimes contradictory ways, all at the same time. ConclusionChristians are called to love mankind and to love God. Ultimately, the Lord has chosen to put us in a place of potential conflict with those who hold opposing views. Part of the faith we all share is that we, as Christians, acknowledge that God knows what He is doing and sees the big picture, which we do not. It is also important to keep in mind that, as we serve our fellow man and simultaneously serve God, we remain sinners ourselves. We fail constantly in this conundrum of Christan life and have been warned many times in scripture that we will be persecuted for both our failures and our successes in being His servants in a lost and dying world. Our job and our goal as the Lord's emissaries is to stay close to Him and reach out to love the lost, regardless of the cost.

The June issue of AMA's “Journal of Ethics” offered a strong defense for transgender biological men to “consolidate their identities” with the ability to have children. Though the article states that there have been no documented successful transplants to date, the procedure is seen to be reasonable under their Hippocratic Oath. The article further postulates that government funds should be made available for these surgeries, since insurance companies may be slow to adopt coverage in this area, due to its cost, efficacy, and controversies. The AMA article ends with, “the case could be made that no moral obstacle stands in the way of justifying subsidies for UTx (uterine transplants) for some transwomen and transmen…”.Perhaps some Christians have strong feelings on the subject of transgender surgery, in all its forms. Perhaps medical and financial resources could be utilized in other ways for the betterment of society and the furtherance of an eternal-based message. However, as Biblical Christians, we do not need to be looking for fights that distract from our testimony. We need to keep the main thing the main thing… Christ and Him crucified for our sins. Matters of Heaven and Hell should take precedence over the earthly. 

All who believe God exists tend to focus on His love and forgiveness. Some choose to ignore the Bible as they clamor to keep up with society's definition of right and wrong. Others, Biblical Christians, stand for Biblical teachings on law and order, abortion, homosexuality, etc. Both groups correctly agree that Jesus preached on loving God and our neighbor as the ideal. Both groups desire and believe they are headed to Heaven, whether it be based on their works or based on their faith. 

The pandemic impacted the church, as it did all social interaction. It forced the faithful to disconnect from intimate fellowship, teaching, and accountability with fellow Christians and God Himself. It accelerated “deconstructionism”, the establishment of an anemic form of Christianity. It offered a pathway and a rationalization to form new, bad habits on Sunday mornings, underpinning a departure from our closeness with the living God. These trends have been forming for decades, COVID just aggravated them. There are many reasons for this trend. One of which may be God closing out this old world of ours to bring in the New Heaven and the New Earth. However, as Biblical Christians, we need to recognize that deconstruction and the internet church are not going to bring about a God-centered awakening. We need to get back into the habit of physical attendance on Sunday mornings. We need to reestablish our participation in Bible studies, prayer, regular reading of God's word, and, all other disciplines that draw us back toward a holy and loving God. Further, we need to show our sons and daughters where our priorities lie. Otherwise, we will be the generation that witnesses a future Gallup poll that drops BELOW 50% of those who believe in the existence of Hell, Satan, angels, Heaven, and, even God Himself.

Michael Lofton refutes Protestant Pastor Adam Fannin of Law of Liberty Baptist Church in Jacksonville Florida on the claim that Catholics aren’t Biblical Christians.

I know for many Biblical Christians, the title of this post sounds absurd, but for some, it can actually be a serious question, and for good reason. Clearly, neither worship of the beast, his image, or the taking of the mark are, nor would ever be God's will. However, even in the relatively safe environment we live in today, our continuing sin nature falls far beyond His ideal. Certainly, mankind should never “test the Spirit” (Acts 5:9), nor should we “sin so that grace may increase” (Romans 6:1). Neither do I recommend testing the word “and” vs. “or” with my eternal future. However, it is important to study the Bible intently as we try to discern His perfect will for our lives, both today and as we approach an uncertain future. 

Who Are “He Gets Us”If you go to their website, hegetsus.com, you will not find a clear answer to that question. Under “About Us” they state, “He Gets Us is a movement to reintroduce people to the Jesus of the Bible and his confounding love and forgiveness. We believe his words, example, and life have relevance in our lives today and offer hope for a better future.” Time will tell if the funding and an approach focused on the humanity of Jesus will transfer to the full Christology of Jesus. If it does, then, praise the Lord. If it does not then, sadly I am not sure $20 million and more costs to follow will be seen by Biblical Christians as good stewardship. 

A columnist in the Washington Post asks, "Why don't you Christians just give in on gay marriage?" That will never happen and here are seven reasons why. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/phil-mitchell7/message

My honest answer to the title of this post is that I have no idea if Biblical Christians are making a difference on Social Media. From a personal perspective, I have received both an unusually higher level of encouragement from my limited blogging (I have been on somewhat of a hiatus in the last month) as well as an increase in the number of new Christian writers asking for advice."Biblical Christian Worldview" is a Ministry, not a Trophy Finally, we, as Christian bloggers, are not writing about interesting worldly stuff like scientific cutting-edge developments, nor are we playing to the predominantly liberal slant of Medium and Google search algorithms in support of woke culture. This effort is ministry, something He calls all of us to as He brings our skills and abilities in line with His will to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with a lost and dying world. Every Christian reading this post has skills and a gift God desires each of us to use to see the eternal lives of those around us changed, for eternity. Pray that He will give you the courage and conviction to apply those talents in His name. For each of us, the time is short. Romans 11:29 - For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.When we get to Heaven we will know then if our efforts as Biblical Christians were used by God, in the areas of Social Media and elsewhere. In the mean time....2 Timothy 4:5 - As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.

Alex Newman shares the radical agenda to build a new religion to support the goals of the new world order and globalism. Destroying the Ten Commandments as an act of showing the arrogance of man and his efforts to supplant God. Why aren't Biblical Christians using our arguments effectively? Col Brian Searcy discusses being aware of your situation in an effort to defend against sex trafficking and being the victim of the kind of terrible violence that is becoming so common place in our culture.

Alex Newman shares the radical agenda to build a new religion to support the goals of the new world order and globalism. Destroying the Ten Commandments as an act of showing the arrogance of man and his efforts to supplant God. Why aren't Biblical Christians using our arguments effectively? Col Brian Searcy discusses being aware of your situation in an effort to defend against sex trafficking and being the victim of the kind of terrible violence that is becoming so common place in our culture.

Should Biblical Christians be challenging the status quo?A reader recently commented on an article I wrote which was critical of Disney for producing and financing a new show on FXX entitled Little Demon. Below is an excerpt from this individual, who is one of the more prominent members of a popular Christian Deconstructionist publication on Medium. Should Biblical Christians be challenging the status quo?A reader recently commented on an article I wrote which was critical of Disney for producing and financing a new show on FXX entitled Little Demon. Below is an excerpt from this individual, who is one of the more prominent members of a popular Christian Deconstructionist publication on Medium. 

This post/podcast is a continuation of “Why Do Evangelicals Hate Unbelievers?” based on reader responses. The objective is to further clarify and expand the flip side of the first article, focusing more on the very logical reasons why unbelievers have such distain for Biblical Christians.Webster defines the word “hate” as, “intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury” and defines “dislike” as, “a feeling of aversion or disapproval”.When it comes to Biblical Christians, both terms can cut both ways.

This is the first of three studies designed to help Biblical Christians know how to stand firm on God’s Word and in God’s truth when it comes to the aggressive secular sexual revolution occurring today in our culture. (Study begins at 3:00) […]

This is the first of three studies designed to help Biblical Christians know how to stand firm on God’s Word and in God’s truth when it comes to the aggressive secular sexual revolution occurring today in our culture. (Study begins at 3:00) […]

There is, of course, a raging controversy in America sparked by the Supreme Court decision regarding the return of states' rights in the area of abortion. It will be one of the many major watershed issues in the 2022 elections later this year and, perhaps, remain a point of separation in 2024 as well.ConclusionAt the very least, Biblical Christians need to recognize that the term “Life” in the context of the womb takes on very different meanings when viewed from a pro-life vs. pro-choice mindset. No one will argue that technical “life” begins at conception. The question is, is that life “humanity” at that instant? To the Biblical Christian, I believe the answer is yes. To other pro-life advocates, Christian or not, I think that answer is much less clear. As a culture and a nation, we all need to recognize that. Regardless of our personal views, we need to find a middle ground. For the Biblical Christian, we need to remember that our citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20), not on this earth, and we are called to live peacefully (1 Thes. 4:11) and respect the laws of our nation (Romans 13:1). However, that does not mean we are to hide our personal beliefs when called upon to confirm our pro-life position at whatever place God calls each of us to stand. 

Recently, I have been getting asked, or more correctly, challenged by readers using the variations in translations to defend their position that the Bible does not present a consistent, systematic theology and is therefore, a man-made book, like any other. Below is my admittedly shallow attempt at answering that objection. In the end, of all back-and-forth on the subject, Biblical Christians believe on Faith and a conviction of the Holy Spirit.SummarySo, to sum up, the reason for different translations is not because there is no consensus on the major points of Biblical Christian theology. Differing translations are largely do to the range of objectives on the part of the translation group as to how contemporary (easy to read with current terminology) or how traditional (from the original languages on a word for word basis) readers wish to understand and apply God's Word. Further, no translation is without error, just the original. And, of course, there are many who strongly feel that the Bible in general is full of discrepancies and therefore all Scripture was written by man and unreliable. The view of a Biblical Christian is that most apparent discrepancies are explainable and defendable if one approaches the question from an inerrant predisposition (which I recognize is a cop-out). Those differences which are not easily explainable, to mankind, are still defendable if one believes (by faith) that the Originator of the Bible, the Creator of the universe, is omniscient and omnipotent and we are not.

There has been a great deal of controversy and confusion associated with the recent decision by the Supreme Court regarding what was considered by many to be settled law in the case of Roe vs. Wade on the subject of abortion. Much of the rhetoric in the media and elsewhere has revolved around a false assumption that pro-life advocates have been the catalyst for this upheaval. Further, since the Bible offers what many Christians believe is a clear message that sentient life begins in the womb, there is further vitriol toward Biblical Christians as the underlying cause of the court revision.

HuffPost published an article Tuesday that shocked me, something that has reached a very high bar these days. It was not on the bane of Ultra-MAGA Republicans, the need for Federal abortion legislation, or justification for an open border.  It had nothing to do with QAnon or Jan 6th or pregnant men. It was all about the latest Disney TV offering on their FXX and Hulu Networks. We have two tools to combat the proliferation of evil (in this case, hidden in “horror comedy”). First, if people stop watching Disney-based programing and stop visiting Disney venues such as Disney Word, Disney Land and Disney cruises because of the shift in their woke ideology, stockholder profits will drop and the internal direction of the company will be forced to reconsider the economics of their decisions. Second, as Biblical Christians we need to pray that the lord of the air (Eph. 2:1) will have no power to continue his advances on our nation. 

Over the last couple of years, “Deconstruction” became a popular buzzword in the carnal christian lexicon.SummaryDeconstruction means one is exploring the foundations of their faith and subsequently moving away from the Bible, away from fellowship with other Biblical Christians, while establishing a broad, “open christianity” that conforms to their view of what is truth, moral, and right, rather than God's view, (based on His Word). It involves replacing the God of the Bible with a false god based on what mankind “feels” He should think and believe. It means abdicating traditional beliefs about Salvation, Heaven & Hell, Jesus as fully God and fully man, and the Bible being authored by the God of the universe.Recommitment means a recognition that one has drifted away from God and has a desire to return to His precepts and commands. This can represent a broad range of actions from a simple prayer of repentance to a full revisit of one's foundational theology, with the objective of accepting the Bible and God's traditional commands found within its pages as ultimate authority. Sadly, the direction of the first group is headed away from God. The direction of the believer in the second group is heading toward a loving and righteous God who forgives. Galatians 5:7-8 You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? This persuasion is not from him who calls you.

Hour 1 * Guest: Eldon Stahl – Field Coordinator – The John Birch Society – JBS.org – TheNewAmerican.com * Guests: Bryan Rust and Kelly Finnegan, Over the past 50 years, Rust Coins has been working to educate customers about precious metals – RustCoinAndGift.com * DHS Creates New Fusion Centers, Taking Control of Local Police – Joe Wolverton, TheNewAmerican.com * Fusion Centers are state-owned and operated centers that serve as focal points in states and major urban areas for the receipt, analysis, gathering and sharing of threat-related information between State, Local, Tribal and Territorial (SLTT), federal and private sector partners. * What Happens When Fusion Centers Become Weaponized? * Fusion Centers: A Dangerous Surveillance Partnership – TenthAmendmentCenter.com * Honest Money Report: Gold: $1703.70 Silver: $18.66. * Biden's Federal Reserve has created an economic disaster, with inflation now “officially” over 9% – But the real inflation rate that the United States is currently experiencing is nearly double what the American people are being told. * They did it by no longer measuring a constant “basket of goods”, but rather using what's known as “substitution.” The result has thrown off the real inflation rate for around 40 years, because as prices rise over time for certain goods faster than others, the Federal government just assumes that people naturally switch to buying cheaper, poorer goods of the same type. * Universal basic income is a proposed government-guaranteed payment that each citizen receives. Its purpose is to ensure all people have the means to purchase necessities and improve their quality of life. Universal basic income is a government-sponsored income program that pays all citizens a specific amount. * Biden is Unconstitutionally bypassing Congress to fight climate 'emergency'. * Executive Order 6102 is an executive order signed on April 5, 1933, by US President Franklin D. Roosevelt “forbidding the hoarding of gold coin, gold bullion, and gold certificates within the continental United States.” The executive order was made under the authority of the Trading with the Enemy Act of 1917, as amended by the Emergency Banking Act in March 1933. Hour 2 * The larger-than-expected GOP vote in the House in support of legislation to codify same-sex marriage suggesting there could be a narrow path to enactment – Same-Sex Marriage Bill Could Move Ahead in the Senate. * What Is the Definition of Marriage? – Legal VS. Biblical! * Democrats finally come clean and name their No. 1 enemy: “Biblical Christians”! – If you're a Christian, America's ruling elites see you as the enemy – David Kupelian, WND.com * “Will Trump run in 2024? You bet he will. Will he be the GOP nominee? Absolutely. Will he win the election? Yes,”” Dick Morris writes. * there's speculation that broadcaster Tucker Carlson may run for president in 2024. During a speech in Des Moines, Iowa, Carlson flirted with a presidential run in his speech to a large gathering of Christian conservative voters. * Howard Stern says he may run for president, wants to end Electoral College: ‘Not f—–g around'. Stern also said he wants to add five justices to the Supreme Court. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/loving-liberty/support

* The larger-than-expected GOP vote in the House in support of legislation to codify same-sex marriage suggesting there could be a narrow path to enactment - Same-Sex Marriage Bill Could Move Ahead in the Senate. * What Is the Definition of Marriage? - Legal VS. Biblical! * Democrats finally come clean and name their No. 1 enemy: "Biblical Christians"! - If you're a Christian, America's ruling elites see you as the enemy - David Kupelian, WND.com * "Will Trump run in 2024? You bet he will. Will he be the GOP nominee? Absolutely. Will he win the election? Yes,"” Dick Morris writes. * there's speculation that broadcaster Tucker Carlson may run for president in 2024. During a speech in Des Moines, Iowa, Carlson flirted with a presidential run in his speech to a large gathering of Christian conservative voters. * Howard Stern says he may run for president, wants to end Electoral College: ‘Not f-----g around'. Stern also said he wants to add five justices to the Supreme Court.

This is the third round of our “Real Truth” series. And the purpose of all of them is to look at current and hot topics and teachings and apply Biblical Truth to them. And that is really easy when you are talking about eastern meditation or those who call themselves Christian witches. But what about when those who call themselves Biblical Christians are teaching lies and are being followed by many who would also call themselves Biblical Christians?That's exactly what we are going to spend the next several weeks finding out. And we are going to look at some very specific false teachings and teachers, but in this episode, we give an overview and answer some important questions.like:  Who are we to “judge” others who profess to be Christians? What's the difference between bad theology and false teaching? What makes what we say truth and what they say lies? Since there is only one Bible, why are there so many different teachings on it? Does it grieve Jesus that His people spend time opposing each other? Isn't the most important thing to love Jesus and love others? Do the other details matter in the long run? Join us!

Title: BIBLICAL-CHRISTIANS: WHO ARE WE? (Part 7b – Conclusion): “The True Worshippers of the One True & Living God-in-Christ-Jesus” Speaker: Pastor Mark Wilcoxson – with a reading of Holy Scripture and prayer by David and Shanlee Birrell Scripture Reference: John 4:1-42 View Text: New International VersionView Text: English Standard Version Length: 52:48 min.MP3 File Size: […]

Title: BIBLICAL-CHRISTIANS: WHO ARE WE? (Part 7a): “Worshippers of the One True & Living God-in-Christ-Jesus” Speaker: Pastor Mark Wilcoxson – with a reading of Holy Scripture and prayer by Shanlee Birrell Scripture Reference: Proverbs 3:1-12 View Text: New International VersionView Text: English Standard Version Length: 41:57 min.MP3 File Size: 29.8 MB Listen to Sermon: Download/Play […]

Again, the list above represents what I would respectfully consider important, but secondary Biblical Christian theology. I have intentionally glossed over the details of each as my objective was not to either define or defend one view over another. Unfortunately, many Christians hold systematic theology that includes some of these components, interlocking within their dogma, making it difficult to separate core from the less-essential. My dividing line is two-fold. First, what is clear from Scripture without the need to significantly reconcile competing verses. Second, what dogma is, and is not dependent on Salvation. The less-essential can be debated by believers for eternity in Heaven as we sit and worship the Father.

#Deconstruction ?? What is going on with this whole "deconstruction" thing? Is it a movement? What does it mean? Is it always a bad thing? How should we, as Biblical Christians, understand what's going on? Lastly, how can we think well and then speak well (with both truth and love) in such a relativistic and expressive individualistic culture? Mr. B joins the show to discuss!Tim Barnett has worked as a speaker for Stand to Reason since 2015. He is a dynamic speaker who provides a perfect blend of expertise and humor in each talk. Using easy-to-follow and visually engaging presentations, Tim trains Christians to think clearly about what they believe and why they believe it. Stand to Reason has two training classes now available!Tim's course is "Risen: The Case for the Resurrection."The other is led by our guest for next week, Alan Shlemon, and is called "Never Read A Bible Verse". Check them out here: STR URed Pen Logic with Mr. B!We help you assess bad thinking by using good thinking. And we try to have some fun while we're doing it.Stand to Reason (str.org)Equipping Christian Ambassadors with Knowledge, Wisdom, and CharacterThe two paintings Tim was referring to:https://www.amusingplanet.com/2017/01/ecce-homo-botched-painting-that-saved.htmlThe Secretes of Salvator Mundi by Leonardo da VinciEpisodes with STR's Chaos to Clarity Speakers:J. Warner Wallace - Cold Case Christianity Person of InterestMonique Duson - Black Lives MatterMegan Almon - Pro-Life & The Imago Dei

Biblical Christians had their heads spinning in recent weeks if they even glanced at the news. In Canada, a democratic country seemed to collapse, with civil liberties disappearing. In response to the Truckers Convoy – a peaceful protest aimed at ending entrenched mandates in Canada – the government didn't relent. It doubled down. The Emergency Powers Act was invoked and martial law ruled the day. Police violently suppressed the protests. Dissenting citizens had their bank accounts frozen, civil liberties suspended, and ability to travel curtailed. How should the Church respond? Pastor Steve Richardson, a Canadian pastor, was at the peaceful protests, and ultimately on the business end of police batons. He joins the Christian Emergency Podcast to discuss what he observed and how Christians should respond to similar pressures. You will also learn about a statement written and published by Canadian pastors in response to the government's authoritarian measures. Finally, we look to the situation facing the Church in Ukraine. As the Russian military carries out a massive invasion, Ukrainians of all stripes are frightened and searching for hope. The Church must stand and point to the hope in Christ. But Christian pastors and believers face daunting pressures. We examine how lessons learned by Christians in Canada and elsewhere may help believers in Ukraine. Learn how you can pray for and bless your brothers and sisters in Christ in Ukraine. May we never forget, that Christ is still King regardless of the crises and chaos around us. If you find this material helpful, please share it with your friends and leave us a five star rating wherever you listen to your podcasts. Also, don't forget to subscribe to the show, so you'll never miss out when new episodes drop. Christian Emergency Alliance: https://www.christianemergency.com/ Follow the Christian Emergency Alliance on Twitter: @ChristianEmerg1 Follow the Christian Emergency Alliance on Facebook: @ChristianEmergency The Christian Emergency Podcast is a production of the Christian Emergency Alliance. Soli Deo Gloria

In 1834, Edward Mote wrote the lyrics to this hymn sometime after finding his faith in a chapel service in London at age 15. It was not put to music and published until 1863, and appeared in the Devotional and Tune Book the following year.It speaks to the reality that as Biblical Christians, we need to continue to rely on Christ as the foundation of our faith in the battle over continuing sin.

Becoming a “Christian” is supposed to be a life-changing experience (2 Cor. 5:17). Through the Holy Spirit, as our “Counselor” (John 14:16–17), Christians move through a process of sanctification, learning about God, what He expects of us, and drawing closer to Him. Though Christians continue to sin, we should be convicted and repent of those practices, and, as such, should better display the “fruits of the Spirit” which includes “self-control” (Gal. 5:22–23). If true, then one should expect evidence in various aspects of life.This is the first in a series of articles looking at the differences between the general population and Biblical Christians in America. In the future, we will explore topics such as incarcerations, recidivism, juvenile delinquency, domestic violence, and crime in general. This first article is on the divorce rates between Christians and non-Christians. Is there a difference?IT SEEMS THAT “EVANGELICAL CHRISTIANS” ACTUALLY HAVE A DIVORCE RATE OF ONLY 26% AS COMPARED TO THE GENERAL POPULATION OF 33%. 

Acts 10:28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another nation; but God hath shewed me that I should not call any man common or unclean.

Conclusion We are in a battle for the heart of America. More importantly, Biblical Christians are in a battle for the souls of our family, our friends, our coworkers, and our neighbors (Luke 10:27). Both battles will only be won through love, grace, and a willingness to peacefully communicate and understand each other. The first battle is temporal, the second is eternal.

Colossiasn 2:1-9. Biblical Christians face many pressures to take their eyes off the primary importance of the Gospel--appreciating and sharing the good news that God offers forgiveness as a free gift. In a culture of people dividing up into "tribes" and causes, it's easy to be sucked into opinions, fears, and forms of manipulation, taking our eyes off God's truth and isolating us from unity with other Christians. There are many ways to resist capture, including being discerning about current culture, remaining unified with other believers, and, through our faith, standing against evil.

Numerous Crosstalk programs have presented the ever-increasing evil in this world over and over again. Is it time for Biblical Christians to stand up and say enough is enough- Are there Biblical examples of men and women pushing back against the forces of evil- Indeed, there are---- David gave pushback to Goliath-- Elijah gave pushback to King Ahab-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego gave pushback to King Nebuchadnezzar-- ....and many more--Jim Schneider shared several examples of pushing back in this current day---- Termed -The Great American Rebellion,- many frontline personnel, who were lauded heros in 2020 and who are being branded potential terrorists in 2021, are now fighting back bravely and boldly against vaccine mandates. -We will not comply---- Southwest Airlines makes major changes to their vaccination policy after an uprising by employees. -This country stands for freedom, and it should mean that everywhere.--- Nebraska Attorney General allows Ivermectin and HCQ prescriptions as off-label medicines to fight COVID-- Parents are going to war with AG Merrick Garland in a new lawsuit-- Christian group sues Biden Administration over transgender surgeries-- Florida has created 'incentive packages' with ports to sol-- Texas sheriff will deputize local citizens to fight border crisis, plans to build fence around county-- Fired teacher sues school board claiming he was terminated for conservative political activism-- Ranchers raise over -300 million to build beef plant in effort to compete with industry power--Do you know what is going on in your community- Are you taking action as opportunities arise-

Numerous Crosstalk programs have presented the ever-increasing evil in this world over and over again. Is it time for Biblical Christians to stand up and say enough is enough- Are there Biblical examples of men and women pushing back against the forces of evil- Indeed, there are---- David gave pushback to Goliath-- Elijah gave pushback to King Ahab-- Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego gave pushback to King Nebuchadnezzar-- ....and many more--Jim Schneider shared several examples of pushing back in this current day---- Termed -The Great American Rebellion,- many frontline personnel, who were lauded heros in 2020 and who are being branded potential terrorists in 2021, are now fighting back bravely and boldly against vaccine mandates. -We will not comply---- Southwest Airlines makes major changes to their vaccination policy after an uprising by employees. -This country stands for freedom, and it should mean that everywhere.--- Nebraska Attorney General allows Ivermectin and HCQ prescriptions as off-label medicines to fight COVID-- Parents are going to war with AG Merrick Garland in a new lawsuit-- Christian group sues Biden Administration over transgender surgeries-- Florida has created 'incentive packages' with ports to sol-- Texas sheriff will deputize local citizens to fight border crisis, plans to build fence around county-- Fired teacher sues school board claiming he was terminated for conservative political activism-- Ranchers raise over -300 million to build beef plant in effort to compete with industry power--Do you know what is going on in your community- Are you taking action as opportunities arise-

BCWorldvew - Providing honest reporting and analysis on the intersection of contemporary issues and theology, based on a Biblical Christian Worldview."What does it take to get into Heaven, Parts 1 & 2" - This is the most important podcast I will ever make because it involves more than our time on this earth, trying to manage between our culture and our Biblical Christian Worldview. It involves eternity...... "United Nations General Assembly begins meeting again" - After nearly a year in quarantine the UN had its first face to face meeting in late September. Worldwide implosion was the focus. We, as Biblical Christians need to rest in God's hands and trust He has everything under control. For more articles on these and similar topics, please check out www.BCWorldview.org. 

Introducing The Truth Mirage - An Introduction to Worldview for Biblical Christians

PLAGUE OF TERROR by David PaulRavenous entities from hell and messengers of heaven engage in a terrible spiritual battle when Satanists and terrorists join forces to unleash a deadly plague upon the planet. Can a small band of men and women stop the pandemic holocaust? Will three romantic relationships forged during the social chaos withstand an apocalyptic battle with evil? The answers hide with a strange man with brown skin and blue eyes, suddenly present and just as suddenly gone."If you like the novels of Stephen King, Frank Peretti, J. R. R. Tolkien, and C. S. Lewis, then Plague of Terror is the book for you."-Francis C. RossowEmeritus, Concordia Seminary,St. Louis, Missouri"Plague of Terror is one of those books that grabs you."-Michael J. Chapman,Author and national lecturer on public educationand revisionist historyDavid Paul has pastored for thirty-five years. Desiring to follow his passion that parish members live their lives beyond the parish walls, he was led to write books. His theological works rock Christian traditional understandings yet carry the tribute of highly conservative and Biblical Christians who have deemed them “orthodox” and therefore in line with Biblical revelations.David Paul's fiction reaches to people of all backgrounds and faiths. As with C.S. Lewis the philosophical basis of the author's fiction is Christian. Reaching into the public square David Paul embraces all people within the pages of his fantasy and fictional books.David Paul has multiple degrees including philosophy, English, religion and a Master's of Divinity. He has been blessed with wonderful family and friends, including five beautiful children.David Paul sees the hand of God written over all his life experiences and personal accomplishments.https://www.amazon.com/Plague-Terror-David-Paul-ebook/dp/B08WJQPGMB/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=9781648952814&qid=1613497729&sr=8-1www.Stratton-Press.com http://www.bluefunkbroadcasting.com/root/twia/spressinc76sp.mp3   

Video shows one seagull air-surfing on another; Evolutionists design Hadron Collider QGP experiment to prop up Big Bang story; Professor argues homosexuals don't choose their behavior, therefore straight people should choose better behavior; Swedish Lutheran organization declares loyalty to LGBTQIA+ doctrine and opposition to Biblical Christians; Researchers analyze CT scans of frog teeth . . . and other stories reviewed during this June 7, 2021, broadcast of Answers News. - - - - - - - - - - - There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. - - - - - - - - - - - Romans 8:1-7 Articles: Here's a video of a bird literally surfing on top of another bird. https://notthebee.com/article/i-believe-i-can-fly-i-believe-i-can-touch-the-sky New details on what happened in the first microsecond of Big Bang https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/05/210525113709.htm Stop calling it a choice: Biological factors drive homosexuality https://news.yahoo.com/stop-calling-choice-biological-factors-144023370.html Swedish Lutherans say they are a “trans church” as they attack conservative Christians https://evangelicalfocus.com/europe/11827/swedish-lutherans-say-they-are-now-a-trans-church-as-they-attack-views-of-conservative-christians Taking a bite out of tooth evolution: Frogs have lost teeth more than 20 times https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/06/210601135714.htm Hundreds of gibberish papers still lurk in the scientific literature https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01436-7 Toxic beetle's genetics reveals how evolution makes new organs https://www.newscientist.com/article/2278460-toxic-beetles-genetics-reveals-how-evolution-makes-new-organs/ Humans Could Live up to 150 Years, New Research Suggests https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/humans-could-live-up-to-150-years-new-research-suggests/ - - - - - - - - - - - Photo by Denin Lawley https://unsplash.com/photos/v1bpNoWk4WY --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/answerstv/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/answerstv/support

The prospect of the Second Coming of Christ is foundational to us having great hope for the future and to living confidently in a world full of problems. If we want to be Biblical Christians and live with a faith-filled worldview, we cannot and must not lose our focus on God's future plans for us and our world. Both the Old and New Testaments are full of promises about the return of Jesus Christ. Over 1,800 references appear in the Old Testament, and seventeen Old Testament books give prominence to this theme. In the 260 chapters in the New Testament, there are more than 300 references to the Lord's return – one out of every thirty verses. For every prophecy on the first coming of Christ, there are eight on Christ's second coming.The story of Easter and the events that followed show that just as the disciples became convinced that Jesus had risen from the dead, so they were also sure that Jesus would come back to earth. Acts 1:10-11 says of the moment Jesus ascended into heaven that the disciples ‘were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”'The Bible teaches that Christ's return will be:• A dramatic event: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17• A global event: Revelation 1:7; Matthew 24:30• A decisive event: This will be the moment that God winds up history and bring in the eternal and total reign of the Kingdom of God. Christ will return for his church. All humankind will be judged, and all creation will be transformed. Revelation 21:4.• A sudden event: 1 Corinthians 15:51-52 Jesus spoke in Matthew 24, Mark 13 and Luke 21 of many different events that would signal that His return is near: disasters like wars, earthquakes, famines, diseases; persecution; cosmic changes in the sky and events concerning Jerusalem. But while Jesus showed us how to understand when we are nearing Christ's return, He also said in Matthew 24:44 that ‘the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.' People will be going about their everyday business, eating, drinking, marrying, just like they did in the time of Noah when suddenly the world, as they knew it, came to a cataclysmic end. They had been warned repeatedly that this day was coming but they did not prepare for it. And so, like Noah and his family and like the parable of the bridesmaids waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom, we need to be alert and ready for Christ's return whether it comes sooner or later than we imagine. As Christians we must not just focus on the past or even on the present but also have a very clear vision for the future, not just our own personal future but the future of the world that will affect us all. Real Christianity is not only a matter of looking back to the Cross and to the resurrection of Christ which we must always do, but of also looking forward to the final conquest of Christ and His kingdom when he returns to earth in power and glory.Rather than consider all the signs leading up to Christ's return, significant as they are, we focus today on how we can live when we truly understand that Jesus will certainly return.1. Live with Hope (Titus 2:13)2. Live with Holiness (1 John 3:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8; Romans 13:11-14)3. Live to bring in the Harvest (Matthew 9:36-38; Matthew 24:14)ApplyAre you living with the hope of Jesus' return? When you look at history with all its wars and injustices and all problems and violence of the world today you could easily conclude that there is no hope of any real change. But you will not think like that if you focus on how everything will work out when Christ comes back to earth. It may seem like night for the world now. But the most brilliant dawn ever is coming (Titus 2:13). Billy Graham said: "Bible teaching about the Second Coming of Christ was thought of as “doomsday” preaching. But not anymore. It is the only ray of hope that shines as an ever-brightening beam in a darkening world. The second coming of Christ will be so revolutionary that it will change every aspect of life on this planet. Christ will reign in righteousness. He will bring beauty from the ashes of world chaos. Man will live as it was originally intended he should live.” You too can have such a great hope when you look beyond your own world and this present world to the bright new world that is coming. That hope will warm your heart, strengthen your faith, enlarge your vision and guide how you live each day. Are you living a holy life of purity, love, faith and obedience to Jesus? Holiness means to live a pure life, where you act and think differently to the world around you. It means you are devoted or set apart to God. It's fine for you to eat and drink and marry etc but don't be so absorbed with all the usual business of life that you lose sight of God and Christ's return. Just as you prepare carefully if you know your final exams are coming, so you need to focus on your final day, either when you meet Jesus via death or when He returns. Be sure that you are living right because you might be meeting Jesus sooner than you think. The prospect of Christ's second coming should lead you to clean up your act now, if it needs cleaning up (1 John 3:2-3; 1 Thessalonians 5:4-8). Similarly, Paul writes of the need to live godly lives if you understand ‘the present time' (Romans 13:11-14 MSG). The best way to live is not to scramble about at the last minute like the foolish bridesmaids did in the parable, but to always live close to Jesus and be constantly ready to meet Him.Are you fully involved in the great harvest of people that is still to be gathered into Christ's eternal kingdom? Jesus had great compassion on the lost (Matthew 9:36-38). Before Jesus comes there will be a great harvest of people into the kingdom of God (Matthew 24:14). Jesus told His disciples to make disciples of all nations or ethnic groups. The End Times harvesting has been accelerating on an unprecedented scale especially in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Today, the Christian community in Latin America and Africa, alone, account for 1 billion people. Yet latest estimates suggest that there are still approximately 7,400 people or ethnic groups that are considered unreached. That means over 40% of the world's people groups have no indigenous community of believing Christians able to evangelise the rest of their people group. Over 42% of the world's population live in these over 7,400 people groups. Clearly there is much that is yet to be done but Scriptures tell us that God is the God of sudden acceleration. But we must each play our part in sharing the good news of Jesus. Every Christian and every church must always reach out to others in all ethnic groups. We must always have a local and global vision for extending the kingdom of God. Today we live in a moment of opportunity but also urgency to gather in a great harvest or company of people from ‘every tribe and language and people and nation.' Make the most of every day. But be sure a new day is coming. Are you ready to meet Jesus if He were to return today? Would you love to see Him or fear to see Him? Today is a day to decide to live in the light of the final day whether it's your final day or the world's last day.

Greetings and welcome to this bonus edition of the Reader: Take Note series, which I am releasing at day number 85. This is an occasional series aimed at providing extra commentary and encouragement for those following the Digging Deeper Daily reading plan. No matter where you are in the reading calendar, I hope that the things I share in this episode will support the idea that God’s Word has many treasures for us, and it always pays to dig deeper. My mistake from the last podcast was that I gave an incorrect author name for the book I recommended. The book is entitled How People Grow. One author is Dr. Henry Cloud. The second is Dr. John Townsend, not Towns. Glenn Lewis gets the prize so far this year for a mistake found in day number 70. I said while summarizing Numbers 3 that The 12,000 Levites were the substitute for Israel’s 12,273 first-born sons. Now the podcast has been corrected to say this: The 22,000 Levites became substitutes for Israel's 22,273 first-born sons. So the difference was between 12,000 and 22,000. Hey, I was only off by 10,000! If you have questions, comments, or find a mistake for me to correct, my favorite way for you to send messages to me is via the contact button at dailybiblereading.info. I’m always interested to hear your thoughts. For this episode I am not going to be talking about any of the passages we have read recently. If we were going by episode numbers, I should label this bonus episode as for Day 314 or 315, because the topic today is Daniel chapter 2. After my introduction of the topic, I will play the audio from my pastor’s sermon on that chapter from March the 7th, 2021. I think it is timely to share Dr. Tad Thompson’s sermon with you, as I consider this message so important for the time we are living in. Now, I am thankful for the timelessness of the Bible, so that things that I commented on as early as 2014 in the NLT series podcasts are still relevant. But back then, I had no idea of the huge changes that would take place in our culture, that we have come to see so clearly in the last few months. Tad’s sermon will give some contemporary perspective that I think will be helpful to all of you who listen to my podcasts. His sermon notes are included in the episode notes. The site where you can see recent sermon videos or listen to the audio is linked here in the episode notes: https://www.covenantsiloam.com/sermons Let me read all of Daniel 2 to you now from the God’s Word translation. Dan 2:1-6: 1 During the second year of Nebuchadnezzar’os reign, he had some dreams. He was troubled, but he stayed asleep. 2 The king sent for the magicians, psychics, sorcerers, and astrologers so that they could tell him what he had dreamed. So they came to the king. 3 The king said to them, “I had a dream, and I’m troubled by it. I want to know what the dream was.” 4 The astrologers spoke to the king in Aramaic, “Your Majesty, may you live forever! Tell us the dream, and we’ll interpret it for you.” 5 The king answered the astrologers, “I meant what I said! If you don’t tell me the dream and its meaning, you will be torn limb from limb, and your houses will be turned into piles of rubble. 6 But if you tell me the dream and its meaning, I will give you gifts, awards, and high honors. Now tell me the dream and its meaning.” Dan 2:7-18: 7 Once more they said, “Your Majesty, tell us the dream, and we’ll tell you its meaning.” 8 The king replied, “I’m sure you’re trying to buy some time because you know that I meant what I said. 9 If you don’t tell me the dream, you’ll all receive the same punishment. You have agreed among yourselves to make up a phony explanation to give me, hoping that things will change. So tell me the dream. Then I’ll know that you can explain its meaning to me.” 10 The astrologers answered the king, “No one on earth can tell the king what he asks. No other king, no matter how great and powerful, has ever asked such a thing of any magician, psychic, or astrologer. 11 What you ask is difficult, Your Majesty. No one can tell what you dreamed except the gods, and they don’t live with humans.” 12 This made the king so angry and furious that he gave an order to destroy all the wise advisers in Babylon. 13 So a decree was issued that the wise advisers were to be killed, and some men were sent to find Daniel and his friends and kill them. 14 While Arioch, the captain of the royal guard, was leaving to kill the wise advisers in Babylon, Daniel spoke to him using shrewd judgment. 15 He asked Arioch, the royal official, “Why is the king’s decree so harsh?” So Arioch explained everything to Daniel. 16 Daniel went and asked the king to give him some time so that he could explain the dream’s meaning. 17 Then Daniel went home and told his friends Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah about this matter. 18 He told them to ask the God of heaven to be merciful and to explain this secret to them so that they would not be destroyed with the rest of the wise advisers in Babylon. Dan 2:19-30: 19 The secret was revealed to Daniel in a vision during the night. So Daniel praised the God of heaven. 20 He said, “Praise God’s name from everlasting to everlasting because he is wise and powerful. 21 He changes times and periods of history. He removes kings and establishes them. He gives wisdom to those who are wise and knowledge to those who have insight. 22 He reveals deeply hidden things. He knows what is in the dark, and light lives with him. 23 God of my ancestors, I thank and praise you. You gave me wisdom and power. You told me the answer to our question. You told us what the king wants to know.” 24 Then Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy Babylon’s wise advisers. Daniel told him, “Don’t destroy Babylon’s wise advisers. Take me to the king, and I’ll explain the dream’s meaning to him.” 25 Arioch immediately took Daniel to the king. He told the king, “I’ve found one of the captives from Judah who can explain the dream’s meaning to you, Your Majesty.” 26 The king asked Daniel (who had been renamed Belteshazzar), “Can you tell me the dream I had and its meaning?” 27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise adviser, psychic, magician, or fortuneteller can tell the king this secret. 28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets. He will tell King Nebuchadnezzar what is going to happen in the days to come. This is your dream, the vision you had while you were asleep: 29 Your Majesty, while you were lying in bed, thoughts about what would happen in the future came to you. The one who reveals secrets told you what is going to happen. 30 This secret wasn’t revealed to me because I’m wiser than anyone else. It was revealed so that you could be told the meaning and so that you would know your innermost thoughts. Dan 2:31-49: 31 “Your Majesty, you had a vision. You saw a large statue. This statue was very bright. It stood in front of you, and it looked terrifying. 32 The head of this statue was made of fine gold. Its chest and arms were made of silver. Its stomach and hips were made of bronze. 33 Its legs were made of iron. Its feet were made partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 While you were watching, a stone was cut out, but not by humans. It struck the statue’s iron-and-clay feet and smashed them. 35 Then all at once, the iron, clay, bronze, silver, and gold were smashed. They became like husks on a threshing floor  in summer. The wind carried them away, and not a trace of them could be found. But the stone that struck the statue became a large mountain which filled the whole world. 36 This is the dream. Now we’ll tell you its meaning. 37 “Your Majesty, you are the greatest king. The God of heaven has given you a kingdom. He has given you power, strength, and honor. 38 He has given you control over people, wild animals, and birds, wherever they live. He has made you ruler of them all. You are the head of gold. 39 Another kingdom, inferior to yours, will rise to power after you. Then there will be a third kingdom, a kingdom of bronze, that will rule the whole world. 40 There will also be a fourth kingdom. It will be as strong as iron. (Iron smashes and shatters everything.) As iron crushes things, this fourth kingdom will smash and crush all the other kingdoms. 41 You also saw the feet and toes. They were partly potters’ clay and partly iron. This means that there will be a divided kingdom which has some of the firmness of iron. As you saw, iron was mixed with clay. 42 The toes were partly iron and partly clay. Part of the kingdom will be strong, and part will be brittle. 43 As you saw, iron was mixed with clay. So the two parts of the kingdom will mix by intermarrying, but they will not hold together any more than iron can mix with clay. 44 “At the time of those kings, the God of heaven will establish a kingdom that will never be destroyed. No other people will be permitted to rule it. It will smash all the other kingdoms and put an end to them. But it will be established forever. 45 This is the stone that you saw cut out from a mountain, but not by humans. It smashed the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold. The great God has told you what will happen in the future, Your Majesty. The dream is true, and you can trust that this is its meaning.” 46 King Nebuchadnezzar immediately bowed down on the ground in front of Daniel. He ordered that gifts and offerings be given to Daniel. 47 The king said to Daniel, “Your God is truly the greatest of gods, the Lord over kings. He can reveal secrets because you were able to reveal this secret.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many wonderful gifts. Nebuchadnezzar made Daniel governor of the whole province of Babylon and head of all Babylon’s wise advisers. 49 With the king’s permission, Daniel appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego to govern the province of Babylon. But Daniel stayed at the king’s court. Tad’s sermon highlights what he calls a sandwich structure found in Daniel chapter 2. He wisely didn’t use the technical term, but if he did he would say that Daniel chapter 2 has a chiastic structure. This shows that Daniel carefully constructed this chapter. This sandwich structure of topics, as you will hear, can be represented by the letters A B C B A. (Bread on the top and bottom, and fixings on either side of the meat.) This chiastic structure is also the outline of Tad’s sermon, so I will list the 5 points, to help you follow them: (A) The Absence of Divine Revelation Reveals the Futility of the Pagan Nations (B) God’s People are Blessed with Divine Revelation (C) The Supremacy of a God Who Speaks (B) The Blessing of Divine Revelation is the Only Hope for Pagan Nations (A) Divine Revelation Reveals the Supremacy of the Kingdom of God Divine Revelation and the Supremacy of the Kingdom of God Tad Thompson Introduction: A Clash of Worldviews • What we see in Daniel Chapter 2 is an epic contest between the gods of the Babylonians and Daniel’s God, who is of course the one true God. • It is a clash of worldviews. Babylonian religion focused on nature. More then 2,500 different gods have been discovered in various texts and records and most of them has some correspondence to an aspect of nature, sun, moon, stars, the rain, wind, and weather. • In the pagan worldview of the ancient world and the rising paganism today have this in common, even though there may have been many gods - these gods were merely personifications of various aspects of nature. So paganism believes only in nature and denies the supernatural. It can be called “oneism • There is an impressive sunken garden in front of the Beinicke Rare Book Library on Yale University’s campus. It is meant to simulate the universe. A large marble pyramid stands in one corner, symbolizing time. Another corner sports a huge doughnut shaped structure standing on its side. It signifies energy. In a third corner is a huge die perched on one tip as if ready to topple any which way. It is the symbol of chance. This is the world view of modern man: ‘a self-existing universe consisting of energy, time and chance.’ And those in Babylon, ancient or modern, don’t know which way the die will fall. Chance is opaque. It is the world of whatever. • Biblical Christians think the Yale garden is a lie. They hold that there is a transcendent God who knows and orders the course of history down through the rise and rubble of nations until the days when he sets up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed (44). We can call the Christian worldview - twoism. There is a transcendent God who is the cause and creator of the universe and everything in it. An not only is he the creator God, but he is a God who speaks, who reveals mysteries. • Think about how unbearably sad Joe and Jane Pagan might be, for they go out their front door in the morning and have no idea where history is heading. This is the same dilemma faced by the wise men of Babylon, they have many gods, but none of them speak or reveal mysteries. • Our story has a structure that develops the main theme. It is an ABCBA structure. (A) The Absence of Divine Revelation Reveals the Futility of the Pagan Nations (2:1-13) • King N wants his wise men to tell him his dream, he wants them to know his thoughts, he desires more than an interpretation, he desires revelation. • vs. 10-11 is the key to understanding the dilemma of the enchanters - “There is not a man on earth who can meet the king’s demand, for no great and powerful king has asked such a thing of any magician or enchanter or Chaldean. 11 The thing that the king asks is difficult, and no one can show it to the king except the gods, whose dwelling is not with flesh.” • They can’t do it because their gods don’t reveal anything, they do not dwell with flesh, communicate with flesh and they can’t because they are inanimate objects. • We see this is the world today where people choose to worship the created rather than the creator. People have abandoned the notion of twoism - they have no authority outside of self, so they seek to discover truth by looking within and they consistently come up empty handed - there is no absolute truth to be discovered that will satisfy your soul a part from divine revelation. (B) God’s People are Blessed with Divine Revelation (2:14-19) • The next scene in the story contrasts the worldview of Daniel and his companions with the worldview of the wise men of Babylon. • Daniel wisely asks Arioch for an appointment with the King, and promises that he will be able to tell Neb. his dream - and then what do they do? They pray, they seek mercy from the Lord and believe that he is a God that interacts with his people and has the capacity to reveal hidden mysteries. • Notice that the purpose of asking for this divine revelation is so that they will not be destroyed. • Is this not the heart of the Gospel? That God reveals the mysteries of his grace in the person and work of Jesus Christ that we might escape the wrath of God to come. • You are a Christian because you have been blessed with divine revelation - I Pet 1:23-25 “since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; 24 for “All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever.” And this word is the good news that was preached to you.” • We are people who believe that God has spoken to us, revealed himself to us - this is why we stand upon the inerrancy, sufficiency, and authority of Scripture! It is God’s Word that marks us out as His people! (C) The Supremacy of a God Who Speaks (2:20-23) • vs. 20-23 is Daniel’s prayer of praise to God for answering his prayer. • This forms the center of the story and ultimate message of chapter 2 - The God of the Bible is Supreme because he is a God who speaks. • Notice some of the core elements of Daniel’s Worldview: a. God is a God of wisdom and might b. God is sovereign over nature and nations c. God is a God who knows all things and reveals all things. The contrast between the pagan notion of oneism is astounding - if your worldview is basically time, energy, and random chance then your life has no intrinsic value, worth or meaning. We are seeing this played out in the world today. We live in a world that is literally destroying every ounce of human dignity left by denying the fact of gender - this is the ultimate form of self worship - it is paganism 101. Daniel praises his God who speaks while the wise men are going - the gods don’t dwell with flesh they got nothing - our God is such a speaking God that he came into the world to take on flesh - as the ultimate word, the ultimate truth - he took on flesh to reveal God to us! To reveal God’s love to us! To offer God’s forgiveness to us! (B) The Blessing of Divine Revelation is the Only Hope for Pagan Nations (2:24) • vs 24 is paired with 14-19 - God’s people are blessed with divine revelation, therefore divine revelation is the only hope for the pagan nations. • The word of God given to Daniel spares the wise men of Babylon. • This points to the Christian mission of declaring the mysteries of God to the nations. • Paul writes in Col 1:24-29 “Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, 25 of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, 26 the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. 27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy that he powerfully works within me.” (A) Divine Revelation Reveals the Supremacy of the Kingdom of God (2:25-49) • This final section is paired with the first - it highlights once again, in graphic detail the futility of the pagan nations and the supremacy of the Kingdom of God. • The purpose of the dream is not for us to figure out which literal nations are being referred to in the dream. The point of the dream is vs. 44-45 - the God of heaven, the God who has given N. his present Kingdom (vs. 37) will set up a kingdom that will never be destroyed and will fill the entire earth. • vs 46 - something amazing happens, the most powerful man in the world bows to honor an exiled slave and N. promotes Daniel and his friends. • This is so important for us to remember as we live as exiles in the world - the supremacy of the kingdom of God. • Revelation 5 - One Day Every knee will bow, the knee of every ruler will bow to Jesus - a crucified Jewish carpenter will receive the worship of Kings. Right now, in heaven, there is a multitude of those who have been redeemed from the nations who worship Jesus. How will you live - will you live as one who worships the God who speaks or will you live your life by time, energy, and random chance?    

In this message, we discuss why Jesus warned about the wide and broad path that leads to destruction that many will take. We go into detail on how this path of least resistance is getting broader by the day and true Biblical Christians are getting more and more difficult to find in today’s culture. Continue reading Taking the Narrow Path at End Time Headlines.

172. Qualities of Biblical Christians - Discipleship Series Part 1 by David Grams

••• Bible Study Verses: Luke 2:52, Daniel 11:32, (The Holy Bible): 2 Timothy 3:16,17; Proverbs 30:5,6; Revelation 22:18,19, (The Triune Godhead): Mathew 3:16, 17; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Mathew 28:19,20, (The Virgin Birth of Jesus): Isaiah 7:14; Mathew 1:18-25; Romans 1:4; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4, (Total Depravity of Man): Psalm 51:5; Job 14:4; Romans 3:23; 5:12-17; Mark 7:21-23; Ephesians 2:1, (Justification): Psalms 32:1,2; Isaiah 1:18; Micah 7:19; John 3:3-8;; Acts 13:38,39; Romans 3:24-30; 4:6-16; 5:1,2; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:23, (Holy Ghost Baptism): Mathew 3:11; Acts 1:88; Luke 3:16; 24:49; John 1:30-33; 7:37-39; 14:16,17,26; 16:12-15; Acts 1:5-8; Mark 16:17; Acts 2:1-18; 10:44-46; 19:1-6, (Healing & Deliverance): Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 7:15; Psalms 103:1-5; Proverbs 4:20-22; Isaiah 8:16,17; 1 Peter 2:24; Mark 16:15-18; Luke 13:16; John 14:12-14; 10:10; Acts 10:38; James 5:14-16; 1 John 3:8; 3 John 2; Galatians 3:13,14, (The Rapture): John 14:1-3; Luke 21:34-36; 1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; 5:4-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:5-7; Philippians 3:11,20,21; 1 John 3:1-3, (The Resurrection): Job 19:25-27; Psalm 71:20; Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2; John 5:28,29; 1 Corinthians 15:12-57; 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16; Hebrews 6:1,2; Philippians 3:8-11; Revelation 20:4,6,12,13, (The Second Coming of Christ): Zechariah 14:3,4; Mathew 25:31-46; Mark 13:24-37; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10; 2:8; Jude 14,15, (Final Judgment): Dan 12:2,3; Matt 10:15; 11:21-24; 12:41,42; John 5:28,29; Rom 2:15,16; 14:12; 2 Pet 2:9; Jude 6; 1 Cor 6:1-4; Acts 10:42; Rev 20:11-15, (Hell Fire): Mathew 25:41, Ps 9:17; Mt 25:46; Lk 12:4,5; 16:19-31; Mt 5:22,30; Mk 9:43-47; Rev 14:10,11; 20:12-15. “The core and essence of the Gospel is its tremendous and glorious revelation of how deadly is God's hatred of sin, so that He cannot stand having it in the same universe as Himself, and will go any length, and will pay any price, and will make any sacrifice, to master and abolish it, is set upon so doing in our hearts, thank God, as elsewhere” A. J. Gossip †. ••• ...“O my God, Do not take me away in the midst of my days; Your years are throughout all generations. Of old You laid the foundation of the earth, And the heavens are the work of Your hands. They will perish, but You will endure...” Pslam 102.24-26, NKJV. ••• What is an important reminder to revisit every Sunday Church service? ••• What determines how well you walk with our Creator, The Lord Christ Jesus? ••• Why is not knowing what you believe dangerous for your spiritual and emotional life? ••• What determines how far you will walk with God? ••• What are 12-foundational beliefs of Biblical Christians? ••• Being grounded in The Word of God gives you what 3-spiritual powers? ••• Do you believe What the Bible Teaches About Your Faith; if not will you pray that our Almighty God gives you more faith to believe? ••• Pastor Godwin Otuno expounds on this and much more on the exciting journey of Fresh Encounters Radio Podcast originally aired on March 6, 2021 on WNQM, Nashville Quality Ministries and WWCR World Wide Christian Radio broadcast to all 7-continents on this big beautiful blue marble, earth, floating through space. Please be prayerful before studying The Word of God so that you will receive the most inspiration possible. ••• This Discipleship Teaching Podcast is brought to you by Christian Leadership International and all the beloved of God who believe in it’s mission through prayer and support. Thank you. ••• Study Guides at: https://shows.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast/episodes . ••• Exceeding Thanks to Photos by Jeremy Bishop Photography, https://jeremybishopphotography.com/ , art direction by gil on his mac. ••• † https://www.christianquotes.info/quotes-by-topic/quotes-about-the-gospel/ . ••• Podcaster Website: http://www.lifelonganointing.com/ . ••• FERP210306 Episode #162 GOT210306 ep162 . Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/fresh-encounter-radio-podcast. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Bible News Radio is a production of Chapel Hill Media. The host of Bible News Radio is Stacy Lynn Harp and the show aims to teach people how to have a biblical worldview in the midst of a secular culture. Stacy interviews guests from many industries including Christian media, publishing, Christian music, politics, film, TV and radio. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/biblenews/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/biblenews/support

For additional notes and resources check out Douglas’ website.What about survivalism? Are these people on the right track biblically? Can Christians be "survivalists”?Survivalism as a popular movement is well worth understanding, especially as some Christians are attracted to it. This attraction is increasingly common in society at large; think of the many TV programs, like Survivor, or movies, like The Book of Eli, or video games, like Fallout.Survivalists believe that the responsible thing to do before the inevitable breakdown of society is to become self-sufficient. One will need adequate supplies of food and water to last for months (if not years) of anarchy and chaos. People need to provide for their families. Those who fail to take measures should not count on hand-outs. "The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty" (Prov 22:3).Further, one would be foolish to trust that normal human civility will suffice to maintain possession of one's cache. It may be necessary to defend it with force. Further, the time to load up on ammunition is now—before gun stores close.It would be foolish to stay in or near a city. Better to plan on surviving in a rural and (preferably) isolated area. A sturdy shelter will be needed (underground is best -- maybe a luxury doomsday condo, if finances allow), and a generator may also prove helpful if and when public utilities are completely disrupted.AssumptionsWhat are the fundamental components and assumptions of survivalism?Things are going to get bad. (Even if they don't, it's wise to be prepared.)God wants us to stay alive. Injury and death must be avoided (at all costs).We should stockpile water and food so that we have enough to survive until such time as things are safe again. (Think Old Testament siege conditions, as in 2 Kings 6 and 2 Kings 18.)A cache of weapons and ammunition is crucial. If someone trespasses onto my property I am justified in using lethal force, especially if he is attempting to raid my provisions.Since society will be in a state of chaos, we should plan to live in a secure shelter (amply furnished and supplied).Since money will lose its value, wealth should be converted to gold, silver, or other intrinsically valuable media of exchange.We shouldn't count on rescue. Normal disasters elicit assistance from the government; this time the cavalry won't be coming to save us. In effect, God helps those who help themselves.These, then, are the fundamentals of survivalism and the assumptions on which it is based. Now it's time to evaluate. Survivalists make some good points, a number of which resonate with thoughtful Bible readers.Society may well collapse one day. No empire lasted forever, after all.The prudent take this into account. He or she prepares. One should not bank on rescue."Paper money" is arbitrary. Banknote values depend wholly on the strength of the government backing them.Wicked men will try to rob us. This is already the reality, and crime only tends to increase in times of civil chaos.It is right take up arms to defend the innocent, like oneself and one's family..Let me respond to the previous 5 points. After that we will examine the teachings of Jesus and Paul with implications for survivalism. As we will see, there are numerous fundamental problems with survivalism.Indeed, empires come and go. Even Rome fell (as intimated in Revelation); we should pay attention and learn. A breakdown of society, perhaps a massive technological failure or terrorist attack, is not a possibility to be dismissed. I recently read Marc Elsberg's novel Blackout. Although it is a work of fiction, even since it was originally published there have been attacks on the electrical power grid (in Europe) that demonstrate the plausibility of the scenario he envisions.Preparing for contingencies is biblical. Yet we are not our own saviors; as much as we like to be in control, Jesus is the Savior. Yet that hardly means he shields us from hardship, suffering, or persecution. Romans 8 is no promise of peace and prosperity. There the only guarantee is that nothing, however horrific, can separate us from God's love.This point doesn't go far enough. If we "cash in" our paper money for gold, silver, etc., these too are arbitrary. They have no intrinsic value (apart from, say, industrial applications). Further, the Bible warns us not to love money or allow it to become an idol. See Luke 16:13-15!Since thieves break in and steal, we had best store our treasure in heaven (not in a bunker). Not fair that the evil men succeed? Relax; one day there will be a Day of Judgment. (See Psalm 73.)Defending the innocent in court is a strong prophetic theme. Yet while the OT allowed limited violence in self-defense, in the NT we are told to relate to enemies in a different way. The use of lethal force was unacceptable even in the case of Christ—and no one was more innocent than he.Jesus and Paul on SurvivalismTo embrace survivalism as normally conceived requires a rejection of the teaching of Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount, as well as of Paul's teaching in the epistles. Please take a moment to read over three passages, two from Matt 5-6, and one from Rom 12. They are somewhat lengthy, but if we want our convictions to come from scripture, we need to engage. Take your time; digest them.“You have heard that it was said, ‘An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; and if anyone wants to sue you and take your coat, give your cloak as well; and if anyone forces you to go one mile, go also the second mile. Give to everyone who begs from you, and do not refuse anyone who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt 5:38-48).“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own" (Matt 6:25-34).Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Rom 12:17-21).Jesus gave us the formula for surviving in any situation: Seek first the kingdom.Rather than hoard food and refuse it to one who is hungry, we are to feed him—even if he is our enemy! Further, hospitality is one of highest biblical virtues, including taking the stranger into our home. Recall the Parable of the Great Banquet (Luke 14:15-24).As my friend David Berçot observes, "Survivalism is kindred to the spirit of the man Jesus described in the Parable of the Rich Fool (Luke 12:16-21). The rich fool was hoarding his goods so that he could later take life easy. The survivalist hoards his goods to make sure he will have something for tomorrow, in case calamity comes. Neither person really trusts in God’s provident care. Both types of persons are focused on themselves (and their families), instead of others."Jesus forbade all forms of violence. "Put your sword away. He who draws the sword will die by the sword" (Matt 26:52). Now that we live in the Messianic Age, swords have been beaten into plowshares (Isa 2:4; Mic 4:3). We don't "study" (prepare) for war any more. No more killing.Interestingly (Berçot again), "Jesus told His followers that a horrible calamity was coming on Jerusalem in the near future (Matt 24), and indeed the calamity came with the Roman army (70 AD). Yet he didn’t advise his followers to start building up a survival cache; he said just the opposite! Once the calamity was at the door, he told them to leave everything behind and flee. That’s exactly what the Christians in Jerusalem did. God provided for their needs, and they all survived by fleeing to Pella (a town across the Jordan)."Biblical Christians do not choose life over faithfulness. We do not have to survive some coming apocalypse, but we do need to remain obedient to God's commands.Thus we see that even a cursory reading of the NT scriptures reveals that survivalism as commonly presented is un-Christian on multiple fronts. If you are reading this article and have been attracted to this position, I urge you to rethink your position.*          *          *          *          *          *If you'd like to explore the topic in more depth, this will get your started:The website of Modern Christian Survivalist, which attempts to combine survivalism (as I have delineated it above) and the Bible.The article by Focus on the Family: A Biblical View of Survivalists and Preppers fear—"sanctified paranoia." This is a nice introduction to the issue.The Survivalism page at Rational Wiki. The article is very well done. "Meet Your Neighbor, The Survivalist" (CNBC, 29 May 2009), about someone who has stockpiled far more food than he could ever eat, so there's plenty to share with others.

Christians can sometimes be confused or deceived by secular worldviews such as secular humanism or critical theory. We need to clearly understand the differences in how Biblical Christians and secularists view the world we live in. This is part 2 of 3 […]

Christians can sometimes be confused or deceived by secular worldviews such as secular humanism or critical theory. We need to clearly understand the differences in how Biblical Christians and secularists view the world we live in. This is part 1 of 3 […]

Christians can sometimes be confused or deceived by secular worldviews such as secular humanism or critical theory. We need to clearly understand the differences in how Biblical Christians and secularists view the world we live in. This is part 3 of 3 […]

Christians can sometimes be confused or deceived by secular worldviews such as secular humanism or critical theory. We need to clearly understand the differences in how Biblical Christians and secularists view the world we live in. This is part 2 of 3 […]

Christians can sometimes be confused or deceived by secular worldviews such as secular humanism or critical theory. We need to clearly understand the differences in how Biblical Christians and secularists view the world we live in. This is part 1 of 3 […]

Christians can sometimes be confused or deceived by secular worldviews such as secular humanism or critical theory. We need to clearly understand the differences in how Biblical Christians and secularists view the world we live in. This is part 3 of 3 […]

I Raise your hand if you've ever felt lonely! I In this pandemic world we're living in--and even more, just in general--loneliness is something we all experience--and none of us talk about. Today, we welcome Jason Gaboury, author of Wait With Me, to tackle the uncomfortable and vitally important topic of loneliness. Why do we experience it? What do we do about it? Where is God in the midst of it? Join us as we answer these questions and more this week! I Highlights: I “What most people don’t know is that the Christian tradition, that the Bible itself, has powerful tools that can lead people through loneliness into deep connection with God, deep connection with themselves, and deeper compassion for other people.” -Jason Gaboury “Jesus doesn’t skip to the end...God isn't that kind of God. [He is r]adically present to you…Radically present right here, right now, in the midst of this.” -Jason Gaboury “That feeling of loneliness. That feeling of ‘I need to connect with other people for it to be right’—That’s not a result of the Fall, that’s not a result of sin. And the fact that we feel shame about needing other people is…because we’re formed as Western individualists, not biblical Christians. Biblical Christians should feel no more shame in feeling lonely than they do of their need for food and sleep.” -Jason Gaboury I Do the Next Thing: I Watch this conversation! https://vimeo.com/452670205 Check out Jason Gaboury’s book, Wait With Me! https://www.ivpress.com/jason-gaboury While you’re at it, check out “Spiritual Disciplines for Seasons of Loneliness,” also by Jason Gaboury. https://www.jasongaboury.com/blog/2020/5/28/spiritual-disciplines-for-seasons-of-loneliness Join our BOOK LAUNCH TEAM! https://lauriekrieg.com/impossible-marriage/

What characterizes Progressive Christianity and Liberal Theology? How should Biblical Christians address these movements? All this and more on this week's episode of Daily Reformation. Daily Reformation is a podcast and social media ministry that exists for the glory of God and the edification of His saints. This bible-centered content is made possible by the generosity of listeners like you via Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/dailyreformation For more, follow us on Instagram @daily.reformation, or hit the link below: https://www.instagram.com/daily.reformation/ All glory be to Christ! Music: “Turn It Off” by Shai Linne, used with the artist’s express permission.

•Special Guest Cade Foehner joins us in studio •Growing up in Prosperity Lite territory •Coping with 2020 by reading Romans 1 •What kind of worldview dismantles the Police Department? •The New York Times is moving to affirm pedophilia •One more category in which Biblical Christians are now bigots •Common grace in an age of depravity […] The post 06/08/2020 appeared first on Wretched.

It is tempting for even Biblical Christians to -expect- God to do one thing or another, or act in some particular way. Some have even stated that, -God always does- this or -God never does- that.- Peter was no stranger to God's sovereignty or leading evangelical services, but in today's text, God reminds him -and us- that while we are instruments of His Grace, we are not the means of His Grace.

I. Gray Area Battle Zone I'd like to ask that you turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians 8. As we look this morning, we'll be looking at the first half of the chapter, although I had the whole chapter read. And I am just so thankful for the word of God, I'm thankful for the privilege I have to minister the word of God. I thank you for its unchanging nature. The Bible gives absolutes. It gives unequivocal dos and don'ts, never changes, they're the same in every generation. You can look at the Ten Commandments that forbid certain things with no questions at all. We don't have to wonder about it. Such as worshipping other gods, or worshipping idols. Taking the name of the Lord in vain. Murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, coveting, these things are forever and all times unequivocally forbidden for us as Christians. We don't have to wonder about it. And there are other things not mentioned in the Ten Commandments that are also similarly forbidden for us as Christians. We shouldn't wonder, we don't need to wonder what the Bible teaches about fornication, about drunkenness, about materialism, about laziness or carnal anger, arguing and complaining. The Bible is very clear about these sins. The Bible also commands certain things clearly. Not just forbidden, but telling us that there are some things we must do. We must love the Lord our God with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength. We must love our neighbor as ourselves. These things are unequivocal. We must read the Bible, feed on the word of God, and pray continually, pray every day. We should care for the poor and needy, we should share the Gospel with those in our lives that are lost. So those things are clear as well. What is clearly forbidden, and what is clearly commanded. There is no doubt whatsoever about these things. We just need to obey them by the Spirit. There's no debate about them. However, not everything is like that in the Christian life. There are gray areas, or debatable issues in daily life practice. There are things that Christians have struggled over, and debated over, and divided over. And these gray areas can become a battle zone between Christians. Now, I have to support that assertion from Scripture. Is there such a category as debatable issues in the Christian life? One pastor that I know and respect tends to see everything, everything black and white. There's no equivocal issues with him. There are no gray areas. And years ago there was a famous slogan in church history, which came out of the... I think the religious wars in Germany, as Protestants and Catholics were battling, and so this slogan came out, and it was this: "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty and in all things, charity." That was that slogan. Well it turns out that that saying was painted on the side of the church vans when this pastor I have in mind came and began his ministry. And he had them painted over. "There are no non-essentials" he said. So I think that's fascinating. I think it's actually important for us to see a kind of a hierarchy of certainty of truth. That there actually are core doctrinal issues we have absolute conviction about. And then it goes out from there. And the Bible itself has an entire chapter devoted to debatable issues. Romans chapter 14. Romans 14:1 says, "Accept him whose faith is weak without passing judgment on disputable matters." Disputable matters. So the whole chapter, Romans 14 is devoted to the proper resolution of these kinds of gray areas that are going to come up in Christian churches, in the Christian life. Disputable matters, doubtful issues, there are different translations. So Romans 14 in particular, I think, addresses issues that would've divided Jewish Christians from Gentile Christians. So the Roman Church was a combination church, Jewish Christians, Gentile Christians coming together to try to do local church life and there would be issues that would arise between them as the Gospel is spreading rapidly throughout the Roman world after the Jewish diaspora, they had been scattered from the Promised Land, and they were all over the Greco-Roman world. They had certain habits and patterns tied to the Old Covenant, and they'd been doing those for years. And so then the Gospel came along, and won some to Christ from both the Jewish community and from the Gentile community, and they had to come together and do church together, and so there would be issues. And these issues were sharp, and the debates were vigorous. Probably the most significant issue was, do the Gentile converts to Christ need to be circumcised and required to obey the ceremonial law of Moses in order to be saved? We have an entire book of the Bible, the Book of Galatians, devoted to answering that: Absolutely not. That the Gentile Christians do not need to be circumcised and required to obey the law of Moses in order to be saved. We have a whole chapter in the Book of Acts, Acts 15, the Jerusalem Council, which sought to resolve these kinds of issues. And so the Jerusalem Council came up with certain kind of dos and don'ts, practical rules of the road, to enable Jews and Gentiles together to get along, and to love one another, and to resolve certain things. And so they came up with a list of certain things that had to be addressed, and they did that. Present-Day Examples of Debatable Issues So, we have our own debatable issues, too. There are certain things in our lives that we're going to struggle over. Maybe some of them are like what they struggled over back then. For example, Sabbath Day regulations, or what you can and can't do on a Sunday. That's been difficult historically for certain Christian communities to resolve. Can we go to a restaurant on Sunday, can we play sports on a Sunday? You remember Chariots of Fire, how Eric Liddell didn't feel that he had the freedom to run on a Sunday. He came out of the Scottish Presbyterian background, and that was a very strong Sabbatarian background. But others have a freer approach to the Lord's day, and so there are debates. Then there's alcohol. Christians have frequently divided over the issue of alcohol. Some Christians completely abstain from drinking any fermented beverage, whereas other Christians feel freedom to partake in moderation. All Christians, Biblical Christians, reject drunkenness and drinking to affect your behavior morally. But the question is, can we partake in smaller, more measured doses? So, that's been an issue. Generally, a lot of these debatable issues come over the question of worldliness, what is worldly, what isn't. And so, engaging in the world, world's culture, what kind of movies you watch or don't watch, what kind of music you listen to or you refuse to listen to. I remember early in my Christian life, there were discussions in our campus ministry about whether it was right to listen to Christian rock music or not, or even secular rock, there'd be divisions about that. Nowadays, more recently, there's been discussions about the propriety of Christian rap. Christians have struggled with the kind of movies they'll watch and the movies that they would allow their children to watch, and those convictions might be different than another family, and that kind of comes to a head when there's sleepovers. So, there's all kinds of interesting discussions between the families and what kind of movies they will or won't allow their kids to watch. And that can be difficult. Then, there's social media. As we involve ourselves in Instagram and Snapchat and I don't know what's trendy or... Really, I'm not even going to try. I don't know what's in these days. Facebook. There, I said it. All of those things. I don't partake, I've never been on Facebook, but others... Can we get involved? Twitter, which just tends to defile many that get involved. That's another topic for another day, but just the ongoing debates are incredible. You want to know the kind of things that Christians wrangle over, Twitter is the place where they seem to be doing it. Then, there's clothing, the kind of clothing that we can or can't wear. I think, especially for women, there's a struggle, a desire to be pure, but there's certain prohibitions in the New Testament about braided hair and wearing gold jewels and fine clothes and how do you do that. But then, just parents, as they have kids growing up, want their kids to dress, want their children, their daughters to dress in way that honors and glorifies God. Then, there's the topic of education for children. Public school or government school education versus homeschooling versus private school. There's all kinds of debates and discussions about giving your children over to education or retaining it, the debates that go on with that. Even politics. This most recent Presidential election was very divisive within the Evangelical world, as the parties were very polarized, and Christians were talking like, "The lesser of two evils" or "Holding your nose and voting," others like, "No, I won't do that. I can only vote for an individual I actually could believe in, even if the person's not electable," all kinds of debates. And I'm sure I'm stirring you up. You want to know what you think about all these things. "I want an answer, I want answers on all of this." Well, I'm just saying, there are these debatable issues. And so, for me, as a preacher, knowing that Paul is going to devote three full chapters, friends, to meat sacrificed to idols, and you're thinking, "Not a problem for us." You're thinking you're going to get three chapters off, especially given the choppy waters we've been sailing through the last number of chapters. And I will confess that I had similar feelings of ease and comfort, having made it through finally some of the issues that we've been through. But not at all, all Scripture is God-breathed and useful. And these debatable issues keep coming up. John MacArthur, one preacher that I respect and have listened to, he talked about how, early in... When he first came to Christ, he was out in the Southern California scene, and they did a lot of beach outreaches and did a lot of things like that, and they had bonfires and that. It was part of that Jesus movement that happened out there. But one thing they were adamant about was tobacco, the abuse of tobacco, and that it was just absolutely defiling to the body. But then, he, his first ministry preaching was in a tobacco-growing area in the South, in the Bible Belt. And those people were adamant against mixed bathing, that you would never, ever have young men and women together at a pool party, or something like that. And so, there were these issues, but they had different convictions, it seems, on tobacco use. Charles Spurgeon, speaking of tobacco use, was fond of a cigar from time to time. And he actually preached a sermon at Metropolitan Tabernacle on the danger of little sins as little foxes that ruin the vineyard. Well, there was a well-known American preacher that was there, kind of a guest of honor, Dr. George Pentecost, that was his name, and he was invited to speak a few words to the congregation. And he got up and launched in vigorously on the dangers of tobacco smoking, which Spurgeon hadn't brought up at all in his sermon on little sins that ruin the vineyard. So he goes on and he was thankful, Dr. Pentecost was thankful that God had delivered him from such a wretched and vile habit. Well, it was Spurgeon's home church and he got the final word, as he will do. And he got up and he said, "I just need to say that I just don't believe that smoking tobacco is a sin, and frankly, before I go to bed this very night, I'm going to enjoy a cigar to the glory of God." And that became a slogan tied to him, "Enjoying a cigar to the glory of God." Someone once asked him, "How much do you know if you're smoking too much?" He said, "If you ever see me ever smoking more than one cigar at exactly the same time, you'll know that I've crossed the line." Now, of course, in Spurgeon's day, the doctors, the physicians, didn't have the same sense of understanding of what tobacco does to the body that we do today, so things have become a little bit clearer. But there are still debatable issues, and we need some rules of the road in a local church. We need to know how we navigate so we don't drive each other crazy, and so we can come to holiness and unity on these things. II. Corinthian Context: Meat Sacrificed to Idols So, the context here, as I've mentioned, is meat sacrificed to idols. Look at chapter 8 verse 1, "Now about food sacrificed to idols." So, Paul is in a section of the Epistle in which he is bringing up issues that they have raised with him in their letters to him. So, he's addressing their issues, they'd asked him. And as I said, for three chapters, 1 Corinthians 8, 9 and 10, all three of those are under the auspices of answering this question, this issue of meat sacrificed to idols. And let me give you the principle I'm going to give you again and again over the next number of times that we look at 1 Corinthians, God willing, and that is, you have freedoms, you have privileges, you have rights, fine. But love limits liberty. Love limits liberty, the exercise of your freedom. So we're going to see this theme again and again, but just let's lodge it in our minds. Love limits your freedoms, the exercise of your freedoms. Meat and the Pagan Religions Alright, so let's look at the Corinthian context, and try to understand what they were going through. The context there was pagan religion, the background of paganism, of pagan religion there in Corinth. The Greeks, like the Romans, were polytheistic. They believed in many gods and goddesses, and these gods and goddesses had different areas of jurisdiction, kind of like a massive government agency, where you have the Bureau of this, and Bureau of that, etcetera. So these gods and goddesses would run different parts of everyday life. And so there would be a god of love, a god of war, a god of the harvest, a god of family life, of relationships, of everything, all kinds of things. Cities even had patron gods and goddesses. Like Athens, the city of Athens, had Athena, the goddess of wisdom as their patron deity. She would protect the city, so they believed. They worshiped these gods and goddesses at different shrines and temples. And when they did that, they frequently used animal sacrifice, just like the Jews did, animal sacrifice. And the meat from the sacrifice would be divided into three portions. One portion would be burned up as an offering to the deity. A second portion would be taken by the priest pretty much as his fee. Now, he wouldn't need all the meats that he would receive in a day, so he had a cottage industry of bringing the meat sacrificed to idols to the marketplace where it would be sold after it had been an offer to a god or goddess. And he would receive some of his income from that meat. And the third portion would be taken home by the worshiper himself to eat with his family. Keep in mind, there was no refrigeration back then. And so this is how the people would eat meat. And so this would set up the issue. All of this meat had been offered to a god or goddess by the time that it was going to be eaten. Now beyond their polytheism, the Greeks also believed in many demons, evil spirits, who could light on meat like flies, spiritually. And the only way the meat could be cleansed was if it was offered, properly offered, to a god or goddess. Now their paganism, as I've said, extended to every area of life. So there would be continual requirements for offerings. And people lived in perpetual fear of offending one god or goddess or another. So it was just a regular part of life with these offerings to the gods. The Gospel Came to Corinth Now, the Gospel came to Corinth through the ministry of the apostle Paul, and a number of individuals were rescued out of satanic darkness into the beautiful light of the Gospel. So the Corinthian Christians had been recently rescued from this pagan lifestyle, this wicked pagan lifestyle, and they had fresh memories of their habits at the temple. And this included as I've mentioned in 1 Corinthians 6, temple prostitution. So not only would they be eating meat, but there would also be sexual immorality connected with their worship of the gods and goddesses. And so this wicked, this dark corrupt lifestyle was a thing of their recent past. They had just been converted out of all of that. Not only that, the paganism was woven into every aspect of their social life horizontally with people that lived in their city. So if they were going to befriend other people, Christians, I mean, befriending non-Christians and they would... The non-Christians, the pagans, would have them over for dinner almost certainly they would serve them meat that had been sacrificed to idols. And so the question the Corinthians are asking is, "What do we do about all this? How can we understand that?" At social times like that you could well imagine if the Christians were to abstain entirely or bring their own dinner to someone else's house, how offensive that would be. And so, it was just difficult to know how to live. Now beyond this and very relevant to the text we're looking at today, some more mature, more advanced Corinthian Christians, more doctrinally advanced, had come to a solid orthodox understanding of idolatry and all of this whole system, and had just kind of graduated beyond being concerned about this. And they were flaunting their freedoms. They like meat, they eat meat, which didn't bother them, and they did not understand what effect they as the more advanced or the more mature, the mentors, the leaders in the church were having on the younger Christians. So Paul has to write this section and address this. III. “We All Possess Knowledge” Now he begins in verse 1, look at it with me. He says: "Now about food sacrificed to idols, we know that we all possess knowledge." So he's speaking to the knowledgeable Christians, the more doctrinally mature Christians. I'm not just going to call them mature because there's a deficiency in their sanctification, but he's addressing the more knowledgeable Christians. He said, "We know that we all possess knowledge." They have the right theology, but they're living it out in the wrong way. Well, what knowledge did they have? Look at verses 4-6: "So then, about eating food sacrificed to idols: We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one. For even if there are so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth, as indeed there are many gods and many lords, yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." So what knowledge did they have? Well, first of all, we know that idols don't really exist spiritually. There's no actual spiritual reality connected with the idol itself. Verse 4, "We know that an idol is nothing at all in the world and that there is no God but one." So these Corinthian Christians have fully accepted Paul's doctrine that there is one and only one God, and that the idols that have been made by craftsmen are just physical things, there's nothing there. The gods and goddesses aren't in the idol, there's nothing to them, they're just chunks of matter. The Jews have known this, or should have known it at least for centuries. In Psalm 115:4-8, it says, "Their idols are silver and gold made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but they cannot see, they have ears, but cannot hear. Noses, but they cannot smell, they have hands but cannot feel, feet, but they cannot walk. Nor can they utter sound with their throats. Those who make them will be like them and so will all who trust in them." Idols Don’t Really Exist Spiritually So this is the first point we could say that Paul says, "We know, we know this about idols." And the more mature Christians have their theology right, so they're knowledgeable about this. And these more mature, so to speak, Christians can walk through the marketplace or walk through the temple grounds even and look around and say, "This whole thing is emptiness. There's nothing here, the idols are nothing." They knew that. And they could just walk through as though they had a bubble of protection around them, because they knew there's nothing to it. There is One God and Only One God Secondly, we know that there is one God and there is only one God. So not only are the idols nothing, we know this, there is one God and there is only one God, that's more important than the physical idols. Far more important. There is a God who exists, who made heaven and earth, this one God wants to have a relationship with us. He loves us, He created us and wants to have a relationship with us. He yearns after us and He is a Holy God, this God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all, this one God that exists. And this one God, the Scripture reveals, is a jealous God, He will not allow us to worship other gods, and goddesses. He's forbidden all idolatry. He is spirit. You cannot make any representation of this one God. So all material representations of this one true God are false and misleading. It says in Deuteronomy 5:8-9, "The Lord God said to His people 'You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything, in heaven above, or the earth beneath, or the waters below, you shall not bow down to them or worship them. For I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God.'" The Many Gods of the Gentiles are So-Called Gods... Not Real At All Thirdly, we know, what do we know Paul? Well, we know therefore that the many gods and goddesses of the Gentiles are just so-called gods, they're just gods and so-called lords in the heavenly realms. They're in name only, they don't really exist. Look at verse 5 and 6, "For even if there are so-called gods," right there in the Greek text, they're named gods. You could put like quotation marks around it, "whether in Heaven or on Earth, as indeed there are many so-called gods and many so-called lords, yet for us there is but one God." So it's not a syncretism thing where we're taking the God of the Jews, and adding Him to the pantheon of the Greek and Roman gods and goddesses. None of them exist actually, none of them. So the various names of the gods and goddesses that these Greeks were very familiar with such as Zeus, Hera and Hermes, Aphrodite, Apollo, Athena, Aries and all the rest, they don't exist, and all of the stories attached to their doings are just myths, they're just made up, they're fiction. So these gods and goddesses don't really exist. Now, it's important to hold in mind, we're not going to develop it today, but I want you to hold this in mind. Paul does assert that there is a demonic presence behind all of this. We need to keep that in mind. There actually is a real spiritual presence behind the false religions of the world. In chapter 10, verse 20, he said, "The sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons." So demons are god and goddess impersonators and have, from time to time, been permitted by the true God to do supernatural things to mislead people into false religions. I think that's true, and it's going to be even worse at the end of the world with the antichrist. We'll get to that in another time, we've already talked about it in the past. The Physical World in Which We Live Was Created by God... Including the Food We Eat Fourthly, we know that the physical world that we live in was created by God, including the food that we eat, was created good by God. Look at Verse 6, "For us there is but one God, the Father from whom all things came and for whom we live, and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live." So this is the theology, Paul's taking the opportunity to teach true theology. There is one God, the Father, the Creator of the ends of the earth, the maker of all things visible and invisible, and from Him we derive our existence. As he said to the Athenians, "In Him, we live and move and have our being." And for Him, all things exist, we exist for His pleasure and for His glory. And He made all physical things, in Genesis 1 He made everything physical and called it good, very good. And for us, there is one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom God made all things, and through whom we live. So in a marvelous, mysterious inter-trinitarian partnership, God the Creator created all things for Himself, and He did that through Jesus, that Jesus is the Word through whom all things were made. And without Him, nothing was made that has been made. And it is in Jesus, who is God's final Word to the human race, it says that God the Father has spoken to us by His Son through whom He made the universe. So, Jesus is the Word of God by which God the Creator made all things Meat is Also Created by God Now, this includes the meat, so the meat is just meat, that's all it is, it's just meat. And what that means is the meat cannot catch a spiritual virus. Now, it can catch other types of things, it's a different matter. But in terms of the actual meat you're not going to have any spiritual problem eating meat, meat is just meat, it's all it is. Now, we all know this, Jesus declared all foods clean, while He was still alive. So what that meant is for the Jews, all of those dietary regulations have been fulfilled in Christ. They've been obsolete. So Jewish Christians can eat pork, they can eat anything that they want, anything that they desire. And so all foods have been declared clean. You remember how Peter was getting ready to go preach the Gospel to the gentile Cornelius, and God sent him a vision of a sheet, let down from heaven, with all kinds of four-footed animals and reptiles, and birds of the air, all kinds, and a voice came from heaven saying, "Get up Peter, kill and eat." And Peter as he always tended to do said, "Surely not, Lord." Bad idea, don't say, "Never Lord" Alright? . When the Lord tells you to do something, just do it. But that was Peter, he did it four times, Never Lord, Never Lord, that's just him. Even after Pentecost, he's still doing that, "Surely not Lord, I have never eaten anything impure or unclean." And the voice spoke from heaven a second time. "Do not call anything unclean that God has made clean." So, all foods are clean, so meat's just meat and all foods are clean. IV. Loveless Knowledge Puffs Up Alright, so that's the knowledge that Paul says we all have. That's the orthodox doctrine. But now he's going to talk about knowledge. Look again at verse 1. "Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all possess knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies or love builds up." It's not enough to just know orthodox doctrine, you have to go beyond that, you have to unite your doctrine with love, you have to unite your doctrine with obedience. Jesus said, "You know these things, you'll be blessed if you do them." You can't like the Book of James be somebody who hears the word and doesn't obey. So he's talking about knowledge. Now, you need to understand, Paul's not against knowledge at all. Everywhere he went, home base for his ministry was pouring out biblical knowledge, scriptural knowledge. He taught everyone the knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, that's what he did, he wrote the Book of Romans, think about that. He was not against doctrine or knowledge, he was all in favor. All he would say is that knowledge is necessary but not sufficient. It's not enough, you have to go beyond it. Knowledge must be supplemented by love. If all you have is knowledge, you don't move out into loving your neighbor as yourself, then it's a dead end and you just acquired all of that knowledge to puff yourself up, to make yourself arrogant, to feel superior to other people, and knowledge can do that. Paul later in this same epistle will somewhat rebuke the Corinthians concerning this matter of love, of knowledge without love. 1 Corinthians 13:2, "If I have the gift of prophecy, and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, but if I have not love, I am nothing." He's very clear about that. So these Corinthians were flaunting their freedoms based on their accurate doctrinal knowledge and they were forgetting the effect that it was having on others, weaker Christians who are not ready to handle those freedoms. The Corinthian’s Knowledge Was Woefully Inadequate Now, look at verse two, their knowledge actually was woefully inadequate. "The man who thinks he knows something, does not yet know as he ought to know." That's quite a statement, isn't it? If you think you know something, you don't know anything. So that's amazing. Honestly, at one sense it really should be true. The more you know, the more you know that you don't know. Does that make sense? Maybe I should say it again slower. No, don't do that, that will be worse. The more you know, the more you know that you don't know, what do I mean by that? I'm saying it's an ignorant person who thinks that he or she has a subject mastered. I remember years ago, we homeschooled our kids, and years ago, one of our kids, won't say his name... But anyway, one of our kids years and years ago, finished his first unit of Math and said to me, as I came home from work, "Daddy, I know everything there is to know about Math." Well, having gone to MIT, an engineer and all that, I knew that he didn't. And I knew that he had a long journey, and that Math is pretty much, as far as I know, an infinite railroad track that everybody gets off at some point. But I didn't want to crush him, I said, "Oh, that's wonderful, good for you." And that's what you do as a dad. I remember when I was a student at MIT, one of my jobs was inspecting fire extinguishers and I was brought down into the basement of the Humanities library, just one of eight major libraries there at MIT. I think between Harvard and MIT they might have 90% of the Library of Congress there in terms of volumes. But they didn't have the space for everything, so they had a discard stack down there in the basement. And there were more books discarded from the Humanities library than I even knew possibly could exist. And I'm walking through there, and I saw some book and just being a curious sort, I pulled it off the shelf, and it was in the Humanities library, so it was some kind of humanities study of a subject I knew, I didn't even know existed. And it was 500 pages long and someone therefore was an expert at something I knew nothing about. And not only that, this expert was now obsolete, there was a better expert upstairs, and I realized that as far as my eyes could see down in that subterranean basement, there are books just like that. So, education is basically, you're moving from unknowing ignorance, to knowing ignorance. The more you go on, the more you find out what you don't know. But actually, let's get more specific than about just general knowledge. Let's talk about knowledge of God. If you're impressed with your own knowledge of theology, you don't really know God very well. You don't know God very well. And as a matter of fact, God can, if He were gracious to you, move out and humble you. You remember the end of the book of Job? Do you remember when God begins speaking to Job after all of that wisdom, that Job's been pouring out? Job's a very wise man. Remember how God begins, starts in with Job, speaking to him out of the whirlwind? "Who is this that darkens wisdom by speaking words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man, strengthen yourself and I will speak to you. Where were you when I laid the Earth’s foundation?" And He goes on like that for chapters. So God, with His infinite knowledge, His omniscience, has the ability to humble us. The better we know God, we understand the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. And knowledge of the Holy, the Holy One, is understanding. So our knowledge of God really ought to humble us. Remember how Job answered Him? He said to God at the end, he said, "You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel by speaking words without knowledge?' Surely, I spoke of things I did not understand, things that were too wonderful for me. You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak, I will question you, and you shall answer me'. My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you, and therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." That's what really knowing God will lead you to, to being humble. But apart from that, your education in Theology, your education in any subject will make you arrogant, it will puff you up. What's really more important than how much, whether you know God or how much you know God, is the question, will God know you on Judgment Day? That's the real question, isn't it? You know, in Matthew 7, Jesus said, "Many will say to Me on Judgment Day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.'" Now He knew them very well, He knew all about them, but He didn't know them. And so Paul says, "The man who loves God is known by God." So let me just stop and say, is that true of you as you listen to my sermon, do you know that Christ knows you? Have you trusted in Christ as your Lord and Savior? Have you come to Christ as Andrew did, and as Darian did? Have you come to Christ and repented of your sins, and asked Him to be your Savior? Have you found forgiveness of sins? That's the knowledge, that Christ will own you as His own because you have come to Him through faith, and trusted in Him. That's what's more important. Now for us who have made that commitment, we have to go beyond just mere doctrinal knowledge. Our church, I think, is a very knowledgeable church doctrinally, and I fear that there might be some of you that need to hear, "Knowledge puffs up but love builds up." I think you need to hear it, I know I need to hear it. It's not enough to just be sharp doctrinally, have all the right answers. The question is, are we loving horizontally to people around us in our lives? Knowledge puffs up, but love edifies or builds up. Now, these Christians had been flaunting their freedoms. And they were forgetting the effect that it was having on other people. The new converts had overpowering memories of their recent lives as pagans. They remembered all the times worshipping the gods and goddesses, feeding on the meat, even indulging in sexual immorality, these were fresh bitter memories for them. And only recently had their consciences been cleansed through faith in Christ. They thought they could never feel like this, clean, pure, but now as they're getting involved in church life, there's some people further along than them, that are leaders in the church that are just doing whatever they want with this meat issue. And they're going, they're walking right into the marketplace and eating whatever, going even into the temple, it didn't matter to them. And they were flaunting their freedoms. And so Paul says, in verse 7, "Not everyone possesses this knowledge," not everyone really understands it like they need to know. Some people are still so accustomed to idols that when they eat such food, they think of it as having been sacrificed to an idol. And since their conscience is weak, it is defiled, they cannot eat that food with a clear conscience. And yet they eat anyway. And Paul says, your brother, for whom Christ died, is devastated by your knowledge. So in the upcoming weeks, beginning next week, we're going to develop more of this concept. But the basic idea here is, do not flaunt your freedoms, be mindful of who's watching, who's around when it comes to the exercise of your Christian freedoms. V. Applications Let's talk about some applications. I mentioned just a moment ago how grateful I am that our church is so characterized by strong biblical knowledge, for the most part. I think it would be good for us to be humbled about that, for us to realize that if we think we know anything, we don't really know as we ought to know. Our knowledge should make us humble. I'm not saying don't pursue knowledge. The answer isn't read less Bible, read less theology, that's not the answer. The question is, are we combining our right doctrinal knowledge with obedience? Are we doing the things He's told us to do, and are we combining it with love for others? Are we building up the edifice of the body of Christ? Some Basic Rules of the Road: Questions to Ask Yourself About Any Habit (from John MacArthur) Now, in terms of these debatable issues, I was listening to a sermon by John MacArthur, and he does a phenomenal job on all of these questions. And I want to just borrow from him, some practical advice that I found helpful and I'll just get out of the way and let him teach us. On basic rules of the road, questions to ask yourself about any habit in which you're indulging. First of all, the question of excess, all of these begin with the letter E. Excess, is this habit hurting my walk with Christ? Am I addicted, am I doing it to excess, or is it baggage that God wants me to cut out of my life? Is it a weight that the author to Hebrews would call on me to lay aside, so I can run the race with endurance? Is this an excess in my life, this freedom? Secondly, Expedience. Is this thing that I'm doing actually helpful for building up the body of Christ? Is it useful, is it beneficial, is it helpful? Paul says in 1 Corinthians 10:23, "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are expedient," or beneficial... Expedient. Thirdly, emulation. In doing this, am I imitating what I see in Christ? It's somewhat like the question, "What would Jesus do?" Can I see Jesus doing this habit pattern that I'm indulging in? 1 John 2:6, it says, "Whoever claims to live in Him [Christ] must walk as Jesus did." So, emulation, in doing this, that I'm doing, am I emulating Jesus? Fourthly, evangelism. Will this habit, this practice in my life, enhance my witness to onlooking non-Christians? Will this habit actually help my testimony or will it hinder it? Will this help me lead people to Christ or will it actually hinder me? Colossians 4:5 says, "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity." Outsiders are watching, would you feel comfortable, outsiders watching you, as you do this action or this habit? Fifth, Edification. Will this action or habit build up other Christians who might see me do it? Will they be made stronger by imitating me, watching me? 1 Corinthians 10:23, "All things are lawful, but not all things edify." Six, exaltation. Does this action glorify God? Can I actually offer this activity up in thankfulness to God, with a clear conscience? 1 Corinthians 10:31, "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." And then finally, example. Would I feel comfortable if my children or a new disciple, a convert that I'm having the privilege to disciple, emulated or imitated me? Am I setting a good example here? Or would I want to say to some degree, "Do as I say, not as I do"? So I think those are seven very helpful principles. Let's close in prayer.

Do true Biblical Christians smell?  Do they smell good or bad?  If one walks in Messiah and abides in Him, their smell is like a sweet aroma to God.  However, to the unbeliever in the world, to those who reject truth, the true follower of Christ smells like death.  Yes, the first death and then the eternal death.  But, to the humans who embrace truth, the smell is like life.  How do you smell?  

The Illinois Department of Children and Family Services has enacted new policies which would prevent Biblical Christians from serving as foster parents. What does this mean for those who care for vulnerable children? What insight does this give into the worldview seeking to keep abortion legal? Join Seth Drayer, sitting in for Mark on the Mark Harrington Show, to find out. You can watch The Mark Harrington Show LIVE every Thursday at 1pm ET on Created Equal Facebook, Twitter and YouTube accounts. If you can't catch him live, you can subscribe to Mark via podcast to listen any time!

Contemporary western society is becoming increasingly more hostile towards the Gospel and increasingly more accepting of alternative lifestyles. People who stand for traditional Biblical morality and orthodox Biblical convictions are going to be called all sorts of derogatory names. There is no genre or topic in which this will be more applicable than in the arena of sexuality, especially any topics related to the LGBTQ community. How should Biblical Christians respond? Many people may ask, "Why do you hate gay and lesbian people?" The truth is not that we hate, but rather that we stand for Biblical truth, and God's ideal for marriage and the family. We orthodox Biblical Christians are going to labeled bigots, homophobic, hateful, old-fashioned, oppressive, etc. because we are seen as hating gay men and women. In this episode, Kenny clearly outlines how we ought to respond in those moments, when we are labeled as being bigots. Should we get angry? What should we do?

Lead Pastor from Kentwood Community Church Kyle Ray shares his heart not only for revival but also for how the American church can better handle the issue of diversity in a Christlike fashion.  He also suggests how we can better reach millennials and deal with increased Biblical illiteracy. He expresses his concerns about becoming merely cultural rather than Biblical Christians. Finally, he speak his heart to followers of Christ in our region in the hope of the Gospel and the reality of the living Christ in His followers.   Intro music “Moving Forward” by Scott Holmes http://freemusicarchive.org/music/Scott_Holmes/

As an evangelical Christian, Biblical Christians, born again Christians, whatever you want to call us, a lot of people are under the impression that we are required to believe in the Trinity because the Council of Nicea told us to, or something like that. That’s actually not why we believe in the Trinity. We believe it ...

These are troubling times for every born-again Christian. The apostasy seems to be increasing exponentially. Biblical Christians are having greater difficulty finding churches that preach and teach the Scriptures. Extra-biblical content has captured the imaginations of growing numbers of Christians as they turn to religious bestsellers and “biblical” movies rather than to the written Word of God. Even with the rise of discernment ministries and “watchmen” blog sites, doctrinal confusion has increased, seemingly unabated.

These are troubling times for every born-again Christian. The apostasy seems to be increasing exponentially. Biblical Christians are having greater difficulty finding churches that preach and teach the Scriptures. Extra-biblical content has captured the imaginations of growing numbers of Christians as they turn to religious bestsellers and “biblical” movies rather than to the written Word of God. Even with the rise of discernment ministries and “watchmen” blog sites, doctrinal confusion has increased, seemingly unabated.

End Time Current Events: 1-4-15 — Part 2 Table of Contents: • Fox Network Blasphemes Jesus Christ in Family Guy Episode ‘The 2,000 Year Old Virgin' • ‘Hip' Elevation Megachurch Pastor Steven Furtick gives Biblical Christians new label: ‘Hater' • Bible Verses Regarding False Ministers PDF: End Time Current Events 1-4-15 Click Here to Play…

With the Victorian state election almost on us, and elections next year scheduled for other states, we look at what Biblical Christians look for in elected leaders. Help Vision to keep 'Connecting Faith to Life': https://vision.org.au/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul continues to explore the correct relationship between the Mosaic law and Gentile Christians in Galatians 3:10. By stating that "in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham [came] upon the Gentiles," he overturns the argument of the Judaizers (cf. 3:14). One must not let the Mosaic Law replace God's covenant with Abraham, for "Anything that comes afterward does not annul a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to make the promise void" (3:17). With this logic Paul advocates Covenantial Theology: God makes multiple covenants with His people over time to unfold His plan in stages, building block upon block; later covenants do not nullify prior covenants. Biblical Christians ought to contrast Paul's orthodoxy with the heterodox Dispensational Theology that arose in 19th Century Protestant circles and appears in the Scofield Reference Bible (1st ed. 1909). He continues, "Why then the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the offspring should come to whom the promise was made" (3:19). The law can do the work of God by stirring up those who have faith to realize that they must rely on the promise of God. One should follow God's laws without acquiring a delusional attitude of self-righteousness. The law does not work against God's promises but serves as a custodian for the people of God until they come of age (cf. 3:24-29). God designed His people to mature and become "sons of God, through faith" in Christ Jesus (3:26). Christians who follow God's will from the heart are likely to produce works of faith from the heart. Baptism fundamentally changes one's soul so that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave, nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus," though one's body and state in life are likely to remain the same (3:28). Further nourished by the gift of the Eucharist, God prepares his people to go into all the world and spread the gospel. Music: Bach's Aria Variata, BVW. 989 performed by Brendan Kinsella. www.musopen.com