Christians are free from Master Sin, and yet so often we act like "we can't help it." But we can! We can resist temptation, we can overcome wrong desires, we can defeat lust. Why don't we? Sometimes it's because we don't want to. Sometimes it's because we don't believe we can. Josh and Doug talk about it in this episode covering Romans 6. Here is the baptism sermon Doug mentioned: https://youtu.be/BKwRKKho2FA
Past generations of Christians had a distant, austere relationship with God. Today, we've swung the other way. We focus on his nearness. We think of him as "daddy" and "friend." Have we swung too far? We talk about that in today's study of Ecclesiastes.
King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, learned (the hard way) that real joy lies on the narrow path between two dangerous ditches: false hope and folly. With money, one ditch is believing that money can bring ultimate satisfaction, the others is going it alone. With success, one ditch is thinking it will last, the other is refusing to be teachable as your achievements grow. We will discuss how to find that middle path of joy in work and productivity.
There is an ideology called "cultural marxism" that seeks to destroy the traditional institutions of western civilization. Part of its strategy is to label certain successful people as "oppressors" and everyone else as "the oppressed." It's evil and we should oppose it. But we must not let this abuse of power desensitize us to real abuse when it occurs in the world. We discuss abortion, slavery, socialism, envy, and more in this study of Ecclesiastes. Here is the book I referred to by Jason Rile...
In recent years, "oppression" and "injustice" have been the war cries of protestors from every corner and worldview. And who can deny that injustice abounds in our world? It's true, but it's not new. Solomon saw it in his day, and he gave a surprising answer for why God permits it to go on. We talk about that in today's study. Here is a link to the series I mentioned about cultural Marxism and social agendas of 2020 and beyond: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdhaGzyexZU&list=PL5Yobt1jZDd-EY...
"God put eternity in men's hearts," doesn't mean what it sounds like. It means that God gave us the desire to know what's coming next and then keeps us from knowing it. There is a purpose, of course. He wants us to depend on Him, not on our ability to plan for the future. We will learn together how embracing this will lead to greater joy in all circumstances.
Everyone is going to die, we know that. But why? The Bible's answer is hard and a little unexpected. It's not simply a matter of old age or disease. It has to do with our relation to the first man, Adam. Josh and Doug engage with this difficult truth and some of the questions that arise from it. The podcast mentioned about William Lane Craig and the historical Adam is here: https://youtu.be/ZQrHC-CfkYs
Solomon accomplished more than any of us ever will. But when he took a step back to look at it from a long-term perspective, he was disheartened. He realized what would happen to his life's achievements after he was gone. How did he find meaning in the face of the inevitable loss of all that he built? How can you? We will find the answer together.
We may be tempted to envy billionaires and others who seem to be living "the life." But Solomon, who had everything a man could want, discovered that it's all for nothing unless God enables you to enjoy it. And God can do that for any of us regardless of our situation. That's what we are discussing today. Here is a link to my son's new song, "Joy," I mentioned: https://youtu.be/Up2anK2ZuYc
Think back to every commencement speech you've ever heard. It's always something like: "You can be anything you want to be. You can accomplish anything you set your mind to." It's all superficial, manipulative, positive-thinking-creates-reality lies. We are going to let Solomon ground us in reality about how things usually work out. Life is full of disappointments. And yet, there is hope, meaning, and significance to all of it. Here's a 5-part overview of Ecclesiastes that you may also find help...
This morning, Doug begins a new daily Bible study. You can watch it live on YouTube or listen later on your favorite podcasting app. Today we begin Ecclesiastes by examining the author himself. His life was extraordinary. He went as high as a man can go and then had an epic fall. By the end, he learned (the hard way) that this life means nothing if there is no "next life." But if we understand what God is doing, we can have great joy along the path that leads to the next life. You can watch this...
John Piper wrote an article for Desiring God urging Christians to get the COVID vaccine. He has a right to his opinion, of course, and we don't take issue with that. But his argument is based on bad assumptions and faulty reasoning. (And it's kind of snarky.) We help you think carefully and critically about what you hear from leaders and the media. Here is Piper's article: https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/a-reason-to-be-vaccinated-freedom Here is a previous podcast where Josh and I amicably ...
Dr. William Lane Craig's latest book— In Quest of the Historical Adam —claims to answer the question of whether Adam was a real person in a way that fits with science and the Bible. We interact with Dr. Craig's view, especially of Romans 5, as given in an hour-long interview with Sean McDowell a few weeks ago. Some of the biblical truths at stake are original sin and the imputation of Jesus' righteousness to believers. As you can see, these are not minor issues. The interview Dr. Craig did with ...
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70 A.D. was the Jewish tribulation, the "abomination of desolation," that Daniel and Jesus spoke of. Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries
We walk through Daniel 9 and Luke 21 to see how they predict the fall of Jerusalem in AD70. (And how they don't predict a future 7-year tribulation after the church is raptured.) Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries NCST: https://www.newcovenantschooloftheology.org
Books mentioned in the show: The Seventy Weeks: And the Great Tribulation by Philip Mauro Last Days Madness by Gary Demar The Last Days according to Jesus: When Did Jesus Say He Would Return? by R.C. Sproul Doug examines AD70 and fall of Jerusalem in detail in his series: Promise and Fulfillment Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org NCST: https://www.newcovenantschooloftheology.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries...
It's important to rest and refresh to be more effective in our work. Satan and the demonic realm can be overemphasized, but we ignore them to our peril. New Covenant School of Theology now offers a full online program. Doug and Josh discuss the details. Learn more at: https://www.newcovenantschooloftheology.org. Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user44364...
Josh and Doug discuss Christian liberty in drinking, watching movies, and more. Also - answers to listener questions. Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
Also: answering listener questions teaching homeschool boys to be manly Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
Also: Are Sunday morning gatherings required?Are they more important than small groups? When is NCST going online? (Hint: soon!) Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
In this episode: Does Acts teach Christian socialism/communism? Pastors shaming believers into giving more The Church's responsibility to care for the poor in the age of welfare and Medicare Hey Josh...what episode are we on? Visit our website: https://www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos...
Also: Just war theory imprecatory Psalms Agape love The danger of word studies Cultural consideration in interpretation Visit our website: www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
Also: Morality under the Law of Christ Beauty The conscience as guide "You've already committed adultery in your heart" Visit our website: www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
In this episode: when lying isn't sinful the importance of male friendships incest, bestiality, and polygamy in the New Covenant the significance of Church history Visit our website: www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
Also in this episode: Doug's preferred Bible translation Answers to listener questions Visit our website: www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
In this episode: - Josh and Doug discuss what Philippians teaches about anxiety and how Christians should think about mental health, medication, and prayer. - The benefits of strength training - How many "parts" men have If you would like to hear more about what God's Word says about anxiety, watch Doug's sermon on Philippians 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IFxDBDBueL0&list=PL5Yobt1jZDd_F-RbX70uDEy35N4rwU3Od&index=2. Website: www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown...
Doug recaps his teaching from the John Bunyan conference and the common misunderstanding of "flesh" in Galatians 5 and Romans 7. Visit our website: www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
Visit our website: www.crosstocrown.org Twitter: www.twitter.com/CrossToCrown Facebook: www.facebook.com/crosstocrownministries Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/user4436403/videos
