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143 episodes with pastor tom ascol
38 episodes with pastor tom ascol
2 episodes with pastor tom ascol
2 episodes with pastor tom ascol
2 episodes with pastor tom ascol
2 episodes with pastor tom ascol
2 episodes with pastor tom ascol
What does the bible say about deception and media lies? More than you may think actually. Mike Slater discusses with Pastor Tom Ascol. This is the second part of a two part episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What does the bible say about deception and media lies? More than you may think actually. Mike Slater discusses with Pastor Tom Ascol. This is the second part of a two part episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
In this episode of the Plain Speech Podcast, host Michael Clary is joined by Pastor Tom Ascol from Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida. They discuss the challenges and transformations of Ascol's nearly four-decade tenure at the church, the fight for doctrinal integrity within the Southern Baptist Convention, and the importance of maintaining a gospel-centered ministry. Pastor Ascol shares personal stories of church splits, leadership struggles, and his insights into the pervasive influence of feminism in the church. He also talks about the role of the Founders Ministry, the inception of the Institute of Public Theology, and upcoming plans for a residential seminary focused on creating resilient Christian leaders. This conversation provides invaluable advice and encouragement for both seasoned and aspiring pastors.00:00 Introduction to Christian Faith01:28 Welcome to the Plain Speech Podcast01:45 Tom Ascol's Journey with Founders Ministry03:43 Challenges and Changes at Grace Baptist Church21:52 The Importance of Godly Leadership27:05 Founders Ministry and Its Impact35:02 Introduction to the Seminary Program36:54 The Inerrancy Controversy39:25 Challenges and Controversies in Theology42:46 The Rise of Reformed Theology53:23 Feminism and Modern Challenges01:01:32 Advice for Young Ministers01:06:49 Conclusion and Upcoming Events
With all this corruption being uncovered in the federal government, how should Christians be dealing with it? And what lessons can be learned from corrupt nations of the past? Mike Slater discusses with Pastor Tom Ascol. Subscribe to the Politics by Faith podcast with Mike Slater by visiting TheFirstTV.com/MikeSlater, or looking up the podcast wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
With all this corruption being uncovered in the federal government, how should Christians be dealing with it? And what lessons can be learned from corrupt nations of the past? Mike Slater discusses with Pastor Tom Ascol. Subscribe to the Politics by Faith podcast with Mike Slater by visiting TheFirstTV.com/MikeSlater, or looking up the podcast wherever you get podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chances are you're hearing a lot about Christian Nationalism these days. Pastor Tom Ascol quite literally wrote the book on the promises and perils of Christian Nationalism. He helps define the term to Mike Slater and helps Christians take the proper posture on this issue. Plus, Mike dives into the true meaning of separation of church and state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Chances are you're hearing a lot about Christian Nationalism these days. Pastor Tom Ascol quite literally wrote the book on the promises and perils of Christian Nationalism. He helps define the term to Mike Slater and helps Christians take the proper posture on this issue. Plus, Mike dives into the true meaning of separation of church and state. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we're joined by Pastor Tom Ascol of Grace Baptist Church to discuss the Southern Baptist Convention's annual meeting held a few weeks ago, where the big topic was whether Rick Warren's Saddleback Church would remain in the SBC after its new stance on female pastors. Pastor Tom breaks down what happened and the major arguments, as well as why Rick Warren's argument doesn't hold up against biblical standards. We discuss how God does in fact equip women to share the gospel and learn theology, but a pastor is not just a evangelist, nor just a theologian. We also discuss the failure of men to take responsibility and how detrimental that is to the church and to our roles as men and women. Then we take a look at a Twitter interaction between Senator Ted Cruz and Pastor Ascol regarding Uganda's anti-homosexuality act. Finally, we look at the civil code of the Old Testament versus our New Covenant direction, and explain why nothing is neutral and our manmade laws do need to be based on some worldview – the question is which one. Find a church: https://church.founders.org/ --- Timecodes: (01:20) Intro (02:20) Saddleback Church & SBC (11:20) Rick Warren's apology to women (22:22) Breaking down bible verses (34:40) Ted Cruz's tweet about anti-LGBTQ Uganda law (41:15) Old Testament law --- Today's Sponsors: A'Del — go to adelnaturalcosmetics.com and enter promo code "ALLIE" for 25% off your first order! Carly Jean Los Angeles — use promo code 'ALLIEB' to save 25% off your first order at CarlyJeanLosAngeles.com! Epic Will — be intentional about your family, your values and your wishes. Go to EpicWill.com/ALLIE and you'll save 10% on your complete will package. 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. --- Relevant Episodes: Ep 626 | Can Southern Baptists Be Saved? | Guest: Pastor Tom Ascol https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-626-can-southern-baptists-be-saved-guest-pastor-tom-ascol/id1359249098?i=1000565692341 Ep 128 | Tom Ascol https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-128-tom-ascol/id1359249098?i=1000442276814 Ep 765 | Can Women Be Pastors? SBC vs. Saddleback | Q&A https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-765-can-women-be-pastors-sbc-vs-saddleback-q-a/id1359249098?i=1000603031549 --- 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
Pastor Tom Ascol sits down to talk with Steve about the affairs of the church of today. They also spend some time on the ministry that Tom was one of the people involved in its beginnings, Founders Ministries. Begin Show Notes: Guest - Tom Ascol, M.Div and Ph.D degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Senior Pastor of Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, Florida, where he has served for 36 years as of June 2022. Also president of Founders Ministries. 1) Tell us about Grace Baptist Church, Cape Coral - Did you found it? - How long have you been pastor there? - How is Grace Baptist distinct from generic, run of the mill, XYZ evangelical church in our day? - What do you want to be, not to be? What do you really want for your church? 2) Tell us about founders. - What is it? What's the purpose? - What is the relationship of Founders to the SBC? - What led you to start Founders back then? - How many churches are affiliated with? - What is Founder's theology like (and other) distinctives; what differentiates it? - What are some of the battle fronts on w/ Founders is fighting? - What's going on at Founders that's really good? - What do you see as the future of Founders? 3) State of the church - If you could change something in xyz church, what? - What are some problems in churches? 4) If you could change something(s) about preaching in the US, what? 5) Voddie Baucham - How did you become connected to Voddie? 6) What do you want to say to Cornerstone Church, and all others listening? End of Show Notes Thanks for listening, we hope and pray that today's episode has been helpful in your walk with Christ! The Grounded Team
Many conservatives and Christians were perplexed and disappointed to see Sen. Ted Cruz denounce a Ugandan law (that criminalizes “aggravated homosexuality”) on the basis of so-called biblical doctrine. Cruz got into a Twitter exchange with Pastor Tom Ascol, where Cruz justified his position saying the Old Testament Levitical law and the Ugandan law are “abominations.” Can God's law ever be “abominable” if God is fully righteous and just? What is the Truthful response to Sen. Cruz and others who justify the LGBTQ agenda with “love”? Pastor Ascol and Jenna also directly address the American history of sodomy laws. Should a moral and upright society criminalize homosexuality? We need to discuss and debate these ideas in the church and the civil government, and we aren't afraid to!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode, Duffey and Jason interview Pastor Tom Ascol, the Founder and President of Founders Ministries in Cape Coral, Florida. This dicussion centers around Pastor Ascol's small book published by Founders Press entitled "The Necessity of Accomodation and the Danger of Compromise." In this episode, the guys discuss the ever-present temptation of compromise when faced with doctrinal difficulty within the local church as well as the ever-present call of the pastor to accomodate whenever and wherever possible. Don't miss this great conversation with great wisdom from Pastor Ascol! Relvant links: https://truegraceofgod.org/ https://founders.org/ https://press.founders.org/ ------------------------------------------ To ask a question for the podcast: 1. Go to www.bbcemory.org. 2. Click on the media tab. 3. Scroll down until you see Asking for a Friend. There you will find the box to ask a question.
Pastor Tom Ascol concludes his series on Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Fear God and Keep His Commandments” centered on Ecclesiastes 12:9 – 14. Ecclesiastes was written as a result of Solomon’s focused attention on making sense of the world. Throughout, he has reflected on finding meaning in work, pleasure, wisdom, and wealth. Vanity of vanities is his finding if there is no god. Solomon, in this the book’s conclusion, finds the reality of God’s existence leads to man’s duty: fear God and keep His commands. To this point the Preacher has taught us carefully. The clarity of thought emanates from his wisdom. The cleverness with which he communicates truth stems from the best way to express the truths he presents. Clarity and cleverness are important but even more so is accuracy; the Preacher does not mince words but comments on life as it really is. The two similes he uses, that of a goad to keep animals moving in the correct way, a tool which hurts but does not injure, and firmly fixed nails, which provide stability to a structure, illustrate the effectiveness of his teaching. These words of wisdom both spur our actions and anchor our thoughts. We should not be surprised since these words, according to v. 11, comes from the Shepherd, God. God’s Word is not merely good advice. Instead, they are teaching breathed out by God Himself instructing us in the way of a righteous life. Anything outside Scripture, outside God’s Word (v. 12’s “the making of many books”) should be viewed in light of Scripture. Books are not necessarily bad. Nevertheless, discernment requires insuring books comport with the truths of God’s Word. Ecclesiastes, like the rest of the Bible guides us to think and act rightly. The Preacher’s conclusion then is to fear God and obey His commandments. Six times to this point the author has told us to fear God. This is not a slavish terror but a sober reverence. It is an attitude, a disposition that speaks of humility before the Creator. This Creator has given us commandments, all of which are for our own good yet we disobey. Despite obvious disobedience, the Preacher teaches us obedience, to orient our lives around God and how He would have us live. This, the “whole duty of man” is that for which we were created. As Augustine rightly wrote, “Thou hast made us for Thyself and our hearts are restless until they come to rest in thee.” The closing verse speaks of a coming day of judgment, a day just as sure to come as is today. If there were no God, there would be no judgment. If there were no judgment, all indeed would be “vanity of vanities.” There is, however, God and a coming judgment. The great question for each individual is “What will you do on that day?” Will you stand before the Judge without an advocate pleading on your behalf or will you trust Jesus today so, even now as well as then, He will advocate on your behalf? This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 26, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues with his series on Ecclesiastes. Today’s message, entitled “rejoice and remember,’ is built around Chapter 11:7 through Chapter 12:8. Modern western culture seems obsessed with youthfulness. Yet youth is fleeting. Since aging and death are certain, Qohelet, the Preacher, the author of Ecclesiastes, urges readers to recognize these truths and remember their Creator to enjoy life. The Preacher has little sympathy for superficial outlooks on life. He is realistic; life must be lived in a fallen world. While this sounds discouraging it need not be. Throughout, Ecclesiastes has shown we are to enjoy life. In today’s passage, we are taught enjoyment is possible through remembering our Creator. The Preacher tells us life is good, full of blessings we often take for granted. These blessings, the author uses light as one example, are worthy of rejoicing, particularly as we recognize their origin in the Creator. Still, as we rejoice we are warned, remember the coming “days of darkness.” No one escapes life without many days of darkness. Real joy, however, is not dependent on painless, problem free living. Paul, in fact, wrote he was “sorrowful yet always rejoicing” (2 Corinthians 6:10). While we may have troubles and sorrows, as we remember we have a loving Savior sovereignly watching over us we too can be sorrowful yet rejoicing. Qohelet moves on. He calls out to and encourages young people. He understands youth are to make the most of their life, walking in the way of their heart, consciously removing vexations, unnecessary stresses and worries. It is a time of opportunities with a life ahead. The call is for the young to dedicate themselves to remembering and knowing their Creator, knowing and living within the bounds of Scripture as a day of judgment is coming to those who ignore God for the “fleeting pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25). Rejoice responsibly then, knowing what is yet to come. Rejoicing in one’s youth can done properly only as one remembers one’s Creator. Parents have a responsivity to train the young. As the young get older they assume some of that responsibility. Remembering the Creator when you are young prepares you for that which is ahead. Old age with its accompanying problems await those who, for a time, escape death. The Preacher writes beautiful poetry warning of these trouble affecting teeth (grinders), eyes (windows), hearing (doors on the street), and more, sleep, the voice, balance, fears, greying, physical disabilities, desire and death. Far better to know the Creator, to establish a relationship of trust and presence, when one is young in preparation for the time of trouble, then to wait until one is in those troubles. Besides, God neither owes nor makes guarantees regarding times to come to Him. God says, “now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Those who delay do so at their own eternal peril. Still, God waits for the living to come to Him. Trust Him through the completed work of Jesus Christ so you may remember your Creator and rejoice in the life God has given. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 19, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://fo
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Entrepreneurship in the Kingdom of God” built upon Ecclesiastes 11:1 – 6. Our passage today calls us to become entrepreneurs of life. We are to stop playing it safe and living scared. Rather, we are to live openly, daring to make a difference. Though the initial illustration may not be clear to present-day readers, the lessons in our passage are plain. First, be bold yet wise. In biblical times setting to sea was risky but after the return voyage it was usually very profitable. Investing may not be as tricky today as in the past but it can be just as risky so wisdom is still a necessity. Nevertheless, investing helps build for the future. Further, Qohelet, the author of Ecclesiastes, advises us to diversify our investments, similar to today’s warning about putting all our eggs in one basket. Though interpreters are split about whether v. 2 speaks to benevolence or aggressive investment, we may not need make a distinction. Instead, there is merit in both positons We should give generously and invest aggressively to have even more to give in the future. God, after all, is the great Giver, having given His Son for our salvation. We need his righteousness; we need the atonement only His death can supply. Have you received of God’s generous giving? There is no reason, however, to think these verses apply only to our money. The same that is true of our treasure is true with our time and our talent. Our lives should be marked by meeting needs in whatever manner is appropriate. Perhaps the greatest of those needs is making Christ known. Qohelet, however, is not calling us to some romanticized view of life. Instead, he wants us to invest our lives for a good cause. Obviously, we do not know everything and so we rely on God. However, we do know somethings; a full cloud will spill rain, a tree lands where it lands when it falls Just as a farmer always afraid to sow due to weather conditions will not have a harvest, every hesitancy to take a risk for Christ comes with a plausible rationalization? Believers are to leverage their lives for the Lord. Qohelet continues. We are to work humbly and hopefully. We should know our place; we are but creatures and fallen creatures at that. We know little of the noble workings of God. When we accept our positon, we are on the way to living for him, the life to which we were originally called. Working humbly, investing wisely, trusting God will then give true hope. We will be bound up in God’s plan, living our lives for him as we should. God calls us to be entrepreneurs for the kingdom. At the end better by far to hear “well done good and faithful servant” than to hear “you wicked and slothful servant.” Live your life for Christ, use that which has been entrusted to you for Him. Bring Him glory by the way you live the life He has given you. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 12, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Of Flies, Snakes and Birds: The Value of Wisdom and Danger of Folly” centered on Ecclesiastes 9:13 – 10:20. The lives of many people, people striving to live life wisely, have been stained by a temporary lapse of judgment speaking foolish words or carrying out some foolish actions. Such a lapse shows the value of wisdom and the danger of folly. The lesson is simple, be wise and avoid folly, but living that lesson is difficult. Yet, Qohelet, the author of Ecclesiastes, writes wisdom is important in governance. Wisdom can overcome what appears to be great disadvantage. Even a poor, wise man can advise a king. When wisdom is disregarded, as the butler forgot Joseph in Joseph’s prison narrative, it is forgotten to the hurt of people. Wisdom should be preferred to foolishness but wisdom is vulnerable. One foolish move can spoil years of wisdom; a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. The vulnerability points to the need to exercise care in choosing friends. Foolish friends lead others astray and do foolish things which impugn the wisdom of the wise. One need look no further than Rehoboam, Solomon’s son. Upon becoming king, he listened to foolish advisors ignoring the wisdom of experienced men, to his hurt and the hurt and division of the nation! Wisdom and folly lead to different inclinations, wisdom to the right, a biblical place of blessing, while folly leads to the left, a place of lesser blessing or cursing. Being wise leads to understanding. It is the mark of a person of God. Fools, on the other hand, do not look to God, losing site of the fundamental reality that they are creatures of a great Creator. What is worse, folly in high places turns the world upside-down. Qohelet then goes on to give four examples of the failure to exercise wisdom such as a stone cutter falling prey to a large rock falling on him. While folly can harm your daily life being wise improves it. Qohelet also gives examples of wisdom in action. Qohelet concludes with several proverbs, some dealing with our manner of speech. The words of the wise win him favor. This was true of Jesus even as fools turned from or against Him. Thus, our speech should be reminiscent of Jesus’ speech, seasoned with salt, full of light. Otherwise, just as with fools, our words may consume us. Jesus noted that it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Are our words kind, edifying, building up or do our words tear down? Do our words exude wisdom or reflect foolishness? The Bible states the fool says there is no God. It also states the beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord. Have you exercised basic wisdom and come to the Lord not only for wisdom but salvation? It is only Jesus, by His completed work on the Cross of Calvary, that can save us. Come to Him today. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 5, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues the series in Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “Enjoy Your Life in a Fallen World” built upon Ecclesiastes 9:1–12. An initial reading of today’s passage might leave one to believe no matter how hopeful a situation may be, there is always a likely downside. This pessimism tinges a person’s outlook robbing them of experiencing deep, genuine joy. In one sense, living “under the sun” as we have seen, this pessimism may make sense but believers are charged to live with joy. In fact, Ecclesiastes is a book about joy. Today’s text informs us the world is broken. Nevertheless, our lives are gifts from God and are to be enjoyed. Honest reflection show obvious troubles in life yet obedience to the imperatives in this chapter will create joy for the obeying believer. In verses 1–6 the author, Qohelet, recalls from Chapter 8 that man cannot grasp all God’s work on earth. He then moves to Chapter 9 and points out that all humanity is subject to the same realities, good and bad. Though we rightly aspire to wisdom and righteousness, we all are under the inscrutable sovereignty and will of God. Our understanding is limited by our fallibility and our limited power of evaluation. Recognizing the reality of sin and the consequences of sin are absolutely foundational to thinking rightly about life. Qohelet tells us what we already know; death is coming. Still while there is life there is hope, hope of being forgiven and being reconciled to God. For this sin is the very reason Jesus came into the world. Powerless to save ourselves, powerless to even think rightly, we are all in need of a savior Therefore, there exists the need to entrust ourselves to the one with power to save and set things right. Verses 11 and 12 continue the author’s reflections on life. Unpredictable things happen. David and Goliath stories abound. Death comes unexpectedly. Like birds in snare or fish in a net, troubles and death come upon us unawares. Yet in the middle verses of this passage, verses 7–10, Qohelet encourages joy. Despite our individual circumstance, God has created the world for us to enjoy. There is no encouragement to sin, as, for example, might be the result of too much drink, but we ought to enjoy what eat and drink God has provided. Rejoice in what He has given, in what He has provided. Enjoy life with “the wife whom you love,” both directly encourages enjoyment and indirectly teaches love as a command. Finally do whatever you do joyously and wholeheartedly. Find something worth giving your life to and do it with delight and passion. The world is fallen so it cannot provide ultimate satisfaction. Neither can we make it work the way for which it was designed. Rather, recognizing God created it and continues to rule, we place our assurance in Him and move confidently to the future as we enjoy that which He has provided for the day. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on January 22, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on the book of Ecclesiastes with a message centered on Chapter 8 entitled “The Benefits and Limits of Wisdom.” We have all witnessed situations that would have turned out better had a little wisdom been used. Even routine daily encounters could be more profitable if wisdom was employed in interpersonal dealings. Oftentimes small problems would not become big problems if handled wisely. God’s Word has a specific emphasis on wisdom and its benefits, yet wisdom cannot explain everything. Wisdom can enable you to live well. The first seven verses in today’s passage inform us wisdom is valuable. Exercising wisdom in dealing with authorities will serve us well, in fact, it may make the king’s face shine! The story of Joseph and Pharaoh in Genesis 41 gives a real-life example. Further, wisdom dictates proper deference and patience towards authorities. Why should we resist God’s appointed rulers? Romans 13 forbids that, unless contrary to God’s ways. The book of Esther shows a servant of God exercising wisdom and restraint as she approaches and successfully petitions the king. Jesus, in Matthew 27:24 – 27, though showing He was not bound by the paying of the temple tax, nevertheless paid it as an example of living under authority. It is exactly this type of deferential and patient wisdom that should be characteristic of believers. Still, the Preacher, the author of the book, teaches wisdom cannot explain everything. Man makes plans but cannot discern the future. James 4:13 – 17, for example, encourages us to plan with the proviso “if the Lord wills.” Recognizing our dependence on Him, His plan, His authority, is exercising deferential wisdom. Moreover, vv. 8 – 9 teach we cannot even control the present; we have no guarantee on our lives, on the wind, or on obligations to the governing authority. Even the wicked, often seen to unfairly prosper, have no power over life, death, and judgment. Psalm 139:16 states “Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Do we live as if we understand God knows all our days and knew them even before we came to be? God knows today and tomorrow; we do not. Lastly, wisdom cannot eliminate injustice in the world. Wicked people, due to their power, wealth, or other things, are welcomed into holy places or communities. Justice is often delayed. Sinners do evil and prosper. Wisdom, while not being able to correct these, knows that in the end it will not go well for the wicked. True wisdom has an eternal perspective not limited to mere mortal existence. The upshot, the Preacher tells us, is that we should eat, drink, and be joyful in whatever estate God has placed us. We do not ignore the realities of what goes on around us but rather trust in the One who will make all right in the end. Trusting in Jesus Christ, His work, the salvation He provides and offers, alone makes our joy possible and genuine. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on January 15, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribut
Pastor Tom Ascol continues in the series on Ecclesiastes with a sermon entitled “How to Live Well” centered on Ecclesiastes 7:15 – 29. As we have seen, the author, Qohelet, has been brutally honest about life on earth having identified a seeming lack of fairness. In today’s passage, he wrestles with the unfairness of the young dying and the wicked prospering. Qohelet teaches three lessons the first of which is “Sometimes the world does not make sense.” The author is not alone in his struggle (for example, see Psalm 73). In fact, Qohelet claims attempting to ‘live by the rules’ does not guarantee things will go well. An honest assessment of life, from Abel to the present, teaches us our sin has broken the world and things are not fair. Thus, v. 16 teaches us not to have too much or too little regard for how we live. Of course, we should live in obedience to God seeking His glory. We are to fear the awesome God (v. 18). But, the danger in having too much regard for the way we live is that we then try to manipulate God, as if because of our presumed righteousness we can somehow demand or expect God’s blessing. This was the mistake of the Pharisees; living an externally holy life while ignoring the heart does not work. We should not expect guaranteed results in a world fallen away from God. The second lesson is that “Wisdom and righteousness are good but limited.” Wisdom is extolled throughout Scripture. There is, however, a limit to human wisdom, even the wisdom given to humans by God. We do not have the wisdom God has; His ultimate wisdom, the wisdom that explains everything including Qohelet’s observed apparent unfairness in life, is beyond our grasp. Similarly, we are limited in our righteousness. Paul, in Roman’s 3, even references Ecclesiastes; there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins. We are all flawed, a truth that should make us humble in encountering the flaws of others. Just as we need mercy we should extend mercy. So, we cannot make life work by our own wisdom or our own righteousness. Both the wisdom and righteousness we need are only to be found through Jesus Christ. If we want to live well in this world we can do so only through trusting Jesus who will then become wisdom and righteousness to us (1 Corinthians 1:30). Our third lesson is “There are warnings that should govern our outlook on the world.” Qohelet gives us four. Verse 26 shows sin is seductive and destructive; vv. 27-28 shows ultimate meaning and purpose cannot be discovered through human ingenuity; v. 28 shows there are virtually no truly righteous people in the world, and; v. 29 shows the reason the world is broken is because of human sin. All this points to one overarching fact: the only way to find the lives for which we were created and for which we long, is to be reconciled to the God who made us, and the only way to be reconciled is through Jesus Christ. Today, humbly trust God in his goodness and love for us. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on January 8, 2017 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on the book of Ecclesiastes with a message, “Coram Deo,” developed around Ecclesiastes 6:10 – 7:14. To this point the book and its author, the Preacher, have examined life as it is apart from God. Yet we all live before the face of God (Coram Deo). God sees all. The preacher now teaches that to live well in this world one must consciously and deliberately live before the face of God. If the Bible is real, then there is meaning and purpose in life. Thus, Ecclesiastes teaches joy and wisdom are to be found in God. The Preacher wants us, his readers, to know three things. First, God’s sovereignty rules our lives. God has absolute authority over the world. Verse 10 tells us everything has already been named and implies God is the Namer. To name is to exercise lordship in ancient Hebrew. God, who has sovereignly created the world now sovereignly rules over the world. As verse 10 continues we see the vanity of struggling against the sovereign God. In fact, mankind’s first struggle against God in Genesis Chapter 3, where Adam and eve disobeyed, was the start of a continuing, futile struggle against God. Arguing with or against God, verse 11 advises, is only ongoing vanity. God’s sovereignty should be the ultimate comfort to believers. This is so since His sovereignty means nothing comes our way without His control. Furthermore, we know from other biblical portions that God works for our good (Romans 8:28) whatever does come upon us. For those who have yet to come to God here is an invitation to stop struggling against the God of the universe and come through the salvation work of Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary, a work planned before time began. The Preacher’s second point is that God’s wisdom preserves our lives. Taking life seriously is better than treating it frivolously. Chapter 7:1 – 12 seems almost morose yet it actually teaches a better way. The author uses the word for good or better nine times in this passage emphasizing thoughtful consideration of the end of our lives, rather than the frivolity of foolish, thoughtless living. We are here taught a life well-lived will not ignore the reality of the brokenness of this world or of the destiny of death awaiting us all. While the proverbs in this passage are all helpful the overall teaching is that wisdom is advantageous. The final point is that submitting to God brings contentment to life. God is sovereign; what He has made, what is His design, will not be changed by even the best of man’s schemes. Days of prosperity and adversity are all under His control and are used by Him for His purposes. God sits enthroned in the heavens; how much better to willingly submit to Him than to continue rebelling. In submission can be found joy and contentment. While the final verse teaches us we cannot know what the future holds God’s sovereignty teaches us we can know Who holds the future. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on December 11, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on the book of Ecclesiastes with a message centered on Chapter 5, Verse 8 through Chapter 6, Verse 9, entitled “The Love of Money.” Money and wealth can easily become too important in our lives. Jesus tells us “No one can serve two masters . . . . You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). In today’s passage, the Preacher warns against, and shows the pitfalls of, chasing after wealth. In fact, his main lesson teaches we should guard against pursuing riches by learning to enjoy God’s daily gifts. We find three main points the Preacher uses in his argument. First, setting our hearts on riches robs us of joy and contentment. While oppression and injustice are wrong we should not be shocked to find they exist. Still, money will never satisfy the person who loves it, oppressor or oppressed. We were not designed to love money. We were designed to love God. We need to exercise care as are being discipled by life, by ads, by others, to love money and things. However, with more wealth come more need to spend and more worries. At the end of today’s passage (6:7 – 9) the Preacher reiterates, even expands, this teaching. Physical appetites cannot be finally satisfied. Rather, satisfaction is found by the poor man who has seen things as they really are rather than by allowing his appetite(s) to run after more and more things. Money is not the problem; the love of money is the problem. Rather than filling a vacuum, it makes a vacuum that can never be filled. The second point teaches failing to enjoy life is an evil tragedy. God is for our joy. Hence, He speaks plainly about pathways leading away from our joy. Hoarding wealth does not bring joy. Riches kept by their owners lead to their hurt as they trust their riches. Riches cannot be taken with the dead. Trust has been misplaced. Even though the world’s standard may find a wealthy life to be good, Verses 1 – 6 of Chapter 6 describe a tragic life. Having this world’s goods is of little value after the brevity of physical life. What good are they? Setting our heart on riches robs us of joy and contentment in God’s provision and leads to a vain striving, chasing after the wind. Point three shows learning to recognize God’s gifts leads to a life of joy and contentment. All of life is grace. God has given all anyone has, and he gives the power to enjoy them. Without that specific power no one could be satisfied, always wanting more. Recognizing God as the giver of all sets us free, leading to real joy and contentment in God’s provision. Recognizing this enables us to come to God on God’s terms. Jesus said, “guard against all covetousness” (Luke 12:15) and to be “rich toward God” (Luke 12:21). We are to live for Him, not for money. Chase after God, not wealth. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on December 4, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a sermon on Chapter 5, Verses 1 through 7 entitled “Worship God Reverently.” Worship matters to God, He cares what we think of Him and how we act out those beliefs. Unfortunately, true reverence is often lacking in today’s worship. In today’s text the author shifts from giving his own observations about life in a fallen world to instructing us how to approach God in worship. The Preacher, the author of the book, gives four specific warnings. First, we are to be careful how we enter worship. God’s holiness demands reverence not a casual approach. As we “guard our steps” we should also “draw near to listen.” This is one reason why a church should put so much emphasis on preaching the Word of God. Worship is not to be a matter of convenience but rather a thoughtful commitment. The second point made is again practical. We are to be careful what we say in worship. God’s word is full of warnings about the misuse of our tongues; this is especially true in our worship. God, for example, does not measure our prayers by their length or use of big words. He knows our needs before we do; He is God. In our worship, we should work at focusing on Him, remembering what He has done for us, and not letting our minds wander. The third warning concerns vows. While the Bible does not forbid vows, we are to exercise care and wisdom in the making of vows. We are not to misuse vows for sinful purposes or to attempt to relieve ourselves from legitimate responsibilities (Mark 7:11 – 13). Once made though, vows should be completed for it is better not to make a vow than not to keep a vow. Ultimately, the point here is that God expects integrity and honesty in His people, particularly in their worship. Finally comes the Preacher’s fourth caution. Worshippers are to be careful to fear God. Approaching God on our terms leads only to futility and emptiness; it is a vanity. God is spirit and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth (John 4:24). Fearing God is to remember who He is and who we are. We are to revere Him. Throughout the centuries God has made known to man the way to approach Him. In the Old Testament (OT) it was clearly a costly experience centered on God’s absolute holiness. The reason for the OT sacrifices was to signify the only way of approaching God required atonement. Ultimately, all the animal deaths in the world could not provide sufficient atonement for men. That atonement came by way of the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ on the Cross of Calvary. True worship now can be effected only through relationship with Christ; it is through Him that we can come to God and be joyfully accepted into His family. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on November 27, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message on Chapter 4:7-16 entitled “One Is the Loneliest Number.” American culture often makes heroes of rugged, self-reliant individuals. While it is true that individual effort overcoming obstacles may be ennobling, individualism eventually leads to a lonely, empty life. It is not a scriptural prescription. God has designed us for community. Ecclesiastes teaches a person who has “no other…[is] never satisfied” (v. 8). Working by and for yourself is self-defeating. Furthermore, it is shortsighted. Continuing, the loner does not ask “for whom am I toiling and depriving myself of pleasure.” Where is this man’s focus? He has not set a purpose or goal except to work for more and more. Again, the reader sees the obvious, this is “vanity and an unhappy business.” Rather than this toil for self, believers, having been reconciled to God ought to be living for Him, for His glory not for the glory of ourselves. Rather than living for self, the Preacher shows that living in community provides great blessing. When it comes to relationships, more is better. Two are better than one. When one falls the other can pick up, when one is cold the other can warm, when one is attacked the other helps defend (vv. 9 – 12). God created man for friendship. This became obvious as early as the Garden of Eden when God said “It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him” (Genesis 2:18). The Preacher continues with a proverb indicating three is better yet; there is greater strength and it is more productive! Here is great application for the church. Though Jesus calls His followers individually, and though they have a relationship with Him, they are not called to follow individually. We are called to follow Christ together with others. In so doing there is help, comfort, strength, and productiveness. We need others to help us grow. We need to be available to help others grow. Life in Christ is a community effort. Still, as hard as we work together the Preacher tells us that everything in this fallen world will come to an end. Even successful accomplishments will not last (vv. 13-16). The author spends time contrasting a king that will not take counsel and one who will. The wise one, taking counsel rules well, and has a happy constituency. Yet even that ends and a time comes when no one remembers even the good king. Without God in our lives “Surely this is also a vanity and a striving after wind” (16). To trust Jesus Christ is to become not only His follower and to know Him as only your Savior, but to be adopted into a community, His very family so that He becomes your older brother. Unlike the good king’s kingdom, Jesus’ kingdom never ends, it is eternal where is no vanity and striving after the wind. Hear Him calling to you today; turn from your sin and be united with Him through faith. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on November 20, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message centered on Chapter 3:16 through Chapter 4:6 entitled “Work and Wealth in a Fallen World.” Injustice, oppression, and hopelessness have characterized the life of countless numbers over the centuries. It remains the lot of many today. The Preacher observes this theme in today’s passage. Without God, the Preacher’s point in his use of the idiom “under the sun,” men can hope only to enjoy their work and its fruit. Injustice is so rampant we sometimes fail to take notice. Siblings intentionally hurt each other, employers are less than fair in dealing with employees, marriages fall apart, people are wrongly convicted of crimes they did not commit, and the list goes on. Even in the places of justice and righteousness (v. 16), courts and churches, there is injustice. Christians must ignore these injustices. We should face up to these evils and try to remedy them, recognizing a time is coming when God will render judgment. On that day every injustice will be exposed and righteousness will finally prevail. Jesus spoke about this judgment in Matthew 25:31-46. Making it personal the Lord indicated judgment for the righteous and the evil. There is only one remedy for our evilness. It is wise to remember that the remedy, the provision of God, is available. Verse 20 emphasizes the inevitability of our coming death. Mankind needs to turn to the work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary to be saved and to be given the righteousness of Christ against which there will be no judgment; God freely offers salvation. The author of Ecclesiastes continues. The early verses of Chapter 4 teach the world is a place of oppression and abuse. People abuse power. Greed exercising dominion over some. The oppressed have no one to comfort them, “under the sun.” Despair sets in, as Preacher notes, it is better to have never lived than to be born to such abuse. He goes on. The world is a place of toil and envy. He generalizes the futility of life but notes all man’s striving ultimately is “vanity and a striving after the wind” (v. 4). All the envy (4) leads to the impossibility of a contented life. Finally, Ecclesiastes turns to three attitudes toward work. The fool opts out of the workforce, a path Scripture teaches against: “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). The second attitude is one of workaholism, two hands constantly busy striving for more, indicating a life out of balance. Psalm 127:2 teaches, “It is vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil.” Finally verse 6 encourages us to a hand at work and a handful of quietness. There ought to be a balance between work and enjoying or resting in the fruit of one’s toils. The world is indeed fallen. The believer in Christ, understanding this, should seek to live quiet, productive lives in balance between work and enjoyment “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on November 13, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyri
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on Ecclesiastes with a message on Chapter 3:1 – 15 entitled “God Rules Our Times.” Time is a fascinating concept. It unfailingly moves on, people can remember the past but not the future. Things happen and cannot be changed back. Time passes, seasons change. Ecclesiastes invites us to consider these things so we can learn to live wisely, and see in the broader context that God rules our time. There are three questions today’s text helpfully answers as it seeks to assist us in fearing and understanding God. The first asks, “What is true of time.” This chapter describes life as it is, there is a time for everything. The list in vv. 1 – 8 contain both good and ill. We are not told all that happens in time is necessarily good but rather, just that these things do happen. There is an undeniable reality to the revolving seasons of human life as one time, birth for instance, is canceled by another, death. There is no gain from human toil, at least none “under the sun” (v. 1:3), that is without God. Question number two is, “Who is responsible for time.” While God is not mentioned within the chapter’s first eight verses, in subsequent verses we see God rules everything. Yet, though God has put “eternity into man’s heart” (v. 11), people cannot make sense of the world apart from God. It is God who rules our times and without light from Him humankind “cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end” (v. 11). In fact, the words of Ephesians 1:11, “the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,” indicates God has purposed all that has come to pass and has a purpose for all He does. The fact that God is providentially and meticulously ruling in our lives should lead us to both comfort and humility. “Why does God rule our times” is the third question. Verse 14 answers, “whatever God does endures forever; nothing can be added to it, nor anything taken from it. God has done it, so that people fear before him.” God’s purpose is for men to fear Him, that is, to be in awe of His majesty, His love, His care. Because of sin men do not fear God as they ought. Romans 3:10-18 correctly sums up mankind’s estate, “‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’ ‘Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.’ ‘The venom of asps is under their lips.’ ‘Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.’ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.’ ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’” God recognizes our need for a savior and has made provision for that need in Jesus Christ. It is only a holy, reverential fear of God that enables mankind to recognize their need and turn to the Savior. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on November 6, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries res
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on the book of Ecclesiastes with a message entitled “A Meaningful Life in a Fallen World” centered on Ecclesiastes 1:12 – 2:26. Ecclesiastes takes an honest look at things people do in order to make their lives work addressing head on the cultural complaint heard decades ago from the Rolling Stones, “I can’t get no satisfaction.” The author proclaims all is vanity. This is true in a life without God. However, the author recognizes God is good, gives all gifts to enjoy, and, for His own people, eliminates the apparent futility of life. At the end of today’s passage Solomon (assuming he is the author of Ecclesiastes) draws this conclusion: in a broken world real joy can be found in God’s provision. He reaches this conclusion after unsuccessfully trying to find meaning living by wisdom (1:12 – 18). The world is so fundamentally flawed we cannot fix it. Wisdom alone cannot be the answer since those that live by wisdom and those by folly all ultimately come to the same end. The benefits of wisdom, genuine as they may be, are limited since even the wise understand “what is crooked cannot be made straight.” Neither wisdom nor folly prevent death. At this point the reader must pause and ask himself if all die what is to become of me. Solomon saw the futility of life without God. In fact, the closing verses of the book indicate the only meaning in life is coming to God, establishing a relationship with Him, and living life in obedience to His commands. Though Ecclesiastes never mentions Jesus Christ, it clearly points to the futility of life without Him. It points to a coming time when, rather than looking forward to salvation, people will look back to the work of the Cross as the one means of establishing a salvation relationship with God and finding meaning rather than futility in life. Living for pleasure is also meaningless. With the vast resources at his command, Solomon claims to have denied himself nothing, riches, slaves, concubines, wine, creativity, only to again find meaninglessness. Solomon, however, is not done. He finds working hard to get wealth is also meaningless. All our possession will go to someone else. Not only will your wealth go to someone else but according to vv. 22 – 23 working without proper regard for God inevitably diminishes the quality of life. What has been lacking in the author’s search for meaning through wisdom, pleasure, and work is God. A meaningful life recognizes and embraces God’s grace. There is joy in the routines of life, joy in the provisions of God, and a right relationship with God results in real blessings (v. 26). Solomon concludes that the meaninglessness and futility of life can only be overcome by a right relationship with God. Life “under the sun,” that is without God, living only horizontally not vertically, is vanity, a chasing after the wind. And yet, God’s Word tells us we can draw near to God in faith and enter into a relationship that puts meaning into life, even today, and can eliminate the sense of futility present without the Creator. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on October 30, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://foun
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on the book of Ecclesiastes with a sermon entitled “No Profit from Toil” explaining Ecclesiastes 1:3 – 11. “All we are is dust in the wind” is the theme to a popular ballad of the 1970’s. That theme echoes the theme of Ecclesiastes which seems to be vanity, all is vanity. Knowingly or not, both reflect the futility of a life without God. A life without God is described as being “under the sun.” That is, there is no inclusion of things above the sun. It is a life without God, the very God who rules over all, above and under the sun. The preacher, Ecclesiastes’ author, sets out to prove the futility of life without God. First, toil without God is futile. Generations come and go but the fundamental things of earth just continue on. The “War to end all wars” did not. The war on poverty provided no fix. Things continue on basically unchanged as generations come and go. Nature also proves the futility of life without God. The sun continues on just as it always has. The winds come and go, man can only chase it. Even the rivers flowing to the seas never fill it. And all continues as it has. All this points to the futility of life “under the sun,” life without God. The contrast between this perspective and claims that creation is a theater for God’s glory is stark. The constant activity the world sees as being in a rut when seen through the perspective of a believers shows the beauty of God’s handiwork: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky proclaims his handiwork” (Psalm 19:1). First toil, then nature, and now human experience demonstrates the futility of life without God. The observations of vv. 9 – 10 bear this out. On a fundamental level nothing seen, felt, heard, tasted or smelled have any lasting merit or benefit without God. These sensory perceptions, like all else in the world, come and go. Without God they are futile, they have no eternal worth. Humans don’t change, we have been broken since the Fall and no effort of our will change that. Verse 11 continues the despair. In a few short generations all memory of us will be gone, just as dust in the wind. Jesus makes this same point. He asks “What will it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). What Jesus and the preacher are both warning against is living a life without regard for God. A life “under the sun” is meaningless and futile. But there is hope. A life lived in relationship with the God of Creation, the God offering salvation, brings meaning to life. The way to this relationship is through the work accomplished on the Cross by the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone has defeated sin, death, hell, and the futility of this world. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on October 23, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol begins a series on the book of Ecclesiastes. The message, entitled “Real Life in a Fallen World” based on Ecclesiastes 1:1 – 2, provides both an introduction and first lessons. A main point of the whole book is that life is complicated. Everyone sees life a bit differently due to their individual experiences, temperaments or circumstances. Ecclesiastes is a book that looks at life as it really is in a fallen world. The book’s author opens with an expression of frustration; life without God is meaningless. It may be helpful to understand who the author is. He identifies himself as the “Preacher,” a translation for the Hebrew word “Qoholeth.” He is a leader and teacher of God’s people. The “son of David, king in Jerusalem” as well as the exercise in wisdom in the book leads to the likely conclusion that Qoholeth, the preacher, is actually King Solomon. Further, Solomon’s wealth and lifestyle enabled him to search and experience all the book claims of the author. The book seems to have been written later in Solomon’s life after having sought meaning in pleasure, work, wisdom, and wealth. He found all lacking and desires his readers learn from his experiences. He recognizes, as we shall see later throughout the book, that apart from God all is meaningless. Since we, like Solomon in his pleasure, work, wisdom, and wealth, tend to view the world superficially, that is without much thought and reflection and certainly without an emphasis on God, we need exactly this type of biblical book. We need the message of this book today particularly give the “vanity” about which Solomon speaks. The original word translated vanity literally means “breath” or “vapor.” This metaphor is used by Solomon to emphasize life’s meaningless without God; life is but a quickly disappearing vapor or breath. Since we typically do not think this way we tend to think neither of the brevity of life nor what follows death. Yet, throughout the book the author uses the expression “under the sun” to articulate the vanity of life without God. Indeed, vanity under the sun would be people’s natural understanding without a godly interpretation of life and its events. This is especially so since our fallen world brings circumstances which, without an understanding of God, would leave one to misinterpret events as random instead or God-ordered. While it is true that the world is broken it is equally true that the world will be fixed. The conclusion of the book, still 12 chapters off, tells the conclusion of Solomon, the duty of mankind is to “fear God and keep his commandments.” Only then can we have a true understanding of life. Only then can we enter into a relationship with God that offers joy for this life and hope for the future. Only then can we obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We ought, therefore, come to God through the work of Jesus on the Cross of Calvary. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on October 16, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be a
Pastor Tom Ascol finishes his series on 2 Corinthians covering Chapter 13 in a message entitled “Final Warnings, Exhortations, and Encouragements.” Paul’s pointed and personal words here to a troubled church, the result of his deep love for the Corinthians, remain applicable to the church today. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on July 17, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on 2 Corinthians. In a message entitled “The Greatest Boast of a Faithful Apostle” the pastor opens God’s Word at 2 Corinthians 12:1 – 21. Paul uses this chapter to continue finish writing, however self-consciously, about himself and then transitions into one of the most important lessons a Christian can learn. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on July 10, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continuing in his series on 2 Corinthians opens God’s Word in Chapter 11:1 – 33 with a message entitled “Apostolic Boasting.” In an ancient document called “The Deeds of the Divine Augustus,” the Roman Emperor Caesar Augustus boasted about many of his accomplishments. He fell, just as the false teachers in today’s passage fell, to the temptation to promote themselves usually at the expense of others but, more importantly, at the expense of the glory due God. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on July 3, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on 2 Corinthians. In a message entitled “Concerns of a Faithful Ministry,” the pastor opens God’s Word at 2 Corinthians 10:1 – 18. Nehemiah provides an example of a faithful ministry. Called by God from the center of the cultural world, he was sent to rebuild the city of Jerusalem’s walls. Nehemiah faithfully opposed enemies and built up the congregation all for the glory of God. Such should be the ministry of a faithful believer. So it was with Paul. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on June 26, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on 2 Corinthians. In a message entitled “Biblical Giving,” he exposits 2 Corinthians 8:1 through 9:15. Everyone seems to know of examples where churches appear to be focused on “passing the basket” for collections but in this passage God’s mind on giving is plainly evident. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on June 19, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on 2 Corinthians with a message entitled “How God Comforts His Depressed Servants” centered on 2 Corinthians 7: 2 – 16. Many people have been oppressed by depression over the years. Christians are not immune from this scourge, yet hesitate to admit it. Their thinking is, if a person is forgiven and welcomed into the family of God, “about what should they be depressed.” Even so, depression is a reality and today’s passage looks at how the Apostle Paul overcame depression in his life and ministry. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on June 12, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues in his series in 2 Corinthians with a message entitled “Who Shares Your Yoke?” centering on 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1. In today’s passage Paul uses the metaphor of a yoke, the apparatus farmers use to join animals used for plowing, to teach principles for the Christian life. Just as different breeds of animals do not work well when yoked, so Christians must be careful about ties that bind them to the world. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on May 29, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues in his exposition of 2 Corinthians, opening Chapter 6, verses 3 through 13, in a message entitled “Ministry that Endures.” Throughout this letter to the Corinthians the apostle Paul makes the point that a ministry true to the Gospel and God will endure. That ministry cannot be measured truthfully by appearances of success or prosperity. Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ usually results in opposition, hardships, and trials. This result in the lives of believers accurately reflects the reality of Jesus’ suffering. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on May 15, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series in 2 Corinthians. In a message entitled “The Ministry of Reconciliation, the pastor opens God’s Word explaining 2 Corinthians 5:11 – 6:2. Using a vignette from the life of Henry David Thoreau, an illustration was drawn showing both mankind’s sincerity and willful ignorance of God’s desire for reconciliation. Today people willfully ignore biblical teachings such as “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23) the result of which leaves them “by nature children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3). As sincere as we may try to be, ignoring both our biblical estate and God’s reconciling plan of salvation really does show our willful ignorance. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on May 8, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues in his series on 2 Corinthians. In a message entitled “Life After Death” pastor covers 2 Corinthians 5:1 – 10. Humans, it seems, almost universally wonder “What happens when we die?” Public fascination with near-death experiences seem to bear this out. Indeed, a group of doctors and scientists report, after a four-year study, evidence that human life continues after biological death. What does this mean for those alive today? This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on April 24, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Pastor Tom Ascol continues teaching through 2 Corinthians in a message entitled “How Affliction Becomes Light” based on 2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18. In this life sorrows and suffering are sure. This is true for Christians as well as non-Christians. Christians, however, have different resources with which to endure and triumph over troubles. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on April 17, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. Join the FAM at press.founders.org/fam to support and enable Founders Ministries to continue producing free content. Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries.
Jenna gives her take on the Supreme Court's stalling of issuing the Dobbs opinion and why she thinks the Court will wait until the last day of session. PLUS, Pastor Tom Ascol joins to discuss the future of the Southern Baptist Convention and advice to churches concerned with the SBC woke leadership. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
While you were at church on Sunday Senate Republicans were busy conspiring with Democrats to take away your guns. Bill O'Reilly, Art Ally, Rep Matt Rosendale, and Pastor Tom Ascol join the conversation! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The media continues to push the belief that conservatives don't like kids or don't want to protect kids. Chad debunks this by pointing out that conservatives are the only ones having kids and are the only ones that are having big families. Why is the Left attacking conservatives? If conservatives are the ones that are having most of the kids in America, how is it possible that the Left continues to rise in numbers? The media once again attacks Kyle Rittenhouse for going to a gun range and exercising his Second Amendment rights. As the woke mob takes over the world very quickly, what is the church doing? Pastor Tom Ascol joins the podcast to discuss the next Southern Baptist Conference meeting where the church will pick a new president. Can the church bring back boldness? Loudon County is on the news again, and this time, a middle school librarian is defending inappropriate books because “kids might be sex workers.” A California high school is offering “gender expression kits” that include breast tape and rainbow face masks. Why are groomers so actively coming for our kids? Today's Sponsors: Zach the trucker started Trucker Treats family business that is customer-centered, providing personalized service and the highest quality products. They have developed mouth-watering flavors to choose from: The Original Kewl Ranch, Hawt Cajun, Cinnamon Toast, Dill Pickle, Bacon Cheeseburger and Candy Cane. I urge you to support our Truckers. Please go to http://TruckerTreats.net and get 40% OFF with the promo code CHAD. Birch Gold is the company I trust to help you convert an IRA or 401k into an IRA in gold and silver. That's right, not only will Birch Gold help you fortify your savings with precious metals, they'll help you do it in a tax sheltered account. Just text CHAD to 989898 to get started. If YOU don't want to be a victim of what's coming, I strongly urge you to go to my special web page… http://PrepareWithChad.Com You'll find a special deal where you can SAVE 150 DOLLARS on a THREE-MONTH Emergency Food Kit from my friends at My Patriot Supply. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Today we're talking about the Southern Baptist Convention and two big stories surrounding the organization. First, the recently released report on sexual abuse within the church. We go over some of the information in the report and how to navigate the situation as well as the SBC's handling of it over the years. Then, we welcome Pastor Tom Ascol back to the show to discuss the SBC meeting taking place next week in California, during which the SBC will choose a new president. Pastor Ascol is one of the candidates for the SBC presidency, and he tells us what he hopes his leadership would bring to the Southern Baptist Convention and about the direction he feels the organization should go regardless of who's leading it. We also discuss the accusations of political partisanship within the church and whether ideas like critical race theory and intersectionality are truly useful tools for understanding the Bible. --- Timecodes: (0:00) Introduction (0:33) Why are we talking about the Southern Baptist Convention? (36:25) Interview with Tom Ascol, SBC Presidential Candidate --- Today's Sponsors: My Patriot Supply — save $150 on their 3-month emergency food kit at PrepareWithAllie.com. CrowdHealth — get your first 6 months for just $99/month. Use promo code 'ALLIE' when you sign up at JoinCrowdHealth.com. Patriot Mobile — go to PatriotMobile.com/ALLIE or call 972-PATRIOT & use promo code 'ALLIE' to get free activation! --- Show Links: Guidepost's Report: 'The Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee's Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations and an Audit of the Procedures and Actions of the Credentials Committee https://bit.ly/3Mymsvv We Have A Book https://bit.ly/3933DCQ --- Previous Episodes Mentioned: Ep 81: Purity Culture https://apple.co/3mviHfz Ep 128: Tom Ascol https://apple.co/3aFXuNf --- 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
Steve reads aloud a heartbreaking, rage-inducing email he recently received from one of the Jan. 6 political prisoners. Then, attorney Brian Festa from WethePatriotsUSA.org joins the program to discuss a few new COVID-related lawsuits he's pursuing. In Hour Two, Fake News or Not reacts to the most recent revelations surrounding what Pfizer knew and when about the vaccine. Finally, Pastor Tom Ascol joins the program to discuss his run for president of the Southern Baptist Convention. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his 2 Corinthians series with a message about 2 Corinthians 4:7 – 15 entitled “Treasures in Jars of Clay.” The Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest manuscript fragment we have of the Old Testament books, were found in the late 1940’s in jars of clay. For over two millennia simple earthen pots had held treasures of the Old Testament. In a similar manner, the bodies of believers, simple earthen vessels, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit with the ability to proclaim the gospel message, a treasure of even greater value than the scrolls. In fact, it points to one of the truths regarding a faithful gospel ministry: gospel ministry consists of ordinary people declaring an extraordinary message. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on April 10, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries. Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/ The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/ Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
Pastor Tom Ascol continues in his series in 2 Corinthians with a message entitled “Gospel Power in Human Weakness” centering on 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. How, in our weakness, are we to discern faithful ministry? Remarkably, some sources have identified over 2400 allegedly Christian radio stations. Christians need to be able to differentiate between trustworthy ministries and those teaching error. Luke (8:18) tells his readers to “Take care, then, how you hear.” In today’s message we will pick up from last week and look at the final two of the four characteristics Paul branded as indicative of a faithful gospel ministry. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on March 20, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries. Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/ The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/ Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
Pastor Tom Ascol resumes his series on 2 Corinthians. In a message entitled “Characteristics of a Faithful Ministry, Part 1,” the pastor examines 2 Corinthians 4:1-6. We have seen in the series so far that false teachers had attacked Paul’s ministry, yet like to Corinthians we also may have trouble detecting false ministers. Sometimes they are not all easily detected. In this passage, Paul assesses some of the characteristics of a faithful ministry which should be evident in the work of faithful ministers. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on March 13, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries. Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/ The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/ Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
Pastor Tom Ascol resumes his series on 2 Corinthians with a message based on Chapter 3, verses 7-18 entitled “The Superiority of the New Covenant Ministry.” This passage teaches that left to ourselves, even our best efforts to understand and apply spiritual truths will be futile. There are spiritual barriers preventing the clear proclamation and understanding of truth that only the Holy Spirit’s work can overcome. Therefore, the Bible teaches that the New Covenant is superior to the Old Covenant and, consequently, ministry under the New Covenant surpasses ministry under the Old. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 21, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries. Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/ The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/ Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
Pastor Tom Ascol continues his series on 2 Corinthians in a message entitled “A Commended Ministry” 2 Corinthians 3:1-6. The apostle Paul’s purpose in writing today’s passage is to continue countering the attack toward his ministry by false prophets troubling the Corinthian church. Rather than a letter of recommendation, common in that age, the passage serves as a word of commendation and justification. This sermon was given by Dr. Tom Ascol on February 14, 2016 at Grace Baptist Church in Cape Coral, FL. All Founders Ministries resources are copyrighted and any use and distribution must be approved by Founders Ministries. Become a part of the F.A.M. https://press.founders.org/fam/ The Institute of Public Theology: https://www.instituteofpublictheology.org/ Wield The Sword: https://founders.org/wieldthesword/ Subscribe to Founders Ministries: https://founders.org/enews/ Follow Founders Ministries: Website: https://founders.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FoundersMin/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FoundersMin Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/foundersministries/
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