Daily Truth: Recent Episodes
Right Response Ministries
Wake up each morning to hear truth's from God's word.
Jesus said, "Man cannot live on bread alone but from every word that proceeds from the mouth of God." This is Daily Truth.
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This episode concisely explains the true meaning of Christ separating the sheep from the goats in Matthew 25:31-46.
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In the end, there will be many who PROFESS Christ who do not actually POSSESS Christ.
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Is there really no such thing as a “Carnal Christian”? And if so, how should we properly define a “Carnal Christian”?
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Scripture says we will be saved “if we believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord.” But what about those who cannot speak?
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What does Hebrews 12:15 mean when it commands us to “strive for the holiness for without which no one will see the Lord”?
The same God who determines which one of us will be justified also determines how far each of us will be sanctified in this life.
“Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14
“Holiness” is immediately added to “peace” in order to indicate that peace is to be pursued no further than that which is consistent with holiness.
“A lame member of the body of Christ, the church... a weak believer; one that is ready to halt, either through the corruption of nature, or through the weakness of grace, or through want of light and judgment, and through instability and inconstancy; lest such a one should, through the irregular walk and conversation of others, be stumbled and offended, and go out of the way, and leave the paths of righteousness and truth. God takes care of, and has a regard to such, and he would have others also. The fallen believer be restored, the weak brother be confirmed, the halting professor be strengthened, and everyone be built up and established upon the most holy faith, and in the pure ways of the Gospel.” -John Gill
There is a dynamic difference between a weak convert and a false convert. We must learn to discern between the two, and act accordingly.
It’s not enough to arrive at the Celestial City alone. Who are you serving, so that they complete the journey also?
Covenant Succession is the idea that the children of believers “are expected to succeed in the faith of their parents, and this is accomplished through the divinely ordained means of covenant nurture.” There is no theological reason Reformed Baptists shouldn’t believe this.
Just as the Israelites were encompassed with the pillar of cloud in the wilderness, New Testament saints are also surrounded by a “cloud.” Only, this cloud which surrounds us is “a cloud of witnesses” - the Old Testament saints whose faith and patience were just mentioned in the preceding chapter. Remember, some of these Old Testament saints experienced immense victory, while others experienced crushing defeat. In either case, they all bore noble testimony to God and received commendation from God for their faith. And these Old Testament saints now serve as witnesses for, or against us, as we seek to live by faith. They are compared to a "great” cloud because they encompass us on every side, and are many in number.
Although the daily sacrifice in Israel ought to have ceased at the death of Christ, it did not in fact cease until the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem. Therefore, when considering the larger context of the preceding chapters (Hebrews 10 & 11), what “weight” and corresponding “sin” would most likely be hindering these Christians ability to “run with endurance the race... set before [them]”? It was the weight of constant participation in the ceremonial system of Judaism, and the sin of unbelief in the finished atonement of Christ.
Scripture teaches that we are “surrounded by a great cloud which surrounds us is “a cloud of witnesses.” These past saints, now in glory, are not mere cheer leaders for Christians living today. They serve as witnesses for, or against us, as we seek to live by faith.
Has God always saved people the same way? Why does it seem that so few were saved in Israel in the Old Testament?
Just as the Israelites were encompassed with the pillar of cloud in the wilderness, New Testament saints are also surrounded by a “cloud.” Only, this cloud which surrounds us is “a cloud of witnesses” - the Old Testament saints whose faith and patience were just mentioned in the preceding chapter. Remember, some of these Old Testament saints experienced immense victory, while others experienced crushing defeat. In either case, they all bore noble testimony to God and received commendation from God for their faith. And these Old Testament saints now serve as witnesses for, or against us, as we seek to live by faith. They are compared to a "great” cloud because they encompass us on every side, and are many in number.
The spiritual battle of this generation may be won or lost. But even if we are to lose, we can spend our lives in such a way that we position future generations for victory.
There are at least three benefits possessed by Christians today that Old Testament saints did not have.
The 1st Century Church was not the spiritual heyday of Christianity. We have not been on a steady decline for the past 2,000 years.
*The title of this clip comes from my friend Brian Sauve.
In this short episode, Pastor Joel Webbon explains the meaning of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in Daniel 2, particularly the 4th Kingdom made of iron/clay and the 5th kingdom of the stone that grows into a mountain.
Postmil is not about improvement in one nation over the past 50 years, it’s about overall improvement in the world as a whole over the past 2,000 years. America is in apostasy. It will either repent or be destroyed. In either case, Postmil is just fine. We must pray for America’s repentance, but it is imperative that American Christians understand that our nation isn’t needed to fulfill God’s plans. Many nations have come and gone throughout the course of human history, but the Gospel has continued to spread.
All throughout Scripture, men and women are commended for their faith. Some experienced victory, others experienced crushing defeat. God sovereignly determined the temporal results of their faith, but everyone who had faith was commended regardless of the outcome.
The greatest hindrance to Christians overcoming evil in this world is our own unconfessed sin.
Christ’s kingdom is not isolated to some ethereal plane in the seventeenth dimension. Christ is King of earthly kings and Lord of earthly lords. His kingdom is here.
So why was the Jews’ desire for salvation so far off from God’s plan? Because they did not recognize their truest need. We all want salvation from something, but is that something the same thing that Jesus came to save us from? It is true that Jesus is the King of Righteousness, and therefore, he came to save us from the tyranny of earthly kings and corrupt governments. But how does he accomplish this salvation? He accomplishes this salvation by first saving individuals from their sin. Apart from Christ, our greatest enemy is not the pagan culture or wicked politicians. Our greatest enemy is God.
So why was the Jews’ desire for salvation so far off from God’s plan? Because they did not recognize their truest need. We all want salvation from something, but is that something the same thing that Jesus came to save us from? It is true that Jesus is the King of Righteousness, and therefore, he came to save us from the tyranny of earthly kings and corrupt governments. But how does he accomplish this salvation? He accomplishes this salvation by first saving individuals from their sin. Apart from Christ, our greatest enemy is not the pagan culture or wicked politicians. Our greatest enemy is God.
At the time of Jesus’ birth, the nation of Israel was asking God for salvation. For them, salvation meant liberation from the rule of the Romans. In order to receive this salvation they needed a savior. The savior they asked for was a warrior dressed for battle, but the savior they received was a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes. They wanted the fierce lion, but what they needed was the sacrificial lamb.
The birth of Jesus and the death of Jesus can never be truly separated. The incarnation was God setting the stage for the crucifixion. The manger exists as the prelude to the cross. And the cross exists as the path to the throne. Jesus was born so that at the proper time he could die. And Jesus died so that he might reign.
In this short form video, Pastor Joel Webbon does something quite surprising. He actually uses the Scripture to make an argument against tithing. Well… kind of.
Pastor Joel Webbon masterfully explains why American families can’t afford to stop sending their wives to work and their kids to public school.
Scripture commands us to honor our father and mother. A major component of this is caring for them as they die.
It makes sense that a culture that embraces abortion would eventually embrace euthanasia. The connection is a bit ironic.
Learn to listen to the providence of God. Obedience to the clear commands of Scripture, coupled with discernment in God’s providence, will yield immense clarity for what you’re actually called to do (and what you’re NOT called to do).
Choosing to remain in godless states such as California and New York is not courageous. Most of the time, it’s just stupid. When in doubt, you should flee. The choice to stay in a context of wickedness, especially with a wife and children, requires a much clearer calling from the Lord.
Most of my attempts at evangelism did more harm than good until I learned this one simple lesson.
The word “world” may be used to refer to the physical world (John 1:10) or to the people of the world collectively (1 John 2:2). In those senses, there is nothing immoral about Christians loving the world. However, John also uses the word “world” to refer to the evil, organized system under Satan, which operates through unbelieving people who have been taken captive to do his will. This demonic system is chiefly characterized by the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the boastful pride of life.
Spiritual Warfare is not fasting and locking yourself in your closet, while commanding the regional demons to reveal their names.
Although our ultimate battle and enemy is spiritual, we must remember that Satan does, in fact, enlist flesh and blood in his ranks.
It’s clear that we’re in a dip right now, but the overall trajectory of Christ’s victory over Satan is on the rise. One day, our grandchildren will be taught evolution in their schools merely as example of the folly that comes from rejecting Christ, and they will laugh at its foolishness.
Is Jacob simply biased because of his own personal experience? Did Jacob make it his mission in life to go around cheating older sons out of their blessing? Why did Jacob give the greater blessing to Joseph’s younger son, at the expense of Joseph’s older son?
The most pressing question regarding Isaac’s blessing of Jacob is this: How could Isaac have blessed Jacob by faith, when he was deceived by him and thought he was blessing Esau. It is clear that the blessing of Jacob was not the design of Isaac.
Hebrews 12:17 says, “For you know that afterward, when [Esau] desired to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no chance to repent, though he sought it with tears.” So, according to Scripture, Esau did not (and COULD not) repent. If this is the case, why does Esau appear to forgive Jacob and then reconcile with him? This text is quite confusing because later in Esau’s life, he really seems to behave like a Christian.
Romans 9:13 says, “…Jacob I loved, but Esau I hated.” In this brief video, Pastor Joel Webbon shares the story of how God took a verse that he once despised and caused it become one of the sweetest verses in the Bible to him.
1 John 1:9 says, “IF we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive…” So the question is this: Do Christians remain unforgiven by God until they confess their sins?
What does Andy Stanley have in common with Islam? Lisen to this short episode to find out!
“[Abraham] showed great readiness to do it; as soon as he had the command given him, he traveled three days' journey in order to it; took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it on his son; took fire, and a knife in his hand, with the one to burn the wood, with the other to slay his son; he built an altar, laid the wood in order on it; and bound his son, and laid him on that; and took the knife, and stretched forth his hand to slay him, and fully intended to do it, had he not been prevented: and all this he did by faith; he believed the equity, justice, and wisdom of the divine command; he was fully assured of the truth and faithfulness of God in his promises, however contrary this might seem thereunto; and he was strongly persuaded of the power of accomplishing them in some way or another.” -John Gill
This is what pastors and fathers keep missing as they seek to raise the next generation of Christians.
We don’t need a Conservative Resurgence, we need a Christian Reformation. Getting America back to the 90’s simply won’t do, we must get all the way back to the Scripture. National repentance is the only way, and it must start with the Church.
To live by faith (or to do anything by faith) is to be governed by a dependence on God’s grace and a desire for God’s glory.
God made wine for the gladness of man’s heart (Psalm 104:15). We have no such verse for marijuana.
Godly husbands do not lead by serving. Rather, they lovingly serve their wives by leading them.
The pagans are not threatened by “ivory-tower” Christian theologians. Despite all their mockery and scoffing, the rulers of this world are deathly afraid of one thing - Christian Nationalists.
Many Christians try to claim that certain commandments in Scripture are unclear. More often than not, this claim simply represents the individual’s lack of desire to obey.
Some Christians will die in virtuous hope, while others will experience serious doubts as they breathe their last breaths. So what happens to these doubting Christians?
Do Christians somehow get to “skip” Judgment Day? Or does the Bible teach that Christians will have to endure judgment alongside everyone else?
The salvation of our children is not a crapshoot. Unconditional election does not mean arbitrary election. The same God who predestines the ends of salvation also predestines the means, and the two are never severed. And what was typical of Jewish households in the first century should not be viewed as the norm today, especially after 2,000 years of the “mustard seed” growing into an all-encompassing tree.
Throughout scripture, we see an attempt by Satan to cut off the Messianic line. We even see this with the Nephilim.
At the level of the heart, the people of Noah's day were no more wicked than the people of our day. But in terms of their outward deeds and behaviors, they were far worse. This is because the Law of God was not functioning properly in its 2nd Use... and because of the Nephilim.
Every time you clean your house, you are executing judgment. You do not pity the trash as you remove it from your kingdom. Instead, you recognize this as a necessary good.
In order to be a faithful Christian, each of us must be willing and prepared to stand alone. We will all repeatedly face pressure to violate God's standards and go along with the crowd. In the workplace, our associates will likely engage in blasphemous speech and immoral activities, and occasionally, they will urge us to join them. At family gatherings over the holidays, the rest of the family may ridicule us for our theological convictions and commitments to godly parenting. In these settings, how will we respond? No one likes to be ridiculed or rejected. We all want to be liked and included. At some time or another, each of us will be tempted to simply go along with the crowd rather than to stand alone for Jesus Christ. However, if we choose to yield, we dishonor Christ and forfeit our distinctive witness for our Savior. In light of this, there is perhaps no greater example of a man who stood alone than Noah. Imagine what it would be like to be the only godly family on earth. Noah’s life teaches us that Christians must be willing and prepared to stand alone in the midst of an evil age, and that the secret to accomplishing this is to establish a consistent pattern of daily walking with God.
“The superior excellency of Abel's sacrifice to Cain's, lay both in the matter, and in the manner of it; the one was offered heartily to the Lord, the other only in show; the one was offered in faith, the other not; Abel looked through his sacrifice to the sacrifice of Christ, not so Cain. Abel's sacrifice was a lamb, a type of Christ, the Lamb of God; a firstling, a figure of him who is the firstborn of every creature; one of the fattest of his flock, expressive of the excellency of Christ.” -John Gill
“By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” Hebrews 11:3
“But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” Romans 14:23 ESV
Why would God choose to save some and not others? The only answer I can find is this - For his glory.
“Faith is chosen by God to be the receiver of salvation, because it does not pretend to create salvation, nor to help in it, but it is content humbly to receive it. Faith is the tongue that begs pardon, the hand which receives it, and the eye which sees it; but it is not the price which buys it. Faith never makes herself her own plea, she rests all her argument upon the blood of Christ. She becomes a good servant to bring the riches of the Lord Jesus to the soul, because she acknowledges whence she drew them, and owns that grace alone entrusted her with them.” -Charles Spurgeon
God is worth praying to precisely because he does NOT allow man’s free-will to override his own sovereignty.
“The Problem of Evil” is one of the favorite “gotcha techniques” used by enemies of God. However, there is a simple answer to this seemingly difficult question.
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.“ (Deuteronomy 29:29)
The Bible contains severe warnings, but in virtually every instance of a threat, there is also a promise that can be found nearby. In a biblically faithful church, the pastors’ default position should be that he is preaching to the people of God, not rebellious pagans.
Reformed Baptists and Reformed Presbyterians have too much in common. It’s time to stop quarreling. The enemy is at the door, and we need every fighting man we’ve got.
Yes, I believe John Piper bears responsibility for his son’s apostasy. Baptists need to stop using Calvinism to assuage their guilty consciences, every time their children grow up and deny the Faith. “Unconditional Election” does not mean “Arbitrary Election.”
Under the guise of refuting the Prosperity Gospel, there are some pastors/theologians who deny the clear biblical relationship between obedience and blessing.
Much of the wickedness we find in society today is being constantly defended by this one fallacy: “The execution should be the norm.”
For whom is there “no longer any sacrifice for sins”? The answer is those who “go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth” (the knowledge of Christ and his Gospel). Some theologians say that there is not any one particular sin in view here. They assert that the Apostle is referring to any sin that continues to be committed both willfully and habitually, after the individual has heard the Gospel. So what does the Bible actually teach regarding this difficult passage in Hebrews 10:26-27?
For whom is there “no longer any sacrifice for sins”? The answer is those who “go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth” (the knowledge of Christ and his Gospel). Some theologians say that there is not any one particular sin in view here. They assert that the Apostle is referring to any sin that continues to be committed both willfully and habitually after the individual has heard the Gospel. So what does the Bible actually teach regarding this difficult passage in Hebrews 10:26-27?
“I am praying for them. I am NOT praying for the world but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.” (John 17:9 ESV)
Many Christians wrongly believe that the only good motivation comes from hearing about grace, rather than judgment. And they allow this misinformed belief to distort their view of God, until there are no theological categories left to comprehend, let alone love, a God whose wrath “is a fury of fire” against sinners. The Scripture clearly teaches that God is not slightly upset about sin, but passionately furious. Hebrews 10:26-31 stands against the false assumption that the only motivating news is good news. For every true follower of Christ, there is both the promise of joy and the warning of judgment. This is a message of God that our world today does not want to hear. And sadly, this message of God is even despised by many in the church.
Pastor Joel Webbon presents a concise argument AGAINST “Children’s Ministries” that take the place of Sunday Morning Worship.
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12 ESV)
God doesn’t merely predestine our salvation, he also predestines our sanctification and preservation.
Statistically, a young boy will turn out better if his father dies, than if his father and mother getting a divorce. Almost everything in life is covenantal.
In the Biblical Gospel, the savior (Jesus) pays for individuals’ debt with his own life. In the Democrat’s Gospel, the savior (State) pays for individuals’ debt with someone else’s livelihood.
Our nation will tolerate your private devotion to Christ… for now. But what they are terrified of is Public Faith.
On one side there is the ditch of the “Social-Gospel.” However, Christians must avoid the temptation of overcompensating and crashing into the other ditch of “Pietism.”
The Bible plainly teaches that there really are two kingdoms. But here’s how many theologians get it wrong.
There were problems with even first-wave Feminism. Although this is a highly unpopular opinion, Pastor Joel does not believe women should ever have been permitted to vote in civil affairs. Here’s his attempt to briefly make sense of how we got into the mess we currently find ourselves in.
Sadly, there are times when the church must hand certain men over to Satan. But what does this mean? And how is this done in a biblically faithful manner?
“22 For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But each in order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. 24 Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. 25 For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy to be destroyed is death.” 1 Corinthians 15:22-26 ESV
It’s easy to coast downstream. But if we’re following Jesus, we should expect resistance.
God did not create a world where man’s obedience to God’s commandment to be fruitful and multiply would result in our own demise. God’s Word is reliable.
The animal sacrifices under the Old Covenant were never pleasing to God. This is not because “sacrifice” itself is against the will of God, but because only Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient.
Even the most sanctified among us, have a perverse standard for justice when compared with the holiness of God.
Not only were the animal sacrifices under the Old Covenant not pleasing to God for a time, they were never pleasing.
In this short video, Pastor Joel Webbon provides a synopsis of Covenant Theology, particularly in regards to how Covenant Theology sees the Gospel.
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to obey God’s Law. However, obedience requires our full devotion.
Evangelicals make frequent use of the platitude “hate the sin, not the sinner.” But is this catchy phrase actually biblical?
Christ didn’t die for victims. Christ didn’t die for pretty good people. Christ didn’t die for well meaning people who merely lost their way due to bad circumstances. On the contrary, Christ died for sinners, of which I am the foremost.
There are not two separate tracks of God’s redemptive work in the world: one for Israel and another for Gentiles. God divorced Israel according to the flesh. There is now only one true Israel in accordance with the promise.
People sin for a lifetime (85 years, give or take), but are tormented in hell for eternity. How is this just?
Do you think eternal hell is harsh? Perhaps, that’s because you’re a sinner. Do you think God’s judgment towards perversion is harsh? Perhaps, it’s because you’re a pervert. The wicked are simply not qualified to determine what is just.
It is one thing to salute the doctrine of God’s sovereignty, it is quite another to joyfully submit to God’s sovereign providence as it unfolds in our lives.
In this brief sermon clip, Pastor Joel Webbon instructs Christians how to resist the accusations of the devil.
Our righteousness does not only exceed the righteousness of the Pharisees, but even the righteousness of angels.
When a Christian leader falls, many others fall with him. Satan cannot cause Christ to fall, but Satan can cause men who represent Christ to fall.
A person’s life and doctrine are strongly connected. Corrupt morals lead to heretical teachings.
One of the clearest signs of salvation is spiritual growth. No, we will never reach a state of sinless perfection in this life. However, it is radically unbiblical to suggest that followers of Christ do not continually become more like him.
Every culture has a religion. If it’s not Christianity, it will be something far worse. The death count of Christendom pales in comparison to the death count of other religions, including the demonic religion of Secularism.
There is no Good News without the Bad News. Pastors must preach Law and Gospel. And for the record, the “bad news” is not the Law of God. The “bad news” is the sin of man.
In the name of Big, Flashy, and Fast, Evangelicals sacrificed the souls of their own children on the alter of global missions. And here we are, still picking up the pieces.
The Church has never had a monopoly on self-righteousness. Never. Remember, the Pharisees were not Christians. By and large, the Pharisees were the ones who rejected Christ. Contrary to Evangelical opinion, you can be a God-hating Liberal and still be a raging Pharisee.
On the whole, the problem with American Evangelicals is not legalism, it’s antinomianism. Regardless, most American Evangelicals are far more concerned with what they perceive to be legalism, than actual lawlessness. Christians, therefore, must be properly equipped to respond to slanderous charges of being legalistic.
Scripture is clear that God “takes no pleasure in the destruction of the wicked.” However, Scripture also tells us that God mocks the wicked, in the sense that God sees their feeble attempts to cast off his authority and “he who sits in the heavens laughs.” As the people of God, we should seek to imitate God’s holy example.
God certainly speaks to mankind through natural revelation. In other words, God speaks by what he has made. However, natural revelation, while sufficient to condemn mankind, is still missing a few things.
“Tell us what is to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; do good, or do harm, that we may be dismayed and terrified.”
Isaiah 41:23 ESV
The Great Commission requires that we preach both Law and Gospel, because Christ explicitly told us to teach others to obey ALL of his commands. And as we do, something begins to change.
There is nothing morally superior/inferior to specific ETHNICITIES, and yet, not all CULTURES are morally equal.
“I’m not sure whether my three little girls are regenerate. Regardless of whether or not they are regenerate, I will raise them as ‘pre-Christians,’ not pagan enemies of God. Even as a Baptist, I fully believe that when it comes to the salvation of my children, the question is merely a matter of WHEN God will choose to save them, not IF God will choose to save them.” -Pastor Joel Webbon
The problem with the Old Covenant was not that God gave bad commands, but that the people had bad hearts. However, under the New Covenant, God promises to give all his New Covenant people new hearts.
Under the New Covenant, the will of God is written not just on tablets of stone, but on the minds and hearts of all God's people. God not only replaces shadows with substance, but he also takes that substance and places it within his people; God writes it on our hearts. In other words, God does not merely lay his gift of salvation down at our feet for us to pick up in our own strength. Rather, God picks it up for us and ensures we never lose it.
In this short video, Pastor Joel Webbon provides a brief overview of each of the covenants: 1) Covenant of Redemption, 2) Adamic Covenant, 3) Noahic Covenant, 4) Abrahamic Covenant, 5) Mosaic Covenant, 6) Davidic Covenant, and 7) New Covenant.
The goal of evangelism is to get people to KNOW Jesus, God will determine if they LOVE Jesus.
Christians are called to fight, but one of the ways we fight is with our unwavering joy in the midst of the battle.
The Samaritan woman in John 4 asks Jesus WHERE is the proper place to worship. Jesus answers her by addressing WHO and HOW we should worship. Christ answers this way because the whole world is the place for worship, even in the den of lions.
Christ is Savior of some, but Creator of all. So is it on the basis of Christ’s salvation or creation that he imposes his Law?
In this episode, Pastor Joel gives clear battle plans to his congregation in Georgetown, Texas, right after the fall of Roe.
If my unbelieving neighbor is drunk behind the wheel of his car, and he happens to be driving on the same road at the same time as my wife and three daughters, does God’s commitment to honoring the free-will of my unbelieving neighbor trump God’s commitment to protecting my Christian family?
The First Great Awakening with Jonathan Edwards was great. The Second Great Awakening with Charles Finney, not so much.
What does it mean that Jesus is interceding for us at the right hand of the Father? Why is Christ’s intercession significant?
In this short episode, Pastor Joel explains the intricacies of sin in the realm of our speech.
Because we live in a fallen world, some fathers are especially difficult to honor. In this short video, Pastor Joel explains how to honor a dishonorable father.
During Covid, there was one simple truth from Scripture that every church desperately needed to hear from their pastor, but the vast majority of these pastors refused to tell them. For some pastors it was ignorance, for others it was intentional deceit.
Many Christians think everything is just getting worse and worse. Even more concerning, many Christians think this is God’s plan.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. Those who jumped on the woke train are now having to pay the piper. Here’s why…
Pastor Joel Webbon personally wrestled with the assurance of salvation for years. This was one of the primary theological truths that set him free.
Apart from Christ, the Apostle Paul was arguably the most sanctified man to ever live. It’s precisely because of this fact, that one aspect of Paul’s ministry is so shocking.
Just as Socialism is the foretaste of Communism, Egalitarianism is the foretaste of Androgyny. In other words, the logical end of Feminism was always Transgenderism.
Perhaps you’ve been wrestling with condemnation for years, even decades. If so, you need to listen to this!
Many Christians do not understand the difference between the first and second commandment in Exodus 20.
Idolatry does not merely consist of those things which we LOVE more than Christ, but also those things which we TRUST more than Christ.
Do you believe that a Christian can never lose their salvation? If so, here’s the most challenging question you’ll have to be able to answer - Is repentance possible for someone who never had salvation to begin with, but who grew up in a gospel-preaching church and fell away?
Did you know it is quite possible to be “enlightened,” to “taste of the heavenly gift [and] the goodness of the Word of God,” and even to “share in the Holy Spirit,” all while remaining an UNBELIEVER? In this short video, Pastor Joel Webbon provides a Calvinist perspective for how this frightening reality can occur.
The New Covenant is not merely BIGGER than the Old Covenant in its scope, the New Covenant is BETTER than the Old Covenant in its promises.
Dispensationalism is a dangerous doctrine that has plagued the Church for 150 years. It’s time to be done with this theological foolishness.
In the aftermath of the school shooting in Uvalde, Tx, President Joe Biden provides us with a chilling example of what it looks like to take the Lord’s name in vain. In this short video, Pastor Joel Webbon explains why what Biden did is so disgusting.
Pastor Joel uses Hebrews 5:11-14 to explain why some Christians are perpetually stunted in their spiritual growth.
All Scripture is FOR us, but not all Scripture is TO us. In order to understand difficult passages like Hebrews 6, we need to properly understand the context of the immediate audience.
The “Seeker-Sensitive” model is thoroughly unbiblical. In this clip, Pastor Joel describes how to be a true Christian preacher.
Obedience brings blessing; guaranteed in the life to come, but ordinarily in this life as well.
Jesus is a MERCIFUL High Priest, not an EMPATHETIC High Priest. Shared suffering is not a prerequisite for mercy.
Not everyone wants to be made well. Many would rather remain victims, even if only in their own perception, because restoration brings responsibility.
There is a difference between sympathy and empathy. There is also a difference between kindness and “niceness.”
Husbands, resist the temptation to give your wives what they WANT. Give them what they NEED.
Sadly, many Christians don’t understand this important truth about the 10 Commandments.
America can either defend babies or worship women. It cannot do both. Every mother has God’s Law written on her heart. She is not ignorant, and she is not innocent.
Evangelicalism officially embraced antinomianism a long time ago. And by despising God's Law, Evangelicalism has done something truly horrific to the Gospel
Unbelievers have God’s Law written on their hearts. They are not ignorant victims, they are willful rebels (Romans 2).
Israel became enslaved by pagan nations because they mingled with them in compromise. And Israel mingled with pagan nations because they pitied them (Psalm 106:34-46). Unrighteous pity is the downfall of American Evangelicalism.
All of us have bad habits we’re ashamed of. Most people are only capable of trading one bad habit for a lessor one, but few people are able to break a bad habit all together.
LBC 1689 (Chapter 19, Paragraph 4) “To them also he gave sundry judicial laws, which expired together with the state of that people, not obliging any now by virtue of that institution; their general equity only being of moral use.” ( 1 Corinthians 9:8-10 )
The 10 Commandments weren’t merely given to Israel, but all humanity. And these 10 Commandments are still binding on all men today.
The Ceremonial Law was fulfilled and abrogated by Christ. And yet, some Dispensationalists think that animal sacrifices will be reinstated in the Millennial Kingdom.
Both Baptists and Presbyterians will inevitably baptize people who end up committing the sin of apostasy. In this sermon clip, Pastor Joel Webbon deals with Hebrews 6:4-6: “For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit… and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance…”
If a neutered and spineless pastor is willing to starve his sheep by refusing to courageously preach God’s Word, I will make no apology for when his congregants leave his church and come to mine. God delights in faithful churches increasing by both “conversion growth” and “transferred growth.”
There are reasons why men don’t go to church, and it’s not merely because of men’s sin. American Evangelicalism has geared itself almost exclusively toward women, and it has demonized masculinity.
There is a dynamic difference between DOUBT and UNBELIEF. True Christians will occasionally wrestle with doubts, especially during the beginning stages of their sanctification. But do true Christians ever wrestle with unbelief?
In John 11, we see that Jesus was “deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled.” Some have interpreted this phrase to mean that Jesus was overcome by GRIEF. This is partially true, but we must also understand this phrase to mean that Jesus was filled with ANGER. So what/who was the object of Jesus’ anger? There are actually two key objects of Jesus’ anger that we must properly identify if we wish to fully understand the person and work of Christ.
“Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV)
As Christians, we say that we value our soul more than our body. In God’s mercy, he used the last two years to reveal all the liars.
God always validates his Word. Those who choose to reject God’s truth, do so out of rebellion.
Judgment will be more severe for those who apostatize after receiving the signs and seals of the New Covenant.
“For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? (Hebrews 2:2-3 ESV)
Do you have enough faith to be saved? How can a person know that their faith is sufficient?
The world is filled with unbelievers who will go to hell when they die. But sadly, even within our churches, there are some who are not truly saved. So how can we know that our salvation is real?
What does it mean for a father to “exasperate” his son? How can fathers avoid this destructive sin?
In our pursuit of holiness, we are not seeking to have an “absence” of anger. We are seeking to have “righteous” anger. Righteous anger requires three things: 1) Anger for the right “things,” 2) Anger at the right “times,” and 3) Anger in the right “measure.”
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was originally created by God as the archangel Michael before the physical world was made. In other words, JW’s believe that Jesus is a creature, not the CREATOR. JW’s will say Jesus is “a god,” but not actually GOD.
However, Scripture does not teach that Jesus is a “superior angel.” Instead, Hebrews 1:4-5 says that Jesus is “superior TO angels.”
Jesus was physically born approximately 2,000 years ago, but he has always existed. Christ is no mere creature, he is Creator. But “WHAT” was Jesus before his incarnation?
J. I. Packer once said, “The Holy Spirit is a SHY person.” In this sermon clip, Pastor Joel Webbon explains what J. I. Packer meant. Joel then further explains the overarching ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that Jesus was originally created by God as the archangel Michael before the physical world was made. In other words, JW’s believe that Jesus is a creature, not the CREATOR. JW’s will say Jesus is “a god,” but not actually GOD.
However, Scripture does not teach that Jesus is a “superior angel.” Instead, Hebrews 1:4-5 says that Jesus is “superior TO angels.”
Christians in America have insisted that Scripture has limitless INTERPRETATIONS, but limited APPLICATIONS. In other words, we have embraced RELATIVISM in our exegesis of Scripture, while insisting that Scripture must ONLY be applied to the HOME and the CHURCH. Meanwhile, the rest of society is falling apart. And we justify this degradation of our society with our ESCHATOLOGY. Christians in America continue to champion PREMILLENNIALISM, excusing the church’s responsibility for the downfall of our culture by consoling ourselves with the notion that things are supposed to get worse and worse until Jesus returns. This is nothing more than a recipe for disaster, a SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY.
Perhaps you’ve heard someone say, “The God of the Old Testament is harsh, but in the New Testament, Jesus is more loving.” This foolish sentiment radically misunderstands the Trinity.
“Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Hebrews 1:1-2 ESV
Pastor Joel Webbon provides one of the clearest and most consider arguments for refuting an incredibly dangerous doctrine from Charismatics.
Christians in America have insisted that Scripture has limitless INTERPRETATIONS, but limited APPLICATIONS. In other words, we have embraced RELATIVISM in our exegesis of Scripture, while insisting that Scripture must ONLY be applied to the HOME and the CHURCH. Meanwhile, the rest of society is falling apart. And we justify this degradation of our society with our ESCHATOLOGY. Christians in America continue to champion PREMILLENNIALISM, excusing the church’s responsibility for the downfall of our culture by consoling ourselves with the notion that things are supposed to get worse and worse until Jesus returns. This is nothing more than a recipe for disaster, a SELF-FULFILLING PROPHECY.
One of the most common heresies found in Charismatic Churches is the Kenosis Heresy. In order to defend Christians ability to perform all the signs and wonders that Jesus did, Charismatics insist that Jesus “emptied” himself of his divinity during his earthly ministry. It’s a common, but serious, misunderstanding of Philippians 2.
Is Jesus ruling and reigning now? If so, is he ruling and reigning on earth in addition to ruling in heaven? The short answer is yes, but watch this brief clip and you’ll get a full understanding.
There is no love apart from truth. So stop being ambiguous about the truth in order to appear more loving.
Some of you probably didn’t appreciate the title of this sermon clip. You might think a pastor has no business bringing such political “opinions” into the pulpit. But the Bible speaks to politics, and voting for Joe Biden was clearly wrong.
Masculinity is under attack by our culture. That should be no surprise. But sadly, even biblical masculinity is under attack by many Evangelical Elites within the Church.
In his earthly ministry, Jesus was full of the Spirit at all times. Jesus did not possess “parts” of the Holy Spirit, while lacking others. In other words, Jesus perfectly modeled all the fruit of the Spirit, in full measure, at all times - including the fruit of GENTLENESS. So when Jesus fashioned a whip of cords to drive the money-changers out of the temple, he perfectly demonstrated what biblical gentleness looks like when God’s house is defiled.
You are either in Adam or in Christ. There is no in between, and you do not get to represent yourself.
Martin Luther once said, “If I profess with the loudest voice and clearest exposition every portion of the truth of God except precisely that little point which the world and the devil are at the moment attacking, I am not confessing Christ, however boldly I may be professing Christ. Where the battle rages, there the loyalty of the soldier is proved. And to be steady on all other battlefields is merely flight and disgrace if he flinches at that one point.”
The final stage in the progression of sin is a society's collective approval of the sinner and his perversion. However, do not be naive. Neutrality is a myth. If a society chooses to approve of sin, in order to be consistent, this society will eventually choose to condemn righteousness and all those who stand for righteousness. (Romans 1:32).
People do not merely choose to believe false narratives because they were deceived. Rather, people “accumulate” for themselves false prophets who will tell them what they want to be true. 2 Timothy 4:3 says, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.”
Unbelievers do not rebel against God because they are ignorant. The Bible clearly teaches that unbelievers are ignorant because of their rebellion.
The great lie of Feminism is that it promised women that they no longer would be relegated to the role of helping to build the house of a man. But in a tragic sense of irony, women “liberated” by feminism stopped helping to build the house of one man (their husband) and became enslaved to building the house of another man (their corporate employer).
The Bible says children are a blessing, but even Christians often choose to view them as burdens. What other blessing do we seek to postpone and minimize? And yet, when it comes to children, Christians often choose to have fewer of them and to have them later in life.
Children are not just blessings, they are weapons. A father and mother are blessed when they have multiple children in their youth, and raise these children to fight on the Lord’s side.
It is quite possible to do the right thing, but still be in sin. Romans 14:23 says, “For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” So what does it mean to do something “IN FAITH”?
Jesus is NOT the author of sugar and spice and everything nice. You cannot manufacture your own “preferred” Jesus. We are to be conformed into HIS likeness, not the other way around. If we truly desire to possess Christ, we must have the RIGHT Christ and the WHOLE Christ.
It’s easy to love people “collectively” in “theory,” but the true test of biblical love is actually loving people “individually” in “practice.”
“Not every Christian man will be a “professional” theologian, but every Christian man must be a “resident” theologian in his home.” -Doug Wilson
Each text of Scripture has only one faithful interpretation. It doesn’t matter what a particular Bible verse means to you. It matters what that particular verse means to God.
Every knee will bow to King Jesus. All men will either bow willingly by grace, or forcibly when he who rules the world with an iron scepter breaks the knee caps of all his enemies. Christ is not merely the Lord of our sweet little hearts, he is Lord of ALL.
If you want to faithfully lead others, you must possess a successful track record of leading your self. Self-leadership is both a qualification for leading others and a fruit of the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, “self-leadership” is called “self-control.”
How can we build a house that lasts? By sticking to the “blueprint.” If we want our work to endure, we must be obedient to the Lord.
You don’t have to be the most gifted individual to be successful, you just have to be consistent. Christian men won’t always be able to OUTSMART our pagan contemporaries, but we can OUTLAST them.
Virtually all of our major institutions have discredited themselves. Sadly, the Church is no exception.
Many men enter into marriage and parenting far too late in life. Part of this is due to sin, but part of it is due to the financial challenges that come by buying into the SCAM of Higher Education.
Building a godly household requires discipline and time. In today’s culture, many do not complete this vital work because they start too late.
Both work and rest come from the Lord. Only those who do their work “as unto the Lord” have the freedom to rest from their work with a sense of peace and a clear conscience.
The principles of Christ, apart from the person of Christ, will not produce the peace of Christ.
It is God who assigns wealth and possessions to each individual. Our job is to accept our lot in life and rejoice in our labor. This does not mean that we cannot avail ourselves towards improvement, but a lack of contentment regarding our current circumstances is an indictment of God and his sovereign plan.
“Behold, what I have seen to be good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil with which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.” Ecclesiastes 5:18-19 ESV
Dr. Jordan Peterson is right about many things, and yet, a couple of years ago he experienced a total mental breakdown. Why? Because the PRINCIPLES of Christ, apart from the PERSON of Christ, will never produce the PEACE of Christ.
Jonah wanted Nineveh to be destroyed. Nineveh was the capitol city of Assyria. And Assyria was an enemy of God and his people. No one thought Nineveh could repent, but God was able to change their hearts.
Unity in the church is vital. When an influential leader causes others to be led astray by his actions/teachings, public correction is necessary.
“The whole Scripture is a light shining in a dark place; a lamp or torch to be carried in the hand of a believer, while he passes through this dark world; and is in the present state of imperfection, in which he sees things but darkly... By means of it he may see and shun the stumbling blocks in his way, and escape falling into pits and ditches; it is a good light to walk and work by... Now it should be observed, that the word of God is only so to a man whose eyes are opened and enlightened by the Spirit of God... for a lamp, torch, candle, or any other light are of no use to a blind man.” -John Gill
There are few men this ministry is more grateful for than Pastor John MacArthur. But although we heartily agree with much of his teaching and appreciate the vast majority of his impact on the global church, we respectfully disagree with his eschatology and approach to culture/politics. Ironically, despite MacArthur’s apparent bent towards “two-kingdom theology,” few men have had more of an impact on not only the church, but also the culture. This video briefly expresses our few (but significant) theological differences from Pastor John MacArthur.
I’ve never witnessed another organization more committed to losing than Evangelical Christians. Christians are committed to growing the church through conversion, but they are meticulously careful to expand the church while never winning in the realm of culture and politics. It’s time to get our eschatology right!
Ever heard someone try to prove Premillennialism by saying, “Just look at the world! Can’t you see how things keep getting worse?” Things do sometimes look bleak when we focus on one generation in one nation. However, when we survey the scope of the whole world over the past 2,000 years, things appear to be trending in the right direction.
In justification, God gives a man spiritual eyes to see, but initial conversion does not produce perfect sight. In sanctification, God progressively improves our vision so that we might see him more clearly.
No one reaches a point of sinless perfection in this life. In the same way, no one perfectly repents in this life. If you could repent perfectly, you would live perfectly. So how much repentance is necessary to prove that a person is saved?
Yes, God uses suffering to sanctify us. Christians are even commanded to be thankful in all circumstances, including suffering. However, there is a difference between thanking God for suffering and asking God for suffering. We are never to petition God for pain
Prosperity is not God’s stamp of approval on our lives, but neither is poverty. A person can be rich and wicked. Likewise, a person can be poor and wicked. God uses both suffering and blessing to sanctify his people.
One of the most consistent patterns in Scripture is God’s mercy to man for the purpose of man glorifying God. In other words, God doesn’t bless us so that we can merely be comfortable. God blesses us so that we can translate his goodness toward us into greater glory toward him.
The Gospel is the wind in our sails and the Law is the rudder. The Gospel pushes us and the Law guides us.
Frequently, God’s commandments feel like a burden. So how can we “delight in the Law of God” when we are so weak and God seems to have so many rules.
Few have ever been born of nobility. Even fewer have been born princes. But only one was ever born a King. And at the moment of his birth, the kings of this world felt the threat of his political power.
Sadly, there are many Christians who despise theology. Essentially, these Christians desire to LOVE God, but have little desire to KNOW God. Here’s how you can lovingly respond to this type of person.
There is no inconsistency with God, for “God cannot lie.” And all lies are ultimately rooted in some kind of divergence from logical consistency.
Mantra Meditation (or Eastern Meditation) seeks to “empty” the mind of all rational thought in order to achieve an intermediate state of “oneness” with everything, and therefore, oneness with the “god” who is in everything (the heresy of Pantheism). This is a dangerous and foolish practice. Not only does it cause the individual to be vulnerable to demonic oppression, it also deceives the individual by convincing them that it is possible to grow spiritually apart from involving the mind.
“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love. Here’s my heart, Lord, take and seal it. Seal it for thy courts above.
Many Christians tip their hat to the INERRANCY of Scripture, but never live in such a way to demonstrate genuine belief in the SUFFICIENCY of Scripture.
Those who worship idols become like them. The Bible describes idols as lifeless, and so their worshippers are spiritually dead. By contrast, the Bible describes our God as the Living God, and so his worshippers receive new life.
Many Christians and Conservatives are at a total loss for how millions of people could be so naive in religiously following “The Science” of Dr. Fauci. This is because we continue to assume there is a NATURAL explanation for this mass hysteria. But what if the current madness of our culture can only be explained in SUPERNATURAL terms?
Have you ever heard a pastor say, “My job is not to do the work of ministry, but to train and equip YOU to do the work of ministry.” Here’s why that statement is unbiblical.
Equal outcomes do not naturally occur because not everyone is the same. Some have been given more by God than others, and some are willing to work harder than others. Egalitarianism is a lie because “androgyny” is a myth.
Because Santa isn’t real, his cookies and milk are free game. Likewise, since there is only one God, meat sacrificed to idols is back on the menu.
Idolatry is not merely immoral, it is foolish. When the Bible speaks of those who worship idols it not only describes them as morally wicked, but also stupid. This is because idols are stupid (dumb, blind, deaf, lifeless). And those who worship idols will become like them.
Idolatry is not merely immoral, it is foolish. When the Bible speaks of those who worship idols it not only describes them as morally wicked, but also stupid. This is because idols are stupid (dumb, blind, deaf, lifeless). And those who worship idols will become like them.
The salvation that Jesus offers is without price, and yet, there is a “cost” to following Jesus. So how do we reconcile the free offer of salvation with the cost of discipleship?
The Gospel is not a “prospect” of what God might do for all, but an announcement of what Christ has done (and will do) for his people.
The Gospel is good news. It is not intended to be merely an announcement that ordained ministers proclaim in solemn assemblies, but a song that all the earth is commanded to sing in a spirit of joy and gladness.
Many Christians have not taken the time to properly interpret the word “sojourner” (or “stranger”) as it appears in Scripture. These terms are not meant to be understood as a reference to “illegal” immigration. The Bible staunchly affirms the legitimacy of borders and legal citizenship. Perhaps, Democrats need to sit a few plays out.
It is not enough to be conservative, you must be Christian. Secularism, in all its forms (including conservative secularism), will not last. It arrogantly assumes that you can establish a trustworthy house on the foundation of sinking sand. In the final analysis, it is either Christ or chaos.
Are there two tracks for salvation, one for Israel and another for the Gentiles? Did God replace Israel and cut them out of his covenant forever? Or does God have an eternal plan which includes a “partial hardening” of Israel for a time, but the ultimate “grafting” of both Jews and Gentiles into the same salvific root?
Our nation continues to insist that civil war was justified to end slavery, but we simultaneously insist that a civil war would not be justified to end abortion (which is responsible for the murder of 60,000,000 children). It was right for America to abolish slavery, but perhaps it was wrong to accomplish this feat at the cost of 650,000 American lives. Other western nations abolished slavery peacefully, and many of these nations are not experiencing the deep-seated conflict over racial issues that America is. Perhaps, the “cold” civil war that America is currently experiencing is God’s judgment, not for unjust slavery in the past but an unjust civil war in the past.
God sovereignly appoints nations, and even empires. God sovereignly sets their boundaries and numbers their days. However, because the heart of man has not changed down through the centuries, every major empire has had a these key characteristics in common.
The Bible unapologetically affirms national borders. Not only are nations permitted to defend themselves against foreign threats, but the Bible teaches that nations are divinely instituted by God and commanded to defend themselves against both domestic and foreign threats.
We often speak of God as possessing attributes, but this language is inaccurate. God is a “simple” Being who is not “divisible” in parts.
We are called to proclaim the TRUTH of the Gospel in WORD and demonstrate the POWER of the Gospel in DEED. In this episode, Pastor Joel reveals how Christian parents often fail in both regards.
False teaching builds a ministry with poison; the people subjected to it are DECEIVED and DESTROYED. But “watered-down” teaching seeks to build a ministry with nothing at all, neither poison nor nourishment. The people subjected to this kind of ministry are eventually STARVED.
One of the most loving things a father can do for his children is committing to love their mother more than them.
One of the primary reasons liberals have a following is because conservatives continue to hand over their children to the state.
In 500 years, you could easily have 5,000,000 descendants. This is a massive amount of power and influence. So protect the purity of your lineage by having children, discipling them, and taking them out of public school.
How biblically faithful does a proclamation of the Gospel have to be in order to have the power to save? In this episode, Pastor Joel addresses this difficult question.
As a father, it is not enough to tell your children the truth of God’s Word. Fathers must believe this truth for themselves and diligently live it out in practical obedience to God’s Word.
Is the Gospel merely God’s spontaneous reaction to the first sin in the Garden? Or were the Gospel, as well as the Fall, always God’s plan? Were these things decreed long before the foundations of the world were laid?
The Church is a gift being given back and forth from the Son to the Father, and the Father to the Son. This glorious story is about God, first and foremost, not you.
The Gospel is as old as God himself. God’s decree to save sinners by grace, through faith, in Christ, was established in the Covenant of Redemption in the Councils of Eternity, between the Father and the Son, by the Holy Spirit.
Throughout the Book of Psalms, we discover the Gospel multiple times. The Gospel is a veiled mystery in these pages, but it is present nonetheless.
Apart from God’s presence, we are not merely immoral, we are illogical. The Christian who does not spend regular time in the presence of God is like a wild and stupid beast.
Christians should be informed and engaged in both culture and politics. But remember: We are not mere “conservatives,” we are Christians. We go out into the world to produce change, but we only do this effectively when we go into the Sanctuary to be changed.
The Prosperity Gospel is certainly a heresy, but do not forget that God really does promise blessing for obedience in this life.
Our God, who is Spirit, profoundly loves his physical creation. But sadly, many Christians are too “spiritual” to actually love what God loves and hate what God hates.
What’s your view of mankind? Are people parasites? Or are people able to take dominion in such a way that the pie actually grows?
All poverty is caused by sin. If you’re poor, your poverty can always be tracked back to some kind of sin.
It’s important that we remember that everyone who rebels against God in this life will not necessarily be miserable in this life, just as everyone who obeys God in this life will not necessarily prosper in this life.
Pastor Joel explains why it’s often easier to trust that the Lord will be faithful to others than to trust that the Lord will be faithful to us.
Looking back and remembering all the evidences of God’s grace in the past is the fuel of faith for God’s goodness in the future.
The greatest legacy a Christian man will ever leave behind can be seen and heard in the laughter of his children and grandchildren sitting around his dinner table.
The godly saint longs for heaven, but not at the cost of leaving a godly heritage on earth. If we are to change the world for Christ, we must commit ourselves to the blessings of our children’s children.
At the end of this life, the aged saint has experienced enough of God’s deliverance from trouble to believe that God will deliver him once more, even from death.
May we never forget that God killed an entire generation of Israelites in the wilderness because of their sin of grumbling. The sin of grumbling reveals an even deeper sin: The sin of unbelief.
Fathers may not be “professional” theologians, but they must be “resident” theologians. They are called to be the pastor of their home.
God is sovereign over both the “ends” of salvation and the “means” of salvation. Godly parenting makes a world of difference.
The greatest testimony is not an ex-gang member converted to Christ, but a Christian who can never remember a single day when they did not profess Christ as Lord.
When Christians confess their sin, they are not “informing” God of their sin, but “agreeing” with God regarding what he says about the severity of their sin.
When the Prophet Nathan confronts David, he tells him a parable. The prophet uses shrewdness in order to cause King David to recognize the true severity of his sin and pronounce judgment upon himself.
Justification is God’s work “for” us, in Jesus Christ. Sanctification is God’s work “through” us, by the Holy Spirit. The objective reality of forgiveness is accomplished at the moment of conversion by our justification. However, the subjective feelings of forgiveness are often accomplished over time throughout our sanctification.
1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” In this text, it appears as though confession is a “condition” for forgiveness. So how do we reconcile this text with the idea that Christians are completely forgiven of all their sins (including future sins) from the moment of conversion?
King David committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered Uriah, her husband. Even as the king in Israel, David was still subject to the Law of God. Therefore, David deserved to die for his sins. And yet the Prophet Nathan said that David “shall not die” because another king was destined to one day die in his place.
God has only ever saved sinful man in one way: by GRACE alone, through FAITH alone, in CHRIST alone. Adam and Eve knew the promised Messiah as “The Serpent Crusher.” We know him as Jesus Christ.
Evangelicalism in America has officially divided. There is no more middle ground. Those leaders and ministries still trying to straddle the middle are quickly dying out. There are only two options left: Courageous Christianity or Apostasy.
Jesus is not content with the private lordship of your precious little heart. Jesus is Lord of all. When Christians begin to live this way, persecution will come. Perhaps, Christians in America have experienced so little persecution in the past because our religion has been merely “spiritual” and never a threat to the culture.
Jesus said that the world will hate his disciples because it hated him. If we aren’t experiencing any degree of persecution, it might be because we don’t look anything like Jesus.
The will of God belongs to his “essence,” not his “personhood.” In other words, our Triune God has one will, not three.
The God of the Old Testament is not different from the God of the New Testament. God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. The same God who cursed nations in the past is the God who lives today. He is worthy of fear.
The past couple years have been used in God’s providence to reveal the true character of many of our evangelical leaders. As it turns out, godly men are in short supply.
Over the past couple years, many Christians have proved that they care more about their physical health than spiritual health. They value their bodies over their own souls. Here’s what the Bible has to say to these idolatrous individuals.
The Bible presents a clear criteria for what constitutes a true church. If your church doesn’t possess/practice these things, you should be concerned.
Many Christians have been “homeless” for the past couple years. Their cowardly pastors shut the church doors and effectively banished them from the sanctuary. King David had a similar experience, and there is much that we can learn from his exile from Jerusalem.
There are lots of good reasons to be suspicious of the mainstream media and medical establishment, but baseless denial is not sufficient. Christians need to be informed.
Live-streaming is not church. If Christians neglect the physical gathering of the saints on the Lord’s Day, they miss out on the unique experience of the presence of Christ.
Joe Biden stole the White House the same way that Absalom stole the throne from his father David.
Our culture believes that “equality” equals “androgyny.” In other words, our culture insists that we can never truly be equal unless we’re exactly the same. This “Egalitarian” mindset is the root of all kinds of evil.
All Christians believe Jesus will ultimately prove to be victorious. The difference is merely a matter of how Christ will bring about his victory. Will Jesus win Despite the church (premillennialism)? Or will Jesus win THROUGH his church (postmillennialism)? *Don’t mind the sweat. Pastor Joel’s air conditioning went out, and he was preaching up a storm.
A mighty fortress is our God. His mercy and might protect the righteous in the midst of trouble. *Don’t mind the sweat. Pastor Joel’s air conditioning went out, and he was preaching up a storm.
The most beautiful psalms and hymns were produced in the soil of suffering. *Don’t mind the sweat. Pastor Joel’s air conditioning went out, and he was preaching up a storm.
Presentation matters, but substance matters more. Tone matters, but content reigns supreme. Be careful HOW you say things, but be even more careful about WHAT you say. *Don’t mind the sweat. Pastor Joel’s air conditioning went out, and he was preaching up a storm.
Man only ever believes precisely what he wants to believe. Ignorance does not equate to innocence. *Don’t mind the sweat. Pastor Joel’s air conditioning went out, and he was preaching up a storm.
The wicked have no restraint. There is no fear of God before their eyes. They do not merely oppress the righteous in order to survive. They enjoy violence and lust for blood. *Don’t mind the sweat. Pastor Joel’s air conditioning went out, and he was preaching up a storm.
The church needs Scripture, but it also needs an exposition of Scripture. We need this exposition of Scripture in both our preach and our singing. *Don’t mind the sweat. Pastor Joel’s air conditioning went out, and he was preaching up a storm.
The church needs Scripture, but it also needs an exposition of Scripture. We need this exposition of Scripture in both our preaching and our singing. The songs of the church must not merely be theologically TRUE, they must also be theologically ROBUST. *Don’t mind the sweat. Pastor Joel’s air conditioning went out, and he was preaching up a storm.
Man’s will is free in a sense, but not completely free. No one has “autonomous” freedom but God. If man is autonomously free, then God would be bound by the will of man.
God does not merely provide future hope. God also provides present help in time of need.
The life of the Christian is a life of warfare. But who is our enemy? And how should we fight?
What is required to be truly independent? What is necessary for achieving self-sufficiency? Is independence a good thing? Here, Pastor Joel provides a surprising answer!
The #1 killer in America will never be COVID-19. The coronavirus can’t hold a candle to the lives that have been taken by abortion.
Obedience and Faith are inseparable. True faith will always bring about obedience, and true obedience must always come from faith.
Do you rejoice to hear about the gospel being faithfully spread throughout the world even if God chose you use someone else to accomplish the work, instead of you?
America is not merely on the brink of God’s judgment, America is already under God’s judgment.
If you’re struggling to understand the rising rebellion against God in our nation, you need to listen to this short message from Pastor Joel.
What is discipleship, if not teaching people to obey Christ’s commands? The Great Commission is not just about making converts, but bringing about life-long obedience to the Lordship of Christ!
God never saves someone without plans to use them. The grace of God is not merely for salvation, but service.
When we invest merely in this life, our investments will eventually be lost. However, when we invest in the life to come, it is eternally secure. What are you doing now to invest in eternity?
God chose to save you in order to use you. We’re not saved BY our good works, but we are saved UNTO good works.
When a person is fulfilled in Christ, they are actually enabled to enjoy God’s temporal blessings in this life more, not less.
The Word of God is not a window for spying on our neighbor, the Word of God is a mirror for searching our own heart.
The vast majority of Americans are undoubtedly rich, especially when compared to the rest of the world. But what makes this nation so wealthy?
According to Philippians 2:6-8, Jesus willingly chose to empty himself, so that empty people might become full of him.
When Christians stand before God on that final day, they will be free from all sin, partake of the divine nature, and share in the blessedness of God. Oh, what a glorious day it will be!
The secret to happiness is learning to worship the Happy God, because we all become like that which we choose to behold.
Although Christians still experience sorrow in this life, we have reason for great rejoicing. As we are transformed more and more into the image of Christ, our capacity for joy in God begins to grow.
A Christian man is a fighting man. He fights for the right things, with the right motives, and in the right ways.
In our self-centered culture, we are assured that in order to grow in love for others we must first learn to grow in love for ourselves. This may sound biblical, but there is one massive flaw.
If we are not trusting God in the smaller things, we will not trust him when it matters most.
The Christian life consists not merely of turning from sin but also turning to righteousness. The pursuit of Christ is a pursuit of holiness.
In the midst of COVID-19, many people are compromising their faith. Why is this the case?
As Christians, we want to be careful not to fall into Prosperity Gospel, but we also want to be careful not to overcompensate and fall into the Poverty Gospel. Both are unbiblical.
The incredible dangers of the “love of money” are perhaps most clearly expounded by Christ himself, in the Parable of the Sower. Watch here, as Pastor Joel explains the correlation between these two biblical texts.
James 4:14 says, "What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes." The inescapable reality that each of us will one day die should not cause us to panic, but to make the most of this life for the glory of God.
When everyone around us begins to panic, we can trust that Christ will be with us to the very end. Jesus has not left you or forsaken you.
In this episode, Pastor Joel provides biblical insight on how to be content, even in the midst of uncertain times.
Scripture has two clear qualifications for Elders: 1) They must be able to “instruct in sound doctrine.” 2) They must be able to “rebuke those who contradict it.” Faithful pastors cannot merely teach the truth, they must also diligently work to expose error.
According to the Bible, how should the civil authorities deal with theft? Who should be financially penalized, the thief or the party who the thief was attempting to steal from? Sadly, our nation seems to have this backwards.
We cannot truly love God and our fellow man apart from sound doctrine. Our actions flow from our beliefs. What we think about God’s Word governs how we love God and others.
Christians, do not forget that Christ is not only our Savior, he is also our Lord. And this Lordship is not merely confined to the realm of our hearts. Jesus is the Lord of all things!
The problem with the Prosperity Gospel is not that it promises too much, but that it promising far too little. Watch this episode as Pastor Joel teaches on the true promises believers have in Christ!
How can God’s people be preserved from the deception of false teaching? We must carefully examine the fruit of a ministry. God’s people must learn to exercise biblical discernment!
According to the Bible, how should the civil authorities deal with theft? Who should be financially penalized, the thief or the party who the thief was attempting to steal from? Sadly, our nation seems to have this backwards.
Many in our culture wrongfully claim to be victims when they are not and yet, there are still many in our culture who truly have been oppressed. In this episode, Pastor Joel offers biblical and practical wisdom to those who are experiencing injustice.
Life is not fair. However, the manner in which we choose to respond to suffering bears witness to the glory of God and the beauty of the Christian faith.
The Bible teaches that suffering is the slave of every true believer, sent by God to produce spiritual wealth for those who choose to suffer well.
Do you see God as stingy and cruel? And do you see human beings as nothing more than consumeristic parasites? If so, stop what you are doing and what this episode now!
What is the difference between bringing a “charge” and bringing a “concern” to your pastors? The Bible allows for both, but we must diligently discern between the two, and exercise true humility as we approach those who have been appointed in positions of spiritual authority.
Matthew 18:20 is one of the most misinterpreted texts in Scripture. Watch this clip as Pastor Joel explains the true meaning of, “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.”
Sadly, in the kangaroo court of social media, the “victim” often seems to be whoever can speak up first with a heart-wrenching story. However, according to God’s standards for justice, it is quite possible for the alleged victim to turn out to be the actual victimizer.
Our culture seems to have forgotten that true justice is blind. If we are willing to show partiality, on any basis, we are deliberately choosing to pervert justice.
One of the reasons crime increases in a society is because true justice is often not carried out. Watch as Pastor Joel teaches on the need for biblical justice and how God uses this as a deterrent for sin.
Social Justice Warriors forget a key ingredient when attempting their version of justice. When doing justice, we must remember the full scope of Micah 6:8.
Does God still heal today? Should we pray for healing? In this clip Pastor Joel walks us through 1 Timothy 5:23.
God cares immensely for widows. In fact, even God in the flesh (Jesus) made sure that his earthly mother (Mary) would be taken care of by one of his disciples (John).
There’s a lot we can learn from the Early Church, especially when it comes to living in real community.
Both our nation’s government and churches must stop incentivizing men to abandon their role in the home. We desperately need revival in the households of America, and this will only happen when fathers begin to take responsibility for their families.
Do we truly care for the poor? Or are we more concerned about boosting our approval ratings by promoting the mere appearance of generosity?
Are you living in such a way that when people look at your life they see doom and gloom or do they see a place where things can flourish and grow?
Are you wondering why you have no victory in the realm of sexual purity? Perhaps you are making provisions for your sin.
In order to truly love others, we will be required to provide them with correction at times. However, as we offer this correction, we must carefully consider our motives. Are we truly loving others, or are we merely loving ourselves?
Why are some of you still enslaved to your sins? In this episode Pastor Joel provides the antidote to killing your sin.
The world seems to have a million different definitions of love, but what is true biblical love according to God’s definition?
It is true that God uses suffering to build up his people. However, if we come to believe that suffering is God’s only tool for sanctification, we will have a poor view of our Heavenly Father.
We all have people in our lives who are influenced by what we say and how we live. How can we ensure that we are using our influence well?
The true Christian Faith is a historical faith. It all begins with actual events which God performed in human history. What we believe about these historical events is Christian Doctrine. And how we live in light of what we believe is Christian Character.
When God speaks it is always without error and with full authority. However, not everything in Scripture is equally clear. So how should we communicate the less clear passages of the Bible?
Everything God does is first and foremost for his own glory. However, if we remain true to God’s Word, we can be assured that when God vindicates himself we will be vindicated also.
The preacher who is ministering the Word of God has two primary weapons when defending himself against those who oppose him. Number one, the message from Scripture and number two, his godly character.
Christians must be committed to both Gospel and Law. The Law asks, “WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?).” The Gospel asks, “WDJD (What Did Jesus Do?).” Both of these questions are vital for the Christian.
Discipline is costly. You will never be disciplined without the proper incentive. Watch this episode, as Pastor Joel provides motivation from Scripture for running after Jesus with everything we have!
True spiritual maturity is not a mere mystical experience, it is an objective reality that affects the whole person. And none of this takes place apart from the mind.
The question can never be how far should we reform, but how fast should we reform so as not to leave our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ behind.
The Christian life is a life of perpetual and continual training for godliness. The moment that we stop is the moment that we begin to decline.
In a culture where truth is mocked and relativism reigns supreme, the Church is called to be the pillar and support of the truth.
The Bible never condemns wealth. Money is not the root of all kinds of evil, “the love of money” is the root of all kinds of evil. So how should Christians view money?
Confrontation is a necessary part of following Jesus. So how should we confront others? And why is it so important not to neglect confrontation?
What does the Bible really teach about alcohol? Should a Christian drink? Watch this clip to discover the biblical answer.
What does it mean for someone to be a “servant-leader?” Is servant-leadership actually a good thing? What does the Bible say about this?
The Scripture is clear that God is sovereign in salvation. However, Scripture is also clear about the positive effects of Godly parenting. So how do we resolve the relationship that exists between God’s sovereign election and a parent’s duty to train up their child in the way they should go.
Jesus said that if we are truly his disciples the world would hate us. However, the Bible also says that Christians should strive to have a good reputation with outsiders. So how do we reconcile these two things?
We have too many men in the Church of God today who aspire to the title of Eldership but do not desire the task of Eldership. Many men desire titles, but don’t want tasks. Men want office, but many men despise work.
Christian Liberty is a precious commodity in the body of Christ. And yet, at the same time, Elders are called to preach persuasively. So how do we balance strong preaching with the freedom of an individual’s conscience?
Have you ever experienced persecution for following Jesus? There is really only one way to avoid persecution as a Christian. Watch this episode to find out!
A Pastor “must” be above reproach, but all Christians “should” be above reproach. So what does it look like to live a life that is above reproach?
Pride is a subtle sin. We often do not see it in ourselves, but we are quick to perceive it in others. Perhaps, one helpful indicator of pride in our own lives is recognizing how bothered we are when we think we see pride in the lives of others.
The Apostle Paul instructs Timothy not to allow anyone to despise him for his youth. There will always be a temptation for us to attempt to write-off the message of God’s Word by unfairly criticizing his messengers.
Tragically, the sin of spiritual abuse and manipulation sometimes is committed by leaders in the church. However, there is certainly a distinction between this sin and persuasive preaching. Watch this episode to discover the difference.
In this episode, Pastor Joel reveals one key difference between an Elder in the church and a Christian who is not an Elder.
When it comes to spiritual maturity, character and competency are both necessary and very much related. Are you growing in spiritual maturity?
Did you know that Adam and Eve in some ways are the original Romeo and Juliet? When a culture departs from God, romanticism almost always is selected as the alternative obsession. In this episode Pastor Joel reveals the serious danger of this reality.
In this episode Pastor Joel clearly explains the relationship between saving faith and good works. In just over a minute the heart of the gospel is placed prominently on display.
The principle of male headship and female submission is timeless because the Bible does not support this principle by referencing cultural norms of the day, but by referencing God’s perfect design in creation. Christians are not called accommodate culture, but to engage culture with the truth of God’s Word.
The fruit of obedience to Christ will vary for each Christian depending on what station of life God has sovereignly placed them in. In this episode Pastor Joel uses 1 Timothy 2:15 to explain this concept and particularly how it relates to Christian women.
The Church is the most powerful offensive weapon on earth. God has not simply called his people to defend the faith, but to actively push back against the powers of darkness.
As we continue to pursue personal holiness there will always be a danger of become legalistic. So how can we run after Christ with everything we have and carefully avoid legalism at the same time.
What makes for a good sermon? In this episode Pastor Joel reveals 3 key ingredients for faithful preaching.
The Scripture commands that we show honor to our spiritual leaders. In this episode Pastor Joel uses a quote from the Puritan Thomas Watson to reveal two simple ways that each of us can honor our leaders in the church.
Protestant Christianity has differed from Roman Catholicism in several ways. One of those ways is its esteeming of the “priesthood of all believers.” However, although the leaders of a church do not posses any special claim to revelation from God, the Scripture still demands that the members of a church show their leaders honor. (Hebrews 13:17-18)
Men and women are called to complement one another not compete with one another, however in order to complement one another we must affirm that there is a distinction between men and women. If men and women are exactly the same it is impossible to complement each other.
It is likely that you have heard of Joshua Harris and his denial of the Christian faith. How could this happen?
Our doctrine and our character are directly connected. If there is a flaw in our character it will appear in our doctrine. The prosperity gospel provides us with an example of this principle. Watch this episode to see this principle unfold!
Virtually every church has to kick people out from time to time. The only question is, are they doing it biblically? Are you apart of a local church that practices church discipline according to scripture?
The Christian life is a fight. We were not born in a time of peace, but a time of war. The question is, who are we fighting and how can we fight well?
In Acts 20:28, pastors are commanded to shepherd the flock of God with diligence and carefulness. But how are pastors able to discern who their flock actually is? Are you being intentional to make sure that there are shepherds in your life who can hold you accountable?
It is the greatness of God that gives weight to the grace of God. Perhaps you have lost the awe you once possessed in regards to God’s immense mercy toward you. If this is the case, do not merely focus your attention on the love of God, but also on the holiness and glory of God.
In 1 Timothy 1:20, Paul mentions two individuals by name which he has “handed over to Satan.” So what does it mean to be handed over to Satan? Watch this episode to find out!
Faithful ministry always sets its gaze on quality over quantity. Our aim in ministry must be depth, the Lord will determines the width.
Faithful ministry always thinks in terms of multiplication, but it takes time to truly multiply disciplines of Christ. Healthy fruit always takes time to grow. Don’t be discouraged!
Are you aware of the gifts that God has given you? Have you found your place of service in the local church? In this episode, Pastor Joel provides some helpful principles for discovering your spiritual gifts!
Our chief focus should be our own children. As parents we should earnestly desire that our children take up the mantle of ministry and go even further than we do.
The Apostle Paul was willing to say “I am the chief of sinners.” So why are we so afraid to acknowledge our own sinfulness? Perhaps, this reveals the fact that we still struggle to believe that the Gospel is a message of grace, not works.
Self-awareness is a vital ingredient for spiritual maturity. As we grow into greater Christ-likeness we become increasingly aware of the sin in our lives which still remains. This is a painful process, but it is also eternally rewarding.
True biblical love requires a pure heart. And a pure heart only comes through learning to value God’s approval more than man’s approval.
Do you view confidence as arrogance? Is it ever permissible for Christians to be confident? Watch this episode as Pastor Joel explores these questions.
How we choose to correct others should be determined by who we are correcting. Our tone should be appropriately suited for our audience.
We are often far too quick to write-off someone who holds to traditional views as a fundamentalist or ultra-conservative. However have we considered that perhaps we are being influenced by the feminism and post-modernism of our culture more than we would like to admit?
Psalm 145:9 says, “The LORD…has compassion on all he has made.” Our God is a meticulously compassionate God. The Scripture testifies that God cares about cattle and livestock and sparrows and lilies…you can bet your bottom dollar he cares about you.
If you feel forgotten by God in the present it is vital that you remember his salvation in the past and his promise of preservation for the future.
Genesis 6:6 says, “And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart.” Does this verse mean that God made a mistake, or that he changed his mind? Watch this clip to find out a biblically faithful response!
The Bible teaches that God is slow to anger and patient toward the wicked, but how should we interpret this patience?
None of us are promised tomorrow. We will all eventually have to stand before the Holy God and give an account for our lives. Our God will judge both the living and the dead, and he has only provided one means of escape from this judgement.
The fear of man is a sin that is running rampant in the pulpits of our churches today. Pastors often care more about the glory that comes from men, than the glory that comes from God. American pastors frequently sound more like public relations experts than prophets!
Romans 2:4 says, “God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” Many professing Christians have used this verse out of context in order to criticize other Christians for being bold and courageous. When a Christian is willing to stand up for Christ by calling out sin, you can be sure that there will be countless professing Christians wrongfully using this verse in an attempt to silence them.
In this sermon clip Pastor Joel clearly explains one of the most misunderstood concepts in the Bible: Judgement. Many Christians believe it is always a sin to judge, but is this view actually biblical?
Most of us would probably say it is always a sin to mock others. However, in the earthly ministry of Christ we see him frequently utilizing satire and other forms of strong language in order to address his opposition. If we are truly called to imitate Christ, should we seek to imitate this aspect of Christ’s ministry as well?
The Ark of Noah was a type of Christ. There is much that we can learn about the gospel by looking at the life and ministry of Noah.
In this episode, Pastor Joel explains 3 purposes for God’s Law, and what happens when a nation chooses to reject biblical standards of justice.
Death is not our friend. Death is an enemy of Christ. It represents the just judgement of God for sin, and serves as a reminder that each of us should posses an urgency to be made right with God.
The Bible teaches that our children are a precious blessing from the Lord. However, we live in a day when children are under attack. As godly parents how can we love and protect them well?
We live in a culture that constantly seeks to emasculate men. However, we should not be surprised. God’s Word tells us that this would be one of the consequences of sin: “Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you.”
Jesus clearly commands us to love our neighbor, which includes loving unbelievers. However, Jesus also commands us not to love the world. So, how can we love our neighbor and not love the world at the same time?
No one seeks for God. In our sin we all run and hide. However, in God’s mercy he relentlessly seeks the souls of sinners for his glory and our redemption.
There are only two options for us when it comes to our identity. We are either dead in Adam or alive in Christ. Watch this episode as Pastor Joel deciphers the two!
When God’s not the standard, morality will constantly shift. That is why we must look to Him and His Word to know what is truly moral.
What does it mean to have faith in Jesus? The Reformers held throughout Christian Tradition that true biblical faith in Christ contains 3 key elements. Can you list these 3 elements before watching this episode?
What do you do with your guilt? There are only three options: 1) You write a new narrative for your life that constantly makes you an innocent victim surrounded by toxic people, 2) You acknowledge your guilt and sit underneath its crushing weight, 3) You trust in Christ as the one who bore your guilt.
Why does God sometimes seem to deprive his children of good things? Why do so many of our prayers seem to go unanswered? Watch this episode to find the answer!
The power of positivity is a sham. If we truly want our lives to be transformed, we cannot simply believe in whatever we want. We must believe in Christ!
In verse 4 of Psalm 51 David says, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgments.” When we truly confess the severity of our sin we vindicate the justice of God!
The character of God is an unchanging standard for morality. In this clip Pastor Joel references how fickle morality appears to be in our culture today due to the fact that humanity has inserted itself in the place of God as the standard for what is right and wrong.
There are some in Christianity who may be tempted to believe that work came about as a result of the curse of sin. However, man was always intended by God to work and to work hard. Watch this clip in order to better understand the value of meaningful work.
The Scripture places a large emphasis on the need for men to work hard. Unfortunately, due to modern convenience and entitlement, many men have been deceived into thinking that work is unimportant. In some cases, this results in not only apathy but depression and anxiety.
There are many in the Church today who attempt to write off mass portions of Scripture as primitive, cultural constructs no longer relevant today. However, although some portions of Scripture may contain a cultural component, the vast majority of Scripture still applies to our lives regardless of how unpopular it may be.
“I don’t want man’s interpretation of Scripture, just give me the pure unadulterated Bible.” Ever heard something like this? Statements like this may sound spiritual, but they actually reveal ignorance at best and arrogance at worst.
Our culture mocks God’s Word and places itself in the seat of judgment. However, no man has the right to judge God’s Word, rather, God’s Word will judge every man.
Our God is not a God of chaos, but a God order. Even in the first chapter of Genesis we see the infinite wisdom of God as he meticulously orders his creation.
The Holy Spirit is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His ministry has remained constant throughout the ages. Watch this episode to find out what one key element of the Holy Spirit’s ministry is.
In this clip, Pastor Joel uses Hebrews 11:3 to dismantle the atheistic worldview, and encourage Christians in their faith.
In this episode, Pastor Joel teaches us that the storms of life are not what we should fear. Rather, we should only fear the One who has the power to still the wind and waves.
When it comes to defending the Christian Faith, we must realize that the burden of proof does not exclusively fall on us. Those who disagree with our worldview should also be held accountable for defending and proving their alternate world views.
No matter how noble and sanctified an individual Christian may be, it remains true that nothing is more effective in causing their heart to long for the life to come such as suffering and sin.
Pastor Joel shares that it is only when we come to love God, by His grace, that we begin to plead not only for pardon and forgiveness, but for total transformation.
Christ does not promise comfort and ease in this life. He does not promise us marriage, children, or health. What Christ does promise is forgiveness of sins, freedom from God’s wrath, adoption as His children, and eternal life. Is this not enough hope for you?
Have you ever wondered how people in the Old Testament, like King David, were saved before the cross of Jesus? Today's Daily Truth provides an answer from Romans 3:23-26!
Have you ever felt like you keep wrestling with the same failures again and again? In this episode of Daily Truth, Pastor Joel shares the Bible’s wisdom of how to truly change.
Our Lord and Savior has accomplished what no other man could. Psalm 24:7-10 is a prophetic psalm that describes one of the most majestic scenes in all of heaven. Here we find the answer to one of the most important questions in all of the universe: “Who is this King of glory?”
There are so many strong opinions in regards to the style of our worship in the church today. We are so concerned with how our worship will be received by the members and visitors of our church that week however, our first concern should be whether or not our worship is pleasing to God.
As we do the work of an evangelist in presenting the gospel to unbelievers, we are simultaneously accomplishing two tasks; 1) We are lovingly providing the means of salvation to those who are you lost, 2) We are presenting our defense of the character and nature of God against the lies of his enemies.
Pastor Joel reveals one of the most common excuses used by unbelievers to deny the existence of God, and how Christians can effectively refute this excuse directly from the Word of God.
January marked 48 years since Roe vs Wade. We as a nation have killed more than 60 million babies. In light of this, watch this sermon clip from Pastor Joel as he speaks to the intrinsic dignity of all human beings from the moment of conception.
Recently our nation remembers the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Although there were aspects of MLK's life and doctrine that we do not approve of, he remains a shining example of God's common grace displayed through a passionate plea for justice. In light of this, watch this sermon clip from Pastor Joel as he speaks to the global majesty of our God displayed through every tribe, tongue, and nation!
If salvation comes freely by grace, rather than be our works, then why did Jesus speak in Luke 14:26-33 of the cost of being his disciple?
When did the Law of God first come into existence? Why were men held responsible for their sins of murder, theft, lying, and etc. before the time of Moses if the Law did not appear until it was written on tablets of stone at Mount Sinai?
Satan reigns by death, and death reigns by sin through Adam. In contrast, God rules by life, and life rules by righteousness through Jesus Christ.
Is it possible to be guilty of sin at the level of our thoughts and emotions? Or are we only truly guilty when we give into temptation at the level of our words and actions? In other words, can people commit sin merely in their desires? Pastor Joel provides the answer in this powerful sermon clip!
In Pastor Joel's last sermon to his church in San Diego, he urges them to choose LIFE by choosing CHRIST!
According to Scripture, one man’s disobedience caused the whole human race to be plunged into sin and death. But doesn’t this seem a bit unfair? Why does God choose to penalize everyone for Adam’s sin?
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 1:3
Jesus, our high priest, is presently praying for for all his people. And there is not a single prayer from Jesus that will ever go unanswered.
How are sinners reconciled to the Holy God? Pastor Joel explains this supernatural phenomenon in this brief sermon clip.
The death of Jesus is first and foremost an atonement for the sins of his people. But the death of Jesus also serves as the supreme example of sacrificial love that each of us must follow.
Love drives out fear. In other words, love is the antidote to fear. And the people of God should be filled with love because God first loved us by sending us his Son.
Do you live with fear? Watch this sermon clip as Pastor Joel expounds on the confidence we can have as followers of Christ.
Faith in Jesus is all you need, but which “Jesus” have you placed your faith in? Many false teachings about Jesus have permeated today’s churches. Do not be deceived!
As followers of Christ, we should strive to grow in our faith and be as pleasing to God as we possibly can. Although the faith of a mustard seed is sufficient for salvation, Christians should aspire for more.
There are times in the Christian life where everything around us seems to contradict the promises of God. So how can we exercise faith in moments of doubt?
Abraham was known as the father of the faithful. God used Abraham to model what faith looks like and what each of us should aspire to.
When it comes to salvation, it is not the size of our faith that saves us, but the object of our faith.