Synopsis A friend of mine recently read a statement on Wikipedia regarding Calvinism, and I quote, “One person is saved while another is condemned, not because of a foreseen willingness, faith, or any other virtue in the first person, but because God sovereignly chose to have mercy on him.” He brought the statement to my attention and asserted that this was one major reason in his objection to Calvinism as a system, because – according to his interpretation of scripture – this is directly opposed to “clear bible teaching”. I asked him to provide me an example of “clear Bible teaching”...
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A friend recently asked me this question after reading through The Roman Road: A Well-Engineered Path to Salvation. It's a fantastic question and gave me reason to write down my understanding of how they work out. Synopsis Let us begin by looking at the text at hand. First, Romans 10:9 – "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Second, Matthew 7:21 – "“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father...
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Erik Weihenmayer is blind, yet on May 25, 2001, he reached the peak of Mt. Everest. Suffering from a degenerative eye disease, he lost his sight when he was 13, but that didn't stop him. On a mountain where 90% of the climbers never make it to the top – and 165 have died trying since 1953 – Erik succeeded, in large measure because he listened well. He listened to a little bell tied to the back of the climber in front of him, so he would know what direction to go. He listened to the voice of teammates who would shout back to him, "Death fall two feet to your right!" so he would know...
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You doubtless remember many figures from history, Socrates, Plato, Albert Einstein, George Washington, the list goes on. These individuals, who influenced nations or impacted the world, are remembered because of the impact that of their lives. Jesus, who more than any one other person changed the face of world history, is remembered not so much for His life but for His death! Why do you suppose that is? Why is Christ's death any more interesting than Socrates, or Plato, or Einstein, or Mr. Washington's? What does the bible mean when it states that He died for our sins? What did His death really...
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A missionary working with children in the Middle East was driving her jeep down a road when she ran out of gas. She had no gas can in her car. All she could find was a potty chair. She walked a mile down the road and filled the pot with gas. As she was pouring the gas into the tank of her jeep, a large Cadillac occupied by wealthy oil sheikhs drew up. They were absolutely fascinated to see her pouring the contents of the pot into the jeep. One of them opened his window and said, "My friend and I, although we do not share your religion, we greatly admire your faith!" Some people see becoming...
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My name is Rob Hines, and I am a sinner. Just in case you didn't know it, you are all sinners as well! Oh, I can see what the majority of you are thinking right now, it's written all over your faces.
"Who is this young wiper snapper coming in here and telling me I'm a sinner. Hear that southern accent! must be one of them hell fire and brimstone teachers. Well, I'm here to tell you that I don't sin! I'm a Christian!"
Or perhaps there are some of you who are sitting there thinking, "I'm not into this "Christian" movement, I'm a good person, I don't really have anything to do with this whole...
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Today we are going to review a passage from First Corinthians, but before we do so we will quickly review why Paul wrote this letter. The city of Corinth was at the heart of a primary trade route in the ancient world. Like many cities that thrive on trade, Corinth had a reputation for sexual immorality, religious diversity, and corruption. The church that Paul planted there (Acts 18) floundered under all of these influences and began to divide over various issues. First Corinthians addresses many of the practical questions dividing the church—questions concerning such things as spiritual...
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Hate is perhaps too strong a word, yet dislike doesn’t quite capture the feeling either, let us go with hate. For the last thirty some odd years, January 8 has continued to be the single most depressing day of the year. It’s the day that demonstrates the past year wasn’t the one, and just maybe, perhaps, next year will be. However, statistical analysis of the previous thirty years demonstrates that is will not be and really, why continue hoping that it will be?
You are wondering what I’m talking about, right? “Will be what?” is on the tips of your lips. Unless, of course, you have...
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George Washington, our nation's first president and leader of the American Revolution!
Abe Lincoln, our most honorable leader pull our nation through its darkest time!
Alexander Hamilton, founding father, first secretary of the treasure and leader of the constitutional convention!
Andrew Jackson, "Old Hickory " fought the British in New Orleans !
Ulysses Grant, Union army general, lead the North through the Civil War!
Ben Franklin, Genius inventor, political theorist and leading author of the constitution.
Finally, we have someone to put on the food...
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There is a humorous old tale that speaks of a man who died and upon arriving in heaven faced the angel Gabriel at heaven's gates. The angel said, "Here's how it works. You need a hundred points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you have done, and I will give a certain number of points for each of them. The more good there is in the work that you cite, the more points you will get for it. When you get to a hundred points, you get in." "Okay," the man said, "I was married to the same woman for fifty years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."...
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