Grounded & Growing

The authority of Scripture is unquestionably one of the fundamental issues of our time. Other presenting issues (such as the atonement, hell, sin, etc.) reveal the underlying issue. We don’t think of ourselves as operating under the authority of the Bible. Sure, we reference the Bible when it supports our view. We use it to validate our opinions, but we don’t allow it to shape them. Until Scripture is the absolute, unquestioned authority, we still have work to do. 

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Persevering faith is not oriented inward, where we dig in, work harder, and do better. Rather, it is oriented outward. Our faith—our confidence—is in Christ. We are to hold fast our confession that Christ has accomplished salvation for us and that we will be saved if we put our faith in Him.

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Scripture reveals who we really are. It cuts through our facades, exposing our true selves. When it works on us, we are laid bare before God. Though we may be able to maintain a veneer of righteousness in our own efforts, Scripture peels it back and uncovers our sinful hearts. And in the final judgment, it will reveal our sin before the thrice-holy God. Not one thing can be hidden from Scripture’s razor scalpel. It “is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

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To learn more about The Sword & Trumpet Ministries, visit the Sword & Trumpet Website. For more theological content, visit theologicaltouchpoints.com.

In Christ we can rest from the toil of self-righteousness—our striving to be good enough, our attempts to atone for our own sins. True rest, gospel rest, is experienced when we come to Christ, believing in Him, trusting in Him, and receiving the good things God offers us in Him.

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To learn more about The Sword & Trumpet Ministries, visit the Sword & Trumpet Website. For more theological content, visit theologicaltouchpoints.com.

Christians ought to be confident people. Not in ourselves and not in our works, that's self-righteousness and self-centeredness. Our confidence is never in ourselves; we are those who "put no confidence in the flesh." Our confidence is in Christ. We know, because God has said it is true, that Christ has accomplished salvation for us. Our confidence is in Him.

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A production of The Sword and Trumpet Ministries.

To learn more about The Sword & Trumpet Ministries, visit the Sword & Trumpet Website. For more theological content, visit theologicaltouchpoints.com.

In his call to faithfulness the author of Hebrews is careful to point us to Christ. We are to “give heed to the things we have learned,” not neglecting the salvation God offers us. But the all-important question is: where is that salvation found? In the law? In Moses? In some other historical figure? In some other moral code? No, but salvation is found in Christ. We confess Christ, our mediator, our High Priest, our Saviour. We must consider Him, see His person, see His greatness, and put our faith in Him.

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A production of The Sword and Trumpet Ministries.

To learn more about The Sword & Trumpet Ministries, visit the Sword & Trumpet Website. For more theological content, visit theologicaltouchpoints.com.

What we believe about the gospel is important. Actually, important is an understatement. The gospel is the very core of the Christian faith. What we believe about the gospel is one of the single defining realities of Christianity. In fact, what we believe about the gospel makes the difference between heaven or hell.

This feature episode is an in-depth look at six different views of the gospel, focusing especially on each view's concepts of justification and sanctification.

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To learn more about The Sword & Trumpet Ministries, visit the Sword & Trumpet Website. For more theological content, visit theologicaltouchpoints.com.

God does not save because He has to; He saves because He wants to. And it is His joy. He does not save begrudgingly; God loves to save sinners. Hebrews says Christ went willingly to the cross. In fact, He rejoiced despite the shame. He wanted to save sinners, and He freely gave His life to redeem us.

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So then, does it matter what be believe about the inspiration of Scripture? I hope you see with me that it absolutely does. Our faithfulness in the gospel rests on whether or not we continue to live in faithful submission to Scripture. Whether Christianity will continue to the next generation—or even survive this one—rests on our commitment, with all true believers, to believe the Word of God and to live according to the Word of God.

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A production of The Sword and Trumpet Ministries.

To learn more about The Sword & Trumpet Ministries, visit the Sword & Trumpet Website. For more theological content, visit theologicaltouchpoints.com.

The Bible is not another book we leave to collect dust on the shelf. It is categorically distinct, a level above every other book written since it is the only one written by God. When we read the Bible, we hear directly from the Lord of the universe. We see His great work through history and His magnificent grace given in the gospel. The Bible is God’s Word to us.

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A production of The Sword and Trumpet Ministries.

To learn more about The Sword & Trumpet Ministries, visit the Sword & Trumpet Website. For more theological content, visit theologicaltouchpoints.com.