Are You Listening?

The effects of constant turmoil can be burnout. I've experienced plenty in my life and in reality, I have "quit" the ministry many many times. The truth is though, I have never told anyone!  This podcast purposes to talk a little about the issue of ministry fatigue, its causes, its purposes and most of all, its remedy.

The effects of constant turmoil can be burnout. I've experienced plenty in my life and in reality, I have "quit" the ministry many many times. The truth is though, I have never told anyone!  This podcast purposes to talk a little about the issue of ministry fatigue, its causes, its purposes and most of all, its remedy.

This podcast gives a quick and thought-provoking suggestion that the gospel in most minds is tainted and false and that the true basis of the gospel is the work of God in redeeming His people perfectly through Jesus Christ. Gospel truth is that God has redeemed His people particularly through the cross work of Jesus Christ.   Jesus will lose nothing that is given to Him! That is the gospel truth! That is the glorious and amazing reality of salvation; that it is the mighty work of God for His people!

John 6:35–40

[35] Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst. [36] But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe. [37] All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. [38] For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. [39] And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. [40] For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (ESV)

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This podcast is for the purpose of having short and regular thought-provoking engagement about the Christian faith, life and doctrine from a pastoral and applied theological perspective. Are You Listening is a ministry of GraceTruth Church and Pastor James Tippins and all thoughts and ideas are expressly his and do not necessarily attribute to the congregation as a whole. The full confession of the congregation can be found at GraceTruth.org

Scripture teaches all that we need to know about God the Holy Spirit but so many times professing believers have determined a different view of Him and also a different view of the Scriptures thereby denying the power and person of The Holy Spirit as God.

Our suffering as Christians is clearly a gift from God, a blessing and a way through which the Lord reveals His might to us. Consider this, rejoice in the pain and see the hand of the Lord.

Scripture teaches all that we need to know about God the Holy Spirit but so many times professing believers have determined a different view of Him and also a different view of the Scriptures thereby denying the power and person of The Holy Spirit as God.

Our suffering as Christians is clearly a gift from God, a blessing and a way through which the Lord reveals His might to us. Consider this, rejoice in the pain and see the hand of the Lord.

Having five children is beyond an adventure! The moment I thought I had one figured out, I was floored by something new. When it comes to teaching a child about the faith we have to rely on the truth of Scripture which teaches us that God the Spirit teaches, draws, seals, etc. and that no amount of proving theology with children will make great differences.  Recently I've noticed that many children are taught generally about "God". For this, I am very thankful but in reality, without the explicit teaching of Jesus Christ, there is no real learning of God. Scripture teaches that no one has ever seen God, but the One and only God who sits at His sides makes Him known. John's gospel continues to illustrate that Jesus Christ the Son is the fullness of the Glory of God visible. Paul would teach the same to the Colossians when He says that in Jesus the fullness of deity dwells. It may seem like I'm splitting hairs however, Scripture's teaching on this matter is clarifying. 

When someone learns of God and not of Jesus the Son they are learning in part about the Most High. This partial understanding is delivered through the lens of the Prophets and writers of the Old Testament to whom God spoke and gave His oracles. Learning these things are able to make one wise and to provide salvation. (2 Tim 3) The matter is particularly important because, without Jesus, there is no knowledge of God intimately. While nature can show many things and according to Scripture, it can show the handy work of God, it cannot reveal God in a revelatory manner conducive to redemption. Only Jesus, the God-man, the Son of God and God the Son can make Him known.

So, when we teach children about God, even from the pages of the Old Testament stories, we need be very certain that we talk about the God who makes God known, that is Jesus the Christ.

Having five children is beyond an adventure! The moment I thought I had one figured out, I was floored by something new. When it comes to teaching a child about the faith we have to rely on the truth of Scripture which teaches us that God the Spirit teaches, draws, seals, etc. and that no amount of proving theology with children will make great differences.  Recently I've noticed that many children are taught generally about "God". For this, I am very thankful but in reality, without the explicit teaching of Jesus Christ, there is no real learning of God. Scripture teaches that no one has ever seen God, but the One and only God who sits at His sides makes Him known. John's gospel continues to illustrate that Jesus Christ the Son is the fullness of the Glory of God visible. Paul would teach the same to the Colossians when He says that in Jesus the fullness of deity dwells. It may seem like I'm splitting hairs however, Scripture's teaching on this matter is clarifying. 

When someone learns of God and not of Jesus the Son they are learning in part about the Most High. This partial understanding is delivered through the lens of the Prophets and writers of the Old Testament to whom God spoke and gave His oracles. Learning these things are able to make one wise and to provide salvation. (2 Tim 3) The matter is particularly important because, without Jesus, there is no knowledge of God intimately. While nature can show many things and according to Scripture, it can show the handy work of God, it cannot reveal God in a revelatory manner conducive to redemption. Only Jesus, the God-man, the Son of God and God the Son can make Him known.

So, when we teach children about God, even from the pages of the Old Testament stories, we need be very certain that we talk about the God who makes God known, that is Jesus the Christ. 

Discipline is one of those terms that for most people creates a negative feeling. After all, isn't discipline punishment? This podcast will discuss a brief look at the necessity for church discipline as a corrective promise, not punitive coercion. Church discipline is how the Church handles problems, disputes, errors, false teaching, and sinful behavior. Most of all, church discipline's primary purpose is to prove those who are in the faith and those who are not, no matter their profession, church discipline will establish a judicial expression of God's sovereign election.

Discipline is commanded by the Lord

Discipline is corrective by the word

Discipline is private and public

Discipline proves who are the church. Those that stay in fellowship vs. those that do not.

Discipline is exercised only on the matters commanded by Scripture: Violations of Doctrine, Unbelief, Sin against another, judgment hearts, willful disunity, abandonment, pride, being unkind, harsh words, self-righteousness, bearing false witness, covetousness, and any other sin listed and revealed by the Scripture that causes disunity and harm to the church.

Discipline in the end for the church is purifying; for the lost, identifying.