The Christian alternative to immoral behaviors is not a new list of moral behaviors. The Spirit renews our minds - we are radically dependent on him. Find the full resource at: www.desiringgod....
The bible is all you need...not outside sources. To be clear books have their place but nothing is as eye-opening and truth revealing as the Holy Bible.
I suggest you reread what you wrote, because you will realise that listening to these sermons fall into the same category as those "outside sources" you refer to
This is the metaphor I use: tour guide's explanation of what it's like to see the grand canyon only goes so far (books and sermons). Seeing and experiencing the grand canyon in person with one's own eyes (the bible) is incomparably better. But the tour guides are still helpful: based on their expertise, they can enrich your experience of seeing the grand canyon. And besides, that's what the creator of our grand canyon wanted anyway: a fellowship in christ :D
Amen, Brother Piper. It's so nice to hear sound biblical teaching from John Piper, John MacArthur, Paul Washer, etc. We really need it. All glory be to God!
Scott S. diVincenzo I'm Reformed in all of my theology, except my pnuematology. I believe in the Doctrines of Grace, but my pnuematology is still relatively classical Pentecostal. However, I am starting to become more Reformed in that area also.
u can't call youself a reformed if you are still pentecostal. Kindly take out the "reformed" from your name. These New Calvinists call themselves reformed but they are continuationists. They should just call themselves Calvinistic instead of Reformed. Please understand what the true "reformation' was all about. They were not only 'reformed' in soteriology, they were 'reformed' in the whole theology. They were not only 'reformed' in theology, they were 'reformed' in their conducts and practices as well. You can't have Puritan theology and reject Puritan sanctification. Be consistent.
J Im not a New Calvinist, the New Calvinist movement tends to be very hyper grace and only Reformed in Soteriology. They have no understanding of God's holiness. I am Reformed in all of my theology, but I am a continuastionist, and yes Im aware of all the pentecostal/charismatic heretics who claim to hear from God all the time, I reject them. My pneumetology has changed quite a bit here recently (Ive only been Reformed for about 5 or 6 months anyway. After about a year of praying, reading the Word, and listening to godly men, I finally admitted that it was more biblical) to a more Reformed stance. For example I no longer believe that Spirit Baptism is a Second Work of Grace, but it it Salvation. I, however, cannot for the life of me gather from the Scriptures(Sola Scriptura) where the gifts have ceased. As far as I can tell, its not in there. Brother, if you can give me some Scripture showing that the Gifts have ceased I would be more than happy to reconsider. My chief desire is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ. Glory to Him both now and forever. God bless you.
fooling about with sinful behaviour is deadly. It will all stack up and come knocking on your consience at some point in the future...trust me. Backsliding can have tragic results. If you got fellowship then stick with other believers, hopefully they are honest enough to share thier struggles with one another.
*Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected the third day:* “And thus God breaketh the bands of death, having gained the victory over death; giving the Son power to make intercession for the children of men . . . . For behold, he surely must die that salvation may come; yea, it behooveth him and becometh expedient that he dieth to bring to pass the resurrection of the dead that thereby men may be brought into the presence of the Lord. “Yea, behold, this death bringeth to pass the resurrection and redeemeth all mankind from the first death-that spiritual death; for all mankind, by the fall of Adam being cut off from the presence of the Lord, are considered as dead, both as to things temporal and to things spiritual. “But behold, the resurrection of Christ redeemeth mankind, yea, even all mankind, and bringeth them back into the presence of the Lord. “Yea, and it bringeth to pass the condition of repentance that whosoever repenteth the same is not hewn down and cast into the fire; but whosoever repenteth not is hewn down and cast into the fire; and there cometh upon them again a spiritual death, yea, a second death, for they are cut off again as to things pertaining to righteousness.” “Therefore repent ye, repent ye, lest by knowing these things and not doing them ye shall suffer yourselves to come under condemnation and ye are brought down unto this second death.” “And because of the redemption of man, which came by Jesus Christ, they are brought back into the presence of the Lord; yea, this is wherein all men are redeemed, because the death of Christ bringeth to pass the resurrection, which bringeth to pass a redemption from an endless sleep, from which sleep all men shall be awakened by the power of God when the trump shall sound; and they shall come forth, both small and great, and all shall stand before his bar, being redeemed and loosed from this eternal band of death, which death is a temporal death.” “He denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” “And if Christ had not risen from the dead, or have broken the bands of death that the grave should have no victory and that death should have no sting, there could have been no resurrection. “But there is a resurrection, therefore, the grave hath no victory and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. “He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless that there can be no more death.” “And because of the way of deliverance of our God, the Holy One of Israel, this death, of which I have spoken, which is the temporal, shall deliver up its dead; which death is the grave. “And this death of which I have spoken, which is the spiritual death, shall deliver up its dead; which spiritual death is hell; wherefore, death and hell must deliver up their dead, and hell must deliver up its captive spirits, and the grave must deliver up its captive bodies, and the bodies and the spirits of men will be restored one to the other; and it is by the power of the resurrection of the Holy One of Israel. “O how great the plan of our God! For on the other hand, the paradise of God must deliver up the spirits of the righteous, and the grave deliver up the body of the righteous; and the spirit and the body is restored to itself again, and all men become incorruptible, and immortal, and they are living souls having a perfect knowledge, like unto us in the flesh save it be that our knowledge shall be perfect. “Wherefore, we shall have a perfect knowledge of all our guilt, and our uncleanness, and our nakedness; and the righteous shall have a perfect knowledge of their enjoyment, and their righteousness, being clothed with purity, yea, even with the robe of righteousness. “And it shall come to pass that when all men shall have passed from this first death unto life, insomuch as they have become immortal, they must appear before the judgment-seat of the Holy One of Israel; and then cometh the judgment, and then must they be judged according to the holy judgment of God.” The last words of Moroni in the Book of Mormon are: “And now I bid unto all, farewell. I soon go to rest in the paradise of God, until my spirit and body shall again reunite and I am brought forth triumphant through the air to meet you before the pleasing bar of the great Jehovah, the Eternal Judge of both quick and dead.” All these verses and more are in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon truly is a testimony of Jesus Christ and has been brought forth by the power of God in these latter days. Anyone who believes these words from the Book of Mormon (and I know these words are true) should contact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to speak with the missionaries and find out for themselves that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in these latter days.
*Unshaken faith:* “And I heard a voice from the Father, saying: Yea, the words of my Beloved are true and faithful. He that endureth to the end, the same shall be saved. And now, my beloved brethren, I know by this that unless a man shall endure to the end in following the example of the Son of the living God, he cannot be saved. “Wherefore, do the things which I have told you I have seen that your Lord and your Redeemer should do; for, for this cause have they been shown unto me that ye might know the gate by which ye should enter. For the gate by which ye should enter is repentance and baptism by water; and then cometh a remission of your sins by fire and by the Holy Ghost. “And then are ye in this strait and narrow path which leads to eternal life; yea, ye have entered in by the gate; ye have done according to the commandments of the Father and the Son; and ye have received the Holy Ghost, which witnesses of the Father and the Son, unto the fulfilling of the promise which he hath made that if ye entered in by the way ye should receive. “And now, my beloved brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the merits of him who is mighty to save. “Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life. “And now, behold, my beloved brethren, this is the way; and there is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God. And now, behold, this is the doctrine of Christ and the only and true doctrine of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, which is one God without end. Amen.” These are just a few of the multitude of testimonies of Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon. To learn more, contact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to speak with the missionaries. They will bring you a Book of Mormon so that you can read it and decide for yourself if it is true. The Book of Mormon truly is a testimony of Jesus Christ and has been brought forth by the power of God in these latter days.
there is no victory in our flesh may we rely on our Lord and his spirit so we may have true victory! the victory of Christ! may we gaze at His magnificent glory!
Blake you have to see Gods heart first, you feel or see His heart by the eyes of the spirit. Who He is in contrast to who we are.. wretched and poor. So seek Him even if it kills you. Do it. Pray for the love for His biblical truth on all life’s aspect (which makes some people unpopular). Seek Him unceasingly without keeping track of of it and He will not be dictated to by your supposed urgencies. you’re not God, He is. God bless you brother, in Jesus’ name. You’re in my prayers.
Pastor John, what happens when you believe in Jesus but you don't repent?? I have two family members that are in active addiction that won't quit using but they believe in Jesus.
YOU CAN DO SIR ANYTHING YOU PUT YOUR MIND TO DO...ROMANS 12....AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION...BUT DELIVER FROM EVIL MATTHEW 6.... ACCORDING TO THE SCRIPTURES...OPEN UP THE MIND'S OF THE SPIRITUALLY BLIND...FOR THIS THEY ARE OF REDEMPTIONS....AGAIN SIR THANK YOU MUCH...GOD BLESS YOU ALL
You cannot, without the help of the Holy Spirit, without it and humility you will stumble and stumble and stumble, it happened to me. Only when you admit it and open you heart for the Holy Spirit to help you humble. God bless you.
*These words prove God’s love for us:* “He denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile . . . . There could be no redemption for mankind save it were through the death and sufferings of Christ and the atonement of his blood.” “The way is prepared for all men from the foundation of the world if it so be that they repent and come unto him.” “All mankind, yea, men and women, all nations, kindreds, tongues and people, must be born again; yea, born of God, changed from their carnal and fallen state to a state of righteousness, being redeemed of God, becoming his sons and daughters.” “He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless that there can be no more death.” “And he commandeth all men that they must repent and be baptized in his name, having perfect faith in the Holy One of Israel, or they cannot be saved in the kingdom of God. And if they will not repent and believe in his name, and be baptized in his name, and endure to the end, they must be damned; for the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has spoken it.” “There is no flesh that can dwell in the presence of God save it be through the merits, and mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah, who layeth down his life, according to the flesh, and taketh it again by the power of the Spirit that he may bring to pass the resurrection of the dead, being the first that should rise. “Wherefore, he is the firstfruits unto God; and they that believe in him shall be saved.” “Preach unto them repentance and faith on the Lord Jesus Christ; teach them to humble themselves and to be meek and lowly in heart; teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Concerning his chosen people, Christ said: “In my name are they called; and if they know me, they shall come forth and shall have a place eternally at my right hand. “And it shall come to pass that when the second trump shall sound, then shall they that never knew me come forth and shall stand before me. “And then shall they know that I am the Lord their God, that I am their Redeemer; but they would not be redeemed.” “Since man had fallen, he could not merit anything of himself; but the sufferings and death of Christ atone for their sins through faith and repentance and so forth; and that he breaketh the bands of death that the grave shall have no victory and that the sting of death should be swallowed up in the hopes of glory.” “Thus we see the great call of diligence of men to labor in the vineyards of the Lord; and thus we see the great reason of sorrow and also of rejoicing-sorrow because of death and destruction among men and joy because of the light of Christ unto life.” The resurrected Savior said, “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. “And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning.” “Arise and come forth unto me that ye may thrust your hands into my side, and also that ye may feel the prints of the nails in my hands and in my feet, that ye may know that I am the God of Israel and the God of the whole earth and have been slain for the sins of the world.” All these verses and more are in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon truly is a testimony of Jesus Christ and has been brought forth by the power of God in these latter days. Anyone who believes these words from the Book of Mormon (and I know these words are true) should contact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to speak with the missionaries and find out for themselves that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in these latter days.
I thought you said you could - if you just believed enough? To use your own example; If a pagan was about to watch porn and an ISIS member threatened his friend's life unless he didn't watch the porn, could he stop, or would his friend die because the pagan doesn't have the holy spirit?
*Trust in God:* “If ye have come to a knowledge of the goodness of God and his matchless power, and his wisdom, and his patience, and his long-suffering towards the children of men; and also, the atonement which has been prepared from the foundation of the world that thereby salvation might come to him that should put his trust in the Lord, and should be diligent in keeping his commandments, and continue in the faith even unto the end of his life, I mean the life of the mortal body; “I say that this is the man who receiveth salvation through the atonement, which was prepared from the foundation of the world for all mankind which ever were since the fall of Adam, or who are, or who ever shall be even unto the end of the world.” “He denieth none that come unto him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile.” “There can no man be saved except his garments are washed white; yea, his garments must be purified until they are cleansed from all stain through the blood of him of whom it has been spoken by our fathers, who should come to redeem his people from their sins. “And now I ask of you, my brethren, how will any of you feel if ye shall stand before the bar of God having your garments stained with blood and all manner of filthiness? Behold, what will these things testify against you?” “Behold, my brethren, do ye suppose that such an one can have a place to sit down in the kingdom of God with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob, and also all the holy prophets, whose garments are cleansed and are spotless, pure and white? “I say unto you, Nay; except ye make our Creator a liar from the beginning or suppose that he is a liar from the beginning, ye cannot suppose that such can have place in the kingdom of heaven; but they shall be cast out for they are the children of the kingdom of the devil.” “Could ye say, if ye were called to die at this time, within yourselves, that ye have been sufficiently humble? That your garments have been cleansed and made white through the blood of Christ, who will come to redeem his people from their sins?” “Behold, he sendeth an invitation unto all men, for the arms of mercy are extended towards them, and he saith: Repent, and I will receive you. “Yea, he saith: Come unto me and ye shall partake of the fruit of the tree of life; yea, ye shall eat and drink of the bread and the waters of life freely.” “Behold, I say unto you that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd.” All these verses and more are in the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon truly is a testimony of Jesus Christ and has been brought forth by the power of God in these latter days. Anyone who believes these words from the Book of Mormon (and I know these words are true) should contact the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to speak with the missionaries and find out for themselves that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in these latter days.
there are 7 now....we live in a "fast-fix I want it now" society and they don't want to make any efforts for seeking deliverance from sin. Joel Osteen can help them with that.
It's a fancy word for the doctrine of the Holy Spirit. Which is probably why Reformed Pentacostal is taking a while to get his understanding of the Holy Spirit aligned with the more reformed view of the person and work of the third member of the trinity.
gt27312 You're right. I haven't been Reformed long anyway, only about 5 or 6 months, after about a year of praying and reading the Word, and the Lord bringing me to more biblical doctrine. But Im still not 100% convinced on the Reformed view of the Person and work of the Holy Ghost, but Im about 60-70% convinced. Anyway, God bless you.
we live in a "fast-fix I want it now" society and people don't want to make any efforts for seeking deliverance from sin. They want God without carrying their cross. Yes, Joel Osteen is the man for that.
