Reliable Truth Richard E Simmons III

The doctrine of election can be a matter of division among a lot of Christians.

Today's Richard's guest, Dr. Mark Gignilliat, discusses some overlapping and important theological concerns that the Bible itself raises, in terms of what we are as human beings and the necessity of God's grace to enter into our lives and to raise us into new life in Jesus Christ.

The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:3 that "no one can say Jesus is Lord" without the animating work of the Holy Spirit.

We cannot say with true sincerity that Jesus is Lord without the work of the Holy Spirit to take that which is dead and to make it alive again. Watch on YouTube

Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

What is the quality of your work? Would you like to get understanding on how to live a more fruitful life?

In today's message, we continue looking at the metaphor of the different types of soil that the Word of God fell on.

We'll look at three things that keep us from being fruitful: worry, deceit and the desire for other things.

The most widely used metaphor in the Bible is farming. Metaphors are clearly one of the ways that God uses to teach us spiritual truth.

In John 1, we learn that John the Baptist leads Andrew to Christ, and Andrew, one of the 12 disciples leads his brother Peter to Christ. And then Phillip, one of the 12 disciples leads Nathaniel to Christ - Phillip brings him to "come and see" Jesus.

Tim Keller says that here we have a very important kind of principle at work: many times the way to find Jesus like this and to really know Him personally is almost always through a friend.

I believe our responsibility as Christians is to share who Christ is with others. Not to ram Christ down people's throats because that is not kind or respectful, and in fact that is very ineffective.

In today's message, I share some creative ways that we can bear fruit for the Lord - ways that you and I can invite others to, as Jesus said to Nathaniel, "come and see."

In 1 Timothy 6:11-12 Paul tells us, "But you, man of God... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith." >> Watch on YouTube

What would it mean for the world if Jesus truly did rise from the dead? And what does it mean to me personally - or does it mean anything at all to me?

For many years C.S. Lewis thought the Bible and the stories of the resurrection were all a bunch of myths, kind of like Norse mythology.

But I would just say that the evidence for the resurrection is quite compelling, particularly if you'll take the time to look into it.

In this message I dive into 3 strategies that we use to deal with facing our own mortality.

By choosing the right one you can have true peace and confidence that will impact the quality of your life until it comes to an end. Watch on YouTube

What is Lent, and why is it important?

Much like Advent leading up to Christmas, Lent is a season that's really a gift for us. It is a time to become conscious and to take some time to enter into thought, prayer and repentance as we prepare for Easter Sunday.

Christians have an unusual relationship with the concept of time. We live in the present here on earth, but the Bible also lets us know that we're already participants and citizens of another time and place.

What does that look like in our daily lives?

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Dr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

How did God design us, and what were we made to long for?

God is a relational being, and we are in His image, so we are also relational beings. Relationships are inherent to who we are as people. If we were not made relational, then there would be no such thing as loneliness.

Why do people get lonely? Life is bankrupt without relationships.

Former pro football player Joe Ermann says this about men:"This is our problem (as men): we compare, we compete; that's all we ever do. It leaves most men feeling isolated and alone. And it destroys any concept of community."

Even to truly know God in the fullest way, we also need to experience God in relationship with other believers who know God intimately.

As you listen to this message, ask yourself, "How does this really apply to me?" Be honest with yourself. Then ask, "Is there something that I can do differently in my life?" Watch on YouTube