Understanding Christianity

In Romans 12:9-21, Paul gives us a great list of very practical ways we live out our faith. This is sanctification in action. And it starts with love.

Never lose sight of what God has done for you in the gospel. Let that grace and your identity in Christ serve as the foundation and motivation for you to live a life of JOYFUL Obedience to Jesus out of gratitude for what He’s done.

We saw the need to live a lifestyle of worship with transformed minds.

We saw the need to use our spiritual gifts in service to others and to build up the church.

Dr. Sean Cole continues this study of Romans and teaches this list of marks of a true Christian.

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1 

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

You can purchase Sean’s two other books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

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In Romans 12:3-8, Paul lists spiritual gifts. In this teaching, Dr. Sean Cole goes in-depth and explains the purpose of spiritual gifts. He describes each of the following: 

Prophecy

Serving

Teaching

Exhortation

Giving/Contributing

Leadership

Mercy

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1 

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

You can purchase Sean’s two other books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

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Matthew 5:13-16 concludes the Beatitudes before Jesus transitions into the Sermon on the Mount, which is how we live out our identity as believers in the Kingdom. Jesus begins with our identity in the Beatitudes before He tells us how to obey or live out our faith as His followers.This section is a bridge between our identity—those blessed by Christ—and what we do—becoming useful to Christ.

The final Beatitude was about persecution and how the world will treat us. The word’s influence and impact on us, citizens of the Kingdom. Jesus transitions to describe the exact opposite: How we as believers and citizens of the Kingdom influence and impact the world and respond to those who persecute us.

Jesus uses two examples from the everyday life of those ancient Israelites to show them not only WHO they are, but also what they should do. Are you living your purpose? Or to ask it another way: Are you useful for Christ?

Here is the big idea or central theme from this passage: Those blessed by Christ become useful for Christ.

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1 

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

You can purchase Sean’s two other books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-christianity/id979729949

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Dr. Sean Cole preaches the final Beatitude, and it is shocking. It is so countercultural. So counter-intuitive. So backwards and upside down.

This final Beatitude really tells us what the result will be when we actively live out the other Beatitudes as a constant way of life.

In this sermon, he asks THREE questions of this passage of Scripture.

First of all, is persecution truly a reality in our world today? Second, what is the root cause of this persecution? And thirdly, why is it a joy to be persecuted?

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1 

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

You can purchase Sean’s two other books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

Apple:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-christianity/id979729949

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5F5IniTefWZPu2DjaazxPc?si=c37f71675a6e4321

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Romans 1-11 teaches what God has done for us in the gospel and focuses totally on our identity in Christ.

Paul spent a lot of time on justification by faith and what God the Father has done to save us. He focuses on our election and God’s grace and how, from first to last, God has rescued us as guilty sinners by sending Jesus to die in our place.

The mercies of God in chapters 1-11 of Romans are the totality of what God has done for us in His sovereign grace in making us a new creation in Christ.

In essence, what Paul is saying is that in light of all that God has done for us in making us this new creation in Christ, in light of this wonderful identity we have in Christ, and in light of the rich mercies of God as our foundation and our motivation, we are in turn, called to present our bodies as living sacrifices in lives of worship back to God.

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

You can purchase Sean’s two other books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-christianity/id979729949

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5F5IniTefWZPu2DjaazxPc?si=c37f71675a6e4321

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If Romans Chapter 9 focused on God’s sovereignty in salvation, Chapter 10 focused on human responsibility—the Jews were stubborn and refused to call on the name of Jesus to be saved.

Here’s the question Chapter 11 answers: Is this a permanent situation for ethnic Jews? Will they refuse the gospel forever? Will there be a large number of Jews saved one day, like the Gentiles who are coming to faith in Christ in massive numbers?

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

You can purchase Sean’s two other books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-christianity/id979729949

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https://open.spotify.com/show/5F5IniTefWZPu2DjaazxPc?si=c37f71675a6e4321

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Dr. Sean Cole continues through the Beatitudes. Here is the main point or big idea of this Beatitude: A heart purified BY Christ leads to deeper fellowship WITH Christ.

This sermon asks three questions of this passage of Scripture. First of all, what does Jesus mean when He speaks about the heart? Second, what does it mean to be pure in heart? Third, what does it really mean that we will see God?

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

You can purchase Sean’s two books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-christianity/id979729949

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Dr. Sean Cole continues the study of Romans. 

In Chapter 10, we find out that human responsibility is behind why the Jews are not saved—it was their own fault due to their stubborn disobedience.

There are two simultaneous truths taught in the Bible that are NOT IN CONFLICT or contradictory:

 This may not make sense when you ask, “Why are some people not saved?”

 Two correct biblical answers:

Paul teaches these truths in Romans 10.

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

You can purchase Sean’s two other books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-christianity/id979729949

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https://open.spotify.com/show/5F5IniTefWZPu2DjaazxPc?si=c37f71675a6e4321

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Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

If Israel is God’s chosen people, to whom these glorious temporary blessings have been given (v 4-5), then why are so few ethnic Jews actually saved? Why are the accursed and cut off? Why are the Gentiles coming to faith in Christ in large numbers, but ethnic Jews are refusing to believe in Jesus?

You may not like the answer Paul gives, but we have to deal with it.

Two basic answers:

Just because you are ethnically Jewish does not automatically guarantee that you will be saved—that was the presumption of the Jews. They thought they were automatically going to heaven based on their lineage or ethnicity.

God chooses some people to be saved, while passing over others who will not be saved—this is how God has always done things.

Dr. Sean Cole explains the difficulty of Romans 9 and also addresses the difficult doctrine of reprobation.

He also answers the following four objections:

Unconditional election makes God appear unfair or unloving. God is not obligated to save anyone; therefore, His choice to save some does not imply unfairness.

If unconditional election is valid, then God must be blamed for sinners ending up in hell instead of sinners freely rejecting Christ and facing the consequences of their choices.

God predestines only a small group to heaven while condemning the rest of humanity to hell.

If God has already determined who is elect, why should we pray for and evangelize the lost?

You can purchase Sean’s two other books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-christianity/id979729949

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5F5IniTefWZPu2DjaazxPc?si=c37f71675a6e4321

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Twitter/X:

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Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released.
You can purchase it here:

https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1

https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk

In this sermon, Dr. Sean Cole preaches the Beatitude from Matthew 5:7: "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy."

Because of what God has done for us in showing us mercy in our spiritual bankruptcy and lifting us out of the pit of our sin, we, in turn, have a new heart and a new attitude toward others.  We show mercy because we have been shown mercy. We are merciful because God was merciful to us in Christ and the gospel.

Pastor Sean identifies THREE specific issues related to this passage.

First, we see mercy DEFINED.

Second, we see mercy ILLUSTRATED. 

And third, we see mercy PROMISED.

You can purchase Sean’s other two books here:

40 Days in Philippians: Finding Joy in Jesus:   https://g3min.org/shop/books/g3press/40-days-in-philippians-finding-joy-in-jesus-sean-cole/

Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel:  https://rb.gy/yoa223

VISIT OUR WEBSITE:

www.seancole.net

FOLLOW on:

Apple:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/understanding-christianity/id979729949

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/show/5F5IniTefWZPu2DjaazxPc?si=c37f71675a6e4321

FOLLOW US ON OUR SOCIALS:

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@emmanuelbaptistchurch-ster4705

Facebook:

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Twitter/X:

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