Use Your Own Brain!

I had  an interesting, spiritual conversation with a Jewish friend of mine today. He believes Judaism. So I asked him how righteous does a Jewish person have to be, in order for him to be considered righteous. He replied, telling me that this was a tricky question. I said, "Well, there must be a dividing line where the righteous are on one side, and the unrighteous are on the other. People cannot be both righteous and unrighteous."

He said, "You can be righteous in some areas and unrighteous in others." But... a little leaven spoils the whole lump! If I put a little poison in a glass of clean water, which water in the cup would you be willing to attempt to drink? If a bunch of roaches had been in your loaf of bread, which piece of the bread would you feel safe breaking off and eating? A little unrighteousness makes a person fall short of God's perfect, holy, righteous standard, against which He will judge us. ...

Culture of Death (abortion)

I had a conversation this morning with three people who profess to be Christians. When the topic of abortion came up, with one voice all 3 of them said it is my body and right to choose. I asked them if what is in the womb is life. Two of them said yes and eventually the third person partially agreed. I then asked them if we have the right to choose to murder a person. 

That stirred a lot of preemptive, combative answers because they perceived that I was moving to say, if you affirm life in the womb then you know it's a person and therefore not a right but a wrong and should be illegal to murder the person. ...

TULIP

TULIP explained in video messages extracted from A Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul explaining the classic 5 points of Calvinism. What Is Reformed Theology? ...

Original sin has marred our nature. We are depraved. But how depraved are we? Are we simply less than perfect? What kind of improvements can we make within ourselves to change sin’s effect? In this message, Dr. Sproul looks at the distinctive doctrine of Reformed theology that is often misunderstood—“Total Depravity.”

We are all sinful. But how sinful are we? Other than our shortened life-spans and bad habits, what real effect did the Fall have on the average everyday sinner? What effect does sin have on our decision making process? With what power did you use to choose the gospel? Dr. Sproul takes us to the Scriptures to find out what Jesus has to say about our ability to choose as he continues to look at “Total Depravity.”

Upon what condition did God elect sinners to salvation? Was your positive choice for the gospel the basis for your election before the foundation of the world? Was God’s choice based on your foreseen choice? Simply put, did God choose you because you first chose Him? Would God be unfair if He chose some to salvation and not others? In this message, Dr. Sproul helps us understand this hard, yet biblical doctrine as he looks at “Unconditional Election.”

The most common view of the atonement of Jesus is that Jesus died for everyone—that is, all people from all places in all times, every single human being that ever existed. But in order to take advantage of the benefits of the cross, one must first believe to be saved. Such a view is attractive, until we take a closer look at it. Dr. Sproul will look at this view in light of Scripture in this message entitled “Limited Atonement.”

How is it that you who hated God so much now love him so much? What did you do to change your heart so radically? Do you remember resisting grace? Do you remember when you received it? Was it before or after you had faith in Jesus Christ for your salvation? In this message, Dr. Sproul considers these questions as he examines the doctrine of “Irresistible Grace.”

Can people who are saved lose their salvation? If not, then how do we explain those people who have fallen away? In this message, Dr. Sproul thinks about these questions as he looks at “Perseverance of the Saints.”

A Teaching Series by Dr. R.C. Sproul from What Is Reformed Theology?

Jesus Came Into the World!

Only Sinners Qualify ~ 1Timothy 1:15 by George Dunn

Let’s look at 1 Timothy 1:15. It says, “This is a Faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief.”

Try to imagine for a moment, what it must have been like for Jesus, THE KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS, ADORNED IN MAJESTY, RICHES, AND POWER to leave His Heavenly home and come into this DERANGED, FALLEN, AND SAVAGE world. Heaven is where it is holy, clean, light, perfect, peaceful, and where He sits upon His throne, sovereign over all of creation. There the Angels do His will and worship Him. Yet still, He left it willingly to come down into our fallen and depraved world, to be born among beasts in a feeding trough, to be hated from birth, to live among the dregs of humanity, with the unholy, the darkness, the turmoil, and the contentions of men.

Monergism vs. Synergism

Dr. James White and Dr. Michael Brown: Monergism vs. Synergism

This debate between Dr. James White and Dr. Michael Brown took place several years ago. Since then, these two brothers in Christ have developed a deep friendship and mutual respect. They have partnered together in other debates and discussions and, by all accounts, may collaborate on additional projects in the future.

In fairness to Dr. Brown, he has expressed discomfort with the theological labels monergism and synergism, believing that they can be overly simplistic for a subject that stretches finite minds. Nevertheless, these are the terms Dr. White used in titling the debates, and they remain a helpful shorthand for the discussion that follows.

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Part 1: Monergism vs. Synergism on The Dividing Line (March 25, 2010)

James White opened this two-part discussion with Dr. Michael Brown, framing it as the classic Calvinist/Arminian debate, though preferring the terms monergism and synergism.

During this fast-paced, ninety-minute exchange, the participants examined passages selected by Dr. White, including John 6, Romans 8–9, and Ephesians 1. There is very little downtime as both men engage the biblical text in a spirited yet respectful manner.

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Part 2: Monergism vs. Synergism on The Dividing Line (April 1, 2010)

In the second installment, the discussion becomes more pointed while remaining well within the bounds of Christian charity. Dr. Brown and Dr. White continue to examine the foundations upon which believers interpret and understand Scripture.

This time, Dr. Brown selected the passages for discussion, including Luke 13:34–35, Matthew 23:37, Ezekiel 18, and 2 Peter 2:1.

Whether one agrees more closely with Dr. White or Dr. Brown, these debates provide an excellent example of two thoughtful Christians wrestling seriously with the text of Scripture while maintaining respect and fellowship.

Prophecies Jesus Fulfilled

The odds of one person fulfilling only a mere 8 of the messianic prophecies are 1 in 10 to the 17th power (1 in 1017). The odds then of Jesus or any one person fulfilling only 48 prophecies would be 1 in 10 to the 157th power (1 in 10157). The fact that over 330 were fulfilled by Jesus is beyond the realm of possibility without divine intervention. Here is a list of only 60.

Fulfilled Bible Prophecy Pertaining to Christ

Concerning his birth	Prophesied	Fulfilled
1. Born of the seed of woman	Gen 3:15	Gal 4:4
2. Born of a virgin	Isa 7:14	Mt 1:18-25
3. Seed of Abraham	Gen 22:18	Mt 1:1
4. Seed of Isaac	Gen 21:12	Lk 3:23+34
5. Seed of Jacob	Num 24:17	Lk 3:34
6. Seed of David	Jer 23:5	Lk 3:31
7. Tribe of Judah	Gen 49:10	Rev 5:5
8. Family line of Jesse	Isa 11:1	Lk 3:32
9. Born in Bethlehem	Mic 5:2	Mt 2:1-6
10. Herod kills the children	Jer 31:15	Mt 2:16-18
Concerning his nature	Prophesied	Fulfilled
11. He pre-existed creation	Mic 5:2	1 Pet 1:20
12. He shall be called Lord	Ps 110:1	Acts 2:36
13. Called Immanuel (God with us)	Isa 7:14	Mt 1:22-23
14. Prophet	Deut 18:18-19	Acts 3:18-25
15. Priest	Ps 110:4	Heb 5:5-6
16. Judge	Isa 33:22	Jn 5:22-23
17. King	Ps 2:6	Jn 18:33-37
18. Anointed by the Spirit	Isa 11:2	Mt 3:16-17
19. His zeal for God	Ps 69:9	Jn 2:15-17
Concerning his ministry	Prophesied	Fulfilled
20. Preceded by a messenger	Isa 40:3	Mt 3:1-3
21. To begin in Galilee	Isa 9:1-2	Mt 4:12-17
22. Ministry of Miracles	Isa 35:5-6	Mt 9:35;11:4
23. Teacher of parables	Ps 78:1-4	Mt 13:34-35
24. He was to enter the temple	Mal 3:1	Mt 21:10-12
25. Enter Jerusalem on donkey	Zech 9:9	Mt 21:1-7
26. Stone of stumbling to Jews	Isa 28:16; Ps 118:22	1 Pet 2:6-8
27. Light to Gentiles	Isa 49:6	Acts 13:46-48
Concerning his Crucifixion	Prophesied	Fulfilled
28. Betrayed by a friend	Ps 41:9	Jn 13:18-27
29. Sold for 30 pieces of silver	Zech 11:12	Mt 26:14-15
30. 30 pieces thrown in Temple	Zech 11:13	Mt 27:3-5
31. 30 pieces buys potters field	Zech 11:13	Mt 27:6-10
32. Forsaken by His disciples	Zech 13:7	Mk 14:27+50
33. Accused by false witnesses	Ps 35:11+20-21	Mt 26:59-61
34. Silent before accusers	Isa 53:7	Mt 27:12-14
35. Wounded and bruised	Isa 53:4-6	1 Pet 2:21-25
36. Beaten and spit upon	Isa 50:6	Mt 26:67-68
37. Mocked	Ps 22:6-8	Mt 27:27-31
38. Fell under the cross	Ps 109:24-25	Jn 19:17; Lk23:26
39. Hands and feet pierced	Ps 22:16	Jn 20:24-28
40. Crucified with thieves	Isa 53:12	Mt 27:38
41. Prayed for enemies	Isa 53:12	Lk 23:34
42. Rejected by His own people	Isa 53:3	Jn 19:14-15
43. Hated without cause	Ps 69:4	Jn 15:25
44. Friends stood aloof	Ps 38:11	Lk22:54;23:49
45. People wag their heads	Ps 22:7;109:25	Mt 27:39
46. People stared at Him	Ps 22:17	Lk 23:35
47. Cloths divided and gambled for	Ps 22:18	Jn 19:23-24
48. Became very thirsty	Ps 22:15	Jn 19:28
49. Gall and vinegar offered Him	Ps 69:21	Mt 27:34
50. His forsaken cry	Ps 22:1	Mt 27:46
51. Committed Himself to God	Ps 31:5	Lk 23:46
52. Bones not broken	Ps 34:20	Jn 19:32-36
53. Heart broken	Ps 69:20;22:14	Jn 19:34
54. His side pierced	Zech 12:10	Jn 19:34+37
55. Darkness over the land	Amos 8:9	Lk 23:44-45
56. Buried in rich man's tomb	Isa 53:9	Mt 27:57-60
Concerning his Resurrection	Prophesied	Fulfilled
57. Raised from the dead	Ps 16:8-11	Acts 2:24-31
58. Begotten as Son of God	Ps 2:7	Acts 13:32-35
59. Ascended to God	Ps 68:18	Eph 2:8-10
60. Seated beside God	Ps 110:1	Heb 1:3+13

It Is Finished!

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Jesus: The Hope of the World

Press the play button to hear the audio—or watch the video—featuring the band Third Day and Pastor Gary Buchman of Emmitsburg Community Bible Church as he preaches about Jesus.

This unique presentation combines worship and biblical preaching, pointing listeners to the person and work of Jesus Christ.