The concept of predestination is a biblical word that has been debated among Christians, with different denominations and theologians holding various views on the matter. The Augustinian view, which emphasizes the absolute dependence of the fallen sinner on the grace of God, is one of the most influential perspectives on predestination. This view is held by many notable theologians, including Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin, and Edwards, who agree that God's choice regarding salvation is based solely on his good pleasure, without any consideration of human actions or decisions. [... more]

Solomon's life of emptiness and aimless living is contrasted with the plan of redemption through Jesus Christ, where the precious blood of Christ cleanses sin and makes us valuable to God. Peter's letter highlights the two approaches to God: human achievement and divine accomplishment, and emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in Jesus Christ to be redeemed. [... more]

Women are increasingly becoming the primary financial decision makers after inheriting wealth from their spouses, and with this responsibility comes the opportunity for wise and faithful stewardship. Sharon Epps, president of Kingdom Advisors, shares insights from research on Christian women's financial habits and generosity, highlighting the importance of clarity, confidence, and biblical understanding in making financial decisions. [... more]

Government was given to humanity by God as a means of restraining evil in a fallen world. Christians have a responsibility to engage in politics and vote for biblical policy, rather than just focusing on personality or party affiliation. The relationship between the church and state is complex, but Christians should strive to keep the cross above the flag, prioritizing their faith and values above political ideologies. [... more]

Cultivating spiritual intimacy is key to keeping love alive in marriage. Chip Ingram shares practical insights on how to develop this essential skill, drawing from biblical teachings and personal experiences. By focusing on God's design for marriage and choosing unconditional love, couples can build a deeper connection and navigate life's challenges together. [... more]

God's value system is vastly different from the world's, where people are often valued based on outward beauty, personal wealth, or accomplishment. In contrast, God values people based on their preciousness to Him, which is rooted in His love and redemption. This message explores the concept of redemption, the preciousness of human life, and the importance of faith and hope in God's plan for us. [... more]

In this episode Greg defines the terms wise and foolish as they are used in the Parable of The Ten Bridesmaids He also explains what the extra oil is and is not and how we obtain it He furthermore explains why Jesus' warning that only they that were ready went to the great marriage supper while the others were left behind is a very accurate and binding statement Jesus said what He meant and meant what He said And if in this text He did not mean what He said which is preposterous what other vital New Testament facts and [... more]

Alastair Begg explores the Bible's definition of genuine repentance, explaining why it's vital for our salvation. He examines the story of Joseph and his brothers, analyzing their expressions of remorse and whether they demonstrate a genuine change of heart or just a momentary experience of being found out. [... more]

Knowing God is more vital than getting what we want, and seeking Him is a relationship that requires surrender, confession, and assurance. We must choose to agree with God, adore Him, and affirm our relationship with Him through prayer, Bible reading, and worship. [... more]

The town of Bremerton, Washington, played a significant role in World War II as the site of the Bremerton Naval Yards, where the US Navy repaired and built ships, including those damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor. The yard's employees worked tirelessly to get the ships back into the fight, and their efforts were crucial to the American war effort. [... more]

Worship is a matter of the heart, and it's always costly, requiring sacrifice and obedience. Christians must come to God with clean hearts, confessing their sins and yielding to His will. The Bible teaches that worship involves the sacrifice of praise, which is a matter of the lips and heart, and that giving is also a form of worship. The discipline of worship encompasses elements such as invocation, singing hymns, reading scriptures, receiving offerings, and obeying leaders. Ultimately, worship is preparation for heaven, where we will sing endless praise to God. [... more]

God's calling is made known to each believer, and the book of Acts shows how he makes his calling known. The Bible is clear that God intends for His blessed Holy Spirit to inhabit the whole church, and that faithfulness in one responsibility leads to greater faithfulness in another. [... more]

God has a story to tell the universe of His love and redemption through Jesus Christ, but He also has a story to write in your life, a specific story to tell His story. Discovering your unique purpose in life is key to your own fulfillment and vital to the local church reaching its potential. [... more]

One of the most important passages in the New Testament is Jesus' teaching on the Vine and branches in John - How do we Christ's branches stay close to Him our Vine There is no surer or more direct way to maintain vital connection to our Vine than by simply giving Him thanks in the morning through the day and when we lay down to sleep The result A dynamic prayer life If you abide in remain in close touch with me and my words including the biblical call to 'give thanks' abide in you you shall ask what you [... more]

The Holy Spirit is the voice of Scripture, illuminating its meaning and creating faith in believers. He is the witness of Christ, uniting us to Him and applying His saving benefits. The Holy Spirit is also the glorifier of God, ensuring that our salvation is founded upon Christ alone and that every act of faith glorifies Him. Through the Spirit's work, we are transformed into the likeness of Christ and empowered to serve others with our gifts. [... more]

The greatest event in human history was when God came to earth in the form of a baby boy, Jesus Christ, who is both fully God and fully human, with a supernatural nature, sovereign nobility, and a saving name that means Jehovah saves, offering peace and salvation to all who trust in Him. [... more]

Pastor Greg Laurie teaches on the importance of prayer, using the Lord's Prayer as a model for effective prayer, emphasizing the need to come to God with a relationship, seeking His will, and extending forgiveness to others. He also discusses the power of prayer in changing situations and people, and the need to pray with other believers. [... more]

The Advent season is a time of hope and expectation, as we look forward to the coming of the Savior. Jesus is the ultimate fulfiller of all God's covenant promises, and his birth in Bethlehem brought light and salvation to the world. Through faith, we can inherit the covenant blessings that God has promised to Abraham and his descendants, and we can experience the love and forgiveness that comes from God. Jesus is the solution to the theological conundrum of the Old Testament, where God's guarantee of the covenant was dependent on human obedience. He is the God-man who keeps both sides of the covenant, upholding God's guarantee and fulfilling Abraham's obligations. In Him, we are secure in the covenant love of God forever, and we can experience the fullness of God's blessings and promises. [... more]

Dr. Gary Chapman discusses the five characteristics of a healthy family, including an attitude of service, emotional intimacy, teaching and training children, obedience, and loving leadership. He emphasizes the importance of parents modeling these traits and teaching children by words and actions, rather than just verbalizing expectations. [... more]

Greg explores further the most vital subject of thanksgiving This message explains how thanksgiving sets us apart from unthankful people - and Christians - and fits us for deeper fellowship with God and more fruitfulness in his service When Jesus healed ten lepers only one returned to give Him thanks - and he wasn't even a child of God Are you am I learning to give God thanks in everything as Paul teaches and especially as this example teaches when we receive special blessings from God [... more]

A healthy family is built on the foundation of service, intimacy, and mutual respect. Dr. Gary Chapman shares the five fundamentals of a healthy family, including an attitude of service, intimacy between husband and wife, and the importance of teaching children what it means to be part of a healthy family. He emphasizes the need for families to prioritize their relationships and work together to build a strong and loving home. [... more]

Jesus' birth in Bethlehem fulfilled over 300 specific prophecies in the Hebrew scriptures about the promised Messiah. He came to show us the Father, to satisfy the prophecies of the Old Testament, and to save us from our sin by becoming a God-man who could pay the penalty for our sins on the cross. [... more]

Paul's letter to the Philippians emphasizes the concept of saints as separated ones unto God, emphasizing that every Christian has been set apart by faith in Christ. The letter highlights the importance of understanding and experiencing the extravagant grace of God, which is available to all believers regardless of their circumstances. [... more]

The Christian life is rooted in the foundational gospel truths of the Reformation, specifically the five solas: Scripture alone, faith alone, grace alone, Christ alone, and to God alone be the glory. These solas reveal the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge, and the plan of salvation is from God, through God, and to God, ultimately glorifying Him. [... more]

Christ is the main point of the Bible, and the whole Bible testifies to him. The Reformation emphasized Christ alone as the mediator between God and humanity, and the Holy Spirit applies Christ's saving work to those who hear the gospel. Through faith, believers can experience the power of the gospel for salvation, and Christ's blood cries out for forgiveness and cleansing, making it possible for people to draw near to God without fear. [... more]

The Reformation's foundational gospel truths, particularly Sola Fide, emphasize that salvation is through faith alone, not works or performance. This doctrine is rooted in scripture and has been a cornerstone of Christian theology, providing comfort and assurance to believers. However, some interpretations, such as John Piper's two-stage salvation model, have been criticized for undermining the true meaning of Sola Fide and introducing a performance-based relationship with God. [... more]

God's promise to Abraham is a vivid portrayal of grace, and it's this promise that reveals God's power to bring life from death. Through Scripture alone, we understand the gospel and the power of God's grace, which is revealed in the lives of believers. The gospel is an instrument by which the Holy Spirit unites us to Christ and brings us to life, and it's this living, life-changing encounter with the living God that we must strive for in our Christian life. [... more]

The purpose of Scripture is to reveal to us Christ, only Christ for salvation, no one else. The Bible is a book of salvation, and since salvation is through Christ, the Bible focuses our attention solely upon Christ. Christ alone is the only mediator between God and man, and it is by Christ alone that our sins are taken away, that we have righteousness before God, and that we have reconciliation with God the Father. [... more]

The Reformation's foundational gospel truths, the five solas, are revisited to understand their significance in the Christian life. Sola scriptura, scripture alone, is the final authority for the church, providing assurance of God's love and salvation through faith in Christ. [... more]

Pastor Jack Hibbs teaches on the importance of standing strong in faith, using God's Word as a sword against spiritual hosts, and the need to study and apply the Bible in our battles. He shares a message from 1 Samuel 11, highlighting the enemy's defeat in our offerings to God and the power of divine hope and righteousness. [... more]

The biblical doctrine of predestination has puzzled Christians for generations, balancing God's sovereignty with personal responsibility. Paul's teaching in Romans 9 reveals life-changing truth that brings comfort in trials and motivation for godly living, emphasizing God's perfect character, specific responsibility, and consistent plan. [... more]

Chuck Swindahl breaks down the doctrine of predestination in Romans chapter 9, exploring God's sovereign choice, the perfect character of God, and the implications for salvation and election, highlighting the importance of understanding God's plan and character in the Christian faith. [... more]

Pastors are under attack spiritually every day, carrying the burden of their congregation's struggles. They need our prayer, encouragement, and support to stay strong in their faith. During Pastor Appreciation Month, it's essential to show our appreciation for these dedicated leaders and their families. [... more]

The Bible repeatedly calls us to humble ourselves Are we responding Do we realize just how much God despises pride Do we know why He does so Well this episode discloses these vital truths and many more and gives us clear practical instructions as to how we may deal with our pride and grow in Christlike humility In the Q A segment Greg answers a very timely question posed concerning events in the Middle East and how we should see them in light of God's promises and prophecies to the Jewish people [... more]

Living a victorious Christian life requires making room for God's presence and worship, and being willing to sacrifice for Him. Pastor Jack Hibbs teaches from the book of First Samuel, highlighting the importance of worship and dependence on God, and how it can lead to a life of victory and blessing. [... more]

A husband's role in the family is not just to provide financially, but to lead and serve as a servant leader, taking responsibility for his family's physical, spiritual, and emotional needs. A wife's empowerment comes from trusting God to provide room for her husband to step up and lead, rather than taking on all the responsibilities herself. [... more]

Jackie Robinson's journey to desegregate Major League Baseball was marked by incredible challenges, including verbal abuse, physical threats, and racial slurs. Despite these obstacles, Robinson persevered, relying on his strong faith and the support of his wife, Rachel, and his teammates. With his impressive skills on the field and his commitment to his values, Robinson became a trailblazer for African-American players in baseball, paving the way for future generations. [... more]

The story of Clarence Smoyer, a tank gunner in World War II, who fought in some of the war's most pivotal battles, including the Battle of Cologne and the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket. His experiences and those of his fellow soldiers are told through the book 'Spearhead' by Adam Makos. Meanwhile, a national awareness initiative called Blue Campaign provides resources to help recognize and report suspected instances of human trafficking, a vulnerability that can exploit children's isolation during the back-to-school season. [... more]

Work is not just a job, but a vital part of how we worship God and serve others, according to Pastor Tom Nelson. He joins Faith and Finance to discuss the biblical understanding of work, work as worship, and how God's design for work can transform us and our communities. From the original creation to the new creation, Pastor Nelson unpacks the four-chapter biblical story of work and how it can be a powerful tool for redemption in the workplace. [... more]

The Bible teaches that humanity is alienated from God due to sin, and that this alienation is reflected in our broken world and individual lives. The gospel provides the solution to this problem, offering reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ, who bore the punishment for our sins and offers forgiveness and new life. [... more]