The Three Presbyteers

Join us as we discuss: The Virtuous Christian Statesman with our guest Joseph Gilbert

Topics considered include:

• The Character of a Christian Statesman
• The Virtues of a Christian Statesman
• The Education of a Christian Statesman

Your hosts:

TE Josh Owen

TE Aaron Garriott

RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams

Music by: RE James Powers

Logo design: RE Gabe Williams and TE Aaron Garriott

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 9:45 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

Join us as we discuss: The Fallen Nature of Man

Topics considered include:

• Original Sin (Romans 5)

• Total Depravity (Romans 1-3) o Corruption of the Body o Corruption of the Mind o Corruption of the Affections o Bondage of the Will o Fallen man is able to sin and not able not to sin.

• Historical Theology o Augustine versus Pelagius o Luther versus Erasmus o Calvinism versus Arminianism o Jonathan Edwards/George Whitefield versus John Wesley o Charles Spurgeon versus Charles G. Finney

• Common Grace (Gen. 6:3; 9:11; 11:1-9) o God's Spirit strives with men to restrain their evil o God's Spirit gives men natural virtues and skill for human flourishing o God providentially thwarts men's intentions to defy His natural order o God judges man by handing him over to his corruptions (Rom. 1:26, 28)

• Redemption (Romans 6-8) o Your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit o Your mind is being renewed o Your affections are being renewed o Your will is liberated o A redeemed man is able to sin and able not to sin.

• Loving your unregenerate neighbor o The notorious sinner o The decent man o When to shake the dust and stop casting pearls

• Loving your regenerate neighbor o Spurring each other on to love and good works o Patiently encouraging the weak o Humbly correcting the wayward o Graciously restoring the fallen o Keep a close watch on your own soul (Gal. 6:1)

Recommended Resources:

Luther's Bondage of the Will

Calvin's The Bondage and Liberation of the Will: A Defense of the Orthodox Doctrine of Human Choice against Pighius

Jonathan Edward's Freedom of the Will

Your hosts: TE Josh Owen TE Aaron Garriott RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams Music by: RE James Powers Logo design: RE Gabe Williams and TE Aaron Garriott

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 9:45 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

Join us as we discuss: Finding a Godly Spouse

Topics considered include:

A non-exhaustive list of guidance for pursuing a godly spouse:

1. Do not treat marriage as optional

2. Look intentionally, not anxiously

3. Cultivate the character that aligns with what you are looking for

4. Prioritize godliness over glamour

5. Ask: Can we build a household together?

6. Ask: Can we suffer together?

7. Listen to parents, elders, and wise Christians

8. Do not confuse chemistry and compatibility with character

9. Avoid prolonged, undefined relationships

10. Take sexual purity seriously

Recommended Resources:

It's Good to Be a Man by Michael Foster

How to Build a Godly Marriage by Joel Beeke

For Women: A Happy Marriage by Rebecca VanDoodewaard

The Masculine Mandate by Richard D. Phillips

Your hosts:

TE Josh Owen

TE Aaron Garriott

RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams

Music by: RE James Powers

Logo design: RE Gabe Williams and TE Aaron Garriott

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 9:45 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

Join us as we discuss: Suffering as a Family

Topics considered include:

5 Lessons for Suffering Well as a Family:

1. Don't shield your children from suffering 2. Don't neglect family worship 3. Don't neglect corporate worship 4. Don't feel sorry for yourself 5. Don't suffer alone as a family

Recommended Resources:

How to Lead Your Family by Joel R. Beeke Building a Godly Home by William Gouge

Your hosts: TE Josh Owen TE Aaron Garriott RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams Music by: RE James Powers Logo design: RE Gabe Williams and TE Aaron Garriott

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL. If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 9:45 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

Join us as we discuss: Sins of the Tongue: The Ninth Commandment and Christian Speech

WLC Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?

A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful or equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of the truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, talebearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any; endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.

Topics considered include:

Speaking the truth unseasonably

Speaking the truth maliciously to a wrong end

Perverting the truth to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful or equivocal expressions

Thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others

Aggravating smaller faults

Unnecessary discovering of infirmities

Recommended Resources:

The Book of Proverbs

The Epistle of James

Your hosts:

TE Josh Owen

TE Aaron Garriott

RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams

Music by: RE James Powers

Logo design: Beth Cragg

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 10:00 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

The Doctrines of Grace

Join us as we discuss: An Introduction to the Doctrines of Grace

Topics considered include:

• Augustine on Grace vs. Pelagius

• Semi-Pelagianism and Semi-Augustinianism

• Luther vs. Erasmus on Grace

• Calvin vs. Pighius on Grace

• Synod of Dort vs. Arminian Remonstrance on Grace

• TULIP

• Total Depravity (SC # 18)

• Unconditional Election (SC # 7, 20)

• Limited Atonement (SC # 25)

• Irresistible Grace (SC # 29, LC # 68)

• Perseverance of the Saints (SC # 36; LC # 79)

• Soli Deo Gloria

• Humility

Recommended Resources:

What's So Great about the Doctrines of Grace? By Richard D. Phillips

Your hosts:

TE Josh Owen

TE Aaron Garriott

RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams

Music by: RE James Powers

Logo design: RE Gabe Williams and TE Aaron Garriott

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 10:00 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

Join us as we discuss: Charles Hodge's Letter to Pope Pius IX

Topics considered include:

• First Vatican Council of 1869-70

• PCUSA (Old School and New School) Declined Invitation to Send Delegates

• Charles Hodge's Open Letter Explains Rationale for Declining

• Not because we are heretics

• Not because we are schismatics

• Because we hold the principles of our fathers for which they were excommunicated and anathematized by the Council of Trent

• First, that the Word of God is the only infallible rule of faith and practice

• Second, the right of private judgment

• Third, the priesthood of all believers

• Fourth, the cessation of the apostleship

Recommended Resources:

charles-hodges-letter-to-pope-pius-ix

https://www.gpts.edu/dead-presbyterians-society

Your hosts:

TE Josh Owen

TE Aaron Garriott

RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams

Music by: RE James Powers

Logo design: Gabe Williams and Aaron Garriott

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 10:00 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

Join us as we discuss: Sins of the Tongue: The Ninth Commandment and Christian Speech

WLC Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment? A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful or equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of the truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, talebearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any; endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.

Topics considered include: Undue Silence Slandering, Backbiting, Talebearing Flattery and Vainglorious Boasting Denying the Graces and Gifts of God Breach of Lawful Promises: Oaths and Vows

Recommended Resources: The Book of Proverbs The Epistle of James

Your hosts: TE Josh Owen TE Aaron Garriott RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams Music by: RE James Powers Logo design: Beth Cragg

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL. If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 10:00 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

Join us as we discuss: Covenant Religion

Topics considered include:

Modern Christian Sentiments about Religion

"Christianity is not a religion, its a relationship."

"Religion is man's attempt to reach God. Gospel is about God's coming to rescue man."

Religion is manmade. The Gospel is revealed from heaven.

Religion is about rules that are like rungs on a ladder to climb to heaven. The Gospel is about God coming down the ladder in grace to rescue and relate to man.

Defining Religion

Cicero's etymology relegere= read again

Popular etymology religare = "to bind fast" (Lactantius, Augustine)

James 1:26-27 "If any man among you seem to be religious (thrēskos/religiosum), and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion (thrēskeia/religio) is vain. Pure religion (thrēskeia/religio) and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world."

Godward–"Before God and the Father"--life Coram Deo

Practical/Outward–visiting orphans and widows in affliction

Personal/Inward–keep himself unspotted from the world

Religion 18X in Westminster Standards (not including prefaces)

I,8. Of the Holy Scriptures "...so as in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them."

I,10. "The supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined"

X,4. Of Effectual Calling "much less can men not professing the Christian religion be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they ever so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the law of that religion they do profess"

XXIII, 4 Of the Civil Magistrate "Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrates just and legal authority"

XXIV, 3 Of Marriage and Divorce "And therefore such as confess the true reformed religion should not marry with infidels, Papists, or other idolaters"

XXV, 2 Of the Church "all those throughout the world that profess the true religion, together with their children"

XXXI, 2 Of Synods and Councils "matters of religion"

Title of Larger Catechism "The Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of Christ in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland

LC 60 "that religion which they profess"

LC 62 "profess the true religion"

LC 109 "tolerating a false religion"

LC 113 "making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends"

LC 121 "a short abridgment of religion"

True Religion

The Christian Profession of Faith

Without Hypocrisy

The Christian Way of Life

False Religions

Distortions of the Christian Profession of Faith as in Rome

Hypocritical Profession of the Christian Faith

Way of Life Contrary to Christian Practice

True Religion Is Not Merely a Relationship

"Not Merely"--the true religion is a relationship, but it is not just any relationship

Relationship is undefined–there are many types of relationships (employee/employer; parent/child; husband/wife; friendship; partnership; acquaintance; legal, contractual, familial, formal, informal, high expectation, low expectation, consequential, inconsequential)

Relationship is unregulated–tendency for people to set their own terms with God; best illustrated in the words "My god would never…" or endless variety of adjectives SSA Christian, Feminist Christian, Liberal Christian; Christians whose way of life contradicts the commands of Christ

True Religion Is Covenant

Covenant Theology is an understanding of the unity and structure of the Bible

Covenant Religion = speaks of our bond with God in terms of His covenant

His Person = "I will be your God"--this is your first and best relationship

His People = "You will be My people"--you belong to God as Father and the church as mother

His Premises = By grace through faith in Christ

His Promises = eternal communion of life with God

His Precepts = the moral law of God (Ten Commandments; Law of Christ)

His Penalties = 2 Peter 2:20-22 "For if after they have escaped the pollutants of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire."

Recommended Resources:

John Murray, Principles of Conduct

Your hosts:

TE Josh Owen

TE Aaron Garriott

RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams

Music by: RE James Powers

Logo design: Beth Cragg

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 10:00 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org

Topics considered include: Biblical Exhortations and Examples and Applications to Personal Discipline and Childrearing

Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Temperance–enkrateia "in hand" "to have a grip on things" To have control of your whole self

Do you have your bodily appetites in hand? Or do they have you in hand? Do you have your emotions in hand? Or do they have you in hand? Do you have your habits in hand? Or do they have you in hand?

Philippians 3:18-19 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things.

Why is Paul weeping over these people who are enemies of the cross?

They claimed to be Christians.

Lacking self-control, they became enslaved to their baser appetites.

"Baser appetites" because "who mind earthly things" does not mean attending to good health, business, family and friends, but to lowly, beastly instinct.

Their glory, what they "achieve" and praise in themselves, is shameful.

They profess Christ as their God, but the serve their belly as their god.

2 Peter 2:12-22

Jude 16-23

Examples of Intemperance

Genesis 6 the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were good-looking (lust/sex)

Sarah–inordinate desire for children led her to insist that Abraham take Hagar to wife; laughing when the LORD promised a son through her body

Esau–sold his birthright for a pot of stew (hunger/food)

Judah–impregnated his daughter-in-law thinking she was a harlot (lust/sex)

Samson–fornication with Delilah (lust/sex)

Eli–indulged his sons (filial affection/indulgence) no discipline; (food)

Hophni and Phinehas–food and sex

Saul–anxiety/fear/paranoia murder; despair suicide attempt

David–adultery with Bathsheba (lust/sex)

Amnon–sick with lust, raped his sister Tamar

Absalom–boiled with anger until he murdered Amnon and unseated his father (anger/murder)

"You talk too much, homeboy! You never shut up!" Loose lips sink ships.

James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Examples of Self-Control

Joseph–resisting sexual advances of Potiphar's wife; not avenging himself on brothers

Job–not despairing and cursing God; making a covenant with his eyes

David not taking Saul's life

Rechabites Jeremiah 35:1-11

Discipline Yourself for the Purpose of Godliness

1 Timothy 4:7

Spiritual Disciplines/Exercises (Bible Intake, Prayer Times, Fasting, Intentional Conversations)

The goal of temperance is not self-mastery. The goal is to be useful to God, an instrument of righteousness in His hand; holiness, not stoicism.

Train Your Children to Exercise Self-Control

High energy is not an excuse for disrespectful behavior and shirking duties Interrupting adults when they are talking Throwing a tantrum when they are impatient Teach them not to use intemperate language I'm gonna die! I'm starving! I hate you! Gossip Oversharing in the wrong company Teach them not to complain/whine Teach them to endure hardness Teach them that they do not need to be constantly entertained

Proverbs 16:32

Men, get a grip on your anger, sexual energy, and appetite for food and alcohol.

Women, get a grip on your anger, fear/anxiety, and appetite for food and alcohol.

Children, get a grip on your anger and impatience.

Everyone, get a grip on your screen-time.

United to Christ You Can Get a Grip on Yourself

Romans 6:1-14

Recommended Resources: Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Child's Heart

R. Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man

Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

John Owen's writings on Sanctification and Mortification

Your hosts: TE Josh Owen TE Aaron Garriott RE Gabe Williams

Produced by: RE Gabe Williams Music by: RE James Powers Logo design: RE Gabe Williams and TE Aaron Garriott

The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 10:00 AM.

www.Sprucecreekpca.org