God requires faith and trust in Christ for the benefits of his death to be ours. The story of Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac illustrates the depth of trust required, as he rises early to fulfill God's command, even when it seems impossible. [... more]

The brother of Jesus, James, emphasizes the importance of keeping promises and not swearing oaths, as it recognizes God's authority and acknowledges His omnipresence. He stresses that true faith is demonstrated through works and that breaking promises can lead to pain and consequences. [... more]

The Bible promises a glorious future in heaven where believers will see God as he is, experience eternal joy, and live in a world without sorrow, pain, or death. The beatific vision is a direct and immediate apprehension of the invisible God, and it's a promise that will be fulfilled in heaven. The description of heaven in the Bible includes streets of gold, gates of pearls, and a city that shines with the radiance of God's glory. [... more]

The Psalms are a treasure that provide us with language to communicate with God, celebrating God's character, works, and goodness. Psalm 145 is a marvelous example of an alphabetical psalm, praising God's greatness, mercy, and love, and highlighting the universality of God's love and mercy. The psalmist's enthusiasm for God's works and character is contagious, and the psalm serves as a fitting conclusion to the Psalter, emphasizing the importance of personal and communal worship. [... more]

The book of Psalms is a treasure that gives us language to express our emotions to God, and many Psalms point us to Christ. Psalm 127, written by Solomon, is a reflection on the blessing of God's people, emphasizing that all labors will amount to nothing if the Lord is not working for us and in us and with us. The psalm celebrates the blessing of children, the defense of the family, and the prosperity and protection of the city, ultimately pointing forward to Jesus as the true fulfillment of everything that had been pointed to and anticipated in all that had been said about the king. [... more]

One of the greatest treasures of the gospel is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit Today Derek Thomas invites Christians to revel in the glorious hope that the Spirit brings Get R C Sproul's commentary on Romans and Derek Thomas' video teaching series on Romans with your donation You'll receive the book the DVD digital access to all messages and the digital study guide https gift renewingyourmind org Live outside the U S and Canada Request the ebook digital teaching series and digital study guide with your donation https www renewingyourmind org global Meet Today's Teacher Derek Thomas is a [... more]

The Christian is alive, living for God, and at peace, with the Holy Spirit guiding their thoughts and actions. The Bible teaches that a true work of God is evident in a person's mindset, with the Holy Spirit's thoughts and priorities becoming their own. As believers grow in Christ, they develop a pattern of responding to the gospel and defaulting to spiritual thoughts, revealing their true identity in Jesus. [... more]

A homeless man named Ted is given $100,000 and documents his spending and financial decisions, revealing the challenges of managing sudden wealth and the difficulties of overcoming personal demons and societal expectations. [... more]

The gospel is Trinitarian in origin and shape, involving the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Romans 8 is a reminder that in Jesus Christ, we are children of God, and we are heirs, and we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. There is no condemnation and no possibility of separation from his love. [... more]

The Bible teaches that hell is a place of eternal punishment, where the wicked will be actively punished by God. The concept of hell is often misunderstood, with some thinking it's simply separation from God, but it's actually separation from God's grace, care, and love. The Bible also teaches that there are degrees of punishment in hell, with those who have committed multiple offenses receiving a greater punishment. The doctrine of annihilationism, which suggests that the wicked will be annihilated rather than punished eternally, is also discussed. [... more]

Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas engaged in a series of debates in 1858 that would shape the course of American history. The debates centered on the issue of slavery and the principles of democracy, with Lincoln arguing that slavery was morally wrong and Douglas advocating for popular sovereignty. The debates made Lincoln a national figure and set him on the path to the presidency, while also defining the American experiment as the pursuit of natural rights embodied in the Declaration of Independence. [... more]

The portrayal of Satan in modern culture is vastly different from the biblical depiction, where he is described as the angel of light, a roaring lion, and a formidable opponent. Christians must be aware of the reality of Satan's power and influence, but also avoid overestimating his abilities, lest they fall into the error of attributing divine powers to a creature. [... more]

The struggle between the flesh and the spirit is a central theme in Christianity, as exemplified by the life of Aurelius Augustine, who was converted by a passage that spoke directly to the conflict in life between the flesh and the spirit. The Bible teaches that the flesh refers to the old fallen nature, and that to be carnally minded is death, while to be spiritually minded is life and peace. [... more]

Jesus taught that Christians should not retreat from the world, but rather live in it while being preserved from evil. The Bible calls for non-conformity to the world's standards, but not for the sake of being different, rather to be transformed by the renewal of one's mind and to live a life of excellence, going beyond the structures and systems of the present world. [... more]

Robert E. Lee, a complex and beloved general, made a decision that would alter the course of his life and history. He rejected command of the Union Army and resigned from the military, citing his inability to raise his sword against his native state of Virginia. However, Lee's decision was not as straightforward as it seemed, and he was motivated by a desire to preserve his family's property and protect his relatives in Virginia. Lee's military strategy was to plunge the Army of Virginia deep into the North to sow chaos and undermine the Union's will to fight. He crossed the Potomac and marched his army northwards, but his plan was foiled by the Federal Army's determination and tenacity. The Battle of Gettysburg was a pivotal moment in the Civil War, and Lee's defeat marked a turning point in the conflict. Despite his military setbacks, Lee remained a respected and admired leader, and his legacy continues to be debated and studied by historians today. [... more]

The pursuit of righteousness is a central theme in the Christian life, with Jesus emphasizing the importance of exceeding the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees. Dr. Sprohl explores the concept of righteousness, discussing its relationship to faith, justification, and sanctification, and highlighting the dangers of external religiosity and the need for authentic obedience to God's commands. [... more]

The Christian life is about living in the presence of God, under His authority, and to His honor and glory. It requires perseverance and faithfulness, pressing beyond plateaus and obstacles to seek the kingdom of God. This lifelong pursuit is the chief business of the Christian, and it involves coming under the discipline of someone more mature, seeking to please God and honor Him in all aspects of life. [... more]

Coming to the throne of grace, we find mercy and help in time of need. As children of God, we have instantaneous access to His presence, and He provides exactly what we need, whether it's comfort, forgiveness, or encouragement. The Heavenly Father's love and goodness are undeserving, and He desires continuous fellowship and conversation with us, making our relationship with Him the most satisfying and contenting experience in life. [... more]

Jesus warns people about the day of judgment, where God will hold everyone accountable for their actions, and only those who have done the will of God will enter heaven. The Bible teaches that our lives count and that we will be judged by the standards of God's sacred will. Jesus emphasizes that every idle word and every intentional word will be brought into the judgment, and that our works will be the basis for our reward or punishment. [... more]

The parable of the talents teaches that Christians are stewards of the gifts and abilities God has given them, and they must be productive and faithful in their use. The master's return will bring an accounting of how each servant has managed the talents entrusted to them, and those who have been faithful and productive will be rewarded, while those who have been lazy and unfaithful will be punished. [... more]