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November 2016 Spiritual Development

One of the best tools for personal discipleship that I use and that can be taken on the go wherever is podcasts.  Podcasts are essentially digital radio programs that you can subscribe to that address a variety of topics based on the theme of the podcast.  They can be downloaded on any smartphone or accessed on any computer and listened to as you drive to work, clean the house, take a shower, fix a meal, or simply set aside time to concentrate on listening.  Some are as short as five minutes and others can be over an hour.  For me, listening to podcasts is a way to make use of the “dead” time during my day.  That is why I want to recommend to you some of my favorite podcasts that have helped me grow in my knowledge and understanding of how to more faithfully live for Christ.

Apologetics

Reasonable Faith - William Lane Craig’s weekly podcast features conversations about timely apologetics topics and frequently brings on other apologists.  Set up in an interview style, each one ranges from 15 to about 25 minutes in length.

RZIM - Ravi Zacharias’ ministry offers two different apologetics podcasts.  Just Thinking is 15-minutes long and comes out each weekday, while Let My People Think is a half hour podcast which comes out once a week.  Each one features Ravi and his team
discussing life’s most important questions.

Christian Living

Truth in Love - This podcast put out by the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors (ACBC) helps address everyday questions that Christians have about life and how to grow in holiness by the application of God’s Word to everyday life.

Adventures in Odyssey - These fictional, character-building dramas are created to teach biblical truth to children.  Sure, its for the kids but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it while they listen.

Signposts with Russell Moore - Listen in as Russell Moore, president of the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, talks about the latest books, cultural conversations and pressing ethical questions that point us toward the kingdom of Christ.

Current Events & Politics

The Briefing - Put out each weekday by Al Mohler, President of Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, the Briefing is an intelligent look at the top news stories as analyzed through the Christian worldview.  This is an excellent way to stay informed of current events and maintain a biblical outlook regarding our culture.

Breakpoint this Week - As you may have guessed, this is a weekly podcast put out by Breakpoint.  These 25-minute episodes hosted by John Stonestreet feature discussions of faith, politics, and culture.

Theology

Doctrine and Devotion - Doctrine and Devotion is a weekly podcast exploring Christian faith and practice from an experiential
perspective marked by the fun and humor that characterize real friendship.

Renewing Your Mind - Though many of these broadcasts are the sermons of R.C. Sproul, they provide enough deeply theological content to be put in the theology category vs. the list of preachers.

Short But Worthwhile

Ask Pastor John - Out each weekday, this podcast features daily interviews with John Piper where he answers tough theological and pastoral questions.

5 Minutes in Church History - 5 Minutes in Church History, hosted by Dr. Stephen Nichols, is a weekly podcast that provides an
informal and informative look at church history.  As you may have guessed, each one lasts 5 minutes.

For a more comprehensive list of other great Christian podcasts, check out this website: http://reasonabletheology.org/big-list-christian-podcasts/

Spiritual Development October 2016

While attending the Southern Baptist Convention this past June, David Platt, the president of the International Mission Board, emphasized the need for Southern Baptists to be gospel-centered people.  Platt preached a sermon that was based off of an acrostic of the word “GOSPEL”.  This acrostic is based out of Ephesians 2:1-10 and is a helpful tool to use as we meditate on and present the gospel with those around us.  We will be using this acrostic in our next Growth Initiative class to illustrate how knowing the story of the Bible helps us and others know Christ and live for Him in an increasingly secular culture.

God’s Character - “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us…” (Ephesians 2:4)  The full character of God should be emphasized in the sharing of the gospel.  God is a loving, merciful God.  At the same time, He is a just judge Who will not let the guilty go unpunished. (Habakkuk 1:13; Jeremiah 31:3; Ephesians 2:4)

Offense of Sin - “...even when we were dead in our transgressions…” (Ephesians 2:5)  Man’s sinfulness is a critical part of the gospel.  Man’s rebellion, beginning in the Garden of Eden and passed down to every human in history, separates us from this holy, merciful God.  Without the understanding of sin, there is no realization for the need for a Savior.
(Romans 3:23, 6:23; Ephesians 2:1-3)

Sufficiency of Christ - “...made us alive together with Christ...and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:5-6)  Christ is either sufficient to forgive us of sin through His death and resurrection, or He is not.  The gospel must clearly state that Christ is not simply “an answer” but “the only answer” to the sin of mankind and the resulting separation.  Because Christ is sufficient, nothing needs to be added to the gospel to complete the promise of redemption. (Isaiah 53:6, 11; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)

Personal Response - “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:5, 8-9)  Though God clearly acted in eternity past with a divine plan to redeem His people, He has also placed on us a responsibility to hear and believe the gospel.  This belief in Christ and the gospel will result in a person turning to God from sin to worship and serve Him. (Mark 1:15; Acts 2:38; Romans 1:16, 2:4, 10:9-10; 1 Thessalonians 1:9)

Eternal Urgency - “...so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace and kindness toward us in Christ Jesus…” (Ephesians 2:7)  The Bible teaches that eternity presses on us.  Those who do not place their trust in Jesus Christ will perish into eternal hell, separated from God.  Those who trust the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice on the cross will spend eternity with God in heaven.  This urgency drives us to share the gospel. (Exodus 34:7; John 3:16; Romans 2:4-11, 6:23)

Life Transformation - “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God has prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” (Ephesians 2:10)  When one hears the gospel and accepts Christ as Lord and Savior, the result is a changed life.  Life is transformed by the power of the gospel, not the efforts of man - and the change is dramatic.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:2-10)