Truth & Circumstances

Episode Highlights: – The Bible clearly teaches about the destructive power of sin (Rom 6:23; 1 Peter 2:11, 5:8) – NT passages giving instruction about how to help people in sin present a principle we might call “escalating confrontation.” (Matt 18:15-18; 1 Cor 5) – To not escalate the confrontation by bringing the parents into … Continue reading Episode 143: What should do if I know that my friend’s child is involved in sinful activity?

Episode Highlights: – There is no biblical category for taking up an offense in the sense that the offender is required to ask my forgiveness for sinning against my friend or loved on. – There is nothing wrong with being angry/offended by another sinning against my loved one…as long as I obey Eph 4:26-27 and … Continue reading Episode 142: Taking up an offense? Part 3

Episode Highlights: – Forgiveness is not synonymous with putting away your anger and pain caused by another’s sin. Eph 4:26-27, 31-32 – Our anger/pain should be dealt with very quickly, whether the person has repented or not, whether there is reconciliation or not. Eph 4:26-27 – Biblical forgiveness is not a feeling, it is a … Continue reading Episode 141: Taking up an offense? Part 2

Episode Highlights: – Our forgiveness should be patterned after God’s. (Eph 4:32; Col 3:13) – Forgiveness should be gracious, but costly. (Rom 5:6-6; 1 John 4:10) – Forgiveness should be conditioned upon repentance. (1 John 1:9; John 17:3-4; Matt 18:15-17) – Forgiveness is a promise not to use another’s sin against them. (Rom 4:7-8; Jer … Continue reading Episode 140: Taking up an offense? Part 1

Episode Highlights – Taking these tests can be harmless if they are not the basis for our identity or decision-making. – As a believer, my identity is in Christ. – As a believer, I am constantly changing by the power of the Holy Spirit. – The bible gives me moral-guidelines and wisdom principles for decision-making … Continue reading Episode 139: Should we give any credence to Enneagram personality tests?

Episode Highlights – Sharing a much needed, gracious book for the church, Transforming Homosexuality: What The Bible Says About Sexual Orientiation And Change, by Denny Burk and Heath Lambert – It holds the biblical line while offering hope for change and the HOW of change. – Christians should not be content to condemn the sin … Continue reading Episode 138: A much needed book: Transforming Homosexuality

Episode highlights: – (Wayne Grudem) “All those who are truly born again will be kept by God’s power and will persevere as Christians until the end of their lives, and that only those who persevere until the end have been truly born again.” – Perseverance of the saints is not exactly the same as “once … Continue reading Episode 137: What’s the deal with reformed theology? Perseverance of the saints

Highlights: – All issues surrounding end of life require wisdom that comes only from the Lord. James 3:17, 1:5 – Taking a loved one off life support is not analogous to assisted suicide or abortion. – All of us should talk to our loved ones long before decisions need to be made to find out … Continue reading Episode 136: When is it okay to pull the plug?

Highlights: – Balance is needed on this issue. The Lord calls us to care for the weak and champion justice (Acts 20:35; Matt 12:18, 23:23). He also calls us to be all about gospel ministry (Matt 28:18-20; 2 Cor 5:18-21) – We should beware of giving ourselves to any method of achieving reconciliation that is … Continue reading Episode 134: How should I address the social justice issue with my believing friend?