168 SNS: Free Will... Concerning a Thought Found Missing in a Debate

This past week I came across a debate on free will. I’ll leave a link in the description area. As I was watching both sides present their case, there was one thing that I noticed to be lacking from either side. Something, that while not shocked by its absence, I was saddened by its absence. It is unfortunate that this was missing, but when mere points of view get argued over, it is often overlooked. What is this, that is what we are going to talk about. Here we go.

Links to:

The Free Will debate:

https://youtu.be/cfyOmkaDtMg?si=D_9w9cEg8-5ZNCyB

Mike Winger on Free Will: specifically question 2

https://youtu.be/nCba5AGffWM

John Lennox on Free Will: 2 different ones.

https://youtu.be/9N-E17d2SXA?si=a9IHsuOd_yN48nyt

https://youtu.be/Swx7z-esPBg?si=ZF87YqoJRy8HfAM0

Leighton Flowers on Fee Will:

https://youtu.be/fEVEZLa_4Xo?si=xQpmJK75y4pQU-wD

Tim Stratton on Free Will: https://youtu.be/s7r901-fd-w?si=OdNUoXSjlRMPPjmj

Scripture References:

Matthew 22:34-40 – The Greatest Commands ever given are to love God with our entire being and our neighbors and ourselves. The basis for all other commands.

John 14:15 – Jesus says that if we love him, we will keep his commands.

John 13:34,35 – A new command I give you, to love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

1 John 2:10,11 –whoever loves his brother lives in the light, and there is nothing in him to make him stumble. But whoever hates (does not love) his brother is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness; he does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded him.

1 John 4:20,21 –if we do not love our brothers, we cannot love God. And so, whoever loves God must also love his brother.

1 John 4:8 – the one who does not love, does not know God.

Luke 16:13 – we cannot love two masters. We must choose between the two, to love one and hate (not love) the other.

Ephesians 2:9 – God’s free gift.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. We have some wonderful drinkware at our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

167 SNS: Steps To Grow By

Welcome to our kitchen counter. The perfect place to enjoy some delicious conversation while sipping on some richly satisfying coffee. So, what are we chatting about this time? Steps we can take to grow in our genuine faith.

So, what steps can we take to grow and mature in our genuine faith, stop the doubts, and stop the occasional repeating of a sin? And I do think this is something to remember.

Scriptures Referenced:

Psalms 1:1, 2 – Blessed is the man…. Whose delight is in the Law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night.

John 5:39 – poring over Scripture and missing out on Jesus is a possibility.

Colossians 3:1, 2 – set your mind on things above, not earthly things.

Philippians 4:8, 9 – “Whatever is true, what is honorable, what is right, what is pure, what is lovely, what is admirable, if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think on these things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, put into practice. And the peace of God will be with you.”

Matthew 5:29, 30 – If your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. We have some wonderful drinkware at our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

Chapters:

00:00 – 01:02 – intro

01:03 – 06:21 – What is needed to grow a relationship

06:22 – 14:38 – Step 1 in growing a relationship

14:39 – 19:55– Step 2 in growing a relationship 1

9:56– 26:36– Step 3 in growing a relationship

26:37 – 27:51– Odds, Ends, & Conclusion

166 SNS: Genuine Faith, Doubts, & Failures

So, what are we chatting about this time?

Well, Alanpanameno9508 suggested we chat about genuine faith and how we can be genuine in faith, especially when we have doubts, which in part stem from repeating the same sins and an abuse of the Grace of God.

It’s a big topic and a most worthy one. I find many who have this same question. And I that is one of the first things we need to recognize; this is a common experience among Christians.

Authentic, genuine faith. What is it? As you know, we look at everything through the lens of what it means to be a Christian. And you know, I find our definition of this to be a perfect explanation. Genuine faith is a following of Jesus that involves a relationship with him, leading to studentship from him, leading to a life lived for him based on everything learned. This never has been a bunch of nice-sounding religious words. It is both authentic faith and how growth in that faith happens.

Scripture Referenced:

1 Timothy 1:15, 16 – Paul, the worst of sinners and the reason he was shown mercy. That Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who believe in him.

1 John 1:8, 9 - if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make God to be a liar, and his word is not in us.

Matthew 18:3 – unless we come to him like little children, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

John 13:33 – Jesus calls his disciples ‘little children’.

1 Corinthians 3:1 – Paul addresses the Corinthians as infants in Christ.

2 Corinthians 7:8-11 – Godly sorrow leads to repentance, leading to salvation (restoration of a relationship with him).

Hebrews 4:15 – Jesus our high priest who what tempted in every way we are but was without sin.

1 Corinthians 10:13 – No temptation seizes on you that is not one common to others. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, and he will provide an escape so you can stand up under it.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. We have some wonderful drinkware at our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!

Chapters:

00:00 – 00:28 – intro

00:29 – 03:13 – Genuine Faith, Doubts, Failures

03:14 – 7:36 – Jesus and little Children

07:37 – 08:20– Who removes Sin

08:21– 10:46– Genuine Faith Looks Like

10:47 – 14:07– Odds, Ends, & Conclusion

165 SNS: Authentic Faith vs Role Play

Welcome to our kitchen counter. The perfect place to enjoy some delicious conversation while sipping on some richly satisfying coffee. So, what are we chatting about this time? MMLzombie suggested that we talk about whether or not being judgmental is tantamount to being hypocritical, with pride playing a major role in both. And this arising from our discussion of Matthew 7:1-6 about 2 episodes ago. One entitled An Apology and God Telling Us Not To Judge.

Now, you might be thinking, “I guess this could be intriguing. I mean, how did you go from judgmental and hypocritical mixed with pride to authentic vs. role-playing?” Well, since you asked, here we go.

Scriptures referenced:

Matthew 5:20 – Unless our righteousness exceeds theirs, we will not enter heaven.

John 5:39 – You study the Scriptures diligently because you think in them you have eternal life… yet you refuse to come to me.

Passages where Jesus uses the words Hypocrite and Hypocrisy Matthew 6:2, 5, 16; 7:5; 15:7-9; 22:18; 23:13-29; Mark 7:1-8; 12:15; Luke 6:42; 12:1, 15, 56; 13:15

Matthew 5:22 – The passage about not calling a brother ‘Raca’ or fool.

Matthew 6:5 – Pharisees praying to show how righteous they are.

Matthew 6:16 – Pharisees making a physical display of fasting so others know how righteous they are.

1 John 4:20 – When we don’t love our brothers and sisters, we are liars and cannot love God.

1 Corinthians 13 – To lack love is to be obnoxious and gain nothing. It is to be rude, proud, and easily angered for love is none of this.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

If you like what you have seen, and would like a memento... or at least a coffee mug. We have some wonderful drinkware at our store on Spring.com.

If the comment box is missing below, click here to go to this episode’s home page, scroll to the bottom, and comment away!