Podcasts about non christian

Introduction: 2 Kings 18:4 – He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the Asherah. And he broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made, for until those days the people of Israel had made offerings to it (it was called Nehushtan). Thou Shalt Not Commit Adultery (Matthew 5:27-30): Adultery Is a DEVASTATING SIN. (Matt 5:27–28) Matthew 15:19 – For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. Titus 1:15 – To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. Adultery has DIRE CONSEQUNECES. (Matt 5:29–30) 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 – Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. Adultery requires DRASTIC MEASURES. (Matt 5:29–30) Romans 13:14 - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. 1 Corinthians 6:9–11 – And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANKHint: Highlight blanks above for answers! Small Group DiscussionRead Matthew 5:27-30What was your big take-away from this passage / message?Explain Matthew 5:28 in your own words.What did Jesus mean by gouging out your right eye and cutting off your right hand (Matt 5:29-30)? What are some practical ways to apply this teaching?Is Jesus saying a believer who commits adultery will go to hell? Who exactly is “thrown into hell”?What would you say to a professing believer who confesses that they can't break free from lusting? BreakoutPray for one another. AUDIO TRANSCRIPT Open up those Bibles to Matthew chapter 5.If you're visiting with us today, we are going through the Sermon on the Mount verseby verse.And Happy Mother's Day, the title of today's sermon is "Thou Shall Not Commit Adultery."I, I, um, we go where the text goes, okay?That's what we do.We go where the text goes.So let's do that.I'd like you to bow your heads please and just pray for me to be faithful to communicateGod's Word.And I will pray for you to have a heart open to receive what is an extremely challengingpassage.Let's pray.Father in heaven, we thank You for Your Word.We're not going to shy away from it.We just heard two testimonies of the way that Your Word has transformed lives.We're going to hear at least four more in the next service.That's why we, um, we just want to go after Your Word, God, because we believe that YourWord does Your work because that's what You said.And that is certainly what we've seen.So Father, I pray for all of us here today, all those who are going to be listening, watchingthis stream or downloading the podcast.Father I pray that You would bring revival in each and every heart in a way that greatlyglorifies Your name.We pray in Jesus' name.And all of God's people said, "Amen."Amen.Matthew chapter 5, are you there?In Numbers chapter 21, you have Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt to the promisedland and Israel complained and grumbled against God, against Moses.And the Lord sent these fiery serpents who, and these serpents bit some of the Israelitesand many of them died.Well they repented.And God told Moses to put a bronze serpent on a pole.And if the Israelites, when they were bitten by one of the snakes, if they looked at thisbronze serpent, they would live.Well then fast forward, Israel in the land established and they had kings.Some kings were very bad and some kings were just not as bad.Right?Can you relate to that at all?And Hezekiah was a king who was not as bad and he brought a lot of reforms to Israel.Here's one.We put this verse up from 2 Kings chapter 18.Hezekiah says, "He removed the high places and broke the pillars and cut down the ashram.He broke in pieces the bronze serpent that Moses had made for until those days the peopleof Israel had made offerings to it."It was called Nahushdin.See what happened?You see what happened?People took a blessing that God gave them for their benefit and they turned it into anidol.That's exactly how it is with physical intimacy.It is a gift that God gave those in the covenant of marriage, but we have turned it into anidol.So on your outline today, this is it."Thou shall not commit adultery."I want you to write some things down.Number one, write this down.Adultery is a devastating sin.Adultery is a devastating sin.Now just that statement alone, it's a hard sell because we are a sex-obsessed culture.You've taken this gift from God and we've perverted it and we worship it.Do I have to point that out at all?Look at all the homosexuality madness, all the transgender stuff.And you're like, "Yeah, you know what, Pastor Jeff, you're right.You're right.It's bad out there."And I would say, "Church, it's bad in here."I was reading some polls for what they're worth.But according to one poll, one half of self-identifying Christians believe that casual sex is okay.Consenting but not in a relationship.They believe that's okay.Half.Think that's alright.What?I read a poll about pornography use among non-Christian men.Non-Christian men, 65%.Like, yeah, that's pretty bad.Christian men, 64%.The same poll, lest you think, "Yeah, creepy men, right?Creepy men, same poll, 51% of women."And you know at this point, you could be like, "Well, look, Jeff, we're only human.Everyone does it.It's not hurting anyone."Well according to Jesus, it's a devastating sin.Look at verse 27, Matthew chapter 5.Jesus said, "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.'"Stop there.Adultery.What is adultery?Well the technical term is defined as intercourse with another person's spouse.But it's become a catch-all term for relations with anyone who is not your spouse.And you're going to see in this passage, it's very clear that that's how Jesus was usingthe term in the most general sense possible.You go to Exodus chapter 20 and verse 14, you see that it's the seventh commandment.You go to Deuteronomy chapter 22 and verse 22, you'll see that under the law in Israel,adultery was punishable by death.And I don't have time to get into it this morning.We've done whole sermon series on this, by the way.But I just encourage you, if you're ready to just brush it off as, "Oh, church people,just making a big deal out of nothing," read Proverbs 5, 6, and 7 sometime.And you will see that adultery is a devastating sin.I heard one pastor this past week call it a sin for fools.And I think that's a very good description.adultery is devastating.I mean, it wrecks you, destroys your reputation, affects your relationship with your spouse,relationship with your kids.Oh, and the other person, what about them?It affects, now if they're married, it affects their relationship with their spouse.If they have kids, it affects their kids.And what has done to their reputation.But the devastation of adultery is way deeper than that.Look at verse 28.Jesus says, "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent hasalready committed adultery with her in his heart."Do you notice verse 27, verse 28?Jesus said, "You have heard, but I say to you," what was Jesus doing?Pastor Taylor talked about this last week.Same thing with murder.Same thing.Jesus was contrasting their definition of sin with God's definition of sin.Because their definition of sin in Jesus' day was all about externals.So when they hear adultery, they're thinking only in terms of the physical act with anotherperson.But that, not alone, is adultery.And Jesus says, "No, you're not taking it far enough.And you're understanding.It's a hard issue.Like murder.You don't have to actually kill someone to be considered a murderer in the eyes of God."Jesus is saying the same thing about adultery.You don't have to physically be with another person to be an adulterer.Look at verse 28 again.He says, "I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has alreadycommitted adultery with her in his heart."Now you have to understand this looking with lustful intent, it's not an accidental glance.This is literally in the process of continuing to look.It's looking in such a way that you are fueling your sexual imagination.When that happens, the deed's already done.Adultery has happened.Now listen, I don't want you to misunderstand because it's even worse than you think itis.Listen, Jesus did not say that looking at a woman with lustful intent causes you to commitadultery in your hearts.Jesus said looking at a woman with lustful intent means you already committed adulteryin your heart.Jesus is saying that you looked with lustful intent because it was already in your heartto commit adultery.I think this is where a lot of people get this mixed up.It's not, "Oh, I was going about my business and I just stumbled across this woman andI looked at her and that is what caused me to lust."That's not the extent of it.It's this, I have an adulterous heart that's looking for a woman with lustful intent.See the difference?The look did not cause the lust.It is the lust that caused the look.You see the difference?Look, look, I can't, there's no way I can overstate this.This is a real problem.And this is a real problem that people sitting here have right now and are not dealing withit.You're not an adulterer because of something you do, it's who you are.It's a heart thing.You see with adultery like murder, as Pastor Taylor talked about last week, before it'san act, even if it doesn't become an act.That is what is in your heart.This is the heart of the law.Jesus said in Matthew 15, 19, "For out of the hearts, out of the heart come evil thoughts,murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander."You see that?The sinful acts are symptoms of a sinful condition.Committing the act of adultery, those are the leaves on the tree that has the root ofan adulterous heart.And if you're sitting here still somehow magnanimously saying in your head, "I would never committhe act."I did not and I would never commit the act of adultery.But if that sin is in your mind, if that sin is constantly in your imagination, you havea real problem.That's why pornography is such a big business.Why?Because sinful hearts are literally searching for it.And you have to understand that if that's your issue, the sin started even before yougot online because it's in here.It's a devastating condition to live in.You're unable to live a holy and upright life because when your heart is full of adultery,it perverts everything.And consider Titus 1.15.Look at this verse.Paul says to the pure, "All things are pure."But to the defiled and unbelieving, meaning your heart is full of perversion and sin,to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure.But both their minds and their consciences are defiled.Do you know what that means?That means that when you're in that latter condition, you cannot look at another womanpurely.You cannot see another woman as a sister, as a mom, as even just another human being.When this is where your heart is, every woman that you encounter, you're evaluating.And many become objects in your minds and hearts of fantasies.Lust just becomes all-consuming.And the people that live in this defiled state don't even see a problem.God's gift of marital intimacy has become an idol that you use to gratify your flesh.So see, Jesus is telling us out the gate, this is a devastating condition.And secondly, I shall not commit adultery.Not only is adultery a devastating sin, but adultery has dire consequences.Adultery has dire consequences.Look at verses 29 and 30.These two verses kind of saying the same thing, but this is some of the most startling stuffJesus ever said, in my opinion.He says, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away, for itis better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away, for it is betterthat you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."And you're like, "Man, gouge out your eye?Like cut off your hand?"Like, "Man, that seems awfully extreme."If that's the part you're focusing on, then you have completely missed the point.Because neither of those things are extreme.They're not extreme at all compared to hell.Notice twice Jesus says, "Thrown into hell."Thrown into hell.What's the obvious implication, right?We get it.We get what He's saying.Jesus is saying here that people with adulterous hearts go to hell.If you're still not convinced, Paul backs this up, verse Corinthians 6, verses 9 through10.He says, "Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?"Meaning go to heaven.Meaning go to hell.He says, "Do not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral nor adulterers nor men whopractice homosexuality nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor revilers nor swindlerswill inherit the kingdom of God."Your priority in this life, more than anything, should be preparing yourself for eternity.Are you doing that?Because the Bible says your decisions in this life matter.And someday you're going to stand before God.So if lust is a problem for you, if lust characterizes you, and look, I can't answerthat.I can't answer that for you.But you know if this sin consumes who you are.And if it characterizes you, there are consequences.As we talked about before, here and now, apparently, obviously, easily seen, there are consequencesfor adultery.But Jesus says there's also consequences when you take your last breath.Adultery has dire consequences.So let's talk about the other big thing in these verses.Number three, adultery requires drastic measures.Look at them again.He says, "If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away, for itis better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away, for it is betterthat you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell."Weren't you just blessed by the obedience of those who were baptized today?Didn't you say obedience is a wonderful thing?Awesome.Who's first?I mean, didn't Jesus just say if your hand causes you to sin, to cut it off?Who's first?We're not going to do it over the tub because we get more baptisms in the next service.And you're like, "Yeah, what about the other verse?"Well, don't worry.We can take care of the eye, too.We'll get Pastor Taylor up here.We'll do them both at the same time.You won't know.You won't even know what's going on when both of them are happening at the same time.And you're like, "Man, gouging out your eye and cutting off your hand.Man, that sounds drastic."Oh, it absolutely is.Maybe even more than you think.Because you see, Jesus was speaking to Jews.And the Jews viewed the right greater than the left.Just as a general thing.If you're left-handed, I don't need any hate emails.Okay?That's just the way it was, right?Sitting at the right hand.My right hand, man.The idea was right is better than left.So your right eye and your right hand and the Jewish mindset, those were the two most importantthings that you own.What Jesus is saying is this, there is nothing that is too important to eliminate from yourlife if it is causing you to sin.Adultery is destructive, it's enslaving, it's condemning.We got to deal with that.We have to deal with it.Do you believe that?Whatever.Listen.Whatever it is that feeds the lust in your heart, no matter how important that thingis, it has got to go.It's got to go.If you're feeding your lust through your phone or maybe a tablet, smash them up.And you're like, "Pastor Jeff, I have the newest iPhone.I spent a lot of money for that."It's not worth hell.Is it your laptop?Smash it up.Or you know, take your laptop to the kitchen and only use it around your family.You're like, "Oh, Pastor Jeff, my family is really nebby."Good.So glad to hear that.It's not worth hell.Maybe for some of you it's your social media accounts where you're having inappropriaterelationships, conversations with people online or looking at things through those that youshouldn't be looking at.Delete them.Delete those social media accounts.You're like, "But Pastor Jeff, that's how I stay connected.Join a small group."You're like, "Put Pastor Jeff, the social media, that's just my leisure time.Take up pickleball.It's not worth hell."You know what?Maybe we'll just take care of all this.Call and cancel your internet if it's a problem.If it's leading you to feed this lust, Jesus says, "It has to go."And you're like, "Well, Pastor Jeff, I need the internet for my job.Get a new job.I will find you a job where you don't need the internet because it's not worth hell."Maybe for some of you as we are approaching summer, maybe it's a membership in a publicpool.Like, you know what?I go there, Pastor Jeff, and I look at the women there, and I get to tell you what didJesus say.You've got to get extreme here, people.But Pastor Jeff, my pool membership, that's just kind of our thing like we do in the summer.Swim at home.And I don't have a pool at my house.Do you have a bathtub?It's not worth hell.And I know people are like, "Okay, Pastor Jeff, I hear what you're saying, but I'm goingto be honest with you."It's going to be kind of embarrassing to have to explain to people why I smashed my phoneand canceled my internet.It's going to, I'm going to have to explain to people why I did that.That's kind of embarrassing.I'll tell you what's going to be more embarrassing than that is you not cutting off your sin,and someday you're going to stand before God.And God's going to say, "Do you remember the strangest Mother's Day sermon you've everheard?"Why didn't you listen?Why did you despise my word?Why did you think following me was not worth cutting off the stuff that keeps you from followingme with your whole heart?Why did you find me not worthy?Notice Jesus says it's better.It is better to lose your eye, lose your hand.It's better.What's better than going to hell?Literally anything.Anything you have to lose for the sake of your soul is going to be worth it.Romans 13, 14, same thing.Paul's saying the same thing.Maybe not in as graphic terms as Jesus, but it's the same thing.He says, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ and make no provision for the flesh to gratifyits desires.Make no provision.Take drastic measures to cut off anything that feeds the flesh."It's like that old story I heard, an old metaphor.Maybe you've heard about the guy.He had a white dog and a gray dog.And every time he put food out for them, the gray dog would whoop up the white dog, takeall the food.The white dog would get none.After a while, the white dog, not eating, got weaker and weaker and weaker and the graydog getting all the food, got stronger and stronger and stronger.The guy said, "I've got to do something about this."So he put both the dogs on a leash.And for a month, he only fed the white dog.This isn't a real story, by the way.Don't call it PETA.But he only fed the white dog.The gray dog barely surviving.But after that time of only feeding the white dog and not the gray dog when he let themoff the leash, now the white dog was strong because it was the one that got fed.The gray dog was weak because it was the one that got starved.And I think you see the obvious application.The dog you feed is going to be the dominant dog.And the dog you starved was going to be the weak dog.See in this analogy, the white dog represents walking by the Spirit.The gray dog represents walking in the flesh.I think some of you are so weak because you're not feeding the Spirit, so to speak.You're not into Word.You're not worshiping.You're not praying.You're not in fellowship.You're not listening to good biblical podcasts.You're starving that.When instead you need to be starving the flesh.Make no provision for the flesh.Starve the adulterous heart by making no provision for whichever dog you feed is going to bethe dog that is strong.And the dog that you don't feed is the dog that gets weak.And you're like, "Man, Pastor Jeff, this sounds impossible."Oh, it is.Absolutely.That's why we put Romans 13 back up there, please.It is impossible.Hence the first phrase in this verse, "Put on the Lord Jesus Christ."Reformation is not going to work.If your goal here is to just try to clean up your act, you're not going to get very far.You need transformation.You need the life of Christ in us to be able to make these choices.Oh, and by the way, earlier we read, well, 1 Corinthians 6, we read verses 9 and 10.I'd like to go back and I'd like to look at the very next verse.Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?Do you not be deceived, neither the sexually immoral, nor adulterers, nor adulterers, normen who practice homosexuality, nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers,nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God?Look at verse 11.And such were some of you that you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, youwere justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ by the Spirit of our God.I just want to ask you today, are you an R?Or are you a Wurr?Because today, today could be the most important day of your life because today you can becomea Wurr.Like it about your heads as the worship team makes their way back up.Just like it about your heads.Close your eyes.Look, this is a between you and God thing here, alright?There's some of you that have been trapped because you don't know Jesus Christ as yourLord and Savior.You don't have the power or resources to overcome this sin because you're living in the flesh,not by the power of His Holy Spirit because you don't know.Today can be the day that you receive Him.And you know what?We're baptizing in the next service.Pastor Taylor would be thrilled to be able to baptize you because you've repented fromyour sin and turned to Jesus Christ.But if you, heads bowed, eyes closed, if you're sitting here and you're like, you know whatpastors, I am a believer in Jesus Christ, but I'm honestly, I'm stuck in this sin.I just want to ask you, Christian, stuck in this sin.Why in the world would you indulge in a sin that Jesus died for?Today Christian, you need to repent.Today Christian, you need to do some cutting.Father in heaven, I just simply ask today that you open up the eyes of our hearts that wedon't look at this sin from a worldly perspective because the world celebrates it.Father, let us see this sin from your perspective.It's a horrible sin.Father, let us see the consequences that Jesus laid out for us.There is eternal separation from you for the heart that chooses to live in lust insteadof walking by the Spirit.Father, I pray that you would give us the wisdom, you would give us the strength, andyou would give us the faith to be able to cut some things today.It's ultimately going to bless us to be free from this bondage, but the end goal of allthings, Father, is for the glory of your name.Father, I pray that you would glorify your name through a work of your Holy Spirit, bringingpeople to you in repentance and bringing your people back from a willing bondage tosin.Please, Father, let our life, let our very life be an act of worship in the way we repent.We pray in Jesus' name, amen.

This Day in Maine for Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

As Dan reflects on his own testimony coming to faith growing up in a non-Christian home, we discuss ways for parents, youth leaders, and friends of teenagers in the same situation to guide and support them in finding Jesus.Hearts on Fire

It's Mailbag Friday! You've got questions, we've got answers! Segment 1 • How do I protect my kids from non-Christian in-laws who undermine our faith? Segment 2 • Should I pursue courtship if my potential spouse had a sinful past? Segment 3 • Is it gossip or wisdom to heed warnings about someone? • I want to be a pastor—what practical and spiritual advice do I need? Segment 4 • Does a messy house disqualify a man from church leadership? ___ Thanks for listening! Wretched Radio would not be possible without the financial support of our Gospel Partners. If you would like to support Wretched Radio we would be extremely grateful. VISIT https://fortisinstitute.org/donate/ If you are already a Gospel Partner we couldn't be more thankful for you if we tried!

Is Romans 7:14–25 describing a Christian or not? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper shows how God's righteousness in Christ transforms our view of sin and the law, regardless of the answer.

Here's the entire point of Christianity made simple… 

Sign-up for my free 20-day devotional, The Word Before Work Foundations, at http://TWBWFoundations.com--Series: Christmas Vocations Part IIIDevotional: 2 of 4In those days Caesar Augustus issued a decree that a census should be taken of the entire Roman world. (Luke 2:1)We're in a series exploring the vocations of some of the characters in the Christmas narrative and what they can teach us about our own work today. Today we come to Caesar Augustus.This secular leader has a mixed legacy including brutal tales of how he came to rule over the Roman Empire. And yet, God chose to work through Augustus and his census to bring Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem, thus fulfilling the prophecy of Micah 5:2 that God's chosen Messiah would be born in the town of David.This reminds us of a remarkable truth we see all throughout Scripture—namely that God works in this world through non-believers and believers alike. This is one element of “common grace” which my friend Mike Kelsey (lead pastor at McLean Bible Church) defines as “the reality that God extends his goodness to and through people apart from a saving relationship with him.”The number of ways common grace should practically shape our work are legion. Let me share just three today.First, submit to leaders so long as their edicts don't contradict God's Word. Yes, even leaders you loathe. Why? Because “the one in authority is God's servant for your good” (see Romans 13:1-7). I doubt Mary and Joseph agreed with Caesar Augustus's politics. But they obeyed his commands and the world was blessed because of it.Second, trust that God is at work in your workplace even if your leaders don't believe in him. It can be really hard to work for leaders who are agnostic or even hostile towards your faith. But don't fall for the lie that God is not working through them. Caesar Augustus reminds you that he is. There is no such thing as a truly “secular” workplace, because God is at work through believers and non-believers alike to accomplish his good and perfect will.Finally, call out the good God is doing through non-Christians as a means of evangelism. There are many things your secular co-workers do that are not good by God's standards. But God can use those same co-workers to bring about genuinely good things in the world. When you see your non-Christian co-workers working with justice, love, and beauty, call them out on it, encouraging them that you see God working through them and their work. And see how those otherworldly words of blessing can open up doors to share the gospel today!

Many of us are trying to disciple our children without the example of our own parents. Perhaps we came to faith through friends in our teens or adulthood, or the faith our parents have now is not one that they had when we were growing up. How do we nurture our kids' faith when we have no example to follow? How do we help them not to make the same mistakes we made? And what are the basics of family discipleship? Here to help us navigate these issues is writer Hope Bonarcher. Native New-Yorker Hope came to faith in her late 20s, after a life of drugs, alcohol and promiscuity. Her life was radically turned around by Jesus, and within a couple of years she was married with a baby! Hope now lives west of Glasgow with her Scottish husband and their four children, who she is currently homeschooling. Links: Follow Hope on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hopebonarcher/ Follow Beauty Faith Life on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beautyfaithlife/ Read Hope's articles for Woman Alive magazine: https://www.womanalive.co.uk/hope-bonarcher/2104.bio Thank you for listening today. If you are able to contribute to the cost of producing this podcast, please click here to give a one-off or regular gift: www.brf.org.uk/get-involved/give/ Parenting for Faith is part of the charity, BRF. We are reliant on donations from individuals and churches to make our resources available to as many people as possible. We are grateful for all donations, big or small. They make a real difference. Thank you so much for partnering with us.

In Love With a Non ChristianThe Copetition between DemonationsCremationJesus Tempted in the Desert

What is a declaration of nullity, and how is it different from divorce? Can the Catholic church ever dissolve a marriage? What factors would render a marriage null? What does the process of annulment involve?In this episode, we look at the often-misunderstood process of annulment. Donate via PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/References and further reading/listening/viewing:Matthew 19The Code of Canon Law, 1055 - 1165 Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, "Norms on the preparation of the process for the dissolution of the marriage bond in favour of the faith"Canon Law Made Easy:"What is the Pauline Privilege?""When is a 'Natural Marriage' a Valid Marriage?""Marriage and Annulment""Can a Catholic Ever Get Married in a Non-Catholic Church?""If a Catholic Marries a Non-Christian, How is it a Sacrament?""Catholics in Non-Sacramental Marriages"Ascension Presents, "The Truth About Annulments"Catholic Answers:"The Difference Between Sacramental and Natural Marriage""Why Does the Church Not See Adultery as Grounds for an Annulment?""Can Marriages Between Unbaptized People Be Dissolved By Divorce?""If I Married a Non-Baptized Person in a Civil Wedding, do I Need an Annulment to Remarry?""Why Can Valid Marriages Between Unbaptized People Be Dissolved?""Marriage and Consummation""Why The Church Cannot Marry the Impotent""What are Grounds for Annulment?"Donate via PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/

Get notes on this podcast here:  https://churchleaders.com/podcast/499840-mark-matlock-pastors-spiritually-curious.html Mark Matlock joins “The Stetzer ChurchLeaders Podcast” to share what the data shows about the “spiritually curious,” the distinctions between this group and other non-Christians, and how to engage with the spiritually curious effectively. Dr. Sean McDowell and Dr. Timothy Muehlhoff joined us last week to discuss the challenges of navigating disagreements in today's polarized culture, emphasizing the importance of empathy, truth, and building relationships. Check out our conversation with them here: https://churchleaders.com/podcast/499474-sean-mcdowell-timothy-muehlhoff-church-leaders-cancel-culture.html  ► Listen on Apple: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-churchleaders-podcast/id988990685 Visit ChurchLeaders Website: https://churchleaders.com Find ChurchLeaders on Facebook: https://facebook.com/churchleaders Follow ChurchLeaders on X: https://x.com/ChurchLead Follow ChurchLeaders on Instagram: https://instagram.com/churchlead/ Follow ChurchLeaders on Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/churchleaders/   “Faith for the Curious: How an Era of Spiritual Openness Shapes the Way We Live and Help Others Follow Jesus” by Mark Matlock Check out Mark's website Follow Mark on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter

In pp. 77–79 of The Defense of the Faith (first edition), Cornelius Van Til addresses the fundamental differences between Christian and non-Christian perspectives on ethics, particularly focusing on the role of the will of God as foundational to ethical systems. Van Til begins by asserting that God's will is absolute and self-determinative. God is eternally good, not becoming good through a process, but being so by his very nature. Unlike humans, God does not have to achieve goodness; it is intrinsic to his eternal character. Therefore, God is both absolutely necessary and absolutely free. Van Til introduces a key distinction between Christian and non-Christian viewpoints. Christians uphold the concept of an absolutely self-determinative God, who is the necessary presupposition for all human activity. Non-Christian ethics, however, assume that if the Christian God were real, he would stifle ethical activity. This is because non-theistic views perceive God and man as having wills conditioned by an environment, implying that God must also achieve goodness through a process. Van Til critiques Platonic philosophy, noting that Plato's conception of “the Good” was ultimate, but his god was not. For Plato, “the Good” was abstract and separated from a fully personal God, leaving the ultimate reality as dependent on the element of Chance. Thus, even if Plato spoke of the Good, it was not self-determined or sovereign in the Christian sense. Modern idealist philosophers tried to build on Platonic thought by proposing an “absolutely self-determinative Experience,” but ultimately failed, according to Van Til, because they made God dependent on the space-time universe, blending time and eternity. As a result, God became dependent on external processes rather than being sovereign over them. The core ethical difference between Christianity and non-Christian systems is the acceptance or rejection of an ultimately self-determinative God. Van Til argues that without the presupposition of God as absolute, there can be no coherent or purposeful human experience, including ethics. The absolute sovereignty of God is not a hindrance to human responsibility but rather its foundation. Van Til makes a point to distinguish Christian doctrine from philosophical determinism. While both affirm necessity, philosophical determinism is impersonal, suggesting that everything is determined by blind, impersonal forces. Christianity, in contrast, asserts that the ultimate reality is personal; God's sovereign will underlies the possibility of genuine human freedom and responsibility. Chapters 00:00:07 Introduction 00:05:31 Ethics and the Christian Philosophy of Reality 00:11:45 The Christian Conception of God 00:18:02 The Absolute Contrast between Christian and Non-Christian Ethics 00:29:48 Contrasts with Platonism 00:47:18 Contrast with Idealism 00:52:10 The Central Ethical Distinction 00:55:22 Contrast with Philosophical Determinism 01:05:11 Conclusion

A profound challenge confronts us daily—how to live as Christians in a world that often feels anything but Christian. We live in times when society's values frequently contradict biblical truths. So, how do we remain faithful to Jesus Christ when the world around us may seem indifferent, hostile, or simply uninterested? In this message, Pastor Lonnie details how living as a Christian in a non-Christian world is not easy, but it is our calling. We are to be salt and light, reflecting the love, truth, and grace of Jesus in all we do.

What should you do if you're a Christian but your parents are not? Today, Stephen Nichols offers biblical advice to help us honor our parents as we bear witness to the gospel. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/ask-ligonier/how-can-i-love-honor-and-witness-to-my-non-christian-parents/ Submit a biblical or theological question of your own by calling 1-800-607-9386 or by emailing an audio recording of your question to askligoniervm@ligonier.org. You can also receive real-time answers through our online chat service at https://ask.ligonier.org/. A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath discusses if Christians are allowed to date unbelievers.

Following the description of the war between the flesh and the Spirit, Paul transitions to a list of the acts of the flesh. This list isn't to be kept legalistically, but to understand what kind of life the flesh produces. It's important to understand the flesh, because it is one of the major enemies of the Christian. Ken and Mike define the flesh along with where it comes from in scripture. They discuss the specific types listed in these verses, and how flesh affects the Non-Christian and the Christian. A listener asks for the guys' help with what to bring for their church potluck. Have you ever had the awkward moment of a musical interlude in your church service? What's the longest one you've ever heard? The guys come up with options to help pass the time while the soloist plays on.Passage: Galatians 5:19-21Support the show

In a blog post, Carey Nieuwhof reviews some information coming out of a study done by Barna Group which shows only 21% of those identifying as Non-Christian have a positive perception of the local church. As a whole, only 44% of males and 49% of females surveyed have a positive perception of the local church. While the goal of the local church may not be to make everyone like it, what should the goal be? It's likely not what culture at large suspects. This is what we will discuss in this week's message.

A listener wants to know if it's okay to have an unbelieving boyfriend. James & Mia offer a tenderhearted response that we can all benefit from, whether we're happily single, dating, or have been married for decades. If you find this podcast helpful, spread the word: Share, rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts.

We welcome two returning champions to Spirit Matters. James Finley is a clinical psychologist, a spiritual director and a faculty member at the Center for Action and Contemplation. Early in his life he was a monk in a Trappist monastery and a novice under the well-known mystic Thomas Merton. He is a recognized authority on contemplative Christianity and mysticism whose books include Merton's Palace of Nowhere, The Contemplative Heart, Christian Meditation, and The Healing Path. Mirabai Starr is an award-winning author of creative non-fiction and contemporary translations of sacred literature. She teaches and speaks in various venues on contemplative practice, mysticism, and inter-spiritual dialog. Her earlier books taught readers about the great Christian mystics (John of the Cross, Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila). Her more recent books include Wild Mercy: Living the Fierce and Tender Wisdom of the Women Mystics, Caravan of No Despair: A Memoir of Loss and Transformation, and her latest, Ordinary Mysticism: Your Life as Sacred Ground.  They are on the show together because they are teaching a workshop together this fall (November, 2024) under the auspices of Gladdening Light, in which they will draw upon the teachings of Christian and Non-Christian mystical traditions to offer "practical guidelines in the gentle art of contemplative practice."   James Finley Gladdening Light.org Find our more about Philip Goldberg Author, Speaker, Spiritual Counselor, Writing Coach Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we tackle a listener's question on play dates at non-Christian homes and concerns about worldly exposure. We discuss balancing exposure with wisdom, the importance of biblical hospitality, and how to ground children in the biblical worldview. Join us for practical advice on navigating these situations with faith and discernment. Resource mentioned: Biblical Worldview Curriculum - https://foundationworldview.com/curriculum/early-childhood-worldview Comparative Worldview Curriculum - https://foundationworldview.com/curriculum/comparative-worldview

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Fellowship Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Apologetics: Lesson 9: The Non-Christian Point of View and the Christian Point of Vie Subtitle: Apologetics Study Speaker: Scott Kamps Broadcaster: Grace Fellowship Baptist Church Event: Midweek Service Date: 7/31/2024 Length: 51 min.

Paul considers the criticism that Christianity is a crutch for the weak and examines how it fails to be persuasive.

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Fellowship Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Lesson 8: The Non-Christian Point of View and the Christian Point of View Subtitle: Apologetics Study Speaker: Scott Kamps Broadcaster: Grace Fellowship Baptist Church Event: Midweek Service Date: 7/24/2024 Length: 45 min.

Debunking Misconceptions About Non-Christian Spiritual Practices In this enlightening episode of A Soulful Rebellion, I talk about the growing trend of demonizing spiritual practices outside traditional church norms, like yoga and astrology. Together, we'll explore the roots of these misconceptions, the impact of colonization, and how the church has used fear to maintain control. We'll debunk myths, reveal the truth behind various spiritual practices, and support your journey through faith deconstruction and spiritual awakening. Tune in, challenge the status quo with me, and embrace your unique spiritual path. Ready to deepen your spiritual journey? Book a free Spiritual Guidance Session with me to assess your journey, pinpoint growth areas, and set meaningful goals. Schedule your session today at ⁠⁠https://asoulfulrebellion.com/spiritualguidance⁠⁠. For the blog post version of this episode: The Blog

A new MP3 sermon from Grace Fellowship Baptist Church is now available on SermonAudio with the following details: Title: Apologetics: Lesson 7: The Non-Christian Point of View Subtitle: Apologetics Study Speaker: Scott Kamps Broadcaster: Grace Fellowship Baptist Church Event: Midweek Service Date: 7/10/2024 Length: 59 min.

OUR FAMILY MUSIC ACADEMY: Affordable and effective online weekly music lessons designed for families.https://www.voetbergmusicacademy.comUse coupon code: PODCASTVMA for 10% off each month-Send us your questions for future Q&A podcasts! You can submit them here: https://www.nowthatwereafamily.com/podcastquestionsubmission-Mentioned during podcast: - "Three Things Great Marriages Have In Common // Gary Thomas" - https://www.nowthatwereafamily.com/podcasts/now-that-we-re-a-family-10/episodes/2148650721 - "Rated R Movies, Sending Teens To College, and Family Loyalty // Douglas Wilson" - https://www.nowthatwereafamily.com/podcasts/now-that-we-re-a-family-10/episodes/2148616918 - Steak with Bourbon Cream Sauce Recipe - https://aperfectfeast.com/steak-with-bourbon-cream-sauce/ (This was INSANELY good) - Caprese Salad Recipe - https://www.iheartnaptime.net/caprese-salad/ - Super tasty salad (I added mixed greens to make it go further. Cherry tomatoes on the vine make this one) - Shop our Library - https://www.nowthatwereafamily.com/shop-my-library

Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Ryan and Tony are back for Week 2 of The Friend Series as we talk about balancing Christian and non-Christian friendships. This episode is NOT about getting rid of your friends who are don't know or love Jesus. It's about evaluating your friendships and ultimately using these relationships to help you and others grow closer to God. Jesus was known for hanging out with sinners, but his inner circle was made up of men who were striving to be godly. The closest voices in your life should be men who point you closer to Jesus. Take inventory of your friends. Who are your closest friends? Are they bringing you closer to Jesus? Who are some men in your life who you can point closer to Jesus? Men, relationships don't grow by accident. Friendships get harder as we get older with family, kids, work, etc. It takes intentionality to sustain close  friendships. Think about some friendships in your life that need attention and act on that today. We would love to help equip you for this journey, reach out to us today and let us be a resource for you! https://menofiron.org/contact-us/ You can now watch the Men of Iron Podcast on YouTube – www.youtube.com/@men_of_iron. Listen to the Men of Iron Podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Subscribe, listen and share! Find out more at menofiron.org/podcast Regardless of where you are in your journey, we have the tools and experiences for you. We provide one-to-one coaching, small group, and retreat curriculum. To know God is an adventure, and we are calling all men to conquer the mountain ahead of us. Men, it's time to climb! >>> MENOFIRON.ORG/THECLIMB Check out our Free Resources here menofiron.org/basecamp-free/ For Mentorship & Executive coaching visit menofiron.org/thesummit-mentorship/ For Retreat Resources visit menofiron.org/programs/eq-elite/ For Small Group Resources visit menofiron.org/theclimb/thepitch/

Text: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Today we take a break from the news cycle to celebrate 1,000 episodes of "Relatable"! We explain how Allie got started in media and eventually made her way to BlazeTV. Then, we play some voicemails from the audience to hear your thoughts on the show and how it may have changed your perspectives! We also meet the Relatable crew: Bri, Lily, Vince, and George, who produce, edit, and direct the show. We also play a game of "Would You Rather?" and take a look at some paleoart drawings of animals that may be further proof that no one knows what dinosaurs looked like. --- Timecodes: (08:31) Meeting the team (20:58) History of the show (32:55) My journey of starting Relatable (46:02) Voicemails (1:00:17) Would You Rather? (1:08:58) Dinosaur skepticism --- Today's Sponsors: Carly Jean Los Angeles — use promo code ALLIE50 for $50 off your order of $100+ at carlyjeanlosangeles.com. Patriot Mobile — go to PatriotMobile.com/ALLIE or call 972-PATRIOT and use promo code 'ALLIE' for free activation! My Patriot Supply — prepare yourself for anything with long-term emergency food storage. Get your new, lower-price 4-Week Emergency Food Kit at PrepareWithAllie.com. NetSuite — gain visibility and control of your financials, planning, budgeting, and inventory so you can manage risk, get reliable forecasts, and improve margins. Go to NetSuite.com/ALLIE to get your one-of-a-kind flexible financing program. --- Relevant Episodes: Ep 84 | The Privilege of Ignorance https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-84-the-privilege-of-ignorance/id1359249098?i=1000431526410 Ep 500 | 500th Episode! You're In For a Treat https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000537649475 Ep 670 | The Dinosaur Myth, Airport Rules, & Mom Moments https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-670-the-dinosaur-conspiracy-airport-rules-mom-moments/id1359249098?i=1000577955241 Ep 174 | Should a Christian Date a Non-Christian? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-174-should-a-christian-date-a-non-christian/id1359249098?i=1000453429235 Ep 69 | 3 Myths Christian Women Believe https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-69-3-myths-christian-women-believe/id1359249098?i=1000427855070 --- Buy Allie's book, You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love: https://alliebethstuckey.com/book Relatable merchandise – use promo code 'ALLIE10' for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Text: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

We back at the park! Podcast In The Park has made its way back to Charlotte, NC. Kevin and guests answer a wide range of questions in this Q&A episode. In this episode, we tackle:Is secular music innocent?How do I deal with disappointment?How do we navigate relationships with people that aren't Christians?Controlling the fleshand more!Thank you for all your support and for listening to another episode of A Christian Podcast with Kevin Wilson!Make today worth living

Text: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-22

Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:1-18

Welcome to our third Q&A Special! Today we will discuss different questions and topics submitted by watchers/listeners of the Sisters Podcast. This episodes subjects include discussions on dating a non-Christian, marrying a non-Christian, teaching someone the Gospel when they aren't an open person, ways we find encouragement to stay strong, dealing with a difficult breakup, and more!

Jon Keith link in bio: https://ffm.bio/jon listen to Jon Keith on all streaming platforms nobigdyl. link in bio: https://ffm.bio/nobigdyllielisten to nobigdyl. on all streaming platforms

Is it a bad idea for me to date a  non-Christian? Why? Does it really matter? Find out in this episode of the Binmin Podcast! JOIN the NEWSLETTER. SUPPORT Binmin with a tax-deductible gift HERE *In this episode, Bob is wearing the BINMIN X BEAU GUENIN Collab Wolf Unisex Long Sleeve Tee 0:00 - INTRO 1:04 - DEFINITION OF DATING: PURSUING A ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIP WITH A PERSON FOR THE PURPOSE OF EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITY OF MARRIAGE. 2:05 - WHY WOULD I WANT TO DATE A NON-CHRISTIAN? THEY'RE NICE. MYTH - “IF I DATE THEM, THEY'LL PROBABLY BECOME A CHRISTIAN.” THOUGHT THEY WERE A CHRISTIAN. 6:03 - CAN I DATE A NON-CHRISTIAN? NO--YOU SHOULDN'T DATE A NON-CHRISTIAN. BECAUSE YOU SHOULDN'T MARRY A NON-CHRISTIAN. 1 CORINTHIANS 7:39. 1 CORINTHIANS 6:14. *ARTICLE. 8:28 - LONG-TERM PERSPECTIVE FROM 40+ YEARS OF MARRIAGE  10:49 - WHAT IF I CAN'T FIND A CHRISTIAN TO MARRY? 14:03 - WHAT'S YOUR NEXT STEP? PRAY FOR YOUR DATING LIFE 15:16 - THANK YOU & WRAP UP CONNECT WITH BINMIN: TikTok Instagram Facebook Linkedin Binmin.org Questions?: info@binmin.org PODCAST RESOURCES: More from Binmin: Binmin.org Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Follow on Spotify Subscribe on YouTube LEAVE A REVIEW on Apple podcasts

Today, we're discussing the recent social media controversy over the use of the phrase, "Christ is King," in the wake of Candace Owens' departure from the Daily Wire. Some have alleged the phrase can be used as an anti-Semitic dog whistle, while others say there's not reason to refuse to state the obvious truth that Christ IS king. We discuss whether there is any truth behind these claims, as well as the responses from Daily Wire CEO Jeremy Boreing, Andrew Klavan, and Nick Fuentes. --- Timecodes: (01:05) Palm Sunday (04:12) Breakdown of controversy (13:50) Nick Fuentes & antisemitic meaning behind the phrase (26:12) Jeremy Boreing's response (28:54) Andrew Klavan's response (32:19) Non-Christian responses (36:00) The truth of "Christ is King" (47:37) Debate about Israel (57:51) Kate Middleton --- Today's Sponsors: Good Ranchers — Go to GoodRanchers.com and use code 'ALLIE' when you subscribe to get a FREE Easter ham and $25 off any box! Seven Weeks Coffee — Seven Weeks is a pro-life coffee company with a simple mission: DONATE 10% of every sale to pregnancy care centers across America. Get your organically farmed and pesticide-free coffee at sevenweekscoffee.com and let your coffee serve a greater purpose. Use the promo code 'ALLIE' to save 10% off your order. Jase Medical — get up to a year's worth of many of your prescription medications delivered in advance. Go to JaseMedical.com today and use promo code “ALLIE". Pre-Born — Will you help rescue babies' lives? Donate by calling #250 & say keyword 'BABY' or go to Preborn.com/ALLIE. --- Relevant Episodes: Ep 397 | Debunking Heretical Hot Takes on Jesus & Easter https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000515872541 Epp 966 | Where in the World is Kate Middleton? https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-966-where-in-the-world-is-kate-middleton/id1359249098?i=1000648959055 Ep 970 | Katespiracy Update & Why You Can't Have It All | Guest: Leanne Jamieson https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-970-katespiracy-update-why-you-cant-have-it-all/id1359249098?i=1000649753748 Ep 953 | Andrew Tate is Wrong About Marriage | Guest: Dr. Brad Wilcox https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000645909138 Ep 840 | A Biblical Response to Andrew Tate https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000621556867 Ep 849 | Responding to Candace Owens & Andrew Tate | Guest: Jonathan Isaac https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000623215660 Ep 838 | Andrew Tate, Margot Robbie, & the Danger of the 'Red Pill' https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000621063039 --- Buy Allie's book, You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love: https://alliebethstuckey.com/book Relatable merchandise – use promo code 'ALLIE10' for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Media discernment is one of the main missions of Plugged In...so much so, that the team has written a new book! Adam Holz and Paul Asay share some highlights from Becoming a Screen-Savvy Family. Then Kristin Smith and Jonathan McKee join in to look at how some movies and television shows have a spiritual messages woven into the stories and how you can navigate those as a family.   Get Your Copy of Becoming a Screen Savvy Family!   Connect with us! www.ThePluggedInShow.com Connect on Facebook Find us on Instagram EMAIL: team@thepluggedinshow.com PHONE: 800-A-FAMILY (800-262-3459)   Read the full review: ·       Ghosts ·       Avatar: The Last Air Bender ·       Kung Fu Panda 4 ·       Dune: Part Two ·       Spirit Rangers ·       Star Wars: The Force Awakens ·       Hercules ·       Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ·       Haunted Mansion The Plugged In Show Episode 223: Beyonce, the Grammys, and Dune Part Two   Text MOVIE to 32728 to get the latest reviews from Plugged In! By texting MOVIE to 32728 you consent to receive periodic text messages from Focus on the Family via automated technology. Message and data rates may apply. Text HELP to 327284 info. Text STOP to 327282 cancel. Click www.mbit.ly/32728 for terms and conditions.   How You Can Make Wise Entertainment Choices for Your Family Explore the Plugged In Tech Guide   Donate Now!   We'd love to hear from you! Visit our Homepage to leave us a voicemail.   If you've listened to any of our podcasts, please give us your feedback.

At one time, James Aames led worship at a megachurch, held Bible studies, gave sermons, witnessed on the streets, went on mission trips, and never missed his daily devotional regimen. He walked the walk and talked the talk. But forcing his faith didn't work for him, and he was soon miserable. At 33 years old, he finally called it quits.Since then he's been writing, reading, thinking, and healing. In an effort to right the wrongs he feels that he's done to so many people through his ministries, he's written "How to Become a non-Christian,” a book that provides instructions for how to leave your faith.TikTok: @ioncewasfound.https://jamesaames.substack.com/_______________________________________________________________Find this episode, and others here:Website:www.growingupfundiepodcast.comSpotify:https://open.spotify.com/show/2EHJGf8kGbSV9SRbqsfYKSApple Podcasts:https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/growing-up-fundie/id1602008078Amazon Music:https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/ad6ac91e-c2fb-47d6-8658-df8aed941eac/growing-up-fundiePatreon:https://www.patreon.com/sydneydavisjrjrBuzzsprout Subscriptions:https://www.buzzsprout.com/https://www.buzzsprout.com/1908164/supporters/new1908164/supporters/newYoutube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5QuI5etVfbJoTVAhbRGMkADiscord:https://discord.gg/XQNG4nD5Our Subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/GrowingUpFundie/More about the host, Sydney Davis Jr. Jr.sydneydavisjrjr.comThink you might make a great guest, or know someone who would be?Apply for yourself, or nominate someone here:https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeHiy8KYW38tyKUD6MbFmOwCKdeWVHAbIA9qst1RBQf4rRPXg/viewform?usp=share_linkSupport the show

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.4 You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. I.    My Life of Testing the Spirits II.    1 John: Truth for Life: Review III.    Our Society of Testing A.    We need reliable test to find truth. The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him (Proverbs 11:1). B.    Test other religions, cults, and new religions, progressive Christianity by Scripture C.    We must measure spiritual maturity by testing the spirits. Biblical standard for right judgment. a.    False apostles 13 For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 15 It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). b.    False teachers (Matthew 7:15-16) Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. c.    False angels preaching false gospel (Galatians 1) 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let them be under God's curse!  d.    False doctrines (of demons) The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons (1 Timothy 4:1). IV.    We Must Test the Spirits  A.    Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world (4:1). B.    Don't be naïve or gullible—don't be a sucker C.    You must test, evaluate, assess, because of counterfeits; counterfeit money; hacking, scammers D.    Many false prophets out in the world; not rare, but commonDear children, this is the last hour; and as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have come (1 John 2:18). V.    The Standard for the Truth Test (v. 2-3) A.    2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, 3 but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world (4:2-3). B.    Test by the standard of Jesus Christ, who he is, what he taught 1.    Either/or resulting in a pass/fail; no middle ground; no gray zone; no mist, haze, fog or bog. Not grading on a curve.It is a categorical test; a universal test; and a necessary test. 2.    Test counterfeit money by knowing the real thing, the genuine—the genuine and authentic Jesus in the Bible 3.    Consider five statements in 1 John about Jesus 1.    He came as a flesh and blood man who was seen and touched (1 John 1:1-3) 2.    “Advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2 He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2). 3.    He appeared to destroy the devil's work (1 John 3:8) 4.    Jesus' work of love: “Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters” (1 John 3:16). 5.    “He is the true God and eternal life” (1 John 5:20). C.    This test is sufficient to identify spirit of error; there are other errors wrought by the spirit of error. Get this one wrong, everything else is wrong. Christological test. D.    Two test cases 1.    Islam: denies Jesus is God incarnate; denies that he died to atone for our sins. 2.    New Age: denies Jesus is the one incarnation, says he was one of many gurus, masters, swamis, yogis, mystics. I wrote two books that addressed this, Revealing the New Age Jesus and Jesus in an Age of Controversy. E.    Three tips on testing from a veteran 1.    Non-Christian groups may use our vocabulary, but not our dictionary. Know your Bible; ready, study, memorize.  2.    Texts out of context are a pretext for error. Satan tempting Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4; Luke 4). Know your Bible. 3.    If a religious group says it accepts the Bible as a true revelation, but accepts other books as revelations, it will contradict the Bible at key places about Christ and salvation. VI.    Overcoming Error by the Spirit of Truth A.    Overcoming (v. 4) You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world (4:4) 1.    Overcome in what way? Vicarious victory through Christ, crucified and resurrected. They have no authority over you. You are free from their lies. 2.    Overcome who? Those “in the world,” fallen cultural, political, religious system. People: false prophets, false apostle, false teachers, demons, angels of light, the Devil, and the spirit of antichrist  3.    Overcome how? Through faith in Christ, who is in you a.    4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:4-5). b.    “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith” (I John 5:4) VII.     Speaking Truth and Listening for Truth (vs. 5-6) 5 They are from the world and therefore speak from the viewpoint of the world, and the world listens to them. 6 We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood. A.    Test by power within you and the knowledge within you: Confidence. Greater is the Spirit of God in you, Christ in you, than the spirits of error (4:4). B.    Ultimate either/or; dichotomy of discourse: Truth of Christ; lies of the spirit of error and its mouthpieces, megaphones, and media C.    Spirit of truth and error; not just truth or error philosophically 1.    Spirits from the world: “doctrines of demons”  “The Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.” (1 Timothy 4:1) 2.    Spirit of God and the word of God: “Living and active” word of God (Hebrews 4:12) D.    Origin of error “viewpoint of the world” (2:15-17); false assumptions lead to false conclusions; but Christians have the Spirit of truth within us, the risen Christ! E.    The test about the spiritual truthfulness of others is not a subjective feeling or whether they seem nice or sincere; it is a doctrinal test. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit the Spirit of Truth (John 14:17; 15:26; 16:13)   Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

Transgender Issues Featuring Dr. Robin Mathy Emily Dickinson, from Amherst, Massachusetts, was one of the greatest American 19th century poets, and after hearing one of our Amherst professors explain her life and work, I fell in love with her incredible poetry. When she attended Mt. Holyoke College as a freshman, she was obligated to sign up as a “Christian,” a “Non-Christian with hope,” or a “Non-Christian without hope.” She was the only student who had ever signed up as a “Non-Christian without hope,” and she was given one semester to change her registration category. When she refused, she was asked to leave, and spent the rest of her life living in Amherst, baking cookies for children and writing her fabulous poems, which were sometimes included in her cookie packages. Her poetry was all about loss, which was much the story of her life. However, she was not self-pitying, which is part of what makes her poetry so sad and magical. Emily Dickinson always dreamed of visiting the west, but never got the chance to travel much beyond the outskirts of Amherst. She once wrote, To make a prairie, It takes one clover, and a bee. One clover and a bee. And reverie. The reverie alone will do, if bees are few. Tears come to my eyes every time I think about that poem! When I was a student at Amherst, we used to visit her grave, and I once actually knocked on the door of the house where she once lived. I explained I was a huge fan and actually got the chance to look around. I actually found a poem scribbled on a scrap of paper on a window ledge. Today we interview Dr. Robin Mathy, who describes herself as “A human who hopes.” Robin is a well-published expert on LGBTQ issues, with a specialization in transgender research and political activism based on science to debunk hateful myths about sexuality. She is also a new member of our Tuesday training group at Stanford! In addition to studying to become a TEAM therapist, Robin is a Doctor of Social Work student at Tulane University.  She is a researcher and activist who has published four books and more than 50 peer-reviewed articles or book chapters.  She is a beloved member of David and Jill's Tuesday TEAM CBT group. Rhonda kicked off today's podcast by reading two very moving endorsements from people who heard part 1 of the live work with Jessica, “Living with Regrets,” which we had published just prior to our interview with Robin. Then Rhonda kicked off our dialogue with Robin by asking if there are any special treatment considerations when you are working with trans individuals. Robin said that there really aren't—TEAM-CBT is already highly personalized and individualized, so we let the patient set the agenda. Robin emphasized the importance, of course, of being warm, affirming, and supportive. In addition, do not assume that the patient is there because of gender identity issues, or automatically refer them to a support group on that topic, because the patient's issue may be radically different, and that would amount to stereotyping your patient. I asked Robin for a simplified introduction to LGBTQ, including what these terms actually mean. That's because I have to admit I never had any good sexual diversity training during my medical school or psychiatry residency, and I suspect that some of our podcast fans, perhaps many, would also appreciate a little enlightenment based on science. Robin pointed out that transgender has to do with identity issues: what is your sense of self? Do you see yourself  more as a woman or a man? And sometimes, this will be quite different from the gender you were assigned at birth. So, for example, you may be assigned as a boy at birth, but your sense of who you are may be a girl, when you are young, and a woman as you develop during puberty. In this case, you would be a trans-gender woman. To be respectful, you should refer to a transgender woman as she or her. And, of course, if you were assigned as a girl at birth, but your sense of who you are is a boy/man, you would be a transgender man, referred to as he / him. Some transgender people are nonbinary, meaning they do not want to be referred to as either a man or a woman, and they do not want to be referred to with either binary pronoun. To be respectful and sensitive, you should always ask someone what pronouns they prefer. In contrast, the terms, LGBQ, do not refer to gender identity, but rather to sexual attraction. So, a lesbian is a woman who is sexually or romantically attracted to women, and a gay man is attracted to men, and so forth. The term, “cis,” refers to your gender that was assigned at birth. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, When a person begins to live according to their gender identity, rather than the gender they were thought to be when they were born, this time period is called gender transition. Deciding to transition can take a lot of reflection. . . . Possible steps in a gender transition may or may not include changing your clothing, appearance, name, or the pronoun people use to refer to you (like “she,” “he,” or “they”). But it can be a bit more complex. Robin says: A lot of people like me do not actually identify as transgender. I was assigned as a male at birth, but I have always felt like a girl / woman. I think of myself as gender-diverse, not as transgender. . . I remember taking a bath with my sister when we were young, and I realized that I had something that didn't belong on me. . . . My parents raised me as a boy, but I was always effeminate. As I developed as a teenager, my transition was from being “me” to being “fully me” and completely embracing my identity as a woman. This was freeing to me. We are taught to believe that there are two types of chromosomes that determine our gender: XX for female and XY for male. But this is misleading because there is actually a broad range of chromosomal makeups (sex), sexual attractions as well as gender identities, and gender identity and sexual attraction can be completely independent. For example, someone can be a transgender woman, and be attracted to either men or women or both. Robin pointed out that some transgender women can look like glamorous women, and two transgender women have actually won national beauty contests. "It is cruel," Robin suggests," to insist that transgender women must use men's bathrooms, just because they have the XY chromosome set." She pointed out that gender identity usually develops by age 7, but in trans individuals the incongruity between their gender identity and sex assigned at birth crystallizes at around age 10 or 11, during puberty. Although many transgender people recall being gender nonconforming and/or identifying as another gender in early childhood, we now know this is not always the case. We discussed the pain of discrimination trans individuals face, and Robin described her own suicide attempt in her early twenties, in part because her male sexual organs and secondary sex characteristics like facial hair “disgusted me.”  Fortunately, she was assigned a very understanding gay psychiatrist in the hospital, and he said that she could start transitional hormone therapy right away if she was interested, and this was a great help. She said that she was a candidate for the Olympic wrestling team, and it was clear that she did not appear feminine to others because of her muscles, and she experienced a great deal of ridicule and rejection when began to transition. This negative bias included some medical professionals she consulted for help. Eventually she was able to obtain gender-affirming surgery. She said she came out as gender-diverse in March 2023 to be an advocate because 24 states in just the past three years have banned gender-affirming medical care for minors. Robin also clarified the meaning of the term, queer, which used to be a pejorative term. Now it is embraced by the LGBTQ community as a term referring to all sexual and gender minorities. Toward the end of our interview, Robin emphasized the importance of hope, and said she had a “glimmer” of hope, even in her darkest hours. To learn more about Robin's pioneering work, or if you are interested in the science and research regarding transgender issues, Robin warmly invites you to visit her YouTube channel, (27) Robin Mathy - YouTube. She says, “Please feel free to disseminate the information” and wants you to know that “I love comments (positive and negative).” So give her some feedback if you're so inclined! Thanks for listening today! Robin, Rhonda and David

Reality and "truth" are being fragmented by modern political and social efforts and promulgated through the internet and social media. Non-Christian beliefs don't and can't offer anything in terms of a comprehensive worldview. On this repeat of a previous episode from 2021, the late Dr. Gary North joins Gary DeMar on today's episode with a discussion about today's fragmented world.

In this week's Connecting Clip Of The Week, Paul and artist Makoto Fujimura discuss his work as an artist and how he lives for Christ in a non-Christian world.To hear more of his story, check out The Connecting Podcast Ep. 026 wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also watch the video on Paul Tripp's YouTube channel or Facebook page.

DAY 343 CHALLENGE “Why should I be Christian when other religions report miracles? Why would God even allow non-Christians to have miracles?” DEFENSE There are several explanations for reports of miracles in non-Christian circles, but none undermine the value of Christianity's central miracle, the Resurrection. There are reports of supernatural phenomena in religions all over the world, but most are minor and are not investigated, and so their actual status is unclear. Some may be misinterpreted natural phenomena, some may be imaginary, and some may be frauds. (This applies to phenom…

In this episode, Aaron discusses the doctrine of eternal assurance! Can a Christian lose their salvation, and what does the Bible have to say about this? All of this and more in this episode of Leadership Now with Dr. Aaron Rock. More Resources: More resources at Dr. Aaron Rock’s blog: Pursuit of Glory https://pursuitofglory.org/

Today we're talking about a new survey that shows high school-age boys trending conservative and girls trending liberal. What led to this drastic split, and do our gender differences have anything to do with it? We think so. Also, a TikToker went viral for sharing her horrible experience getting harassed in San Francisco, but also touts explicitly leftist views and likely helped vote in the government that allows such behavior. We explain this disconnect and why it doesn't have to be this way. Then we're joined by presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to discuss his campaign policies and how his faith background shapes his values and worldview. We discuss his views on abortion and gender ideology and touch on what might make him different from other candidates. --- Timecodes: (00:00) New merch item & intro (04:40) Political ideologies of high school boys/girls (13:30) Why is Gen Z moving left? (30:05) San Francisco crime TikTok (39:33) Intro to Vivek Ramaswamy (45:40) Why run for president? (47:40) Faith & worldview (52:00) Abortion (57:17) Gender Ideology --- Today's Sponsors: Good Ranchers — get $30 OFF your box today at GoodRanchers.com – make sure to use code 'ALLIE' when you subscribe. You'll also lock in your price for two full years with a subscription to Good Ranchers! Birch Gold — protect your future with gold. Text 'ALLIE' to 989898 for a free, zero obligation info kit on diversifying and protecting your savings with gold. Seven Weeks Coffee — get your organically farmed and pesticide-free coffee at sevenweekscoffee.com and let your coffee serve a greater purpose. Use the promo code 'ALLIE' to save 10% off your order. Constitution Wealth — align your values with your investments through your financial management. Go to ConstitutionWealth.com/ALLIE and schedule a FREE consultation! --- Links: The Hill: "High school boys are trending conservative" https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/4125661-high-school-boys-are-trending-conservative/ --- Relevant Episodes: Ep 665 | Why American Cities Are Dying | Guest: Sean Fitzgerald https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-665-why-american-cities-are-dying-guest-sean-fitzgerald/id1359249098?i=1000577128170 Ep 519 | President Donald Trump on Witch Hunts, Family + Mean Tweets https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-519-president-donald-trump-on-witch-hunts-family/id1359249098?i=1000541152964 Ep 763 | Governor Ron DeSantis on Trans Kids, DEI, and Fatherhood https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-763-governor-ron-desantis-on-the-lgbtq-lobby-dei/id1359249098?i=1000602371574 --- Buy Allie's book, You're Not Enough (& That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love: https://alliebethstuckey.com/book Relatable merchandise – use promo code 'ALLIE10' for a discount: https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kait and JJ bring on Caden Fabrizio to talk about dating a new, lukewarm, or non-Christian.  Love Heart of Dating Podcast? Want to support us AND be a part of the fam? Join us on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/heartofdating Want to meet some epic Christian Singles? Join our huge HOD Family on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/heartofdatingpodcast Want to WATCH the podcast? We're now on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ1PswEXEyeSddMmOSiRKGw Crushing on a cutie? Download this FREE Resource on how to show interest: https://www.heartofdating.com/resource/how-to-show-interest Want to further your dating knowledge? Check out our ultimate dating library! https://www.heartofdating.com/resource/ultimate-dating-library Kait wrote a book! Snag Thank You For Rejecting Me on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3E59cLQ Come hang with us on the gram: http://instagram.com/heartofdating http://instagram.com/kaitness . . . . .  A quick thank you to some of our friends! Faithful Counseling: Our #1 resource for affordable, reliable, Christian therapy. You can get 10% off your first month by going to http://faithfulcounseling.com/heartofdating Compassion International: Do you have a burning desire to be a parent but feel stuck in singleness? Do you want to make a lasting, powerful impact in your life as a single? We are a proud partner of Compassion International. Our community of singles has sponsored hundreds of kids all around the world, and we'd love to invite you to join us on this compelling mission. http://compassion.com/heartofdating