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DTLC Radio https://dtlifecoach.com/ Inspiring you to live your potential through positive change and transition: Personally, Professionally, and Spiritually. Thu, 15 Sep 2022 15:34:29 +0000 en-US hourly 1 Blubrry PowerPress/9.4 A podcast devoted to assisting you in living out your potential by helping you recognize and apply key principles for living that will empower you to transform your own life through positive change and transition. You have been called to live a fulfilled and joy-filled life, yet too often we allow circumstances to interfere, impede, and deny us progressive living. This podcast discusses the critical aspects of understanding who you are, Whose you are, and what you're here for, helping you identify your passion and purpose while establishing and maintaining a proper perspective. Focus is given to intentional living through a right mindset and accepting responsibility for our attitudes and actions. Also discussed are elements specific to life coaching, including topics such as successful Christian living, communication, relationships and marriage, leadership, academics, life transitions, mid-life, health and fitness, personal and professional development, organization, purposeful living, and more. Dr. David Turpen clean episodic Dr. David Turpen dnt1013@hotmail.com dnt1013@hotmail.com (Dr. David Turpen) ©2017 – DT Life Coach. All rights reserved. Inspiring you to live your potential through positive change and transition: Personally, Professionally, and Spiritually DTLC Radio http://dtlifecoach.com/wp-content/uploads/powerpress/Podcast_Cover_Art_3K_x_3K-026.jpg https://dtlifecoach.com/ten13/ TV-G Phoenix, AZ Phoenix, AZ Weekly And Then What Happened? (141) https://dtlifecoach.com/and-then-what-happened/ Thu, 05 Nov 2020 20:33:00 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3340 And then what happened? This is the reality for all of us. We all have a "then what happened?" No matter your situation or circumstances...Regardless of your current concerns or worries...In spite of your anxiety and uncertainty, there is always a "then what happened?". Who Is Your King? As of today (11/05/2020) we still do not know who the President of the United States is going to be. Even after it is "announced" there is likely to be a contesting and recounts. This level of uncertainty - given all that has led up to this election - is great fodder for worry and fret. But remember what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7)? He tells us very clearly that our citizenship is first in heaven and our King is God the Father. He rules and reigns over us. God is the One who looks out for us and provides. He is not unaware or unconcerned. The Father does not leave us as orphans to fend for ourselves. On the contrary, He is our Warrior! God is our Light! Christ is our Savior! What could possibly be better than that?! Then what? So what? So we don't yet know who our President will be. Does it matter? Well, yes, absolutely it matters! Does it make a difference? Well again, yes, absolutely! But in the grand scheme of things, Who are you gong to serve? Does your President and country come before your Savior and His Kingdom? I trust not! So what does it really matter? What can man do to me? If God is for me, who can be against me? Whom will you choose this day to serve? Good questions, all. And yes, our leaders in this life definitely make a difference. But they do not and shall not determine our faith and obedience. Our alliance and allegiance is to Christ. In the end, regardless of electoral outcomes, our devotion to God is to be unwavering. He gives authority and takes authority away. And Then What Happened? We all have a "then what happened?" in our lives. Regardless of circumstance or situation, life goes on. Even in death, there is something beyond. Now, I agree that I would prefer the blessings or freedom and liberty as we have come to have them. And yes, I believe these are worth sacrificing and dying for under certain conditions. But I will not allow the uncertainty or threat of oppression determine how I live my life. And neither should you! God is still on His throne! Jesus is still King of kings and Lord of lords! This is a great opportunity for us as Christians to stand up and live like we believe these truths...regardless of who ever sits in the White House. ____________________________________ Your Vote Matters And then what happened? This is the reality for all of us. We all have a "then what happened?" No matter your situation or circumstances...Regardless of your current concerns or worries...In spite of your anxiety and uncertainty, And then what happened? This is the reality for all of us. We all have a "then what happened?" No matter your situation or circumstances...Regardless of your current concerns or worries...In spite of your anxiety and uncertainty, there is always a "then what happened?". Who Is Your King? As of today (11/05/2020) we still do not know who the President of the United States is going to be. Even after it is "announced" there is likely to be a contesting and recounts. This level of uncertainty - given all that has led up to this election - is great fodder for worry and fret. But remember what Jesus said in the sermon on the mount (Matthew 5-7)? He tells us very clearly that our citizenship is first in heaven and our King is God the Father. He rules and reigns over us. God is the One who looks out for us and provides. He is not unaware or unconcerned. The Father does not leave us as orphans to fend for ourselves. On the contrary, He is our Warrior! God is our Light! Christ is our Savior! What could possibly be better than that?! Then what? So what? So we don't yet know who our President will be. Does it matter? Well, yes, absolutely it matters! Does it make a difference? Well again, yes, absolutely! But in the grand scheme of things, Who are you gong to serve? Does your President and country come before your Savior and His Kingdom? I trust not! So what does it really matter? What can man do to me? If God is for me, who can be against me? Whom will you choose this day to serve? Good questions, all. And yes, our leaders in this life definitely make a difference. But they do not and shall not determine our faith and obedience. Our alliance and allegiance is to Christ. In the end, regardless of electoral outcomes, our devotion to God is to be unwavering. He gives authority and takes authority away. And Then What Happened? We all have a "then what happened?" in our lives. Regardless of circumstance or situation, life goes on. Even in death, there is something beyond. Now, I agree that I would prefer the blessings or freedom and liberty as we have come to have them. And yes, I believe these are worth sacrificing and dying for under certain conditions. But I will not allow the uncertainty or threat of oppression determine how I live my life. And neither should you! God is still on His throne! Jesus is still King of kings and Lord of lords! This is a great opportunity for us as Christians to stand up and live like we believe these truths...regardless of who ever sits in the White House. ____________________________________ Your Vote Matters Dr. David Turpen 59:11 Dr. David Turpen Your Vote Matters – 2020 Election Special (140) https://dtlifecoach.com/election/ Thu, 29 Oct 2020 21:00:42 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3335 You have a responsibility and obligation to vote...if you are a Christian. Our Founding Fathers believed that American patriotism was directly tied to personal faith in Christ. If you're a Christian, then you're a patriot. In fact, according to our Founders, you can't be a true patriot if you're not also a Christian. God has shed His grace on America as much as He has on Christians! In this 2020 election special episode, I challenge all Christians to take a stand. Not for one political leader but for political ideologies, beliefs, and worldviews. Clearly, one party is much more pro-God and freedom than the other. This Election Is Special I know, for the past several election cycles people have been declaring "this is the most important election of our lifetime." Well, I believe that statement is truer today than it ever has been. Our freedoms and Republic are definitely under attack. And the attack is not coming from outside sources...although outside sources are certainly supporting and financing these efforts. The attack is coming from within, from our own citizens who believe (wrongly) that they have the best solutions. Let me be clear, Jesus is the only true solution to our country's problems. Our problems are inherent in people and only God can change people! That said, I do believe that one candidate and one party support, promote, and are seeking secure our rights and freedoms more so than the other. Again, let me be clear...Republicans, as a party, stand more for the natural laws of God consistent with the Bible than do Democrats. As long as Democrats, as a party, actively promote and support the killing of the unborn, they will never be worthy of my vote, period! You're Not Voting For A Man You're not voting for a man, you're voting for a worldview and philosophy of governing. One party - Republican - believes in governing consistent with the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. These documents are rooted in the Bible, specifically the Law of Moses, with an understanding of grace through Jesus Christ. In fact, many of our laws can be referenced, chapter and verse, directly from Scripture. The other party - Democrat - seeks to "re-write" the Constitution, "re-interpret" our founding documents, and in several cases, simply to destroy it all. This worldview is godless, atheist, and anti-Christian. Even among their own leaders who claim to be "Christian" (i.e. Catholic), they belittle the faith of fellow Catholics and degrade attempts to live as Christ. God has no place in their world (unless you keep Him in your own basement) and no place in their governing. They seek to destroy, not build. They want to ruin, not reaffirm. They want power and control, not freedom and self-control. They stand for and represent most all that is anti-Christ. They call good evil and evil good and each does what's right in their own eyes. Sound familiar?! You Have A Choice You have a choice, and it may just be the last one you'll ever have. It has been said that you can vote yourself into socialism (i.e. Marxism/communism) but you can't vote yourself out of it. That requires a literal revolution of physical fighting. Don't believe me? Just ask people from those countries who have experienced it. God has permitted - even dictated - that you were born an American. As such, you have been given great gifts and freedoms. With these also come greater responsibilities. Of the utmost importance is your responsibility to defend and fight to protect these gifts and freedoms. There has never been a nation like the United States of America in the history of the world. And there will never be another one like her. Her survival, to a large extent, is in your hands and how you decide to vote. ________________________________________ You have a responsibility and obligation to vote...if you are a Christian. Our Founding Fathers believed that American patriotism was directly tied to personal faith in Christ. If you're a Christian, then you're a patriot. In fact, You have a responsibility and obligation to vote...if you are a Christian. Our Founding Fathers believed that American patriotism was directly tied to personal faith in Christ. If you're a Christian, then you're a patriot. In fact, according to our Founders, you can't be a true patriot if you're not also a Christian. God has shed His grace on America as much as He has on Christians! In this 2020 election special episode, I challenge all Christians to take a stand. Not for one political leader but for political ideologies, beliefs, and worldviews. Clearly, one party is much more pro-God and freedom than the other. This Election Is Special I know, for the past several election cycles people have been declaring "this is the most important election of our lifetime." Well, I believe that statement is truer today than it ever has been. Our freedoms and Republic are definitely under attack. And the attack is not coming from outside sources...although outside sources are certainly supporting and financing these efforts. The attack is coming from within, from our own citizens who believe (wrongly) that they have the best solutions. Let me be clear, Jesus is the only true solution to our country's problems. Our problems are inherent in people and only God can change people! That said, I do believe that one candidate and one party support, promote, and are seeking secure our rights and freedoms more so than the other. Again, let me be clear...Republicans, as a party, stand more for the natural laws of God consistent with the Bible than do Democrats. As long as Democrats, as a party, actively promote and support the killing of the unborn, they will never be worthy of my vote, period! You're Not Voting For A Man You're not voting for a man, you're voting for a worldview and philosophy of governing. One party - Republican - believes in governing consistent with the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and the Declaration of Independence. These documents are rooted in the Bible, specifically the Law of Moses, with an understanding of grace through Jesus Christ. In fact, many of our laws can be referenced, chapter and verse, directly from Scripture. The other party - Democrat - seeks to "re-write" the Constitution, "re-interpret" our founding documents, and in several cases, simply to destroy it all. This worldview is godless, atheist, and anti-Christian. Even among their own leaders who claim to be "Christian" (i.e. Catholic), they belittle the faith of fellow Catholics and degrade attempts to live as Christ. God has no place in their world (unless you keep Him in your own basement) and no place in their governing. They seek to destroy, not build. They want to ruin, not reaffirm. They want power and control, not freedom and self-control. They stand for and represent most all that is anti-Christ. They call good evil and evil good and each does what's right in their own eyes. Sound familiar?! You Have A Choice You have a choice, and it may just be the last one you'll ever have. It has been said that you can vote yourself into socialism (i.e. Marxism/communism) but you can't vote yourself out of it. That requires a literal revolution of physical fighting. Don't believe me? Just ask people from those countries who have experienced it. God has permitted - even dictated - that you were born an American. As such, you have been given great gifts and freedoms. With these also come greater responsibilities. Of the utmost importance is your responsibility to defend and fight to protect these gifts and freedoms. There has never been a nation like the United States of America in the history of the world. Dr. David Turpen 1:13:40 Dr. David Turpen Do You See What I See? Not Christmas (139) https://dtlifecoach.com/do-you-see/ Thu, 08 Oct 2020 21:19:25 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3330 Do you see what I see? Do you hear what I hear? I know you're thinking of Christmas and the song of the same title but I have a different intent here. Can you see and recognize what is happening in your country? Do you understand what God is doing? Are you even aware that God is the One who is doing it? Not Always As It Appears Things are not always as they appear to be. Case in point, what is happening across our great country. It is not only political division between differing ideologies on how to govern. There is not just an uptick in violence. Racial discrepancies have always existed. This is not just the result of hate against a sitting President. There is something more going on and we need to be paying particular attention to it. This is clearly the case when you have a biblical worldview. When you read the accounts in Scripture of God's repeated warnings, man's failure, and God's response it becomes clear. Our nation is under the judgment of God. As a country, we have spurned God over the past five decades and pushed Him further and further out of our lives. Even in the Church, we are guilty of forgetting our first love and denying the truth. We have openly stopped preaching God's Word in exchange for more palatable "self-help" and "personal improvement" topics. We've neglected the truth for too long. Shaken To Awaken A recent catch phrase is to be "woke." Woke means to be enlightened to finally see the oppression of the system that "the man" has imposed. This is especially true with regard to minorities. The problem is that the "woke" are actually blind to what is really happening. Only the redeemed are truly "woke" and see life as it really is. Do you see? Or do you think you see? Reading through the pages of Scripture, it is difficult not to recognize that God is shaking thing up. Literally! Through the various upheavals, natural disasters, political tensions, and unrest, God is the one doing the shaking. The goal? To wake us up from our slumber. I am convinced that God is using - through permission and intention - these events to get our attention. Why? For the same reason He did so throughout the Old Testament and New. To call us to repentance and confession. To turn to Him and seek Him that He might relent and heal our land. This was not meant only for the people of Israel. The writer of Hebrews let's us know that God is still at work to call His people to repentance and subsequent faithfulness. We must follow the prayer of Daniel and pray for our country that God would demonstrate, again, His power and love for us. May God bless America. _________________________________ DTLCRadio.com Do you see what I see? Do you hear what I hear? I know you're thinking of Christmas and the song of the same title but I have a different intent here. Can you see and recognize what is happening in your country? Do you understand what God is doing? Do you see what I see? Do you hear what I hear? I know you're thinking of Christmas and the song of the same title but I have a different intent here. Can you see and recognize what is happening in your country? Do you understand what God is doing? Are you even aware that God is the One who is doing it? Not Always As It Appears Things are not always as they appear to be. Case in point, what is happening across our great country. It is not only political division between differing ideologies on how to govern. There is not just an uptick in violence. Racial discrepancies have always existed. This is not just the result of hate against a sitting President. There is something more going on and we need to be paying particular attention to it. This is clearly the case when you have a biblical worldview. When you read the accounts in Scripture of God's repeated warnings, man's failure, and God's response it becomes clear. Our nation is under the judgment of God. As a country, we have spurned God over the past five decades and pushed Him further and further out of our lives. Even in the Church, we are guilty of forgetting our first love and denying the truth. We have openly stopped preaching God's Word in exchange for more palatable "self-help" and "personal improvement" topics. We've neglected the truth for too long. Shaken To Awaken A recent catch phrase is to be "woke." Woke means to be enlightened to finally see the oppression of the system that "the man" has imposed. This is especially true with regard to minorities. The problem is that the "woke" are actually blind to what is really happening. Only the redeemed are truly "woke" and see life as it really is. Do you see? Or do you think you see? Reading through the pages of Scripture, it is difficult not to recognize that God is shaking thing up. Literally! Through the various upheavals, natural disasters, political tensions, and unrest, God is the one doing the shaking. The goal? To wake us up from our slumber. I am convinced that God is using - through permission and intention - these events to get our attention. Why? For the same reason He did so throughout the Old Testament and New. To call us to repentance and confession. To turn to Him and seek Him that He might relent and heal our land. This was not meant only for the people of Israel. The writer of Hebrews let's us know that God is still at work to call His people to repentance and subsequent faithfulness. We must follow the prayer of Daniel and pray for our country that God would demonstrate, again, His power and love for us. May God bless America. _________________________________ DTLCRadio.com Dr. David Turpen 1:26:26 Dr. David Turpen Do Not Be Afraid! It’s A Command (138) https://dtlifecoach.com/do-not-be-afraid/ Thu, 01 Oct 2020 20:44:19 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3327 Do not be afraid. Pretty straight-forward statement. The phrase is used 365 times throughout the Bible. Coincidence? I don't think so. Three hundred and sixty-five times God tells us - commands us - not to be afraid. And yet, today - especially today (2020) - I see so many people living in fear. Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself Paul's admonishment and testimony at the close of Romans 8 is a great platform on which to preach this message. Do not fear! Don't be afraid! And that message has never been more applicable. With the coming of the "plandemic" - I mean, pandemic - of COVID-19, I have seen far too many people walking around in absolute fear. Fear of death and dying, sure. But also fear of contact, fear of proximity, afraid to even come out of their homes. The worst part is that many of the fearful are Christians. Being afraid is the exact opposite mindset God has called us to have. Franklin D. Roosevelt was right, fear perpetuates itself. More than that, fear is of the Devil. Make no mistake! Fear comes straight from the pit of hell. Don't believe me? Go back and re-read Genesis 3. Why did Adam hide himself from God? Because he was afraid. Why wasn't he ever afraid before when he was in the presence of God? Because fear didn't come from God, it came from the Serpent. Don't Be Afraid Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. Great definition! Think about it; is that exactly what Satan tried to present to Adam...false evidence as legitimate fact? God literally commands us to not be afraid (see Joshua 1:9). Once a day, every day of the year, God has given us a reminder of this command in His word. Living in fear is, in fact, sinful. Why? Because it denies the reality and truth of God as well as faith. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Here's a fact: You cannot have both fear and faith at the same time. Your faith is what overcomes fear. Faith that God is, that He is true, and He is a keeper of His word. With all the fear-mongering and uncertainty being presented to us, either in the form of virus or politics, it's even more important to have faith. Your faith is your strength, your confidence, and your assurance. It is was gets you through tough times. Don't fall victim to the "victim mentality" and believe these things are "happening to you" because of something lacking in God. Or worse, that you're being punished by Him. Remember last week's episode? God is for you, not against you! _______________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here Do not be afraid. Pretty straight-forward statement. The phrase is used 365 times throughout the Bible. Coincidence? I don't think so. Three hundred and sixty-five times God tells us - commands us - not to be afraid. And yet, Do not be afraid. Pretty straight-forward statement. The phrase is used 365 times throughout the Bible. Coincidence? I don't think so. Three hundred and sixty-five times God tells us - commands us - not to be afraid. And yet, today - especially today (2020) - I see so many people living in fear. Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself Paul's admonishment and testimony at the close of Romans 8 is a great platform on which to preach this message. Do not fear! Don't be afraid! And that message has never been more applicable. With the coming of the "plandemic" - I mean, pandemic - of COVID-19, I have seen far too many people walking around in absolute fear. Fear of death and dying, sure. But also fear of contact, fear of proximity, afraid to even come out of their homes. The worst part is that many of the fearful are Christians. Being afraid is the exact opposite mindset God has called us to have. Franklin D. Roosevelt was right, fear perpetuates itself. More than that, fear is of the Devil. Make no mistake! Fear comes straight from the pit of hell. Don't believe me? Go back and re-read Genesis 3. Why did Adam hide himself from God? Because he was afraid. Why wasn't he ever afraid before when he was in the presence of God? Because fear didn't come from God, it came from the Serpent. Don't Be Afraid Fear is False Evidence Appearing Real. Great definition! Think about it; is that exactly what Satan tried to present to Adam...false evidence as legitimate fact? God literally commands us to not be afraid (see Joshua 1:9). Once a day, every day of the year, God has given us a reminder of this command in His word. Living in fear is, in fact, sinful. Why? Because it denies the reality and truth of God as well as faith. Remember, without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Here's a fact: You cannot have both fear and faith at the same time. Your faith is what overcomes fear. Faith that God is, that He is true, and He is a keeper of His word. With all the fear-mongering and uncertainty being presented to us, either in the form of virus or politics, it's even more important to have faith. Your faith is your strength, your confidence, and your assurance. It is was gets you through tough times. Don't fall victim to the "victim mentality" and believe these things are "happening to you" because of something lacking in God. Or worse, that you're being punished by Him. Remember last week's episode? God is for you, not against you! _______________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen 1:21:41 Dr. David Turpen God Is For You, Not Against You – (137) https://dtlifecoach.com/god-is-for-you/ Thu, 24 Sep 2020 21:08:50 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3323 God is for you! Is that not the best statement in the world? He is not against you; He is for you. God is on your side. He is your Creator and wants nothing more than to be your Father. The question is not His love you; but your love for Him. Those Who Love God Not only has the Father gone to great lengths to bring you back into the Family - not even sparing His own Son (Romans 8:32) - but He promises to work all things for good. Think about that. All things will work out good - even the awful things - for those who love God. Who are those who love God? According to Jesus in John 14, those who love God are those who keep His commandments. Conversely, those who do not love God are those who do not keep His commandments. Pretty straight forward. Your obedience to God's commands are the evidence and proof of your love for Him. Don't follow Him and it's clear you don't love Him. That simple. The Reward So what is the reward for those who love God? How does His reward reflect that God is for you and not against you? Again, simple. He has already pre-determined (i.e. predestined) that you will receive a glorified body just as Jesus has received His. Remember the context of Romans 6-8. Paul is describing our relationship as redeemed spirits to the Law of God. Our yet-unredeemed-body is still corrupted by sin and resistant to our desire to serve God through obedience. The "reward" for faithfully pursuing holiness - after being justified and born again for this purpose - is exchanging a corrupted flesh for uncorrupted flesh. Our "hope" is the promise of full and complete redemption; a "born again" body to house an-already-born-again-spirit. The Bible calls it our "resurrection from the dead." And as such, Jesus was the first to experience it. Our inheritance is to experience and possess the same. God Is For You The evidence of this fact is clear. As the Judge in your trial for sin, He has already determined that, though you are guilty, your penalty has already been paid. Therefore, no charges or accusations against you can result in any eternal punishment. That's the promise of justification. Likewise, the promise of regeneration and sanctification is that regardless of any circumstances you may encounter; in spite of any and all sufferings, pain, tragedies, or disasters you may experience, God still loves you. His love for you will be made evident through the completion of your redemption. Meaning, you will be glorified and made whole in your salvation. Nothing is more awesome than that! ______________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here God is for you! Is that not the best statement in the world? He is not against you; He is for you. God is on your side. He is your Creator and wants nothing more than to be your Father. The question is not His love you; but your love for Him. God is for you! Is that not the best statement in the world? He is not against you; He is for you. God is on your side. He is your Creator and wants nothing more than to be your Father. The question is not His love you; but your love for Him. Those Who Love God Not only has the Father gone to great lengths to bring you back into the Family - not even sparing His own Son (Romans 8:32) - but He promises to work all things for good. Think about that. All things will work out good - even the awful things - for those who love God. Who are those who love God? According to Jesus in John 14, those who love God are those who keep His commandments. Conversely, those who do not love God are those who do not keep His commandments. Pretty straight forward. Your obedience to God's commands are the evidence and proof of your love for Him. Don't follow Him and it's clear you don't love Him. That simple. The Reward So what is the reward for those who love God? How does His reward reflect that God is for you and not against you? Again, simple. He has already pre-determined (i.e. predestined) that you will receive a glorified body just as Jesus has received His. Remember the context of Romans 6-8. Paul is describing our relationship as redeemed spirits to the Law of God. Our yet-unredeemed-body is still corrupted by sin and resistant to our desire to serve God through obedience. The "reward" for faithfully pursuing holiness - after being justified and born again for this purpose - is exchanging a corrupted flesh for uncorrupted flesh. Our "hope" is the promise of full and complete redemption; a "born again" body to house an-already-born-again-spirit. The Bible calls it our "resurrection from the dead." And as such, Jesus was the first to experience it. Our inheritance is to experience and possess the same. God Is For You The evidence of this fact is clear. As the Judge in your trial for sin, He has already determined that, though you are guilty, your penalty has already been paid. Therefore, no charges or accusations against you can result in any eternal punishment. That's the promise of justification. Likewise, the promise of regeneration and sanctification is that regardless of any circumstances you may encounter; in spite of any and all sufferings, pain, tragedies, or disasters you may experience, God still loves you. His love for you will be made evident through the completion of your redemption. Meaning, you will be glorified and made whole in your salvation. Nothing is more awesome than that! ______________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:29:54 Dr. David Turpen When There Are No Words (136) https://dtlifecoach.com/no-words/ Thu, 17 Sep 2020 20:17:01 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3320 When there are no words, God can still hear your heart. Romans 8:26-29 teaches us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us even when we can't find the words. No Words Necessary In the same way that our hope sustains and pulls us toward obedience in the midst of present sufferings, the Holy Spirit aids us in our weakness. What weakness? The weakness of our flesh to be obedient. This is the overall condition of our humanity in general. It's our powerlessness at times to overcome temptation. Sometimes there are no words because we do not even know what to pray. Our spiritual weakness and sin-sickness are still present in our not-yet-redeemed body. The world is full of sin-corruption that draws and pulls away from God. There are times when we do not even know what we should be praying for. In those times, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid. Holy Spirit Intercession The Holy Spirit comes to our aid, giving us inward strength at exactly those times when we are in danger of sin and doubt. No words are necessary. In fact, the Holy Spirit's communication with God the Father is beyond words. Words are not necessary because there is oneness of mind. This gives us assurance that in spite of weakness, God has made provision to help us out. In fact, we are given the promise of "all things working together for good" (Romans 8:28). But the promise is specific. Specific to whom? The promise applies to those "who love God." Who are they? They are the ones who keep the commandments. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:25). And again, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word...He who does not love Me does not keep My words" (John 14:23-24). Proof of your love for God is evidenced by your obedience. Notice how obedience continues to be the common thread throughout this section (Romans 6-8). But it is not without encouragement. We are not expected to be perfect nor are we expected to attempt obedience on our own. True, it is our willful intent to choose obedience. But the follow through is done in conjunction with the Holy Spirit. Think about that...the Third Person of the Trinity lives in you to help you pursue obedience! Notice I did not say "pursue perfection." That is no longer a requirement. Persistence and consistency are our goals. Every day, seeking to improve. In this episode we briefly (wink, wink) review Romans 1-7 and continue to study Romans 8:26-29. __________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here When there are no words, God can still hear your heart. Romans 8:26-29 teaches us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us even when we can't find the words. No Words Necessary In the same way that our hope sustains and pulls us toward obedience in... When there are no words, God can still hear your heart. Romans 8:26-29 teaches us that the Holy Spirit intercedes for us even when we can't find the words. No Words Necessary In the same way that our hope sustains and pulls us toward obedience in the midst of present sufferings, the Holy Spirit aids us in our weakness. What weakness? The weakness of our flesh to be obedient. This is the overall condition of our humanity in general. It's our powerlessness at times to overcome temptation. Sometimes there are no words because we do not even know what to pray. Our spiritual weakness and sin-sickness are still present in our not-yet-redeemed body. The world is full of sin-corruption that draws and pulls away from God. There are times when we do not even know what we should be praying for. In those times, the Holy Spirit comes to our aid. Holy Spirit Intercession The Holy Spirit comes to our aid, giving us inward strength at exactly those times when we are in danger of sin and doubt. No words are necessary. In fact, the Holy Spirit's communication with God the Father is beyond words. Words are not necessary because there is oneness of mind. This gives us assurance that in spite of weakness, God has made provision to help us out. In fact, we are given the promise of "all things working together for good" (Romans 8:28). But the promise is specific. Specific to whom? The promise applies to those "who love God." Who are they? They are the ones who keep the commandments. Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:25). And again, "If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word...He who does not love Me does not keep My words" (John 14:23-24). Proof of your love for God is evidenced by your obedience. Notice how obedience continues to be the common thread throughout this section (Romans 6-8). But it is not without encouragement. We are not expected to be perfect nor are we expected to attempt obedience on our own. True, it is our willful intent to choose obedience. But the follow through is done in conjunction with the Holy Spirit. Think about that...the Third Person of the Trinity lives in you to help you pursue obedience! Notice I did not say "pursue perfection." That is no longer a requirement. Persistence and consistency are our goals. Every day, seeking to improve. In this episode we briefly (wink, wink) review Romans 1-7 and continue to study Romans 8:26-29. __________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:27:34 Dr. David Turpen A Call To Prayer For Our Nation (135) https://dtlifecoach.com/prayer/ Thu, 27 Aug 2020 20:50:11 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3316 No description is necessary. Pray for our nation. No description is necessary. Pray for our nation. No description is necessary. Pray for our nation. Dr. David Turpen 30:35 Dr. David Turpen Glorification! Our Inheritance & Hope (134) https://dtlifecoach.com/glorification/ Thu, 20 Aug 2020 21:45:33 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3311 Glorification! The full redemption of your whole person. This is your promise. This is your hope. Three Phases of Salvation The first phase of your salvation - justification - is the application of Christ's blood your heavenly account. This pays the penalty you owe for your sin. By faith - believing God and what He has said about His Son - your debt is cancelled. The penalty due has been paid if full by the blood of Jesus. The second phase of your salvation - regeneration - is the conversion of your 'old man' to a 'new creation.' By the power of the Holy Spirit - 'the workmanship of God' - your old self is buried into the death of Jesus. In its place a new life is 'born of the Spirit' and rises from the waters of immersion. In addition, you are sanctified - set apart as holy and sacred - by the gift of the indwelling of the Spirit of God. He now resides in you and serves as the power for you to live a life of obedience. Thus begins your 'progressive sanctification' and lifelong pursuit of holiness. The final phase of your salvation - glorification - is the replacement of your current sin corrupted body. Your already-made-new spirit presently lives in a yet-made-new body. This body cannot inherit heaven, it's mortal and tied to this world. When you die physically, your already-redeemed-spirit leaves this body and resides with God. You are 'present with the Lord' until such time as you receive your redeemed - glorified/resurrected - body. This glorification is your hope. Glorification is the completion of your salvation. After glorification, your re-united and redeemed spirit and body will then inhabit the 'new earth' prepared for you. Your Inheritance Glorification is God's promised inheritance to you. But it is only the beginning. In Romans 8:14-25 Paul describes the eager craving that our body and the world have. Both are waiting for the glorification of the other. Paul calls it our 'hope' and the promised fulfillment of our redemption. It is simply the final stage of our salvation. First, we are Justified. We are justified by faith through grace in baptism. Then we are 'born again.' We are born of the spirit, converted and regenerated, to live a life consistent with God's law. We receive the indwelling of His Spirit as power and down payment on our final inheritance. Sanctified, we are set apart to live righteous lives that pursue holiness. Finally we will be glorified. Our reward is glorification and a new body to match our already-made-new spirit. In this final form we receive our full inheritance...life eternal in the presence of God with Christ. __________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Glorification! The full redemption of your whole person. This is your promise. This is your hope. Three Phases of Salvation The first phase of your salvation - justification - is the application of Christ's blood your heavenly account. Glorification! The full redemption of your whole person. This is your promise. This is your hope. Three Phases of Salvation The first phase of your salvation - justification - is the application of Christ's blood your heavenly account. This pays the penalty you owe for your sin. By faith - believing God and what He has said about His Son - your debt is cancelled. The penalty due has been paid if full by the blood of Jesus. The second phase of your salvation - regeneration - is the conversion of your 'old man' to a 'new creation.' By the power of the Holy Spirit - 'the workmanship of God' - your old self is buried into the death of Jesus. In its place a new life is 'born of the Spirit' and rises from the waters of immersion. In addition, you are sanctified - set apart as holy and sacred - by the gift of the indwelling of the Spirit of God. He now resides in you and serves as the power for you to live a life of obedience. Thus begins your 'progressive sanctification' and lifelong pursuit of holiness. The final phase of your salvation - glorification - is the replacement of your current sin corrupted body. Your already-made-new spirit presently lives in a yet-made-new body. This body cannot inherit heaven, it's mortal and tied to this world. When you die physically, your already-redeemed-spirit leaves this body and resides with God. You are 'present with the Lord' until such time as you receive your redeemed - glorified/resurrected - body. This glorification is your hope. Glorification is the completion of your salvation. After glorification, your re-united and redeemed spirit and body will then inhabit the 'new earth' prepared for you. Your Inheritance Glorification is God's promised inheritance to you. But it is only the beginning. In Romans 8:14-25 Paul describes the eager craving that our body and the world have. Both are waiting for the glorification of the other. Paul calls it our 'hope' and the promised fulfillment of our redemption. It is simply the final stage of our salvation. First, we are Justified. We are justified by faith through grace in baptism. Then we are 'born again.' We are born of the spirit, converted and regenerated, to live a life consistent with God's law. We receive the indwelling of His Spirit as power and down payment on our final inheritance. Sanctified, we are set apart to live righteous lives that pursue holiness. Finally we will be glorified. Our reward is glorification and a new body to match our already-made-new spirit. In this final form we receive our full inheritance...life eternal in the presence of God with Christ. __________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:20:16 Dr. David Turpen Being Led Is Being Obedient (133) https://dtlifecoach.com/being-led/ Thu, 06 Aug 2020 22:14:28 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3307 Being led by the Holy Spirit is simply being obedient to God's law. No more. No less. It's very simple. But far too many people get hung up on the false teaching that "being led by the Spirit" is some mystical, ethereal experience. Let me be clear...it is not. Being Led Is Not... Too often people teach or understand being led by the Spirit as a very spiritual experience. In fact, being led is very practical and very simple. In many circles it is described as a special "anointing" or "sensitivity" or special "filling" of the Holy Spirit. This sounds spiritual, mystical, and very other-worldly. The problem is that it's a false conclusion. This is not what the Bible presents when God tells us how to "be led by the Spirit." These false conclusions and teachings leave many people waiting for the Spirit to move them to action. The problem is this: He is waiting for you to move to action. Simply put, to be led by the Holy Spirit just means to be obedient to Him. When you are obedient to the law of God, you are being led by the Spirit. Being Led Is... Following the leading of the Spirit is simply obedience. Paul tells us in Romans 8:14 that "...all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." The way you know you are, in fact, a child of God (cf. John 1:12) is through your obedience to the law of God. How do you know this? Because Paul says as much in the immediate preceding verse. Romans 8:13 says, "[if you are living] by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body." It should be clear that "being led by the Spirit" and living "by the Spirit" are functionally the same thing. What is the evidence of these? You are "putting to death the deeds of the body." What are these deed? Well, some Paul has described in Romans 1:18-32 in identifying those who reject God and suppress His truth. But there are other lists as well. 1 Corinthians 6:9-102 Corinthians 12:20Galatians 5:19-21 The point is that the law of God is where we find those things both to do and to avoid. It is interesting that Paul makes a similar argument and statement in Galatians 5:16-18. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." Recall that "walking" consists of our daily action and behavior. Our walk is the same as our conduct. Following the leading of the Spirit simply means our conduct is consistent with the Spirit. More specifically, with His inspired Word (2 Peter 1:21). Notice Paul says "if you are led by the Spirit" and then in the next verse gives the list of what not being led by the Spirit (i.e. being led by the flesh) looks like. It's so plain it's scary. _________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Being led by the Holy Spirit is simply being obedient to God's law. No more. No less. It's very simple. But far too many people get hung up on the false teaching that "being led by the Spirit" is some mystical, ethereal experience. Let me be clear... Being led by the Holy Spirit is simply being obedient to God's law. No more. No less. It's very simple. But far too many people get hung up on the false teaching that "being led by the Spirit" is some mystical, ethereal experience. Let me be clear...it is not. Being Led Is Not... Too often people teach or understand being led by the Spirit as a very spiritual experience. In fact, being led is very practical and very simple. In many circles it is described as a special "anointing" or "sensitivity" or special "filling" of the Holy Spirit. This sounds spiritual, mystical, and very other-worldly. The problem is that it's a false conclusion. This is not what the Bible presents when God tells us how to "be led by the Spirit." These false conclusions and teachings leave many people waiting for the Spirit to move them to action. The problem is this: He is waiting for you to move to action. Simply put, to be led by the Holy Spirit just means to be obedient to Him. When you are obedient to the law of God, you are being led by the Spirit. Being Led Is... Following the leading of the Spirit is simply obedience. Paul tells us in Romans 8:14 that "...all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." The way you know you are, in fact, a child of God (cf. John 1:12) is through your obedience to the law of God. How do you know this? Because Paul says as much in the immediate preceding verse. Romans 8:13 says, "[if you are living] by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body." It should be clear that "being led by the Spirit" and living "by the Spirit" are functionally the same thing. What is the evidence of these? You are "putting to death the deeds of the body." What are these deed? Well, some Paul has described in Romans 1:18-32 in identifying those who reject God and suppress His truth. But there are other lists as well. 1 Corinthians 6:9-102 Corinthians 12:20Galatians 5:19-21 The point is that the law of God is where we find those things both to do and to avoid. It is interesting that Paul makes a similar argument and statement in Galatians 5:16-18. "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law." Recall that "walking" consists of our daily action and behavior. Our walk is the same as our conduct. Following the leading of the Spirit simply means our conduct is consistent with the Spirit. More specifically, with His inspired Word (2 Peter 1:21). Notice Paul says "if you are led by the Spirit" and then in the next verse gives the list of what not being led by the Spirit (i.e. being led by the flesh) looks like. It's so plain it's scary. _________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:13:08 Dr. David Turpen The Necessity of Sanctification (132) https://dtlifecoach.com/necessity-of-sanctification/ Thu, 23 Jul 2020 22:00:02 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3303 The necessity of sanctification is often misunderstood or outright ignored by many Christians. Sanctification is indeed necessary as a phase and condition for complete salvation. In fact, without it, your faith will diminish and perhaps disappear altogether. Are you saying a Christian can lose or forfeit their salvation? Nope, I'm not saying that...God is! The Necessity of Sanctification God - through the Apostle Paul, and others - clearly tells us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:14-26). The Book of Hebrews gives us warning upon warning not to "drift" from the faith. More specifically, Paul in Romans 8:12-13 tells us sanctification is not only necessary but is also our decision. The necessity of sanctification is explained in this passage as the difference between focusing your mind on the flesh or on the spirit. An explanation is given of the difference between the unsaved - those who are of the flesh - and the saved - those who are of the Spirit. The unsaved (i.e. unregenerated) have no choice but to focus their mind on the things of the body and flesh. They seek out fulfillment of only their personal desires and appetites. In contrast, the saved have a choice as to what they focus their minds (i.e. thinking) on. And this is the key difference between the two. In the absence of choice, the unsaved simply align with their fleshly desires and world's materialistic fulfillment. But even with a choice, the saved must still personally decide to choose obedience to God (i.e. the things of the Spirit). It is within our power - as Christians/born again/redeemed - to determine what we think about and how we behave. As I have pointed out before: You have absolute control over only two things in your life - what you think and how you behave. Phase Two of Three Lest we forget, salvation is given to us in three separate stages. First, recall that sin infects us with a "double-curse." One, we incur a sin debt with a penalty payment due. Two, we become powerless to resist sin and temptation. Phase One of salvation gives us the "double-cure." First, our penalty is paid in full and we are justified - put in right standing with the law of God. And second, we are born again (i.e. regenerated) and made new. This new spirit (i.e. God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus - Eph. 2:10) gives us the ability to follow the law of God. In addition to this new spirit God grants the gift of His indwelling Spirit. He - the Holy Spirit - in combination with our redeemed spirit - gives us power to overcome sin and temptation as we live. This is the purpose of the indwelling! The Holy Spirit is given to us so that we might pursue holiness; aka righteousness, holy living, obedience of faith, keeping God's laws, doing good works, being holy as He is holy, etc. The necessity of sanctification could not be more clear. We do not go from justification to glorification (the third phase) without first growing in sanctification (phase two). Sanctification is a necessary second phase of being saved. We are saved - justification; we are being saved - sanctification; and we will be saved - glorification. The necessity of sanctification is clearly presented when Paul tells us that if a Christian persists in living according to the flesh, they must die. Sounds serious. And it is. ___________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here The necessity of sanctification is often misunderstood or outright ignored by many Christians. Sanctification is indeed necessary as a phase and condition for complete salvation. In fact, without it, your faith will diminish and perhaps disappear altog... The necessity of sanctification is often misunderstood or outright ignored by many Christians. Sanctification is indeed necessary as a phase and condition for complete salvation. In fact, without it, your faith will diminish and perhaps disappear altogether. Are you saying a Christian can lose or forfeit their salvation? Nope, I'm not saying that...God is! The Necessity of Sanctification God - through the Apostle Paul, and others - clearly tells us that "faith without works is dead" (James 2:14-26). The Book of Hebrews gives us warning upon warning not to "drift" from the faith. More specifically, Paul in Romans 8:12-13 tells us sanctification is not only necessary but is also our decision. The necessity of sanctification is explained in this passage as the difference between focusing your mind on the flesh or on the spirit. An explanation is given of the difference between the unsaved - those who are of the flesh - and the saved - those who are of the Spirit. The unsaved (i.e. unregenerated) have no choice but to focus their mind on the things of the body and flesh. They seek out fulfillment of only their personal desires and appetites. In contrast, the saved have a choice as to what they focus their minds (i.e. thinking) on. And this is the key difference between the two. In the absence of choice, the unsaved simply align with their fleshly desires and world's materialistic fulfillment. But even with a choice, the saved must still personally decide to choose obedience to God (i.e. the things of the Spirit). It is within our power - as Christians/born again/redeemed - to determine what we think about and how we behave. As I have pointed out before: You have absolute control over only two things in your life - what you think and how you behave. Phase Two of Three Lest we forget, salvation is given to us in three separate stages. First, recall that sin infects us with a "double-curse." One, we incur a sin debt with a penalty payment due. Two, we become powerless to resist sin and temptation. Phase One of salvation gives us the "double-cure." First, our penalty is paid in full and we are justified - put in right standing with the law of God. And second, we are born again (i.e. regenerated) and made new. This new spirit (i.e. God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus - Eph. 2:10) gives us the ability to follow the law of God. In addition to this new spirit God grants the gift of His indwelling Spirit. He - the Holy Spirit - in combination with our redeemed spirit - gives us power to overcome sin and temptation as we live. This is the purpose of the indwelling! The Holy Spirit is given to us so that we might pursue holiness; aka righteousness, holy living, obedience of faith, keeping God's laws, doing good works, being holy as He is holy, etc. The necessity of sanctification could not be more clear. We do not go from justification to glorification (the third phase) without first growing in sanctification (phase two). Sanctification is a necessary second phase of being saved. We are saved - justification; we are being saved - sanctification; and we will be saved - glorification. The necessity of sanctification is clearly presented when Paul tells us that if a Christian persists in living according to the flesh, they must die. Sounds serious. And it is. ___________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:48:21 Dr. David Turpen The Tug of War – Flesh vs. Spirit (131) https://dtlifecoach.com/flesh-vs-spirit/ Thu, 16 Jul 2020 21:01:37 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3299 Flesh vs. spirit. It's a constant tug-of-war going within you. Your old yet-to-be-redeemed flesh pulls one direction. Your already-redeemed-waiting-for-a-new-body spirit pulls the opposite. This is the Christian life. Flesh vs. Spirit In Romans 5:5-13, Paul sets the record straight explaining how the unredeemed are unable and incapable of submitting to the "law of God." The reason? Because even if they do act in morally their heart remains "in the flesh." Your flesh and your spirit (i.e. mind) - meaning the way you think and what you focus attention on - are either in-tune or they are out of tune. Either you're unredeemed, meaning your spirit and body (i.e. flesh) are both corrupted by sin. Or, you're redeemed, in which case your spirit is new but your body/flesh remains sinful. In the first case, the issue is not your obedience - although you can't be obedient perfectly - but the condition of your heart (Romans 2:29). The issue here is, the heart of the unredeemed is hostile toward God. Even if outwardly obedient, inwardly the motivation is altogether wrong. Flesh vs. spirit in this case...both in-tune with each other, necessarily so. On the other hand, in the case of the redeemed, your heart is already changed and the goal is to discipline your flesh to follow. Flesh vs. spirit in this case...out-of-tune but striving to bring flesh under spirit's discipline. See the difference? For the lost, they cannot submit to God's law (Romans 8:7). However, that does not mean they cannot submit to God's gospel! And that is a key point discussed on the podcast. All About Mindset Paul points out that the unsaved cannot set their mind - their thinking and worldview - on the things of God. Specifically His law and submission to it. The reason is due to their heart condition. The saved, however, can set their thinking and worldview in-line with God's law. Please note: can does mean ought...but does not mean will. We are able and we certainly should. But by Paul's own personal admission (Romans 7:14-25), we will not always be successful. Think in terms of the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32). Was it the one who determined to go and did not or the one who said he would not but did who was blessed? The issue is always the condition of the heart. Just look around at what is happening in our country today. It's a heart issue. And the only One capable of changing hearts is Christ Jesus our Lord. _______________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Flesh vs. spirit. It's a constant tug-of-war going within you. Your old yet-to-be-redeemed flesh pulls one direction. Your already-redeemed-waiting-for-a-new-body spirit pulls the opposite. This is the Christian life. Flesh vs. Spirit Flesh vs. spirit. It's a constant tug-of-war going within you. Your old yet-to-be-redeemed flesh pulls one direction. Your already-redeemed-waiting-for-a-new-body spirit pulls the opposite. This is the Christian life. Flesh vs. Spirit In Romans 5:5-13, Paul sets the record straight explaining how the unredeemed are unable and incapable of submitting to the "law of God." The reason? Because even if they do act in morally their heart remains "in the flesh." Your flesh and your spirit (i.e. mind) - meaning the way you think and what you focus attention on - are either in-tune or they are out of tune. Either you're unredeemed, meaning your spirit and body (i.e. flesh) are both corrupted by sin. Or, you're redeemed, in which case your spirit is new but your body/flesh remains sinful. In the first case, the issue is not your obedience - although you can't be obedient perfectly - but the condition of your heart (Romans 2:29). The issue here is, the heart of the unredeemed is hostile toward God. Even if outwardly obedient, inwardly the motivation is altogether wrong. Flesh vs. spirit in this case...both in-tune with each other, necessarily so. On the other hand, in the case of the redeemed, your heart is already changed and the goal is to discipline your flesh to follow. Flesh vs. spirit in this case...out-of-tune but striving to bring flesh under spirit's discipline. See the difference? For the lost, they cannot submit to God's law (Romans 8:7). However, that does not mean they cannot submit to God's gospel! And that is a key point discussed on the podcast. All About Mindset Paul points out that the unsaved cannot set their mind - their thinking and worldview - on the things of God. Specifically His law and submission to it. The reason is due to their heart condition. The saved, however, can set their thinking and worldview in-line with God's law. Please note: can does mean ought...but does not mean will. We are able and we certainly should. But by Paul's own personal admission (Romans 7:14-25), we will not always be successful. Think in terms of the parable of the two sons (Matthew 21:28-32). Was it the one who determined to go and did not or the one who said he would not but did who was blessed? The issue is always the condition of the heart. Just look around at what is happening in our country today. It's a heart issue. And the only One capable of changing hearts is Christ Jesus our Lord. _______________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:14:49 Dr. David Turpen The Not So Secret Agenda That is Burning America (130) https://dtlifecoach.com/agenda/ Thu, 02 Jul 2020 22:54:41 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3294 There is an agenda. An agenda to destroy the United States of America from within. Abraham Lincoln, in an 1838 speech at the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois said: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we lose our freedoms it will be because we have destroyed ourselves from within.” Truer words have rarely been spoken. The Agenda You might be looking around and wonder, "What is happening to America?" Truth is, it's no secret. There is an agenda driving what is happening all around us. That agenda is not new. In fact, Paul mentions it in Romans 1. "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:28-32 (NASB) The issue is a "hatred of God" issue. This is the agenda...to rid us all of God and His influence. It has been this way from the beginning. And yes, as simple as it might sound, Satan is at the root of it all. I do not think, again, that it is an accident that I am presenting Romans to you. It is the absolute foundation of the Gospel and the key to our understanding. Even in this day and age. The message could not be more clear! Understanding What Is Happening to America What we are studying in Romans is directly related to what is happening in our country...and worldwide. We will get back to Romans next time. Instead of listening to me this week, I've decided to let you hear from a colleague of mine. Larry Taunton is an award-winning author, freelance columnist, and producer. Larry is the author of The Grace Effect and is founder and Executive Director of Fixed Point Foundation. Fixed Point has hosted numerous debates between atheists and believers. Among the participants are Dr. John Lennox, Dr. Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens. If you've never seen any, you should watch. Larry recently gave a keynote address to a sold out crowd at The Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook, Alabama. In it he explains the agenda of those who seek to destroy our country from within. Their agenda is clear cut, has historical roots, and is not new. I believe his presentation is accurate and important enough for you to listen. Here is that presentation. _________________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Learn more about Larry Taunton and Fixed Point Foundation - Click Here Larry Taunton appears courtesy of https://larryalextaunton.com/. © Larry Alex Taunton 2019-2020 There is an agenda. An agenda to destroy the United States of America from within. Abraham Lincoln, in an 1838 speech at the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois said: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. There is an agenda. An agenda to destroy the United States of America from within. Abraham Lincoln, in an 1838 speech at the Young Men’s Lyceum of Springfield, Illinois said: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we lose our freedoms it will be because we have destroyed ourselves from within.” Truer words have rarely been spoken. The Agenda You might be looking around and wonder, "What is happening to America?" Truth is, it's no secret. There is an agenda driving what is happening all around us. That agenda is not new. In fact, Paul mentions it in Romans 1. "And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them." Romans 1:28-32 (NASB) The issue is a "hatred of God" issue. This is the agenda...to rid us all of God and His influence. It has been this way from the beginning. And yes, as simple as it might sound, Satan is at the root of it all. I do not think, again, that it is an accident that I am presenting Romans to you. It is the absolute foundation of the Gospel and the key to our understanding. Even in this day and age. The message could not be more clear! Understanding What Is Happening to America What we are studying in Romans is directly related to what is happening in our country...and worldwide. We will get back to Romans next time. Instead of listening to me this week, I've decided to let you hear from a colleague of mine. Larry Taunton is an award-winning author, freelance columnist, and producer. Larry is the author of The Grace Effect and is founder and Executive Director of Fixed Point Foundation. Fixed Point has hosted numerous debates between atheists and believers. Among the participants are Dr. John Lennox, Dr. Richard Dawkins, and Christopher Hitchens. If you've never seen any, you should watch. Larry recently gave a keynote address to a sold out crowd at The Grand Bohemian Hotel in Mountain Brook, Alabama. In it he explains the agenda of those who seek to destroy our country from within. Their agenda is clear cut, has historical roots, and is not new. I believe his presentation is accurate and important enough for you to listen. Here is that presentation. _________________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Learn more about Larry Taunton and Fixed Point Foundation - Click Here Larry Taunton appears courtesy of https://larryalextaunton.com/. © Larry Alex Taunton 2019-2020 Dr. David Turpen 1:58:50 Dr. David Turpen No Condemnation & Deliverance From Bondage (129) https://dtlifecoach.com/no-condemnation/ Thu, 25 Jun 2020 20:51:48 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3291 No condemnation! If Romans is the Himalayas, then chapter eight is its Mount Everest. Deliverance from bondage is freedom in Christ. The key is understanding exactly what we have been freed from. Only then will things begin to make sense and give you true independence. No Condemnation! Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - Romans 8:1. Never has there been a greater and more welcome declaration! (A close second might very well be the Declaration of Independence of the United States.) No condemnation - freedom from bondage - no penalty for you! All because of Christ Jesus our Lord. For many people Romans 8 is the pinnacle of the Bible. It emphasizes the Christians assurance of penalty payment and victory over the power of sin. It is the climax of the Gospel of grace. And yet, so many people misunderstand and misapply it to their daily lives. Or worse, fail to see its significance to their daily life. The Most Succinct Statement of Substitutionary Atonement Romans 8:3-4 may very well be the most succinct statement of substitutionary atonement found in the Scriptures. It perfectly describes what Jesus came to do - in our place. It is His payment of our penalty that sets us free to truly live. Our redemption and regeneration, together with the indwelling Holy Spirit, give us power of sin. No more living in fear of reprisal or retribution. No more fear of death. Living under the power of sin and death has come to an end. That all sounds great...but what about what Paul just shared about Christian living in 7:14-25? There it doesn't sound that easy. Well, easy it is not. However, that does not mean we cannot and will not be victorious. Freedom in Christ is about knowing the truth and reality of who and Whose we are. The daily battle is about living out the reason we're here. ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here No condemnation! If Romans is the Himalayas, then chapter eight is its Mount Everest. Deliverance from bondage is freedom in Christ. The key is understanding exactly what we have been freed from. Only then will things begin to make sense and give you t... No condemnation! If Romans is the Himalayas, then chapter eight is its Mount Everest. Deliverance from bondage is freedom in Christ. The key is understanding exactly what we have been freed from. Only then will things begin to make sense and give you true independence. No Condemnation! Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus - Romans 8:1. Never has there been a greater and more welcome declaration! (A close second might very well be the Declaration of Independence of the United States.) No condemnation - freedom from bondage - no penalty for you! All because of Christ Jesus our Lord. For many people Romans 8 is the pinnacle of the Bible. It emphasizes the Christians assurance of penalty payment and victory over the power of sin. It is the climax of the Gospel of grace. And yet, so many people misunderstand and misapply it to their daily lives. Or worse, fail to see its significance to their daily life. The Most Succinct Statement of Substitutionary Atonement Romans 8:3-4 may very well be the most succinct statement of substitutionary atonement found in the Scriptures. It perfectly describes what Jesus came to do - in our place. It is His payment of our penalty that sets us free to truly live. Our redemption and regeneration, together with the indwelling Holy Spirit, give us power of sin. No more living in fear of reprisal or retribution. No more fear of death. Living under the power of sin and death has come to an end. That all sounds great...but what about what Paul just shared about Christian living in 7:14-25? There it doesn't sound that easy. Well, easy it is not. However, that does not mean we cannot and will not be victorious. Freedom in Christ is about knowing the truth and reality of who and Whose we are. The daily battle is about living out the reason we're here. ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:21:37 Dr. David Turpen Symptoms Are Only Symptomatic (128) https://dtlifecoach.com/symptoms/ Thu, 04 Jun 2020 23:03:42 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3287 Symptoms! It's the symptoms that you see. Just like a tree. You can see the trunk, the limbs, the leaves and the fruit. But these are not the problem. Nor are they the cause of the problem. What we can see is the result of the problem which is the result of the cause. Symptoms! Symptoms Are Affected By Motivation What's my motivation!? The familiar cry of the actor paid to play a part that is not naturally themselves. In order to perform in a certain manner (read behavior), I must have the proper or corresponding motivation. Given the present climate of things (as of June 4, 2020) relative to virus outbreaks, social injustice, protests, and rioting, too many people are only identifying the symptoms. Nearly every report, commentary, and interview I've seen or heard has only addressed the symptoms. The question comes: What can we do to effect change? The answer: Stop dealing with the symptoms and define the problem. Once defined, root out (pun intended) the causes and deal with those. How Romans Fits In I don't think it is by "accident" that we are going through Romans chapters 6-8 at this time. In fact, I believe it's Divine Intervention. Why? Because in these passages the Apostle Paul is dealing with the root that effects real change. What change are we talking about? Behavioral change. Behavioral change (effective over the long term) does not come from simple behavioral modification through conditioning or reward/punishment approaches. This only deals with the symptom. The symptom is what we see...the behavior. To effect real change (to make the behavior different) you have to confront the root problem and the motivation behind it. Paul is dealing with motivation specifically in these chapters. Motivation Comes From the Heart The people of Rome are wondering about their relationship to the law while being under grace. Do they have to obey it? If so, why and for what reward? Paul says you have already received the reward...eternal life! Your motivation is the result of the change you have already experienced. Behavior is the result of thinking and thinking is the result of belief. If I act in a certain way it's because I think a certain thing about the situation or person. I think that way because of what I believe about it or them. If I want to effect how I behave, I change how think. And I change how I think by determining what I believe and why I believe it. The real problem is a heart problem. The cause is sin that destroys and kills the heart. It's dead in its transgressions and sins (Eph. 2). If we/I want to have a heart change, then we have to trust Someone big enough and powerful enough to accomplish it. Once received (converted, born again, regenerated), the heart is soft (Ez. 36:26) and the motivation is changed (Romans 6-8). The motivation to do what? The motivation to live according to the law of God. Why is that important? Because its the law that teaches us how we are to behave and treat others. And isn't that what social justice is, treating others the right way? Well, it's the law that tells us the right way. ____________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning By Clicking Here Symptoms! It's the symptoms that you see. Just like a tree. You can see the trunk, the limbs, the leaves and the fruit. But these are not the problem. Nor are they the cause of the problem. What we can see is the result of the problem which is the resu... Symptoms! It's the symptoms that you see. Just like a tree. You can see the trunk, the limbs, the leaves and the fruit. But these are not the problem. Nor are they the cause of the problem. What we can see is the result of the problem which is the result of the cause. Symptoms! Symptoms Are Affected By Motivation What's my motivation!? The familiar cry of the actor paid to play a part that is not naturally themselves. In order to perform in a certain manner (read behavior), I must have the proper or corresponding motivation. Given the present climate of things (as of June 4, 2020) relative to virus outbreaks, social injustice, protests, and rioting, too many people are only identifying the symptoms. Nearly every report, commentary, and interview I've seen or heard has only addressed the symptoms. The question comes: What can we do to effect change? The answer: Stop dealing with the symptoms and define the problem. Once defined, root out (pun intended) the causes and deal with those. How Romans Fits In I don't think it is by "accident" that we are going through Romans chapters 6-8 at this time. In fact, I believe it's Divine Intervention. Why? Because in these passages the Apostle Paul is dealing with the root that effects real change. What change are we talking about? Behavioral change. Behavioral change (effective over the long term) does not come from simple behavioral modification through conditioning or reward/punishment approaches. This only deals with the symptom. The symptom is what we see...the behavior. To effect real change (to make the behavior different) you have to confront the root problem and the motivation behind it. Paul is dealing with motivation specifically in these chapters. Motivation Comes From the Heart The people of Rome are wondering about their relationship to the law while being under grace. Do they have to obey it? If so, why and for what reward? Paul says you have already received the reward...eternal life! Your motivation is the result of the change you have already experienced. Behavior is the result of thinking and thinking is the result of belief. If I act in a certain way it's because I think a certain thing about the situation or person. I think that way because of what I believe about it or them. If I want to effect how I behave, I change how think. And I change how I think by determining what I believe and why I believe it. The real problem is a heart problem. The cause is sin that destroys and kills the heart. It's dead in its transgressions and sins (Eph. 2). If we/I want to have a heart change, then we have to trust Someone big enough and powerful enough to accomplish it. Once received (converted, born again, regenerated), the heart is soft (Ez. 36:26) and the motivation is changed (Romans 6-8). The motivation to do what? The motivation to live according to the law of God. Why is that important? Because its the law that teaches us how we are to behave and treat others. And isn't that what social justice is, treating others the right way? Well, it's the law that tells us the right way. ____________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning By Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen 56:06 Dr. David Turpen The Inner Conflict of Every Christian (127) https://dtlifecoach.com/inner-conflict/ Thu, 28 May 2020 20:40:00 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3284 The inner conflict of every Christian is the tension between your already-redeemed spirit and your not-yet-redeemed body. Yes, it's that simple. Unfortunately, too many Christians don't understand this dynamic of their changed state. Even more unfortunate is the reality that most Christians are never told upfront that this tension is going to exist after they are born again. The True Experience Some have read Romans 7:13-25 and wrongly concluded that Paul is describing his life prior to becoming a Christian. However, this cannot be the case for several reasons: The major theme of chapters 6-8 is the Christian life - how grace and law work together in the life of the redeemedPaul clearly uses the present tense and this should be taken at face value, as his First Century readers would have donePaul's description of the God's law and his own inner life is incompatible with the heart and life of an unregenerate personThe struggle described exists only the hearts of the redeemedThe assurance of deliverance is something only a Christian can have (v. 25)All Christians can relate to the struggle Paul describes of himself Additionally, all other descriptions of this passage that suggest Paul is discussing something other than his own, at present, experience fail for many of the same reasons. The inner conflict is the real and legitimate experience of every Christian. Flesh Against Spirit The inner conflict, described as battle and war - and make no mistake, the war-language is intentional - is the same for every believer. Each will experience it to varying degrees, of course, but experience it we all do. The unredeemed and still-tied-to-this-world flesh (which is the reason it dies and goes back to dust) resists and wages war against our new inner man. Our new spirit is young, naive, and in great need of growing up. And, just like children, this process will take time and will at times, be painful. But grow and mature we must. We must educate and train our new inner man to "be the boss" of our flesh. This is part of the reason why sanctification is a necessarily part of the salvation process. In fact, it is for the purpose of obeying God's law that we have been redeemed and remain in this life. There is no biblical process for moving from justification to glorification that does not include regeneration and sanctification. It just doesn't exist. Victory Is Assured Reading this passage (7:13-24), one might conclude the battle is lost but nothing could be further from the truth. We are, in fact, already saved and our victory over sin and death is already assured. Christ has conquered both sin and death and we are equal participants in that (see 6:5; 1 Corinthians 15). This battle we face against our own sin/flesh is the "daily cross" Jesus spoke of (Matthew 16:24ff). Our motivation to "keep the faith" and "fight the good fight" is the assurance of our salvation. We WILL be raised up and receive new bodies at the resurrection. These new bodies will match our already-new-spirit and will inherit eternal life in the very presence of God. ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here The inner conflict of every Christian is the tension between your already-redeemed spirit and your not-yet-redeemed body. Yes, it's that simple. Unfortunately, too many Christians don't understand this dynamic of their changed state. The inner conflict of every Christian is the tension between your already-redeemed spirit and your not-yet-redeemed body. Yes, it's that simple. Unfortunately, too many Christians don't understand this dynamic of their changed state. Even more unfortunate is the reality that most Christians are never told upfront that this tension is going to exist after they are born again. The True Experience Some have read Romans 7:13-25 and wrongly concluded that Paul is describing his life prior to becoming a Christian. However, this cannot be the case for several reasons: The major theme of chapters 6-8 is the Christian life - how grace and law work together in the life of the redeemedPaul clearly uses the present tense and this should be taken at face value, as his First Century readers would have donePaul's description of the God's law and his own inner life is incompatible with the heart and life of an unregenerate personThe struggle described exists only the hearts of the redeemedThe assurance of deliverance is something only a Christian can have (v. 25)All Christians can relate to the struggle Paul describes of himself Additionally, all other descriptions of this passage that suggest Paul is discussing something other than his own, at present, experience fail for many of the same reasons. The inner conflict is the real and legitimate experience of every Christian. Flesh Against Spirit The inner conflict, described as battle and war - and make no mistake, the war-language is intentional - is the same for every believer. Each will experience it to varying degrees, of course, but experience it we all do. The unredeemed and still-tied-to-this-world flesh (which is the reason it dies and goes back to dust) resists and wages war against our new inner man. Our new spirit is young, naive, and in great need of growing up. And, just like children, this process will take time and will at times, be painful. But grow and mature we must. We must educate and train our new inner man to "be the boss" of our flesh. This is part of the reason why sanctification is a necessarily part of the salvation process. In fact, it is for the purpose of obeying God's law that we have been redeemed and remain in this life. There is no biblical process for moving from justification to glorification that does not include regeneration and sanctification. It just doesn't exist. Victory Is Assured Reading this passage (7:13-24), one might conclude the battle is lost but nothing could be further from the truth. We are, in fact, already saved and our victory over sin and death is already assured. Christ has conquered both sin and death and we are equal participants in that (see 6:5; 1 Corinthians 15). This battle we face against our own sin/flesh is the "daily cross" Jesus spoke of (Matthew 16:24ff). Our motivation to "keep the faith" and "fight the good fight" is the assurance of our salvation. We WILL be raised up and receive new bodies at the resurrection. These new bodies will match our already-new-spirit and will inherit eternal life in the very presence of God. ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:24:53 Dr. David Turpen Is The Law Sin? Romans 7:7-13 (126) https://dtlifecoach.com/is-the-law-sin/ Thu, 14 May 2020 20:42:41 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3280 Is the law sin? No! Absolutely not! After twice confronting an antinomian (i.e. against law) view of grace, Paul a third time asks a question. The first question was: Do we go on living the sinful lifestyle we had prior to our conversion? No. In fact, you can't because that "old man" has already died and been buried. He doesn't even exist anymore. The second question was: Can we just sin since grace abounds and we're under grace and no longer under law? Again: Absolutely not! If you do, you simply do not understand grace. You're free from law as a system of salvation, not as a code of conduct. Grace eliminates your responsibility to pay a penalty. Third Question Now the question is: Is the law itself sin since it seems - in comparison to grace - to be so negative? And a third time, no! The law is not sin. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The law is good, righteous, and holy...just like God, its Author. Having a right understanding of being "under grace and not under law" has everything to do with right living. Is the law sin? How can it be since it comes from God (cf. James 1:17). It is not given to cause sin but to define it. It's only through the law that you can know what sin is. Wicked Flesh However, it does "provoke" the sin still dwelling in your flesh. It can "create" rebellion in that its command evokes a sense of "restraint" from God. Meaning, your flesh often responds to the as a means by which God keeps you from having "good things you deserve." In point of fact, the opposite is true. The law is not the problem. It's the sin living in you (i.e. in your flesh) that is the problem. This sin that remains in your body is what must be dealt with. This is what you "crucify daily" and learn to discipline. Is the law sin? Far from it. It actually serves as a guardrail to your life. Understanding this is foundational to successful Christian living. _________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning by Clicking Here Is the law sin? No! Absolutely not! After twice confronting an antinomian (i.e. against law) view of grace, Paul a third time asks a question. The first question was: Do we go on living the sinful lifestyle we had prior to our conversion? No. Is the law sin? No! Absolutely not! After twice confronting an antinomian (i.e. against law) view of grace, Paul a third time asks a question. The first question was: Do we go on living the sinful lifestyle we had prior to our conversion? No. In fact, you can't because that "old man" has already died and been buried. He doesn't even exist anymore. The second question was: Can we just sin since grace abounds and we're under grace and no longer under law? Again: Absolutely not! If you do, you simply do not understand grace. You're free from law as a system of salvation, not as a code of conduct. Grace eliminates your responsibility to pay a penalty. Third Question Now the question is: Is the law itself sin since it seems - in comparison to grace - to be so negative? And a third time, no! The law is not sin. In fact, it is quite the opposite. The law is good, righteous, and holy...just like God, its Author. Having a right understanding of being "under grace and not under law" has everything to do with right living. Is the law sin? How can it be since it comes from God (cf. James 1:17). It is not given to cause sin but to define it. It's only through the law that you can know what sin is. Wicked Flesh However, it does "provoke" the sin still dwelling in your flesh. It can "create" rebellion in that its command evokes a sense of "restraint" from God. Meaning, your flesh often responds to the as a means by which God keeps you from having "good things you deserve." In point of fact, the opposite is true. The law is not the problem. It's the sin living in you (i.e. in your flesh) that is the problem. This sin that remains in your body is what must be dealt with. This is what you "crucify daily" and learn to discipline. Is the law sin? Far from it. It actually serves as a guardrail to your life. Understanding this is foundational to successful Christian living. _________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning by Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen 1:43:37 Dr. David Turpen Understanding What Died In Your Death (125) https://dtlifecoach.com/died/ Thu, 07 May 2020 21:02:00 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3275 Being "free from the law" has everything to do with understanding what actually died. When you were crucified and buried, what died? Your "old man" died...your old nature. Now, you've been resurrected, born again, and regenerated. You're a new creation in Christ. You are God's workmanship. You have a new nature. Law Has No Jurisdiction Over the Dead In Romans 7:1-6, Paul uses the illustration of a married woman being married to another man (i.e. bigamy; having two or more husbands at the same time). He says the law only has jurisdiction restricting this second marriage only so long as the first husband is still alive. (Paul is not discussing the grounds for marriage, divorce, or remarriage.) If the first husband dies, the wife is released from him "under the law" and is now free to marry another man. The law only has jurisdiction over the living. In context, Paul is referring to our own death and burial (Romans 6:4-6) in Christ. The laws jurisdiction - its ability to impose a penalty - ends when we die. Since we "died" in baptism and our "old man" was buried, we are now new (i.e. born again) and free to "marry" another. In this sense, we are now united a new husband...namely Jesus. (Consider the analogy of Christ the Groom and the Church the Bride of Christ.) New Husband - One Nature We now have a "new husband" to follow and to lead us, Christ the Groom. We have been set free of the "first husband's" jurisdiction over us and are now free to "re-marry." Our "new husband" is good, gracious, and loving in comparison to the first. The first was a tyrant, a slave master, and a heel. We served him out of fear and under penalty of hell. Now we serve from the heart, out of willingness and want-to, desiring to please the One who loves us so. Many read this passage, and the verses following, and wrongly conclude it to be a discussion about two opposing natures. In fact, the translators of the NASB wrongly place the heading, "The Conflict of Two Natures", above verse 14. This is a common but false view. We do not have two natures. At least not at the same time. Our "old nature" was polluted and corrupted by our personal sin. This was the "old man" who was crucified, died, and was buried in our Christian immersion (Romans 6:3-7). That "old nature" died and was replaced - regenerated and born again - as a "new nature" willing and able to obey. Thus our battle is not between two natures but between one new nature and our "old flesh." This perspective can be a game changer when it comes to understanding how live a successful Christian life. ___________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Being "free from the law" has everything to do with understanding what actually died. When you were crucified and buried, what died? Your "old man" died...your old nature. Now, you've been resurrected, born again, and regenerated. Being "free from the law" has everything to do with understanding what actually died. When you were crucified and buried, what died? Your "old man" died...your old nature. Now, you've been resurrected, born again, and regenerated. You're a new creation in Christ. You are God's workmanship. You have a new nature. Law Has No Jurisdiction Over the Dead In Romans 7:1-6, Paul uses the illustration of a married woman being married to another man (i.e. bigamy; having two or more husbands at the same time). He says the law only has jurisdiction restricting this second marriage only so long as the first husband is still alive. (Paul is not discussing the grounds for marriage, divorce, or remarriage.) If the first husband dies, the wife is released from him "under the law" and is now free to marry another man. The law only has jurisdiction over the living. In context, Paul is referring to our own death and burial (Romans 6:4-6) in Christ. The laws jurisdiction - its ability to impose a penalty - ends when we die. Since we "died" in baptism and our "old man" was buried, we are now new (i.e. born again) and free to "marry" another. In this sense, we are now united a new husband...namely Jesus. (Consider the analogy of Christ the Groom and the Church the Bride of Christ.) New Husband - One Nature We now have a "new husband" to follow and to lead us, Christ the Groom. We have been set free of the "first husband's" jurisdiction over us and are now free to "re-marry." Our "new husband" is good, gracious, and loving in comparison to the first. The first was a tyrant, a slave master, and a heel. We served him out of fear and under penalty of hell. Now we serve from the heart, out of willingness and want-to, desiring to please the One who loves us so. Many read this passage, and the verses following, and wrongly conclude it to be a discussion about two opposing natures. In fact, the translators of the NASB wrongly place the heading, "The Conflict of Two Natures", above verse 14. This is a common but false view. We do not have two natures. At least not at the same time. Our "old nature" was polluted and corrupted by our personal sin. This was the "old man" who was crucified, died, and was buried in our Christian immersion (Romans 6:3-7). That "old nature" died and was replaced - regenerated and born again - as a "new nature" willing and able to obey. Thus our battle is not between two natures but between one new nature and our "old flesh." This perspective can be a game changer when it comes to understanding how live a successful Christian life. ___________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:32:50 Dr. David Turpen Are You A Slave and Whose Slave Are You? (124) https://dtlifecoach.com/slave-2/ Thu, 30 Apr 2020 21:35:41 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3271 This is really the wrong question. Paul's point in Romans 6:15-23 shows that you are a slave. The question really is: Whose slave are you? "Who's your daddy?" - a modern idiom - implies you haven't yet determined whom you will serve. Through your conversion, as Paul points out, you have already made that decision. Free To Sin? Too many people believe that being "under grace" and no longer being "under law" means you're free from obedience to the law. Not true! In fact, you have actually reinforced your responsibility to obey God's commands. We touched on this last episode (Free OF Not Free FROM). Those who lean (or outright teach) antinomianism simply do not understand grace. Nor do they understand the law or a Christian's relationship to the law. Further, they fail to recognize Paul's clear teaching in Romans 6 & 7. But I Don't Wanna Be A Slave! Sorry, you are. Simply be virtue of not being the Creator - and being a creature instead - you're a slave. Now, before we get too deep into this analogy, understand that Paul is speaking in "human terms" (v. 19) so we can better understand. He is NOT attempting to portray God as a domineering, whip-wielding, slave master. What he is doing is helping us see that whatever we "obey" becomes our master. Herein lies the issue. You are either a "slave to sin" or you're a "slave to righteousness." You don't get to determine whether or not you're a slave (i.e. that you'll be obedient). But you do get to determine whom you will obey. You can either obey a loving, kind, generous, and good God who makes your burden light (Matthew 11:30). Or, you can be a slave to a dictator who only seeks your destruction. Grace does not diminish our obligation to obey God's commands. Not one iota! Gift or Wages Paul puts grace in terms of a gift given by God. At the same time he places sin in terms of wages earned. Simply put, the choice is ours. Whom will you serve. Accepting grace and redemption necessarily means that we have willfully submitted ourselves to a new Master. A Master who loves and cares for us and provides for our every need. Knowingly giving in to sin again just doesn't make sense for any Christian. Obedience to Christ is the essence of what it means to call Him Lord. _____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here This is really the wrong question. Paul's point in Romans 6:15-23 shows that you are a slave. The question really is: Whose slave are you? "Who's your daddy?" - a modern idiom - implies you haven't yet determined whom you will serve. This is really the wrong question. Paul's point in Romans 6:15-23 shows that you are a slave. The question really is: Whose slave are you? "Who's your daddy?" - a modern idiom - implies you haven't yet determined whom you will serve. Through your conversion, as Paul points out, you have already made that decision. Free To Sin? Too many people believe that being "under grace" and no longer being "under law" means you're free from obedience to the law. Not true! In fact, you have actually reinforced your responsibility to obey God's commands. We touched on this last episode (Free OF Not Free FROM). Those who lean (or outright teach) antinomianism simply do not understand grace. Nor do they understand the law or a Christian's relationship to the law. Further, they fail to recognize Paul's clear teaching in Romans 6 & 7. But I Don't Wanna Be A Slave! Sorry, you are. Simply be virtue of not being the Creator - and being a creature instead - you're a slave. Now, before we get too deep into this analogy, understand that Paul is speaking in "human terms" (v. 19) so we can better understand. He is NOT attempting to portray God as a domineering, whip-wielding, slave master. What he is doing is helping us see that whatever we "obey" becomes our master. Herein lies the issue. You are either a "slave to sin" or you're a "slave to righteousness." You don't get to determine whether or not you're a slave (i.e. that you'll be obedient). But you do get to determine whom you will obey. You can either obey a loving, kind, generous, and good God who makes your burden light (Matthew 11:30). Or, you can be a slave to a dictator who only seeks your destruction. Grace does not diminish our obligation to obey God's commands. Not one iota! Gift or Wages Paul puts grace in terms of a gift given by God. At the same time he places sin in terms of wages earned. Simply put, the choice is ours. Whom will you serve. Accepting grace and redemption necessarily means that we have willfully submitted ourselves to a new Master. A Master who loves and cares for us and provides for our every need. Knowingly giving in to sin again just doesn't make sense for any Christian. Obedience to Christ is the essence of what it means to call Him Lord. _____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen 1:43:42 Dr. David Turpen Free OF Law – Not Free FROM Law (123) https://dtlifecoach.com/under-grace/ Thu, 23 Apr 2020 20:00:23 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3267 Romans 6:14 is a verse that historically has been misapplied, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. The Christian life - the successful Christian life - is all about having a right understanding of this verse. You are free OF law's penalty but you are not free FROM law's obedience. _________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning By Clicking Here Romans 6:14 is a verse that historically has been misapplied, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. The Christian life - the successful Christian life - is all about having a right understanding of this verse. Romans 6:14 is a verse that historically has been misapplied, misinterpreted, and misunderstood. The Christian life - the successful Christian life - is all about having a right understanding of this verse. You are free OF law's penalty but you are not free FROM law's obedience. _________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning By Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen 1:24:31 Dr. David Turpen Real Resurrection To New Life (122) https://dtlifecoach.com/new-life/ Thu, 09 Apr 2020 20:42:52 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3262 New Life! That's what it's all about. Not the "hokey-pokey," not "being happy," and not "keeping up with the Jones." Your new life is about counting yourself dead to sin...but living to God! Resurrected To New Life Is Real Verse 11 of Romans chapter six is the first imperative - the first command - that Paul gives in this letter. However, it is different from other commands we see in the New Testament. Most of the others deal with behavioral commands and how to conduct yourself. This one is a belief command. It is an exhortation to believe and accept that what Paul is telling you is the truth. It's a fact and a reality, not an abstract thought or pretend fiction. What is Paul commanding us to believe? That you should count yourself dead to sin! That you are in fact, alive to God! From verse 2 through verse 11, Paul has repeated this reality as fact several times. Now it is time for you to accept it - and live in it - as your new reality. This is not pretend. It is not wishful thinking. You're not being asked to believe something for which there is no evidence. This is not blind faith. This is your new spiritual - and human - reality. Believe it! Resurrection Is For New Life The purpose of the resurrection of Christ was to affirm and confirm His penalty payment for the sins of the world as acceptable to God. Christ's resurrection also served as proof that He was God in the flesh (Immanuel). Resurrecting Jesus further made Him the "firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:13-20) who now has a glorified body. (see Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 1:8). Your resurrection - accomplished in/during water immersion through the power and working of God (cf. Colossians 2:9-14) - serves the same purpose. You were raised to live a new life. Your new life is simply a life of following God. Living according to His word (i.e. His law). Just as Christ was put to death and resurrected, we have experienced the same thing. When did we experience this? In our water baptism. Out death and burial to sin and resurrection to new life draw their meaning and power from Christ's. ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here New Life! That's what it's all about. Not the "hokey-pokey," not "being happy," and not "keeping up with the Jones." Your new life is about counting yourself dead to sin...but living to God! Resurrected To New Life Is Real New Life! That's what it's all about. Not the "hokey-pokey," not "being happy," and not "keeping up with the Jones." Your new life is about counting yourself dead to sin...but living to God! Resurrected To New Life Is Real Verse 11 of Romans chapter six is the first imperative - the first command - that Paul gives in this letter. However, it is different from other commands we see in the New Testament. Most of the others deal with behavioral commands and how to conduct yourself. This one is a belief command. It is an exhortation to believe and accept that what Paul is telling you is the truth. It's a fact and a reality, not an abstract thought or pretend fiction. What is Paul commanding us to believe? That you should count yourself dead to sin! That you are in fact, alive to God! From verse 2 through verse 11, Paul has repeated this reality as fact several times. Now it is time for you to accept it - and live in it - as your new reality. This is not pretend. It is not wishful thinking. You're not being asked to believe something for which there is no evidence. This is not blind faith. This is your new spiritual - and human - reality. Believe it! Resurrection Is For New Life The purpose of the resurrection of Christ was to affirm and confirm His penalty payment for the sins of the world as acceptable to God. Christ's resurrection also served as proof that He was God in the flesh (Immanuel). Resurrecting Jesus further made Him the "firstborn of all creation" (Colossians 1:13-20) who now has a glorified body. (see Philippians 2:9-11; Revelation 1:8). Your resurrection - accomplished in/during water immersion through the power and working of God (cf. Colossians 2:9-14) - serves the same purpose. You were raised to live a new life. Your new life is simply a life of following God. Living according to His word (i.e. His law). Just as Christ was put to death and resurrected, we have experienced the same thing. When did we experience this? In our water baptism. Out death and burial to sin and resurrection to new life draw their meaning and power from Christ's. ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen 1:03:33 Dr. David Turpen Old Self New Self (121) https://dtlifecoach.com/old-self-new-self/ Thu, 02 Apr 2020 20:28:29 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3258 Your "old self" is dead and buried! Your "new self" is alive and well. The question is, are you aware and actually living this way? And yes, you can live this way even under quarantine. Old Self New Self Paul is addressing three questions about the role of law in relationship to living under grace. If we are living under God's grace, what is the purpose of the law? Do we have to obey the law? Is grace a license to live how we please? Paul says, absolutely not! If you have this attitude or understanding of grace then you really don't understand it all. Your "old self" - the person you used to be who followed temptation and sin's every whim - is dead and buried. They don't even exist anymore. Or don't you know that that is what happened to you in your immersion? Old and New This teaching about your "old man" and the "new man" is fundamental to understanding your redemption. The old man is dead and gone. He does not even exist any longer. The new man - the new creation - has replaced it. Yes, your new man has to live in an "old body" but only for a time. During that time you have the opportunity to retrain and discipline your flesh to be obedient to the new self. Your physical death then, is actually a blessing! How? By allowing you to finally (at that point) to be rid of the flesh that still inhabits sin. Being saved (redeemed, justified, born again) has two parts, just as personal sin infects two curses. First, sin mandates a penalty payment...a "sin-debt" to God. Second, it forces your "old self" to become a slave to sin as its new master. Redemption is necessarily a "double cure." First, you are released from responsibility for paying the penalty by virtue of Jesus paying it for you. Second, your "old self" is crucified in immersion by literally and spiritually coming into contact with the blood of Christ, dying, and being buried. You're then "born again" as a "new creation" and rise as the "workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus." For what purpose? To live a new life of obedience to God without the pressure of doing so perfectly. Do you understand this? _____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here Your "old self" is dead and buried! Your "new self" is alive and well. The question is, are you aware and actually living this way? And yes, you can live this way even under quarantine. Old Self New Self Your "old self" is dead and buried! Your "new self" is alive and well. The question is, are you aware and actually living this way? And yes, you can live this way even under quarantine. Old Self New Self Paul is addressing three questions about the role of law in relationship to living under grace. If we are living under God's grace, what is the purpose of the law? Do we have to obey the law? Is grace a license to live how we please? Paul says, absolutely not! If you have this attitude or understanding of grace then you really don't understand it all. Your "old self" - the person you used to be who followed temptation and sin's every whim - is dead and buried. They don't even exist anymore. Or don't you know that that is what happened to you in your immersion? Old and New This teaching about your "old man" and the "new man" is fundamental to understanding your redemption. The old man is dead and gone. He does not even exist any longer. The new man - the new creation - has replaced it. Yes, your new man has to live in an "old body" but only for a time. During that time you have the opportunity to retrain and discipline your flesh to be obedient to the new self. Your physical death then, is actually a blessing! How? By allowing you to finally (at that point) to be rid of the flesh that still inhabits sin. Being saved (redeemed, justified, born again) has two parts, just as personal sin infects two curses. First, sin mandates a penalty payment...a "sin-debt" to God. Second, it forces your "old self" to become a slave to sin as its new master. Redemption is necessarily a "double cure." First, you are released from responsibility for paying the penalty by virtue of Jesus paying it for you. Second, your "old self" is crucified in immersion by literally and spiritually coming into contact with the blood of Christ, dying, and being buried. You're then "born again" as a "new creation" and rise as the "workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus." For what purpose? To live a new life of obedience to God without the pressure of doing so perfectly. Do you understand this? _____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen 1:17:00 Dr. David Turpen Keep Calm and Have Faith (120) https://dtlifecoach.com/faith-and-hope/ Thu, 26 Mar 2020 21:47:27 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3255 In times like these, where does your hope come from? Is your faith the center of your attention? Do you see and understand what is happening and why or are you caught up in the panic? The answers to these questions are at the root of why we dig into Scripture. By Faith and Not By Sight What you believe and why you believe has everything to do with your current perspective and mental state. In the midst of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, too many people - and far too many Christians - are losing their stability. Have you fallen into the ditch of seeing this as "God's punishment" on mankind? That's only half true. Yes, God's wrath is presently visible (see Romans 1). No, this is not God being "out to get" anyone. How do you explain what is happening in the world? Do the circumstances of this life cause you fear and anxiety? It shouldn't. You should, in fact, you should expect it (see John 16:33). Faith and Hope Is your faith in the government or physicians or the stock market? Is your hope in your job, your bank account, or your 401K? If so, you're hoping and trusting in the wrong things. Psalm 121 makes it clear where your true hope lies. Believe it or not, our study of Romans is geared toward specifically making this point. The single biggest challenge, problem, or concern you will ever have has already been settled. The gospel - the Good News - is and should be your foundation for dealing with and getting through any and every thing this world can pitch against you. "For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. 6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him." - II Corinthians 5:1-9 _______________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning In times like these, where does your hope come from? Is your faith the center of your attention? Do you see and understand what is happening and why or are you caught up in the panic? The answers to these questions are at the root of why we dig into Sc... In times like these, where does your hope come from? Is your faith the center of your attention? Do you see and understand what is happening and why or are you caught up in the panic? The answers to these questions are at the root of why we dig into Scripture. By Faith and Not By Sight What you believe and why you believe has everything to do with your current perspective and mental state. In the midst of the COVID-19 virus pandemic, too many people - and far too many Christians - are losing their stability. Have you fallen into the ditch of seeing this as "God's punishment" on mankind? That's only half true. Yes, God's wrath is presently visible (see Romans 1). No, this is not God being "out to get" anyone. How do you explain what is happening in the world? Do the circumstances of this life cause you fear and anxiety? It shouldn't. You should, in fact, you should expect it (see John 16:33). Faith and Hope Is your faith in the government or physicians or the stock market? Is your hope in your job, your bank account, or your 401K? If so, you're hoping and trusting in the wrong things. Psalm 121 makes it clear where your true hope lies. Believe it or not, our study of Romans is geared toward specifically making this point. The single biggest challenge, problem, or concern you will ever have has already been settled. The gospel - the Good News - is and should be your foundation for dealing with and getting through any and every thing this world can pitch against you. "For we know that if the earthly tent which is our house is torn down, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 For indeed in this house we groan, longing to be clothed with our dwelling from heaven, 3 inasmuch as we, having put it on, will not be found naked. 4 For indeed while we are in this tent, we groan, being burdened, because we do not want to be unclothed but to be clothed, so that what is mortal will be swallowed up by life. 5 Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. 6 Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord— 7 for we walk by faith, not by sight— 8 we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 9 Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him." - II Corinthians 5:1-9 _______________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning Dr. David Turpen 53:51 Dr. David Turpen Your Personal Union With Christ (119) https://dtlifecoach.com/union/ Tue, 17 Mar 2020 20:40:07 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3248 Do you know when you were united to Christ? Your personal union with Christ is required for your salvation. Without it, you will not be found "in Him." In Romans 6:3-4 Paul expressly identifies baptism (i.e. water immersion) as the point in time when you are "united with Christ." Water baptism exemplifies the very real and actual death, burial, and resurrection of repentant believers performed by the Holy Spirit (i.e. Holy Spirit baptism or being born again). _______________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning Do you know when you were united to Christ? Your personal union with Christ is required for your salvation. Without it, you will not be found "in Him." In Romans 6:3-4 Paul expressly identifies baptism (i.e. Do you know when you were united to Christ? Your personal union with Christ is required for your salvation. Without it, you will not be found "in Him." In Romans 6:3-4 Paul expressly identifies baptism (i.e. water immersion) as the point in time when you are "united with Christ." Water baptism exemplifies the very real and actual death, burial, and resurrection of repentant believers performed by the Holy Spirit (i.e. Holy Spirit baptism or being born again). _______________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning Dr. David Turpen 1:16:28 Dr. David Turpen Don’t You Know the Significance of Baptism?! (118) https://dtlifecoach.com/significance-of-baptism/ Thu, 06 Feb 2020 21:02:57 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3237 The significance of baptism is more than simple symbolism. Baptism is not significant because it is somehow our "first act of obedience" as a Christian. In Romans 6, Paul makes the argument that the significance of baptism is nothing short of actual re-birth! Or Do You Not Know? Before discussing the relationship we as Christians under grace have with obedience to God's law, Paul first reminds us. Reminds us? Yes, he reminds us! Quite literally Paul writes, "are you ignorant" of what happened to you in your immersion. Immersion? Yes, immersion. I thought he is talking about baptism. That's right, he is. Baptism - by definition and translation - is immersion. In fact, it should have been translated as immersion from its original Greek (baptizo). Unfortunately, following the teaching of Huldrych Zwingli, translators simply transliterated the word to baptize (and its tenses). Nevertheless, Paul addresses the teaching about immersion and what happens in it as a foregone conclusion. This is something we should know. It should be part of the presentation of the gospel and explained to every convert. But in case you don't know or have forgotten, Paul teaches and reminds us of what actually happened. Already Happened The significance of baptism is presented as something that has already taken place. It's past tense. What you experienced - the work that God did in you - happened in the moment of your immersion. Knowing this will help you grasp you now new relationship to the law of God. Under law, your failure to keep it perfectly was counted against you. Under the law of God you would be judged according your your ability to live it perfectly. But you are no longer under law (as a means of salvation; Romans 6:14), you are under grace. Under grace you still need to live in obedience to the law but failure to do so will no longer be held against you. Why? Because your penalty has already been paid in full. But how do I live obediently? By keeping in mind the significance of baptism. _______________________________________ Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here The significance of baptism is more than simple symbolism. Baptism is not significant because it is somehow our "first act of obedience" as a Christian. In Romans 6, Paul makes the argument that the significance of baptism is nothing short of actual re... The significance of baptism is more than simple symbolism. Baptism is not significant because it is somehow our "first act of obedience" as a Christian. In Romans 6, Paul makes the argument that the significance of baptism is nothing short of actual re-birth! Or Do You Not Know? Before discussing the relationship we as Christians under grace have with obedience to God's law, Paul first reminds us. Reminds us? Yes, he reminds us! Quite literally Paul writes, "are you ignorant" of what happened to you in your immersion. Immersion? Yes, immersion. I thought he is talking about baptism. That's right, he is. Baptism - by definition and translation - is immersion. In fact, it should have been translated as immersion from its original Greek (baptizo). Unfortunately, following the teaching of Huldrych Zwingli, translators simply transliterated the word to baptize (and its tenses). Nevertheless, Paul addresses the teaching about immersion and what happens in it as a foregone conclusion. This is something we should know. It should be part of the presentation of the gospel and explained to every convert. But in case you don't know or have forgotten, Paul teaches and reminds us of what actually happened. Already Happened The significance of baptism is presented as something that has already taken place. It's past tense. What you experienced - the work that God did in you - happened in the moment of your immersion. Knowing this will help you grasp you now new relationship to the law of God. Under law, your failure to keep it perfectly was counted against you. Under the law of God you would be judged according your your ability to live it perfectly. But you are no longer under law (as a means of salvation; Romans 6:14), you are under grace. Under grace you still need to live in obedience to the law but failure to do so will no longer be held against you. Why? Because your penalty has already been paid in full. But how do I live obediently? By keeping in mind the significance of baptism. _______________________________________ Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:37:47 Dr. David Turpen Obedient Grace Is The Goal (117) https://dtlifecoach.com/obedient-grace/ Fri, 31 Jan 2020 17:24:42 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3234 Does grace lead to antinomianism? If we are "under grace" do we still have to obey the law? Yes. In fact, absolutely yes! Grace does not negate our obedience to the law. Grace does negate the law as a system for salvation. Understanding this key difference is the topic of Romans 6 and 7. The truth is, grace is necessarily an obedient grace. Obedience or Legalism? Antinomianism literally means against (anti) law (nomos). In Paul's presentation of the gospel, he rejects law as a means of personal righteousness unto salvation. Meaning, obeying the law cannot save you. In fact, it was never intended to do so. The question posed is, does this negation of law equate to having no obligation whatever to obeying it. Paul's emphatic answer is NO WAY! Actually, Paul will point that grace is necessarily an obedient grace. Grace or Law? Grace does not lead to antinomianism. As a matter of fact, grace actually gives us the abililty to obey. Yes, grace sets us free from law as a means or way of salvation. You cannot be saved by keeping the law. Grace also sets us free from being condemned by the law when we fail to keep it. In addition, grace sets us free from an attitude of legalistic motivation to obey the law. But what grace does not do is set us free from our obligation to obey God's law. Understanding this specific nuance about grace is Paul's purpose in first verses of Romans 6. In our discussion we will explain the importance of seeing grace as an obedient grace. It is not legalism. And it is not "free grace" antinomianism with no regard for obedience whatsoever. We are, in fact, saved for good works (Ephesians 2:10; good works is equal to obedience to God's law). ___________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning By Clicking Here Does grace lead to antinomianism? If we are "under grace" do we still have to obey the law? Yes. In fact, absolutely yes! Grace does not negate our obedience to the law. Grace does negate the law as a system for salvation. Does grace lead to antinomianism? If we are "under grace" do we still have to obey the law? Yes. In fact, absolutely yes! Grace does not negate our obedience to the law. Grace does negate the law as a system for salvation. Understanding this key difference is the topic of Romans 6 and 7. The truth is, grace is necessarily an obedient grace. Obedience or Legalism? Antinomianism literally means against (anti) law (nomos). In Paul's presentation of the gospel, he rejects law as a means of personal righteousness unto salvation. Meaning, obeying the law cannot save you. In fact, it was never intended to do so. The question posed is, does this negation of law equate to having no obligation whatever to obeying it. Paul's emphatic answer is NO WAY! Actually, Paul will point that grace is necessarily an obedient grace. Grace or Law? Grace does not lead to antinomianism. As a matter of fact, grace actually gives us the abililty to obey. Yes, grace sets us free from law as a means or way of salvation. You cannot be saved by keeping the law. Grace also sets us free from being condemned by the law when we fail to keep it. In addition, grace sets us free from an attitude of legalistic motivation to obey the law. But what grace does not do is set us free from our obligation to obey God's law. Understanding this specific nuance about grace is Paul's purpose in first verses of Romans 6. In our discussion we will explain the importance of seeing grace as an obedient grace. It is not legalism. And it is not "free grace" antinomianism with no regard for obedience whatsoever. We are, in fact, saved for good works (Ephesians 2:10; good works is equal to obedience to God's law). ___________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning By Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:13:13 Dr. David Turpen Five Phases of Spiritual Growth (116) https://dtlifecoach.com/five-phases/ Thu, 23 Jan 2020 20:44:47 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3229 Understanding the five phases of your spiritual life is critical to your success. Remember the key questions we focus on here at DTLC? Who are you? Whose are you? Why are you here? Recognizing the five phases you go through in life - from a spiritual perspective - will make all the difference. Every Person Included Every single person is in one of these five phases of their spiritual life. Recall from our study in Romans 5 that we are all born in a state of "original grace." From conception to the age of accountability, we are covered by the grace of God. Every child ever born was and is born in grace. Even though they may still be susceptible to defects, disease, or even physical death, every child is promised a redemptive resurrection. That means a new body and life eternal with God. At the age of accountability, when a person comprehends that law comes from God, each person becomes accountable. Therefore, personal law breaking becomes personal sin. From this point forward we live subject to sin and its power, as slaves. Our spirit dies and our body is under the power of sin. Paul calls this "living under law" and "in the flesh" (Rom. 6:14; 7:5). We are now guilty and powerless to sin. But the "much more" of the cross ( Rom. 5:15-19) covers even our personal sin. Amazing Grace When we hear the gospel - the full gospel, including the law and our guilt under it - and accept it as true, we place our faith in the saving work of Jesus. We are converted through faith in baptism and God's grace is applied. Our "old" spirit is resurrected to new life (Rom. 6:4). Our penalty is paid and our spirit is "born again." But this new life affects only the spirit. The Struggle Phase The problem is that our new spirit must continue to reside in a corrupted physical body. A body that is controlled by sin and if allowed, has the power to overcome our "new nature." The struggle is real but it is also necessary. It can be summed up in three words: power, struggle, and victory. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9, 11) gives us power to overcome the power of sin still dwelling in our bodies. Living the Christian life is about recognizing this struggle, embracing it, and learning to overpower it. This is why Paul can "rejoice in our tribulations" (Rom. 5:3-5). Final Victory The last of these five phases is our total victory, when we shed these bodies in physical death. We will have some victories in this life and the goal is to have as many as possible. But regardless of how many, so long as we continue to "fight the good fight of faith" we are assured of total victory. We will be glorified. We will one day rid ourselves of these sinful bodies and replace them with redeemed and glorified ones. This is our hope - this is His promise. Understanding these five phases is key to your success in life. It's also critical to understanding what Paul is talking about - and what he is not talking about - in this next major section of Romans. ____________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning Understanding the five phases of your spiritual life is critical to your success. Remember the key questions we focus on here at DTLC? Who are you? Whose are you? Why are you here? Recognizing the five phases you go through in life - from a spiritual p... Understanding the five phases of your spiritual life is critical to your success. Remember the key questions we focus on here at DTLC? Who are you? Whose are you? Why are you here? Recognizing the five phases you go through in life - from a spiritual perspective - will make all the difference. Every Person Included Every single person is in one of these five phases of their spiritual life. Recall from our study in Romans 5 that we are all born in a state of "original grace." From conception to the age of accountability, we are covered by the grace of God. Every child ever born was and is born in grace. Even though they may still be susceptible to defects, disease, or even physical death, every child is promised a redemptive resurrection. That means a new body and life eternal with God. At the age of accountability, when a person comprehends that law comes from God, each person becomes accountable. Therefore, personal law breaking becomes personal sin. From this point forward we live subject to sin and its power, as slaves. Our spirit dies and our body is under the power of sin. Paul calls this "living under law" and "in the flesh" (Rom. 6:14; 7:5). We are now guilty and powerless to sin. But the "much more" of the cross ( Rom. 5:15-19) covers even our personal sin. Amazing Grace When we hear the gospel - the full gospel, including the law and our guilt under it - and accept it as true, we place our faith in the saving work of Jesus. We are converted through faith in baptism and God's grace is applied. Our "old" spirit is resurrected to new life (Rom. 6:4). Our penalty is paid and our spirit is "born again." But this new life affects only the spirit. The Struggle Phase The problem is that our new spirit must continue to reside in a corrupted physical body. A body that is controlled by sin and if allowed, has the power to overcome our "new nature." The struggle is real but it is also necessary. It can be summed up in three words: power, struggle, and victory. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9, 11) gives us power to overcome the power of sin still dwelling in our bodies. Living the Christian life is about recognizing this struggle, embracing it, and learning to overpower it. This is why Paul can "rejoice in our tribulations" (Rom. 5:3-5). Final Victory The last of these five phases is our total victory, when we shed these bodies in physical death. We will have some victories in this life and the goal is to have as many as possible. But regardless of how many, so long as we continue to "fight the good fight of faith" we are assured of total victory. We will be glorified. We will one day rid ourselves of these sinful bodies and replace them with redeemed and glorified ones. This is our hope - this is His promise. Understanding these five phases is key to your success in life. It's also critical to understanding what Paul is talking about - and what he is not talking about - in this next major section of Romans. ____________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning Dr. David Turpen clean 1:02:44 Dr. David Turpen An Overview of Romans 6-8 (115) https://dtlifecoach.com/where-the-rubber-meets-the-road/ Thu, 16 Jan 2020 21:05:42 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3225 Romans chapters 6-8 is certainly, "where the rubber meets the road." Paul has spent the letter telling us how we are all under the law and face due judgment for having broken it. Then, he tells us the amazing good news of the gospel! God, through His grace, has offered us salvation. Through faith in Christ we can have our sins forgiven. That is great news! But Wait, There's More But sin has not just left accountable for a debt we can't pay. It has also corrupted our spirit AND our body. Sin has left us us powerless over it - sin has become our tyrannical master - and we are its slaves. Not only do I need to be justified - have my sins forgiven - but I need to be "born again." Why? Because my spirit is "dead in its trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1-5). I need "new life" if I'm to live. In baptism (see Romans 6:3-4) I'm "born again" by the power of the Holy Spirit (i.e. "baptism of the Spirit"). My sins are forgiven (justification) and I'm regenerated. I now have a new spirit for a new life. What is the new life? A life of striving to increase in my obedience to my Creator...now called my Father, as I'm now his child (John 1:12). New Spirit - Old Body However, I still have a problem. Yes, my sins are forgiven. Yes, I'm born again and now have a redeemed spirit. But I still have this "body of sin and death." My new spirit has to still live in a corrupted body. Worse, this body still has powerful influence over me because it's still full of sin. What's the answer? The answer is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38-39; Romans 8). He is the One who will give me power to overcome the sin within me. Even Paul had this struggle (Romans 7:7-24) and had to learn how to "walk by the Spirit." In fact, EVERY Christian will have this struggle. The struggle is actually good news as well. Hard to believe but true. Where The Rubber Meets The Road Romans chapters 6-8 is Paul's description of "where the rubber meets the road." Here he tells us what to expect, what to remember, what to count on, and how to live. He's talking about the second part of the double cure. How do redeemed people live in unredeemed bodies? More specifically, what is the role of the law of God in relation to His grace? ___________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning Romans chapters 6-8 is certainly, "where the rubber meets the road." Paul has spent the letter telling us how we are all under the law and face due judgment for having broken it. Then, he tells us the amazing good news of the gospel! God, Romans chapters 6-8 is certainly, "where the rubber meets the road." Paul has spent the letter telling us how we are all under the law and face due judgment for having broken it. Then, he tells us the amazing good news of the gospel! God, through His grace, has offered us salvation. Through faith in Christ we can have our sins forgiven. That is great news! But Wait, There's More But sin has not just left accountable for a debt we can't pay. It has also corrupted our spirit AND our body. Sin has left us us powerless over it - sin has become our tyrannical master - and we are its slaves. Not only do I need to be justified - have my sins forgiven - but I need to be "born again." Why? Because my spirit is "dead in its trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1-5). I need "new life" if I'm to live. In baptism (see Romans 6:3-4) I'm "born again" by the power of the Holy Spirit (i.e. "baptism of the Spirit"). My sins are forgiven (justification) and I'm regenerated. I now have a new spirit for a new life. What is the new life? A life of striving to increase in my obedience to my Creator...now called my Father, as I'm now his child (John 1:12). New Spirit - Old Body However, I still have a problem. Yes, my sins are forgiven. Yes, I'm born again and now have a redeemed spirit. But I still have this "body of sin and death." My new spirit has to still live in a corrupted body. Worse, this body still has powerful influence over me because it's still full of sin. What's the answer? The answer is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38-39; Romans 8). He is the One who will give me power to overcome the sin within me. Even Paul had this struggle (Romans 7:7-24) and had to learn how to "walk by the Spirit." In fact, EVERY Christian will have this struggle. The struggle is actually good news as well. Hard to believe but true. Where The Rubber Meets The Road Romans chapters 6-8 is Paul's description of "where the rubber meets the road." Here he tells us what to expect, what to remember, what to count on, and how to live. He's talking about the second part of the double cure. How do redeemed people live in unredeemed bodies? More specifically, what is the role of the law of God in relation to His grace? ___________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning Dr. David Turpen clean 1:20:08 Dr. David Turpen You Have Already Transitioned (114) https://dtlifecoach.com/transitioned/ Thu, 09 Jan 2020 18:08:44 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3222 You have already transitioned! Romans chapter six begins a new section of Paul's letter to the church at Rome. For five chapters he has presented the gospel of grace and the inability of the law to save. But does that mean that we have no more relationship to the law? Are we to conclude that we no longer bear any responsibility to keeping it? Justification to Regeneration and Sanctification Paul begins this new section by reminding his Christian readers that they too have already transitioned. Having your sins forgiven and your penalty paid is only half of the story. In fact, it's only half of the cure. Remember that sin causes a double curse on us. First, we become guilty of sin - of having broken the law of God - and are therefore responsible for its due penalty. Second, we are infected by the disease of sin. It infects our spirit AND our physical body. Paul refers to this as our flesh. This renders us cursed with the second part - powerlessness over the sin in us. God's response (grace) is to provide us with a double cure. First, we are forgiven - we have our penalty paid on our behalf - through faith in Christ. Second, we are re-created - born again, regenerated - and given a new spirit. However, this new spirit must continue to dwell in a still-corrupted physical body (i.e. the flesh). At least for a time. Transitioned But more than that, we are also granted the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). Why? Because His presence gives us the power to overcome the sin that continues to dwell within our flesh. But how and when did this happen? You transitioned from diseased (cursed) to surgery (justified and regenerated) to the road to recovery (cured/sanctification) in your baptism (Romans 6:3-7). How does this happen? Through faith in the working of God (Colossians 2:11-12). Reminding of us this reality is Paul's point in these first verses of Romans six. One Baptism In Ephesians 4:5, Paul makes the declarative statement that there is "one baptism." Not two, not only spiritual baptism, but one baptism that includes both physical water and Holy Spirit (see John 3:3-8; Acts 2:38-41; 8:34-39). The idea that there are two different baptisms - one water and one spiritual - is completely foreign to the Bible. Paul affirms this reality here in Romans 6 and elsewhere (e.g. Eph 4:5; Col. 2:12). ____________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning Resources Baptism: A Biblical Study - by Dr. Jack Cottrell You have already transitioned! Romans chapter six begins a new section of Paul's letter to the church at Rome. For five chapters he has presented the gospel of grace and the inability of the law to save. But does that mean that we have no more relation... You have already transitioned! Romans chapter six begins a new section of Paul's letter to the church at Rome. For five chapters he has presented the gospel of grace and the inability of the law to save. But does that mean that we have no more relationship to the law? Are we to conclude that we no longer bear any responsibility to keeping it? Justification to Regeneration and Sanctification Paul begins this new section by reminding his Christian readers that they too have already transitioned. Having your sins forgiven and your penalty paid is only half of the story. In fact, it's only half of the cure. Remember that sin causes a double curse on us. First, we become guilty of sin - of having broken the law of God - and are therefore responsible for its due penalty. Second, we are infected by the disease of sin. It infects our spirit AND our physical body. Paul refers to this as our flesh. This renders us cursed with the second part - powerlessness over the sin in us. God's response (grace) is to provide us with a double cure. First, we are forgiven - we have our penalty paid on our behalf - through faith in Christ. Second, we are re-created - born again, regenerated - and given a new spirit. However, this new spirit must continue to dwell in a still-corrupted physical body (i.e. the flesh). At least for a time. Transitioned But more than that, we are also granted the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38-39). Why? Because His presence gives us the power to overcome the sin that continues to dwell within our flesh. But how and when did this happen? You transitioned from diseased (cursed) to surgery (justified and regenerated) to the road to recovery (cured/sanctification) in your baptism (Romans 6:3-7). How does this happen? Through faith in the working of God (Colossians 2:11-12). Reminding of us this reality is Paul's point in these first verses of Romans six. One Baptism In Ephesians 4:5, Paul makes the declarative statement that there is "one baptism." Not two, not only spiritual baptism, but one baptism that includes both physical water and Holy Spirit (see John 3:3-8; Acts 2:38-41; 8:34-39). The idea that there are two different baptisms - one water and one spiritual - is completely foreign to the Bible. Paul affirms this reality here in Romans 6 and elsewhere (e.g. Eph 4:5; Col. 2:12). ____________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning Resources Baptism: A Biblical Study - by Dr. Jack Cottrell Dr. David Turpen clean 51:46 Dr. David Turpen Merry Christmas & Happy New Year (113) https://dtlifecoach.com/meaning-of-christmas/ Thu, 19 Dec 2019 19:40:06 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3215 The true meaning of Christmas. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! See you next year - 2020! ____________________________ The Gift of the Magi - written by O. Henry (1905); Narrated by Lorne Greene Peanuts - Charlie Brown & Linus van Pelt - Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! - created by Charles M. Schultz Song Credit: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by King's Kaleidoscope. The true meaning of Christmas. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! See you next year - 2020! ____________________________ The Gift of the Magi - written by O. The true meaning of Christmas. Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year! See you next year - 2020! ____________________________ The Gift of the Magi - written by O. Henry (1905); Narrated by Lorne Greene Peanuts - Charlie Brown & Linus van Pelt - Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown! - created by Charles M. Schultz Song Credit: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus by King's Kaleidoscope. Dr. David Turpen clean 24:25 Dr. David Turpen Biblical Assurance of Salvation (112) https://dtlifecoach.com/once-saved-always-saved/ Thu, 12 Dec 2019 22:12:22 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3211 There is a widespread belief in Christianity that once a person becomes saved, they remained saved no matter what. Not only can you be certain of your salvation (as the teaching goes), you have God's guarantee that you can never lose it. The question is, does this "once saved always saved" teaching agree with the biblical view of assurance? Once a person is saved, do they remain saved forever regardless of any action/belief on their - or anyone else's - part? Augustinian Roots of Once Saved Always Saved The roots of this doctrine - just as with the whole of the T.U.L.I.P. doctrines - are found in the teaching of Augustine. It wasn't until 412 AD that Augustine became the first Christian to write in support of these teachings. Prior to that, every Christian author (i.e. the Patristics/Church Fathers), including Augustine himself (386-411 AD), who addressed these issues did so from a condemning perspective. Why? Because although Augustine was the first "christian" to write in support, the arguments and doctrines surfaced first in the heresies of pagan thought and religion. Specifically, the "five points of Calvinism" (as they became known), and Reformed theology's definitions of sovereignty, divine foreknowledge, and depravity as total, are first found in the teachings of Gnosticism, Stoicism, Neoplatonism, and Manichaeanism. In fact, the church (as early as Paul in Acts) had already previously identified and condemned these as false. (read Dr. Ken Wilson for more) Augustine's latter writings and teaching functionally eliminated human free will. The result was the teaching that man is completely unable to respond to God, unless and until, He first completes a spiritual work within him (i.e. regeneration). Only then will the previously unconditionally elected receive the gifts of faith and repentance. Since, according to this view, you don't have a choice to accept God and be saved, neither do you have a choice as to whether or not you remain saved. Thus, the result is guaranteed perseverance or once your saved, you remain saved forever. This is the "P" in T.U.L.I.P. Apparent Biblical Support for Once Saved Always Saved Those who accept and teach this Augustinian-Calvinist theology do so with numerous Scriptures purported to support this and the other T.U.L.I.P. doctrines. The problem is that these presumed proof texts do not teach unconditional perseverance. Certainly, they teach assurance. But biblical assurance is based upon the continued consistent meeting of the condition of faith. Faith is the very condition upon which salvation was given to us in the first place. We are justified by faith...and we remain justified by that same faith. Meaning, that if a person of their own free will - the same free will with which they accepted Christ - chooses to fall into unbelief (cf. Romans 4:18-21; 1 Peter 1:5), they can forfeit their redemption. The Bible is full of examples of how a person might "fall from grace" (Galatians 5:1-6). Others include John 8, John 15, Romans 11, Colossians 1:21-23, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, Hebrews 6:4-8, the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, and many others. How does one fall from grace? You can commit spiritual suicide. Giving up on your faith and renouncing Christ or God because of tragic or negative circumstances is the most common. You can "die to faith" through slow starvation and failing to "feed" yourself spiritually through God's Word. This warning is persistent in the New Testament. You can be strangled by sin and continuing to intentionally live in it (we'll study this next in Romans 6). Romans 8:13 says "if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." You Can Forfeit Grace The point is the Bible clearly teaches conditional salvation from beginning to end. This is why the verses challenging us to remain faithful to the end are so prominent. There is a widespread belief in Christianity that once a person becomes saved, they remained saved no matter what. Not only can you be certain of your salvation (as the teaching goes), you have God's guarantee that you can never lose it. There is a widespread belief in Christianity that once a person becomes saved, they remained saved no matter what. Not only can you be certain of your salvation (as the teaching goes), you have God's guarantee that you can never lose it. The question is, does this "once saved always saved" teaching agree with the biblical view of assurance? Once a person is saved, do they remain saved forever regardless of any action/belief on their - or anyone else's - part? Augustinian Roots of Once Saved Always Saved The roots of this doctrine - just as with the whole of the T.U.L.I.P. doctrines - are found in the teaching of Augustine. It wasn't until 412 AD that Augustine became the first Christian to write in support of these teachings. Prior to that, every Christian author (i.e. the Patristics/Church Fathers), including Augustine himself (386-411 AD), who addressed these issues did so from a condemning perspective. Why? Because although Augustine was the first "christian" to write in support, the arguments and doctrines surfaced first in the heresies of pagan thought and religion. Specifically, the "five points of Calvinism" (as they became known), and Reformed theology's definitions of sovereignty, divine foreknowledge, and depravity as total, are first found in the teachings of Gnosticism, Stoicism, Neoplatonism, and Manichaeanism. In fact, the church (as early as Paul in Acts) had already previously identified and condemned these as false. (read Dr. Ken Wilson for more) Augustine's latter writings and teaching functionally eliminated human free will. The result was the teaching that man is completely unable to respond to God, unless and until, He first completes a spiritual work within him (i.e. regeneration). Only then will the previously unconditionally elected receive the gifts of faith and repentance. Since, according to this view, you don't have a choice to accept God and be saved, neither do you have a choice as to whether or not you remain saved. Thus, the result is guaranteed perseverance or once your saved, you remain saved forever. This is the "P" in T.U.L.I.P. Apparent Biblical Support for Once Saved Always Saved Those who accept and teach this Augustinian-Calvinist theology do so with numerous Scriptures purported to support this and the other T.U.L.I.P. doctrines. The problem is that these presumed proof texts do not teach unconditional perseverance. Certainly, they teach assurance. But biblical assurance is based upon the continued consistent meeting of the condition of faith. Faith is the very condition upon which salvation was given to us in the first place. We are justified by faith...and we remain justified by that same faith. Meaning, that if a person of their own free will - the same free will with which they accepted Christ - chooses to fall into unbelief (cf. Romans 4:18-21; 1 Peter 1:5), they can forfeit their redemption. The Bible is full of examples of how a person might "fall from grace" (Galatians 5:1-6). Others include John 8, John 15, Romans 11, Colossians 1:21-23, 1 Corinthians 15:1-2, Hebrews 6:4-8, the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13, and many others. How does one fall from grace? You can commit spiritual suicide. Giving up on your faith and renouncing Christ or God because of tragic or negative circumstances is the most common. You can "die to faith" through slow starvation and failing to "feed" yourself spiritually through God's Word. This warning is persistent in the New Testament. You can be strangled by sin and continuing to intentionally live in it (we'll study this next in Romans 6). Romans 8:13 says "if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live." You Can Forfeit Grace Dr. David Turpen clean 1:23:39 Dr. David Turpen Doctrine Matters – TULIPs Aren’t Roses (111) https://dtlifecoach.com/doctrine-matters/ Thu, 05 Dec 2019 21:27:13 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3206 Doctrine matters! Well, of course it does! What you believe and why you believe it effects and influences every aspect of your life. To pretend otherwise is to, well, pretend otherwise. The passage of Romans we just studied (i.e. Romans 1-5) and the passage we're about to begin (i.e. ch. 6-8) teach and solidify several truths. Among these truths are the "ordo slutis" (the order of salvation), original sin (as a concept), original grace (as a reality), confession, faith, and baptism as parts of the plan of salvation. Paul also addresses the reality of sin, the responsibility of being saved, the ongoing struggle with sin, and the power of the Holy Spirit. But before moving on to these it is important to acknowledge the significant differences between two opposing views. Augustinian-Calvinism The differences between Augustinian-Calvinism (aka Reformed theology) and non-Calvinist theology (i.e. historical/traditional theology) is proof that doctrine matters. Several of the key components of T.U.L.I.P. - the self-applied acronym of Reformed theology's principle doctrines - are found in Romans. At least that is what Calvinists would have us believe. Problem is, the concepts are in fact there, just not in the way they think they are. The Bible actually teaches the contrary of T.U.L.I.P. (Acquired Partial Depravity, Conditional Election, Unlimited Atonement, Resistible Grace, & Assurance By Faith). Another problem with Augustinian-Calvinism is found in its philosophical roots. That is, where the concepts of theistic determinism (i.e. T.U.L.I.P.) actually come from. For example, Stoicism, Gnoticism, Neoplatonism, & Manichaeism - all identified by the church as heresies prior to Augustine - each teach one or more of Reformed theology's foundational concepts. When confronted with various questions from the Pelagians, Augustine reverted to his prior teaching and understanding that was rooted in these false teachings. Additionally, Augustinian-Calvinism's presuppositional definitions can be found in these philosophies as well. The fact is that the theology of Augustinian-Calvinism requires eisegetical interpretation of Scripture (as opposed of exegetical). Meaning, the foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism is built on sand ( cf. Matthew 24-27). Ultimately, sound systematic theology is only as good as its foundation. Think Leaning Tower of Pisa. Doctrine Matters Unless you're completely new to this podcast, then you're fully aware that I am not a Calvinist. My goal in going through Romans is first to establish sound doctrine and second to refute (or at least point out) false doctrine. In this episode I briefly discuss the prominent differences between Augustinian-Calvinism and the biblical view. For more detailed discussion I refer you to the resources listed below. __________________________________________ Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here ******** ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS AUGUSTINIAN-CALVINISM The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism - Wilson (book) Augustine's Conversion from Traditional Free Choice to 'non-Free Free Will': A Comprehensive Methodology (Studien Und Texte Zu Antike Und Christentum / Studies and Texts in Antiquity and Christianity) Wilson (book) Soteriology 101 - Dr. Leighton Flowers' website Soteriology 101 - YouTube Channel Was Augustine The First To Introduce "Calvinism" Into The Church? (Flowers & Wilson) Did The Early Church Fathers Teach "Calvinism"? (Flowers & Wilson) Was "Calvinism"Introduced By Augustine? Calvinism In A Nutshell (Cottrell) Did the Early Christian Fathers Teach Calvinism? (Cottrell) Doctrine matters! Well, of course it does! What you believe and why you believe it effects and influences every aspect of your life. To pretend otherwise is to, well, pretend otherwise. The passage of Romans we just studied (i.e. Doctrine matters! Well, of course it does! What you believe and why you believe it effects and influences every aspect of your life. To pretend otherwise is to, well, pretend otherwise. The passage of Romans we just studied (i.e. Romans 1-5) and the passage we're about to begin (i.e. ch. 6-8) teach and solidify several truths. Among these truths are the "ordo slutis" (the order of salvation), original sin (as a concept), original grace (as a reality), confession, faith, and baptism as parts of the plan of salvation. Paul also addresses the reality of sin, the responsibility of being saved, the ongoing struggle with sin, and the power of the Holy Spirit. But before moving on to these it is important to acknowledge the significant differences between two opposing views. Augustinian-Calvinism The differences between Augustinian-Calvinism (aka Reformed theology) and non-Calvinist theology (i.e. historical/traditional theology) is proof that doctrine matters. Several of the key components of T.U.L.I.P. - the self-applied acronym of Reformed theology's principle doctrines - are found in Romans. At least that is what Calvinists would have us believe. Problem is, the concepts are in fact there, just not in the way they think they are. The Bible actually teaches the contrary of T.U.L.I.P. (Acquired Partial Depravity, Conditional Election, Unlimited Atonement, Resistible Grace, & Assurance By Faith). Another problem with Augustinian-Calvinism is found in its philosophical roots. That is, where the concepts of theistic determinism (i.e. T.U.L.I.P.) actually come from. For example, Stoicism, Gnoticism, Neoplatonism, & Manichaeism - all identified by the church as heresies prior to Augustine - each teach one or more of Reformed theology's foundational concepts. When confronted with various questions from the Pelagians, Augustine reverted to his prior teaching and understanding that was rooted in these false teachings. Additionally, Augustinian-Calvinism's presuppositional definitions can be found in these philosophies as well. The fact is that the theology of Augustinian-Calvinism requires eisegetical interpretation of Scripture (as opposed of exegetical). Meaning, the foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism is built on sand ( cf. Matthew 24-27). Ultimately, sound systematic theology is only as good as its foundation. Think Leaning Tower of Pisa. Doctrine Matters Unless you're completely new to this podcast, then you're fully aware that I am not a Calvinist. My goal in going through Romans is first to establish sound doctrine and second to refute (or at least point out) false doctrine. In this episode I briefly discuss the prominent differences between Augustinian-Calvinism and the biblical view. For more detailed discussion I refer you to the resources listed below. __________________________________________ Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here ******** ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT ADDRESS AUGUSTINIAN-CALVINISM The Foundation of Augustinian-Calvinism - Wilson (book) Augustine's Conversion from Traditional Free Choice to 'non-Free Free Will': A Comprehensive Methodology (Studien Und Texte Zu Antike Und Christentum / Studies and Texts in Antiquity and Christianity) Wilson (book) Soteriology 101 - Dr. Leighton Flowers' website Soteriology 101 - YouTube Channel Was Augustine The First To Introduce "Calvinism" Into The Church? (Flowers & Wilson) Did The Early Church Fathers Teach "Calvinism"? (Flowers & Wilson) Was "Calvinism"Introduced By Augustine? Dr. David Turpen clean 1:50:06 Dr. David Turpen Christ Is Greater Than Adam (110) https://dtlifecoach.com/grace-is-greater/ Thu, 14 Nov 2019 22:41:49 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3202 Christ is greater than Adam. This is the primary point being made in Romans 5:12-21. Whatever consequences Adam's sin brought on every man, the cross of Christ has negated for every man. No matter what consequences Adam's sin could have brought on every man, the cross of Christ has canceled for every man. Christ is Greater Christ is greater than Adam. The cross is greater than the consequences of sin. Grace is greater than sin itself. Grace prevails! Failure to see this point in this passage ultimately pollutes many - if not most- other doctrines and conclusions drawn from Scripture. As I've mentioned before, this passage - and its misinterpretation - is the root of much of the division within Christianity. Why do we have all these various denominations? Much of the reason is found in misunderstanding and misapplying this passage. It's that important. Universal Grace Universal grace is not only available to every person...it has already been applied to every person. Grace and its universal application however, does not equate to universal salvation. The grace of God through the cross of Christ is indeed applied to every human being at conception. Every baby is born free from any consequences of Adam's sin, save one, physical death. We are not born depraved. We are not born guilty. No one has ever been born condemned as a result of Adam's sin. Why? Because grace - Christ - is greater than sin and specifically Adam's sin. Even physical death - a necessary part of salvation's plan - is negated and overcome by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Does this fly in the face of what you have been taught? Is this seemingly inconsistent with your denomination's "statement of faith"? Probably. Listen to this week's episode and you'll soon discover that it is, in fact, the truth of God's word. __________________________________ Click Here to Study Romans From the Beginning Christ is greater than Adam. This is the primary point being made in Romans 5:12-21. Whatever consequences Adam's sin brought on every man, the cross of Christ has negated for every man. No matter what consequences Adam's sin could have brought on ever... Christ is greater than Adam. This is the primary point being made in Romans 5:12-21. Whatever consequences Adam's sin brought on every man, the cross of Christ has negated for every man. No matter what consequences Adam's sin could have brought on every man, the cross of Christ has canceled for every man. Christ is Greater Christ is greater than Adam. The cross is greater than the consequences of sin. Grace is greater than sin itself. Grace prevails! Failure to see this point in this passage ultimately pollutes many - if not most- other doctrines and conclusions drawn from Scripture. As I've mentioned before, this passage - and its misinterpretation - is the root of much of the division within Christianity. Why do we have all these various denominations? Much of the reason is found in misunderstanding and misapplying this passage. It's that important. Universal Grace Universal grace is not only available to every person...it has already been applied to every person. Grace and its universal application however, does not equate to universal salvation. The grace of God through the cross of Christ is indeed applied to every human being at conception. Every baby is born free from any consequences of Adam's sin, save one, physical death. We are not born depraved. We are not born guilty. No one has ever been born condemned as a result of Adam's sin. Why? Because grace - Christ - is greater than sin and specifically Adam's sin. Even physical death - a necessary part of salvation's plan - is negated and overcome by Christ (1 Corinthians 15:54-57). Does this fly in the face of what you have been taught? Is this seemingly inconsistent with your denomination's "statement of faith"? Probably. Listen to this week's episode and you'll soon discover that it is, in fact, the truth of God's word. __________________________________ Click Here to Study Romans From the Beginning Dr. David Turpen clean 1:22:22 Dr. David Turpen The Gift is Greater – Romans 5:14-17 – (109) https://dtlifecoach.com/greater-gift/ Thu, 07 Nov 2019 22:06:45 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3197 The entire point of Romans 5:12-21 is that the gift of grace is greater than any or all of the effects of Adam's sin. To miss this is to miss everything else explained in the passage. Giving Credit This episode begins by addressing an email that I received pointing out my negligence in giving proper credit to those authors, instructors, and influencers from whom I have readily drawn. I admit that I have been lax in this reporting. To correct this, I have posted a list (although a very incomplete list) of many of the men from whom I have learned. You can read the post here. In addition to this post, I also address this at the beginning of this week's episode. On The Shoulders of Giants There is no denying the influence others have had on our lives. This is especially true for those of us who have endeavored to learn from and then teach others. This takes on greater significance when we are doing so with regard to Scripture. Below I have included a few links to a couple of the most influential and most recent persons from whom I have garnered a great deal. These are provided for you to have access to the same for yourself. The Gift is Greater Jumping back to our study of Romans, our next section, verses 14-17, we see Paul emphasizing Christ over Adam. More specifically, whatever the effects of Adam's sin on humanity, the cross of Christ has overcome, negated, and much more! In this episode we address several of the issues we've raised previously with respect to the scope of "many" and "all", as well as the "much more" found in Christ. __________________________________ Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here Additional Resources Books by Dr. Jack Cottrell The Faith Once For AllCommentary on RomansSet Free! What the Bible Says About GraceJackCottrell.com Books by Dr. Ken Wilson The Foundation of Augustinian-CalvinismAugustine's Conversion from Traditional Free Choice to 'Non-free Free Will' The entire point of Romans 5:12-21 is that the gift of grace is greater than any or all of the effects of Adam's sin. To miss this is to miss everything else explained in the passage. Giving Credit This episode begins by addressing an email that ... The entire point of Romans 5:12-21 is that the gift of grace is greater than any or all of the effects of Adam's sin. To miss this is to miss everything else explained in the passage. Giving Credit This episode begins by addressing an email that I received pointing out my negligence in giving proper credit to those authors, instructors, and influencers from whom I have readily drawn. I admit that I have been lax in this reporting. To correct this, I have posted a list (although a very incomplete list) of many of the men from whom I have learned. You can read the post here. In addition to this post, I also address this at the beginning of this week's episode. On The Shoulders of Giants There is no denying the influence others have had on our lives. This is especially true for those of us who have endeavored to learn from and then teach others. This takes on greater significance when we are doing so with regard to Scripture. Below I have included a few links to a couple of the most influential and most recent persons from whom I have garnered a great deal. These are provided for you to have access to the same for yourself. The Gift is Greater Jumping back to our study of Romans, our next section, verses 14-17, we see Paul emphasizing Christ over Adam. More specifically, whatever the effects of Adam's sin on humanity, the cross of Christ has overcome, negated, and much more! In this episode we address several of the issues we've raised previously with respect to the scope of "many" and "all", as well as the "much more" found in Christ. __________________________________ Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here Additional Resources Books by Dr. Jack Cottrell The Faith Once For AllCommentary on RomansSet Free! What the Bible Says About GraceJackCottrell.com Books by Dr. Ken Wilson The Foundation of Augustinian-CalvinismAugustine's Conversion from Traditional Free Choice to 'Non-free Free Will' Dr. David Turpen clean 1:19:22 Dr. David Turpen Death Through Adam (108) https://dtlifecoach.com/death-through-adam/ Thu, 24 Oct 2019 21:16:47 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3170 Romans 5:12 Death is experienced by all men because of Adam's sin. This is the reality of our existence as fallen people in a fallen world. This section of Romans 5, specifically verses 12-14, establish several critical points. One man is responsible for human beings having to experience physical death. Just as through one man sin entered the world, his one sin also brought death. Interestingly enough, this verse affirms the reality of Adam's existence. Meaning, that Paul here confirms the fact of Adam being an actual historical individual. Adam is not a fictional character or mythical allegory. He was the real and verified first person to ever exist. Jesus refers to him in an historical context as well. The truth is, if Adam were not historically real, the legitimacy of Paul's comparing him to Christ is lost. Adam Is Our Federal Head Adam is the "federal head" of the human race. He represented all of humankind. What he did affects and effects all of us. We experience physical death by virtue of his representing the entire human race when he first sinned. We do not die as a result of personal sin but as a consequence of Adam's sin. Death through Adam. Although this is a fact, it does not justify concluding that this necessarily leads to a doctrine of original sin. Original sin as a concept is found in this passage, but it is clearly not Paul's point nor the doctrine he is teaching! Don't Forget The Context! We cannot forget the context of Paul's teaching. In fact, he is counting on the fact that we have remembered what he has already taught us. In anticipating an argument his Jewish readers would have jumped to, Paul is making it clear who he is talking about. Jews may have concluded that since people died between Adam and Moses - before the Law was given - that this proves death comes from Adam and not personal sin (death through Adam). But this is an invalid argument. Why? Because there was law between Adam and Moses. Paul argues this in chapter 1:18-32. Therefore, the proof of death through Adam is not demonstrated by those who died during that period of time. Instead, what proves his point is that babies (i.e. infants, children, and the mentally handicapped) in all times, sometimes die. These obviously can't die as a result of personal sin because they are unable to commit such sin. (Personal sin is the result of personal decision; "in the likeness of the offense of Adam" v. 14.) Therefore, their death must be the result of Adam's sin. Death through Adam. _____________________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Romans 5:12 Death is experienced by all men because of Adam's sin. This is the reality of our existence as fallen people in a fallen world. This section of Romans 5, specifically verses 12-14, establish several critical points. Romans 5:12 Death is experienced by all men because of Adam's sin. This is the reality of our existence as fallen people in a fallen world. This section of Romans 5, specifically verses 12-14, establish several critical points. One man is responsible for human beings having to experience physical death. Just as through one man sin entered the world, his one sin also brought death. Interestingly enough, this verse affirms the reality of Adam's existence. Meaning, that Paul here confirms the fact of Adam being an actual historical individual. Adam is not a fictional character or mythical allegory. He was the real and verified first person to ever exist. Jesus refers to him in an historical context as well. The truth is, if Adam were not historically real, the legitimacy of Paul's comparing him to Christ is lost. Adam Is Our Federal Head Adam is the "federal head" of the human race. He represented all of humankind. What he did affects and effects all of us. We experience physical death by virtue of his representing the entire human race when he first sinned. We do not die as a result of personal sin but as a consequence of Adam's sin. Death through Adam. Although this is a fact, it does not justify concluding that this necessarily leads to a doctrine of original sin. Original sin as a concept is found in this passage, but it is clearly not Paul's point nor the doctrine he is teaching! Don't Forget The Context! We cannot forget the context of Paul's teaching. In fact, he is counting on the fact that we have remembered what he has already taught us. In anticipating an argument his Jewish readers would have jumped to, Paul is making it clear who he is talking about. Jews may have concluded that since people died between Adam and Moses - before the Law was given - that this proves death comes from Adam and not personal sin (death through Adam). But this is an invalid argument. Why? Because there was law between Adam and Moses. Paul argues this in chapter 1:18-32. Therefore, the proof of death through Adam is not demonstrated by those who died during that period of time. Instead, what proves his point is that babies (i.e. infants, children, and the mentally handicapped) in all times, sometimes die. These obviously can't die as a result of personal sin because they are unable to commit such sin. (Personal sin is the result of personal decision; "in the likeness of the offense of Adam" v. 14.) Therefore, their death must be the result of Adam's sin. Death through Adam. _____________________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen 1:18:19 Dr. David Turpen Original Grace or Original Sin? Romans 5:12-21 (107) https://dtlifecoach.com/original-grace/ Thu, 17 Oct 2019 20:45:45 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3165 Original grace* or original sin? Which one are we born with? This question - and its answer - is the root of many of the differences between denominations. And Romans 5:12-21 is the passage of Scripture most often used to defend the teaching of original sin. But what if that common understanding is wrong? How does that effect our understanding of grace? What Is Original Sin? Original sin is the belief and teaching that all babies are born sinners and are born depraved. The extent of this depravity at birth - either partial or total - is also a major distinction among denominations. Some believe babies are born only partially depraved and retain a certain ability to respond to God's grace once they are older. Others teach that babies are born totally depraved and completely incapable of responding to God positively in any way, shape, or form. And then there are those between these views. How a particular denomination answers the question also determines their practice of baptizing infants or not. Those who accept total depravity often baptize infants for salvation. Others teach that God "elects" some babies and condemns others. Still others don't practice infant baptism and believe only mature persons of a certain age/comprehension should receive baptism. All of these practices and variations hinge - to great extent - on interpretations of Romans 5:12-21. Original Grace* The real question is, what is Paul's point in drawing out the comparison between Adam and Jesus? What is he emphasizing and why? Missing the point is what has led to a great many false assumptions and false teachings. Paul's comparison has one sole purpose: to point out how the cross of Christ has overcome every effect of Adam's first sin. Whatever Adam's sin did bring or potentially could have brought upon mankind, Jesus has overcome. In effect - in actuality - the cross and God's grace through it has negated all the negative effects of Adam's sin on humanity. Therefore, every person is born, was born, and will be born with original grace. (*The phrase original grace was coined by Dr. Jack Cottrell, Professor of Theology, Cincinnati Christian University, retired.) ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Original grace* or original sin? Which one are we born with? This question - and its answer - is the root of many of the differences between denominations. And Romans 5:12-21 is the passage of Scripture most often used to defend the teaching of origina... Original grace* or original sin? Which one are we born with? This question - and its answer - is the root of many of the differences between denominations. And Romans 5:12-21 is the passage of Scripture most often used to defend the teaching of original sin. But what if that common understanding is wrong? How does that effect our understanding of grace? What Is Original Sin? Original sin is the belief and teaching that all babies are born sinners and are born depraved. The extent of this depravity at birth - either partial or total - is also a major distinction among denominations. Some believe babies are born only partially depraved and retain a certain ability to respond to God's grace once they are older. Others teach that babies are born totally depraved and completely incapable of responding to God positively in any way, shape, or form. And then there are those between these views. How a particular denomination answers the question also determines their practice of baptizing infants or not. Those who accept total depravity often baptize infants for salvation. Others teach that God "elects" some babies and condemns others. Still others don't practice infant baptism and believe only mature persons of a certain age/comprehension should receive baptism. All of these practices and variations hinge - to great extent - on interpretations of Romans 5:12-21. Original Grace* The real question is, what is Paul's point in drawing out the comparison between Adam and Jesus? What is he emphasizing and why? Missing the point is what has led to a great many false assumptions and false teachings. Paul's comparison has one sole purpose: to point out how the cross of Christ has overcome every effect of Adam's first sin. Whatever Adam's sin did bring or potentially could have brought upon mankind, Jesus has overcome. In effect - in actuality - the cross and God's grace through it has negated all the negative effects of Adam's sin on humanity. Therefore, every person is born, was born, and will be born with original grace. (*The phrase original grace was coined by Dr. Jack Cottrell, Professor of Theology, Cincinnati Christian University, retired.) ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:28:27 Dr. David Turpen Four Key Questions – Romans 5:12-21 (106) https://dtlifecoach.com/four-key-questions/ Thu, 10 Oct 2019 20:36:35 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3161 Four key questions will help clarify the overall meaning of Romans 5:12-21.* Q1: What is the purpose of the passage relative to the immediate context of chapter 5 and the rest of Romans as a whole? Q2: Does this passage teach the doctrine of original sin? Q3: What is the scope of the words many and all as they are used in this passage? Q4: Does this passage teach universal salvation? The answers to these four questions will remove some of the "problems" of interpreting this passage. (*These questions do not originate with me. They were formulated by Dr. Jack Cottrell, retired professor of theology. In fact, much of my understanding of Romans has resulted from his previous work.) Historically Challenging Historically, this passage of Scripture has presented theological and exegetical challenges. That is, how the passage should be interpreted and what does it mean. No doubt, it can be somewhat confusing. However, once four key questions are answered, the passage becomes very clear. This passage is foundational to teaching what is commonly known as Original Sin. Since Augustine in the fifth century, and reinforced by nearly all of the Reformers, this text has been used to justify the doctrine that everyone is born totally depraved, guilty, and condemned to hell because of Adam's sin. While used for this justification, it is ironic that this passage actually teaches the exact opposite. Paul is not teaching original sin but original grace. When the four key questions are answered relative to what the passage actually says, Paul's point becomes clear. A Continuation of Assurance When you see - as seems obvious - that the context of 5:12-21 is a continuation of 5:1-11, relative to the previous chapters, the argument is obvious. Paul is continuing to present his comparisons and contrasts between law on the one hand and grace on the other. Two opposing views. One compared to the other. General/Moral Revelation vs. Special Revelation. Law vs. Grace. Works vs. Faith. Enemies vs. Family. And now, Adam vs. Jesus. It's seems simple enough but why do so many get it wrong and continue to emphasize a point Paul is not making? Good question. These four key questions will help to answer the one. ____________________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Four key questions will help clarify the overall meaning of Romans 5:12-21.* Q1: What is the purpose of the passage relative to the immediate context of chapter 5 and the rest of Romans as a whole? Q2: Does this passage teach the doctrine of orig... Four key questions will help clarify the overall meaning of Romans 5:12-21.* Q1: What is the purpose of the passage relative to the immediate context of chapter 5 and the rest of Romans as a whole? Q2: Does this passage teach the doctrine of original sin? Q3: What is the scope of the words many and all as they are used in this passage? Q4: Does this passage teach universal salvation? The answers to these four questions will remove some of the "problems" of interpreting this passage. (*These questions do not originate with me. They were formulated by Dr. Jack Cottrell, retired professor of theology. In fact, much of my understanding of Romans has resulted from his previous work.) Historically Challenging Historically, this passage of Scripture has presented theological and exegetical challenges. That is, how the passage should be interpreted and what does it mean. No doubt, it can be somewhat confusing. However, once four key questions are answered, the passage becomes very clear. This passage is foundational to teaching what is commonly known as Original Sin. Since Augustine in the fifth century, and reinforced by nearly all of the Reformers, this text has been used to justify the doctrine that everyone is born totally depraved, guilty, and condemned to hell because of Adam's sin. While used for this justification, it is ironic that this passage actually teaches the exact opposite. Paul is not teaching original sin but original grace. When the four key questions are answered relative to what the passage actually says, Paul's point becomes clear. A Continuation of Assurance When you see - as seems obvious - that the context of 5:12-21 is a continuation of 5:1-11, relative to the previous chapters, the argument is obvious. Paul is continuing to present his comparisons and contrasts between law on the one hand and grace on the other. Two opposing views. One compared to the other. General/Moral Revelation vs. Special Revelation. Law vs. Grace. Works vs. Faith. Enemies vs. Family. And now, Adam vs. Jesus. It's seems simple enough but why do so many get it wrong and continue to emphasize a point Paul is not making? Good question. These four key questions will help to answer the one. ____________________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:52:28 Dr. David Turpen Don’t Forget the Point – Romans 5:1-21 (105) https://dtlifecoach.com/the-point/ Thu, 26 Sep 2019 21:30:33 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3156 What's the point? Jesus is the point! If we fail to remember this, we are doomed to misinterpretations and misunderstandings of Scripture. Jesus - His cross, His blood, His love - is the point. Why does this matter? Because if forgotten, we tend to pull passages out of their context. Our upcoming passage in Romans 5:12-21 is a perfect example. Context, Context, Context As you've learned from past episodes, context is a critical component in hermeneutics (interpreting the Bible). Knowing, for example, the definition of a word is important. But how that word is used in context ultimately determines its meaning. Romans 5:12-21, our next section of study, is a passage that is infamously known for being taken out of its larger context. What is the larger context? The comparison that Paul is making between the law-system and grace-system for salvation. He has compared them head-to-head (Romans 1:18-3:20). Abraham is used as an illustration and pattern to follow (Romans 4). And in Romans 5:1-11, Paul shows us how Christ's death, while we were still enemies of God, is proof of His continued power to protect us. To protect us until when? Until we completely receive the fullness of our salvation in glorified bodies - united with our justified spirits. God protects us by His power through our continued faith in Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:5). We can be certain of our assurance of salvation because of what God has done "while we were yet sinners" (Romans 5:8). The All-Sufficiency of the Death of Christ The point continues. In Romans 5:12-21, Paul continues to draw comparisons between law and grace. More specifically, he draws a comparison between what Adam brought into the world through his sin and what Jesus has brought into the world through His death. It is a comparison between "one transgression" and "one act of righteousness" (Romans 5:18). And as always with Paul, Jesus is still the point! Failure to recognize and remember the larger context and the argument Paul is making through contrast and comparison will result in bad theology. And as you know, Theology Matters! ________________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here What's the point? Jesus is the point! If we fail to remember this, we are doomed to misinterpretations and misunderstandings of Scripture. Jesus - His cross, His blood, His love - is the point. Why does this matter? Because if forgotten, What's the point? Jesus is the point! If we fail to remember this, we are doomed to misinterpretations and misunderstandings of Scripture. Jesus - His cross, His blood, His love - is the point. Why does this matter? Because if forgotten, we tend to pull passages out of their context. Our upcoming passage in Romans 5:12-21 is a perfect example. Context, Context, Context As you've learned from past episodes, context is a critical component in hermeneutics (interpreting the Bible). Knowing, for example, the definition of a word is important. But how that word is used in context ultimately determines its meaning. Romans 5:12-21, our next section of study, is a passage that is infamously known for being taken out of its larger context. What is the larger context? The comparison that Paul is making between the law-system and grace-system for salvation. He has compared them head-to-head (Romans 1:18-3:20). Abraham is used as an illustration and pattern to follow (Romans 4). And in Romans 5:1-11, Paul shows us how Christ's death, while we were still enemies of God, is proof of His continued power to protect us. To protect us until when? Until we completely receive the fullness of our salvation in glorified bodies - united with our justified spirits. God protects us by His power through our continued faith in Christ's blood (1 Peter 1:5). We can be certain of our assurance of salvation because of what God has done "while we were yet sinners" (Romans 5:8). The All-Sufficiency of the Death of Christ The point continues. In Romans 5:12-21, Paul continues to draw comparisons between law and grace. More specifically, he draws a comparison between what Adam brought into the world through his sin and what Jesus has brought into the world through His death. It is a comparison between "one transgression" and "one act of righteousness" (Romans 5:18). And as always with Paul, Jesus is still the point! Failure to recognize and remember the larger context and the argument Paul is making through contrast and comparison will result in bad theology. And as you know, Theology Matters! ________________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:16:40 Dr. David Turpen Without A Doubt – Romans 5:6-11 (104) https://dtlifecoach.com/without-a-doubt/ Thu, 19 Sep 2019 22:00:27 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3145 Without a doubt, you can be 100% certain that you are saved. Regardless of any - and in fact, regardless of every - circumstance you ever encounter in this life, you can have absolute assurance of your salvation. Sound impossible? Not when you understand the basis of your assurance. While We Were Yet Sinners In Romans 5:1-11, Paul is contrasting two different conditions. The first, what we once were. The second, what we are now. It is in understanding what you once were - and what happened while you were - that grounds our confidence in what we are now. Not only that, but it gives assurance of what we will yet be. Before you turned to God, you were His enemy. Plain and simple. You hated Him and He hated you. You were at war. Even if you were unaware of the battle. But after you came to God in faith, you became His friend. You are now no longer His enemy. This is the basis for being "without a doubt." Why? Because it was while you (and I) were His enemy that He sent His Son to die for you...in your place. Why does this matter and how is it related to being "without a doubt" of salvation? Because if, while we are still His enemy, Christ died for us, how much more confident should we be that He will take care of us now that we are His friends? Without A Doubt Think about it. God took the initiative to put aside His enmity for us first, and before we were even interested in putting aside ours for Him. While we were actively opposed to and fighting against Him, Christ died for us. That's the point! If God was willing to go to those lengths while we were yet sinners, how much more can we be confident that He will get us to heaven? The question is not about God's keeping His end of the "bargain" (if you'll pardon the term) but whether we will keep the faith. It all hinges on our keeping faith. This is why Paul begins to stress the negative experiences we go through in this life. When our circumstances get difficult or we have to go through tragedy and loss, will we blame Him or keep walking in faith? Paul tells us to see these challenges and obstacles as opportunities. Why? Because now that we are God's children (John 1:12-13), He will use these experiences for our good (Romans 8:28). Herein lies our assurance! Praise Jesus and glory to God!!! ___________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Without a doubt, you can be 100% certain that you are saved. Regardless of any - and in fact, regardless of every - circumstance you ever encounter in this life, you can have absolute assurance of your salvation. Sound impossible? Without a doubt, you can be 100% certain that you are saved. Regardless of any - and in fact, regardless of every - circumstance you ever encounter in this life, you can have absolute assurance of your salvation. Sound impossible? Not when you understand the basis of your assurance. While We Were Yet Sinners In Romans 5:1-11, Paul is contrasting two different conditions. The first, what we once were. The second, what we are now. It is in understanding what you once were - and what happened while you were - that grounds our confidence in what we are now. Not only that, but it gives assurance of what we will yet be. Before you turned to God, you were His enemy. Plain and simple. You hated Him and He hated you. You were at war. Even if you were unaware of the battle. But after you came to God in faith, you became His friend. You are now no longer His enemy. This is the basis for being "without a doubt." Why? Because it was while you (and I) were His enemy that He sent His Son to die for you...in your place. Why does this matter and how is it related to being "without a doubt" of salvation? Because if, while we are still His enemy, Christ died for us, how much more confident should we be that He will take care of us now that we are His friends? Without A Doubt Think about it. God took the initiative to put aside His enmity for us first, and before we were even interested in putting aside ours for Him. While we were actively opposed to and fighting against Him, Christ died for us. That's the point! If God was willing to go to those lengths while we were yet sinners, how much more can we be confident that He will get us to heaven? The question is not about God's keeping His end of the "bargain" (if you'll pardon the term) but whether we will keep the faith. It all hinges on our keeping faith. This is why Paul begins to stress the negative experiences we go through in this life. When our circumstances get difficult or we have to go through tragedy and loss, will we blame Him or keep walking in faith? Paul tells us to see these challenges and obstacles as opportunities. Why? Because now that we are God's children (John 1:12-13), He will use these experiences for our good (Romans 8:28). Herein lies our assurance! Praise Jesus and glory to God!!! ___________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:37:42 Dr. David Turpen Go With What You Know! – Romans 5:3-5 (103) https://dtlifecoach.com/go-with-what-you-know/ Thu, 12 Sep 2019 22:11:27 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3138 Go with what you know! This is a phrase that I use on a regular basis. Interestingly enough, Paul basically says the same thing in Romans 5:1. Justification by faith - for the one who has faith - is a present reality. It is not a distant wish or a figment of your imagination. Right now, you truly are justified and you truly are saved, by faith. Peace With God The direct result of this reality is an equally amazing dual reality. You are no longer an enemy of God! We have peace with God, through faith in Jesus Christ. You are no longer at war with God. And make no mistake, you were at war with God. Hard to believe we would even consider such a thing - being at war with God - how absurd. And yet, we were. I was too. Think about it. At war with the Creator of the universe?! How amazingly ignorant, obstinate, and arrogant must we be to think this is a war we can win?! Utter insanity. And still millions openly welcome such a battle. Sad. It is truly sad. I Don't Feel Saved Many of you may know that I am a product of the 80's, specifically 80's rock music. Most of you will also remember I'm a fan of Sammy Hagar and Van Halen. I can't help but think about the line from a song on the 1984 album. "I don't feel tardy." Just because you don't feel something does not mean that reality isn't different. David Lee Roth may not "feel tardy" but that does not negate his "being tardy." In the same sense, your "being forgiven" (i.e. justified) does not necessarily mean you will always "feel forgiven." You have to go with what you know. What is the truth? Has not God declared you justified by faith? Your circumstances and experiences have nothing whatsoever to do with the reality of your salvation. Go With What You Know Being at peace with God is an objective state. It is not a subjective feeling. However, the subjective feeling and "peace of mind" is a natural consequence of being at peace with God, objectively. The key is knowing it. If you want to "feel" peace you have to trust in "knowing" you are already at peace. As a Christian, you are truly saved and you are truly at peace with Him. He has declared it so. If God has said it is a fact, why should we doubt Him? Has He not demonstrated His trustworthiness? In fact, Paul will tell us in later verses that the biggest reason to trust Him now is because "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Go with what you know, not how you feel. _____________________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Go with what you know! This is a phrase that I use on a regular basis. Interestingly enough, Paul basically says the same thing in Romans 5:1. Justification by faith - for the one who has faith - is a present reality. Go with what you know! This is a phrase that I use on a regular basis. Interestingly enough, Paul basically says the same thing in Romans 5:1. Justification by faith - for the one who has faith - is a present reality. It is not a distant wish or a figment of your imagination. Right now, you truly are justified and you truly are saved, by faith. Peace With God The direct result of this reality is an equally amazing dual reality. You are no longer an enemy of God! We have peace with God, through faith in Jesus Christ. You are no longer at war with God. And make no mistake, you were at war with God. Hard to believe we would even consider such a thing - being at war with God - how absurd. And yet, we were. I was too. Think about it. At war with the Creator of the universe?! How amazingly ignorant, obstinate, and arrogant must we be to think this is a war we can win?! Utter insanity. And still millions openly welcome such a battle. Sad. It is truly sad. I Don't Feel Saved Many of you may know that I am a product of the 80's, specifically 80's rock music. Most of you will also remember I'm a fan of Sammy Hagar and Van Halen. I can't help but think about the line from a song on the 1984 album. "I don't feel tardy." Just because you don't feel something does not mean that reality isn't different. David Lee Roth may not "feel tardy" but that does not negate his "being tardy." In the same sense, your "being forgiven" (i.e. justified) does not necessarily mean you will always "feel forgiven." You have to go with what you know. What is the truth? Has not God declared you justified by faith? Your circumstances and experiences have nothing whatsoever to do with the reality of your salvation. Go With What You Know Being at peace with God is an objective state. It is not a subjective feeling. However, the subjective feeling and "peace of mind" is a natural consequence of being at peace with God, objectively. The key is knowing it. If you want to "feel" peace you have to trust in "knowing" you are already at peace. As a Christian, you are truly saved and you are truly at peace with Him. He has declared it so. If God has said it is a fact, why should we doubt Him? Has He not demonstrated His trustworthiness? In fact, Paul will tell us in later verses that the biggest reason to trust Him now is because "while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8). Go with what you know, not how you feel. _____________________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning - Click Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:32:26 Dr. David Turpen Assurance – Do You Have It? – Romans 5:1-3 (102) https://dtlifecoach.com/assurance/ Thu, 05 Sep 2019 20:48:35 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3132 Assurance - being 100% confident that you are saved - is based squarely on your understanding of justification by grace through faith. The single greatest reason I am spending time going through the Book of Romans is to help you have just such an assurance. Therefore... Romans 5:1 begins with these words: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the essence of assurance of our salvation. We are no longer an enemy of God. There is no longer any hostility or enmity between us and God. Not because of anything we have done. But because God took the initiative. This assurance - confidence that we will go to heaven - is sorely lacking for far too many Christians. But Paul is telling us, "therefore" - by way of the arguments I have already made - you can be fully confident of your salvation. If this is the case, then why do so many have doubts? Mainly because they do not understand the basis for this assurance. Justification By Faith...Again...Still What is the proper basis for having such assurance? Nothing less than the knowledge that we are justified by our faith in the atoning blood of Jesus. Paul begins this chapter by reminding us of all that he has taught and presented in the previous four chapters. "Therefore" is there for us to recall and remind ourselves of what he has been teaching. Justification - forgiveness of our sins - is not possible by law keeping. It is only possible by grace and is received by faith. We cannot allow ourselves to forget the comparison that Paul has been making from the beginning of this letter. If we do, we run the risk of misinterpreting and then misapplying his teaching. The result of which is either a false sense of security or a continued state of uncertainty. ______________________________________ Click Here to Study Romans From the Beginning Assurance - being 100% confident that you are saved - is based squarely on your understanding of justification by grace through faith. The single greatest reason I am spending time going through the Book of Romans is to help you have just such an assur... Assurance - being 100% confident that you are saved - is based squarely on your understanding of justification by grace through faith. The single greatest reason I am spending time going through the Book of Romans is to help you have just such an assurance. Therefore... Romans 5:1 begins with these words: Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. This is the essence of assurance of our salvation. We are no longer an enemy of God. There is no longer any hostility or enmity between us and God. Not because of anything we have done. But because God took the initiative. This assurance - confidence that we will go to heaven - is sorely lacking for far too many Christians. But Paul is telling us, "therefore" - by way of the arguments I have already made - you can be fully confident of your salvation. If this is the case, then why do so many have doubts? Mainly because they do not understand the basis for this assurance. Justification By Faith...Again...Still What is the proper basis for having such assurance? Nothing less than the knowledge that we are justified by our faith in the atoning blood of Jesus. Paul begins this chapter by reminding us of all that he has taught and presented in the previous four chapters. "Therefore" is there for us to recall and remind ourselves of what he has been teaching. Justification - forgiveness of our sins - is not possible by law keeping. It is only possible by grace and is received by faith. We cannot allow ourselves to forget the comparison that Paul has been making from the beginning of this letter. If we do, we run the risk of misinterpreting and then misapplying his teaching. The result of which is either a false sense of security or a continued state of uncertainty. ______________________________________ Click Here to Study Romans From the Beginning Dr. David Turpen clean 1:03:54 Dr. David Turpen Faith Like Abraham – DTLC Radio 101 https://dtlifecoach.com/faith-like-abraham/ Thu, 29 Aug 2019 22:29:10 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3128 Faith like Abraham. That's what we are to have. Faith like Abraham. This is the point of Romans 4:17b-25. If Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness and we can have that same justification, what kind of faith do we need? Paul's answer is to just duplicate the faith of Abraham. Standing On the Promises of God Abraham's circumstances - being an old man of 100 and having a barren wife - did bode well for him having children. And yet, this was God's promise. Abraham and Sarah would have a child. And not just any child. But a child who would continue to have descendants to the point that Abraham would be the "father of many nations." Hardly seemed likely. In fact, he and Sarah both laughed when they heard it. And yet, in spite of the seeming reality of his situation, Abraham believed God and trusted in His promises. And it was more than "simple" belief. Abraham not only believed and trusted in God's promise, but also believed in His power to actually accomplish it. This is the God who "gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist." That's pretty powerful! Our Faith Justifies This kind of faith - in this God and His promises - is what was credited to Abraham as righteousness. Paul uses this to illustrate the kind of faith we are called to have if we want to be justified. Specifically, that this same God raised Jesus from the dead. Not only that but He will raise us from the dead as well. Both spiritually and physically. Sure Abraham was aware of his situation. Of course he realized the odds. He even struggled at times but the fact that he "did not waver in unbelief" is the key. Even though years went by after the promise without any hint of it happening, the promises were enough. Faith like Abraham is a faith that says, God's promises are enough. The awesome thing is that we have more than just promises. We have the ability to look back through history and see the legitimate fulfillment of God's promises...in spades! Abraham was fully persuaded that God had both the power to do what He promised and also the will to do it. Do you have that kind of faith? If you do, it's a faith that will justify you, just as it did Abraham. ___________________________________ Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here Faith like Abraham. That's what we are to have. Faith like Abraham. This is the point of Romans 4:17b-25. If Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness and we can have that same justification, what kind of faith do we need? Faith like Abraham. That's what we are to have. Faith like Abraham. This is the point of Romans 4:17b-25. If Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness and we can have that same justification, what kind of faith do we need? Paul's answer is to just duplicate the faith of Abraham. Standing On the Promises of God Abraham's circumstances - being an old man of 100 and having a barren wife - did bode well for him having children. And yet, this was God's promise. Abraham and Sarah would have a child. And not just any child. But a child who would continue to have descendants to the point that Abraham would be the "father of many nations." Hardly seemed likely. In fact, he and Sarah both laughed when they heard it. And yet, in spite of the seeming reality of his situation, Abraham believed God and trusted in His promises. And it was more than "simple" belief. Abraham not only believed and trusted in God's promise, but also believed in His power to actually accomplish it. This is the God who "gives life to the dead and calls into being that which does not exist." That's pretty powerful! Our Faith Justifies This kind of faith - in this God and His promises - is what was credited to Abraham as righteousness. Paul uses this to illustrate the kind of faith we are called to have if we want to be justified. Specifically, that this same God raised Jesus from the dead. Not only that but He will raise us from the dead as well. Both spiritually and physically. Sure Abraham was aware of his situation. Of course he realized the odds. He even struggled at times but the fact that he "did not waver in unbelief" is the key. Even though years went by after the promise without any hint of it happening, the promises were enough. Faith like Abraham is a faith that says, God's promises are enough. The awesome thing is that we have more than just promises. We have the ability to look back through history and see the legitimate fulfillment of God's promises...in spades! Abraham was fully persuaded that God had both the power to do what He promised and also the will to do it. Do you have that kind of faith? If you do, it's a faith that will justify you, just as it did Abraham. ___________________________________ Study Romans From The Beginning By Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:08:04 Dr. David Turpen Not by Law – How Abraham Became A Father – DTLC Radio 100 https://dtlifecoach.com/not-by-law/ Thu, 22 Aug 2019 18:57:43 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3091 Not by law. The salvation of sinners is not by works (4:1-8), not by circumcision (4:9-12), nor is it by law (4:13-17). It is by faith and therefore consistent with grace. In this section of Romans Paul continues his contrast between the law-system and the grace-system as ways of salvation. Not By Law Abraham is called the "Father of Israel" because it is through him that the nation is established. All Jews are physical descendants of Abraham. As we saw last time, circumcision is the physical sign of the covenant God made with His people. Abraham is also called the "Father of the faith". Why? Because the promise given to him (and his descendants) is delivered through faith. The blessing (i.e. being credited with righteousness) comes "not through the Law" but through faith. This makes the promise accessible to anyone (and everyone) who has the faith of Abraham. Not necessarily the "degree" of the faith of Abraham but the same faith as Abraham. Not By Law But Through Faith That the promise is delivered by faith makes it consistent and in accordance with grace. When a promise is given, the only way to accept it is to believe it. Paul makes the point that the grace-faith relationship is inevitable. Why? Because the reality of sin (i.e. lawlessness) mandates that the law can only enforce the penalty of God's wrath (vv. 14-15). The law - regardless of its form - cannot deliver lawbreakers from the penalty due. But the fact that Abraham received the promise by faith assures us all that we can receive it the same way. In fact, it is guaranteed to all who have the same faith as Abraham. He is "the father of us all" (i.e. Christians; v. 16). AS Paul has pointed out before, this is not exclusive to Jews. Gentiles also have the very same access to the promise through the very same promise. ___________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning By Clicking Here Not by law. The salvation of sinners is not by works (4:1-8), not by circumcision (4:9-12), nor is it by law (4:13-17). It is by faith and therefore consistent with grace. In this section of Romans Paul continues his contrast between the law-system and... Not by law. The salvation of sinners is not by works (4:1-8), not by circumcision (4:9-12), nor is it by law (4:13-17). It is by faith and therefore consistent with grace. In this section of Romans Paul continues his contrast between the law-system and the grace-system as ways of salvation. Not By Law Abraham is called the "Father of Israel" because it is through him that the nation is established. All Jews are physical descendants of Abraham. As we saw last time, circumcision is the physical sign of the covenant God made with His people. Abraham is also called the "Father of the faith". Why? Because the promise given to him (and his descendants) is delivered through faith. The blessing (i.e. being credited with righteousness) comes "not through the Law" but through faith. This makes the promise accessible to anyone (and everyone) who has the faith of Abraham. Not necessarily the "degree" of the faith of Abraham but the same faith as Abraham. Not By Law But Through Faith That the promise is delivered by faith makes it consistent and in accordance with grace. When a promise is given, the only way to accept it is to believe it. Paul makes the point that the grace-faith relationship is inevitable. Why? Because the reality of sin (i.e. lawlessness) mandates that the law can only enforce the penalty of God's wrath (vv. 14-15). The law - regardless of its form - cannot deliver lawbreakers from the penalty due. But the fact that Abraham received the promise by faith assures us all that we can receive it the same way. In fact, it is guaranteed to all who have the same faith as Abraham. He is "the father of us all" (i.e. Christians; v. 16). AS Paul has pointed out before, this is not exclusive to Jews. Gentiles also have the very same access to the promise through the very same promise. ___________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning By Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen clean 53:57 Dr. David Turpen The “Sign” Makes No Difference – DTLC Radio 099 https://dtlifecoach.com/sign/ Thu, 15 Aug 2019 21:07:53 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3084 The sign of the covenant relationship between God and the Hebrews has zero impact on salvation. In Romans 4:1-8, Paul states that salvation is by faith apart from works. Verses 9-12 he teaches that it is apart from circumcision (i.e. the sign of the covenant) as well. And as we'll see later, in verses 13-17, Paul says salvation is by faith apart from law. Membership In Abraham's Family is By Faith Paul has established - through the OT Scriptures - that Abraham is the quintessential example of justification by faith. First he cites Genesis 15:6. Then he cites David from Psalm 32:1-2 to describe what this means. Last time we discussed how (in Romans 4:1-8) justification is by faith apart from any consideration of works. Now in verses 9-12, still using Abraham as the example, Paul says justification by faith is apart from any consideration of circumcision. Yes, Abraham is the father of the nation of Israel, physically, by means of being circumcised first. But he is also the father of "spiritual Israel" by means of his faith. Okay, but why the focus on circumcision? The Physical Sign Does Not Equate to Salvation The physical sign of circumcision meant membership in the covenant family of God, yes. But Jews believed also that it equated to salvation. To them, salvation was inherent in the physical sign of circumcision. But this was and is not the case. Paul counters this argument by again referencing Abraham. The Scriptures clearly show Abraham's faith credited as righteousness before he received the sign of circumcision, not after. In fact, 14+ years before. Meaning, Abraham was in fact a Gentile when his faith was credited as righteousness. The Jews have not only misunderstood the covenant sign but have also failed to clearly understand when and how Abraham was saved. This reality makes it clear that faith in God - whether held by Jew or Gentile - is effective unto salvation for both. _______________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning By Clicking Here The sign of the covenant relationship between God and the Hebrews has zero impact on salvation. In Romans 4:1-8, Paul states that salvation is by faith apart from works. Verses 9-12 he teaches that it is apart from circumcision (i.e. The sign of the covenant relationship between God and the Hebrews has zero impact on salvation. In Romans 4:1-8, Paul states that salvation is by faith apart from works. Verses 9-12 he teaches that it is apart from circumcision (i.e. the sign of the covenant) as well. And as we'll see later, in verses 13-17, Paul says salvation is by faith apart from law. Membership In Abraham's Family is By Faith Paul has established - through the OT Scriptures - that Abraham is the quintessential example of justification by faith. First he cites Genesis 15:6. Then he cites David from Psalm 32:1-2 to describe what this means. Last time we discussed how (in Romans 4:1-8) justification is by faith apart from any consideration of works. Now in verses 9-12, still using Abraham as the example, Paul says justification by faith is apart from any consideration of circumcision. Yes, Abraham is the father of the nation of Israel, physically, by means of being circumcised first. But he is also the father of "spiritual Israel" by means of his faith. Okay, but why the focus on circumcision? The Physical Sign Does Not Equate to Salvation The physical sign of circumcision meant membership in the covenant family of God, yes. But Jews believed also that it equated to salvation. To them, salvation was inherent in the physical sign of circumcision. But this was and is not the case. Paul counters this argument by again referencing Abraham. The Scriptures clearly show Abraham's faith credited as righteousness before he received the sign of circumcision, not after. In fact, 14+ years before. Meaning, Abraham was in fact a Gentile when his faith was credited as righteousness. The Jews have not only misunderstood the covenant sign but have also failed to clearly understand when and how Abraham was saved. This reality makes it clear that faith in God - whether held by Jew or Gentile - is effective unto salvation for both. _______________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning By Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:02:49 Dr. David Turpen Justifying the Wicked – DTLC Radio 098 https://dtlifecoach.com/justifying-the-wicked/ Thu, 08 Aug 2019 21:58:47 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3080 "God, who justifies the wicked..." What an amazing phrase...justifying the wicked. How does that even happen? How can it even happen? God is the One who declares that all judges should always condemn and never acquit (justify) the wicked. In fact, God Himself declares, "I will not justify the wicked" (Exodus 23:7, KJV). Romans 1:8 - which we have already studied - describes God as directing His wrath toward all human wickedness. But here it is. Right here in black and white. Romans 4:5 says clearly that God does justify the wicked. How can this be? Justifying the Wicked is An Amazing Statement F. F. Bruce, a Christian commentator on Romans, says this statement "is so paradoxical as to be startling - not say shocking" (Romans, p. 106-107). This seems so counter to the God many would have come to know, especially the Jews. But that is exactly the point - that is the point of grace - it is different. In fact, it is the exact opposite of law. Under law, God is restricted from justifying the wicked. Not so under grace. David Says the Same Thing Paul quotes from Psalm 32 - a psalm of David - showing that this teaching is not at all "new" or inconsistent with the Old Testament. He combines David's words with the example of Abraham. Doing so he shows the continuity of salvation by grace through faith. There are several phrases used in these verses - used in fact throughout this section - Romans 3:21-4:8. The parallelism is remarkable. Why is it here? Because it provides a means for determining exactly the point Paul is trying to convey. We should never try to understand "justification by faith apart from works" without considering this quote from David. Several of the statements found here effectively have the same meanings. Justification is the same as forgiveness of sins. It is not merely a part or a component of justification. It is the same as justification. This has huge implications when it comes to living our daily lives. _________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here "God, who justifies the wicked..." What an amazing phrase...justifying the wicked. How does that even happen? How can it even happen? God is the One who declares that all judges should always condemn and never acquit (justify) the wicked. In fact, "God, who justifies the wicked..." What an amazing phrase...justifying the wicked. How does that even happen? How can it even happen? God is the One who declares that all judges should always condemn and never acquit (justify) the wicked. In fact, God Himself declares, "I will not justify the wicked" (Exodus 23:7, KJV). Romans 1:8 - which we have already studied - describes God as directing His wrath toward all human wickedness. But here it is. Right here in black and white. Romans 4:5 says clearly that God does justify the wicked. How can this be? Justifying the Wicked is An Amazing Statement F. F. Bruce, a Christian commentator on Romans, says this statement "is so paradoxical as to be startling - not say shocking" (Romans, p. 106-107). This seems so counter to the God many would have come to know, especially the Jews. But that is exactly the point - that is the point of grace - it is different. In fact, it is the exact opposite of law. Under law, God is restricted from justifying the wicked. Not so under grace. David Says the Same Thing Paul quotes from Psalm 32 - a psalm of David - showing that this teaching is not at all "new" or inconsistent with the Old Testament. He combines David's words with the example of Abraham. Doing so he shows the continuity of salvation by grace through faith. There are several phrases used in these verses - used in fact throughout this section - Romans 3:21-4:8. The parallelism is remarkable. Why is it here? Because it provides a means for determining exactly the point Paul is trying to convey. We should never try to understand "justification by faith apart from works" without considering this quote from David. Several of the statements found here effectively have the same meanings. Justification is the same as forgiveness of sins. It is not merely a part or a component of justification. It is the same as justification. This has huge implications when it comes to living our daily lives. _________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning by Clicking Here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:33:03 Dr. David Turpen Abraham’s Faith Saved Him – DTLC Radio 097 https://dtlifecoach.com/abrahams-faith/ Thu, 01 Aug 2019 21:16:30 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3077 Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). It was not his works of law that resulted in his salvation. As is the case today, salvation always is, always has been, and always will be, by grace through faith. Therefore,Paul goes back to the beginning of "our" faith to the call of Abraham, and presents him as the illustration of salvation by grace. As a result, the point is made that anyone who has ever been saved has been saved by grace. Abraham As A Paradigm of Grace The whole of Romans 4 is a presentation of Abraham as the primary example of salvation by grace through faith. Appealing to Abraham has several goals. First, Abraham is the patriarch of the Old Testament (OT) and the Jews. He is considered both the father of the Jewish nation and the spiritual father of the faith. This definitely gets and holds the attention of those of Jewish decent. Abraham's faith is crucial. Second, it provides OT confirmation and continuity with Paul's teaching. Not that Paul is seeking mere "scriptural proof" but he is showing the consistency of the teaching of salvation by faith. The goal is to help Jews accept the gospel of grace. Again, Abraham's faith is the focus. A Comparison of Systems Throughout chapter four, Abraham's faith plays the prominent role. Even "father Abraham" was saved by his faith and not by his works of law. In his case, he did not even yet have the Law of Moses. In fact, as we will see later, Abraham became the father of our faith before he was circumcised. Meaning, he was saved as a gentile, not as a Jew. Paul compares and contrasts the law system for salvation and the grace system of salvation. Using Abraham as his example, Paul clearly shows these differences in relating to God. First, he contrasts faith with works (4:1-8), then faith with circumcision (4:9-12), and then faith with law (4:13-22). All using Abraham's faith as the perfect example. Of course Abraham served God and was (mostly) obedient to His law. But he was not perfectly obedient. Therein lies the problem. As we have learned, obedience to God's law is required. Even for those under grace. However, salvation has always been by faith and not by keeping the law. ____________________________________ This Series on Romans Begins With Episode #69 Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). It was not his works of law that resulted in his salvation. As is the case today, salvation always is, always has been, and always will be, by grace through faith. Therefore, Abraham's faith was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6). It was not his works of law that resulted in his salvation. As is the case today, salvation always is, always has been, and always will be, by grace through faith. Therefore,Paul goes back to the beginning of "our" faith to the call of Abraham, and presents him as the illustration of salvation by grace. As a result, the point is made that anyone who has ever been saved has been saved by grace. Abraham As A Paradigm of Grace The whole of Romans 4 is a presentation of Abraham as the primary example of salvation by grace through faith. Appealing to Abraham has several goals. First, Abraham is the patriarch of the Old Testament (OT) and the Jews. He is considered both the father of the Jewish nation and the spiritual father of the faith. This definitely gets and holds the attention of those of Jewish decent. Abraham's faith is crucial. Second, it provides OT confirmation and continuity with Paul's teaching. Not that Paul is seeking mere "scriptural proof" but he is showing the consistency of the teaching of salvation by faith. The goal is to help Jews accept the gospel of grace. Again, Abraham's faith is the focus. A Comparison of Systems Throughout chapter four, Abraham's faith plays the prominent role. Even "father Abraham" was saved by his faith and not by his works of law. In his case, he did not even yet have the Law of Moses. In fact, as we will see later, Abraham became the father of our faith before he was circumcised. Meaning, he was saved as a gentile, not as a Jew. Paul compares and contrasts the law system for salvation and the grace system of salvation. Using Abraham as his example, Paul clearly shows these differences in relating to God. First, he contrasts faith with works (4:1-8), then faith with circumcision (4:9-12), and then faith with law (4:13-22). All using Abraham's faith as the perfect example. Of course Abraham served God and was (mostly) obedient to His law. But he was not perfectly obedient. Therein lies the problem. As we have learned, obedience to God's law is required. Even for those under grace. However, salvation has always been by faith and not by keeping the law. ____________________________________ This Series on Romans Begins With Episode #69 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:14:05 Dr. David Turpen You Still Have to Follow the Law – DTLC Radio 096 https://dtlifecoach.com/still/ Thu, 25 Jul 2019 21:28:59 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3071 So, does "being under grace" mean that we no longer have to abide by the law? Are Christians - as a result of their faith - exempt from keeping the law of God? Is it necessary for Christians to still be obedient to the commandments we find the Bible? The answer is yes, we do still have to keep the law. In fact, our faith doesn't nullify the law at all...it upholds it. Our faith is what allows the law of God to do its proper and intended work. The Work of the Law A right understanding of justification through faith as a gift of God's grace confirms the law. Christians - through their faith - set the law free from the burden of justifying sinners. This is a role and responsibility the law was never intended to have or to bear. It is impossible for the law to accomplish redemption. The law does not contain provisions for correcting a previous brokenness. It can never "make us perfect" once it has been disobeyed. As a result, under the law, we all stand condemned before our Creator. But there is good news! The Gospel and the Law The gift of grace and justification by faith allows the law to perform is proper functions. What are those functions? First and primarily, it show us our sin (Rom. 3:20). By doing so, is reveals to us our need for justification by some other means. Specifically, through faith. Second, it functions as the norm for holy living. Because of salvation by grace through faith, we can teach (and live out) the real value of the law. That is, to point out right from wrong. You Still Have To Follow the Law Here is a point that is rarely made in the American pulpit: as a revelation of God's will to us as Creator, His law is absolutely binding upon us. Further, we have an absolut obligation to obey it. Why? Because grace does not remove us from under the category of creatures. God stil is - always has been - and will remain our Creator. Grace does not change this fact. We are not under law as a way of salvation. However, we are under law as a way of living. Our responsibility to obey the law of God is not involved in the first part of the double cure (i.e. justification); but it isabsolutely necessary for the second part of the double cure (i.e. sanctification). ____________________________ Study Romans from the beginning: Click here. So, does "being under grace" mean that we no longer have to abide by the law? Are Christians - as a result of their faith - exempt from keeping the law of God? Is it necessary for Christians to still be obedient to the commandments we find the Bible? ... So, does "being under grace" mean that we no longer have to abide by the law? Are Christians - as a result of their faith - exempt from keeping the law of God? Is it necessary for Christians to still be obedient to the commandments we find the Bible? The answer is yes, we do still have to keep the law. In fact, our faith doesn't nullify the law at all...it upholds it. Our faith is what allows the law of God to do its proper and intended work. The Work of the Law A right understanding of justification through faith as a gift of God's grace confirms the law. Christians - through their faith - set the law free from the burden of justifying sinners. This is a role and responsibility the law was never intended to have or to bear. It is impossible for the law to accomplish redemption. The law does not contain provisions for correcting a previous brokenness. It can never "make us perfect" once it has been disobeyed. As a result, under the law, we all stand condemned before our Creator. But there is good news! The Gospel and the Law The gift of grace and justification by faith allows the law to perform is proper functions. What are those functions? First and primarily, it show us our sin (Rom. 3:20). By doing so, is reveals to us our need for justification by some other means. Specifically, through faith. Second, it functions as the norm for holy living. Because of salvation by grace through faith, we can teach (and live out) the real value of the law. That is, to point out right from wrong. You Still Have To Follow the Law Here is a point that is rarely made in the American pulpit: as a revelation of God's will to us as Creator, His law is absolutely binding upon us. Further, we have an absolut obligation to obey it. Why? Because grace does not remove us from under the category of creatures. God stil is - always has been - and will remain our Creator. Grace does not change this fact. We are not under law as a way of salvation. However, we are under law as a way of living. Our responsibility to obey the law of God is not involved in the first part of the double cure (i.e. justification); but it isabsolutely necessary for the second part of the double cure (i.e. sanctification). ____________________________ Study Romans from the beginning: Click here. Dr. David Turpen clean 1:00:03 Dr. David Turpen Conditions of Grace – DTLC Radio 095 https://dtlifecoach.com/conditions/ Wed, 10 Jul 2019 23:42:05 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3060 Are there conditions for receiving God's grace and salvation? Yes! And understanding that (a) there are conditions and (b) what those conditions are will make all the difference. How do you answer the question: What must I do to be saved? Your response could make an eternal difference. According to the Redeemer In our last episode we discussed the different relationships we have with God. First, we deal with Him as our Creator. As such, He gives commands that we are obligated to obey by virtue of being His creatures. Second, we deal with Him as our Ruler and King. We either honor Him or dishonor Him as such. Third, some of us will deal with God as our Redeemer. In this capacity God sets forth instructions. Specifically, instructions on how to receive His gift of grace. Grace Conditions or Works of Law? Are the conditions God as Redeemer sets forth the same as those He sets as Creator? Do we have the same obligation to follow them? Are these "conditions of salvation" just another way of catorgizing "works of law"? These and other questions are answered in this episode. Biblically, "works" or "works of law" are any deeds we do in response to our respective law code. Gospel imperatives, on the other hand, are those conditions and commands given us by our Redeemer as to how we can be saved from our sin. One is related to God's "manual" for righteous living. The other is instructions on how to receive salvation. Seems to me we had better know and understand the difference. Condition Criteria "The conditions for receiving grace must have as their primary characteristic the acknowledgement that the only ground of salvation is the redeeming work of Christ" (Dr. Jack Cottrell). This means there must be a focus within the condtions themselves upon the cross of Jesus. Without such a focus, the conditions would become simple works or human righteousness. ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning Are there conditions for receiving God's grace and salvation? Yes! And understanding that (a) there are conditions and (b) what those conditions are will make all the difference. How do you answer the question: What must I do to be saved? Are there conditions for receiving God's grace and salvation? Yes! And understanding that (a) there are conditions and (b) what those conditions are will make all the difference. How do you answer the question: What must I do to be saved? Your response could make an eternal difference. According to the Redeemer In our last episode we discussed the different relationships we have with God. First, we deal with Him as our Creator. As such, He gives commands that we are obligated to obey by virtue of being His creatures. Second, we deal with Him as our Ruler and King. We either honor Him or dishonor Him as such. Third, some of us will deal with God as our Redeemer. In this capacity God sets forth instructions. Specifically, instructions on how to receive His gift of grace. Grace Conditions or Works of Law? Are the conditions God as Redeemer sets forth the same as those He sets as Creator? Do we have the same obligation to follow them? Are these "conditions of salvation" just another way of catorgizing "works of law"? These and other questions are answered in this episode. Biblically, "works" or "works of law" are any deeds we do in response to our respective law code. Gospel imperatives, on the other hand, are those conditions and commands given us by our Redeemer as to how we can be saved from our sin. One is related to God's "manual" for righteous living. The other is instructions on how to receive salvation. Seems to me we had better know and understand the difference. Condition Criteria "The conditions for receiving grace must have as their primary characteristic the acknowledgement that the only ground of salvation is the redeeming work of Christ" (Dr. Jack Cottrell). This means there must be a focus within the condtions themselves upon the cross of Jesus. Without such a focus, the conditions would become simple works or human righteousness. ____________________________________ Study Romans from the Beginning Dr. David Turpen clean 1:29:09 Dr. David Turpen Creator & Redeemer – DTLC Radio 094 https://dtlifecoach.com/creator-redeemer/ Wed, 10 Jul 2019 23:08:17 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3057 There is a difference in the ways we deal with God. God has "performed" three primary works: Creation, Providence, and Redemption. In these works God has three primary roles: Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer. Every person ever conceived deals with God in at least two of the three ways. Each one of us deals with God as Creator. Each one of us deals with God as Ruler. But only some of us deal with God as Redeemer. Instructions from the Creator As Creator, God has every right to give and expect obedience to His commandments. Those commandments He gives in His role as Creator are what Paul calls works of law or simply works. He uses this phrase throughout his letters, especially in Romans and Galatians. The question is: What constitute works or works of law? Answer: Anything done by creatures (i.e. you and me) in response to the law commandments. This necessarily includes both positive (obedience) and negative (disobedience) responses. The law codes given by God - either the creation law) Romans 1:21), moral law of the heart (Romans 2:14-15), or Law of Moses (Romans 2) - all provide law conditions. In fact, they require a single condition: absolute and total obedience. Instructions from the Redeemer On the other hand, in His role as Redeemer, God has also given instructions under grace. These "grace conditions" are instructions given by the Redeemer to sinners on how to receive salvation. This is a critical distinction, and one many fail to recognize. God has given us specific conditions by which we can receive His gift of grace and salvation. Law conditions represent "necessity of precept" while grace conditions represent "necessity of means". Actually, law conditions - if kept perfectly - represent both necessity of precept and necessity of means. What are we talking about? You'll have to tune in to this episode of DTLC Radio to learn more. ___________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning There is a difference in the ways we deal with God. God has "performed" three primary works: Creation, Providence, and Redemption. In these works God has three primary roles: Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer. Every person ever conceived deals with God in a... There is a difference in the ways we deal with God. God has "performed" three primary works: Creation, Providence, and Redemption. In these works God has three primary roles: Creator, Ruler, and Redeemer. Every person ever conceived deals with God in at least two of the three ways. Each one of us deals with God as Creator. Each one of us deals with God as Ruler. But only some of us deal with God as Redeemer. Instructions from the Creator As Creator, God has every right to give and expect obedience to His commandments. Those commandments He gives in His role as Creator are what Paul calls works of law or simply works. He uses this phrase throughout his letters, especially in Romans and Galatians. The question is: What constitute works or works of law? Answer: Anything done by creatures (i.e. you and me) in response to the law commandments. This necessarily includes both positive (obedience) and negative (disobedience) responses. The law codes given by God - either the creation law) Romans 1:21), moral law of the heart (Romans 2:14-15), or Law of Moses (Romans 2) - all provide law conditions. In fact, they require a single condition: absolute and total obedience. Instructions from the Redeemer On the other hand, in His role as Redeemer, God has also given instructions under grace. These "grace conditions" are instructions given by the Redeemer to sinners on how to receive salvation. This is a critical distinction, and one many fail to recognize. God has given us specific conditions by which we can receive His gift of grace and salvation. Law conditions represent "necessity of precept" while grace conditions represent "necessity of means". Actually, law conditions - if kept perfectly - represent both necessity of precept and necessity of means. What are we talking about? You'll have to tune in to this episode of DTLC Radio to learn more. ___________________________________ Study Romans From the Beginning Dr. David Turpen clean 1:02:59 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 093 – What Are “Works of Law”? https://dtlifecoach.com/works-of-law/ Wed, 03 Jul 2019 23:18:50 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3046 Romans 3:28 - What does Paul mean by "works of law"? How does the Bible define "works"? Are there conditions to salvation? Are we saved by "faith alone" and nothing else? What about repentance or confession or baptism? Is everything a person does counted as a "work" or "work of law"? These and other questions answered in this weeks episode of our continuing study of Romans. _____________________________________ This Study of Romans Begins With Episode #69 Episode #68 helps you understand the Bible's definition of "faith." Romans 3:28 - What does Paul mean by "works of law"? How does the Bible define "works"? Are there conditions to salvation? Are we saved by "faith alone" and nothing else? What about repentance or confession or baptism? Romans 3:28 - What does Paul mean by "works of law"? How does the Bible define "works"? Are there conditions to salvation? Are we saved by "faith alone" and nothing else? What about repentance or confession or baptism? Is everything a person does counted as a "work" or "work of law"? These and other questions answered in this weeks episode of our continuing study of Romans. _____________________________________ This Study of Romans Begins With Episode #69 Episode #68 helps you understand the Bible's definition of "faith." Dr. David Turpen clean 1:28:35 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 092 – No Bragging About Your Salvation! https://dtlifecoach.com/no-bragging/ Thu, 27 Jun 2019 20:45:45 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3038 No bragging! There is no bragging or boasting about your faith. More specifically, there can be no bragging about your being justified by faith. Why? Because your justification is not based on anything you did. Nor is it based on anything you can do. The truth is, whatever you attempt to do to "gain" or "earn" your salvation will fall woefully short (Isaiah 64:6). (see Philippians 3:2-11) Boasting Is Excluded As we come to the last section of Romans 3, Paul declares that all bragging and boasting is eliminated and excluded (3:27). On what basis? On the basis that justification is by grace and not the result of anything you can contribute to it.. Jesus is the one who has paid the payment of our penalty due to God for having sinned...for having broken the law of God. Justification by faith - being declared righteous by God - is "apart from law." This aspect of justification being "apart from law" or "apart from works" or "apart from works of law" is crucial. It is critical to our understanding of the conditions for salvation. The Law of Faith Justification through the law system would permit bragging. If you kept the law perfectly, you would have grounds for bragging about your justification because it would have been all based on your keeping the law. But since all have sinned, justification by the law system is not possible and therefore bragging about it is not possible. The same is true under the grace system. Grace excludes boasting because all the work(s) that produce salvation within this system was accomplished by Christ. The only thing we sinners can do is react and respond to His divine works and passively receive them. "Where, then, is there bragging among you? It has been eliminated. By which system of salvation? The law system, in which you are justified by works of law? Nope. On the contrary, through the grace system, in which you are justified by your faith in Christ Jesus." _______________________________________ Start Your Study of Romans With Episode #69 No bragging! There is no bragging or boasting about your faith. More specifically, there can be no bragging about your being justified by faith. Why? Because your justification is not based on anything you did. Nor is it based on anything you can do. No bragging! There is no bragging or boasting about your faith. More specifically, there can be no bragging about your being justified by faith. Why? Because your justification is not based on anything you did. Nor is it based on anything you can do. The truth is, whatever you attempt to do to "gain" or "earn" your salvation will fall woefully short (Isaiah 64:6). (see Philippians 3:2-11) Boasting Is Excluded As we come to the last section of Romans 3, Paul declares that all bragging and boasting is eliminated and excluded (3:27). On what basis? On the basis that justification is by grace and not the result of anything you can contribute to it.. Jesus is the one who has paid the payment of our penalty due to God for having sinned...for having broken the law of God. Justification by faith - being declared righteous by God - is "apart from law." This aspect of justification being "apart from law" or "apart from works" or "apart from works of law" is crucial. It is critical to our understanding of the conditions for salvation. The Law of Faith Justification through the law system would permit bragging. If you kept the law perfectly, you would have grounds for bragging about your justification because it would have been all based on your keeping the law. But since all have sinned, justification by the law system is not possible and therefore bragging about it is not possible. The same is true under the grace system. Grace excludes boasting because all the work(s) that produce salvation within this system was accomplished by Christ. The only thing we sinners can do is react and respond to His divine works and passively receive them. "Where, then, is there bragging among you? It has been eliminated. By which system of salvation? The law system, in which you are justified by works of law? Nope. On the contrary, through the grace system, in which you are justified by your faith in Christ Jesus." _______________________________________ Start Your Study of Romans With Episode #69 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:03:26 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 091 – Propitiation Equals Freedom! https://dtlifecoach.com/propitiation/ Wed, 19 Jun 2019 21:09:18 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3033 We have stated that Romans 3:21-26 might be the most important paragraph ever written. We might further contend that Romans 3:24-26 is the most important passage in the entire Bible. It is no less than the introduction of one of the most important doctrines: justification by grace through faith. Wrath- Remover The question is raised, on what basis can God justify - declare righteous - unrighteous sinners? If God's law demands that sin be punished, how was anyone in the Old Testament saved? How can God be true to His law and at the same time be generous with salvation? The answer: Jesus is our propitiation! The importance of this word and its meaning cannot be overstated. If we deserve wrath and yet don't receive wrath, that wrath must go somewhere else. More specifically, that wrath must be endured by someone else. Otherwise, God is not being true to His word or His law. But that is not the case. My Propitiation Christ Jesus is the one on whom God's wrath is laid. Jesus is my propitiation. He turns God's wrath from me and takes it upon Himself. I deserve it - He does not. Jesus is more than merely a "sacrifice of atonement" on my behalf. He is definitively more than an "expiation" that simply covers my sin. No. Jesus became sin so that I might receive the righteousness of God. Any description of the cross that does not describe the cross of Christ as a propitiation - as a wrath-removing, wrath-averting sacrifice - is false. (First John 1:2; 4:10) If you want total and absolute freedom, it is imperative that you grow in your understanding of the basis on which God releases us from the penalty of breaking His divine law. What is your faith in? What is saving faith? If you died today, are you certain of going to heaven? Your ability to answer these questions is foundational to your living a transformed life. _____________________________________ Study Romans Beginning With Episode #68 We have stated that Romans 3:21-26 might be the most important paragraph ever written. We might further contend that Romans 3:24-26 is the most important passage in the entire Bible. It is no less than the introduction of one of the most important doct... We have stated that Romans 3:21-26 might be the most important paragraph ever written. We might further contend that Romans 3:24-26 is the most important passage in the entire Bible. It is no less than the introduction of one of the most important doctrines: justification by grace through faith. Wrath- Remover The question is raised, on what basis can God justify - declare righteous - unrighteous sinners? If God's law demands that sin be punished, how was anyone in the Old Testament saved? How can God be true to His law and at the same time be generous with salvation? The answer: Jesus is our propitiation! The importance of this word and its meaning cannot be overstated. If we deserve wrath and yet don't receive wrath, that wrath must go somewhere else. More specifically, that wrath must be endured by someone else. Otherwise, God is not being true to His word or His law. But that is not the case. My Propitiation Christ Jesus is the one on whom God's wrath is laid. Jesus is my propitiation. He turns God's wrath from me and takes it upon Himself. I deserve it - He does not. Jesus is more than merely a "sacrifice of atonement" on my behalf. He is definitively more than an "expiation" that simply covers my sin. No. Jesus became sin so that I might receive the righteousness of God. Any description of the cross that does not describe the cross of Christ as a propitiation - as a wrath-removing, wrath-averting sacrifice - is false. (First John 1:2; 4:10) If you want total and absolute freedom, it is imperative that you grow in your understanding of the basis on which God releases us from the penalty of breaking His divine law. What is your faith in? What is saving faith? If you died today, are you certain of going to heaven? Your ability to answer these questions is foundational to your living a transformed life. _____________________________________ Study Romans Beginning With Episode #68 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:22:00 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 090 – The Greatest Paragraph Ever Written https://dtlifecoach.com/justification/ Sat, 08 Jun 2019 21:57:16 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3030 It's been called the greatest paragraph ever written. Romans 3:21-26 lays the basis for God justifying sinners - justification by grace. The fact that guilty people get to go free is simply amazing. Guilty, Yet Pardoned Justification by grace is a cornerstone doctrine of Christian faith. Understanding it - what it is and what it is not - is critical to your daily living. How? By helping you see yourself as you really are, not as you think you should be. The difference between being declared righteous and being made righteous is foundational to your success. Today we explore a little about this difference and how understanding it rightly makes all the difference. It's been called the greatest paragraph ever written. Romans 3:21-26 lays the basis for God justifying sinners - justification by grace. The fact that guilty people get to go free is simply amazing. Guilty, Yet Pardoned It's been called the greatest paragraph ever written. Romans 3:21-26 lays the basis for God justifying sinners - justification by grace. The fact that guilty people get to go free is simply amazing. Guilty, Yet Pardoned Justification by grace is a cornerstone doctrine of Christian faith. Understanding it - what it is and what it is not - is critical to your daily living. How? By helping you see yourself as you really are, not as you think you should be. The difference between being declared righteous and being made righteous is foundational to your success. Today we explore a little about this difference and how understanding it rightly makes all the difference. Dr. David Turpen clean 1:00:56 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 089 – Finally, Some Good News – Justified! https://dtlifecoach.com/justified/ Thu, 30 May 2019 18:56:01 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3025 How can a sinner - like me - be justified before God? If I cannot keep His law through perfect obedience and can never pay the penalty due in full, how can I ever be saved? The law of God leaves no other alternatives. How can sinners be brought back into a right relationship with God and His law? Finally, Some Good News After hearing the charges against us - all of us - that we are guilty under the law of God, there is finally some good news. I'll be honest with you: I'm glad that section is over! Unless you're a masochist, I'm sure you're glad as well. There is nothing "fun" or enjoyable about hearing that you're wretched, guilty, and deserve punishment. Even little children realize how unpleasant this is. Worse is the reality that there is no hope. There is no way for you get yourself out of this situation. You're going to go to court. You will stand before the Judge. It is an absolute certainty that you will be found guilty. There is definitely a penalty that must be paid. That's the way the law works. But, there is good news. Now, there is an alternative that is not part of the law system. There is a way you can be justified before a holy and righteous God. But you can do nothing to earn it or deserve it. You can only accept and receive it. Why? Because it is a gift. Getting What You Don't Deserve Grace. That's the only way. It's the only alternative. But thank God there is an alternative! This section of Romans - chapter 3 verses 21 to 26 - has been called "the most important single paragraph ever written." The message conveyed here will literally change your life and your eternal destiny. Now it's starting to get good. The gospel - the good news - has finally arrived! What we learn from this point forward is nothing short of miraculous. ___________________________________ Series Starts With Episode #69 How can a sinner - like me - be justified before God? If I cannot keep His law through perfect obedience and can never pay the penalty due in full, how can I ever be saved? The law of God leaves no other alternatives. How can a sinner - like me - be justified before God? If I cannot keep His law through perfect obedience and can never pay the penalty due in full, how can I ever be saved? The law of God leaves no other alternatives. How can sinners be brought back into a right relationship with God and His law? Finally, Some Good News After hearing the charges against us - all of us - that we are guilty under the law of God, there is finally some good news. I'll be honest with you: I'm glad that section is over! Unless you're a masochist, I'm sure you're glad as well. There is nothing "fun" or enjoyable about hearing that you're wretched, guilty, and deserve punishment. Even little children realize how unpleasant this is. Worse is the reality that there is no hope. There is no way for you get yourself out of this situation. You're going to go to court. You will stand before the Judge. It is an absolute certainty that you will be found guilty. There is definitely a penalty that must be paid. That's the way the law works. But, there is good news. Now, there is an alternative that is not part of the law system. There is a way you can be justified before a holy and righteous God. But you can do nothing to earn it or deserve it. You can only accept and receive it. Why? Because it is a gift. Getting What You Don't Deserve Grace. That's the only way. It's the only alternative. But thank God there is an alternative! This section of Romans - chapter 3 verses 21 to 26 - has been called "the most important single paragraph ever written." The message conveyed here will literally change your life and your eternal destiny. Now it's starting to get good. The gospel - the good news - has finally arrived! What we learn from this point forward is nothing short of miraculous. ___________________________________ Series Starts With Episode #69 Dr. David Turpen clean 59:50 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 088 – The Grace System https://dtlifecoach.com/grace-system/ Wed, 22 May 2019 20:57:45 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3021 The "law system" is fair, just, and right. The "grace system" is unfair, justifies, and declares righteous. Which one are you choosing? Do you really want God to be "fair" with you on judgment day? Once you understand what that means, I'll bet you choose grace. The Law System For 64 verses (Romans 1:18-3:20) Paul has described our wickedness before God under the law system. The summary statement of this passage is basically found in 3:20: "...by works of law no flesh will be justified in [God's] sight...." Why spend so much time telling us about it? Because we each one need to be convinced...and then re-convinced...again and again. We are stubborn. All of us makes excuses. We try to find loopholes that will somehow "set us free" from the guilt imposed by the law of God. But there are no excuses. There aren't any loopholes. Under the law we all stand guilty before a holy God. We are under condemnation and without hope of mercy. Why? God's holiness demands that sin be dealt with through wrath and punishment. Truth is, we don't really understand just how bad our situation is. The Grace System The law condemns us and leaves us doomed. But the law is good. How? By showing us just how badly we need an alternative solution. The law reveals our predicament and forces us to seek another way. That way is the way of grace. Through Jesus Christ and His fulfillment of the requirements of the law, God offers grace. Grace is not fair. The law says: Keep the commandments, and therefore escape the penalty. Break the commandments, and therefore suffer the penalty. That's fair. It's just. And it is accurate. The grace system is not fair. It says: Keep the commandments, but suffer the penalty. Break the commandments, but escape the penalty. That hardly sounds right and certainly not fair. In truth, the first half of the grace formula applies only to Jesus. He is the only one to have ever kept the commandments perfectly. It's the rest of us that get to take advantage of the second half. That is, to be guilty of breaking the commandments but yet escape the penalty. This episode reviews the first three and a half chapters of Romans while giving a brief preview of the next main section. We discuss the grace system in anticipation of Paul delivering the gospel - the good news - in Romans 3:21-5:21. It's starting to get exciting! ______________________________________ This Series On Romans Begins With Episode #69 The "law system" is fair, just, and right. The "grace system" is unfair, justifies, and declares righteous. Which one are you choosing? Do you really want God to be "fair" with you on judgment day? Once you understand what that means, The "law system" is fair, just, and right. The "grace system" is unfair, justifies, and declares righteous. Which one are you choosing? Do you really want God to be "fair" with you on judgment day? Once you understand what that means, I'll bet you choose grace. The Law System For 64 verses (Romans 1:18-3:20) Paul has described our wickedness before God under the law system. The summary statement of this passage is basically found in 3:20: "...by works of law no flesh will be justified in [God's] sight...." Why spend so much time telling us about it? Because we each one need to be convinced...and then re-convinced...again and again. We are stubborn. All of us makes excuses. We try to find loopholes that will somehow "set us free" from the guilt imposed by the law of God. But there are no excuses. There aren't any loopholes. Under the law we all stand guilty before a holy God. We are under condemnation and without hope of mercy. Why? God's holiness demands that sin be dealt with through wrath and punishment. Truth is, we don't really understand just how bad our situation is. The Grace System The law condemns us and leaves us doomed. But the law is good. How? By showing us just how badly we need an alternative solution. The law reveals our predicament and forces us to seek another way. That way is the way of grace. Through Jesus Christ and His fulfillment of the requirements of the law, God offers grace. Grace is not fair. The law says: Keep the commandments, and therefore escape the penalty. Break the commandments, and therefore suffer the penalty. That's fair. It's just. And it is accurate. The grace system is not fair. It says: Keep the commandments, but suffer the penalty. Break the commandments, but escape the penalty. That hardly sounds right and certainly not fair. In truth, the first half of the grace formula applies only to Jesus. He is the only one to have ever kept the commandments perfectly. It's the rest of us that get to take advantage of the second half. That is, to be guilty of breaking the commandments but yet escape the penalty. This episode reviews the first three and a half chapters of Romans while giving a brief preview of the next main section. We discuss the grace system in anticipation of Paul delivering the gospel - the good news - in Romans 3:21-5:21. It's starting to get exciting! ______________________________________ This Series On Romans Begins With Episode #69 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:24:07 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 087 – All Guilty! Romans 3:9-20 https://dtlifecoach.com/all-guilty/ Wed, 15 May 2019 20:25:27 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3017 We are all guilty! That's the message of Romans 3:9-20. None of us - Jew or Gentile - is exempt from judgment under the law. We have all broken the law of God - in whatever form He has given it - and are therefore sinners. First John 3:4 says, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." If you insist on dealing with God according to the law, you will stand condemned by that very law. Under Law We are all under law. Every human being who has ever lived - and will ever live - is under law. In Romans 1, Paul has pointed out that rejecting and living as though there is no law and therefore no Lawgiver, only results in more condemnation. On the other hand, living as though having the law is enough will lead to equally eternal punishment. Under law there is no other option. When people live life under the pretense that their good deeds will outweigh their bad deeds in the final tally, they are choosing to deal with God in terms of the law. Under law, God has no alternative but to bring judgment and condemnation. Why? Because all us are guilty of breaking it in one form or another. Keep the law perfectly, and therefore escape the penalty. Break the law - even just once - and therefore pay the penalty. Under law, there is simply no other way. Painful Reality These first three and half chapters of Romans can be pretty painful to read. Especially when you realize they are describing you and me! But this is exactly Paul's point. The whole purpose in writing this is to understand that we are all going to be condemned if we remain under law. Or if we insist on thinking our good will ultimately outweigh the bad, we're going to be gravely disappointed. But all of this is simply the diagnosis. "Dr. Paul" has to tell us the bad news before he gives us the good news. In order to resolve your problem you first have to accept and admit that you have a problem. You didn't think Alcoholics Anonymous came up with Step 1 all on their own, did you? But there is Good News - gospel - and Paul will deliver that beginning in Romans 3:21. But now, apart from law... _______________________________ This Series On Romans Begins With Episode #68 We are all guilty! That's the message of Romans 3:9-20. None of us - Jew or Gentile - is exempt from judgment under the law. We have all broken the law of God - in whatever form He has given it - and are therefore sinners. First John 3:4 says, We are all guilty! That's the message of Romans 3:9-20. None of us - Jew or Gentile - is exempt from judgment under the law. We have all broken the law of God - in whatever form He has given it - and are therefore sinners. First John 3:4 says, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness." If you insist on dealing with God according to the law, you will stand condemned by that very law. Under Law We are all under law. Every human being who has ever lived - and will ever live - is under law. In Romans 1, Paul has pointed out that rejecting and living as though there is no law and therefore no Lawgiver, only results in more condemnation. On the other hand, living as though having the law is enough will lead to equally eternal punishment. Under law there is no other option. When people live life under the pretense that their good deeds will outweigh their bad deeds in the final tally, they are choosing to deal with God in terms of the law. Under law, God has no alternative but to bring judgment and condemnation. Why? Because all us are guilty of breaking it in one form or another. Keep the law perfectly, and therefore escape the penalty. Break the law - even just once - and therefore pay the penalty. Under law, there is simply no other way. Painful Reality These first three and half chapters of Romans can be pretty painful to read. Especially when you realize they are describing you and me! But this is exactly Paul's point. The whole purpose in writing this is to understand that we are all going to be condemned if we remain under law. Or if we insist on thinking our good will ultimately outweigh the bad, we're going to be gravely disappointed. But all of this is simply the diagnosis. "Dr. Paul" has to tell us the bad news before he gives us the good news. In order to resolve your problem you first have to accept and admit that you have a problem. You didn't think Alcoholics Anonymous came up with Step 1 all on their own, did you? But there is Good News - gospel - and Paul will deliver that beginning in Romans 3:21. But now, apart from law... _______________________________ This Series On Romans Begins With Episode #68 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:10:07 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 086 – The Jewish Advantage – Romans 3:1-8 https://dtlifecoach.com/advantage/ Wed, 08 May 2019 22:12:11 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3010 After learning that just having the Law of Moses is not enough, the question is: What advantage is there in being a Jew? Have the Jews been spinning their wheels for the past 2,000 years? Or is this God's idea of a bad joke - giving the covenant and a sign - circumcision? If the Jews aren't saved by the Law of Moses, how can they been considered "chosen"? False Assumptions The Jews' basic problem is one of false assumptions. They have presumed upon the law they possess. Israel has wrongly determined that "being chosen" is an advantage with regard to salvation. Even the Jewish leaders and teachers failed to understand that keeping the law was the requirement, not simply possessing it. But beyond this, Paul says there are great advantages to being a Jew. In fact, there is such a thing as "Jewish advantage" or Jewish privilege. The problem is that it isn't what they thought it was. Had they read and studied and been properly taught, they would have known. A Fuller Understanding What the Jews were given access to was a more complete view and understanding of who God is. Gentiles - through the "law of Creation" and the moral law written on their hearts - can know God as Judge, Lawgiver, and Creator. The Jews had a distinct advantage because of the Old Testament. They could know God more fully and more completely. The Old Testament presented God as not just Creator and Lawgiver and Judge. But also as Shepherd, Savior, and King. God is rich in mercy. love, grace, and forgiveness. Something the Gentiles could not see or understand as clearly. The Law of Moses showed God to be faithful to His promises and just in His judgments. These are just some of the advantages to being a Jew. ____________________________________ The Study of Romans After learning that just having the Law of Moses is not enough, the question is: What advantage is there in being a Jew? Have the Jews been spinning their wheels for the past 2,000 years? Or is this God's idea of a bad joke - giving the covenant and a ... After learning that just having the Law of Moses is not enough, the question is: What advantage is there in being a Jew? Have the Jews been spinning their wheels for the past 2,000 years? Or is this God's idea of a bad joke - giving the covenant and a sign - circumcision? If the Jews aren't saved by the Law of Moses, how can they been considered "chosen"? False Assumptions The Jews' basic problem is one of false assumptions. They have presumed upon the law they possess. Israel has wrongly determined that "being chosen" is an advantage with regard to salvation. Even the Jewish leaders and teachers failed to understand that keeping the law was the requirement, not simply possessing it. But beyond this, Paul says there are great advantages to being a Jew. In fact, there is such a thing as "Jewish advantage" or Jewish privilege. The problem is that it isn't what they thought it was. Had they read and studied and been properly taught, they would have known. A Fuller Understanding What the Jews were given access to was a more complete view and understanding of who God is. Gentiles - through the "law of Creation" and the moral law written on their hearts - can know God as Judge, Lawgiver, and Creator. The Jews had a distinct advantage because of the Old Testament. They could know God more fully and more completely. The Old Testament presented God as not just Creator and Lawgiver and Judge. But also as Shepherd, Savior, and King. God is rich in mercy. love, grace, and forgiveness. Something the Gentiles could not see or understand as clearly. The Law of Moses showed God to be faithful to His promises and just in His judgments. These are just some of the advantages to being a Jew. ____________________________________ The Study of Romans Dr. David Turpen clean 1:06:25 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 085 – We’re All Hypocrites https://dtlifecoach.com/hypocrites/ Thu, 02 May 2019 21:33:20 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=3004 No one will be saved by his relationship to the law of God. Whether that law is the "law of Creation" - that God exists and deserves our honor and thanks - or the Law of Moses makes no difference. All law demands perfect obedience. Failure to be perfect results in condemnation. It's as simple as that. Jews No Better Off Than Gentiles Ignorance of the law is an unacceptable defense for Gentiles. Because they do know the law and have in fact, suppressed its truth. Jews will not be saved simply by their possession of the Law of Moses. Any law - every law system - requires perfect obedience in order to be justified (i.e. saved; in right standing with God). There are no exceptions. The Jews will not be shown any favoritism in the final judgment. Paul makes the point that only doers of the law can be justified. An unqualified verb in the original text, doers implies perfect obedience. The hypocrisy of the Jews - possessing and teaching the law but not keeping it themselves - brings condemnation upon themselves. Worse, it brings ridicule and mockery upon God Himself. And that ain't good. We Are All Hypocrites The truth is, we're all hypocrites to one degree or another. None of us is able to live up to the standard of thought and conduct we set for ourselves. Whether we deny God exists or insist people live by the commandments of the Bible, we're all failing. This is exactly Paul's point. None of us can escape judgment if we continue to see law-keeping as the way out. Understanding, accepting, and living in this truth will help us to keep a right and humble perspective. The value of studying this is surely not lost on you. Think of how different your work or home environment would be if everyone simply remembered this one thing...no one is perfect! Yeah, you laugh at that because we all say it. But how many of us actually believe it to the point of not expecting perfection in others...or ourselves? Again, our hypocrisy knows no bounds. _______________________________ This Series Begins With Episode #68 No one will be saved by his relationship to the law of God. Whether that law is the "law of Creation" - that God exists and deserves our honor and thanks - or the Law of Moses makes no difference. All law demands perfect obedience. No one will be saved by his relationship to the law of God. Whether that law is the "law of Creation" - that God exists and deserves our honor and thanks - or the Law of Moses makes no difference. All law demands perfect obedience. Failure to be perfect results in condemnation. It's as simple as that. Jews No Better Off Than Gentiles Ignorance of the law is an unacceptable defense for Gentiles. Because they do know the law and have in fact, suppressed its truth. Jews will not be saved simply by their possession of the Law of Moses. Any law - every law system - requires perfect obedience in order to be justified (i.e. saved; in right standing with God). There are no exceptions. The Jews will not be shown any favoritism in the final judgment. Paul makes the point that only doers of the law can be justified. An unqualified verb in the original text, doers implies perfect obedience. The hypocrisy of the Jews - possessing and teaching the law but not keeping it themselves - brings condemnation upon themselves. Worse, it brings ridicule and mockery upon God Himself. And that ain't good. We Are All Hypocrites The truth is, we're all hypocrites to one degree or another. None of us is able to live up to the standard of thought and conduct we set for ourselves. Whether we deny God exists or insist people live by the commandments of the Bible, we're all failing. This is exactly Paul's point. None of us can escape judgment if we continue to see law-keeping as the way out. Understanding, accepting, and living in this truth will help us to keep a right and humble perspective. The value of studying this is surely not lost on you. Think of how different your work or home environment would be if everyone simply remembered this one thing...no one is perfect! Yeah, you laugh at that because we all say it. But how many of us actually believe it to the point of not expecting perfection in others...or ourselves? Again, our hypocrisy knows no bounds. _______________________________ This Series Begins With Episode #68 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:20:50 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 084 – No Excuses for You Either! https://dtlifecoach.com/jews/ Thu, 25 Apr 2019 20:56:41 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2999 Is there such a thing as bad Jews or Christians and righteous unbelievers? Paul says there is and it's based on the reality of Romans 2. The Jews make the mistake of believing that possessing the Law of Moses should equate to special considerations and treatment. The Impartiality of God The overall subject of this first main section of Romans (1:18-3:20) is the inability of the law to save people from their sin. Sin, by definition, is lawbreaking; breaking even one of God's laws results in being a sinner. And although the law - whether spelled out or revealed in creation - helps keep us from further sin, it is unable to correct what has already been broken. In other words, once you sin, that sin cannot be undone by keeping the law. Keeping the law is just another way of saying obeying the commandments. The problem regarding the Gentiles is, how can they be condemned by the law if, in fact, they do not have the law? In previous episodes, we've seen how the Gentiles do have a law they are responsible for obeying. The problem regarding the Jews is they believe they cannot stand condemned by law, because they have a "special" relationship with God. As a nation, God gave them the written Law of Moses (i.e. special revelation). Their belief is that merely possessing the Law - simply being born a Jew - will shield them from God's divine judgment. They are sadly mistaken. No Special Treatment Paul's main point in chapter 2 is to show the Jews that they will not be treated with any special considerations on the Day of Judgment. They will have no special privileges, no advantages, and no partiality from God simply by virtue of being Jewish. Paul points out that a person could be saved by keeping the Law - provided they keep it perfectly. The problem is that no one has - or ever will - keep the Law perfectly. All have sinned - all have broken God's law - and by works of law no one will be justified. If someone were able to keep the law perfectly, they would be justified before God. But no one has or will. Only Jesus - the Messiah, Christ, and God-man - has fulfilled the law perfectly. In fact, this is what makes Him the viable "Lamb that takes away the sin of the world." _______________________________________ This Series on Romans Begins With Episode 68 Is there such a thing as bad Jews or Christians and righteous unbelievers? Paul says there is and it's based on the reality of Romans 2. The Jews make the mistake of believing that possessing the Law of Moses should equate to special considerations and... Is there such a thing as bad Jews or Christians and righteous unbelievers? Paul says there is and it's based on the reality of Romans 2. The Jews make the mistake of believing that possessing the Law of Moses should equate to special considerations and treatment. The Impartiality of God The overall subject of this first main section of Romans (1:18-3:20) is the inability of the law to save people from their sin. Sin, by definition, is lawbreaking; breaking even one of God's laws results in being a sinner. And although the law - whether spelled out or revealed in creation - helps keep us from further sin, it is unable to correct what has already been broken. In other words, once you sin, that sin cannot be undone by keeping the law. Keeping the law is just another way of saying obeying the commandments. The problem regarding the Gentiles is, how can they be condemned by the law if, in fact, they do not have the law? In previous episodes, we've seen how the Gentiles do have a law they are responsible for obeying. The problem regarding the Jews is they believe they cannot stand condemned by law, because they have a "special" relationship with God. As a nation, God gave them the written Law of Moses (i.e. special revelation). Their belief is that merely possessing the Law - simply being born a Jew - will shield them from God's divine judgment. They are sadly mistaken. No Special Treatment Paul's main point in chapter 2 is to show the Jews that they will not be treated with any special considerations on the Day of Judgment. They will have no special privileges, no advantages, and no partiality from God simply by virtue of being Jewish. Paul points out that a person could be saved by keeping the Law - provided they keep it perfectly. The problem is that no one has - or ever will - keep the Law perfectly. All have sinned - all have broken God's law - and by works of law no one will be justified. If someone were able to keep the law perfectly, they would be justified before God. But no one has or will. Only Jesus - the Messiah, Christ, and God-man - has fulfilled the law perfectly. In fact, this is what makes Him the viable "Lamb that takes away the sin of the world." _______________________________________ This Series on Romans Begins With Episode 68 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:02:12 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 083 – Romans 1:21-32 https://dtlifecoach.com/wrath-revealed-2/ Tue, 09 Apr 2019 20:33:18 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2995 The wrath of God is revealed in many different ways. From the immediate and actual consequences of our sin to eternal punishment in hell. As Paul describes, God's wrath is also experienced in daily life and in real time events. These events and actions happen to both individuals and societies. God Gives Them Over Being given over to the "desires of our heart" might not sound like much of a punishment. But when those desires are wicked and sinful, being turned over means being let loose to the full consequences of sin. Sin leads to more sin. Sin is both the cause and the effect. And the depth of our sin when unrestrained is scary. When God turns over a nation or individual, He is pulling back His hand of restraint. His protection is a restraint that keeps us from sinning as completely as we otherwise would. Those who suppress the truth about God and deliberately fail to give honor and thanks, will be allowed to go their own way. Hard To Hear This passage of Scripture can be difficult to read or to hear and you can come away from it feeling condemned. But that's not all together bad. The truth is, under the law system we are all condemned. This is Paul's point. Another point is that everyone has been given the Law of Creation and God's Moral Law written on the heart. Trying to concisely convey all the information contained here is difficult. After several attempts I've decided to let a more experienced teacher convey these truths. John MacArthur, Minister of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA preached this passage in 2006. He has preached it several times before as well. John does a masterful job working his way through this last half of Romans 1. Keep in mind that he is coming at the passage from the perspective of God's wrath on a nation. It is important to recognize that the same truths apply to individuals as well. _______________________________________ Previous Episodes in This Series Romans Link to full audio and visual versions of John's message: When God Abandons a Nation Grace To You Copyright Policy John MacArthur appears courtesy of Grace To You (GTY.org) Copyright 2006-2019, Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by permission. The wrath of God is revealed in many different ways. From the immediate and actual consequences of our sin to eternal punishment in hell. As Paul describes, God's wrath is also experienced in daily life and in real time events. The wrath of God is revealed in many different ways. From the immediate and actual consequences of our sin to eternal punishment in hell. As Paul describes, God's wrath is also experienced in daily life and in real time events. These events and actions happen to both individuals and societies. God Gives Them Over Being given over to the "desires of our heart" might not sound like much of a punishment. But when those desires are wicked and sinful, being turned over means being let loose to the full consequences of sin. Sin leads to more sin. Sin is both the cause and the effect. And the depth of our sin when unrestrained is scary. When God turns over a nation or individual, He is pulling back His hand of restraint. His protection is a restraint that keeps us from sinning as completely as we otherwise would. Those who suppress the truth about God and deliberately fail to give honor and thanks, will be allowed to go their own way. Hard To Hear This passage of Scripture can be difficult to read or to hear and you can come away from it feeling condemned. But that's not all together bad. The truth is, under the law system we are all condemned. This is Paul's point. Another point is that everyone has been given the Law of Creation and God's Moral Law written on the heart. Trying to concisely convey all the information contained here is difficult. After several attempts I've decided to let a more experienced teacher convey these truths. John MacArthur, Minister of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA preached this passage in 2006. He has preached it several times before as well. John does a masterful job working his way through this last half of Romans 1. Keep in mind that he is coming at the passage from the perspective of God's wrath on a nation. It is important to recognize that the same truths apply to individuals as well. _______________________________________ Previous Episodes in This Series Romans Link to full audio and visual versions of John's message: When God Abandons a Nation Grace To You Copyright Policy John MacArthur appears courtesy of Grace To You (GTY.org) Copyright 2006-2019, Grace to You. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Dr. David Turpen clean 1:07:40 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 082 – Romans 1:18-20 https://dtlifecoach.com/wrath-revealed/ Wed, 27 Mar 2019 21:12:36 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2987 Wrath! Isn't that a great word? Doesn't is just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? NO! Of course it doesn't. Wrath is not to be trifled with and certainly not the wrath of God. Many people are so discomforted by the word that they reject the idea outright. "God is love," they say. "God isn't going to condemn anybody. Especially those who have never had a law to follow or heard the gospel." Well, yes, God is love. But God is holy, holy, holy as well. He is also a God of wrath and righteousness. Breaking His law demands retribution and punishment. Since God cannot be separated from His law, breaking it is a personal assault against Him personally. No Excuses From You! Paul's point in Romans 1:18-20 is that everyone - everyone - has been given some law. Through God's creation He has revealed Himself as Creator. Further, He has shown us His eternal power and divine nature. His expectation: that we simply acknowledge that He is God and we are not (thus honoring Him) and give Him thanks. Sounds simple enough and yet, we fail to do it. It's on these grounds that we stand condemned before God, even though we may not have a written law from Him. Thus the excuse, "well, I never knew of God or what He expected" will never stand. Paul is presenting the cold reality that everyone has broken the law, especially those who have suppressed the truth. Not a great diagnosis but a necessary one to counter any excuses. Remember: first the bad news, then the good news. _______________________________________ Previous Episodes in This Series DTLCRadio.com Wrath! Isn't that a great word? Doesn't is just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? NO! Of course it doesn't. Wrath is not to be trifled with and certainly not the wrath of God. Many people are so discomforted by the word that they reject th... Wrath! Isn't that a great word? Doesn't is just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside? NO! Of course it doesn't. Wrath is not to be trifled with and certainly not the wrath of God. Many people are so discomforted by the word that they reject the idea outright. "God is love," they say. "God isn't going to condemn anybody. Especially those who have never had a law to follow or heard the gospel." Well, yes, God is love. But God is holy, holy, holy as well. He is also a God of wrath and righteousness. Breaking His law demands retribution and punishment. Since God cannot be separated from His law, breaking it is a personal assault against Him personally. No Excuses From You! Paul's point in Romans 1:18-20 is that everyone - everyone - has been given some law. Through God's creation He has revealed Himself as Creator. Further, He has shown us His eternal power and divine nature. His expectation: that we simply acknowledge that He is God and we are not (thus honoring Him) and give Him thanks. Sounds simple enough and yet, we fail to do it. It's on these grounds that we stand condemned before God, even though we may not have a written law from Him. Thus the excuse, "well, I never knew of God or what He expected" will never stand. Paul is presenting the cold reality that everyone has broken the law, especially those who have suppressed the truth. Not a great diagnosis but a necessary one to counter any excuses. Remember: first the bad news, then the good news. _______________________________________ Previous Episodes in This Series DTLCRadio.com Dr. David Turpen clean 1:23:35 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 081 – Bad News First https://dtlifecoach.com/bad-news-first/ Wed, 20 Mar 2019 21:13:03 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2984 Romans 1:18-3:20 is the first main section of the body of Paul's letter to the church at Rome. After transitioning from introducing himself and reveling in the gloriousness of the gospel, Paul makes a huge shift. You Have Cancer! If you were to notice that you were beginning to have problems in some physical way, you'd go to the doctor. You would want him first to examine you, ask questions, take tests, and then offer his diagnosis. In short, you would want him to tell you what's wrong with you. Why? Because if you don't know what is wrong with you how will you know if there is a cure? Moreover, if you don't first have a diagnosis there's no way to tell if the cure is actually a cure! You have to have the bad news before you can receive the good news. Everybody Has It! The same holds true for the gospel of grace. It is a general principle that you have to understand your problem before you can fully appreciate the need and availability of its solution. The very essence of sin is a transgression of the law. We cannot even know what sin is - nor understand ourselves as sinners - until we understand our relationship to God's law. This is the reason why the preaching of the law must precede the presentation of the gospel. How will they understand the good news if they don't know what is the bad news? Paul, adhering to this principle, begins to give us the bad news. Anticipating the likely objections and cry for exceptions, he starts by showing that everyone is guilty of breaking God's law. Even the most basic and simple of laws. _______________________________________ Related Podcasts Previous episodes begin with #68 - Click Here For More Romans 1:18-3:20 is the first main section of the body of Paul's letter to the church at Rome. After transitioning from introducing himself and reveling in the gloriousness of the gospel, Paul makes a huge shift. You Have Cancer! Romans 1:18-3:20 is the first main section of the body of Paul's letter to the church at Rome. After transitioning from introducing himself and reveling in the gloriousness of the gospel, Paul makes a huge shift. You Have Cancer! If you were to notice that you were beginning to have problems in some physical way, you'd go to the doctor. You would want him first to examine you, ask questions, take tests, and then offer his diagnosis. In short, you would want him to tell you what's wrong with you. Why? Because if you don't know what is wrong with you how will you know if there is a cure? Moreover, if you don't first have a diagnosis there's no way to tell if the cure is actually a cure! You have to have the bad news before you can receive the good news. Everybody Has It! The same holds true for the gospel of grace. It is a general principle that you have to understand your problem before you can fully appreciate the need and availability of its solution. The very essence of sin is a transgression of the law. We cannot even know what sin is - nor understand ourselves as sinners - until we understand our relationship to God's law. This is the reason why the preaching of the law must precede the presentation of the gospel. How will they understand the good news if they don't know what is the bad news? Paul, adhering to this principle, begins to give us the bad news. Anticipating the likely objections and cry for exceptions, he starts by showing that everyone is guilty of breaking God's law. Even the most basic and simple of laws. _______________________________________ Related Podcasts Previous episodes begin with #68 - Click Here For More Dr. David Turpen clean 1:04:16 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 080 – The Righteousness of God – Part 2 https://dtlifecoach.com/righteousness-of-god-2/ Wed, 13 Mar 2019 20:56:18 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2981 This week we continue to develop our understanding of the "righteousness of God" revealed in the gospel, according to Romans 1:17. We have discussed the definition of righteousness. Also, we examined what it means for God to be righteous. Today, we take a look specifically at how the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. The Key To Opening Your Understanding Understanding and grasping exactly what Paul is describing is the key to comprehending much of the Bible. I would go even further and say that it has the potential to release you from the frustrating life you've been living to this point. This critical concept of how God's righteousness is revealed will free you in ways you never thought possible. I have found that most Christians do not have a clear comprehensive understanding of this doctrine. Many are falsely taught that we are "made righteous" by Christ's perfectly lived life. This is not true. Many others understanding justification to mean "just if I'd never sinned." This too, is false. Do you know the difference between Christ's "active righteousness" and His "passive righteousness?" This episode of DTLC Radio will help you come to a clearer and more biblical understanding. _____________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series Series begins with episode #68 - Faith Is Believing God! Others in the series This week we continue to develop our understanding of the "righteousness of God" revealed in the gospel, according to Romans 1:17. We have discussed the definition of righteousness. Also, we examined what it means for God to be righteous. Today, This week we continue to develop our understanding of the "righteousness of God" revealed in the gospel, according to Romans 1:17. We have discussed the definition of righteousness. Also, we examined what it means for God to be righteous. Today, we take a look specifically at how the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel. The Key To Opening Your Understanding Understanding and grasping exactly what Paul is describing is the key to comprehending much of the Bible. I would go even further and say that it has the potential to release you from the frustrating life you've been living to this point. This critical concept of how God's righteousness is revealed will free you in ways you never thought possible. I have found that most Christians do not have a clear comprehensive understanding of this doctrine. Many are falsely taught that we are "made righteous" by Christ's perfectly lived life. This is not true. Many others understanding justification to mean "just if I'd never sinned." This too, is false. Do you know the difference between Christ's "active righteousness" and His "passive righteousness?" This episode of DTLC Radio will help you come to a clearer and more biblical understanding. _____________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series Series begins with episode #68 - Faith Is Believing God! Others in the series Dr. David Turpen clean 1:43:19 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 079 – The Righteousness of God – Part 1 https://dtlifecoach.com/righteousness-of-god/ Wed, 06 Mar 2019 21:28:18 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2978 The righteousness of God is said to be revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:17). As far as human beings are concerned, righteousness is conformity to the proper standard, norm, or law. At least that's how the Bible defines it. Simply stated, righteousness is meeting the requirements of the law. By this same definition, we can define sin (i.e. unrighteousness) as failing to conform. In a word, lawlessness (1 John 3:4). By this definition, how do we apply it to God? To what law or standard must God conform? Once defined, how is this "good news" (i.e. gospel) to sinners? Well, in this episode we deal with the first of these questions. What does it mean that God is righteous? The Righteousness of God Simply stated, that God is righteous means that He is true to Himself. His law - including that which He has given to us - emanates from Himself. God's law is part of His nature. Thus, when we break it, it is a direct offense to God Himself. This results in the severity of sin's penalty. Understanding these definitions is crucial to comprehending the impact of the gospel. In fact, it is what makes the gospel "good news" to sinners. But this is just the beginning. The Righteousness of God Revealed This episode lays some of the ground work for digging deeper into what is revealed by the gospel. More specifically, what is revealed by the events of Christ's crucifixion and why it's good news. What we see in the cross will be discussed next time. This episode helps you understand how God is righteous to better grasp what He reveals through the cross. ________________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series This series begins with Episode #68 and defining faith. Then we begin our study of Romans with Episode #69 The righteousness of God is said to be revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:17). As far as human beings are concerned, righteousness is conformity to the proper standard, norm, or law. At least that's how the Bible defines it. Simply stated, The righteousness of God is said to be revealed in the gospel (Romans 1:17). As far as human beings are concerned, righteousness is conformity to the proper standard, norm, or law. At least that's how the Bible defines it. Simply stated, righteousness is meeting the requirements of the law. By this same definition, we can define sin (i.e. unrighteousness) as failing to conform. In a word, lawlessness (1 John 3:4). By this definition, how do we apply it to God? To what law or standard must God conform? Once defined, how is this "good news" (i.e. gospel) to sinners? Well, in this episode we deal with the first of these questions. What does it mean that God is righteous? The Righteousness of God Simply stated, that God is righteous means that He is true to Himself. His law - including that which He has given to us - emanates from Himself. God's law is part of His nature. Thus, when we break it, it is a direct offense to God Himself. This results in the severity of sin's penalty. Understanding these definitions is crucial to comprehending the impact of the gospel. In fact, it is what makes the gospel "good news" to sinners. But this is just the beginning. The Righteousness of God Revealed This episode lays some of the ground work for digging deeper into what is revealed by the gospel. More specifically, what is revealed by the events of Christ's crucifixion and why it's good news. What we see in the cross will be discussed next time. This episode helps you understand how God is righteous to better grasp what He reveals through the cross. ________________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series This series begins with Episode #68 and defining faith. Then we begin our study of Romans with Episode #69 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:07:42 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 078 – Righteousness Defined https://dtlifecoach.com/righteousness/ Wed, 27 Feb 2019 20:45:43 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2974 "For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith'.” Romans 1:17. Critical Understanding It is absolutely critical to understand what righteousness is, whether our own or God's. If it is revealed in the gospel - and Paul says it is - then we must strive to understand it. To understand we must first rightly define righteousness, biblically. This has been the failure of the church for several decades. Instead of rightly seeing the righteousness of God in the gospel, many have concluded that God is ONLY love. This is neither true nor is it conveyed in Scripture. It has become commonplace to redefine terms or simply ignore them outright. Many "christians" believe the gospel is about social justice, liberating the oppressed of our culture, and making the goal material blessings in this life. This is NOT what Paul is describing in Romans. A Right Definition Righteousness has everything to do with the law. More specifically, the law of God. Human righteousness is about conforming to God's will and His law. you can also define righteousness as meeting the requirements of God's law. Therefore, by definition, sin is not keeping God's law or meeting its requirements. In fact, the Apostle John gives this very definition for sin in 1 John 3:4. Understanding righteousness is a primary component to understanding the gospel of Christ. It also helps us define "the righteousness of God" that is revealed in the gospel. This, we will address next time. In this episode, we explore the meaning of righteousness, how we fail to be righteous, and why this is a problem. ______________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series "For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith'.” Romans 1:17. Critical Understanding It is absolutely critical to understand what righteousness is, "For in it [the gospel] the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'But the righteous man shall live by faith'.” Romans 1:17. Critical Understanding It is absolutely critical to understand what righteousness is, whether our own or God's. If it is revealed in the gospel - and Paul says it is - then we must strive to understand it. To understand we must first rightly define righteousness, biblically. This has been the failure of the church for several decades. Instead of rightly seeing the righteousness of God in the gospel, many have concluded that God is ONLY love. This is neither true nor is it conveyed in Scripture. It has become commonplace to redefine terms or simply ignore them outright. Many "christians" believe the gospel is about social justice, liberating the oppressed of our culture, and making the goal material blessings in this life. This is NOT what Paul is describing in Romans. A Right Definition Righteousness has everything to do with the law. More specifically, the law of God. Human righteousness is about conforming to God's will and His law. you can also define righteousness as meeting the requirements of God's law. Therefore, by definition, sin is not keeping God's law or meeting its requirements. In fact, the Apostle John gives this very definition for sin in 1 John 3:4. Understanding righteousness is a primary component to understanding the gospel of Christ. It also helps us define "the righteousness of God" that is revealed in the gospel. This, we will address next time. In this episode, we explore the meaning of righteousness, how we fail to be righteous, and why this is a problem. ______________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series Dr. David Turpen clean 1:13:30 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 077 – I Am Not Ashamed of the Gospel https://dtlifecoach.com/ashamed/ Wed, 20 Feb 2019 22:00:38 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2969 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16 NASB The gospel is not just the message of the cross but the cross itself. The actual events that took place on Calvary display the power of God. These events also provide the grounds for grace. And yet it is these events that cause some to be ashamed. The idea that the Creator of the universe became a man and died a criminal's death is hard for many to believe. It was a challenge in Paul's day, too. But the evidence is clear. There is reason to believe and to live by faith. Romans 1:16 This verse is one of the most recognized verses in all of the Bible. Yet, there are many who miss what Paul is saying. There is a depth to the gospel that we often miss. In this episode we discuss some of the details that Paul is referencing. Is there more than one aspect to the gospel? What is the difference between belief and faith? What are the two components of saving faith? Why would Paul be tempted to be ashamed? Is salvation a process? Are there conditions to receiving grace? What is the difference between unmerited and conditional? These and other questions are answered in this episode. In this episode we spend extended time - almost 2 hours - discussing the implications of this most important verse. Stay tuned, because the next verse offers even more information. Our study of Romans is designed to increase our knowledge of God and thereby increase our faith (Colossians 1:9-12). ___________________________ Click here for previous episodes in this series "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16 NASB The gospel is not just the message of the cross but the cross itself. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." Romans 1:16 NASB The gospel is not just the message of the cross but the cross itself. The actual events that took place on Calvary display the power of God. These events also provide the grounds for grace. And yet it is these events that cause some to be ashamed. The idea that the Creator of the universe became a man and died a criminal's death is hard for many to believe. It was a challenge in Paul's day, too. But the evidence is clear. There is reason to believe and to live by faith. Romans 1:16 This verse is one of the most recognized verses in all of the Bible. Yet, there are many who miss what Paul is saying. There is a depth to the gospel that we often miss. In this episode we discuss some of the details that Paul is referencing. Is there more than one aspect to the gospel? What is the difference between belief and faith? What are the two components of saving faith? Why would Paul be tempted to be ashamed? Is salvation a process? Are there conditions to receiving grace? What is the difference between unmerited and conditional? These and other questions are answered in this episode. In this episode we spend extended time - almost 2 hours - discussing the implications of this most important verse. Stay tuned, because the next verse offers even more information. Our study of Romans is designed to increase our knowledge of God and thereby increase our faith (Colossians 1:9-12). ___________________________ Click here for previous episodes in this series Dr. David Turpen clean 1:59:55 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 076 – The Depth of the Gospel https://dtlifecoach.com/gospel-deep/ Wed, 06 Feb 2019 22:48:21 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2959 Most people never experience much of the depth of the gospel. It is my contention that grasping it will change your life. Paul's Desire to Preach the Gospel I don't believe you can overstate Paul's deep desire to preach the gospel. And not simply the "saving" gospel but the "living" gospel. The sanctifying gospel. I attest to the fact that when you grasp it, life becomes much more enjoyable...and simple. I can also attest to the personal desire to preach and teach the good news. And I share a deep satisfaction in discussing it while witnessing others "get it!" It's exciting to share in their realization and joy. Paul makes it abundantly clear that the gospel's power is awesome to change. This is the reason it is foundational to what we do here at DTLC. The Personalness of the Gospel There is nothing quite like seeing someone "get it" with regard to the gospel. Paul understood this. Verses 8-15 of Romans 1 describe the reasoning behind Paul's decision to write. It was not to correct, necessarily. It was not to attack false teaching, necessarily. The primary reason was Paul's uncertainty of making it to Rome in person. The Book of Romans is Paul writing what he would otherwise deliver in person through preaching and teaching. Also, having the opportunity to spend extended time with them, Paul have the opportunity to help them apply the gospel to their daily lives. To coach them! 😉 The cornerstone of the grace system of salvation is justification by faith. What you may fail to realize is the depth of justification. In fact, you may fail to realize the correct definition of justification by faith. Herein lies the depth of the gospel as well. _______________________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series DTLCRadio.com Most people never experience much of the depth of the gospel. It is my contention that grasping it will change your life. Paul's Desire to Preach the Gospel I don't believe you can overstate Paul's deep desire to preach the gospel. Most people never experience much of the depth of the gospel. It is my contention that grasping it will change your life. Paul's Desire to Preach the Gospel I don't believe you can overstate Paul's deep desire to preach the gospel. And not simply the "saving" gospel but the "living" gospel. The sanctifying gospel. I attest to the fact that when you grasp it, life becomes much more enjoyable...and simple. I can also attest to the personal desire to preach and teach the good news. And I share a deep satisfaction in discussing it while witnessing others "get it!" It's exciting to share in their realization and joy. Paul makes it abundantly clear that the gospel's power is awesome to change. This is the reason it is foundational to what we do here at DTLC. The Personalness of the Gospel There is nothing quite like seeing someone "get it" with regard to the gospel. Paul understood this. Verses 8-15 of Romans 1 describe the reasoning behind Paul's decision to write. It was not to correct, necessarily. It was not to attack false teaching, necessarily. The primary reason was Paul's uncertainty of making it to Rome in person. The Book of Romans is Paul writing what he would otherwise deliver in person through preaching and teaching. Also, having the opportunity to spend extended time with them, Paul have the opportunity to help them apply the gospel to their daily lives. To coach them! 😉 The cornerstone of the grace system of salvation is justification by faith. What you may fail to realize is the depth of justification. In fact, you may fail to realize the correct definition of justification by faith. Herein lies the depth of the gospel as well. _______________________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series DTLCRadio.com Dr. David Turpen clean 1:21:47 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 075 – Obedience of Faith https://dtlifecoach.com/obedience-of-faith/ Wed, 30 Jan 2019 20:26:15 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2956 As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verses 5-7 of chapter 1. Here, Paul declares that part of the goal of the gospel is obedience. Obedience of Faith Paul has received the gift of being an apostle, by grace he has been called to that elite group. When he uses the word "we" he is not referring to all of us. Instead, he is using the term editorially, the same way I would refer to DTLC as "we." The goal of Paul's apostleship - and ultimately the goal of the gospel message - is to produce obedience. "Obedience of faith" is a phrase meaning "a faith that produces obedience." God desires obedience to His law. He is the Lawgiver and Creator. As such, it is His right to require, expect, and demand obedience. Too often, this requirement results in our having resentment toward God. We approach obedience as something we have to do. Faith however - that is is, believing God - generates a desire to serve Him. The result is an attitude that I want to keep His laws. My faith actually generates an attitude of servitude. It is obedience that results from my faith. The Audience Paul's specific audience - though not exclusively - is Gentiles. Gentiles simply refers to anyone (and everyone) who is not a Jew. That is, you and me, since we are not Jewish by birth. Again, the gospel was first delivered to the Jews, even by Paul. But Paul's specific and targeted audience are Gentiles. As such, we should be eternally grateful to have been included in God's invitation to salvation. Ultimately, the gospel and its subsequent obedience are to bring honor and glory to God and Jesus Christ. Paul concludes his introduction in these verses and then begins in verse 8 to share the reasons behind his writing. This is the subject of this and next week's episodes. _______________________________________ Related Episodes This series begins with Episode #68 As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verses 5-7 of chapter 1. Here, Paul declares that part of the goal of the gospel is obedience. Obedience of Faith Paul has received the gift of being an apostle, As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verses 5-7 of chapter 1. Here, Paul declares that part of the goal of the gospel is obedience. Obedience of Faith Paul has received the gift of being an apostle, by grace he has been called to that elite group. When he uses the word "we" he is not referring to all of us. Instead, he is using the term editorially, the same way I would refer to DTLC as "we." The goal of Paul's apostleship - and ultimately the goal of the gospel message - is to produce obedience. "Obedience of faith" is a phrase meaning "a faith that produces obedience." God desires obedience to His law. He is the Lawgiver and Creator. As such, it is His right to require, expect, and demand obedience. Too often, this requirement results in our having resentment toward God. We approach obedience as something we have to do. Faith however - that is is, believing God - generates a desire to serve Him. The result is an attitude that I want to keep His laws. My faith actually generates an attitude of servitude. It is obedience that results from my faith. The Audience Paul's specific audience - though not exclusively - is Gentiles. Gentiles simply refers to anyone (and everyone) who is not a Jew. That is, you and me, since we are not Jewish by birth. Again, the gospel was first delivered to the Jews, even by Paul. But Paul's specific and targeted audience are Gentiles. As such, we should be eternally grateful to have been included in God's invitation to salvation. Ultimately, the gospel and its subsequent obedience are to bring honor and glory to God and Jesus Christ. Paul concludes his introduction in these verses and then begins in verse 8 to share the reasons behind his writing. This is the subject of this and next week's episodes. _______________________________________ Related Episodes This series begins with Episode #68 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:06:32 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 074 – The Son of God with Power – Romans 1:4 https://dtlifecoach.com/resurrection/ Thu, 24 Jan 2019 21:26:14 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2950 As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verse 4 of chapter 1. Jesus is declared the Son of God by virtue of His resurrection from the dead. Don't Skip On By Don't just skip on by that statement. It is the resurrection of Jesus that definitively declares that He is the Son of the Living God. Paul goes into deeper detail in 1 Corinthians 15 about the significance of the resurrection. it is not too crass to say, without the resurrection, Christianity is a waste of time! In fact, Paul says exactly that - without the resurrection - there is no salvation for anyone. It is the power of the Holy Spirit who gives us live - new life (Romans 6:4) - and raises Christ to life. He guided Christ's ministry and gives us the capacity to overcome sin. Two States of Jesus This verse reveals to us the two states of Jesus. Similar to how verse 3 shows the two natures of Jesus - Divine and human - verse 4 show His two states. Actually, He has existed in three states. Meaning simply that Jesus existed in eternity before creation as the Logos, the Second Person of the Trinity (John 1:1-3,14; 17:1-5). This was His first state of existence - eternal. His second state of existence - called the humiliation - is when He came down to earth and took on flesh. Here, He existed as fully/truly man and fully/truly God. In this state - His humanity - He kept the law perfectly. His third state - called the exaltation - is His glorification (in body and position) back to the right hand of the Father. Now (from His resurrection forward) He exists in a glorified body and is exalted to the highest place in all of creation. This is just one of the points Paul makes in this verse. Volumes of Information It has been said that the first seven verses of Romans encapsulate the rest of the 16 chapters of the book. There is so much deep and rich meaning in these verses, it's hard to move through them. This is the reason we have spent so much time already just discussing this single sentence. As we move forward, you will begin to understand better the message Paul is straining to communicate. And in the process, your life will change. _____________________________________ Related Podcasts This series begins with episode #68 - see them here As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verse 4 of chapter 1. Jesus is declared the Son of God by virtue of His resurrection from the dead. Don't Skip On By Don't just skip on by that statement. As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verse 4 of chapter 1. Jesus is declared the Son of God by virtue of His resurrection from the dead. Don't Skip On By Don't just skip on by that statement. It is the resurrection of Jesus that definitively declares that He is the Son of the Living God. Paul goes into deeper detail in 1 Corinthians 15 about the significance of the resurrection. it is not too crass to say, without the resurrection, Christianity is a waste of time! In fact, Paul says exactly that - without the resurrection - there is no salvation for anyone. It is the power of the Holy Spirit who gives us live - new life (Romans 6:4) - and raises Christ to life. He guided Christ's ministry and gives us the capacity to overcome sin. Two States of Jesus This verse reveals to us the two states of Jesus. Similar to how verse 3 shows the two natures of Jesus - Divine and human - verse 4 show His two states. Actually, He has existed in three states. Meaning simply that Jesus existed in eternity before creation as the Logos, the Second Person of the Trinity (John 1:1-3,14; 17:1-5). This was His first state of existence - eternal. His second state of existence - called the humiliation - is when He came down to earth and took on flesh. Here, He existed as fully/truly man and fully/truly God. In this state - His humanity - He kept the law perfectly. His third state - called the exaltation - is His glorification (in body and position) back to the right hand of the Father. Now (from His resurrection forward) He exists in a glorified body and is exalted to the highest place in all of creation. This is just one of the points Paul makes in this verse. Volumes of Information It has been said that the first seven verses of Romans encapsulate the rest of the 16 chapters of the book. There is so much deep and rich meaning in these verses, it's hard to move through them. This is the reason we have spent so much time already just discussing this single sentence. As we move forward, you will begin to understand better the message Paul is straining to communicate. And in the process, your life will change. _____________________________________ Related Podcasts This series begins with episode #68 - see them here Dr. David Turpen clean 1:04:33 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 073 – The Gospel Foretold – Romans 1:2-3 https://dtlifecoach.com/gospel-foretold/ Wed, 16 Jan 2019 20:42:41 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2946 As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verses two and three of chapter one. Simply stated, Paul's "gospel of God" is that Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Promised Beforehand The Gospel is not new. In fact, it's as old as creation itself. The first promise ever given regarding the Messiah comes in Genesis 3:15. There, God says, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Everything Paul is about to write and teach regarding this gospel can be validated by the Old Testament prophets. Even the sacrificial system for sins is a foreshadowing of what Jesus would ultimately accomplish. In verse 2, Paul declares that the gospel was "promised beforehand through [God's] prophets." Further, we can go back to the "holy Scriptures," that is the Old Testament, and read for ourselves. Some of the most specific prophecies pre-date Jesus by almost 1,000 years! Two Natures - Divine & Human In verse 3, Paul points out that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. First, he points to Jesus' divinity as "Son" - a title He alone carries - the only begotten of God. This is detailed further in verse 4...which we'll discuss next time. In verse 3, Paul draws our attention to Christ being a direct descendant of King David. This too, fulfills specific prophecies about the Messiah. Jesus was "born" - ginomai; came into being - as a human. He is eternal as the Logos, the Word which became flesh. But He is human in that Jesus of Nazareth was born into this world. The reality of Christ's two complete natures has a major impact on the gospel and the fulfillment of the law. We'll discuss this in greater detail as we move forward. ____________________________________ Previous Episodes #69 - Introduction to Romans #70 - Paul #71 - Slave of Christ #72 - An Apostle of the Gospel of God As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verses two and three of chapter one. Simply stated, Paul's "gospel of God" is that Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Promised Beforehand The Gospel is not new. As we continue our study of Romans, we come to verses two and three of chapter one. Simply stated, Paul's "gospel of God" is that Jesus has fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Promised Beforehand The Gospel is not new. In fact, it's as old as creation itself. The first promise ever given regarding the Messiah comes in Genesis 3:15. There, God says, "And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise you on the head, And you shall bruise him on the heel." Everything Paul is about to write and teach regarding this gospel can be validated by the Old Testament prophets. Even the sacrificial system for sins is a foreshadowing of what Jesus would ultimately accomplish. In verse 2, Paul declares that the gospel was "promised beforehand through [God's] prophets." Further, we can go back to the "holy Scriptures," that is the Old Testament, and read for ourselves. Some of the most specific prophecies pre-date Jesus by almost 1,000 years! Two Natures - Divine & Human In verse 3, Paul points out that Jesus is both fully human and fully divine. First, he points to Jesus' divinity as "Son" - a title He alone carries - the only begotten of God. This is detailed further in verse 4...which we'll discuss next time. In verse 3, Paul draws our attention to Christ being a direct descendant of King David. This too, fulfills specific prophecies about the Messiah. Jesus was "born" - ginomai; came into being - as a human. He is eternal as the Logos, the Word which became flesh. But He is human in that Jesus of Nazareth was born into this world. The reality of Christ's two complete natures has a major impact on the gospel and the fulfillment of the law. We'll discuss this in greater detail as we move forward. ____________________________________ Previous Episodes #69 - Introduction to Romans #70 - Paul #71 - Slave of Christ #72 - An Apostle of the Gospel of God Dr. David Turpen clean 1:04:30 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 072 – Romans 1:1 – An Apostle of the Gospel of God https://dtlifecoach.com/apostle/ Wed, 09 Jan 2019 20:14:03 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2941 Paul is unique among the apostles - unique in his calling and unique in his experience - but he is no less an Apostle. What Is An Apostle? To be called an "apostle" in its Scriptural context, means that a man met certain criteria. Criteria that no man (or woman) can possibly meet today. As a verb, the term simply means "to send, as on a mission." Our modern missionaries might be referred to in this light. They are sent on a mission to deliver a message. As a noun - apostolos - refers specifically to those specially qualified and uniquely appointed to the highest human office in the church. They are "the Twelve," "the Disciples," the apostles of Christ. They all met certain and specific requirements in order to carry this title. Not the least of which was being called by Jesus personally and face-to-face to preach the good news. In this episode, we clarify these requirements. The Gospel of God The gospel comes directly to us from God Himself. The gospel that Paul preached was given him by Jesus Himself. God is the Author, the Initiator, and the One who gives approval and validation to its content. The message delivered is given by God...and it is Good News! In this episode, we discuss Paul's unique calling and his understanding of his responsibility. We talk a bit about Paul's special call to take the gospel to the Gentiles. This continues our study of Romans 1:1. ______________________________ Previous Episodes #69 - Introduction to Romans #70 - Paul #71 - Slave of Christ Paul is unique among the apostles - unique in his calling and unique in his experience - but he is no less an Apostle. What Is An Apostle? To be called an "apostle" in its Scriptural context, means that a man met certain criteria. Paul is unique among the apostles - unique in his calling and unique in his experience - but he is no less an Apostle. What Is An Apostle? To be called an "apostle" in its Scriptural context, means that a man met certain criteria. Criteria that no man (or woman) can possibly meet today. As a verb, the term simply means "to send, as on a mission." Our modern missionaries might be referred to in this light. They are sent on a mission to deliver a message. As a noun - apostolos - refers specifically to those specially qualified and uniquely appointed to the highest human office in the church. They are "the Twelve," "the Disciples," the apostles of Christ. They all met certain and specific requirements in order to carry this title. Not the least of which was being called by Jesus personally and face-to-face to preach the good news. In this episode, we clarify these requirements. The Gospel of God The gospel comes directly to us from God Himself. The gospel that Paul preached was given him by Jesus Himself. God is the Author, the Initiator, and the One who gives approval and validation to its content. The message delivered is given by God...and it is Good News! In this episode, we discuss Paul's unique calling and his understanding of his responsibility. We talk a bit about Paul's special call to take the gospel to the Gentiles. This continues our study of Romans 1:1. ______________________________ Previous Episodes #69 - Introduction to Romans #70 - Paul #71 - Slave of Christ Dr. David Turpen clean 1:04:58 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 071 – Romans 1:1 – Paul, the Slave of Christ https://dtlifecoach.com/slave/ Wed, 05 Dec 2018 23:20:51 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2933 The Slave of Christ Slave is a term that is hideous to our modern sensibilities, and rightly so. It is a term that has come to represent the absolute worst in human depravity and treatment. Historically, the term wrenches our national soul to think of that era pre-Civil War. Not our finest hour to say the least. And yet, it is this term - doulos - that Paul uses to represent his position and relationship to our Lord. In fact, confessing "Jesus as Lord" means to place ourselves in the position of slave and He as our owner. This should not be new news. Our relationship to God - as creatures - places us necessarily in the role of possession. God owns us and it is His right to own us since He created us. We are His workmanship. Sadly, the vast majority fail to understand this Creater/creature, Owner/possession relationship. When we confess Jesus as our Lord we are confessing that He is our Master. Meaning, we are likewise His slaves. And this voluntarily...of our own free will. An Apostle Paul is not only a slave of Christ Jesus but also His apostle. Paul declares that he has been singled out and called for specific duty by Jesus Himself. There are certain requirements and prerequisites that biblical apostles have to meet. First they are called directly and personally by Jesus Himself - face-to-face. Second, they are eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ. Third, they are chosen by and uniquely filled with the Holy Spirit. They are given ruling and teaching authority over the entire church Finally, they were given special "powers" of the Holy Spirit - signs and wonders - to authenticate their message and instructions were from God Almighty. This means - necessarily so - that no one today can or does qualify as an "apostle" as it is defined by Scripture. These personal testimonies and statements have relevance to our lives today. Have you ever considered yourself a "slave" to Jesus? Does the idea offend you? These and other points are discussed in this episode, as we begin our journey through the letter to the Roman church. Our progress may be slow but our understanding will be deeply rooted. _____________________________________ Related Podcasts Paul - Romans 1:1 Intro To Romans The Slave of Christ Slave is a term that is hideous to our modern sensibilities, and rightly so. It is a term that has come to represent the absolute worst in human depravity and treatment. Historically, the term wrenches our national soul to think of... The Slave of Christ Slave is a term that is hideous to our modern sensibilities, and rightly so. It is a term that has come to represent the absolute worst in human depravity and treatment. Historically, the term wrenches our national soul to think of that era pre-Civil War. Not our finest hour to say the least. And yet, it is this term - doulos - that Paul uses to represent his position and relationship to our Lord. In fact, confessing "Jesus as Lord" means to place ourselves in the position of slave and He as our owner. This should not be new news. Our relationship to God - as creatures - places us necessarily in the role of possession. God owns us and it is His right to own us since He created us. We are His workmanship. Sadly, the vast majority fail to understand this Creater/creature, Owner/possession relationship. When we confess Jesus as our Lord we are confessing that He is our Master. Meaning, we are likewise His slaves. And this voluntarily...of our own free will. An Apostle Paul is not only a slave of Christ Jesus but also His apostle. Paul declares that he has been singled out and called for specific duty by Jesus Himself. There are certain requirements and prerequisites that biblical apostles have to meet. First they are called directly and personally by Jesus Himself - face-to-face. Second, they are eyewitnesses of the resurrected Christ. Third, they are chosen by and uniquely filled with the Holy Spirit. They are given ruling and teaching authority over the entire church Finally, they were given special "powers" of the Holy Spirit - signs and wonders - to authenticate their message and instructions were from God Almighty. This means - necessarily so - that no one today can or does qualify as an "apostle" as it is defined by Scripture. These personal testimonies and statements have relevance to our lives today. Have you ever considered yourself a "slave" to Jesus? Does the idea offend you? These and other points are discussed in this episode, as we begin our journey through the letter to the Roman church. Our progress may be slow but our understanding will be deeply rooted. _____________________________________ Related Podcasts Paul - Romans 1:1 Intro To Romans Dr. David Turpen clean 1:08:10 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 070 – Romans 1:1 – “Paul…” https://dtlifecoach.com/romans11/ Thu, 29 Nov 2018 20:54:26 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2930 Romans 1:1: "Paul..." And with that single word introduction there is a wealth of information and perspective. Understanding who the apostle Paul was is a huge benefit in understanding his writings. Not only is it profitable as background information but is more so for gaining necessary insight into the text. The Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit but He uses the experiences of the "human pen" to dictate the doctrine of grace. The Passion of Paul In this episode we discuss - in some detail - who Paul was. Who was he before his conversion, when he was known as Saul? With what zeal and passion did he attack his faith before coming to Christ? Is knowing this relevant to our understanding of Romans? These and other questions are addressed in this first podcast to dig into the text of Romans. Although we only discuss a single word - one person's name - we can begin to understand Paul's sense of urgency and passion for the Lord. Who he was and who he has been called to be are foundational to a complete acceptance of the truths in Romans. Zeal Saul of Tarsus had a zeal for Judaism and law-keeping that was second to none (Galatians 1:11-24; Philippians 3:3-11). His conversion experience and exposure to Christ and the gospel (Acts 9 & 26) changed him completely. Now known as Paul, he preached the gospel of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-10) to Gentiles. That's you and me. The message and blessings of the gospel had been offered to the whole world. And Paul would be the main voice of proclamation. Understanding Paul's zeal for law-keeping and how it transferred to his gospel preaching helps us to see the miracle of re-birth. Paul's zeal brings the urgency of the message into focus. His dedication and commitment reveal the awesomeness of the good news! Moving On Although we likely won't spend equal time on every word or phrase, when it is important, we will. Paul's introduction - Romans 1:1-7 - is very telling and as we move forward will provide a basis for our understanding. I hope you're looking forward to our future study. _____________________ Related Podcasts Intro to Romans Romans 1:1: "Paul..." - And with that single word introduction there is a wealth of information and perspective. Understanding who the apostle Paul was is a huge benefit in understanding his writings. Not only is it profitable as background informatio... Romans 1:1: "Paul..." And with that single word introduction there is a wealth of information and perspective. Understanding who the apostle Paul was is a huge benefit in understanding his writings. Not only is it profitable as background information but is more so for gaining necessary insight into the text. The Scripture is inspired by the Holy Spirit but He uses the experiences of the "human pen" to dictate the doctrine of grace. The Passion of Paul In this episode we discuss - in some detail - who Paul was. Who was he before his conversion, when he was known as Saul? With what zeal and passion did he attack his faith before coming to Christ? Is knowing this relevant to our understanding of Romans? These and other questions are addressed in this first podcast to dig into the text of Romans. Although we only discuss a single word - one person's name - we can begin to understand Paul's sense of urgency and passion for the Lord. Who he was and who he has been called to be are foundational to a complete acceptance of the truths in Romans. Zeal Saul of Tarsus had a zeal for Judaism and law-keeping that was second to none (Galatians 1:11-24; Philippians 3:3-11). His conversion experience and exposure to Christ and the gospel (Acts 9 & 26) changed him completely. Now known as Paul, he preached the gospel of Jesus (1 Corinthians 15:1-10) to Gentiles. That's you and me. The message and blessings of the gospel had been offered to the whole world. And Paul would be the main voice of proclamation. Understanding Paul's zeal for law-keeping and how it transferred to his gospel preaching helps us to see the miracle of re-birth. Paul's zeal brings the urgency of the message into focus. His dedication and commitment reveal the awesomeness of the good news! Moving On Although we likely won't spend equal time on every word or phrase, when it is important, we will. Paul's introduction - Romans 1:1-7 - is very telling and as we move forward will provide a basis for our understanding. I hope you're looking forward to our future study. _____________________ Related Podcasts Intro to Romans Dr. David Turpen clean 57:46 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 069 – An Introduction to the Book of Romans https://dtlifecoach.com/intro-to-romans/ Wed, 14 Nov 2018 23:07:28 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2925 The Book of Romans has been called "the greatest Christian work ever written." That's pretty high praise but is one of numerous accolades and honors paid to this letter. Written by the Apostle Paul (circa A.D. 56-58), Romans is considered the quintessential work on Christian doctrine and specifically the gospel of Jesus Christ. Influence of the Book of Romans The influence and impact of Romans on the history of the Church cannot be overstated. In fact, it is directly connected to the conversions of Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and many others. The content of the letter is responsible for The Reformation, Protestantism, and most revivals experienced in Europe and North America. Without a doubt, it is the deepest and most profound of the New Testament writings. Why Study the Book of Romans? The content of Romans is second to none. As a result, studying it develops deeper understanding and maturity of faith. In my experience, many Christians don't comprehend what it means to "live by faith." Faith in what, exactly, and what does living by faith look like on a daily basis? How do I deal with my failures? What is my struggles lead to doubt and lack of assurance of my salvation? Coaching is about results. That being the case, Christian coaching is about consistent awareness of the results that have already been accomplished. Specifically, the accomplishments of Christ through His cross on our behalf. That is to say, do you know the meaning of Christ's death "for our sins." It is my belief that Romans offers the greatest insights for understanding faith. Also, if successfully living the Christian life is your goal, a study of Romans is mandatory. Therefore, realized potential and the ongoing potential to transform your life is ultimately rooted in grasping fully the truths found in Romans. In this episode, we begin the long journey of studying Romans by offering a brief introduction to the Book. Who is the author? Who is the audience? What is his intent and purpose? How is it pertinent to my life? What questions are answered in this letter? These questions and others are addressed in this episode. __________________________ Previous Related Podcasts Faith Is Believing God Your Theology Matters The Book of Romans has been called "the greatest Christian work ever written." That's pretty high praise but is one of numerous accolades and honors paid to this letter. Written by the Apostle Paul (circa A.D. 56-58), The Book of Romans has been called "the greatest Christian work ever written." That's pretty high praise but is one of numerous accolades and honors paid to this letter. Written by the Apostle Paul (circa A.D. 56-58), Romans is considered the quintessential work on Christian doctrine and specifically the gospel of Jesus Christ. Influence of the Book of Romans The influence and impact of Romans on the history of the Church cannot be overstated. In fact, it is directly connected to the conversions of Augustine, Martin Luther, John Wesley, and many others. The content of the letter is responsible for The Reformation, Protestantism, and most revivals experienced in Europe and North America. Without a doubt, it is the deepest and most profound of the New Testament writings. Why Study the Book of Romans? The content of Romans is second to none. As a result, studying it develops deeper understanding and maturity of faith. In my experience, many Christians don't comprehend what it means to "live by faith." Faith in what, exactly, and what does living by faith look like on a daily basis? How do I deal with my failures? What is my struggles lead to doubt and lack of assurance of my salvation? Coaching is about results. That being the case, Christian coaching is about consistent awareness of the results that have already been accomplished. Specifically, the accomplishments of Christ through His cross on our behalf. That is to say, do you know the meaning of Christ's death "for our sins." It is my belief that Romans offers the greatest insights for understanding faith. Also, if successfully living the Christian life is your goal, a study of Romans is mandatory. Therefore, realized potential and the ongoing potential to transform your life is ultimately rooted in grasping fully the truths found in Romans. In this episode, we begin the long journey of studying Romans by offering a brief introduction to the Book. Who is the author? Who is the audience? What is his intent and purpose? How is it pertinent to my life? What questions are answered in this letter? These questions and others are addressed in this episode. __________________________ Previous Related Podcasts Faith Is Believing God Your Theology Matters Dr. David Turpen clean 1:10:32 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 068 – Faith is Believing God! https://dtlifecoach.com/faith/ Thu, 08 Nov 2018 20:47:51 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2922 What is faith? Is faith simply believing? If so, believing in what? In Who? What does it mean to live "by faith?" Perspective Gained Over the past month of being away from the podcast mic, I've come to a couple of key conclusions . First, I believe I may have made a mistake in trying to "straddle the fence" between being too preachy and focusing on Scripture and trying to appeal to those who don't believe. The truth is, nearly all of my clients have been and are believers. They are Christians. I make the assumption that a fair percentage of my podcast listeners are unbelievers. This may or may not be true. I have concluded however, that the result of my fence straddling has only resulted in a sore backside. This is something I've written about and discussed on previous occasions. I need to follow my own advice. The second thing I've concluded is that too many "Christians" don't know what their faith is in. We are taught to "walk by faith" and to "live in faith" but do we really know what that means? Faith is more than simply believing. There is an object of that faith. There is something - Someone - specific in whom we are to have faith. Simply "believing" won't get it done! Based on these two conclusions I've decided to focus attention on Scripture specifically. At least over the next little while. Faith Explained Romans is a book of the New Testament that lays out myriad truth about key elements of the faith. In this episode I address the primary object of our faith. Romans 4:3 tells us that Abraham's faith was in God...He believed God, and it was credited to Him as righteousness (NASB - emphasis added). He didn't just believe - he believed God - specifically! There is something significant about that. This is where we start, actually it's the second part of where we start. The first is a presupposition - a base from which to build - that the Bible is the Word of God. If we want to know God, hear from Him, and determine His will, we need go further than to read His Word. We get more into this later but this episode lays out a bit of the basis from which we build over the next several podcasts. We will be going through the book of Romans, verse by verse. So, get your Bible out, your notebooks ready, and your pencils sharpened. I think you're going to learn a lot. GLYP, Dave What is faith? Is faith simply believing? If so, believing in what? In Who? What does it mean to live "by faith?" Perspective Gained Over the past month of being away from the podcast mic, I've come to a couple of key conclusions . First, What is faith? Is faith simply believing? If so, believing in what? In Who? What does it mean to live "by faith?" Perspective Gained Over the past month of being away from the podcast mic, I've come to a couple of key conclusions . First, I believe I may have made a mistake in trying to "straddle the fence" between being too preachy and focusing on Scripture and trying to appeal to those who don't believe. The truth is, nearly all of my clients have been and are believers. They are Christians. I make the assumption that a fair percentage of my podcast listeners are unbelievers. This may or may not be true. I have concluded however, that the result of my fence straddling has only resulted in a sore backside. This is something I've written about and discussed on previous occasions. I need to follow my own advice. The second thing I've concluded is that too many "Christians" don't know what their faith is in. We are taught to "walk by faith" and to "live in faith" but do we really know what that means? Faith is more than simply believing. There is an object of that faith. There is something - Someone - specific in whom we are to have faith. Simply "believing" won't get it done! Based on these two conclusions I've decided to focus attention on Scripture specifically. At least over the next little while. Faith Explained Romans is a book of the New Testament that lays out myriad truth about key elements of the faith. In this episode I address the primary object of our faith. Romans 4:3 tells us that Abraham's faith was in God...He believed God, and it was credited to Him as righteousness (NASB - emphasis added). He didn't just believe - he believed God - specifically! There is something significant about that. This is where we start, actually it's the second part of where we start. The first is a presupposition - a base from which to build - that the Bible is the Word of God. If we want to know God, hear from Him, and determine His will, we need go further than to read His Word. We get more into this later but this episode lays out a bit of the basis from which we build over the next several podcasts. We will be going through the book of Romans, verse by verse. So, get your Bible out, your notebooks ready, and your pencils sharpened. I think you're going to learn a lot. GLYP, Dave Dr. David Turpen clean 48:12 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 067 – Don’t Go Changing… https://dtlifecoach.com/acts17/ Thu, 27 Sep 2018 19:08:03 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2915 Don't Go Changing Singer-songwriter Billy Joel once wrote, "Don't go changing, to try and please me..." (1977). But that is exactly what the modern, 21st Century church is trying to do. There are those Christians and Christian leaders who promote the idea that the church needs to change, evolve, and emerge. We need to do this, they say, so we can better reach the culture. The result is an impotent and irrelevant church that looks more like the culture than She does like Christ. This is a serious problem! Not That New What is happening is not really that new. The specific movement in this direction came about back in the late '60s and '70s. It gained momentum in the 1990s with the "church growth movement" and several influential mega-church ministers. The idea was to look more like the culture in the way the church looked, sounded, and dressed. The contemporization of the church has resulted in a watered-down gospel, a disrespectful pulpit, and worse, false converts. It is not uncommon to find preachers willing to curse and swear from the pulpit, claiming "we're no different than you" to attendees. Most church services resemble concerts and performances with all the focus on the "leaders" - complete with smoke machines, dark lighting, and chest rattling bass subs. Song leaders are performers, preachers are celebrities (not to mention millionaires), and most attendees are "moved" by the service. The problem is there is no real change - no transformation - no maturing in Christ. Proof Text To support these "approaches and methodologies," most leaders quickly jump to Acts 17. This is where the Apostle Paul preaches on Mars Hill at the Areopagus in Athens. The claim is made that Paul embraces the culture and uses it to "witness to" the Athenian unbelievers. Proponents say this is grounds for us doing the same. People no longer respond to the "traditional" gospel and we need to "unhitch" from the Bible. But is this really what Paul is doing and demonstrating in Acts 17? I suggest NOT! This episode includes a message I brought from Acts 17 that shows that in fact, this not what Paul is doing, at all! In fact, he continues to preach the gospel, quote from the Bible, and calls people to repent. The gospel never changes...and neither should the message of the church...or Her people. _____________________________ Related The Sufficiency of Scripture Don't Go Changing Singer-songwriter Billy Joel once wrote, "Don't go changing, to try and please me..." (1977). But that is exactly what the modern, 21st Century church is trying to do. There are those Christians and Christian leaders who promote the ... Don't Go Changing Singer-songwriter Billy Joel once wrote, "Don't go changing, to try and please me..." (1977). But that is exactly what the modern, 21st Century church is trying to do. There are those Christians and Christian leaders who promote the idea that the church needs to change, evolve, and emerge. We need to do this, they say, so we can better reach the culture. The result is an impotent and irrelevant church that looks more like the culture than She does like Christ. This is a serious problem! Not That New What is happening is not really that new. The specific movement in this direction came about back in the late '60s and '70s. It gained momentum in the 1990s with the "church growth movement" and several influential mega-church ministers. The idea was to look more like the culture in the way the church looked, sounded, and dressed. The contemporization of the church has resulted in a watered-down gospel, a disrespectful pulpit, and worse, false converts. It is not uncommon to find preachers willing to curse and swear from the pulpit, claiming "we're no different than you" to attendees. Most church services resemble concerts and performances with all the focus on the "leaders" - complete with smoke machines, dark lighting, and chest rattling bass subs. Song leaders are performers, preachers are celebrities (not to mention millionaires), and most attendees are "moved" by the service. The problem is there is no real change - no transformation - no maturing in Christ. Proof Text To support these "approaches and methodologies," most leaders quickly jump to Acts 17. This is where the Apostle Paul preaches on Mars Hill at the Areopagus in Athens. The claim is made that Paul embraces the culture and uses it to "witness to" the Athenian unbelievers. Proponents say this is grounds for us doing the same. People no longer respond to the "traditional" gospel and we need to "unhitch" from the Bible. But is this really what Paul is doing and demonstrating in Acts 17? I suggest NOT! This episode includes a message I brought from Acts 17 that shows that in fact, this not what Paul is doing, at all! In fact, he continues to preach the gospel, quote from the Bible, and calls people to repent. The gospel never changes...and neither should the message of the church...or Her people. _____________________________ Related The Sufficiency of Scripture Dr. David Turpen clean 55:34 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 066 – The Success Equation https://dtlifecoach.com/failure/ Thu, 20 Sep 2018 19:41:54 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2910 The Secret to Success Well, there isn't one! There is no secret to success. Some of it is what you know - knowledge. Sometimes it's who you know - network. Some (actually all) of it is Divine Providence - God's will - what He performs, prefers, or permits. More of it is skill and ability. The truth is, it is all of the above. In nearly any and every area of your life, success is determined by the combination of knowledge, skill, and ability. Just knowing "stuff" isn't going to get the job done. You have to do it! Knowledge + Skill + Ability Many, too many, believe that knowing and knowledge will be enough to get them through. Not true. Knowledge with no work ethic, no will or desire to apply yourself, and no skill or ability to accomplish the tasks will lead only to utter disappointment. There is a good kind of failure and in fact, we discuss it during this podcast. The world no longer cares what you know. The world cares about what you can do with what you know. Do you have the skill, ability, and determination to rightly apply your knowledge? A lot of people are afraid of being tried and tested to see if they have the ability. Don't be. That fear is generally rooted is fear of failure. Failure should not be feared but embraced. Why? Because failure means you're trying and moving forward. For most people, failure means falling down along the way and having - by necessity - to go back to the beginning and start over. Who does that? You don't do that when you're teaching your children to walk. They fall down - you pick them up right where they are - and help them continue forward. We need to learn to see failure as an iteration - an act to be repeated and built on - as part of a process toward a desired goal. You don't have to re-start from scratch. Move forward from the point at which you failed. Learn. Grow. Move ahead. Failure As Foundation Failure is foundational for the development of self-confidence, self-evaluation, and self-motivation. The knowledge and experience of recovery after a mistake or failure provides the fuel for moving ahead. Bettering yourself can only happen in the context of failures experienced, not ongoing successes. You learn for more from failing than you ever do from succeeding. _________________________ Related Keys to Successful Living The Secret to Success Well, there isn't one! There is no secret to success. Some of it is what you know - knowledge. Sometimes it's who you know - network. Some (actually all) of it is Divine Providence - God's will - what He performs, prefers, The Secret to Success Well, there isn't one! There is no secret to success. Some of it is what you know - knowledge. Sometimes it's who you know - network. Some (actually all) of it is Divine Providence - God's will - what He performs, prefers, or permits. More of it is skill and ability. The truth is, it is all of the above. In nearly any and every area of your life, success is determined by the combination of knowledge, skill, and ability. Just knowing "stuff" isn't going to get the job done. You have to do it! Knowledge + Skill + Ability Many, too many, believe that knowing and knowledge will be enough to get them through. Not true. Knowledge with no work ethic, no will or desire to apply yourself, and no skill or ability to accomplish the tasks will lead only to utter disappointment. There is a good kind of failure and in fact, we discuss it during this podcast. The world no longer cares what you know. The world cares about what you can do with what you know. Do you have the skill, ability, and determination to rightly apply your knowledge? A lot of people are afraid of being tried and tested to see if they have the ability. Don't be. That fear is generally rooted is fear of failure. Failure should not be feared but embraced. Why? Because failure means you're trying and moving forward. For most people, failure means falling down along the way and having - by necessity - to go back to the beginning and start over. Who does that? You don't do that when you're teaching your children to walk. They fall down - you pick them up right where they are - and help them continue forward. We need to learn to see failure as an iteration - an act to be repeated and built on - as part of a process toward a desired goal. You don't have to re-start from scratch. Move forward from the point at which you failed. Learn. Grow. Move ahead. Failure As Foundation Failure is foundational for the development of self-confidence, self-evaluation, and self-motivation. The knowledge and experience of recovery after a mistake or failure provides the fuel for moving ahead. Bettering yourself can only happen in the context of failures experienced, not ongoing successes. You learn for more from failing than you ever do from succeeding. _________________________ Related Keys to Successful Living Dr. David Turpen clean 51:26 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 065 – Back On the Gym Grind https://dtlifecoach.com/shape/ Thu, 06 Sep 2018 20:59:50 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2905 Sometimes, getting back on track after having fallen off is a struggle. Such is the case when it comes to training and nutrition. If you're like me, maybe you worked hard to get in shape for summer only to let your summer routine wane. You looked good in a swim suit in May and were comfortable taking off your shirt at the pool all summer but you stopped working out. It's easy to find yourself in this situation and forget there really is no "off season." At least there shouldn't be one. Summer Came...and Went! I put a lot of work into getting in shape for summer so I wouldn't feel so self-conscious around the "super fit" folks. Problem is, I let me routine lag, let me nutrition take a lot of time off, and just stopped working out. I gained a few pounds and noticed a couple pairs of pants not fitting like they did last May. I got too comfortable. I stopped paying attention and being intentional and now I'm paying for it. Last week I started working out again only to discover that it hurt! I am out of shape - at least out of the shape I was in a few months ago - and it's all my fault. I got lazy. I took most of the summer off from eating right and keeping to my exercise programs. I had too many hamburgers, brats, hotdogs, and summer foods. I had too many "island drinks" that pack serious calories and sugar. I lounged too much around the pool and just looked at my weight equipment on the back patio. Friends, it don't do you any good to just look at it...you gotta use it! Back to the Grind Getting back on track after a layoff can be tough...and it can be painful. I started running last week and got back into my workouts, starting with leg day. I hurt! My legs, my quads, my glutes, they're all sore. But here's the issue. I can focus on the pain now and stop or not work as hard...or, I can get back after it (slowly and smartly, of course). I have to get my mindset back on track and accept the reality that pain is going to be part of the process. Especially in the beginning. Once you can get past the first week or two, the pain will subside and the gains will come. I should have been smarter. I should have kept up with my routine. But I didn't. Hopefully my confessions and challenges in this episode will serve you well and help you get back on track. We're in the last quarter of the year. Let's finish strong! _________________________ Related Episodes Get Your Body Right Health and Fitness Coaching Sometimes, getting back on track after having fallen off is a struggle. Such is the case when it comes to training and nutrition. If you're like me, maybe you worked hard to get in shape for summer only to let your summer routine wane. Sometimes, getting back on track after having fallen off is a struggle. Such is the case when it comes to training and nutrition. If you're like me, maybe you worked hard to get in shape for summer only to let your summer routine wane. You looked good in a swim suit in May and were comfortable taking off your shirt at the pool all summer but you stopped working out. It's easy to find yourself in this situation and forget there really is no "off season." At least there shouldn't be one. Summer Came...and Went! I put a lot of work into getting in shape for summer so I wouldn't feel so self-conscious around the "super fit" folks. Problem is, I let me routine lag, let me nutrition take a lot of time off, and just stopped working out. I gained a few pounds and noticed a couple pairs of pants not fitting like they did last May. I got too comfortable. I stopped paying attention and being intentional and now I'm paying for it. Last week I started working out again only to discover that it hurt! I am out of shape - at least out of the shape I was in a few months ago - and it's all my fault. I got lazy. I took most of the summer off from eating right and keeping to my exercise programs. I had too many hamburgers, brats, hotdogs, and summer foods. I had too many "island drinks" that pack serious calories and sugar. I lounged too much around the pool and just looked at my weight equipment on the back patio. Friends, it don't do you any good to just look at it...you gotta use it! Back to the Grind Getting back on track after a layoff can be tough...and it can be painful. I started running last week and got back into my workouts, starting with leg day. I hurt! My legs, my quads, my glutes, they're all sore. But here's the issue. I can focus on the pain now and stop or not work as hard...or, I can get back after it (slowly and smartly, of course). I have to get my mindset back on track and accept the reality that pain is going to be part of the process. Especially in the beginning. Once you can get past the first week or two, the pain will subside and the gains will come. I should have been smarter. I should have kept up with my routine. But I didn't. Hopefully my confessions and challenges in this episode will serve you well and help you get back on track. We're in the last quarter of the year. Let's finish strong! _________________________ Related Episodes Get Your Body Right Health and Fitness Coaching Dr. David Turpen clean 40:21 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 064 – Your Theology Matters https://dtlifecoach.com/theology-matters/ Thu, 30 Aug 2018 20:49:01 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2901 Theology matters. Knowing what you believe and why you believe is foundational to being able to live a life pleasing before God. It is also a cornerstone principle to my work as a Christian life coach. I encounter people on a regular basis - Christians - who do not know the basic doctrines of the Bible. That means they don't know what the Bible teaches and therefore have little basis for their beliefs. In other words, they've built their lives on sand. Theology Matters Doctrine is a term that many Christians - and too many preachers - are steering away from. Doctrine simply means teaching. In this case, Christian teaching or biblical teaching. Under this general umbrella are two other branches: theology and ethics. Theology deals specifically with the study and knowledge of God and His Word. What He wants us to believe. Ethics addresses how we are to behave. If you want your living to be right, your beliefs and thinking have to be correct first. Theology = What is true Ethics = What is right Right believing will lead to right living and both will be pleasing to and in keeping with God's will. Therefore, apart from doctrine, you cannot know who God is or how to please Him. Doesn't that seem fairly important, especially if you call yourself a Christian?! College Words Many people are reluctant to study theology because they fear the terminology. They are under the false impressions that learning doctrine and theology are exclusive to academics and bible scholars. Not true! In fact, Scripture makes is very clear that every Christian bears responsibility for knowing biblical doctrine and living in accordance with it. How can you live it if you don't know what is expected? And yet, millions of Christians are following the lead of churches and preachers who continually downplay and steer them away from God's Word. This divorce and separation between theology and right living cannot be found in the Bible. As a matter of fact, Paul especially condemns such practice. Nearly all of the New Testament letters present doctrines followed by how to live them out. How can you live in obedience to unknown laws and expectations? These and other issues relative to theology are discussed in this episode. _______________________________ Related Episodes What You Believe About God Affects What You Believe About Yourself What You Believe Matters Theology matters. Knowing what you believe and why you believe is foundational to being able to live a life pleasing before God. It is also a cornerstone principle to my work as a Christian life coach. I encounter people on a regular basis - Christians... Theology matters. Knowing what you believe and why you believe is foundational to being able to live a life pleasing before God. It is also a cornerstone principle to my work as a Christian life coach. I encounter people on a regular basis - Christians - who do not know the basic doctrines of the Bible. That means they don't know what the Bible teaches and therefore have little basis for their beliefs. In other words, they've built their lives on sand. Theology Matters Doctrine is a term that many Christians - and too many preachers - are steering away from. Doctrine simply means teaching. In this case, Christian teaching or biblical teaching. Under this general umbrella are two other branches: theology and ethics. Theology deals specifically with the study and knowledge of God and His Word. What He wants us to believe. Ethics addresses how we are to behave. If you want your living to be right, your beliefs and thinking have to be correct first. Theology = What is true Ethics = What is right Right believing will lead to right living and both will be pleasing to and in keeping with God's will. Therefore, apart from doctrine, you cannot know who God is or how to please Him. Doesn't that seem fairly important, especially if you call yourself a Christian?! College Words Many people are reluctant to study theology because they fear the terminology. They are under the false impressions that learning doctrine and theology are exclusive to academics and bible scholars. Not true! In fact, Scripture makes is very clear that every Christian bears responsibility for knowing biblical doctrine and living in accordance with it. How can you live it if you don't know what is expected? And yet, millions of Christians are following the lead of churches and preachers who continually downplay and steer them away from God's Word. This divorce and separation between theology and right living cannot be found in the Bible. As a matter of fact, Paul especially condemns such practice. Nearly all of the New Testament letters present doctrines followed by how to live them out. How can you live in obedience to unknown laws and expectations? These and other issues relative to theology are discussed in this episode. _______________________________ Related Episodes What You Believe About God Affects What You Believe About Yourself What You Believe Matters Dr. David Turpen clean 59:07 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 063 – WAIT, Why Are You Talking? https://dtlifecoach.com/wait/ Wed, 15 Aug 2018 21:37:54 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2897 W.A.I.T. - Why Am I Talking? Wait...wait for what? Wait to see if your talking is productive and edifying. Taking the time to evaluate your own desire to talk - to add input to a conversation - can go a long way in producing positive results. Resolving conflict has a lot to do with thinking about what you are saying and how you are saying it. This week's episode of DTLC Radio is an addendum to last week's podcast on Biblical Communication and Conflict Resolution. Self-Evaluation Too often we interject and interrupt what others are saying without evaluating what we want to say and why we want to say it. This exercise will help you to slow down, think through, and articulate what you want to say. If your goal is resolution, reconciliation, and productive communication then you have to take responsibility for your interactions. There are several key questions you can ask yourself that will lead your conversations to productive ends. Do I have something important to share? Is it on topic? Does someone else "have the floor"? Is what I want to say a fact or just my opinion? Did someone else already make this point? These and other questions will help you to evaluate your input and make sure it adds value to the conversation. There are other questions as well... Is what I have to say true? Do I have firsthand experience or documented evidence to support my statements? Will what I have to say be kind and build up the other person or members of the group? Is it necessary to say what I want to say? Remember, your goal in any conversation is to be understood and to understand another's point of view. This shows respect and earns it as well. Take a listen to this episode and then take time to think through your most recent conversations and interactions. Where they productive? Can you make them more productive by walking yourself through these steps? Can you help others go through this exercise? The best question is most likely, Do I want to be heard or understood? W.A.I.T. - Why Am I Talking? Wait...wait for what? Wait to see if your talking is productive and edifying. Taking the time to evaluate your own desire to talk - to add input to a conversation - can go a long way in producing positive results. W.A.I.T. - Why Am I Talking? Wait...wait for what? Wait to see if your talking is productive and edifying. Taking the time to evaluate your own desire to talk - to add input to a conversation - can go a long way in producing positive results. Resolving conflict has a lot to do with thinking about what you are saying and how you are saying it. This week's episode of DTLC Radio is an addendum to last week's podcast on Biblical Communication and Conflict Resolution. Self-Evaluation Too often we interject and interrupt what others are saying without evaluating what we want to say and why we want to say it. This exercise will help you to slow down, think through, and articulate what you want to say. If your goal is resolution, reconciliation, and productive communication then you have to take responsibility for your interactions. There are several key questions you can ask yourself that will lead your conversations to productive ends. Do I have something important to share? Is it on topic? Does someone else "have the floor"? Is what I want to say a fact or just my opinion? Did someone else already make this point? These and other questions will help you to evaluate your input and make sure it adds value to the conversation. There are other questions as well... Is what I have to say true? Do I have firsthand experience or documented evidence to support my statements? Will what I have to say be kind and build up the other person or members of the group? Is it necessary to say what I want to say? Remember, your goal in any conversation is to be understood and to understand another's point of view. This shows respect and earns it as well. Take a listen to this episode and then take time to think through your most recent conversations and interactions. Where they productive? Can you make them more productive by walking yourself through these steps? Can you help others go through this exercise? The best question is most likely, Do I want to be heard or understood? Dr. David Turpen clean 1:05:18 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 062 – Biblical Communication & Conflict Resolution https://dtlifecoach.com/communictaion/ Thu, 09 Aug 2018 20:58:59 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2894 The skill of communication and effectively resolving conflicts - in marriage, business, or any relationship - is paramount to successful living. From the beginning, communication has been presented as THE component in healthy relationships. God first communicated to us - condescending and transcending Himself into our world - illustrating the critical nature of communication. He did so both generally and specifically, that we might know Him and be known by Him. This is also the goal of every relationship we have - in varying degrees - especially in marriage. The Wisdom of Paul In the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, he gives us an outline for effective communication. It is important to realize that communication skills can be learned if one desires them. These skills are to be cultivated, practiced, and exercised. Interestingly enough, God has instituted marriage for precisely this reason, that we might develop holiness. Paul instructs us, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, on four rules for biblical (i.e. Christian) communication. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing our personal responsibility in developing these skills. In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul makes it clear that although we have been supernaturally regenerated through our faith in Christ, it remains our responsibility to "put off" our old way of living and "put on" Christian character. This is the process of sanctification and growing in holy living. (See the series of podcasts on this subject - Episodes #50-#55) 4 Rules of Communication & Conflict Resolution First Rule - Be Honest Second Rule - Keep Current Third Rule - Attack the Problem, Not the Person Fourth Rule - Be Proactive, Not Reactive Walking through Ephesians 4:17-32, we can see how God expects us to treat one another and communicate effectively. By taking responsibility for ourselves and replacing old habits with new, we effectively transform our lives into the ones originally designed for us. Being honest, speaking truth in love, resolving conflict quickly, focusing on solutions, and being proactive is not necessarily easy. But it is worth every effort we make. Why? Because (a) it draws us closer to each other and (b) makes us more like Jesus. The skill of communication and effectively resolving conflicts - in marriage, business, or any relationship - is paramount to successful living. From the beginning, communication has been presented as THE component in healthy relationships. The skill of communication and effectively resolving conflicts - in marriage, business, or any relationship - is paramount to successful living. From the beginning, communication has been presented as THE component in healthy relationships. God first communicated to us - condescending and transcending Himself into our world - illustrating the critical nature of communication. He did so both generally and specifically, that we might know Him and be known by Him. This is also the goal of every relationship we have - in varying degrees - especially in marriage. The Wisdom of Paul In the Apostle Paul's letter to the church at Ephesus, he gives us an outline for effective communication. It is important to realize that communication skills can be learned if one desires them. These skills are to be cultivated, practiced, and exercised. Interestingly enough, God has instituted marriage for precisely this reason, that we might develop holiness. Paul instructs us, under inspiration of the Holy Spirit, on four rules for biblical (i.e. Christian) communication. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing our personal responsibility in developing these skills. In Ephesians 4:22-24, Paul makes it clear that although we have been supernaturally regenerated through our faith in Christ, it remains our responsibility to "put off" our old way of living and "put on" Christian character. This is the process of sanctification and growing in holy living. (See the series of podcasts on this subject - Episodes #50-#55) 4 Rules of Communication & Conflict Resolution First Rule - Be Honest Second Rule - Keep Current Third Rule - Attack the Problem, Not the Person Fourth Rule - Be Proactive, Not Reactive Walking through Ephesians 4:17-32, we can see how God expects us to treat one another and communicate effectively. By taking responsibility for ourselves and replacing old habits with new, we effectively transform our lives into the ones originally designed for us. Being honest, speaking truth in love, resolving conflict quickly, focusing on solutions, and being proactive is not necessarily easy. But it is worth every effort we make. Why? Because (a) it draws us closer to each other and (b) makes us more like Jesus. Dr. David Turpen clean 1:16:50 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 061 – Completely Content Totally Dissatisfied https://dtlifecoach.com/content/ Wed, 01 Aug 2018 22:46:05 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2888 The difference between contentment and satisfaction is one of perspective. Contentment is a state of your spirit. Contentment is about conviction and knowing - with assurance - who you are, whose you are, and your purpose in life. It's an issue of knowing you have what you need Philippians 4:11-12) . Remember how our Lord taught us to pray? Our Father...give us this day our daily bread... (Matthew 6:9-13). Contentment is rooted in belonging to the Lord by faith - justification. Satisfaction, on the other hand, is a state of mind. Again, it's a difference in perspective. I can be content in knowing my needs are met and I stand justified before God through faith in Christ. At the same time I can be completely dissatisfied with where I am in my character development. I am not yet where or who I want to be. My desire is to be different than I am presently. I want to be somewhere more certain and secure than where I am. This is more closely related to sanctification - becoming who I want to be - and having a longing for my true home - heaven! Just Passing Through The Apostle Peter tells us that we are not of this world - something Jesus also told us - we are just passing though. Our home and citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Having a heavenly mindset helps us to remember that this life is preparing us for the next. What we experience here serves to mold us in Christ's image as well as witness to others of God's grace and goodness. In fact, nearly everything you experience fits in one or both of these categories. Knowing in my heart and spirit that I am secure in Christ frees me to pursue His calling on my life. In other words, being content in Him allows me to be dissatisfied and thus strive to be more. I'm not seeking material gains but spiritual ones. This is not about adding to my bank account but to my heavenly treasure. I'm not trying to satisfy my wants but I want the satisfaction of being all I'm called to be. Do you understand? In this episode of DTLC Radio we break this down a bit more. At times it may be a bit confusing so, if you want to discuss it more, please contact me. ______________________ References Matthew 6:9-13 Matthew 6:25-34 Philippians 3:20 Philippians 4:11-12 1 Timothy 6:6-12 James 1:17 Related Articles Resolved: To Be Completely Content and Dissatisfied The difference between contentment and satisfaction is one of perspective. Contentment is a state of your spirit. Contentment is about conviction and knowing - with assurance - who you are, whose you are, and your purpose in life. The difference between contentment and satisfaction is one of perspective. Contentment is a state of your spirit. Contentment is about conviction and knowing - with assurance - who you are, whose you are, and your purpose in life. It's an issue of knowing you have what you need Philippians 4:11-12) . Remember how our Lord taught us to pray? Our Father...give us this day our daily bread... (Matthew 6:9-13). Contentment is rooted in belonging to the Lord by faith - justification. Satisfaction, on the other hand, is a state of mind. Again, it's a difference in perspective. I can be content in knowing my needs are met and I stand justified before God through faith in Christ. At the same time I can be completely dissatisfied with where I am in my character development. I am not yet where or who I want to be. My desire is to be different than I am presently. I want to be somewhere more certain and secure than where I am. This is more closely related to sanctification - becoming who I want to be - and having a longing for my true home - heaven! Just Passing Through The Apostle Peter tells us that we are not of this world - something Jesus also told us - we are just passing though. Our home and citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20). Having a heavenly mindset helps us to remember that this life is preparing us for the next. What we experience here serves to mold us in Christ's image as well as witness to others of God's grace and goodness. In fact, nearly everything you experience fits in one or both of these categories. Knowing in my heart and spirit that I am secure in Christ frees me to pursue His calling on my life. In other words, being content in Him allows me to be dissatisfied and thus strive to be more. I'm not seeking material gains but spiritual ones. This is not about adding to my bank account but to my heavenly treasure. I'm not trying to satisfy my wants but I want the satisfaction of being all I'm called to be. Do you understand? In this episode of DTLC Radio we break this down a bit more. At times it may be a bit confusing so, if you want to discuss it more, please contact me. ______________________ References Matthew 6:9-13 Matthew 6:25-34 Philippians 3:20 Philippians 4:11-12 1 Timothy 6:6-12 James 1:17 Related Articles Resolved: To Be Completely Content and Dissatisfied Dr. David Turpen clean 45:36 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 060 – Christmas in July – Who is Jesus? https://dtlifecoach.com/christmas-in-july/ Wed, 25 Jul 2018 21:56:39 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2881 A. W. Tozer once wrote, "What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Your concept of God - and its consistency with the Bible's revelation of Him - affects every aspect of your life. In turn, who you believe and understand Jesus to be affects you in the same way, and more so. The Message of Christmas in July Christmas in July is not an uncommon "celebration" in our culture. Sales abound this time of year using the phrase and drawing us into stores to make purchases. But do we ever really consider the implication of the statement, Christmas in July? Do we find ourselves having an easier time of focusing on Christ with fewer distractions we typically encounter in December? Or, are we equally focused on a different set of distractions? Whether we're talking about Christmas at "Christmas time" in December or the middle of July, the central message is the same. The baby born in the manger - the same who grew to a man crucified on Calvary - is God in the flesh! Jesus is God. He is the "Word become flesh." He is better than the prophets and higher than the angels. He is the fullness of deity dwelling in bodily form - the perfect and exact image of God. Why does this matter? It matters because your understanding of this reality in your own life impacts it at every level. In fact, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit "feeds" on this reality and provides you the power to overcome sin and temptation in this life. In short, your correct understanding and acceptance of who God is in Jesus is the foundation upon which you can build the life God desires for you. Hebrews 1:1-4 One of the most powerful descriptions of Jesus is found in the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Spending time thinking deeply about this passage and studying its implications will have a profound influence on your life. In this episode, I share a message I delivered on this passage with the hope that it will challenge you to deepen your understanding of who Jesus is. Not just in a general sense, but who He is to you....and for you! What you believe about Jesus has eternal, as well as immediate, consequences for your life. Grab your Bible, a pen and paper, and begin digging into the reality of the incarnation - God in the flesh - Jesus Christ! ________________________________ Related Articles: What you believe about God affects what you believe about yourself A. W. Tozer once wrote, "What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Your concept of God - and its consistency with the Bible's revelation of Him - affects every aspect of your life. In turn, A. W. Tozer once wrote, "What comes to mind when we think about God is the most important thing about us." Your concept of God - and its consistency with the Bible's revelation of Him - affects every aspect of your life. In turn, who you believe and understand Jesus to be affects you in the same way, and more so. The Message of Christmas in July Christmas in July is not an uncommon "celebration" in our culture. Sales abound this time of year using the phrase and drawing us into stores to make purchases. But do we ever really consider the implication of the statement, Christmas in July? Do we find ourselves having an easier time of focusing on Christ with fewer distractions we typically encounter in December? Or, are we equally focused on a different set of distractions? Whether we're talking about Christmas at "Christmas time" in December or the middle of July, the central message is the same. The baby born in the manger - the same who grew to a man crucified on Calvary - is God in the flesh! Jesus is God. He is the "Word become flesh." He is better than the prophets and higher than the angels. He is the fullness of deity dwelling in bodily form - the perfect and exact image of God. Why does this matter? It matters because your understanding of this reality in your own life impacts it at every level. In fact, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit "feeds" on this reality and provides you the power to overcome sin and temptation in this life. In short, your correct understanding and acceptance of who God is in Jesus is the foundation upon which you can build the life God desires for you. Hebrews 1:1-4 One of the most powerful descriptions of Jesus is found in the Book of Hebrews in the New Testament. Spending time thinking deeply about this passage and studying its implications will have a profound influence on your life. In this episode, I share a message I delivered on this passage with the hope that it will challenge you to deepen your understanding of who Jesus is. Not just in a general sense, but who He is to you....and for you! What you believe about Jesus has eternal, as well as immediate, consequences for your life. Grab your Bible, a pen and paper, and begin digging into the reality of the incarnation - God in the flesh - Jesus Christ! ________________________________ Related Articles: What you believe about God affects what you believe about yourself Dr. David Turpen clean 1:03:05 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 059 – The Sufficiency of Scripture – Psalm 19 https://dtlifecoach.com/sufficient/ Thu, 19 Jul 2018 21:33:58 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2878 The sufficiency of Scripture - that the Bible is the very Word of God and able to accomplish all He desires in and through your life - is a lost truth in many pulpits. After reading an article by Barry Thornton on the ills of the "Emergent church", published by The Christian Restoration Association and available here, I felt provoked to respond. I was not provoked in a negative way but in full agreement with the content of Mr. Thornton's article. I agree that the Bible needs to be brought back - and in the most prominent way possible - to the pulpit. More than that, it needs to be the very basis for your and my life as a Christian! The Truth Hidden The premise of the article is that the Truth of God's Word is being intentionally hidden in many of the Church's pulpits. Falling into the trap of post-modernistic thinking and logic, the argument is that the church needs to "emerge" or "evolve" with culture instead of against it. The argument typically goes that the church needs to reflect the culture and be more like it in order to reach it. Never mind that this is completely contrary to the call to "...be holy as I am holy..." (1 Peter 1:16), given by God and meaning to be separated and dedicated to Him in obedience. The results are churches that lack any degree of distinctiveness from the culture we're called to reach. Now, this could get deep into the recent arguments for the "social gospel" and other destructionism, critical race theory, and social justice movements within the Body of Christ, but I'd rather not go there. At least not yet. Suffice it to say that Christ did not call us to change the culture but to make disciples. The trend toward postmodern and "culturally relevant" preaching has all but eliminated the Bible and God's Word from preaching and teaching in America's churches. Biblical illiteracy and ignorance is deeper and broader than at any time since the first century. The result is, unfortunately, many false conversions and people claiming to be Christian who have never been saved (see Matthew 7:13-27). Potential Realized Here at DTLC our motto or slogan is Potential to Transform. This based on the truth that every believer has the potential to transform his or her life by understanding and obedience to God's Word and His will for your life. It's not a complicated secret but it is only found in the pages of the Bible. In response to Mr. Thornton's article, I felt prompted to deliver a sermon here in Phoenix on Psalm 19. Just fourteen short verses that declare the sufficiency and intent of God's written word. I have decided to share it with my listeners and hope that it will be eye opening and challenging to your spirit. God has spoken...and we had better hear! The sufficiency of Scripture - that the Bible is the very Word of God and able to accomplish all He desires in and through your life - is a lost truth in many pulpits. After reading an article by Barry Thornton on the ills of the "Emergent church", The sufficiency of Scripture - that the Bible is the very Word of God and able to accomplish all He desires in and through your life - is a lost truth in many pulpits. After reading an article by Barry Thornton on the ills of the "Emergent church", published by The Christian Restoration Association and available here, I felt provoked to respond. I was not provoked in a negative way but in full agreement with the content of Mr. Thornton's article. I agree that the Bible needs to be brought back - and in the most prominent way possible - to the pulpit. More than that, it needs to be the very basis for your and my life as a Christian! The Truth Hidden The premise of the article is that the Truth of God's Word is being intentionally hidden in many of the Church's pulpits. Falling into the trap of post-modernistic thinking and logic, the argument is that the church needs to "emerge" or "evolve" with culture instead of against it. The argument typically goes that the church needs to reflect the culture and be more like it in order to reach it. Never mind that this is completely contrary to the call to "...be holy as I am holy..." (1 Peter 1:16), given by God and meaning to be separated and dedicated to Him in obedience. The results are churches that lack any degree of distinctiveness from the culture we're called to reach. Now, this could get deep into the recent arguments for the "social gospel" and other destructionism, critical race theory, and social justice movements within the Body of Christ, but I'd rather not go there. At least not yet. Suffice it to say that Christ did not call us to change the culture but to make disciples. The trend toward postmodern and "culturally relevant" preaching has all but eliminated the Bible and God's Word from preaching and teaching in America's churches. Biblical illiteracy and ignorance is deeper and broader than at any time since the first century. The result is, unfortunately, many false conversions and people claiming to be Christian who have never been saved (see Matthew 7:13-27). Potential Realized Here at DTLC our motto or slogan is Potential to Transform. This based on the truth that every believer has the potential to transform his or her life by understanding and obedience to God's Word and His will for your life. It's not a complicated secret but it is only found in the pages of the Bible. In response to Mr. Thornton's article, I felt prompted to deliver a sermon here in Phoenix on Psalm 19. Just fourteen short verses that declare the sufficiency and intent of God's written word. I have decided to share it with my listeners and hope that it will be eye opening and challenging to your spirit. God has spoken...and we had better hear! Dr. David Turpen clean 53:55 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 058 – Happiness…The Worst Value You Can Have https://dtlifecoach.com/happiness-4/ Thu, 28 Jun 2018 21:33:54 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2873 SAY WHAT?! What do you mean, "happiness is the worst value you can have"? Nothing Happy About Happiness You read that right. There is nothing happy about happiness...as a priority in your life. And yes, happiness is the worst value you can have. Why? Because happiness is a result and entirely circumstantial. True, happiness might result from experiencing good things. But what about those times when you experience bad things? Are you happy then? Typically not. And therein lies the problem. Happiness is - more often than not - dependent on "happy" circumstances and situations. So, when we experience difficult times we tend to be unhappy. However, happiness being a "result" also means it is the outcome of being rooted in joy. It's also a consequence of recognizing challenging times as opportunities to develop character. Character specifically that develops joy and contentment perspectives regardless of our circumstances. Your Marriage Is Not For Making You Happy The primary relationship in which we see this ill-conceived priority is marriage. Making happiness the goal of your marriage - or making happiness a priority, period - can only lead to frustration and heartache. When problems arise in your marriage (and they will) and you see them as "interfering with your happiness," you're in real trouble. Problems that interfere with your happiness will inevitably lead to conclusions that "something is wrong." This may not be the case. In fact, something may be very right! Scripture tells us in James 1:2-5 that we should be joyful about the challenges we face because they serve to develop our character and mature our faith. We become "complete, not lacking anything" by means of working through these issues. When you set happiness as the priority, any interference becomes suspect of incompatibility and many thus refuse to solve the problems and simply leave the relationship. We fail to see that we may have been brought to these challenges, problems, or issues by Divine Providence in order to grow and mature. God is always most interested in "conforming you to the image of Christ" (Romans 8:29). Sanctification is the primary goal in your marriage...to make each other holy (Ephesians 5:22-33) resulting in happiness. SAY WHAT?! What do you mean, "happiness is the worst value you can have"? Nothing Happy About Happiness You read that right. There is nothing happy about happiness...as a priority in your life. And yes, happiness is the worst value you can have. SAY WHAT?! What do you mean, "happiness is the worst value you can have"? Nothing Happy About Happiness You read that right. There is nothing happy about happiness...as a priority in your life. And yes, happiness is the worst value you can have. Why? Because happiness is a result and entirely circumstantial. True, happiness might result from experiencing good things. But what about those times when you experience bad things? Are you happy then? Typically not. And therein lies the problem. Happiness is - more often than not - dependent on "happy" circumstances and situations. So, when we experience difficult times we tend to be unhappy. However, happiness being a "result" also means it is the outcome of being rooted in joy. It's also a consequence of recognizing challenging times as opportunities to develop character. Character specifically that develops joy and contentment perspectives regardless of our circumstances. Your Marriage Is Not For Making You Happy The primary relationship in which we see this ill-conceived priority is marriage. Making happiness the goal of your marriage - or making happiness a priority, period - can only lead to frustration and heartache. When problems arise in your marriage (and they will) and you see them as "interfering with your happiness," you're in real trouble. Problems that interfere with your happiness will inevitably lead to conclusions that "something is wrong." This may not be the case. In fact, something may be very right! Scripture tells us in James 1:2-5 that we should be joyful about the challenges we face because they serve to develop our character and mature our faith. We become "complete, not lacking anything" by means of working through these issues. When you set happiness as the priority, any interference becomes suspect of incompatibility and many thus refuse to solve the problems and simply leave the relationship. We fail to see that we may have been brought to these challenges, problems, or issues by Divine Providence in order to grow and mature. God is always most interested in "conforming you to the image of Christ" (Romans 8:29). Sanctification is the primary goal in your marriage...to make each other holy (Ephesians 5:22-33) resulting in happiness. Dr. David Turpen clean 50:55 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 057 – Setting Your EQ…Emotional Quotient https://dtlifecoach.com/eq/ Wed, 20 Jun 2018 19:09:00 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2869 Remember those "old school" equalizers that were key components of home stereo systems? Recall how you would adjust each individual frequency just right to achieve the optimum in listening enjoyment? I miss my old Mitsubishi rack with 15" woofer cabinets, EQ, automatic 8-cassette tape changer, turntable, tuner, and CD-player. My freshman year at Ball State University (1986), that stereo won the award for "Loudest Stereo in the Dorm"! Man, that thing could rock! Fine Tuning One of the components that made that system stand out was the EQ...the equalizer. It had adjustments for ten or twelve different frequencies on each channel, left and right. You could fine tune that system to get the music just right. The more time I spent learning and listening, the better I got at hearing every little nuance in each frequency. I took pride in having friends comment, "You're able to get that sound just right." There are adjustments you can make with your personal EQ to accomplish similar results. Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence - sometimes called the Emotional Quotient (EQ) - is your ability to appropriately and successfully understand, manage, and express your feelings. It includes competencies such as self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management. "Good" bosses will likely have a high EQ. The quality of your relationship with your spouse and children will reflect your own level of EQ. The key aspect of EQ is self-awareness combined with self-control. Remember, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and a necessary result of growing in faith. This require self-evaluation and taking time to "know yourself". Although emotional intelligence addresses emotions, its focus is primarily your response to those emotions. In this episode we discuss EQ and the skills you can learn to improve in these areas. __________________________ The following episode was referenced in this episode: Freedom In Setting Boundaries - Episode 056 Remember those "old school" equalizers that were key components of home stereo systems? Recall how you would adjust each individual frequency just right to achieve the optimum in listening enjoyment? I miss my old Mitsubishi rack with 15" woofer cabine... Remember those "old school" equalizers that were key components of home stereo systems? Recall how you would adjust each individual frequency just right to achieve the optimum in listening enjoyment? I miss my old Mitsubishi rack with 15" woofer cabinets, EQ, automatic 8-cassette tape changer, turntable, tuner, and CD-player. My freshman year at Ball State University (1986), that stereo won the award for "Loudest Stereo in the Dorm"! Man, that thing could rock! Fine Tuning One of the components that made that system stand out was the EQ...the equalizer. It had adjustments for ten or twelve different frequencies on each channel, left and right. You could fine tune that system to get the music just right. The more time I spent learning and listening, the better I got at hearing every little nuance in each frequency. I took pride in having friends comment, "You're able to get that sound just right." There are adjustments you can make with your personal EQ to accomplish similar results. Emotional Intelligence Emotional Intelligence - sometimes called the Emotional Quotient (EQ) - is your ability to appropriately and successfully understand, manage, and express your feelings. It includes competencies such as self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management. "Good" bosses will likely have a high EQ. The quality of your relationship with your spouse and children will reflect your own level of EQ. The key aspect of EQ is self-awareness combined with self-control. Remember, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and a necessary result of growing in faith. This require self-evaluation and taking time to "know yourself". Although emotional intelligence addresses emotions, its focus is primarily your response to those emotions. In this episode we discuss EQ and the skills you can learn to improve in these areas. __________________________ The following episode was referenced in this episode: Freedom In Setting Boundaries - Episode 056 Dr. David Turpen clean 55:03 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 056 – Freedom In Setting Boundaries https://dtlifecoach.com/boundaries/ Wed, 13 Jun 2018 21:36:21 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2865 Boundaries are all about self-control. A fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). They allow you to take ownership, be responsible, and experience the freedom of living the life God has prepared for you. In fact, boundaries were originally God's idea and He expects us to set them clearly in our lives. When you fail to set boundaries in your relationships, you risk the break down of that relationship. The truth is, your relationships - especially your marriage - cannot develop or grow beyond your ability to set boundaries. Boundaries As Ownership & Responsibility A boundary is simply a personal property line. It marks where one thing ends and another begins; whether we're talking about actual property or personal property. Property lines are essential for being and having good neighbors. Why? Because they establish ownership: who owns what. In relationships, boundaries define who "owns" things such as feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. This is critical because - as I have repeatedly preached - you only have 100% control over your personal attitude and actions. Others cannot own your attitude or change it, unless and until you choose. By establishing ownership we can see who a particular problem belongs to, and to whom it does not. This is also crucial to clarifying responsibility: who is responsible for what. When we know who owns something, we also know who must take responsibility for it. This should eliminate the casting of blame. Why? Because determining and accepting ownership and responsibility takes the power for changing out of other's hands and places it in my own. Taking responsibility provides the opportunity for change, and with that comes empowerment. When we see that the problem is our problem and that we are responsible for it, we are then empowered to make a change. We can choose a different attitude and a different action. We are no longer "held captive" by someone else's control or determination. Boundaries are all about self-control. A fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). They allow you to take ownership, be responsible, and experience the freedom of living the life God has prepared for you. In fact, Boundaries are all about self-control. A fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). They allow you to take ownership, be responsible, and experience the freedom of living the life God has prepared for you. In fact, boundaries were originally God's idea and He expects us to set them clearly in our lives. When you fail to set boundaries in your relationships, you risk the break down of that relationship. The truth is, your relationships - especially your marriage - cannot develop or grow beyond your ability to set boundaries. Boundaries As Ownership & Responsibility A boundary is simply a personal property line. It marks where one thing ends and another begins; whether we're talking about actual property or personal property. Property lines are essential for being and having good neighbors. Why? Because they establish ownership: who owns what. In relationships, boundaries define who "owns" things such as feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. This is critical because - as I have repeatedly preached - you only have 100% control over your personal attitude and actions. Others cannot own your attitude or change it, unless and until you choose. By establishing ownership we can see who a particular problem belongs to, and to whom it does not. This is also crucial to clarifying responsibility: who is responsible for what. When we know who owns something, we also know who must take responsibility for it. This should eliminate the casting of blame. Why? Because determining and accepting ownership and responsibility takes the power for changing out of other's hands and places it in my own. Taking responsibility provides the opportunity for change, and with that comes empowerment. When we see that the problem is our problem and that we are responsible for it, we are then empowered to make a change. We can choose a different attitude and a different action. We are no longer "held captive" by someone else's control or determination. Dr. David Turpen clean 1:08:39 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 055 – Personal Discipline for Holiness https://dtlifecoach.com/discipline/ Wed, 06 Jun 2018 21:10:01 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2861 In this sixth episode of our series on pursuing personal holiness, we discuss the role of personal discipline. We understand and accept the personal responsibility that comes from our desire to get in shape physically. Likewise, we must embrace our responsibility in growing in holiness. This simply means we are accountable for developing our own personal holiness - growing in spiritual maturity - we play a role in conforming ourselves to the image of Christ. We Learn To Be Holy Becoming holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16) is something we learn and we train ourselves to become holy by self-discipline (1 Timothy 4:7). This means it is a process, there are ebbs and flows, and we have good days and bad days. Sometimes we are successful and other times we fail. The important aspect is the intention of our heart and the determination of our will. Will we submit our wills to the will of God? The basis for our success in this pursuit is the Word of God, the Bible. Second Timothy 3:16 tells us that God's Word is the tool by which we train ourselves in righteousness, holiness, and godliness. Through the pages of Scripture we are taught to put off the old self and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24). We learn through training and we train by means of personal discipline. You Have To Want It God has made it clear that once He has established us in a new position and kingdom by way of grace through faith (Ephesians 2:1-10), we share responsibility for growing in spiritual maturity (Philippians 2:12). In our previous episode, we discussed how holiness is basically an issue of obeying Christ's commands. In fact, James tells us that apart from a demonstration of active obedience, our faith is null and void and will not save us (James 2:14-26). If you desire to be obedient, it becomes a matter of becoming disciplined to be obedient. You train yourself and "work out your salvation" to produce fruit consistent with repentance and salvation. ___________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series Pursuit of Lifetime God's Holiness Personal Holiness Is Not Optional Three Things To Remember Personal Holiness Equals Obedience In this sixth episode of our series on pursuing personal holiness, we discuss the role of personal discipline. We understand and accept the personal responsibility that comes from our desire to get in shape physically. Likewise, In this sixth episode of our series on pursuing personal holiness, we discuss the role of personal discipline. We understand and accept the personal responsibility that comes from our desire to get in shape physically. Likewise, we must embrace our responsibility in growing in holiness. This simply means we are accountable for developing our own personal holiness - growing in spiritual maturity - we play a role in conforming ourselves to the image of Christ. We Learn To Be Holy Becoming holy as God is holy (1 Peter 1:16) is something we learn and we train ourselves to become holy by self-discipline (1 Timothy 4:7). This means it is a process, there are ebbs and flows, and we have good days and bad days. Sometimes we are successful and other times we fail. The important aspect is the intention of our heart and the determination of our will. Will we submit our wills to the will of God? The basis for our success in this pursuit is the Word of God, the Bible. Second Timothy 3:16 tells us that God's Word is the tool by which we train ourselves in righteousness, holiness, and godliness. Through the pages of Scripture we are taught to put off the old self and put on the new (Ephesians 4:22-24). We learn through training and we train by means of personal discipline. You Have To Want It God has made it clear that once He has established us in a new position and kingdom by way of grace through faith (Ephesians 2:1-10), we share responsibility for growing in spiritual maturity (Philippians 2:12). In our previous episode, we discussed how holiness is basically an issue of obeying Christ's commands. In fact, James tells us that apart from a demonstration of active obedience, our faith is null and void and will not save us (James 2:14-26). If you desire to be obedient, it becomes a matter of becoming disciplined to be obedient. You train yourself and "work out your salvation" to produce fruit consistent with repentance and salvation. ___________________________ Previous Episodes In This Series Pursuit of Lifetime God's Holiness Personal Holiness Is Not Optional Three Things To Remember Personal Holiness Equals Obedience Dr. David Turpen clean 50:10 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 054 – Personal Holiness Equals Obedience https://dtlifecoach.com/obedience/ Wed, 23 May 2018 20:26:43 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2857 For far too long, in our pursuit to ensure that people understand salvation is by grace through faith, we have neglected teaching Christians to obey. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (emphasis added) Obedience Not Victory We are too often looking to be "victorious" over our sin instead of recognizing our call to obedience. God has placed the responsibility of living a holy life squarely on our shoulders. Yes, He gives us the power to overcome but the actual overcoming is something we must do. Keswick theology - better known as "let go and let God" - is not biblically sound. There is still something we must be doing in working out our own salvation by fear and trembling ((Philippians 2:12). Using words like "victory" and "defeat" to describe overcoming temptation and sin leads us down a path to conclude sin is greater than me. On the other hand, using "obedience" and "disobedience" to describe sin in our life places the responsibility squarely on my choices. I choose to obey...or I don't! I am obedient...or I'm not! Holiness is obedience while disobedience is sin. Pretty simple. To be "defeated" by my sin lets me out from under my responsibility. It's as though something outside of me has defeated me. Not true. Sin is inside of you and tied to your flesh. Power to Choose What God has done for us in giving us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not Someone who does the work for us. Instead, He provides the power that gives us the ability to obey and thereby overcome temptation and sin. It is very important that we realize that sin is a choice, an action. And that action is the byproduct of our thinking. James tells us, "...each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren." (James 1:14-16). Lust is another way of saying thoughts or attitudes. it's your attitudes and thoughts that lead to actions. Sin is born when thoughts make the decision to disobey. Here's the key: YOU HAVE ABSOLUTE 100% CONTROL OVER BOTH YOUR ATTITUDE AND YOUR ACTIONS! ___________________________________ Previous Episodes in This Series The Pursuit of a Lifetime - Episode 50 Personal Holiness is Rooted in the Holiness of God - Episode 51 Personal Holiness is Not Optional - Episode 52 Three Things To Remember In Your Pursuit of Happiness - Episode 53 For far too long, in our pursuit to ensure that people understand salvation is by grace through faith, we have neglected teaching Christians to obey. - 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and o... For far too long, in our pursuit to ensure that people understand salvation is by grace through faith, we have neglected teaching Christians to obey. 18 And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (emphasis added) Obedience Not Victory We are too often looking to be "victorious" over our sin instead of recognizing our call to obedience. God has placed the responsibility of living a holy life squarely on our shoulders. Yes, He gives us the power to overcome but the actual overcoming is something we must do. Keswick theology - better known as "let go and let God" - is not biblically sound. There is still something we must be doing in working out our own salvation by fear and trembling ((Philippians 2:12). Using words like "victory" and "defeat" to describe overcoming temptation and sin leads us down a path to conclude sin is greater than me. On the other hand, using "obedience" and "disobedience" to describe sin in our life places the responsibility squarely on my choices. I choose to obey...or I don't! I am obedient...or I'm not! Holiness is obedience while disobedience is sin. Pretty simple. To be "defeated" by my sin lets me out from under my responsibility. It's as though something outside of me has defeated me. Not true. Sin is inside of you and tied to your flesh. Power to Choose What God has done for us in giving us the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is not Someone who does the work for us. Instead, He provides the power that gives us the ability to obey and thereby overcome temptation and sin. It is very important that we realize that sin is a choice, an action. And that action is the byproduct of our thinking. James tells us, "...each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. 15 Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. 16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren." (James 1:14-16). Lust is another way of saying thoughts or attitudes. it's your attitudes and thoughts that lead to actions. Sin is born when thoughts make the decision to disobey. Here's the key: YOU HAVE ABSOLUTE 100% CONTROL OVER BOTH YOUR ATTITUDE AND YOUR ACTIONS! ___________________________________ Previous Episodes in This Series The Pursuit of a Lifetime - Episode 50 Personal Holiness is Rooted in the Holiness of God - Episode 51 Personal Holiness is Not Optional - Episode 52 Three Things To Remember In Your Pursuit of Happiness - Episode 53 Dr. David Turpen clean 48:07 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 053 – Three Things To Remember In Your Pursuit of Holiness https://dtlifecoach.com/remember/ Thu, 17 May 2018 19:50:03 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2854 Three Things to Remember In your pursuit of personal holiness, remembering these three things will help you stay focused and overcome setbacks. Perspective is everything! How you see yourself, the world, and your relationship to God affects and effects every aspect of your life. This is true relative to your pursuit for personal holiness as well. You will discover - if you have not already - that the path of holiness is difficult and challenging. Don't give up or fall back to your old ways of doing things. Stay focused on your objective and the motivations behind it. Remember Christ's Perfect Life The holiness of Christ is what makes Him a viable sacrifice on your behalf. The fact that Jesus lived a perfect life, which means He kept all aspects of the Law, is what validates Him as a perfect substitute. When we accept His life as lived on our behalf, and believe in His death, burial, and resurrection as part of it, we are justified before God. Through repentance and faith in Christ and His life we are re-positioned in our relationship with God. Christ's holiness is equivalent to His righteousness - a righteousness that is imputed to us - granting us a change in position. God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God - 2 Corinthians 5:21 Remember You Have Switched Kingdoms Through the holiness of Christ and your confession/reception of that truth, you have been re-positioned. Quite literally, you have been moved out of one kingdom and into another. You have left the kingdom of darkness and sin's domination and entered the Kingdom of God, of Light, and Grace. No longer do you serve the evil master but the Great Master. You are no longer a slave to sin but a slave to Christ - a slave that has been granted the privilege of being called Brother and Son or Daughter and Sister. What a gift! Remember You Are In A Battle The fight is real. The battle is legit. It's a real fight and requires effort, intestinal fortitude, and gumption and grit. You will be challenged and targeted...every single day. But you have the power and authority within you through the Holy Spirit to overcome and win the fight. Everyone must fight the good fight. Even the great Apostle Paul had this experience, one he shares in Romans 7. This episode of DTLC Radio continues our discussion of pursuing personal holiness and its importance to your success. _________________________________ Other Episodes In This Series The Pursuit of a Lifetime - Episode 50 Personal Holiness is Rooted in the Holiness of God - Episode 51 Personal Holiness is Not Optional - Episode 52 Three Things to Remember In your pursuit of personal holiness, remembering these three things will help you stay focused and overcome setbacks. Perspective is everything! How you see yourself, the world, and your relationship to God affects and effect... Three Things to Remember In your pursuit of personal holiness, remembering these three things will help you stay focused and overcome setbacks. Perspective is everything! How you see yourself, the world, and your relationship to God affects and effects every aspect of your life. This is true relative to your pursuit for personal holiness as well. You will discover - if you have not already - that the path of holiness is difficult and challenging. Don't give up or fall back to your old ways of doing things. Stay focused on your objective and the motivations behind it. Remember Christ's Perfect Life The holiness of Christ is what makes Him a viable sacrifice on your behalf. The fact that Jesus lived a perfect life, which means He kept all aspects of the Law, is what validates Him as a perfect substitute. When we accept His life as lived on our behalf, and believe in His death, burial, and resurrection as part of it, we are justified before God. Through repentance and faith in Christ and His life we are re-positioned in our relationship with God. Christ's holiness is equivalent to His righteousness - a righteousness that is imputed to us - granting us a change in position. God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God - 2 Corinthians 5:21 Remember You Have Switched Kingdoms Through the holiness of Christ and your confession/reception of that truth, you have been re-positioned. Quite literally, you have been moved out of one kingdom and into another. You have left the kingdom of darkness and sin's domination and entered the Kingdom of God, of Light, and Grace. No longer do you serve the evil master but the Great Master. You are no longer a slave to sin but a slave to Christ - a slave that has been granted the privilege of being called Brother and Son or Daughter and Sister. What a gift! Remember You Are In A Battle The fight is real. The battle is legit. It's a real fight and requires effort, intestinal fortitude, and gumption and grit. You will be challenged and targeted...every single day. But you have the power and authority within you through the Holy Spirit to overcome and win the fight. Everyone must fight the good fight. Even the great Apostle Paul had this experience, one he shares in Romans 7. This episode of DTLC Radio continues our discussion of pursuing personal holiness and its importance to your success. _________________________________ Other Episodes In This Series The Pursuit of a Lifetime - Episode 50 Personal Holiness is Rooted in the Holiness of God - Episode 51 Personal Holiness is Not Optional - Episode 52 Dr. David Turpen clean 1:00:21 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 052 – Personal Holiness Is Not Optional https://dtlifecoach.com/holiness-is-not-optional/ Wed, 09 May 2018 21:27:08 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2848 Holiness is not optional! To think you can live the Christian life apart from obedience is to be self-deceived. Antinomianism is the theological term for the false perception that grace does not require a life of obedience. Antinomianism is clearly a false doctrine. Hebrews 12:14 says, "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." Christians are to "strive for holiness" - it's the evidence of a redeemed life - without which, salvation can be questioned. Simply stated, holiness is about obedience rather than perfection. And yes, Christians have commandments and laws we are called to obey. James and Holiness The Lord Jesus' brother, James, writes about this in James 2. There he presents the argument that a redeemed life will exemplify obedient living. When you look at the life of a "Christian" and fail to see evidence of a pursuit for personal holiness, obedience to Christ, or "good works," then that person's salvation is called into question. James argues that you can't have one without the other. Paul also makes the same argument (Ephesians 2:10). Our salvation generates "good works" - or holy living - as a result and evidence of salvation. Jesus even said that you will know believers by their fruit (Matthew 7:20). In fact, in Matthew 7, Jesus makes it clear who will enter the kingdom and who will not. Not everyone who thinks they're saved, is saved, but only those who do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). Intentions of the Heart The Bible makes it clear that this is not an issue of perfection but of pursuit. The only way we even have a chance to be successful in overcoming our sin is because we have been redeemed. It's by and through the Holy Spirit indwelling us that we are able to overcome temptation and defeat the sin in our lives. Are we always successful? Hardly! In fact, failure is going to be part of Christian living - get used to it - but don't stop striving for holiness. Do you hate sin? Do you hate the sin in your life? Or, are you harboring a specific sin - hanging on to it because you prefer it over God? Do you have a sin in your life with which you just can't part? Your attitude about sin and your intentions in how you live have everything to do with pursuing or not. The Lord is not expecting you to live perfectly, on the contrary, He knows you will struggle to succeed. God understands that we will sometimes fail, sin, and act in disobedience. He has made provisions for that - it's called confession and repentance - but it is NOT a license to live however you choose. Of this, we can be sure. ____________________________ Previous Episodes in the Series Pursuit of a Lifetime Personal Holiness is Rooted in God's Holiness Holiness is not optional! To think you can live the Christian life apart from obedience is to be self-deceived. Antinomianism is the theological term for the false perception that grace does not require a life of obedience. Holiness is not optional! To think you can live the Christian life apart from obedience is to be self-deceived. Antinomianism is the theological term for the false perception that grace does not require a life of obedience. Antinomianism is clearly a false doctrine. Hebrews 12:14 says, "Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord." Christians are to "strive for holiness" - it's the evidence of a redeemed life - without which, salvation can be questioned. Simply stated, holiness is about obedience rather than perfection. And yes, Christians have commandments and laws we are called to obey. James and Holiness The Lord Jesus' brother, James, writes about this in James 2. There he presents the argument that a redeemed life will exemplify obedient living. When you look at the life of a "Christian" and fail to see evidence of a pursuit for personal holiness, obedience to Christ, or "good works," then that person's salvation is called into question. James argues that you can't have one without the other. Paul also makes the same argument (Ephesians 2:10). Our salvation generates "good works" - or holy living - as a result and evidence of salvation. Jesus even said that you will know believers by their fruit (Matthew 7:20). In fact, in Matthew 7, Jesus makes it clear who will enter the kingdom and who will not. Not everyone who thinks they're saved, is saved, but only those who do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21). Intentions of the Heart The Bible makes it clear that this is not an issue of perfection but of pursuit. The only way we even have a chance to be successful in overcoming our sin is because we have been redeemed. It's by and through the Holy Spirit indwelling us that we are able to overcome temptation and defeat the sin in our lives. Are we always successful? Hardly! In fact, failure is going to be part of Christian living - get used to it - but don't stop striving for holiness. Do you hate sin? Do you hate the sin in your life? Or, are you harboring a specific sin - hanging on to it because you prefer it over God? Do you have a sin in your life with which you just can't part? Your attitude about sin and your intentions in how you live have everything to do with pursuing or not. The Lord is not expecting you to live perfectly, on the contrary, He knows you will struggle to succeed. God understands that we will sometimes fail, sin, and act in disobedience. He has made provisions for that - it's called confession and repentance - but it is NOT a license to live however you choose. Of this, we can be sure. ____________________________ Previous Episodes in the Series Pursuit of a Lifetime Personal Holiness is Rooted in God's Holiness Dr. David Turpen clean 46:02 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 051 – Personal Holiness Is Rooted in God’s Holiness https://dtlifecoach.com/god-is-holy/ Wed, 25 Apr 2018 20:37:37 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2842 The single biggest reason for pursuing holiness is because God is Holy. The call to live a holy life - a call on every Christian - is based the fact that God Himself is Holy. Because He is holy, He requires you to be holy. "...but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY'.” - 1 Peter 1:15. Obedience Commanded Many people adhere to antinomianism - the heresy of taking the principle of salvation by grace through faith to the point of asserting that the saved are not bound to follow moral laws. Nothing could be further from the truth. Question: How can there be any commands in the New Testament if grace presumes non-adherence to such commands? This is counter-intuitive. Of course there are commands in the New Testament. And of course these commands are expected to be followed. Jesus commanded - "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you..." - Matthew 28:18-20. To say there are no commands under grace or to say such commands can be ignored is be ignorant of reality and truth. Don't be that person! Obedience To A Person One of the biggest challenges to living obediently is the false conception that we're just following "rules" or "laws" and we just don't have to do that under grace. Au contraire mon amie! Our obedience is not to a "law" or list of DOs and DON"Ts - it is to a Person. We are obedient to the Person of Jesus Christ. Our obedience is not out of obligation but out of gratitude, thankfulness, worship, and willing submission to a good and gracious God. This episode of DTLC Radio continues our series on pursuing personal holiness. ________________________ Related Episodes: Pursuit of Lifetime The single biggest reason for pursuing holiness is because God is Holy. The call to live a holy life - a call on every Christian - is based the fact that God Himself is Holy. Because He is holy, He requires you to be holy. "... The single biggest reason for pursuing holiness is because God is Holy. The call to live a holy life - a call on every Christian - is based the fact that God Himself is Holy. Because He is holy, He requires you to be holy. "...but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, 'YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY'.” - 1 Peter 1:15. Obedience Commanded Many people adhere to antinomianism - the heresy of taking the principle of salvation by grace through faith to the point of asserting that the saved are not bound to follow moral laws. Nothing could be further from the truth. Question: How can there be any commands in the New Testament if grace presumes non-adherence to such commands? This is counter-intuitive. Of course there are commands in the New Testament. And of course these commands are expected to be followed. Jesus commanded - "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you..." - Matthew 28:18-20. To say there are no commands under grace or to say such commands can be ignored is be ignorant of reality and truth. Don't be that person! Obedience To A Person One of the biggest challenges to living obediently is the false conception that we're just following "rules" or "laws" and we just don't have to do that under grace. Au contraire mon amie! Our obedience is not to a "law" or list of DOs and DON"Ts - it is to a Person. We are obedient to the Person of Jesus Christ. Our obedience is not out of obligation but out of gratitude, thankfulness, worship, and willing submission to a good and gracious God. This episode of DTLC Radio continues our series on pursuing personal holiness. ________________________ Related Episodes: Pursuit of Lifetime Dr. David Turpen clean 52:31 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 050 – Pursuit of a Lifetime https://dtlifecoach.com/holiness/ Wed, 18 Apr 2018 22:17:45 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2837 Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We're all aware of these great words written in our Declaration of Independence. They are words we take to heart and fight to the death to protect. But have you ever wondered where happiness is to be found? I suggest it won't be found in the places you're most likely to be looking. Pursue Holiness Holiness is the thing about God that makes Him most "God". It is the attribute of His character that we are commanded to be - YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY - 1 Peter 1:16. When we understand what holiness is and how we are to pursue it as Christians, we begin to experience happiness. Why? Because happiness is a byproduct of holiness. Therefore, happiness cannot - and should not - be pursued in and of itself. All such pursuits will disappoint. It occurred to me that many - if not most - of my clients struggle with their pursuit of personal holiness. In coaching them toward the goals they desire to accomplish and believe to be consistent with God's call on their life, personal holiness is a key factor. Too many Christians make the false assumption that "living by faith" means that God will take care of everything. Meaning, they bear no personal responsibility or accountability in living their Christian life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pursuit of a Lifetime The pursuit of personal holiness is one that takes a lifetime to accomplish. Even then, at the end of life, we have not fully reached our goal. Only when we stand before God in Christ - fully leaning on the cross of redemption and the blood of Jesus - will we be glorified. Glorification is the final phase (justification, sanctification, glorification) of our salvation. It is the reward for which we long to receive and the hope we have confidence in (1 Peter 1:13). Over the next several podcasts, we will take an in-depth look at holiness, its pursuit, and rewards. This series will be based loosely on Jerry Bridges' book The Pursuit of Holiness. _______________________ Related episodes: God's Will I God's Will II Seeing Your Life Vision Your Purpose Life Mission Setting Goals Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We're all aware of these great words written in our Declaration of Independence. They are words we take to heart and fight to the death to protect. But have you ever wondered where happiness is to be found? Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We're all aware of these great words written in our Declaration of Independence. They are words we take to heart and fight to the death to protect. But have you ever wondered where happiness is to be found? I suggest it won't be found in the places you're most likely to be looking. Pursue Holiness Holiness is the thing about God that makes Him most "God". It is the attribute of His character that we are commanded to be - YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY - 1 Peter 1:16. When we understand what holiness is and how we are to pursue it as Christians, we begin to experience happiness. Why? Because happiness is a byproduct of holiness. Therefore, happiness cannot - and should not - be pursued in and of itself. All such pursuits will disappoint. It occurred to me that many - if not most - of my clients struggle with their pursuit of personal holiness. In coaching them toward the goals they desire to accomplish and believe to be consistent with God's call on their life, personal holiness is a key factor. Too many Christians make the false assumption that "living by faith" means that God will take care of everything. Meaning, they bear no personal responsibility or accountability in living their Christian life. Nothing could be further from the truth. Pursuit of a Lifetime The pursuit of personal holiness is one that takes a lifetime to accomplish. Even then, at the end of life, we have not fully reached our goal. Only when we stand before God in Christ - fully leaning on the cross of redemption and the blood of Jesus - will we be glorified. Glorification is the final phase (justification, sanctification, glorification) of our salvation. It is the reward for which we long to receive and the hope we have confidence in (1 Peter 1:13). Over the next several podcasts, we will take an in-depth look at holiness, its pursuit, and rewards. This series will be based loosely on Jerry Bridges' book The Pursuit of Holiness. _______________________ Related episodes: God's Will I God's Will II Seeing Your Life Vision Your Purpose Life Mission Setting Goals Dr. David Turpen clean 51:49 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 049 – Spring Cleaning for Your Soul https://dtlifecoach.com/spring/ Thu, 05 Apr 2018 19:43:37 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2833 Spring is a great time of year! Longer days, warmer temperatures, and brighter days. Opening our doors and windows to let in the light and sun often reveals the dirt we've accumulated over a long, dark winter. Every year at this time people take days or even weekends to go room-by-room and clean. Not only does this look and smell better but it feels better, too. A clean house is a welcoming space where you can relax and unwind. Don't Neglect Your Soul What's good for your home is equally good for your soul. Let this time of year serve as a reminder to clean the dirty areas of your life as well. Over time we allow clutter to collect, dirt to pile up, and shiny things to get dingy. Winter has a way of keeping us in the dark and unable to see the dusty conditions around us. Spring forces us to open the doors and windows and let in the clean air and light. The problem comes when the light reveals the dirt we weren't seeing before. The same can be said about your soul and spirit. Over time, the dirt settles in unless we are intentional about cleaning things up. We must remove the clutter and things that distract us from the Lord. Dirty thoughts and actions leave us in need of disinfectant and a good scrubbing. Daily annoyances and resentments get in the way of clean living and need to be vacuumed. Unless we begin to polish and organize the things that need cleaning, not only does our home become uncomfortable but our lives do as well. Perfect Timing Spring is the perfect time to examine our lives and begin the task of cleaning things up. We all have things - sin - in our lives that needs to be cleaned, disinfected, and put out of the house. When the Son-Light shines in on what is clean and fresh, our energy grows, perspectives shift, and life gets exciting again. Don't put this off another day. It's your tomorrow. Right now is the best time to take action. Spring is a great time of year! Longer days, warmer temperatures, and brighter days. Opening our doors and windows to let in the light and sun often reveals the dirt we've accumulated over a long, dark winter. Spring is a great time of year! Longer days, warmer temperatures, and brighter days. Opening our doors and windows to let in the light and sun often reveals the dirt we've accumulated over a long, dark winter. Every year at this time people take days or even weekends to go room-by-room and clean. Not only does this look and smell better but it feels better, too. A clean house is a welcoming space where you can relax and unwind. Don't Neglect Your Soul What's good for your home is equally good for your soul. Let this time of year serve as a reminder to clean the dirty areas of your life as well. Over time we allow clutter to collect, dirt to pile up, and shiny things to get dingy. Winter has a way of keeping us in the dark and unable to see the dusty conditions around us. Spring forces us to open the doors and windows and let in the clean air and light. The problem comes when the light reveals the dirt we weren't seeing before. The same can be said about your soul and spirit. Over time, the dirt settles in unless we are intentional about cleaning things up. We must remove the clutter and things that distract us from the Lord. Dirty thoughts and actions leave us in need of disinfectant and a good scrubbing. Daily annoyances and resentments get in the way of clean living and need to be vacuumed. Unless we begin to polish and organize the things that need cleaning, not only does our home become uncomfortable but our lives do as well. Perfect Timing Spring is the perfect time to examine our lives and begin the task of cleaning things up. We all have things - sin - in our lives that needs to be cleaned, disinfected, and put out of the house. When the Son-Light shines in on what is clean and fresh, our energy grows, perspectives shift, and life gets exciting again. Don't put this off another day. It's your tomorrow. Right now is the best time to take action. Dr. David Turpen clean 48:28 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 048 – What Is Christian Coaching? https://dtlifecoach.com/christian-coaching/ Thu, 29 Mar 2018 19:35:58 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2828 What does a Christian Coach do? How is coaching different from counseling? What can a coach do for me that I cannot do for myself? These questions and others are the topic of this week's podcast. I've recently been asked this question and overheard a similar inquiry by another person and thought now would be a good time to provide an answer. As the description mentions, this is a refresher from a previous podcast. Often, people are confused by the term "life coach" or have heard a variety of definitions about what they do. My hope is to put some of those concerns to rest and to answer these questions more clearly. In short, a coach will help you identify where the Lord is leading you, who He is calling you to be, and aid in developing a strategy to get you there. Different From Counseling One of the key differences between coaching and counseling is the direction of perspective. Counseling tends (not always) to look backward, to review your life to this point, identifying areas where healing and recovery are necessary. Coaching looks forward, helps you take responsibility for where you are, and encourages you forward to where you're called to be. Both serve specific purposes and help in different ways. It is important to acknowledge they are not the same, however. Coaching is also distinct from mentoring, discipleship, and other helping professions. Many, if not most, of the other helping professions work from an "outside-in" approach. Coaching in contrast works from the "inside-out" - heling you access the knowledge and resources God has already given you through His Holy Spirit. It is this reliance on and working with the Holy Spirit that makes coaching specifically Christian. Links that will help: Details On What Christian Coaching Is And Is Not What does a Christian Coach do? How is coaching different from counseling? What can a coach do for me that I cannot do for myself? These questions and others are the topic of this week's podcast. I've recently been asked this question and overheard a s... What does a Christian Coach do? How is coaching different from counseling? What can a coach do for me that I cannot do for myself? These questions and others are the topic of this week's podcast. I've recently been asked this question and overheard a similar inquiry by another person and thought now would be a good time to provide an answer. As the description mentions, this is a refresher from a previous podcast. Often, people are confused by the term "life coach" or have heard a variety of definitions about what they do. My hope is to put some of those concerns to rest and to answer these questions more clearly. In short, a coach will help you identify where the Lord is leading you, who He is calling you to be, and aid in developing a strategy to get you there. Different From Counseling One of the key differences between coaching and counseling is the direction of perspective. Counseling tends (not always) to look backward, to review your life to this point, identifying areas where healing and recovery are necessary. Coaching looks forward, helps you take responsibility for where you are, and encourages you forward to where you're called to be. Both serve specific purposes and help in different ways. It is important to acknowledge they are not the same, however. Coaching is also distinct from mentoring, discipleship, and other helping professions. Many, if not most, of the other helping professions work from an "outside-in" approach. Coaching in contrast works from the "inside-out" - heling you access the knowledge and resources God has already given you through His Holy Spirit. It is this reliance on and working with the Holy Spirit that makes coaching specifically Christian. Links that will help: Details On What Christian Coaching Is And Is Not Dr. David Turpen clean 44:04 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 047 – Sharing the Gospel With Those Closest To You https://dtlifecoach.com/gospel/ Thu, 22 Mar 2018 19:51:49 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2824 Sharing the faith and the gospel with those closest to you can be a formidable challenge. It is a misnomer that witnessing to strangers is more difficult. Also, the idea that you have to have an established relationship (i.e. relationship evangelism) before you can share the gospel is equally misleading. The truth is, as Christians, realizing our potential and living a transformed life includes sharing the gospel with everyone. This is especially true for our closest family members and friends. The Intimidation Factor Reality dictates that our family and closest friends know us best. This means they know all of our faults and failures and have witnessed many of them first-hand. This tends to keep us from sharing Christ with them out of a fear of being labeled a hypocrite. Also true is that those closest to us are more comfortable giving us a sharp response or angry reaction to our challenging their lifestyles to follow Jesus. The fact that we have an ongoing relationship with these folks also creates a challenge. Since we know we will have contact later - at family gatherings, holidays, and other occasions - if the conversation goes bad, it could make the relationship very uncomfortable. The real question we have to ask ourselves is, do I value this relationship more than I value their eternal soul? These and other reasons can intimidate and keep us from sharing Christ and the gospel with those we love the most. This need not be the case, however. There are ways to effectively engage our friends and family to share Jesus and His saving grace. Unsaved family and friends need to hear the gospel. We would all agree on that. But our seeming indifference or inability to overcome our fears stands in opposition to this confession. If we truly love them, we MUST find a way to share the gospel. It is my prayer that this episode will assist you in finding ways and trusting in the Holy Spirit to give you the words you need when the opportunities present themselves. Sharing the faith and the gospel with those closest to you can be a formidable challenge. It is a misnomer that witnessing to strangers is more difficult. Also, the idea that you have to have an established relationship (i.e. Sharing the faith and the gospel with those closest to you can be a formidable challenge. It is a misnomer that witnessing to strangers is more difficult. Also, the idea that you have to have an established relationship (i.e. relationship evangelism) before you can share the gospel is equally misleading. The truth is, as Christians, realizing our potential and living a transformed life includes sharing the gospel with everyone. This is especially true for our closest family members and friends. The Intimidation Factor Reality dictates that our family and closest friends know us best. This means they know all of our faults and failures and have witnessed many of them first-hand. This tends to keep us from sharing Christ with them out of a fear of being labeled a hypocrite. Also true is that those closest to us are more comfortable giving us a sharp response or angry reaction to our challenging their lifestyles to follow Jesus. The fact that we have an ongoing relationship with these folks also creates a challenge. Since we know we will have contact later - at family gatherings, holidays, and other occasions - if the conversation goes bad, it could make the relationship very uncomfortable. The real question we have to ask ourselves is, do I value this relationship more than I value their eternal soul? These and other reasons can intimidate and keep us from sharing Christ and the gospel with those we love the most. This need not be the case, however. There are ways to effectively engage our friends and family to share Jesus and His saving grace. Unsaved family and friends need to hear the gospel. We would all agree on that. But our seeming indifference or inability to overcome our fears stands in opposition to this confession. If we truly love them, we MUST find a way to share the gospel. It is my prayer that this episode will assist you in finding ways and trusting in the Holy Spirit to give you the words you need when the opportunities present themselves. Dr. David Turpen clean 47:35 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 046 – Watch Your Mouth! (and your posts!) https://dtlifecoach.com/language/ Wed, 14 Mar 2018 18:27:47 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2818 Your language reflects, not just yourself, but the God you claim to serve! Your Language Matters The words you choose and the language you use matters. Part of realizing your true potential and transforming your life is finding consistency. What you say and how you say it must reflect what you claim to believe. In this episode, I admittedly go on a bit of a personal rant. Quite honestly, I'm tired of reading posts, seeing images, and hearing "Christians" use profane, vulgar, and inappropriate language. It seems that every time I go online I'm finding increasing numbers of posts from people who claim to be followers of Christ containing 4-letter words. Posts that contain suggestive, lewd, nude, or profane images or language is more than unbecoming for a Christian. Christ Himself tells us that the mouth speaks from an abundance of the heart. The Lord commands us to not allow any unwholesome or profane talk come from our mouths. And yet, day after day self-proclaiming Christians do exactly this. There Has To Be A Difference If you truly want to live the life God has for you, then your life must exemplify something different from the rest of the world. You will never reach or live out your potential by conforming to the world, specifically it's language. It is not okay for you to claim to be a Christian and make no effort to adjust what you say and the things you post online. The inconsistency not only reflects poorly on Christ, it will become a barrier to living the life you desire. I'm bothered by Christians who think it is okay to post crude images, to use 4-letter words, or to make no effort at all to be distinctive from unbelievers. It's offensive, unbecoming of a Christian, and an insult to God. It erodes your foundation, your witness, and impedes your growth to become the man or woman God has called you to be. Stop it! Knock it off! I remember someone saying to me as a child, "foul language only shows the limits of your intelligence." In other words, you should be smart enough to find other words and ways to convey your feelings without stooping to the gutter-level of the world. To go a step further, cleaning up your language ought to be one of the first things you attack after becoming a Christian. Your language reflects, not just yourself, but the God you claim to serve! Your Language Matters The words you choose and the language you use matters. Part of realizing your true potential and transforming your life is finding consistency. Your language reflects, not just yourself, but the God you claim to serve! Your Language Matters The words you choose and the language you use matters. Part of realizing your true potential and transforming your life is finding consistency. What you say and how you say it must reflect what you claim to believe. In this episode, I admittedly go on a bit of a personal rant. Quite honestly, I'm tired of reading posts, seeing images, and hearing "Christians" use profane, vulgar, and inappropriate language. It seems that every time I go online I'm finding increasing numbers of posts from people who claim to be followers of Christ containing 4-letter words. Posts that contain suggestive, lewd, nude, or profane images or language is more than unbecoming for a Christian. Christ Himself tells us that the mouth speaks from an abundance of the heart. The Lord commands us to not allow any unwholesome or profane talk come from our mouths. And yet, day after day self-proclaiming Christians do exactly this. There Has To Be A Difference If you truly want to live the life God has for you, then your life must exemplify something different from the rest of the world. You will never reach or live out your potential by conforming to the world, specifically it's language. It is not okay for you to claim to be a Christian and make no effort to adjust what you say and the things you post online. The inconsistency not only reflects poorly on Christ, it will become a barrier to living the life you desire. I'm bothered by Christians who think it is okay to post crude images, to use 4-letter words, or to make no effort at all to be distinctive from unbelievers. It's offensive, unbecoming of a Christian, and an insult to God. It erodes your foundation, your witness, and impedes your growth to become the man or woman God has called you to be. Stop it! Knock it off! I remember someone saying to me as a child, "foul language only shows the limits of your intelligence." In other words, you should be smart enough to find other words and ways to convey your feelings without stooping to the gutter-level of the world. To go a step further, cleaning up your language ought to be one of the first things you attack after becoming a Christian. Dr. David Turpen clean 34:43 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 045 – Eight Keys to Successful Living https://dtlifecoach.com/success-2/ Wed, 28 Feb 2018 19:58:00 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2813 Foundational to your success is how you define it. Depending on your definition, you may or may not achieve success. The Bible defines success and successful living in dramatically different terms than the world. It is important for your definition to be consistent with God's views of a successful life. The Base While your definition of success must correspond to God's, so your spiritual development must be built on your relationship to Him. Nurturing your spiritual life is imperative to living a successful life. This episode offers seven other areas which will help you build the life you desire. That said, and returning to the initial point, none of it will matter unless and until your relationship with the Lord is firmly established and growing. The general things to keep in mind when planning and working toward the successful life you desire include but aren't limited to: Doing what you love - starting as a hobby and building up Seeking balance in your life - body, mind, spirit, emotional, etc. Focus on your personal growth - specifically in the area of spiritual development Write out your goals - iv you can't articulate you likely won't achieve Control your thinking - living without fear or regret is a byproduct of having a right relationship with the Lord Surround yourself with people who will help you achieve your goals Have an accountability partner - your spouse, close friend, or personal coach can meet this need Build it all on a Christian foundation and biblical worldview Your life is going to go through regular ebbs and flows - ups and downs - keeping your self focused will help you overcome and find success. It is interesting to think about these things and see how they are interrelated. You might be surprised by how working in one are will help you in another, and vice versa. Keeping your eyes on the prize and making regular effort to move in a positive direction will often lead to successes you never imagined. ________________________________ Related Podcasts Understanding God's Universal Will For Your Life Understanding God'Specific Will For Your Life Foundational to your success is how you define it. Depending on your definition, you may or may not achieve success. The Bible defines success and successful living in dramatically different terms than the world. Foundational to your success is how you define it. Depending on your definition, you may or may not achieve success. The Bible defines success and successful living in dramatically different terms than the world. It is important for your definition to be consistent with God's views of a successful life. The Base While your definition of success must correspond to God's, so your spiritual development must be built on your relationship to Him. Nurturing your spiritual life is imperative to living a successful life. This episode offers seven other areas which will help you build the life you desire. That said, and returning to the initial point, none of it will matter unless and until your relationship with the Lord is firmly established and growing. The general things to keep in mind when planning and working toward the successful life you desire include but aren't limited to: Doing what you love - starting as a hobby and building up Seeking balance in your life - body, mind, spirit, emotional, etc. Focus on your personal growth - specifically in the area of spiritual development Write out your goals - iv you can't articulate you likely won't achieve Control your thinking - living without fear or regret is a byproduct of having a right relationship with the Lord Surround yourself with people who will help you achieve your goals Have an accountability partner - your spouse, close friend, or personal coach can meet this need Build it all on a Christian foundation and biblical worldview Your life is going to go through regular ebbs and flows - ups and downs - keeping your self focused will help you overcome and find success. It is interesting to think about these things and see how they are interrelated. You might be surprised by how working in one are will help you in another, and vice versa. Keeping your eyes on the prize and making regular effort to move in a positive direction will often lead to successes you never imagined. ________________________________ Related Podcasts Understanding God's Universal Will For Your Life Understanding God'Specific Will For Your Life Dr. David Turpen clean 51:28 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 044 – Keeping Your Word https://dtlifecoach.com/keeping-your-word/ Thu, 22 Feb 2018 19:34:56 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2808 Integrity is a matter of honesty and being a person who keeps their word. It's a matter of dependability. Are you someone others can depend on? This trait is valuable in literally every single relationship you have or will ever have. When you make a promise or otherwise fail to live up to your word, you jeopardize that relationship and let others down. Keeping your word and being a person of integrity builds trust and strengthens the relationship. It Is A Matter of Integrity Many people may be challenged by the idea that word-keeping is a matter of overall integrity. But tell me, how can a person have integrity if they routinely fail to keep the promises they have made? In the New Testament, integrity means "honesty and adherence to a pattern of good works." Keeping your word is a good work that rightly follows those who seek to live by God's standards. As a Christian, you are called to be a person of integrity. Think about these passages of Scripture: 33 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. - Matthew 5:33-37 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. - James 5:12 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. - Colossians 3:17 (...and there a multitude of others...) As a Christian, your life is to honor God in everything you do. Keeping your word is a fundamental aspect of living a life of faith that is pleasing to the Lord. Integrity is Necessary Keeping your word is the essence of integrity. Integrity is required for trust. Therefore, keeping your word is the basis of every relationship you will ever have. As Stephen Covey points out, it applies to business as well: “honesty is making your words conform to reality. Integrity is making reality conform to your words.” Trust is necessary for influence and if you want to impact the lives of others...if you want to live a life of impact...you must build it on integrity. Keeping your word can be difficult. It can be expensive. Keeping your word can be inconvenient. But above all, keeping your word can reflect Christ and the person you desire to be. Go Live Your Potential! Integrity is a matter of honesty and being a person who keeps their word. It's a matter of dependability. Are you someone others can depend on? This trait is valuable in literally every single relationship you have or will ever have. Integrity is a matter of honesty and being a person who keeps their word. It's a matter of dependability. Are you someone others can depend on? This trait is valuable in literally every single relationship you have or will ever have. When you make a promise or otherwise fail to live up to your word, you jeopardize that relationship and let others down. Keeping your word and being a person of integrity builds trust and strengthens the relationship. It Is A Matter of Integrity Many people may be challenged by the idea that word-keeping is a matter of overall integrity. But tell me, how can a person have integrity if they routinely fail to keep the promises they have made? In the New Testament, integrity means "honesty and adherence to a pattern of good works." Keeping your word is a good work that rightly follows those who seek to live by God's standards. As a Christian, you are called to be a person of integrity. Think about these passages of Scripture: 33 “Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, ‘You shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, 35 or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you make an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your statement be, ‘Yes, yes’ or ‘No, no’; anything beyond these is of evil. - Matthew 5:33-37 12 But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment. - James 5:12 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. - Colossians 3:17 (...and there a multitude of others...) As a Christian, your life is to honor God in everything you do. Keeping your word is a fundamental aspect of living a life of faith that is pleasing to the Lord. Integrity is Necessary Keeping your word is the essence of integrity. Integrity is required for trust. Therefore, keeping your word is the basis of every relationship you will ever have. As Stephen Covey points out, it applies to business as well: “honesty is making your words conform to reality. Integrity is making reality conform to your words.” Trust is necessary for influence and if you want to impact the lives of others...if you want to live a life of impact...you must build it on integrity. Keeping your word can be difficult. It can be expensive. Keeping your word can be inconvenient. But above all, keeping your word can reflect Christ and the person you desire to be. Go Live Your Potential! Dr. David Turpen clean 51:05 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 043 – Where the Rubber Meets the Road – Staying motivated to reach your fitness goals. https://dtlifecoach.com/rubber/ Wed, 14 Feb 2018 20:44:32 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2804 Motivation - staying motivated to reach your fitness goals - this is where the rubber meets the road. How To Stay Motivated The way you stay motivated to reach your fitness goals - or any goals for that matter - is an issue of focus. What are you focusing on? Do you focus on the things that are likely to push you toward giving in and giving up or are do you focus on what you can achieve...today?! Your answer will have a lot to do with your success. This episode is recorded six weeks into the new year - about the time when many people give up on their resolutions and goals. Motivation is the result of focus, intentional focus. While it's great, and necessary, to have big goals, you must also have goals small enough to achieve on a regular and consistent basis. Taking your bigger goals and shrinking them into manageable, bite-size pieces increases your odds of success. Because we are impatient, we tend to only desire the bigger achievements, which causes us to miss the smaller ones that keep us going. Specific Steps to Take Obviously, the first step is shrink your large goals into smaller ones. These smaller goals should be achievable within a week or so. For instance, having a goal to lose 50 pounds is great but shrinking that goal to 2-to-3 pounds per week makes it realistic and something you can maintain over a longer period. Or maybe your goal is to increase your weights on your lifts - curls, bench press, squats, etc. - the same principle holds true. Increasing your load by 2-5 pounds allows you to get stronger while experiencing consistent success. Having a partner or a group to share with is also an important key to success. One of the reasons why Weight Watchers® is so successful is because of the group concept built into the program. There is strength in numbers as well as accountability and consistent challenges to do better. The importance of your goal is also significant, as is the ease with which you can reasonably accomplish your goal. These are just a few of the highlights discussed in today's podcast. _________________________ Related Podcasts Setting Realistic Fitness Goals Setting Goals You Will Actually Accomplish Motivation - staying motivated to reach your fitness goals - this is where the rubber meets the road. How To Stay Motivated The way you stay motivated to reach your fitness goals - or any goals for that matter - is an issue of focus. Motivation - staying motivated to reach your fitness goals - this is where the rubber meets the road. How To Stay Motivated The way you stay motivated to reach your fitness goals - or any goals for that matter - is an issue of focus. What are you focusing on? Do you focus on the things that are likely to push you toward giving in and giving up or are do you focus on what you can achieve...today?! Your answer will have a lot to do with your success. This episode is recorded six weeks into the new year - about the time when many people give up on their resolutions and goals. Motivation is the result of focus, intentional focus. While it's great, and necessary, to have big goals, you must also have goals small enough to achieve on a regular and consistent basis. Taking your bigger goals and shrinking them into manageable, bite-size pieces increases your odds of success. Because we are impatient, we tend to only desire the bigger achievements, which causes us to miss the smaller ones that keep us going. Specific Steps to Take Obviously, the first step is shrink your large goals into smaller ones. These smaller goals should be achievable within a week or so. For instance, having a goal to lose 50 pounds is great but shrinking that goal to 2-to-3 pounds per week makes it realistic and something you can maintain over a longer period. Or maybe your goal is to increase your weights on your lifts - curls, bench press, squats, etc. - the same principle holds true. Increasing your load by 2-5 pounds allows you to get stronger while experiencing consistent success. Having a partner or a group to share with is also an important key to success. One of the reasons why Weight Watchers® is so successful is because of the group concept built into the program. There is strength in numbers as well as accountability and consistent challenges to do better. The importance of your goal is also significant, as is the ease with which you can reasonably accomplish your goal. These are just a few of the highlights discussed in today's podcast. _________________________ Related Podcasts Setting Realistic Fitness Goals Setting Goals You Will Actually Accomplish Dr. David Turpen clean 50:00 Dr. David Turpen DTLC Radio 042 – The Lost Key to Success https://dtlifecoach.com/gumption/ Wed, 31 Jan 2018 21:46:43 +0000 http://dtlifecoach.com/?p=2800 Gumption - it's a word we don't hear much anymore. There was a time when many - if not most - people spoke of gumption. Some have, some don't, but all need it. Gumption is the self-initiative, aggressive moxie that has the courage to change the status quo. This lost key to success taps personal resourcefulness, provides bold enthusiasm, and persists in moving forward. It may sound like an old-fashioned idea but I believe the time has come for this concept to be renewed and restored. Got Gumption? Gumption is about taking responsibility, facing your shortcomings, and determining to grow. I didn't mention this during the episode but it occurs to me now...I find it interesting that gumption contains the name Gump, as in Forest Gump. Do you see the picture? Forest Gump never let his "slowness" keep him from the things he desired to accomplish, even if they appeared to be accidental. Forest was always thinking ahead and moving forward. He took life a day at a time, dealt with what each day brought him, and did not make excuses. I think there are some great similarities there that serve as instructional illustrations for us all. Gumption is not sitting back and just letting life happen to you. It's about taking charge of what you can - your attitude and actions - and making the most of it in living for Christ. Gumption is about increasing self-awareness that focuses you on what lies ahead and taking it on head on. In this episode, I discuss eight things you can do to increase your "gumption level" to realize your potential to transform your life. What You Can Do Use your mistakes as learning opportunities Celebrate your daily successes Avoid the traps of negative self-talk and others' negativity Remind yourself why you set this goal to start with Increase your resourcefulness Be persistent Increase your enthusiasm by being fit and healthy Be courageous - not avoiding fear but "doing it scared" Related Podcasts Commit To Who You Want To Be The Magic Power of Music Gumption - it's a word we don't hear much anymore. There was a time when many - if not most - people spoke of gumption. Some have, some don't, but all need it. Gumption is the self-initiative, aggressive moxie that has the courage to change the status ... Gumption - it's a word we don't hear much anymore. There was a time when many - if not most - people spoke of gumption. Some have, some don't, but all need it. Gumption is the self-initiative, aggressive moxie that has the courage to change the status quo. This lost key to success taps personal resourcefulness, provides bold enthusiasm, and persists in moving forward. It may sound like an old-fashioned idea but I believe the time has come for this concept to be renewed and restored. Got Gumption? Gumption is about taking responsibility, facing your shortcomings, and determining to grow. I didn't mention this during the episode but it occurs to me now...I find it interesting that gumption contains the name Gump, as in Forest Gump. Do you see the picture? Forest Gump never let his "slowness" keep him from the things he desired to accomplish, even if they appeared to be accidental. Forest was always thinking ahead and moving forward. He took life a day at a time, dealt with what each day brought him, and did not make excuses. I think there are some great similarities there that serve as instructional illustrations for us all. Gumption is not sitting back and just letting life happen to you. It's about taking charge of what you can - your attitude and actions - and making the most of it in living for Christ. Gumption is about increasing self-awareness that focuses you on what lies ahead and taking it on head on. In this episode, I discuss eight things you can do to increase your "gumption level" to realize your potential to transform your life. What You Can Do Use your mistakes as learning opportunities Celebrate your daily successes Avoid the traps of negative self-talk and others' negativity Remind yourself why you set this goal to start with Increase your resourcefulness Be persistent Increase your enthusiasm by being fit and healthy Be courageous - not avoiding fear but "doing it scared" Related Podcasts Commit To Who You Want To Be The Magic Power of Music Dr. David Turpen clean 56:27 Dr. David Turpen