Marked by Grace

Heath Lambert explores a profound theological question: Does the doctrine of total depravity still apply to believers after salvation? Discover what Scripture teaches about our sinful nature before Christ and the transformative power of regeneration.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction and today's theological question0:48 What is total depravity? Defining the doctrine2:18 Biblical foundation: Romans 8:7-8 and our natural state3:24 Total depravity, salvation, and the Christian life5:13 The answer: 2 Corinthians 5:17 and new creation theologyKEY POINTS:- Total depravity means sin affects every aspect of our being, not that we're as evil as possible- In our natural state, we cannot please God or respond to Him properly (Romans 8:7-8)- This doctrine explains why we need salvation through Jesus Christ- Christians are no longer "totally depraved" after salvation- While believers still struggle with sin, they are fundamentally changed (2 Corinthians 5:17)- Christians are no longer bound to sin but are being progressively sanctified- The theological distinction between pre-salvation nature and post-salvation nature is crucialSubmit your questions for future episodes to markedbyGrace@fbcjax.comSCRIPTURE REFERENCES:Romans 8:7-8 - "The mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God's law, indeed it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."

If Jesus was born of a virgin and had no human father, yet was fully human and male, where did His Y chromosome come from? Discover how this scientific question illuminates the miracle of the Incarnation.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction to Marked by Grace podcast0:18 Today's question: Where did Jesus get His Y chromosome?0:46 Three realities to understand this question0:52 Reality #1: What is a Y chromosome?1:26 The biological necessity of Y chromosomes in males1:55 Reality #2: Jesus was fully human and male2:34 Reality #3: Jesus was born of a virgin2:39 Matthew 1:18 - The virgin conception2:58 Matthew 1:22-23 - Fulfillment of prophecy3:11 The biological dilemma explained3:50 Answer: The miracle of the virgin birth4:22 Comparison to Adam's creation4:51 Greater miracles of the Incarnation5:06 The ultimate purpose: salvation for sinnersKEY POINTS:- Y chromosomes are genetic material that determines maleness and are passed from father to son- As a biological male, Jesus must have had a Y chromosome- Scripture clearly teaches Jesus had no human father (Matthew 1:18-23)- The Y chromosome was miraculously provided by God as part of the virgin birth- This miracle parallels God's creation of Adam, who also had no biological parents- The greater miracle is not the biological aspect but that God took on human flesh- The ultimate purpose of the Incarnation was salvation for undeserving sinnersSubmit your questions for future episodes to markedbyGrace@fbcjax.comSCRIPTURE REFERENCES:Matthew 1:18 - "The birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way: when his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit."Matthew 1:22-23 - "This took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel.'"

Heath Lambert addresses a sensitive pastoral qualification question: Does having an adult child who identifies as homosexual or enters a same-sex marriage disqualify someone from pastoral ministry? Learn what Scripture teaches about pastoral qualifications and family responsibility.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction to Marked by Grace podcast0:12 Today's question: Do homosexual kids disqualify a pastor?0:36 Context and clarification of the question1:03 Understanding the intersection of pastoral qualifications and family issues1:38 First principle: Pastors are disqualified for their sins, not others'2:17 Biblical basis: 1 Timothy 3:4-5 on managing households2:40 Reference to previous episode (January 20) on related topic2:55 Adult children vs. children in the home - important distinction3:29 How we should evaluate a pastor with an adult child in a homosexual relationship4:01 What actually matters: How did the pastor raise the child?4:27 The importance of the pastor's current response - truth and love4:50 Reference to other episodes addressing complex family situations5:09 Conclusion: Adult children's sins don't disqualify pastorsKEY POINTS:- Scripture doesn't require pastors to keep their adult children sin-free- Pastors are evaluated on how they manage their household, not on controlling adult children's choices- The distinction between children living at home and adult children is biblically significant- A pastor's response to an adult child's sin should balance truth and love- The same principles apply to homosexuality as to any other sin in an adult child's life- Pastoral qualification depends on the pastor's faithfulness, not on their adult children's actionsSubmit your questions for future episodes to markedbyGrace@fbcjax.comSCRIPTURE REFERENCES:1 Timothy 3:4-5 - "He [the pastor] must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, and if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?"

Pastor Heath Lambert explores whether those recovering from addiction should count their days, months, or years of sobriety. With wisdom from Hebrews 13:9, he examines how tracking "clean time" can either support or potentially undermine true grace-centered recovery.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction to Marked by Grace podcast0:30 Today's question: Should addicts keep track of their clean time?0:38 Context: Question from someone recovering from pornography addiction1:08 Cultural practice of tracking sobriety time1:27 Why we naturally notice the absence of addiction2:14 Important perspective on tracking clean time2:47 Biblical insight from Hebrews 13:94:04 The risks of tracking clean time4:10 Risk #1: Pride and boasting about sobriety4:57 Risk #2: Making clean time equivalent to victory5:41 The essential difference between clean time and grace6:35 The power of grace vs. the metric of clean time6:49 Conclusion: Balance and wise perspectiveKEY POINTS:- Tracking sobriety isn't inherently wrong but carries potential spiritual risks- Scripture teaches that our hearts should be "strengthened by grace, not by foods" (Hebrews 13:9)- Pride can attach to long periods of sobriety, making it harder to be honest when struggling- Overemphasizing clean time can lead to devastating discouragement after a relapse- True recovery is measured by dependence on Christ's grace, not just time without the addiction- Even after a relapse, 1 John 1:9 promises complete forgiveness through confessionSubmit your questions for future episodes to markedbygrace@fbcjax.comSCRIPTURE REFERENCES:Hebrews 13:9 - "It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods"1 John 1:9 - "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"

On this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath Lambert addresses a challenging question: Is it biblical for Christians to threaten legal action against fellow believers? Discover what 1 Corinthians 6 teaches about resolving conflicts within the church and why both suing AND threatening to sue violates Scripture's clear teaching.TIMESTAMPS:0:00 Introduction to Marked by Grace podcast0:17 Today's question: Should Christians threaten to sue other Christians?1:02 What does 1 Corinthians 6 say about Christians suing Christians?2:29 The specific question about threatening lawsuits3:00 A powerful analogy about ungodly threats4:38 The biblical conclusion on threatening legal action5:26 God's better way for Christians to resolve conflictsKEY POINTS:- Scripture clearly forbids Christians from taking other believers to court (1 Corinthians 6:1-6)- Christians are called to settle disputes among themselves using godly wisdom- Threatening an ungodly action (like a lawsuit) to get what you want is itself sinful- Pastor Heath shares real examples of pastors threatening to sue other Christians- God has provided better ways for conflict resolution through ChristSubmit your questions for future episodes to markedbyGrace@fbcjax.comSCRIPTURE REFERENCES:- 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 - Christians should resolve disputes within the church- The Sixth Commandment (Exodus 20:13) - "You shall not murder"- The Seventh Commandment (Exodus 20:8) - "You shall not commit adultery"If you found this teaching helpful, please LIKE this video, SUBSCRIBE to our channel, and SHARE with someone who needs biblical guidance on conflict resolution!

Pastor Heath Lambert addresses whether it's biblically acceptable for Christians to intentionally avoid or exclude other believers, particularly in everyday interactions like greeting one another.Key Points- Christians live in an increasingly "graceless" culture that normalizes cutting people off- Scripture commands us to "aim for restoration" (2 Corinthians 13:11)- While complete restoration isn't always possible, Christians are called to maintain basic courtesy- Jesus acknowledges the reality of enemies but commands us to love them (Matthew 5:43-44)- Even greeting those we dislike distinguishes Christian behavior (Matthew 5:47-48)While Christians may have enemies, we aren't permitted to be enemies. Basic courtesies like greetings should be extended even in difficult relationships.Questions for future episodes? Email: markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Pastor Heath Lambert addresses whether someone with a history of abuse can serve in pastoral ministry, examining three key background issues that inform this complex question.Key Points- Biblical qualifications for pastors include being "above reproach" (Titus 1:6-7) and "well thought of by outsiders" (1 Timothy 3:7)- The importance of careful definition and evidence in abuse cases- The relationship between forgiveness and consequences: while Christ offers forgiveness (1 John 1:9), some past actions may disqualify from pastoral ministry- The need for churches to maintain both biblical truth and proper investigation processes- The distinction between eternal forgiveness and pastoral qualificationBottom LineWhile Christ offers complete forgiveness for all sin, certain past actions may permanently disqualify someone from pastoral leadership, even after genuine repentance.Questions for future episodes? Email: markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Pastor Heath Lambert addresses whether the Book of Genesis should be understood as actual history. Drawing from his current sermon series through Genesis at First Baptist, he explains why Genesis should be read as historical narrative rather than myth or allegory.Key Points- Genesis presents itself as historical narrative from beginning to end- The text provides no markers to separate myth from history- Jesus referenced Adam and Eve as historical figures (Matthew 19:4-6)- The apostles, including Paul, treated Genesis events as historical fact- Extraordinary events at creation would naturally have extraordinary tellings- The challenge isn't the text's credibility, but our tendency toward independent thinking over biblical thinkingQuestions for future episodes? Email: markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

Pastor Heath Lambert addresses whether Christians who disagree publicly must seek personal reconciliation. Drawing from Scripture, he explains the important distinction between handling personal sin and addressing public false teaching.Key Points- Matthew 18:15 guides us on handling personal sin through private conversation- Titus 1:9 commands teachers to publicly address false teaching- Public error requires public correction- Private reconciliation shouldn't be used to avoid addressing doctrinal concernsConnect With UsQuestions for future episodes? Email: markedbygrace@fbcjax.com

In this episode of Marked by Grace, Pastor Heath answers the question, "What Is Dignity & Can You Lose It?"