Quick Testimony : I am pastor in France and for the 4th time in less than 2 years our church building has been attacked (windows shattered and people breaking in ...). I was driving home after I have been with the police, asking the Lord for my joy to not be stollen by Satan. As I was doing so, this video started to play. It has brightened my day, thank you Dr.Ortlund.
Note: Objects can become "Paranormally Charged". 1. Be aware of physical objects in the church that may have belonged to other people [living or deceased]. 2. Especially, be aware of any objects that may have been used in some kind of ceremony.
Here are some biblical messages about attitudes toward Christ the Messiah: (Here you need to understand that the word Jew can mean a Judaist - a religious figure of Judaism. There were also Scribes/Sadducees and Pharisees). Matthew 2: 2-3: "saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." The king of the Jews and the Jerusalem elites... no, they were not happy, but troubled when they learned about the birth of Christ. Matthew 2: 13: "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2: 16: "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." What hatred of the Jewish authorities! They even destroyed all the children in the hope of killing Christ too! Mark 3: 2: "And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him." Mark 3: 6: "And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him." Mark 8: 11: "And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him." Luke 4: 28-29: "And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong." Luke 6: 7: "And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him." Luke 6: 11: "And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." John 5: 18: "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." John 7: 1: "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him." John 7: 30: "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come." John 8: 59: "Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." John 9: 22: "These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." Not only Christ himself was persecuted - even people who recognized him were expelled from the synagogue. And so on, until the day when the Cheif/High Priests condemned Christ for “blasphemy” and handed him over for execution to the occupation authorities, slandering him in “rebellion.” I was once impressed by the example of Fidel Castro: throughout his life, on average, he was subject to attempts on his life every day. Fidel was an ordinary sinful man, and Christ did not commit a single sin, but he was persecuted with fierce hatred from infancy. The problem is Devil runs the world. He is lier and murderer. This is the reason why false "christians" are happy to be friends with the persecutors of Christ. That's why we've got the Gospel about the God's kingdom. Jehovah would put everything in order. He has anointed the king, Jesus Christ. The dead will be resurected and we'll meet our beloved ones again! :-)
No words can describe the help and information your work has given to my life. It has been genuinely lead me to the truth. Love the insight, thanks Gavin!
@@thomasrutledge5941 They believe in the trinity and the death and resurrection of Christ, so they are christians. Also really wild that you are essentially dismissing the real pain they go through professing Christ and then dying for it.
@@thomasrutledge5941 slightly confused whether or not you are a christian. It's fine if you aren't, but I can't imagine a christian saying the pain of other christians over the truth of the Bible isn't worth something.
“The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go, His love for us does not. It is not wearied by our sins or our indifference, and therefore it is quite relentless in its determination that we shall be cured of those sins, at whatever cost to us, at whatever cost to Him.” - CS Lewis
My family entered the mission field and within six months of arriving, two of us were medevacced to the capitol and another was hospitalized. Three separate incidents. It was actually incredibly affirming because I don't think I've ever been such a threat to the Enemy before. Step out and follow God's calling for you and you'll find purpose like you never knew before.
I had to rewind back to 28:00 and listen to it two or three times. Jesus died first, he is already there. I go to where Jesus already is. Incredibly encouraging, thank you Gavin.
That testimony from Richard Wurmbrand was one of the most precious things I've ever heard - what a wonderful minister for Christ! What an inspiring example!
I wake up to see a new video from Truth Unites. It’s gonna be a good day! Can’t wait to learn, whether good, bad, or ugly, we all need to take it in. Just remember to stay rooted in The Word and Jesus. I’m truly blessed God put you in my path, I’ve learned so much! Finished Theological Retrieval and almost done with Humility, next up Finding the Right Hills To Die On. I highly recommend others read your books! Thanks Gavin! I Love you brother! 💙🙏✝️🙏💙
My aunt, who I loved very much, her last words were that she felt like she was moving. She was excited to see her new home, but sad of the people she'd leave behind
Appreciate your work Gavin. I’m 27 and your work along with Dr. Craig has been very influential in my life recently developing my passion for Christian apologetics
Here are some biblical messages about attitudes toward Christ the Messiah: (Here you need to understand that the word Jew can mean a Judaist - a religious figure of Judaism. There were also Scribes/Sadducees and Pharisees). Matthew 2: 2-3: "saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him." The king of the Jews and the Jerusalem elites... no, they were not happy, but troubled when they learned about the birth of Christ. Matthew 2: 13: "And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2: 16: "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men." What hatred of the Jewish authorities! They even destroyed all the children in the hope of killing Christ too! Mark 3: 2: "And they watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath day; that they might accuse him." Mark 3: 6: "And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him." Mark 8: 11: "And the Pharisees came forth, and began to question with him, seeking of him a sign from heaven, tempting him." Luke 4: 28-29: "And all they in the synagogue, when they heard these things, were filled with wrath, And rose up, and thrust him out of the city, and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong." Luke 6: 7: "And the scribes and Pharisees watched him, whether he would heal on the sabbath day; that they might find an accusation against him." Luke 6: 11: "And they were filled with madness; and communed one with another what they might do to Jesus." John 5: 18: "Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God." John 7: 1: "After these things Jesus walked in Galilee: for he would not walk in Jewry, because the Jews sought to kill him." John 7: 30: "Then they sought to take him: but no man laid hands on him, because his hour was not yet come." John 8: 59: "Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." John 9: 22: "These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue." Not only Christ himself was persecuted - even people who recognized him were expelled from the synagogue. And so on, until the day when the Cheif/High Priests condemned Christ for “blasphemy” and handed him over for execution to the occupation authorities, slandering him in “rebellion.” I was once impressed by the example of Fidel Castro: throughout his life, on average, he was subject to attempts on his life every day. Fidel was an ordinary sinful man, and Christ did not commit a single sin, but he was persecuted with fierce hatred from infancy. The problem is Devil runs the world. He is lier and murderer. This is the reason why false "christians" are happy to be friends with the persecutors of Christ. That's why we've got the Gospel about the God's kingdom. Jehovah would put everything in order. He has anointed the king, Jesus Christ. The dead will be resurected and we'll meet our beloved ones again! :-)
@@AlexejSvirid Where is Fidel now? We are all under the judgment of death. In my estimation it is not a question of when we die but how and for whom do we die. Luke 12:5 But I will warn you whom to fear: fear the One who, after He has killed someone, has the power to throw that person into hell; yes, I tell you, fear Him!
This encouragement is very much needed for the church. Regarding "dont be afraid", I don't fear death for myself but now that I am a father I fear for the death of my family, my daughter specifically. I know Gavin has 5 children so I'm sure he understands.
I'm busy reading "Water from a Deep Well" by Gerald Sittser - really eye opening what the early Christians suffered. We have no idea the 'luxury' we live in that is probably largely on the back of this period of peace (generally speaking) we've enjoyed post WWII. I think the times are however changing and we are seeing a system naturally in entropy. We need the example of these martyrs to give us peace, and hope, in the time ahead.
Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for my sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you!
I love all you work, Gavin, encouraging and uplifting the body of Christ with your videos. I’d love to see some more discussion of women in church history, too - women martyrs and leaders and followers of Christ, because I love church history so much, but I do feel a lack of discussion of these women of our faith heritage. Just a thought as I was watching - God bless you in your ministry!
Awesome Gavin! Hebrews 13:3 ‘Remember (μιμνήσκομαι- properly, recall, bring to mind, remind oneself actively (purposefully); to remember, have in mind, "be mindful of.") those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body’
Absolutely love these church history/devotional combo videos. They greatly encourage me and help me to desire to press on for Christ as I remember all those who have done it joyfully before me “O death where is your sting” Praise God!!!!!!
Hey Brother! I only recently found your channel and have certainly not had time to take in all of your content, but this is absolutely the most important video I think could make. This is the type of encouragement that Christians should be hearing constantly to abandon fear and press on toward the goal. God Bless you Dr. Ortlund! I pray that this video encourages many!
Im waiting at the airport with delay after delay…and I run across one of your videos. They are always more than what they seem to be on the surface. I am so encouraged and refreshed by the precious truths you presented. “To live is Christ, and to die is gain.” God bless brother
Thank you Dr. Ortlund for this inspiring and heartfelt message. I praise God for speaking through you in this video like the rickshaw-guy who was a disciple of Christ to Mrs. Richardson when she needed words of encouragement. I pray that you would be comforted in times of tribulation. God bless you Doc.
Thank you for this. I also read up a lot about the martyrs. It inspires and strengthens my faith. Knowing that people can face the worst with the Holy Spirit comforting them. Just finished reading Jesus freaks again. God never leaves or forsake us.
This is a wonderful video, it makes me fear I am not bold enough. I used to experience more mockery and scorn from nonbelievers, but that has decreased. I pray it is not a result of me being less bold. I especially struggle at work to bring up the gospel, and have been convicted about it for the 30000th time today. It brings me shame that these martyrs can suffer so much for Christ, but I fear a loss of reputation or job. There is nothing to fear except God. I don't know why I have not overcome this cowardliness, mostly in the area of the workplace. Christ have mercy on me
It's not cowardice on your part. You're likely used to taking the blame for any percieved deficiency in yourself & other people. It's what Christians are trained to do.
I’m so grateful for the reminder of the importance of identifying our suffering as following in the footsteps of our master. I’m facing a scenario worse than I had ever imagined, and I’m absolutely exhausting myself trying to get through it in a way that is pleasing to God. But sometimes, the suffering is so shocking, I just don’t know what to do. It’s comforting to know that Christ is there and he has walked this way before.
Such a needed video! It's so easy for us Christians living in countries where extreme forms of persecution are either scarce or even inexistent to forget the suffering of our brothers and sisters. Sometimes, people even say things like: "Back when the Church was persecuted...", as if it is something we've let behind in the "dark times" of Church history. Let us never forget Psalm 102:13-14: You will arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. For your servants hold her stones dear and have pity on her dust.
I have been reading "The Story of Christianity" vol 1 and 2 and it goes over as much church history as possible from about 300 BC to today. I hate reading but still like these.
Wonderful and so uplifting. Thank you! Have gotten very interested in studying about Christian martyrs and reading Voice of the Martyrs. I would only hope I would respond in the same way through persecution.
For anyone interested in learning about genuine Christian persecution around the world, I would highly recommend checking out the World Watch List on Open Doors. Currently, the worst persecution happens in Islamic countries, where converting from Islam to Christianity is punishable by death, or in Dictatorial countries like China and North Korea, where believers are often arbitrarily imprisoned if they are deemed a threat to the government.
Thank you SO MUCH for this Gavin! This might be my favorite video you have ever done! I wanted you to mention the martyrs of Nigeria, but you made it up to me more than I can say. Thank you so much for this video! I've been through a lot the last year. I call myself an online evangelist. It is a tough thing to do because in the ~5 years I have been doing this I have not seen a single conversion. I have been called every name in the book. I've had people spit on me. I have had people die in my Bible study who were living in unrepentant sin. Another member of the Bible study just attempted suicide. Other members are going through physical daily pain. Even though I do not have any pain in my body it hurts me to see them suffer. I just want to give these people hope. In April, my dad who was a city bus driver for 30 years was in a car accident by a guy who did not even have his licence. It was scary. Luckily my dad is fine. There are several other things I could mention that have been difficult. Of course, I hold on to the peace of Christ. I tell "my people" here at the apartment complex, "I am not living for this life. I am living for the next life." So thank you for this video. It is very encouraging to me in my time of need.
You may have planted so many seeds! We never know when they are watered and made to grow as the Lord and His work nourishes them. Be encouraged and know that God’s word takes hold in people even if we never know or see. I admire you for sharing the Gospel with others and pressing on without seeing the fruit. You never know…ya know? God bless you and protect you ❤✝
Just getting into the video. I hope you talk about the 200 Nigerian Christains that were recently killed in cold blood and not a thing was done about it. [Edit: Okay, I am about 23 minutes into this and I am loving it!] The worst "persecution" I have faced (and I don't know this for a fact this is what is happening but there are clues) is that I shared the Gospel with someone and he started keying my van every now and then. I now have key marks all over my van. Back, and both the sides. Of course I cannot prove that he is doing it, but his nickname is "Key," which is very ironic if it is not him. He was very against me sharing the Gospel with him. He lives in the same apartment complex as me.
@@ProfYaffle I generally don't. I still say hi to him when I walk by him (as I do with everyone from my apartment complex). I don't feel any animosity towards him. I can't prove it is him so I can't do anything even if I wanted to.
I’ve struggled with the question “am I going to be?” as well of questions of how to understand baptismal regeneration. I’ve been a follower of Christ for a while now and the assurance and security of my salvation has been a large focus of mine for a while How can I reconcile this with the fact that church history for so long disagreed with the point that one could have assurance. I want to have a clear understanding of salvation and my relationship with Jesus (This has caused me some anxiety ) Thank you!
If anyone’s a bit uncomfortable with the imagery of the bride & bridegroom, you could rather use the image of a child sleeping peacefully in his/her parent’s arms. It’s my favourite metaphor for God.
I highly recommend following the Persecuted Christians in Nigeria . They are being killed, kidnapped and churches or seminaries burned. And yet they have a higher church attendance and vocations to the ministry than the West.
The Church will receive its perfection only in the glory of heaven, at the time of Christ's glorious return. Until that day, the Church progresses on her pilgrimage amidst this world's persecutions and God's consolations. The Church, and through her the world will not be perfected in glory without great trials
Hey Gavin, was blessed to hear recently you were born in Scotland, where I'm from and live. Would Love to know what you think of The Myth of Persecution by Candida Moss. It seems she is proabably right to challenge the simplistic narrative of an empire-wide unwavering persecution, but seems to overstate her case massively as the title suggests. Wondering what you make of it? Thanks for the great content.
Our mighty King is WORTHY! He is above all, may we be blessed to be witness in peace and in persecution, may we be inspired by the saints to whom we owe the testimony that saved our souls.
“The earth has been filled with the blood of the martyrs as with seed, and from that seed have sprung the crops of the church. They have asserted Christ’s cause more effectively when dead than when they were alive. They assert it today, they preach him today; their tongues are silent, their deeds echo round the world. They were arrested, bound, imprisoned, brought to trial, tortured, burned at the stake, stoned to death, run through, fed to wild beasts. In all their kinds of death they were jeered at as worthless, but ‘precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” - St. Augustine
Greetings, sir. I'm very curious to hear your opinion concerning the Sabbath. I know that there has been several discussions concerning whether we are to keep Jewish Sabbath or if it no longer applies to us
1:12 Street preachers are doing God's work too, just different work so no reason to toss them in here. One just got shot in the head for preaching the gospel.
Hey Gavin. Could you answer this question for me? I am a Baptist and I have been reading extensively the early church on Baptism. I’m kind of confused. I’m actually really confused. I’ve heard SO MANY Protestants say that baptism being required for salvation is a damnable heresy because it denies faith alone. Even John MacArther says that. With that, what do we do with the church fathers? More specifically the ones who have so heavily influenced Protestantism like Augustine. He seems to very clearly state that apart from the sacrament of water Baptism there is no salvation. So is he a heretic? Is he lost? Are all the church fathers lost? I can’t find a single one who didn’t think John 3:5 was talking about water baptism?? I CANNOT accept that water baptism is required for salvation. In light of Galatians, Ephesians, Acts 10, Romans 10:9&10 it seems wildly clear that regeneration happens at the moment of faith. So what do I do with the church fathers?
Hi KB, I struggled with that as wee. My understanding is that when we believe in Christ it starts a process. First we hear the gospel, then we believe, then we repent. These are all inward invisible operations. Water baptism is an external aspect of that process the same as signing the wedding certificate after the wedding ceremony. Nobody would say that a couple were not truly married after the ceremony in Gods eyes but the certificate still needs to be completed afterwards. The difference with the early church and nowadays is that baptism followed immediately after conversion so was more closely tied the the inner change. A term used for believing is a "synecdoch" which refers to an ongoing process after an initial start, this we can see in our christian walk via the process of sanctification throughout our entire life.
Gavin has a lot of videos on baptism that he's done actually. He has a conversation with Jordan Cooper, a Lutheran who uses the Church fathers as evidence for baptismal regeneration. I think they are worth watching. You bring up good points, keep reading!
Go with the Church fathers, not modern day Baptist preachers and our own opinions of what the text says. I say this having been precisely in your shoes not long ago brother!
"apart from the sacrament of water Baptism there is no salvation". The thief on the cross was not water baptized, yet Jesus said that he would be with Jesus in paradise. Even the early church fathers must be accountable to the scriptures
I find persecution and martyrdom annoying. I don't experience them, but I hate to hear about it. It appears to be senseless, crap. I never see anything inspiring when reading a story about, for example, a missionary being killed while evangelising some out of the way tribe.
“The earth has been filled with the blood of the martyrs as with seed, and from that seed have sprung the crops of the church. They have asserted Christ’s cause more effectively when dead than when they were alive. They assert it today, they preach him today; their tongues are silent, their deeds echo round the world. They were arrested, bound, imprisoned, brought to trial, tortured, burned at the stake, stoned to death, run through, fed to wild beasts. In all their kinds of death they were jeered at as worthless, but ‘precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” - St. Augustine
Yes, it's a moral atrocity to severely punish people for their beliefs. Which is why it's a moral atrocity to send billions of people to eternal damnation because of their beliefs.
Hi Becca, Hell certainly is a hard concept that I have wrestled with. However, it is important to understand that God does not send people to hell because of our beliefs alone. Rather, hell is the consequence for what we do against him and against other people. God loves his creation so much that he must right every wrong done against it, and in this justice, he must punish those who have partaken in these wrongs. If someone hurt your family, you would want that person to be brought to justice. The beautiful part is that God is not only just, but merciful, for we have all partaken in these wrongs and deserve to be punished, yet God sent his son, who wronged no one, not even God who knows all, and he chose to bear the punishment for our wrongs. For your wrong and my wrong alike he died. So, God does not desire that we go to hell, or vengefully send people there for no good reason. Instead, he made a way of escape for us, an invitation into abundant life now and forever. God bless and have a great day.
@@davidjanbaz7728 yes, we must continuously excuse the Bible God who is a moral atrocity, imagined by men who needed a war god. And it's convenient today for subjugating groups of people and women, keeping people to vote against their own interests.
@davidjanbaz7728 yes, we must continuously excuse the Bible God who is a moral atrocity, imagined by men. And the story is convenient today for subjugating groups of people and women, keeping people to vote against their own interests.
Did you watch the video ? I feel as though, Dr. Ortlund even himself, points out there are those who have a persecution complex and those who have loud microphones, shouting at other, in the manner that it seems you are writing about in your comment.
This is very circular reasoning if you apply the same rules to everyone equally (which I am sure, judging by your comment, you would never be in favor of treating people unequally). Applying this same logic in a circle means that everyone is both a persecutor and persecuted. Say you persecute someone for saying men and women are different and have different roles (a very common and simple belief among people), that now makes you the one persecuting someone based in their beliefs which would mean if you are now persecuted for that persecution, you also have no right to say you're being persecuted either. So by this same train how on earth is tolerance of certain behavior/lifestyles supposed to exist at all? If you don't tolerate intolerance, that makes you intolerant yourself and makes you a persecutor by your same definition. Beliefs have to be able to be criticized and/or not tolerated without everyone throwing around victim cards left and right.
@@matthewbonaldo4137 Possibly a similar point. But today we see many Evangelicals in particular claiming persecution for not being allowed to treat LGBTQ, women, trans, Muslims, Atheists, etc with less rights than White Christian men. For example, Gavin's video on women shouldn't be allowed to have leadership roles over men. Is someone who thinks women shouldn't be allowed to teach men really going to hire fairly for managerial roles? This is discrimination. And that doesn't even speak to lesser treatment of wives and decision making in government
@@BeccaYoley What would you consider to be something which White Christian men , want to take away from those groups of people? And we as Christians hold that it is not due to God viewing women as lower than men, but rather they served a different important role. Throughout Christianity we see a high view of womenhood with such famous Christian feminine figures Monica (the mother of Augustine) or St. Mother Teresa . In fact the whole idea that women should be treated as equally as men, and the pulling towards the existence of rights for women, is entirely borrowed from a Christian worldview. Before Christianity, there was no such thing. I see where you are coming from, and I lament at any suffering that has been afflicted, but I think that it's not something that should be considered against the rights or respect of a woman's dignity.
