We can often live this life assuming our minds are not under attack. When this happens, we slip into the habit of not renewing our minds in the grace of God. We then sacrifice our bodies for pleasure and gratification instead of laying them down as sacrifices for our King. In this episode, Jon walks through Romans 12:1-2 explaining how we should renew our minds in the gospel and protect ourselves from Satan’s lies to draw us away.
Jon and Justin talk about mercy, grace, confession, and forgiveness in the church amongst the saints. The guys also consider that the holier and more mature Christians become, the more gentle, patient, and merciful they become.
Does too much grace lead to sin? Quite the opposite, actually. It is the preaching of Christ that leads to repentance. The right division of the law and the gospel–and the heralding of the mercy and grace of God–produces repentance in the saints. These things build a culture in a local church where it is safe to confess real sin. All of this fosters real sanctification. Jon and Justin talk about this on today’s episode.
Both men and women fall under the pressure of lustful thoughts. Sometimes we justify it or ignore its existence because it is common among humans. Lust robs us of the true joy of relationships and causes us to use other people for our gratification. In this episode, Jon explains where this comes from, how the Law exposes us to our sin, and how the gospel is the only way to freedom and joy.
If you listen to many in the church today, you would think that the purpose of the Christian life is abstinence from sin. Is that really it? Jon and Justin talk about what we are called to in the Christian life. Because of what Jesus has done, because we have rest, because we have been filled, we now go and serve and love. What does it mean to live as an ambassador of the kingdom of Christ? Why is it that we should seek to be spent for the cause of Christ?
Jon and Justin talk about getting up every day and continuing on in the fight. How do we do that? Then, the guys talk about sanctification--ways it has often been presented and what it is really about. It is a fun conversation, including a reference to an old hymn, “Stand Up for Jesus”!
Paul calls Christians to be “living sacrifices” (Rom 12:1). We celebrate missionaries who give their lives to evangelize cannibals, but why do we struggle to be compassionate to sinners in our own country? Namely, those who are gay and transgender. Both groups of people are equally under God’s wrath and need God’s grace. In today’s episode, Jon demonstrates from the Apostle Paul’s life how God’s grace can rescue anyone, including murderers, for his glory. Dying at the hands of sinners is what we are called to do so that the lost might find Christ (2 Tim 2:20).
Jon and Justin talk about their presumptions as preachers. What do they understand about themselves and about their people? How does this affect preaching? If we are sinner-saints, what do we need to hear when we gather on Sundays?
In today’s episode, Jon and Justin consider why it is that we can’t stop sinning. There has been debate about Romans 7 throughout the history of the church–as to whether Paul is writing as a Christian or not. (Disclaimer: It is our position that he is writing as a Christian.) The guys spend some time in the text of Romans 7 and then go on to consider the experience of sinner-saints in this fallen world. Truer words have never been written about the Christian experience than Romans 7.
When 1 John 1:9 calls us to confess our sins, how often can we confess the same sin? Why do we so often feel the need to cleanse ourselves before coming before God? What does boldness mean when Hebrews say to run to him? How is Jesus our sympathetic high priest? Jon helps the listener think biblically about their sin and how God cleanses our conscience to enjoy his love and rest.
For today’s episode, Jon and Justin are joined by Ken Jones (pastor of Glendale Baptist Church and host of Saints and Sinners Unplugged). The guys talk about the fact that Christians will sin–perhaps very badly for a really long time. What is the normal Christian experience? If we have been united to Christ and justified in him, how should we think about our battle against the corruption of our flesh? How can is it the church can be a safe place for sinners?
Jon and Justin discuss accountability and how it is often approached in the church.
Sin is far worse than we often think. The Bible teaches that we are all born with lusts, cravings, passions, and desires that are wrong. Jon and Justin talk about this robust understanding of sin and its implications.
Sin is far worse than we often think. The Bible teaches that we are all born with lusts, cravings, passions, and desires that are wrong. Jon and Justin talk about this robust understanding of sin and its implications.
Jon and Justin talk about preaching that leads to more despair and discouragement, rather than helping us in it.
There is a difference between unrepentant sin and struggling as a fallen person in a fallen world. How should we understand our own struggle and the struggle of other believers? And what does this mean for life together in the church?
There is a difference between unrepentant sin and struggling as a fallen person in a fallen world. How should we understand our own struggle and the struggle of other believers? And what does this mean for life together in the church?
What’s the Bible’s take immediate deliverance from a particular struggle with sin?
Answered by Patrick Crandall
What is the meaning of 1 John 5:16-17 and the sin that leads to death?
Answered by Jimmy Buehler
It is fair to say that all humans struggle with the problem of evil. If God is sovereign, why doesn’t he remove all the evil in this world? Why did he allow it in the first place? Can God truly be good if he has the power to stop evil but doesn’t? The harder you try to answer these questions, the more confused you will become. For thousands of years, humanity has wrestled with these questions.
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