Pastor Mike, a passionate advocate for biblical understanding, tackles pressing theological questions from listeners. He delves into whether Jesus contradicted Himself regarding good works, exploring the intent behind our actions. The conversation includes the complexities of grace, the implications of promises made to God, and how to approach fear regarding future events. Additionally, Pastor Mike addresses pro-choice arguments with a focus on creation rights and discusses the role of practices like holy water in faith.
Understanding the balance between showcasing good works and doing them in secret emphasizes sincere intentions to glorify God rather than seeking personal recognition.
God's grace is presented as unmerited favor, highlighting that believers are recipients of grace rather than earning it progressively.
When individuals forget promises to God, the emphasis should be on continuous relationship and humility rather than anxiety over past commitments.
Addressing pro-choice arguments involves discerning the moral obligations of parenthood and the intrinsic value of life beyond mere creator rights.
Deep dives
Understanding Good Works and Visibility
The discussion begins with the apparent contradiction in Jesus' teachings regarding good works. One passage encourages believers to let their light shine by showcasing their good works for others to see, while another advises doing good in secret. The resolution lies in understanding the intent behind these commands; believers should showcase their good deeds not for personal glory but to glorify God. Hence, the focus is on a sincere heart that aims to inspire faith in others rather than seeking approval or recognition.
The Beatitudes and True Righteousness
The speaker highlights the Beatitudes as foundational teachings that establish what constitutes good works in a believer's life. Such qualities include being merciful, pure in heart, and thirsty for righteousness. These traits contrast sharply with the motivations of the Pharisees, who sought public approval rather than true moral integrity. True good works stem from a heartfelt desire to honor God, encouraging believers to uphold their faith consistently in a way that breaks the stereotype of hypocrisy.
Discerning God's Grace
A question arises regarding the nature of grace, particularly one that seems to suggest varying degrees of it among believers. The speaker clarifies that while grace is often understood in terms of salvation, it can also refer to God's favor in various contexts. Such distinctions help believers grasp that God's grace does not operate in a transactional manner; one does not earn grace progressively. Instead, believers are simply recipients of God's unmerited favor, allowing them to stand securely in their faith week after week.
Addressing Promises Made to God
When individuals forget promises made to God, it raises concerns about accountability and sincerity. The speaker advises approaching God humbly in prayer, acknowledging the inability to remember those promises. It's crucial to emphasize that genuine faith does not hinge on lofty commitments but rather on a continuous relationship with God and commitment to righteousness. Careful consideration should be given to the promises made, and individuals should seek wisdom in their spiritual journey without undue anxiety regarding past failings.
Navigating Fears About the Future
Handling concerns about impending disasters, especially in terms of biblical prophecy, can be daunting for many. The speaker encourages a balanced perspective that remains prepared but doesn't get consumed by fear of the unknown. The long-term focus should be on personal preparedness within the framework of everyday life, without allowing eschatological anxieties to hamper one's ability to thrive. Trusting God while making practical plans is underscored as a prudent approach.
Approaching the Concept of Creation and Life
The conversation shifts to addressing the pro-choice argument that insists a creator has ultimate rights over their creation. The speaker challenges this notion by exploring the reasoning behind such claims and emphasizes the moral obligations that accompany parenthood. While a creator may have rights, this perspective fails to encapsulate the intrinsic value of life and the moral frameworks that govern it. Thus, it becomes crucial to discern the moral implications behind actions taken toward creations, whether human or otherwise.
Communion Practices and Early Church Traditions
Finally, the dialogue touches on the practice of communion, specifically whether it should take place solely during Passover or more frequently. Historical practices indicate that early Christians observed communion regularly, with scripture providing context and support for frequent participation. Instead of a rigid schedule, the emphasis should be on the spiritual significance of communion and maintaining a meaningful, ongoing remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. Ultimately, recognizing the role of communion in the believer's life serves as a reminder of the unity among those who partake in faith.
HERE’S my video on how atheist scholar, Bart Ehrman, misleads millions.
My goal is to help you on the road to thinking biblically about everything.
Question Time Stamps for Quick Reference:
0:00 - Intro
0:39 {Did Jesus Contradict Himself?} Why would Jesus instruct us to let our good works be seen by others (Matthew 5:16) if He also instructed us to do our good works in secret (Matthew 6:1-4)? Am I misunderstanding something?
12:19 {Do Some People Get More Grace?} Romans 5:2 says we stand on grace. In Acts 4:33, it says great grace was upon them all. Does that mean some people have more grace? I’ve heard you say we don't get grace little by little.
18:10 {If You’ve Forgotten a Promise to God} What do you do when you’ve made a promise to God and either forget the specifics of it or forget you’ve made it altogether?
20:58 {Should We Fear Future Events?} What is a healthy way to look at the future with all the disasters in Revelation? I have trouble building up my life without fearing everything will change soon, for the worse.
25:51 {Responding to Pro-Choice Thinking} How can we respond to someone who uses, “A creator has the right to do whatever they want with their own creation” as a pro-choice argument?
30:54 {About “Holy Water” or “Blessed” Objects} A local street preacher uses holy water on the ground, which he says keeps demonic activity from disrupting his preaching. I haven't seen Scripture support this. Is it biblical?
36:18 {About the Millennial Kingdom} If God is eternal and He knows everything from the beginning to the end, then why does He set up a 1000 year Millennium Kingdom? What are the reasons for this, biblically?
42:18 {Perichoresis vs. Modalism} Can you explain the difference between the concepts of perichoresis and modalism? They seem to be very similar ideas on the surface.
46:06 {About Bart Ehrman’s Teachings & Tactics} You have talked about Dr. Bart Ehrman (ex: your “Atheist Scholar Misleads Millions Of People” video). Does he also use these "techniques" on his professional peers?
51:27 {Trusting God when He Seems Silent} What practical steps do you do to trust in the Lord? I frequently have difficulty trusting Him during difficult times, especially when He doesn’t seem to be answering prayer.
59:20 {Were the Nazis Appointed by God?} Were the Nazis as a government authority "appointed by God" according to Romans 13?
1:03:39 {Why did God Send Jacob to Egypt?} In Genesis 12:10, Abraham goes to Egypt. That decision is considered by many as disobedience to God. If going to Egypt is related to a bad decision, why is it that later, God sent Jacob to Egypt?
1:06:30 {Are We Dead to Sin, or Sold Under It?} Why does Paul say "…reckon ye yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God through Christ Jesus our Lord" in Romans 6:11, yet in Romans 7:14, he says, "…but I am carnal, sold under sin"?
1:10:05 {Traditional Preferences over Biblical Theology?} I’m an ex-Catholic, but I’m getting pulled back in. I don’t know why, but I just like praying in Latin, the Rosary, praying to saints, and using scripted prayers because I don’t know how to pray on my own.
1:18:15 {How to Understand the Bible} What is your general advice on understanding Bible verses that we don't understand?
1:20:33 {Communion: How Frequent?} My dad thinks that the Lord's Supper should only be observed on Passover because when Jesus said "do this in remembrance of Me,” He meant Passover. Any evidence in Scripture for weekly communion?
1:25:06 {How to Help Victims of Abuse} I'm a new youth leader and we have teenagers who are severely abused at home. What messages do we focus on to help them? And what else can we do to help?
1:28:40 {Does God Command Murder?} What do you think of people that commit murder and then state, “God told me to do it”?
1:32:20 {Corporate vs. Individual Election} What are your thoughts on the idea of corporate election, as opposed to individual election?
1:35:22 {Is Jesus the Bible?} How should we biblically respond when someone says they believe Jesus IS the Torah or Jesus IS the Bible?
I take questions from the live chat, after the stream has begun. Start your question with "Q" and try to include one or two specific verse references if you have them. Due to the number of questions we get, I can't possibly answer them all, so I apologize if you send one in that doesn't get an answer. Doing the best I can. :)
https://BibleThinker.org
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