Gospel Living

Description: R.C. Sproul on The Fatal Flaw of the Charismatic Movement http://www.gty.org/blog/B130523 The Strange Fire conference represents a thorough, biblical response to the errors and excesses of the charismatic movement. It will be comprehensive both in its scope of content and breadth of teaching. On that note today we wanted to let you hear from another of our keynote speakers. Dr. R.C. Sproul is a voice you're probably familiar with from his daily radio broadcast, "Renewing Your Mind." He has stood shoulder to shoulder with John MacArthur for many years in uncompromising faithfulness to the gospel. Dr. Sproul is a prominent pastor, theologian, teacher, and author who will bring valuable insight and perspective to Strange Fire. In preparation for the conference, we asked Dr. Sproul what concerns him about the charismatic movement. His answer drives us to the inseparable relationship between the Word and the Spirit, and to what he calls the fatal

Description: John MacArthur's Encouragement to Faithful Pentecostals http://www.gty.org/blog/B130520 The Strange Fire conference will boldly and thoroughly deal with prosperity preachers, faith healers, and many of the other familiar charismatic aberrations and blasphemies of the Holy Spirit. At the same time, John MacArthur knows there are those in charismatic and Pentecostal churches who love Christ, serve His people, and—like John—are disturbed by the sinful excesses they see dominating the charismatic movement. In the following video, John has a heartfelt message for those folks. We look forward to joining with you in our common love for the Lord and His truth, as we both expose those who would abuse and blaspheme the Holy Spirit, and set forth a right understanding of the Spirit. For more information on Strange Fire, visit our conference website. In anticipation of the sold-out Truth Matters' Strange Fire Conference taking place October 16-18, 2013, we w

Our Sundays Schools, by-and-large, are loosing their sense of the gospel message, notes Samuel Williamson at "Beliefs of the Heart."  Sam writes, The message of the gospel—the entire storyline of scripture—is God’s loving pursuit of people who run from him as fast as they can and who live lives unworthy of his love. That’s why it’s called grace. But our Sunday school lessons teach us to be good little boys and girls, and God will love us and use us. It’s the total opposite of the gospel. It’s a counterfeit of the worse kind. We teach kids to follow the examples of the the "heroes of the faith," yet Scripture presents flawed role models in need of grace.  Rethinking Biblical Storytelling The solution is to start anew, teaching kids the stories of Scripture with the reason they're included in the Bible.  Why did the Holy Spirit record these things for us? 1. So we could see more of Christ And he said to them, “O foolish ones, and slow of heart to belie

Description: John MacArthur on The Dangers of Demoting Scripture http://www.gty.org/Blog/B130514 How dangerous would it be to leave the spiritual operations of Christ's church to the opinions, feelings, and personal preferences of its leaders? Can you imagine the uncertainty and instability of not having an ultimate standard of authority on all matters of faith and practice? Yet that is precisely what we see in every fellowship that demotes the Bible from its rightful place of authority. It's easy to spot the anarchy that follows the outright rejection of God's Word. But reducing Scripture's authority to merely one voice among many creates a hollow, deceptive veneer of biblical fidelity. In the following video, John MacArthur explains the centrality of Scripture in all facets of Christian life. He also discusses the propensity of the charismatic movement to elevate personal experience at the expense of biblical truth. http://www.tmstrangefire.org The

Todd Friel reads two letters from two Christian fathers to their sons.  The letters differ in tone and compassion; one letter comes from a gospel-less perspective.  How does God call us to address our children and their sins? Some verses for reflection: Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. - Ephesians 6:4 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. - Romans 12:3 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, - Ephesians 4:15 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For i

A neat trick that ends up being an enjoyable exploration of people's reactions to the unexpected.  Don't worry: the expletives are beeped out, though there are a couple of instances of God's name taken in vain that are not.  I leave this to you as to whether this video is kid-worthy.

What does the Reformer's view of sola scriptura have to do with the current Charismatic question? Steve Lawson on The Reformers and the Charismatic Movement http://www.gty.org/Blog/B130430 The highlight of the Strange Fire conference is going to be the opportunity to hear from several different godly preachers who come from a variety of settings, all united by their love of the Lord and their conviction to faithfully teach His truth. Steve Lawson is the pastor of Christ Fellowship Baptist Church in Mobile, Alabama. He's also a prolific author, particularly on the topics of preaching and church history. We're eager to hear him bring his considerable expertise to bear on topics like the Person and work of the Holy Spirit, and the nature of God's revelation to us. With that in mind, we asked Dr. Lawson what he planned to preach at Strange Fire. His answer will whet your appetite for all the Lord has in store this October.... In anticipation o

We might add to this question, Would you encourage a charismatic to watch the video downloads from the conference? John MacArthur: Would you invite a charismatic to the Strange Fire conference? http://www.gty.org/Blog/B130424 In anticipation of the sold-out Truth Matters' Strange Fire Conference taking place October 16-18, 2013, we will be looking at each of the promo videos.  God bless!

What Does It Mean to Be "Led by the Spirit"? http://www.gty.org/Blog/B130423 In anticipation of the sold-out Truth Matters' Strange Fire Conference taking place October 16-18, 2013, we will be looking at each of the promo videos.  God bless!

John MacArthur: Why Confront the Charismatic Movement? http://www.gty.org/Blog/B130416 In anticipation of the sold-out Truth Matters' Strange Fire Conference taking place October 16-18, 2013, we will be looking at each of the promo videos.  God bless!

From YouTube: Calvinism (Also know by Doctrines of Grace or Reformed theology) John MacArthur use Romans 8:28-30 as main text. The five points of calvinism are Total depravity (total inability), Unconditional election, Limited atonement (Also called particular redemption or definite atonement), Irresistible grace (also called efficacious grace), and Perseverance of the saints. Full sermon http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/90-427 Romans 8:28, "And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren. And these whom He predestined, He also called. And these whom He called, He also justified. And these whom He justified, He also glorified."

Of course, most people make more baskets than me, but they're usually older:

As it exalts Christ and His Word, we added this song to our worship set at church.  Give it a listen: Lyrics: Verse 1 Prepare our hearts, O God Help us to receive Break the hard and stony ground Help our unbelief Plant Your Word down deep in us Cause it to bear fruit Open up our ears to hear Lead us in Your truth Chorus Show us Christ, show us Christ O God, reveal Your glory Through the preaching of Your Word Until every heart confesses Christ is Lord Verse 2 Your Word is living light Upon our darkened eyes Guards us through temptations Makes the simple wise Your Word is food for famished ones Freedom for the slave Riches for the needy soul Come speak to us today Bridge Where else can we go, Lord Where else can we go You have the words of eternal life Credits: Music by Doug Plank, words by Doug Plank and Bob Kauflin © 2011 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Dubbed the "Scope's Monkey Trial," its story causes many to imagine repressive, Christian yokels standing against free speech and progress.  Perhaps you read about it or saw its story on Broadway or in the theater; perhaps it was not faithfully communicated to you. Joe Carter at T4G remembers the 88th anniversary of The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes by listing nine things you should know about the trial .  In short, his points are: Inherit the Wind was an anti-anti-Communist play. The trial was a publicity stunt. Scopes wasn't a martyr--he was a co-conspirator. Darrow wasn't the first choice. Bryan wasn't the lead prosecutor - and he knew the defendant. The prosecution's "Bible expert" believed in the day-age theory. Teaching evolution . . . and eugenics. The defense wanted to lose the case. The ruling was reversed, but no one wanted to retry the case.