When it comes to relationships, we need to know not only what will build one, so we can do those things, but also what will harm one, so we can avoid hurting the relationship we want. Right? So too with Jesus. What harms a relationship with him? Sin. So we kind of need to know what it is, do we not? So what is sin?

Scripture References: To see the full listing, click the button below to go to the transcript page.

For the discount for my book, click the link below.

Also check these links out.

Since we are followers of Jesus, it might be good to know who he is. In this video, we explore a framework you can use as you pursue your relationship with him and learn who he is.

The Books Mentioned:

The Attributes of God vol. 1 by A.W. Tozer

The Attributes of God vol. 2 by A.W. Tozer

Scripture References: To see the full listing, click the button below to go to the transcript page.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger, Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

So what are we going to talk about this time? Since Christianity is about a relationship with Jesus, it occurred to me that it might be a good idea to talk about a way in which to grow this relationship.

So that is what we are going to talk about today. Getting to know Jesus through the privilege of prayer and reading the Bible. Have you ever thought of Prayer and Bible reading in this way? Simply as a means of getting to know God?

The Books Mentioned:

Hearing God by Dallas Willard

With Christ in the School of Prayer by Andrew Murray

Scripture References: To see the full listing, click the button below to go to the transcript page.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger, Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

What weighty matter are we going to talk about this time? Well, if I were to phrase this as a question, it would be, “What is love?”

Now before you say, “Oh, great. Here we go with a bunch of sentimental mush.”

That is exactly why we need to talk about it. Is love, as Jesus understood it, just an emotion? Or is it something more? And why is it important to know?

Scripture References: To see the full listing, click the button below to go to the transcript page.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger, Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

To grow our faith, we kind of need to know what it is. I mean, if we say we are Christians, we ought to know what we are claiming to be. So, “What does it mean to be a Christian?”
I think that, at its most basic level, being a Christian is being a follower of Jesus. Now, before you say, “Well, thank you, Capt. Obvious.” Granted.

           But…

Scripture References: To see the full listing, click the button below to go to the transcript page.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger, Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

In this episode, we are going to talk about the joy and benefits of growing up in our faith, in our relationship with God. I mean, it’s one thing to know we need to grow, as we talked about last time, but it is also nice to know what will come from all that growth, right? I mean, how we benefit from it all, not that this is ever to be our focus, but it is nice to know all the same. And, Jesus is kind enough to let us know what those benefits are.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger, Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

Indeed, Jesus loves us, and He wants us to grow and become strong, mature adults. He wants us to be more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

In thinking about Jesus’ human nature, the first thing that came to my mind is that he was sinless. He had a sinless human nature. Now, is there anyone else mentioned in the Bible who has ever had a sinless nature? Would it surprise you that there are two people mentioned? Adam and Eve were sinless originally, before making that first and fatal choice to sin and fall. Yes, Adam and Eve sinned; they fell. Yet, before that, they were sinless. Why is this important? Well, let’s explore this.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

Also, because it is so complex, I have broken this chat into a three-part series. This, the first part, will be an introduction to this topic. In part two, we will talk about Jesus’ human nature. Then, in part three, we will talk about his divine nature. Enjoy.

Nabeel Qureshi's book: Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus

Links:

John Lenox Video

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

I know it’s been a little while since I have posted anything. Sometimes life, its ups and downs get in the way of things.

So anyway, I’ve been thinking about something from our last video, Art, Creativity, and Christian Faith. In that video, I talked about how we were to honor God with our use of his gift of creativity. So, what does it mean to honor God with our creative gifts? How do we honor God? Well, that’s what we are going to talk about.

Scriptures Referenced:

James 2:14 - Faith without works is dead.

Matthew 23:23 - Woe to the scribes and Pharisees, the hypocrites, the play pretenders, the actors.

Philippians 2:12 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling

1 Thessalonians 5:21 - Test all things..

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

The other day, I was talking with TEAforTheology, and he suggested this topic. I must confess I find this topic a bit daunting. It is very large and encompasses so much ground. Indeed, it is too large for any one chat, so this will be an ongoing series within the Coffee-Side Chat series.

So, where to begin? First, I think we will establish the basis for creativity, its origins, and motivations as seen through the lens of what it means to be a Christian. Once this is sorted, we will have a firm basis for any and all future discussions about art, creativity, and Christian faith. Without this basis, art and creativity could be discussed, but not as they interrelate with God and our faith, our relationship with him.

Scriptures Referenced:

Matthew 22:34 – 40 – the two greatest commands ever given and that they are the basis for every other one.

Ecclesiastes 9:10 – Whatever you find to do with your hands, do it with all your might.

Colossians 3:1-23 – These give good context to whatever you do in word or deed, do unto the Lord, in the name of the Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:31 – Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God.

Ephesians 6:6, 7 – Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men.

Matthew 7:12 – Do unto others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

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

Mike Winger on Free Will: specifically question 2

John Lennox on Free Will: the first one.

John Lennox on Free Will: the second one.

Leighton Flowers on Fee Will:

Tim Stratton on Free Will:

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!

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

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

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

This past week, I have enjoyed being in disagreement with a couple of folks. Enjoying disagreement? Yes. Well, not the fact that we disagreed, but in how we dealt with it. Let me explain. And this explanation does come from looking at disagreements through the lens of what it means to be a Christian.

Also, I am speaking of Christians disagreeing with other Christians when discussing what the Bible teaches. I am addressing Christians who are honestly pursuing a maturing relationship with Christ. The concern is how we disagree with each other. Topics such as disagreeing with heresies, atheism, or anything other than the above-stated concern are beyond the scope of what is being addressed.

Thank you for understanding.

Scriptures Referenced:

Mark 3:33 - 35 – “Jesus asks who are my mother and brothers…. Whoever does God’s will is my brother, sister, and mother.” We are God’s family.

Also seen in the following passages.

1 Peter 4:17  - we are called the family of God.

Galatians 6:10 – the family of faith.

Ephesians 2:19 – we are members of God’s household.

John 13:34 – love each other as Jesus has loved us.

John 17:11, 22 – that we be one as Jesus is with the Father.

1 Corinthians 13:9, 10 – We know in part and teach in par but …. The partial passes away….

John 7:24. Jesus is telling those who, through following their religious practices, were angry with Jesus for healing a man on the Sabbath. “Stop judging by appearances and see what is going on. To judge correctly that this is God working.”

1 Corinthians 14:29 – weighing carefully what is said.

1 Thessalonians 5:21 – test all things and hold on to what is good.

James 1:5 – If anyone lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives freely to all men.

John 16:13 – The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, will guide you into all truth.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

What are we chatting about this time? First, an apology and then a new consideration of God telling us not to judge, and finally, an interesting thought that I had along the way. One I’d dearly love to hear your thoughts about. Here we go.

So, in this episode, we are going to kick this around while viewing it through the lens of what it means to be a Christian. Which is a following of Jesus the Christ, that involves a relationship, leading to studentship from him, leading to a life lived for him based on everything he teaches. And, as always, all Scripture referenced will be listed in the description area for you to check out.

Scripture Referenced:

Matthew 7;1 - 5 - Jesus telling us not to judge, and to take the plank out our our eye.

John 17:11-26 – That we may be one even as he had the Father are one.

Matthew 7:12 – Do unto others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Matthew 22: 34 – 40 – Two greatest commands and how all the Law and Prophets based on these.

1 John 2:9 – 11 If we love we live in the light, if we do not, we are in darkness, and do not know where we are going because the darkness has blinded them

1 John 3: 14, 15 if no love, than remain in death, and are a murder.

1 John 4:7 – 12 if we do not love others we do not know God.

Matthew 5:43 – 48 – Love our enemies.

Romans 8:34 – Jesus alone can condemn us.

1 Corinthians 14:29 – Weigh every thing carefully.

Matthew 7:6 – The dogs and swine verse.

Romans 8:34 – Jesus alone can condemn us.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg

Hello,

Welcome to the Simple Not Shallow Podcast. Still coming to you from the hallowed halls of Mykitchen University, where the coffee is good, and the conversation is even better. My name is Charles; thank you for stopping by.

Before kicking this topic around, I do want to give a heartfelt thanks to TEAforTheology for suggesting our topic for this episode, which is the Whole Armor of God. And please, if you have a topic you’d like to talk about over coffee, drop me a note in the comments section, and we’ll kick that idea around as well.

Now one thing I always try to do here is to talk about a topic while examining it through the lens of what it means to be a Christian. Which 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 we have learned. I find this helps keep things in balance, in perspective, and authentically real.

Scripture Referenced:

Romans 8:29; Philippians 3:10; 1 Timothy 6:3; 1 Corinthians 15:49 – be conformed to Christ, in his death, to godliness, and bear the likeness of Jesus.

2 Corinthians 3:18; Romans 12:12 – Become like Christ, be transformed.

Colossians 3:4 – Christ becomes our whole life.

Ephesians 5:1, 8 – 10 – Walk as children of light.

Galatians 3:27; Romans 13:12, 14 – Be clothed with Christ.

Colossians 3:12 – 14 - Clothing ourselves in humility, compassion, kindness, gentleness, patience, and love.

Luke 12:35 – Be dressed for service.

Ephesians 4:1 – 6 - That we are completely humble and gentle, patient and bearing with one another in love. Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. For there is one body and one Spirit – just as there is one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

Ephesians 4:13, 14 - We will then become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. No longer being infants tossed back and forth by the waves, blown here and there by the wind of teaching and cunning craftiness of men.

Ephesians 4:22 – 24 - Taking off the old deceitful self and putting on the new self.

Ephesians 4:25 Putt off falsehood.

Psalms 132:9 - Priests being clothed in righteousness.

Job 29:14 - Job talks of how he put on righteousness as clothing and justice as a robe and turban. Isaiah 11:5 – The Messiah being clothed in righteousness and faithfulness. Isaiah

59:17 – The Messiah having put on the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation, and the garments of vengeance, wrapping himself in zeal.

Ephesians 6:10 -17 – The Whole Armor of God.

Ephesians 5:8, 9 - Live as children of light, for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth.

Ephesians 4:1 – 6:9 – The context of what Standing involves.

1 Thessalonians 5:8 – Breastplate includes faith and love.

Matthew 22:34 – 40 – Two Greatest Commands.

John 13:34 – Just as I have loved you, love one another.

Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers.

1 John 5:13 – John writes so that we may know we have salvation, eternal life.

Hebrews 4:12 – The Word of God as the sword while referring to Christian folks trying to enter into the rest of God.

Here are some links to:

My favorite YouTube apologists: Mike Winger , Frank Turek

My favorite online church service: Alistair Begg