Salvation & the Gospel¶
We've crafted an unofficial, source-cited, non-commercial index of Dr. R.C. Sproul's publicly available teachings, weighted by how many independent sources corroborate each point. The content is authored by Dr. R.C. Sproul and published by Ligonier Ministries (a few items are third-party YouTube re-uploads); see the Methodology & Rights page for more info. Quotations are brief, linked to their source, and reproduced for study under Ligonier's Copyright Policy (ligonier.org/copyright-policy). This site is humbly offered for personal use only, out of love and respect, and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Ligonier Ministries or St. Andrew's Chapel.
750 positions — 62 corroborated across multiple sources.
Well-attested positions¶
Independently stated in two or more of his messages.
The gospel is God's possession, but its content relates to the person and work of Jesus and how believers appropriate the benefits of his life through faith alone.
It is God’s possession, but the content of that gospel has to do with the person and work of Jesus, and secondly how the benefits of Jesus’ life and ministry are appropriated by us through faith and through faith alone.
Corroborated across 7 sources: Where Is the Power of God? (Ligonier article) · Your Testimony Is Not the Gospel (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 1:16 · The Gospel of the Kingdom (Ligonier) · From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier) · The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier) · Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier)
The gospel is not personal testimony but rather the content focusing on the person and work of Jesus Christ, and how its benefits are received by faith.
In New Testament categories, the gospel is understood in terms of definite content, and that content is not about me, and it is not about you. The content focuses attention on the person and work of Jesus, on who He is and what He has done, and then it is added how the benefits of His ministry can be received by us in faith.
Corroborated across 5 sources: What Does “Gospel” Mean? (Ligonier article) · Cornelius' Household (Ligonier) · The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier) · The Great Commission (Ligonier) · What is the gospel? (Ligonier Q&A)
Biblically, salvation refers to any experience of deliverance from a clear and present danger, but when discussing it biblically, one must specify the source of deliverance.
In short, any experience of deliverance from a clear and present danger can be spoken of as a form of salvation. When we talk about salvation biblically, we have to be careful to state that from which we ultimately are saved.
Corroborated across 4 sources: What Do Expiation and Propitiation Mean? (Ligonier article) · The Benedictus (Part 3) (Ligonier) · A Great Salvation (Ligonier) · The Magnificat (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Baptism is a visible sign of God's promise of redemption, representing regeneration, justification, sanctification, and glorification.
But in our baptism, God gives us a tangible, visible sign of His promise of redemption. All the processes wrought through the redeeming work of Christ are contained in that sign. Baptism is a sign of our being regenerated by the Holy Spirit. It does not effect regeneration, but it is a sign of it.
Corroborated across 4 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 36:37 · Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 1) (Ligonier) · God's Judgment Defended (Ligonier) · Song of Simeon (Ligonier)
Paul's message is not merely a message he announces, but a gospel that belongs to God, making God the author and owner of the message.
So, when Paul says that he is separated to the gospel of God, he is not saying, “I’m commissioned to announce a message or good news about God,” but rather: “The gospel to which I have been separated and called to proclaim is God’s gospel. He’s the author of it. He’s the owner of it.
Corroborated across 4 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00 · Introduction (Ligonier) · The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier) · Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
The gospel is the power of God unto salvation, which is summarized by proclaiming Jesus Christ as the Lord and the promised Messiah.
The power of God unto salvation is the gospel of Jesus Christ, which was given in summary form when Peter said, “The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all—that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached.”
Corroborated across 4 sources: Conclusion (Ligonier) · Cornelius' Household (Ligonier) · The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier) · Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry (Ligonier)
If a person desires a Savior, calling upon Christ will result in hearing and responding to that call, leading to salvation.
If in your heart you want a Savior, if in your heart you want Christ, if you want Him, call upon Him, and if you call upon Him, there's nothing more certain under the sun, than that He will hear your call and that He will respond to it, and you will be saved.
Corroborated across 3 sources: The Biblical Basis for Missions (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 22:31 · The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
God's promises are eternal, immutable, and unbreakable, and His plan for redemption extends beyond the human realm.
I believe that God’s promises are eternal, immutable, and unbreakable. God repeatedly says to His people: “Yes, the pain now is real, but wait. We’re not finished yet. I have a plan for this planet. I have a plan for My people, and that plan is glorious.
Corroborated across 3 sources: The Blueprint of Redemption (Ligonier article) · What Is the Covenant of Redemption? (Ligonier article) · From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
True righteousness is found in Christ, which is received by faith, and this is an act of redemption, not hypocrisy.
We have to find in Christ, not a mask that conceals our face, but an entire wardrobe of clothing, which is His righteousness. Indeed, it is only under the guise of the righteousness of Christ, received by faith, that any of us can ever have a hope of standing before a holy God.
Corroborated across 3 sources: Is the Church Full of Hypocrites? (Ligonier article) · Present Condition of Israel (Ligonier) · Righteousness Revealed (Ligonier)
The gospel has two components: an objective side concerning Christ's person and work, and a subjective side concerning how believers appropriate those benefits.
There are two sides to the gospel, the good news of the New Testament: an objective side and a subjective side. The objective content of the gospel is the person and work of Jesus—who He is and what He accomplished in His life. The subjective side is the question of how the benefits of Christ’s work are appropriated to the believer.
Corroborated across 3 sources: What Does the Roman Catholic Church Believe About Justification? (Ligonier article) · What Does “Gospel” Mean? (Ligonier article) · The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
In the ancient world, the word 'gospel' originally meant 'good message' or 'good news,' indicating that communication of critical events was a very serious matter.
But in the ancient world, the word "gospel" first meant "good message" or "good news," and communications of critical events was a very, very serious matter to the ancient person, where the armies would go out into battle and not come back for two years, and the people
Corroborated across 3 sources: What Does “Gospel” Mean? (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 25:36 · The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The Father initiates the plan of redemption by sending the Son into the world to perform the redemptive work.
It is the Father who designs the plan of redemption and who initiates the work of redemption by sending His only begotten Son into the world to perform His redemptive work as our Savior and as our Mediator.
Corroborated across 3 sources: What Is Sin? (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 6:25 · Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The gospel of Christ is understood as a righteousness that God freely gives to those who place their trust in Christ.
Augustine said, as we will see when we look at that text, that when Paul speaks of the righteousness of God in the first chapter of Romans, it is not that righteousness by which God Himself is righteous, but that righteousness He freely gives to those who put their trust in Christ.
Corroborated across 3 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00 · Abraham Justified Before Circumcision (Ligonier) · Introduction (Ligonier)
For those who love God and are called according to His purpose, all experiences, including tragedies, ultimately work together for good.
But again, for the one who loves God, for the one who has a vocation, for the one who is called according to His purpose, everything—everything works together for good.
Corroborated across 3 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 41:01 · From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier) · From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The core of the gospel is the imputation of Christ's righteousness, which is what Paul discusses.
That which is absolutely nonnegotiable about the gospel is at the heart of this controversy—the imputation of the righteousness of Christ. That is what Paul is talking about in this text. Sin is condemned in the cross; our sin is accounted to Him and His righteousness is accounted to us.
Corroborated across 3 sources: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier) · Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 1) (Ligonier) · Free from Indwelling Sin (Ligonier)
Semi-Pelagianism teaches that while man cannot be saved without grace, he must cooperate with and assent to that grace before God saves him.
semi-Pelagianism says that man cannot be saved apart from the grace of God, but there is something man must do, even in his still-fallen state to cooperate with and assent to that grace of God, before God will save him.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 36:32 · R.C. Sproul @ 10:49
God's universal love (benevolence/beneficence) extends to all people, regardless of their righteousness.
His sun and rain are given equally to the just and the unjust. We see then that God’s benevolent love and His beneficent love are universal. They extend to the whole of humanity.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Abundant Love (Ligonier article) · Christ in Our Place (Ligonier)
The Father extends His love of complacency to all who are in Christ Jesus, and adoption includes this special redemptive love.
The Father, in pouring out His love of complacency upon His only begotten Son, extends that love of complacency to all who are in Christ Jesus. Part of our adoption means that we are now included in that special redemptive love of God in a way that those who are outside the fellowship of Christ, those who are outside the adoption, those who are outside personal communion with Jesus do not share.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Abundant Love (Ligonier article) · Israel's Rejection & God's Purpose (Ligonier)
The term 'amen' is rooted in a Semitic word meaning 'truth,' signifying that what has been heard is valid, sure, and binding.
The term itself is rooted in a Semitic word that means "truth," and the utterance of "amen" is an acknowledgment that the word that has been heard, whether a word of praise, a word of prayer, or a sermonic exhortation, is valid, that is, sure and binding.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Amen (Ligonier article) · What “Amen” Means in the Bible (Ligonier article)
The doctrine of the Trinity is affirmed throughout Scripture, even though the words 'Trinity' and 'covenant of redemption' do not appear explicitly.
The word trinity does not appear in the Bible, but the concept of the Trinity is affirmed throughout Scripture. Likewise, the phrase “covenant of redemption” does not occur explicitly in Scripture but the concept is heralded throughout.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Blueprint of Redemption (Ligonier article) · What Is the Covenant of Redemption? (Ligonier article)
While redemption is an individual act of faith, Christ established the church by placing individuals into a supportive body or group.
In that sense, redemption is personal and individual. However, when Christ established His church, though He saved individuals one at a time, He placed each person He brought to Himself in a body, in a group, into His church.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Bonds of Brotherhood (Ligonier article) · A New Apostle (Ligonier)
After receiving forgiveness, the believer's joy is restored, and God restores the joy of salvation.
once he receives the forgiveness of God, once he experiences the pardon of God and enters into the blessedness of the forgiven, then his voice shouts with joy because the bones which the Lord had broken are once again rejoicing, and God, indeed the God of his salvation, restores to David the joy of his salvation.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Confusing Pleasure and Joy (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 21:38
The biblical motif of covering suggests that salvation is communicated through the metaphor of covering, exemplified by the blood on the Day of Atonement and Christ's righteousness.
If you look at that whole concept of nakedness from Adam and Eve to Noah and through the whole of sacred Scripture, you will see the motif over and over again that salvation is communicated through the metaphor of covering.
Corroborated across 2 sources: A Consuming Fire (Ligonier article) · Is there evidence of Adam and Eve’s repentance and faith after the fall? (Ligonier Q&A)
True reformation and revival will only come through the power of the Holy Spirit and the clear proclamation of the biblical gospel, not through ambiguous ecumenical statements.
However, true reformation and revival within the church and the winning of our culture to Christ will come only through the power of the Holy Spirit and our clear, bold proclamation of the biblical gospel, not through joint ecumenical statements that equivocate on the most precious truths given to us.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Fueling Reformation (Ligonier article) · The Manhattan Declaration: Why didn’t you sign it, R.C.? (Ligonier article)
Because humans cannot achieve perfect righteousness, salvation must rely on Christ's imputed righteousness.
Either we rest our hope in our own righteousness, which is altogether inadequate, or we flee to another’s righteousness, an alien righteousness, a righteousness not our own inherently. The only place such perfect righteousness can be found is in Christ—that is the good news of the gospel.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Instrumental Cause of Justification (Ligonier article) · None Righteous (Ligonier article)
A believer is declared righteous in God's sight through the legal transfer of Christ's righteousness, even while remaining a sinner in their own nature.
Yet at the very same time, while I am still a sinner, I am righteous in His sight by virtue of the legal transfer God has made by assigning the righteousness of Jesus to me if I put my trust in Christ.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Jesus' Death Wasn't Enough (Ligonier article) · Righteousness Revealed (Ligonier)
The word 'blessed' should not be translated as 'happy' because 'happy' has lost its force and cheapens the biblical concept.
It disturbs me not a little bit that modern commentators, seeking to be relevant to the today’s culture, prefer to translate the word that is translated here as blessed by the word happy instead.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Key to the Christian’s Joy (Ligonier article) · Abraham Justified Before Circumcision (Ligonier)
The church's mission shifted from bringing personal redemption supernaturally between the soul and God to seeking social redemption by alleviating human suffering.
The mission of the church became no longer an enterprise of bringing personal redemption supernaturally between the soul and God; rather, it sought social redemption by alleviating, as far as possible, human suffering.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Liberal Agenda (Ligonier article) · What Is Time? (Ligonier article)
The primary goal of evangelism is to focus attention on the issue of individual redemption and justification before God.
The idea behind the method he used was to focus attention on the ultimate issue of a person’s individual redemption—how can he justify himself before God?
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Methods Versus the Message (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 20:50
While humanly speaking, salvation is impossible, with God, all things are possible.
Do you see how hard it is for those who put their trust in wealth? Humanly speaking, it’s impossible for that person to get into the kingdom of God. “But with God,” He says, “all things are possible.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Reformed View of Predestination (Ligonier article) · The Eye of the Needle (Ligonier)
God does not promise freedom from suffering, but rather promises His presence in the midst of difficult circumstances.
God does not promise us freedom from pain, persecution, tribulation, or suffering. On the contrary, He promises that these things will happen to us, but in the midst of these circumstances, He also promises His presence.
Corroborated across 2 sources: True Success (Ligonier article) · R.C. Sproul @ 4:55
The gospel is offered universally to all who hear it, but it is not offered to anyone without conditions; rather, it is offered to those who believe and repent.
This is another controversial point, because on the one hand the gospel is offered universally to all who are within earshot of the preaching of it, but it's not universally offered in the sense that it’s offered to anyone without any conditions. It’s offered to anyone who believes. It’s offered to anyone who repents.
Corroborated across 2 sources: TULIP and Reformed Theology: Limited Atonement (Ligonier article) · Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
The gospel is not new, but rather the same message promised repeatedly throughout the Old Testament.
Paul says at the very beginning that the gospel is not a novelty; it is the same gospel that was promised numerous times before.
Corroborated across 2 sources: What Is the Protoeuangelion? (Ligonier article) · Introduction (Ligonier)
The first promise of the gospel was contained within the curse given to Adam, Eve, and the serpent.
God told the serpent that he would be on his belly and that the seed of the woman would crush his head, and in the process, the seed of the woman would bruise His own heel.
Corroborated across 2 sources: What Is the Protoeuangelion? (Ligonier article) · Introduction (Ligonier)
The speaker finds that the assurance of redemption and the presence of Christ comes to him while he is reading the Scriptures.
the assurance that I have of my own redemption and of the presence of Christ and of His hand on my life comes as I’m reading the text.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 15:08 · Song of Simeon (Ligonier)
Jesus promises the Holy Spirit's presence to stand with believers during the midst of struggle and crisis, not only after they suffer.
He’s saying that “I am going to send another paraclete to stand beside you.” When? In the midst of the battle, in the midst of the struggle, in the midst of the crisis.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 1:30 · R.C. Sproul @ 9:45
The speaker intends to distinguish among three specific types of love related to God's character: benevolence, beneficence, and complacency.
And so what I want to do today is to distinguish among three specific kinds of love as it relates to the character of God. And those three types of love that we distinguish may be defined as first of all the love of benevolence, secondly, the love of beneficence, and thirdly, the love of complacency.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:51 · R.C. Sproul @ 0:17
He critiques the idea that God's benevolence necessitates universal salvation, arguing that this interpretation is flawed.
some people, based on the principle of God's love of benevolence, have drawn from this idea the whole concept of universal salvation, that is, if God is basically benevolent in his disposition to all mankind, and he loves benevolently all people, then obviously in the final analysis no one will perish, no one will go to hell, because for God to send somebody to hell would be to be in violation of this characteristic of his being, namely his benevolence.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 11:30 · The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
Faith is understood as a gift of God resulting from the Spirit's work of regeneration, leading to salvation by grace alone.
And so we see faith is the gift of God that is the result of the Spirit's work of regeneration within us. That God Himself supplies the necessary condition to come to Jesus. That's why it is "sola gratia" - by grace alone - that we are saved.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 24:48 · Israel's Rejection & God's Justice (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Virtually all Protestants embrace the principle of semper reformanda, meaning the church must always undergo reformation and check its creeds against Scripture.
Whereas in Protestant heritage the principle of semper reformanda is embraced by virtually all Protestants that is the church is always called to undergo reformation and always called to check her own creeds and confessions to make sure that they are in conformity to sacred Scripture.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 5:50 · Does “semper reformanda” mean that the church should always be changing? (Ligonier Q&A)
Despite judgment, God still holds out hope for a remnant that will be redeemed.
But then he says, “I will have mercy on the house of Judah. I will save them by the Lord their God. I will not save them by bow nor by sword or battle or by horses or horsemen.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 13:22 · The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
If God does not ordain everything, then no Christian has reason to believe any promise of the future.
Do you realize that if there's one maverick molecule running loose in this cosmos beyond the pale, beyond the scope of God's sovereign control and authority, you have no reason as a Christian to believe a single promise of the future that God has made.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 4:02 · R.C. Sproul @ 27:25
The resurrection, atonement, and the supernatural elements are central to the Christian gospel and are necessary for one to remain a Christian.
when you're talking about resurrection, you're talking about atonement, you're talking about the very substance of the Christian gospel, and if you don't believe that, you're no longer a Christian.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 11:42 · R.C. Sproul @ 3:49
The Pharisees demonstrated great zeal for mission and evangelism, willing to travel far to convert even one person.
Or on another occasion Jesus said to them, "You scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, you go over land and sea to make one convert and after you've made him, you make him twice the child of hell than you are yourself."
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 10:09 · R.C. Sproul @ 13:24
Personal testimonies are considered pre-evangelism and should not be confused with the gospel message.
I think it is good for us to give our testimonies, but do not confuse your testimony with evangelism. Our testimonies are pre-evangelism. They may be of interest to our friends, but again, my life is not the gospel. His life is the gospel.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 0:42 · Cornelius' Household (Ligonier)
A believer remains a sinner while simultaneously being declared righteous by Christ's application of righteousness.
Just by the application of the righteousness of Christ, yet we receive the righteousness of Christ while we are in fact, in and of ourselves, are still sinners.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 6:36 · Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
The prophetic literary device, or oracle, had two types: oracles of weal (good news) and oracles of woe (bad news/judgment).
Well among the Jews the oracular literary device -- the oracle -- was of two types. There were oracles of weal and oracles of woe. Now that means simply this: that there were announcements that came from God that were good news, and there were announcements that came from God that were bad news.
Corroborated across 2 sources: R.C. Sproul @ 6:25 · The Beatitudes (Ligonier)
Covenantal signs, such as circumcision and baptism, are signs of God's promise to all who believe, not a sign of the individual's faith.
That covenantal sign was not a sign of Abraham’s faith or Isaac’s faith, but the sign of God’s promise to all who believe.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Abraham Justified Before Circumcision (Ligonier) · The Benedictus (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The gospel of Christ is singular and should not be altered or perverted by others.
I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Bearing Others' Burdens (Ligonier) · The Way of Humility (Ligonier)
The Pharisees believed that salvation required physical and social separation from sinners and outcasts.
The Pharisees believed in salvation by segregation, by separating themselves from the am ha’aretz , the people of the land, or it could be translated as the people of the dirt, the dirty people, the outcasts, the sinners, the tax collectors.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Call of Levi (Ligonier) · New Wine Skins (Ligonier)
A small, yet valid reason for engaging in evangelism is that Jesus explicitly commands it.
I said, “I know this isn’t the reason you’re looking for, but one small reason that we should still be concerned about evangelism is, after all, Jesus commands us to be concerned about it, doesn’t He?”
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Catch of Fish (Ligonier) · Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The gospel teaches that salvation and forgiveness of sins are achieved solely through faith in Christ's resurrection, not through adherence to the law.
Paul, as he always does in the proclamation of the gospel, teaches with it the doctrine of justification by faith alone. Essentially, “If you put your trust in this One whom God has raised, all of your sins are forgiven that cannot be forgiven through the law of Moses.”
Corroborated across 2 sources: Christ and David (Ligonier) · Righteousness Revealed (Ligonier)
When the Bible speaks of salvation in the ultimate sense, it refers to the ultimate escape from the dire human condition, which is being rescued from the wrath to come.
but when the Bible speaks about salvation in the ultimate sense, it speaks of the ultimate escape from the ultimate dire human condition. What does it mean to be saved? It means, as the Scriptures tell us, to be rescued from the wrath that is to come.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Christ in Our Place (Ligonier) · A Great Salvation (Ligonier)
Mark's gospel is not a detailed biography or chronological account, but rather a concise 'witness document' summarizing Jesus's significant work.
The gospel of Mark is not a biography. It does not give us a chronological treatment of all the information about Jesus such as we find in Matthew’s gospel. Rather, it was called a “witness document,” almost like a tract that somebody would hand out to give a summary of the significant work of Jesus.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Cleansing of the Temple (Ligonier) · John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Salvation involves being saved from the certain wrath of God, and God will not withhold this wrath.
The Bible says that salvation is being saved from the wrath that is to come. No preacher in the history of the world spoke more ominously about the certainty of the wrath of God than Jesus. God will not hold back His wrath forever.
Corroborated across 2 sources: God's Judgment Defended (Ligonier) · Righteousness Revealed (Ligonier)
Genuine conversion is evidenced by the fruit of repentance, which is an inevitable result of true faith.
He was not saying that the fruit will convert you or that the works will justify you, but that if your faith is real, if your conversion is genuine, then you cannot help but have fruit.
Corroborated across 2 sources: John Preaches (Ligonier) · The Parable of the Barren Fig (Ligonier)
The Bible teaches the salvation of the body, which contrasts with the Greek belief in salvation from the body.
This is quite different from the biblical view of the body. We believe in the salvation of the body. The Greeks believed in salvation from the body.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Law Cannot Save from Sin (Part 3) (Ligonier) · The Burial of Jesus (Ligonier)
The speaker assures the audience that even if they have committed egregious sins against God, they should not lose hope, as God is faithful and just to forgive them.
Context: Prayer (attributed to God's attributes and the speaker's request)
If any of you have been guilty of these egregious sins against God, do not lose the hope of forgiveness. If you confess those sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive those sins and cleanse you from them.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Man Is without Excuse (Ligonier) · The Unforgivable Sin (Ligonier)
Sproul asserts that salvation is not achieved through human efforts, such as good works or good intentions, but is possible only through God's grace.
It is not just riches, but good works and good intentions. None of yours are good enough to get through the eye of a needle. It is impossible to work your way into heaven, but what is impossible with us is possible with God.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Eye of the Needle (Ligonier) · The Rich Young Ruler (Ligonier)
The gospel is a two-edged sword: receiving it offers eternal life, while rejecting it leads to everlasting peril.
But the gospel is a two-edged sword. If you receive it, the benefit is eternal life. If you reject it fully and finally, you do so to your everlasting peril.
Corroborated across 2 sources: The Sending of the Disciples (Ligonier) · The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
Many people in Christian churches mistakenly believe that they can achieve heaven through their own good works.
I venture to say to you that, at the very least, 80 percent of people who are members of Christian churches in our country really believe that they can get to heaven through their own good works.
Corroborated across 2 sources: Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier) · Present Condition of Israel (Ligonier)
The statement in Romans 8:28 does not mean that all things are good, but rather that all things work together for an ultimate good purpose.
The affirmation in Romans 8:28 does not say that all things are good. Paul is not an illusionist saying there is no such thing as evil. Rather, he says that all things are working together for good—that is, the ultimate purpose is a good purpose.
Corroborated across 2 sources: From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier) · From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Further positions¶
Drawn from a single high-trust (official transcript) source.
The entire narrative history from Genesis onward is the story of God redeeming fallen humanity.
From the third chapter of Genesis through the end of the Bible, the rest of the narrative history is the history of God’s work of redeeming a fallen humanity.
Source: Ancient Promises (Ligonier article)
Jesus' departure was necessary and beneficial for the disciples, allowing them to be filled with the Holy Spirit.
He says that it is expedient or necessary for Him to go away so that the disciples may be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Source: The Ascension (Ligonier article)
Cassian taught that while God's grace is necessary for salvation and helps human will, man must ultimately choose the good.
Context: Attributed to Cassian
Again, for Cassian, though God’s grace is necessary for salvation and helps the human will to do good, in the final analysis it is man, not God, who must will the good.
Source: The Battle for Grace Alone (Ligonier article)
The church should use a common language in a way that conveys the gravity of the message, rather than pandering to an audience.
That is why we use at one and the same time a common language in an uncommon way. We speak so that the gravity of the message might be heard. We are not pandering to anyone, and we rejoice in an audience of One.
Source: Beauty and the Best (Ligonier article)
World missions are valuable because they provide medical, educational, and agricultural resources, in addition to preaching the gospel.
Modern missions provide valuable medical, educational, and agricultural resources, in addition to the important work of preaching the gospel.
Source: The Biblical Basis for Missions (Ligonier article)
The speaker questions whether God's purpose was merely to make salvation possible for all, but certain for none.
Was it God’s purpose simply to make salvation possible for all but certain for none?
Source: Biblical Scholasticism (Ligonier article)
Great teachers who remain faithful to God's Word are beneficial to the church, as God will use them to build up the community.
Great teachers who are faithful to God’s Word are a blessing to God’s church. He will use them to build us up so that we can build up others.
Source: The Blessing of Great Teachers (Ligonier article)
The church cannot be sustained by the faith of external groups like families or friends.
Certainly we are not saved or justified by the faith of our families, friends, or associates.
Source: The Bonds of Brotherhood (Ligonier article)
While salvation is an individual matter, once a person is justified and saved, they are immediately incorporated into the corporate body of the church.
In one sense, redemption is an intensely individual matter. But once we are justified, once we are in a state of salvation, we are immediately put into a group. We are immediately put into the church.
Source: The Bonds of Brotherhood (Ligonier article)
Neo-Gnosticism emphasizes personal experience, defining salvation as a personal relationship rather than rescue from sin and God's judgment.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
Salvation is not rescue from sin, death, and the wrath of God and from His judgment because of our sin, but rather salvation is found in a personal experience of relationship, particularly a relationship with Jesus.
Source: Book Review: Christless Christianity (Ligonier article)
When law and gospel are confused, the gospel is transformed from a message of redemption from sin into one of self-fulfillment.
And so the gospel is transformed into a message not of redemption from sin but into one of self-fulfillment.
Source: Book Review: Christless Christianity (Ligonier article)
Practitioners like Joel Osteen teach that sin is not an issue, helping people find personal self-fulfillment, and defining salvation as prosperity and fulfillment in this life.
Influenced both by Norman Vincent Peale and Robert Schuller, Osteen makes it clear that in his preaching, sin is not an issue. He is helping people to find personal levels of self-fulfillment. For him, salvation is prosperity and fulfillment here and now in this world.
Source: Book Review: Christless Christianity (Ligonier article)
Some representatives of the emergent church movement propose that the gospel message is achieving peace and justice in the present life.
For certain representatives of the emergent church, such as Brian McLaren, the gospel message is that we can have peace and justice here and now.
Source: Book Review: Christless Christianity (Ligonier article)
Through Christ, those who were previously separated and without hope are now brought near to God.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ
Source: Breaking Down the Dividing Wall (Ligonier article)
The church's primary calling is to remain faithful to the gospel and fight for the truth of God's Word without compromising.
Our high calling is to remain faithful to the Lord in this struggle, to fight for the truth of God’s Word and not to compromise.
Source: A Call for Endurance (Ligonier article)
The New Testament teaches that salvation requires belief in Christ alone.
Any quick and honest reading of the New Testament shows that the Apostles were convinced that nobody can go to heaven unless they believe in Christ alone for their salvation (John 14:6; Rom. 10:9–10).
Source: What Is an Apostate? (Ligonier article)
Apostasy refers to falling from the faith or from the profession of faith in Christ.
When we talk about those who have become apostate or have committed apostasy, we’re talking about those who have fallen from the faith or at least from the profession of faith in Christ that they once made.
Source: What Is an Apostate? (Ligonier article)
Professing believers can fall radically, but this does not mean they are eternally lost.
But the fact that he was restored shows that not every professing believer who falls has fallen past the point of no return.
Source: What Is an Apostate? (Ligonier article)
Jesus highlighted the poor widow's donation because her giving came from her own poverty, demonstrating devotion to God.
Even though the woman gave only the equivalent of two pennies to the temple, she put in more than all the rest of the people who donated heavily to the treasury because in giving out of her own poverty, she gave out of her devotion to God.
Source: Caring for Widows (Ligonier article)
Any teaching that removes the double exchange of sin and righteousness fails to accurately represent the biblical gospel.
Anything that eliminates this double exchange, this double imputation of sin and righteousness, falls short of the biblical gospel.
Source: The Weightiness of the Gospel (Ligonier article)
Spiritual depression is a real phenomenon that is linked to a crisis of faith, which is a feeling of absence or abandonment by God.
This is no ordinary fit of depression, but it is a depression that is linked to a crisis of faith, a crisis that comes when one senses the absence of God or gives rise to a feeling of abandonment by Him.
Source: The Dark Night of the Soul (Ligonier article)
The 'social gospel' was a movement that focused on humanitarian concerns and committed itself to 'social justice.'
In order to maintain a reason for the continued existence of Christianity as an organized religion, nineteenth-century liberalism turned to a new gospel, dubbed the “social gospel.” This was a gospel that focused on considerations of humanitarianism and had at the core of its agenda a commitment to “social justice.”
Source: Do We Believe the Whole Gospel? (Ligonier article)
The church's ministry must be committed to both personal redemption and mercy ministry, as these two dimensions are inseparable parts of the biblical mandate.
The choice that the church has is never between personal salvation and mercy ministry. It is rather a both/and proposition. Neither pole can be properly swallowed by the other.
Source: Do We Believe the Whole Gospel? (Ligonier article)
Reducing Christianity to only social welfare or only personal redemption results in a profound distortion of the gospel.
To reduce Christianity either to a program of social welfare or to a program of personal redemption results in a truncated gospel that is a profound distortion.
Source: Do We Believe the Whole Gospel? (Ligonier article)
James teaches that true and pure religion is demonstrated by caring for widows and orphans during times of distress.
James, the brother of Jesus, sees this mandate to care for widows as so important that he uses it to describe the crystallized essence of true religion. Do you think you’re religious, but you don’t care about the widows? Your religion is an exercise in futility, because James says pure and undefiled religion is the care of widows and of orphans in times of trouble.
Source: Do You Care About the Widows? (Ligonier article)
God promises to fill those who are hungry and thirsty for Him, even in barren times.
This promise that God made, in a dry and parched desert land, was that He would fill those who are hungry and thirsty for Him.
Source: Do You Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness? (Ligonier article)
The ultimate goal of the believer is to gain the approval of God, not the applause of men.
In the final analysis, we want the approval of God—but the applause of men can be deafening, and it can cause us to turn our attention toward achieving everything else apart from what Christ set as the priority for His people: to be righteous.
Source: Do You Hunger and Thirst for Righteousness? (Ligonier article)
The speaker warns that the church can suffer from a lack of integrity when ministers compromise the truth of the gospel for the sake of popularity.
Such lack of virtue is found not only in politicians, but it is found in the churches everyday, which appears at times to be filled with ministers who are quite prepared to compromise the truth of the gospel for the sake of their current popularity.
Source: Duty and Honor (Ligonier article)
A zeal for truth that becomes obnoxious will not convince others of biblical truth and may actually push them away.
But a zeal for the truth that manifests itself in obnoxiousness won’t convince anyone of the biblical truth of Reformed theology. As many of us can attest from personal experience, it will actually push them away.
Source: Escaping the “Cage Stage” (Ligonier article)
Understanding the doctrines of grace should lead believers to be gracious and patient when sharing the truth with others.
When we remember how long it took us to get past the difficulties we once had with the full biblical picture of divine sovereignty and our enslavement to sin, we can view our non-Reformed friends and family more sympathetically and share the truth with them more graciously.
Source: Escaping the “Cage Stage” (Ligonier article)
Believers should trust that God will work with their service, allowing Him to germinate the seed and produce a harvest even if the results are not immediately visible.
We plant the seed, go to bed, and, while we sleep, God germinates the seed so that life grows and eventually produces a full harvest. Then God Himself reaps for His own glory.
Source: The Eternal Significance of the Infinitely Insignificant (Ligonier article)
The trend regarding apparent biblical discrepancies is that the number of them is decreasing, leading to greater confidence in Scripture.
Overall, the trend with respect to apparent biblical discrepancies is that the number of them is decreasing. If maybe there were once a hundred such difficulties, that list has been pared down to a handful. At this point, we don’t throw the Bible out based on a handful of unresolved difficulties when everything indicates a greater confidence in Scripture’s truthfulness than we had before.
Source: Explaining Anomalies (Ligonier article)
The common belief that people achieve salvation by living a good life or performing good works is a false and damaging concept.
The confidence of such people is based upon their own goodness, which is not the biblical understanding of salvation.
Source: A False Sense of Assurance (Ligonier article)
The Father gives believers to the Son, and this prior election determines who will come to the Son, not the believer's response.
It is believers who are given to Christ by the Father, and these believers will never be lost. This affirmation builds upon what Jesus declared only moments earlier: Jesus is emphatic in His assertion that all whom the Father gives to Him will in fact come to Him.
Source: The Father’s Gift to the Son (Ligonier article)
God promises not to give believers more weight than they want to carry, but rather that He will never put more on them than they can bear.
The promise of God is not that He will never give us more weight than we want to carry. The promise of God is that He will never put more on us than we can bear.
Source: From Hard Pressed to Hope (Ligonier article)
Reformation, which involves changing structures of church and society, only occurs when the impact of the gospel changes the culture.
Revivals grow into reformations when the impact of the gospel begins to change the structures of the culture.
Source: Fueling Reformation (Ligonier article)
The gospel message inherently contains an offense that is a stumbling block to a fallen world and will inevitably bring conflict.
But there is no way to remove the offense that is inherent to the gospel message, because it is a stumbling block, a scandal to a fallen world. It will inevitably bring conflict.
Source: Fueling Reformation (Ligonier article)
God's redeeming power to bring about renewal in the church and world is found only in the clear proclamation of the gospel.
It is when the gospel is clearly proclaimed in all of its fullness that God exercises His redeeming power to bring about renewal in the church and in the world. It is in the gospel and nowhere else that God has given His power unto salvation.
Source: Fueling Reformation (Ligonier article)
To achieve reformation, believers must be willing to endure the conflict that the gospel inevitably brings.
If we want reformation, we must be prepared to endure such conflict to the glory of God.
Source: Fueling Reformation (Ligonier article)
The Christian church has been responsible for significant positive historical achievements, including the abolition of slavery, the end of the Roman arena, and the development of education and charitable institutions.
If you look at the record, you will see that it was the Christian church that spearheaded the abolition of slavery, the end of the Roman arena, the whole concept of education, the concept of charitable hospitals and orphanages, and a host of other humanitarian activities.
Source: What Did Jesus Mean When He Said We Would Do Greater Work Than He Did? (Ligonier article)
The biblical concept of redemption must be understood within the reality of its historical context.
Though the content of Scripture is deeply concerned with redemption, that redemption is inseparably tied to the reality of the historical context in which it takes place.
Source: An Historic Faith (Ligonier article)
The core concept of Christianity is that human reconciliation with God is possible only through grace.
that our redemption is by grace alone, that the only way a human being can ever find himself reconciled to God is by grace.
Source: The Holiness of God and the Sinfulness of Man (Ligonier article)
God's providence ensures that He brings good out of evil, meaning that everything that happens works toward our ultimate good.
Through the great mystery of providence, the transcendent Governor of all things brings good out of evil. Instead of overruling the wicked desires of Joseph’s brothers, God transcended them and by His power brought good out of evil.
Source: How Can God Bring Good Out of Evil? (Ligonier article)
Beyond print, the Reformation utilized music, religious drama, and fine arts to communicate its central doctrines.
In addition to these methods of print, music was used in the Reformation to carry the doctrines and sentiments of Protestantism through the writing of hymns and chorales. Religious drama was used not in the churches but in the marketplace to communicate the central ideas of the movement—the recovery of the biblical gospel.
Source: How the Reformation Spread (Ligonier article)
The speaker believes that while Christians can cooperate with Roman Catholics on social issues, they have no common ground regarding the gospel because Rome has compromised it with unbiblical doctrines.
I am happy to make common cause with Roman Catholics on social issues, but we have no common cause in the gospel. Rome has compromised the gospel with her unbiblical doctrines.
Source: How Should Protestants Relate to Roman Catholics? (Ligonier article)
Churches must uphold the biblical gospel and are responsible for educating their members about the differences between Protestant and Roman Catholic teachings.
As churches, we must stand for the biblical gospel—and nothing more. It is our calling to hold high the truth and expose falsehood. To this end, it is essential that we know and understand what Rome is teaching, so distinctions can be made.
Source: How Should Protestants Relate to Roman Catholics? (Ligonier article)
Pastors have a duty to preach the gospel and point out ways in which it is twisted by men, including the Roman Catholic Church.
Pastors should preach the gospel and point out ways in which it is twisted by men, including the Roman Catholic Church.
Source: How Should Protestants Relate to Roman Catholics? (Ligonier article)
While social involvement with Roman Catholics is acceptable, the speaker warns that they should not assume spiritual equality with them because they belong to a church that has rejected the gospel.
When our involvement in social issues brings us into contact and camaraderie with Roman Catholics, we need not draw back. But we must not assume that we are brothers and sisters with them in the gospel. They are members of a church that has anathematized the gospel, so we ought to pray for them and seek to reach them for Christ.
Source: How Should Protestants Relate to Roman Catholics? (Ligonier article)
Jesus stated that it was necessary for him to be baptized to fulfill all righteousness.
Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness’ (Matt. 3:15a).
Source: Jesus, Our Substitute (Ligonier article)
The Bible requires personal faith in Jesus Christ for salvation, and God commands all people everywhere to repent.
The Bible offers no hope that sincere worshipers of other religions will be saved without personal faith in Jesus Christ. As Paul said in Athens, “The times of ignorance God has overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
Source: Jesus: The Only Savior (Ligonier article)
Many professing Christians mistakenly believe they can enter heaven by living a good life and keeping their moral slates clean.
This view is held by many professing Christians, who still entertain the idea that they can gain entrance into heaven and into the kingdom of God by living a good life.
Source: Justification by Death? (Ligonier article)
A common misinformed idea is that because God loves everyone unconditionally, there are no conditions required for entering heavenly bliss.
We are told ad nauseum that God loves everyone unconditionally. The necessary inference that people draw from that is simple: If God loves me unconditionally, then there are no conditions that I must meet in order to enter into heavenly bliss.
Source: Justification by Death? (Ligonier article)
The biblical concept of joy is distinct from the popular, sentimentalized understanding of happiness.
In particular, we often confuse joy with happiness.
Source: The Key to the Christian’s Joy (Ligonier article)
A person can experience biblical joy even while undergoing mourning or difficult circumstances.
The heart of the New Testament concept is this: a person can have biblical joy even when he is mourning, suffering, or undergoing difficult circumstances.
Source: The Key to the Christian’s Joy (Ligonier article)
The God of Israel promises both blessing and curse, meaning the church should expect trouble when it is worldly or unfaithful.
But the God of Israel is a God who promises both blessing and curse, both prosperity and calamity. We should not be surprised to see trouble for the church when it has been worldly, when it has been unfaithful to the Lord.
Source: Learning from the Judges (Ligonier article)
God does not abandon His people, but the people themselves are prone to abandoning God.
God does not forsake us, but we are prone to forsake Him.
Source: Learning from the Judges (Ligonier article)
Liberalism is not a simple subset of Christianity but rather the antithesis of Christianity, based on a complete rejection of the biblical Christ and His gospel.
It must not be viewed as a simple subset or denominational impulse of Christianity; it must be seen for what it is—the antithesis of Christianity based on a complete rejection of the biblical Christ and His gospel.
Source: The Liberal Agenda (Ligonier article)
Liberalism is not merely a subtle change in Christian belief but a complete rejection of the core principles of biblical Christianity.
Context: Referring to Emil Brunner's description of liberalism.
He saw in liberalism not a simple change of nuance in the content of the Christian faith but a wholesale rejection of the very heart and soul of biblical Christianity.
Source: The Liberal Agenda (Ligonier article)
The enduring value for the church and the individual Christian lies in the fruit of the Spirit, not the spectacular gifts.
Yet that which has the enduring value to the church and to the individual Christian is the fruit of the Spirit.
Source: Love and Maturity: What the Corinthians Got Wrong (Ligonier article)
In heaven, believers will gain a full and perfect knowledge and experience of love, removing all current dimness.
But all dimness and darkness will be removed when we enter into glory and look at things as they are bathed in the overwhelming light that comes from the presence of God. At that point, we will truly and fully know and experience love.
Source: Love and Maturity: What the Corinthians Got Wrong (Ligonier article)
People who hear the gospel message but fail to internalize it are compared to seed that falls on a path and is devoured by birds.
When anyone hears the word of the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what has been sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the path
Source: Many Hear the Gospel with Joy but Don’t Continue in the Faith (Ligonier article)
Individuals who receive the word with initial joy but lack deep roots will abandon their faith when facing tribulation or persecution.
As for what was sown on rocky ground, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy, yet he has no root in himself, but endures for a while, and when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately he falls away
Source: Many Hear the Gospel with Joy but Don’t Continue in the Faith (Ligonier article)
Many people who appear to make decisions for Christ at evangelistic meetings often abandon their commitments later.
However, it is an established fact that many of those who come forward at evangelistic meetings soon abandon their commitments altogether.
Source: Many Hear the Gospel with Joy but Don’t Continue in the Faith (Ligonier article)
Genuine salvation is demonstrated by those who prove themselves to be doers of the Word, resulting in fruit.
Those who are genuinely saved are those who prove themselves to be doers of the Word. When the seed takes root and grows, there is fruit.
Source: Many Hear the Gospel with Joy but Don’t Continue in the Faith (Ligonier article)
The goal of great teaching is to impart genuine understanding, not merely to transfer a large amount of information.
The great teacher imparts understanding, not merely information. To do that the teacher must understand the material being taught.
Source: Marks of a Great Teacher: Understanding (Ligonier article)
Evangelism is fundamentally about proclaiming the gospel message, which involves telling the story and announcing the news.
Ultimately, evangelism is less about the method one uses and more about the message one proclaims. Evangelism, remember, is the proclamation of the gospel—telling the story, announcing the news.
Source: The Methods Versus the Message (Ligonier article)
When unsure how to evangelize, one should speak about what they do know, leaving detailed defense of truth claims to apologists.
Some fear that they don’t know enough to evangelize. I say, “Tell them what you do know.” Leave the defense of the truth claims to the apologist and hold forth the simple message of the gospel.
Source: The Methods Versus the Message (Ligonier article)
The church received a mandate to proclaim the gospel to all people after the Son accomplished His mission.
As His mission was accomplished He commanded His people, those who believed in His name, to go into all the world, to proclaim the gospel to all people, that the kingdom of God may be made known throughout the earth and throughout the ages.
Source: The Mission of the Church Is Eternal (Ligonier article)
The Reformation is not over because any departure from biblical truth requires continued involvement in the task of reformation.
My response to this idea that the Reformation is over is that the authors did not understand either the Reformation, Protestantism, Roman Catholicism, or all three. The Reformation was simply a commitment to biblical truth, and as long as there are departures from biblical truth, we have to be involved in the task of reformation.
Source: Misunderstanding Vatican II (Ligonier article)
God sustains believers and enables them to endure to the end through His grace, which initiated their calling.
However, the reason we do not fall away, the reason we do endure to the end is because of the grace of our heavenly Father, who by grace called us in the first place. He sustains us by preserving us, even unto our glorification.
Source: More than Conquerors (Ligonier article)
The church is expected to remain loyal to Christ while the world faces opposition, anticipating His eventual return.
Our King is seated on the right hand of God. He expects us, His people, to remain loyal to Him while the whole world goes for Prince John. In time, He will return and put all things right.
Source: The Most Important Session of All (Ligonier article)
The sermon must communicate abstract truths using concrete illustrations and narratives.
He advised that, when preaching on abstract doctrine, the pastor find a narrative in Scripture that communicates that truth so as to communicate the abstract through the concrete.
Source: The Need for Illustrations in Preaching (Ligonier article)
While God works in us according to His good pleasure, believers must actively participate by pursuing Him and utilizing the means of grace.
God wills and works in us according to His good pleasure so that we progress in holiness (Phil. 2:12–13). But as God works in us, we work as well, pursuing Him in prayer, relying on the means of grace—the preached Word and the sacraments—seeking to be reconciled to those we have offended.
Source: No Shortcuts to Growth (Ligonier article)
A church must embrace the biblical gospel to be considered an authentic church.
Without the gospel, a gathering of people, though they claim otherwise, cannot be an authentic church.
Source: The Perils Facing the Evangelical Church (Ligonier article)
When the gospel's truth is compromised or negotiated, the church loses its evangelical nature.
Among what I see as the three most critical perils the church faces today are, first of all, the loss of biblical truth. When the truth of the gospel is compromised or negotiated, the church ceases to be evangelical.
Source: The Perils Facing the Evangelical Church (Ligonier article)
Liberal theology continues to manifest itself dangerously, even within churches that were historically evangelical.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
Perhaps the place where liberalism is manifesting itself most dangerously is within the walls of churches that have historically been strongly evangelical.
Source: The Perils Facing the Evangelical Church (Ligonier article)
A shared love for God's Word creates a profound bond and union among believers, regardless of cultural or linguistic differences.
But we did have the blessed tie that binds—a shared love for God’s Word. We were all citizens of heaven, passing through this world in different geographies but with a profound union that resulted from our common union with Christ.
Source: A Pilgrim People (Ligonier article)
Major periods of church revival and reformation are historically linked to the frequent, consistent, and clear preaching of God's Word.
But history shows us that the greatest periods of revival and reformation the church has ever seen occur in conjunction with the frequent, consistent, and clear preaching of God’s Word.
Source: Preaching and Teaching (Ligonier article)
After hearing the details of Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension, the apostles called people to convert to Christ by repenting of their sins and receiving him by faith.
After the details of His death, resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God were preached, the Apostles called the people to be converted to Christ—to repent of their sins and receive Christ by faith.
Source: Preaching Christ (Ligonier article)
Apostolic preaching encompasses the entirety of redemptive history and divine revelation, not merely limited to the evangelistic kerygma.
If we were there, we would see that the apostolic preaching covered the whole of redemptive history and the sum of divine revelation, not being restricted simply to the evangelistic kerygma .
Source: Preaching Christ (Ligonier article)
Christians are called by God to live according to biblical principles, which are essential for true righteousness.
A person who is a Christian is called of God to live by biblical principles. The principles that the Bible reveals to guide our steps are the necessary elements for authentic righteousness.
Source: Principle vs. Pragmatism (Ligonier article)
Throughout history, whenever the gospel has been preached openly in public, it has been met with some degree of hostility, violence, and persecution.
And down through the ages every time the gospel has been preached openly in the public square, it has been met with some degree of hostility, violence and persecution.
Source: Principles for Voting (Ligonier article)
Believing that God owes us a better condition than we currently enjoy is a sin that leads to misery, which is overcome by trusting in God's grace.
To believe such a thing is sin, and it leads to great misery, which is overcome only by trusting in the Lord’s sustaining and providential grace.
Source: Providence and Contentment (Ligonier article)
While humanity may achieve a 'liberation' from God, this liberation is ultimately impossible and leads to enslavement.
In one sense, the West has accomplished what Nietzsche desired—a “liberation” from God, and evidence for this is the sexual anarchy of our culture. However, such liberation cannot ultimately be accomplished. We’re still accountable to the Lord and will face judgment.
Source: The Revolution That Enslaves (Ligonier article)
The gospel teaches that all sexual sins are forgivable, requiring only repentance and faith in Christ alone.
The good news of the gospel is that every sexual sin is forgivable; all that's required is repentance and faith in Christ alone.
Source: The Revolution That Enslaves (Ligonier article)
The Christian message is one of ultimate victory, confirming that Satan's defeat is certain, not humanity's doom.
The message of Scripture is one of victory—full, final, and ultimate victory. It is not our doom that is certain, but Satan’s. His head has been crushed by the heel of Christ, who is the Alpha and Omega.
Source: Satan Does Not Hold the Keys of Death (Ligonier article)
God does not always will healing, as evidenced by historical examples where individuals died in faith.
God does not always will healing. If He did, He would suffer endless frustration, seeing His will being repeatedly thwarted in the deaths of His people. He did not will the healing of Stephen from the wounds inflicted by the stones that were hurled against him.
Source: Satan Does Not Hold the Keys of Death (Ligonier article)
Christians are called to be engaged in the world, recognizing it as the theater of redemption, and must not separate the secular and the sacred.
The Christian must distinguish between the secular and the sacred, but never separate them. To separate them is to deny the agenda of Christ.
Source: Secularism: Ignoring the Eternal (Ligonier article)
Christian maturity requires a re-entry into the world, which is not worldliness or secularism, but a new appreciation of it as the theater of redemption.
But at the point of maturity there must be a kind of re-entry into the world. This is not a return to worldliness. It is not a fall into secularism. It is a new appreciation of the world as the theater of redemption.
Source: Secularism: Ignoring the Eternal (Ligonier article)
God's redemption is taking place in the world, requiring Christians to remain engaged in it.
The theater of God's redemption is this world. It is to this world that God came in Christ. Christ refused to allow His disciples to hide in an upper room with the doors locked because of fear.
Source: The World Is a Seducer (Ligonier article)
Pastors often compromise the gospel message because they are fearful of losing their jobs due to being bold in their preaching.
They have been so fearful that they would lose their jobs by being bold in their preaching and passionate in their concern for the sheep that they keep one eye on the sheep and the other eye on those who hire and fire them.
Source: Shepherding the Flock (Ligonier article)
The good pastor must pay special attention to the needs of each member, helping them recover from physical or spiritual distress.
So it is that the good pastor is one who knows the aches, the pains, the joys, and the sorrows of each member of his congregation, so that he can tend to their needs and so that they aren’t overcome by physical maladies or by spiritual and psychological distress.
Source: Shepherding the Flock (Ligonier article)
While one can claim things God has promised in Scripture, one cannot claim things like a raise or healing if God has not specifically promised them.
Yes, we can name and claim those things God has clearly promised in Scripture. For instance, we can claim the certainty of forgiveness if we confess our sins before Him, because He promises that. But when it comes to getting a raise, purchasing a home, or finding healing from a disease, God hasn’t made those kind of specific promises anywhere in Scripture, so we are not free to name and claim those things.
Source: Should We Qualify Our Prayers with "If It Be Your Will"? (Ligonier article)
Although thanksgiving is not explicitly mentioned in the Lord's Prayer, it is implied in the petition for daily bread.
Even though thanksgiving is not explicitly mentioned in the Lord’s Prayer, I think it is implied in the petition: “Give us this day our daily bread” (Matt. 6:11).
Source: A Simple Acrostic for Prayer (Ligonier article)
The idea that a person's positive response to the gospel is due to their own superior character or intelligence is absurd and contradicts God's sovereignty.
If that were the case, then God would still be the ultimate provider of salvation because the intelligence is His gift, and it could be explained that God did not give the same intelligence to the neighbor who rejected the gospel. But that explanation is obviously absurd.
Source: What Does “Soli Deo Gloria” Mean? (Ligonier article)
True saving grace is effectual and originates entirely from the Lord, from beginning to end.
In fact, salvation is of the Lord from beginning to end.
Source: What Does “Soli Deo Gloria” Mean? (Ligonier article)
Semi-Pelagianism incorrectly teaches that humans can exercise faith and respond to the gospel before God has changed their disposition.
They hold to the idea that in their fallen condition of spiritual death, they exercise faith, and then are born again. In their view, they respond to the gospel before the Spirit has changed the disposition of their soul to bring them to faith.
Source: What Does “Soli Deo Gloria” Mean? (Ligonier article)
The internal testimony of the Holy Spirit assures believers of the truthfulness of God's written Word.
Article XVII of this statement asserts, in part, that “the Holy Spirit bears witness to the Scriptures, assuring believers of the truthfulness of God’s written Word.”
Source: The Spirit’s Internal Witness (Ligonier article)
Calvinists believe that God had an eternal plan to redeem only a portion of humanity, never intending to save everybody.
Because of it, Calvinists believe that God had a plan from all eternity to redeem a people for Himself. That plan encompassed only a portion of the human race; it was never God’s intention to save everybody.
Source: A Sure Salvation (Ligonier article)
Suffering serves a purpose by helping believers toward the ultimate salvation of their souls.
Our suffering has a purpose—it helps us toward the end of our faith, which is the salvation of our souls.
Source: Surprised by Suffering (Ligonier article)
The church must prioritize maintaining the truth of the gospel and the purity of the faith over achieving unity.
That purity must never be sacrificed to safeguard unity, for such unity is no unity at all.
Source: The Church Is One (Ligonier article)
The Reformation Study Bible aims to guide English-speaking evangelicals back to their Reformation roots and to the Bible itself and its historic confessions.
It is my hope that it will help guide English-speaking evangelicals back to their Reformation roots. More importantly, it is designed to call evangelicals back to the Bible itself and to their historic confessions of biblical theology.
Source: The History of the Reformation (Ligonier article)
To avoid heresy, it is necessary not only to praise Scripture but also to engage in a serious and earnest recovery of biblical truth through hearing its teaching afresh.
It is not enough to extol the virtue of Scripture—we must hear the teaching of Scripture afresh. It is only by a serious and earnest recovery of biblical truth that we will be able to avoid falling into a new cesspool of heresy.
Source: The History of the Reformation (Ligonier article)
The victory provided to believers is not achieved by them but is won for them by another.
God gives to us a victory that we have not achieved for ourselves. It is won for us by another.
Source: The Last Enemy (Ligonier article)
While the gospel saves from the law's curse, it simultaneously directs believers back to the law to appreciate its goodness and beauty.
The law drives us to the gospel. The gospel saves us from the curse of the law but in turn directs us back to the law to search its spirit, its goodness and its beauty.
Source: The Law of God (Ligonier article)
Sproul argues that accurately stating the document is not theological requires a redefinition of 'theology' and serious equivocation on the biblical meaning of 'the gospel'.
to make that statement accurate requires a redefinition of “theology” and serious equivocation on the biblical meaning of “the gospel” (2 Cor. 11:4).
Source: The Manhattan Declaration: Why didn’t you sign it, R.C.? (Ligonier article)
Sproul emphasizes that biblical truth must be proclaimed and the gospel preached prophetically to the nation.
Without question, biblical truth must be proclaimed and the gospel preached prophetically to our nation.
Source: The Manhattan Declaration: Why didn’t you sign it, R.C.? (Ligonier article)
Sproul believes that true reformation and revival come only through the Holy Spirit and the clear proclamation of the biblical gospel, not through ecumenical statements.
However, true reformation and revival within the church and the winning of our culture to Christ will come only through the power of the Holy Spirit and our clear, bold proclamation of the biblical gospel, not through joint ecumenical statements that equivocate on the most precious truths given to us.
Source: The Manhattan Declaration: Why didn’t you sign it, R.C.? (Ligonier article)
There is no gospel other than the one that has already been given.
There is no other gospel than that which has already been given (Gal. 1:6–8).
Source: The Manhattan Declaration: Why didn’t you sign it, R.C.? (Ligonier article)
Any heart, mind, or nation will truly change only through the united proclamation of the one, true gospel of Jesus Christ, by God's sovereign grace.
It is only in our united proclamation of the one, true gospel of Jesus Christ that any heart, any mind, or any nation will truly change, by God’s sovereign grace and for His glory alone.
Source: The Manhattan Declaration: Why didn’t you sign it, R.C.? (Ligonier article)
Being prepared for the Bridegroom involves actively desiring righteousness and calling out for His return.
Context: Quoting Jonathan Edwards' argument.
It is those who hunger and thirst after His righteousness who will receive an invitation on that great day. It is those who are ever prepared for the bridegroom, who cry out, “Maranatha, Lord come.”
Source: The Marriage Feast (Ligonier article)
God desires the world to be redeemed, not escaped.
And in doing so, they may actually be displeasing the God who wants the world to be redeemed, not escaped.
Source: The Theater of God's Redemption (Ligonier article)
True redemption saves what is in danger of being lost, rather than destroying it completely and replacing it with something new.
To destroy something completely and to replace it with something utterly new is not an act of redemption. To redeem something is to save that which is in imminent danger of being lost.
Source: There Will Be No Sea in the New Heaven and New Earth (Ligonier article)
In Jewish thought, a river, stream, or spring functioned as a positive symbol of goodness.
In Jewish thought, the river, the stream, or the spring functioned as the positive symbol of goodness.
Source: There Will Be No Sea in the New Heaven and New Earth (Ligonier article)
Jesus promises his disciples that he will prepare a place for them and return to take them to himself.
In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
Source: Thinking of Home (Ligonier article)
Marcion's New Testament was an incomplete version of the original biblical documents, which excluded references to the Old Testament God in a positive relationship to Jesus.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
Marcion’s New Testament was an expurgated version of the original biblical documents. Marcion was convinced that the God of the Old Testament was at best a demiurge (a creator god who is the originator of evil) who in many respects is defective in being and character.
Source: Tota Scriptura (Ligonier article)
The gospel is necessary because understanding God's holiness reveals that Christ's righteousness is the only means of enduring His judgment.
For them, the recovery of the gospel was such good news because they knew the trauma of holiness and that the only way to endure the presence of this holy God’s judgment is to be covered in the holiness and righteousness of Christ.
Source: The Trauma of Holiness (Ligonier article)
The prologue to John's gospel is particularly important because it affirms the Logos's distinction from God while simultaneously identifying the Word with God.
What is so striking about John’s prologue is found in its opening words: These few verses are staggering in their affirmation. On the one hand, the Logos is distinguished from God, inasmuch as John writes that in the beginning the Word was with God. By using the term with , the Logos is distinguished from God, even though He was with Him from the beginning. But then the profundity intensifies in the very next clause where the affirmation is made that the Word was God.
Source: Triune Monarchy (Ligonier article)
Submitting to God's providence means recognizing that God's goodness and mercy actively pursue the believer wherever they go.
God’s mercy followed him wherever he went; it chased him. He couldn’t outrun the mercy and goodness of God.
Source: True Success (Ligonier article)
The doctrine of placation and Christ satisfying God's wrath is essential to the gospel and the core meaning of salvation.
So if somebody argues against placation or the idea of Christ satisfying the wrath of God, be alert, because the gospel is at stake. This is about the essence of salvation—that as people who are covered by the atonement, we are redeemed from the supreme danger to which any person is exposed.
Source: What Do Expiation and Propitiation Mean? (Ligonier article)
The visible unity among believers should serve as definitive proof to the world that Jesus was the Son of God and that God loves believers.
The love, concern, and compassion that we have one for another should be so atypical of the world that they serve as definitive proof that Jesus was not merely a great moral teacher but the second person of the Trinity, sent by God.
Source: A Unity That Is Evident to the World (Ligonier article)
Scripture is valuable because it provides doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
Scripture, he said, is profitable for several things, including doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness.
Source: The Value of Scripture (Ligonier article)
If a believer dislikes a passage after understanding it, the issue is likely with the believer's own life and needs change, not with the Bible.
If, in fact, I do understand the passage and still don't like it, this is not an indication there is something wrong with the Bible. It's an indication that something is wrong with me, something that needs to change.
Source: The Value of Scripture (Ligonier article)
The church has a biblical mandate to engage in prophetic criticism, confronting both the state and other churches when moral issues are at stake.
In these and other examples from sacred Scripture, we see representatives of the church not trying to become the state but offering prophetic criticism to the state—despite the potential consequences.
Source: The Voice of the Church (Ligonier article)
The church, when empowered by the Holy Spirit, will shine as the light of the world, leading to global change.
As the church becomes the fellowship of citizens of heaven who manifest what it means to be the household of Christ, and when the church walks according to the power of the Holy Spirit—then the people of God will shine as the light of the world.
Source: What Is the Church? (Ligonier article)
Pastors often lack the authority that matches their responsibility, leading them to compromise the gospel due to fear of losing their jobs.
For the most part, they are considered hirelings by the governing boards of the local church, whether it be a board of elders, deacons, or a consistory. So that the pastor, in being subordinate to the elder board, always has to keep one eye on his supervisors before he takes the reigns to lead the flock of Christ.
Source: What Does It Mean to Be a Shepherd Over the Flock? (Ligonier article)
Christian service does not allow believers to gain merit or 'bonus points' that contribute to their salvation.
Rather, He meant that we gain no "bonus points" or merit from our service.
Source: What Does It Mean to Be an “Unprofitable Servant”? (Ligonier article)
Even in heaven, believers remain unprofitable servants, receiving rewards as a gracious distribution.
So even when we receive the rewards of heaven, we receive them as people who, in and of ourselves, are unprofitable servants.
Source: What Does It Mean to Be an “Unprofitable Servant”? (Ligonier article)
When grieving over sin, God will comfort the believer through the Holy Spirit.
Jesus assures us that when we grieve over our sin, God by His Holy Spirit will comfort us.
Source: What Does Repentance Look Like? (Ligonier article)
The double use of 'Amen' in Jesus' preface emphasizes the importance of the words that follow, and believers should respond to such statements with a double 'amen' to acknowledge truth and submit to it.
We also notice that Jesus uses the Hebrew technique of repetition by saying not merely, “Amen, I say unto you,” but “Amen, amen.” This form of repetition underlines the importance of the words that are to follow. Whenever we read in the text of Scripture our Lord giving a statement that is prefaced by the double “amen,” it is a time to pay close attention and be ready to give our response with a double amen to it.
Source: What “Amen” Means in the Bible (Ligonier article)
A personal God is necessary for salvation because impersonal forces like thunder or gravity cannot forgive sin or provide hope.
Thunder and gravity have never been able to forgive any sin.
Source: What Is God’s Name? (Ligonier article)
The Old Testament demonstrates that God used object lessons and signs to visually reinforce the certainty of His verbal promises.
God’s verbal promise was upheld by the non-verbal visible sign that accompanies it.
Source: What Is a Sacrament? (Ligonier article)
The ultimate goal of salvation is glorification, where all remnants of sin are removed, and believers will be totally sanctified and like Christ.
The Bible tells us that the end of our sanctification will be our glorification, when all vestigial remnants of sin will be removed from our character. We will be pure. No more doubt. No more fear. No more error. No more pain. No more evil. All of these things will be gone for-ever.
Source: What Is Glorification? (Ligonier article)
The New Jerusalem is a magnificent heavenly city described by John, which will be the setting for the ultimate chapter of salvation.
Finally, we read of God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth, the promise of a new Jerusalem that will descend from heaven itself. This is the capstone of the revelation that John received while exiled on the isle of Patmos:
Source: What Is Glorification? (Ligonier article)
Paul emphasizes that without love, even miraculous gifts or eloquent speech are meaningless and merely create noise.
If you don’t have love, the eloquence of your speech becomes noise. It becomes dissonance, an irritating and annoying racket.
Source: What Is Love? (Ligonier article)
The true gospel addresses the fundamental problem that God is holy and just, while humanity is sinful and will be judged.
The gospel is called the “good news” because it addresses the most serious problem that you and I have as human beings, and that problem is simply this: God is holy and He is just, and I’m not.
Source: Why Is the Gospel Called “Good News”? (Ligonier article)
The gospel's good news is that Jesus lived a life of perfect obedience and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy God's justice.
The good news of the gospel is that Jesus lived a life of perfect righteousness, of perfect obedience to God, not for His own well being but for His people. He has done for me what I couldn’t possibly do for myself. But not only has He lived that life of perfect obedience, He offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice to satisfy the justice and the righteousness of God.
Source: Why Is the Gospel Called “Good News”? (Ligonier article)
The Bible teaches that while everything that happens is working together for our good, it does not mean that every single event is good in itself.
The text does not say that everything that happens to us, considered in and of itself, is good; rather, it says that all things that happen are working together for our good.
The Bible teaches that while individual events may be bad, God is sovereignly using all things, including suffering, for the ultimate good of the believer.
The text does not say that everything that happens to us, considered in and of itself, is good; rather, it says that all things that happen are working together for our good. That is the master plan of God’s redemptive providence.
The Bible first speaks of God's providence through the narrative of Abraham's offering of Isaac, which demonstrates God's provision.
The first time we find the word providence in the Old Testament is in the narrative of Abraham’s offering of Isaac upon the altar. God called Abraham to take his son Isaac, whom he loved, to a mountain and offer him as a sacrifice.
Source: What Is Providence? (Ligonier article)
People who reject the gospel of Christ remain in their sins and are under threat of judgment.
Those who reject the gospel of Christ stay in their sins and remain unjustified.
Source: What Was the Cause of the Protestant Reformation? (Ligonier article)
People tend to seek power from non-gospel sources, such as relics or trendy church methods, instead of God's Word.
I doubt if any of us have relic collections, but some churches seek power in adding a coffee shop to their church or pursuing the latest trendy church-growth method. These things don’t have power.
Source: Where Is the Power of God? (Ligonier article)
The goal of the Reformation Study Bible was to provide a resource that accurately taught Scripture and presented the core principles of Reformed theology rediscovered during the Protestant Reformation.
We wanted a resource that, like the Geneva Bible, faithfully taught the Scriptures and presented the key tenets of Reformed theology rediscovered in the Protestant Reformation.
Source: Why a Study Bible? (Ligonier article)
Believers are expected to remain faithful and responsible to Christ's calling, even when He is not physically present.
Christ has bought us for Himself, and He has given us a task to perform whether we can physically see Him or not. May He find us faithful when He comes.
Source: Will He Find You Faithful? (Ligonier article)
Analyzing material unique to each gospel helps determine the author's intended audience and major themes.
By isolating material that is found in Matthew and only in Matthew, or isolating material that is found in Luke and only in Luke, or isolating material found in Mark and only in Mark, we get clues as to the audience to which the author was directing his information and also his major themes in the particular gospel.
Source: The Witness of Matthew (Ligonier article)
Matthew's gospel was primarily directed to a Jewish audience to demonstrate how Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.
This fact alone lends credence to the idea that Matthew was directing his gospel primarily to a Jewish audience to show how Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah, fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.
Source: The Witness of Matthew (Ligonier article)
The gospel of Matthew presents a unifying theme of the coming of God's kingdom, from Jesus' initial ministry to its final consummation.
So from the first page of Matthew to the last page, we see the unifying theme of the coming of the kingdom of God in the appearance of the king Himself, who is the Messiah of Israel and the fulfillment of the kingdom given to Judah.
Source: The Witness of Matthew (Ligonier article)
The central message of salvation in Scripture is clear enough that even a child can understand it.
On the other hand, Luther was convinced of the perspicuity of Scripture, namely, that its central message of salvation is so clear that even a child can understand it.
Source: The Word of God in the Hands of Man (Ligonier article)
Christ's ministry model dictates that the church does not withdraw from the world but instead sends believers back out with the gospel.
When Christ calls people into His kingdom, He doesn’t pull them out of the world forever. He sends them back out with the gospel.
Source: Into the World (Ligonier article)
The gospel is intended for all nations, and the church must fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples of all peoples.
His gospel is for all nations, and all of us are responsible to help fulfill the Great Commission to make disciples of all peoples (Matt. 28:18–20).
Source: Into the World (Ligonier article)
Christians must not withdraw from the public sphere, but rather view the world as God's theater of redemption.
To stay out of the public sphere, away from sinners, is never a permanent option for the Christian. I say “permanent option” because generations of believers have seen wisdom in having new Christians withdraw from the world for a season—not into monastic isolation but for a time of concentrated growth with fellow believers.
Source: Into the World (Ligonier article)
Believers must eventually engage with the world, viewing it as God's designated place for redemption and evangelism, rather than withdrawing permanently.
Upon reaching spiritual maturity, however, they must see the world as God’s theater of redemption, that place where He meets with sinners through the gospel witness of believers and calls His elect to faith.
Source: Into the World (Ligonier article)
Bearing witness to Christ is not the same thing as preaching the gospel, although it can be a preparatory step.
We tend to use the terms evangelism and witnessing interchangeably, but they are not synonymous. Any time I call attention to the person and work of Christ, I am bearing witness to Christ. But that is not the same thing as preaching the gospel.
Source: Your Testimony Is Not the Gospel (Ligonier article)
Sharing a personal testimony is merely pre-evangelism and should not be confused with the gospel itself.
But we shouldn't confuse our personal testimonies with the gospel. Sharing our personal testimonies is not evangelism. It's merely pre-evangelism, sort of a warm-up for evangelism.
Source: Your Testimony Is Not the Gospel (Ligonier article)
Evangelism occurs when the gospel is proclaimed and announced to people.
Evangelism takes place when the evangel is proclaimed and announced to people—that is the gospel.
Source: Your Testimony Is Not the Gospel (Ligonier article)
Circumcision in the Old Testament was a sign of the gospel of Jesus Christ because the heart and soul of the covenant is the promise of God to provide redemption for His people.
beloved, circumcision in the Old Testament was a sign of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Why do I say that? Because whatever else circumcision was, circumcision was the sign of the covenant, and the heart and soul of the covenant is the promise of God to provide redemption for His people
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:35
When Paul speaks of the unbelieving spouse being sanctified, it means they are set apart, not that they are saved.
So that when Paul says "the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the believing husband, or the unbelieving husband is, pa, pa, pa, pa," means that they are set apart, not that they are saved.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 32:36
The sign of the promise of God can be given before the exercise of faith, as demonstrated by the sign given to Abraham and Isaac.
Exhibit A, the sign that was given to Abraham after he had faith, to Isaac before he has faith.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 37:55
The debate between semi-Pelagianism and Augustinianism centers on man's ability to respond to the gospel in his fallen state.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
And so you can see at the outset that the debate has its roots in the question of man's ability to respond to the gospel in his fallen state.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 13:53
As Christians, believers are called to be passionately involved in life's affairs and should not merely stand back as detached observers.
And what Kierkegaard was calling us to was that, particularly as Christians, we are called to be passionately involved in the affairs of life; we cannot afford, as Christians, to stand back on the fringes and merely be observers.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:08
Love and joy are inseparably related, meaning one cannot exist without the other.
Just as love is inseparably related to faith, so love is inseparably related to joy. You can’t have love and not have joy at the same time.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:33
The New Testament fundamentally connects history and redemption, making the historical dimension of the faith nonnegotiable.
You can't find that in the New Testament; the New Testament marries history and redemption. I've heard theologians say that the Bible is not normal history; the Bible's redemptive history.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:30
God's choices regarding salvation are always made with the understanding that humanity is fallen and in need of salvation.
God only chooses fallen sinners for salvation. All of God's choices about salvation presuppose the need for salvation; otherwise there'd never be any such thing as election.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:35
Paul's teaching clarifies that the dependency for salvation rests solely with God, not with the individual.
This is not based upon the one who wills or upon the one who runs, but upon God. There's where the dependency is.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:29
The gospel teaches that in the presence of a holy God, unjust people can be justified by the fact that God offers the holiness of His Son as a covering for sin.
we might understand that in the presence of a holy God that how we, who are unjust may be justified, is by the fact that God, in His holiness, without negotiating His holiness, has offered us the holiness of His Son as a covering for our sin that whoever believes on Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 27:42
The term 'evangelical' was coined by the Reformers because they believed that embracing the doctrine of justification by faith alone meant they were recovering the Gospel.
At the time of the Reformation is when the term or label evangelical was coined, and it was coined by the Reformers because they believed that with the doctrine of justification by faith alone they were recovering the evangel or the Gospel of the New Testament.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:25
Jesus repeatedly found the disciples sleeping and warned them about the approaching betrayal.
Are you still sleeping and resting? That’s enough. Behold the hour has come. The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise. Get up. Let’s get going. See my betrayer is at hand
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:05
The biblical accounts of miracles should be interpreted as historical narratives, not as symbolic moral lessons.
those people knew very well that the literary form in which those texts come to us were not symbolic moralisms but that it was presented to us in a genre of historical narrative.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:02
Justification is the act by which God declares sinners to be just in His sight.
Again, to recap the term justification means that act by which God declares sinners to be just in His sight.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:11
Liberal theology attempts to substitute biblical Christianity with a focus on social agendas and ethical issues, neglecting personal redemption.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
And so, they tried to substitute for biblical Christianity, this 19th century concept of the universal fatherhood of God and the social agenda program. It's not that the Christian church doesn't have a social action agenda; it should. But the point was, they said all that we have left are the ethical issues to be involved with.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 32:53
The speaker observes a shift away from liberalism and a return to biblical Christianity.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
We're seeing the decline of liberalism and the reemergence of biblical Christianity.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 44:27
The current crisis is a critical struggle for the very existence of biblical Christianity.
I hope that we will understand that this crisis is a battle for nothing less than the very being of biblical Christianity.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 45:00
The Bible frequently uses the metaphor of covering to illustrate redemption, such as God covering Adam and Eve's shame after the Fall.
Indeed we recall that the very first act of redemption after Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden, they became immediately conscience of the nakedness, and they were ashamed, and so they hid themselves from the presences of God. And when God came and encountered them, and even though He rebuked them and placed His curse upon them, nevertheless, He condescended, He stooped down, and He made clothes for His embarrassed creatures. He covered their shame.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 12:40
Apart from the covering motif, the cleansing motif is another biblical metaphor used for renewal and redemption.
But the other metaphor that is used for renewal and redemption biblically apart from the covering motif is the cleansing motif.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 13:50
Humans are in trouble with God because the choices they make in their fallen condition are sinful.
We make choices. That's why we’re in trouble with God. Because the choices that we make in our fallen condition are sinful choices.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:17
He asserts that God promises to be present when the Word is preached.
He promises to be there. He promises to attend the preaching of the Word that you give. Live by that.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:23
The speaker prefers the classical interpretation of the phrase 'good will to men' in the angelic announcement, asserting it refers to God's good will.
Other translations render it somewhat differently, and say, "Peace on earth to men of good will" because there is a grammatical ambiguity here which leaves open the question of whether that good will is an expression of God's good will towards us, or whether it is God's promise to people who are extending good will to one another. I prefer the classical rendition of this, that it has reference to the good will of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:51
Jesus taught that followers should love their enemies, bless those who curse them, and do good to those who hate them.
Context: Quoting Jesus' teaching
But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your father in heaven.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 17:34
The primary gospel message involves Christ dying for sins, being buried, and being raised on the third day.
For what are those things I received, I passed on to you as of primary importance that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day, according to the scriptures.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:47
The church must rely on God's established methods for evangelism and spiritual growth rather than tailoring strategies to the preferences of the lost.
The danger is, when we ask the lost how they want to come into the kingdom of God, how they want to worship God, and how they want to hear the Word of God, and then tailor our strategy and our method to their tastes and their preferences. Friends, that's fatal.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:01
The Bible provides a guaranteed blueprint for evangelism, reaching the lost, and generating spiritual growth among believers.
Because the Bible does give us a blueprint for evangelism, it gives us a blueprint for reaching the lost, and it gives us a blueprint for generating spiritual growth among the people of God. And that blueprint is not a matter of rocket science or of Madison Avenue technology, it is a blueprint that God guarantees will not be fruitless.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:44
The Holy Spirit serves as a guarantee of God's promise to complete the believer's salvation.
We possess not a handful of dollars but the indwelling Holy Spirit of God Himself as God's promise to finish the job.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 19:02
Repentance is a central and core element of the New Testament message and the gospel call.
And so again I say that in the New Testament understanding of redemption, repentance is at the very core and center of the message.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:17
Modern evangelism often underplays or conceals the biblical mandate to repent.
And so we’ll often underplay or conceal altogether the biblical mandate to repent.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:59
Words change their meanings over time, as demonstrated by the shift in the meaning of 'cute' and the biblical concept of 'agape'.
For example, if you looked up in a good dictionary the word cute, you would see that the original meaning of the term cute in the Elizabethan English was bowlegged. And so when you say that that girl’s cute, if you mean the original sense of the term you would be saying something about her shape, namely that she looks like she spend too much time riding a horse, because she's bowlegged.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:30
The biblical concept of agape was significantly enriched by the Hebrew Scriptures when translated into Greek, giving it a deeper meaning than it previously held among the Greeks.
And then when the Greek speaking Jews translated the Hebrew Scriptures from Hebrew into Greek and tried to get one Greek word that they could use to contain all of the riches of the Old Testament concept of love, they chose the word agape. So suddenly the word agape now means a whole lot more in the Greek language after it was filled with Hebrew meaning, then it ever meant to the Greeks before Plato and Aristotle.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 17:25
Marx argued that religion is a tool used by the wealthy ruling class to control the poor by promising them a better life in the afterlife.
But the most important tool that the owner has to control the slave, that the rich have to control the poor, is the tool of religion." Because what religion does is that it promises to the poor a better life in heaven, on the other side of the Jordan.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 11:55
Most Christian communities affirm the teachings established by the ecumenical councils, specifically Nicea and Chalcedon.
Most every Christian community continues to affirm the assertions of the so-called ecumenical councils of church history, the two chief of which were the Council of Nicea in the Fourth Century and the Council of Chalcedon in the Fifth Century.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:10
Jesus' qualification of his prediction in verse 32 should not be seen as nullifying or reducing the import of his earlier, more emphatic statements.
There's no reason to see that verse 32 would nullify Jesus' broader statement earlier when He says simply, "This generation will not pass away until all of these things take place."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:06
The act of Noah's sons covering their father's nakedness is also an example of the gospel.
And as God clothes His naked creatures, so Noah's sons hide the nakedness of their father. Their father's dignity was more important to them than their own fun and their own pride. I mean, the father should not have been naked. The father should not have been drunk. Noah, who was the righteous man that God spares in the flood, was a sinner in that tent, and his sons clothed him. Again, that is the gospel.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 5:33
Christ covers sin with His righteousness, allowing the believer to stand before God unashamed.
Christ covers my sin with the cloak of His righteousness, so that in Christ I can be naked and unashamed. That's the gospel.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 27:11
Challenging theological error is an act of love, not a sign of its absence.
Contending for the truth of God is a sign of love, not the sign of the absence of love.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:54
Postmillennialists are the most optimistic view regarding the church's influence, believing that the gospel's proclamation will lead to great global blessing.
However, the postmill position of all of the positions is the one most optimistic with respect for the church's influence on society, that the influence of the church on society will be transforming and as the Great Commission succeeds there will be great blessing in the world as a result of the proclamation of the gospel and the impact of the church
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:34
Believers can find assurance and reason to rejoice in the God of salvation because they are currently in the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.
And again, if the fig tree doesn’t blossom, and if there’s no more cattle in the stalls, nevertheless, we rejoice in the God of our salvation because we are in the kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
The initial step of salvation is called the divine initiative and is brought about exclusively by the power of God.
I want to consider further what we call in theology the divine initiative, referring to that first step of salvation that is brought to pass in our lives unilaterally and exclusively by the power of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:06
The gospel is the only good news when people understand the bad news of sin and law.
The gospel's only good news when we understand the bad news. The gospel's only gospel when we first understand the law and our situation under the law.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:09
The primary reason for evangelism, even given God's sovereignty, is that God has sovereignly decreed both the end (redemption) and the means (preaching) of salvation.
The chief reason why we do evangelism, in light of the sovereignty of God is because God is sovereign, and God has not only sovereignly decreed the end, that is, the goal of the redemption of people, but He also has sovereignly decreed the means toward that end.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:43
God has chosen the foolishness of preaching as the means by which He will bring people to salvation and has commanded the church to carry out this program.
He has chosen the foolishness of preaching as the means by which He will bring people to salvation, and He has commanded His church to carry out that program of evangelism.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:06
While one may not be gifted in evangelism, every Christian is able to contribute to the sending of evangelists.
And you may not be able to be gifted in evangelism, but you're able to contribute to the sending of the evangelist.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:45
The feet of the messenger who brings good news are beautiful, and this is a prophetic observation.
And so, the prophet says, "How beautiful on the mountain are the feet of him who brings good tidings, who publishes peace."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 27:56
Righteousness is fulfilled in believers who walk according to the Spirit rather than according to the flesh.
that the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us who walk not after the flesh but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:36
The new heaven and new earth will be illuminated by the glory of God and Christ, making artificial light sources unnecessary.
the light that is generated by the glory of God and by his son will fill the holy city with light, but outside, we're told, outside the new Jerusalem will be a place of pure darkness where no light will shine
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
Despite containing vivid imagery, the main structure of the Olivet Discourse follows the normal didactic pattern found throughout the gospels.
nevertheless the main thread of this discourse follows the normal didactic pattern of literature that we find throughout the gospels.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:07
The content of the Olivet Discourse is found in all three synoptic gospels: Matthew, Mark, and Luke.
And also we see that the content of the Olivet Discourse is contained in all three of the so-called synoptic gospels, so that we have Matthew's version in Matthew 24, Mark's version in Mark 13, and Luke's version in the 21 chapter of his gospel.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:51
False Christs and prophets will appear and use signs and wonders to deceive, even the elect, so believers must be cautious.
for false Christs and false prophets will rise and show signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect, but take heed, I have told you all these things beforehand.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:12
The church father Irenaeus provided a specific reference to the apocalypse in his work, 'Against Heresies,' which is used as evidence for dating Revelation.
Now, one of the most formidable arguments for the late date of the book of Revelation comes by way of the testimony of the church father Irenaeus, who is one of the most respected fathers of antiquity, because he makes a specific reference to the apocalypse in his book, his famous book, 'Against Heresies.'
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:58
The authority of the gospel message rests solely with God, not with human insights, institutions, or ministers.
The authority for the gospel rests in the one whose announcement and message it is.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:51
Regeneration, through the Holy Spirit, grants believers a new possibility for goodness because they now desire to please God.
That as a result of our regeneration, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, because of God’s power working in us and changing the disposition of the heart, that one of the most dramatic changes that comes about through conversion is that now we have a radically new possibility for goodness.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:15
The central message of Scripture is so important that the church must take risks regarding distortions and heresies to ensure it is heard.
It is so important and so clear that we'll take the risks of all of the distortions and all of the heresies that go with that to make sure that the central message of Scripture is heard.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:17
The affirmation of Sola Scriptura led to the Bible being incorporated into the church, making the reading and preaching of Scripture central to Protestant worship.
And as a result of this affirmation of Sola Scriptura the Bible was put into the church and the reading of the Scriptures and preaching from the Scriptures became central to the liturgy and to the worship of historic Protestantism.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:30
The beginning of salvation is solely by God's grace, making it monergistic.
Sola Gratia says, "Salvation is monergistic at the beginning. Regeneration is solely the work of God's grace in your soul. Now, after he makes that change in your heart, after he changes the disposition of your soul, you come, you believe, you work for your entire Christian life in cooperation with sanctifying grace, and the rest of the Christian life is synergistic. But the beginning is by the divine initiative, and you are being rescued from the kingdom of darkness and from the state of the flesh is by God's grace and by God's grace alone."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:53
According to the prophet Micah, a godly life requires doing justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God.
And the answer that the prophet Micah delivers from the mouth of God is, “Here is what the Lord requires of you. To do justice - or righteousness - to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:50
God's steadfast mercy and loyalty (hesed) are demonstrated by purchasing us out of slavery.
The essence of hesed is found on the cross when Christ purchases us from slavery.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:40
People often misunderstand grace by confusing God's justice with His grace, leading to a belief that God owes them salvation.
And deep down underneath there, I’m really convinced that if God is just, He’ll be gracious to me, and I’ve confused justice and grace at that point.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:44
The fundamental message of Christianity is that humanity, having sinned against a holy God, requires redemption, which is ultimately achieved through the sending of Jesus Christ.
That basic message that Luther was speaking of is the basic message of redemption, the message of salvation, the message that says to us that we as human beings are created by a holy God and that after God has created us, in many ways, we have violated the trust of that creation, we have, in a word, sinned against God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:06
The essential message of the Gospel is simple enough that even children can grasp it, understanding that they were bad, God was mad, and Christ reconciled them.
my six-year-old -- my children when they were six years old understood that Jesus saved them from their sins. They didn't understand complex theories of the atonement, they didn't -- understand the complicated debates in theology, but they understood that they had been bad and God was mad and now He is glad because Christ was putting them back together.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:34
Individuals like Paul received special grace from God to open their eyes and achieve faith, which was not given to others like Caiaphas or Pilate.
Saul, is a vehement enemy of Christ, became the number one apologist of the Christian faith in all of history, but not before or until the Lord of glory gave him special grace to open his eyes, grace that God gave to Paul that he did not give to Caiaphas, that he did not give to Pontius Pilate.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 34:54
The speaker asserts that saving grace is not offered to people who are sick unto death in a hospital room.
I don't find saving grace being offered to people who are sick unto death in a hospital room.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 41:37
God's grace revitalizes humanity, making them willing and eager to pursue Christ.
But God, who is rich in mercy, quickened us, made us alive, brought us into His kingdom, not kicking and screaming against our will, because what His electing grace does is to make us willing and eager to pursue the Christ we formerly hated, to love the Savior we formerly despised, to embrace the truth we previously ran from.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 53:04
If one proclaims and follows the biblical Christ with allegiance, they will eventually face rejection from the world.
But if you look at the biblical Christ and you proclaim the biblical Christ and you follow the biblical Christ with allegiance, you will be despised at some point by this world.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:54
The true conversion of individuals, such as Augustine, results from the correct understanding and application of the biblical text, not from mystical or superstitious twisting of the text.
Well I'll tell you what, when that happened, in that holy moment, on that special occasion when Augustine picked up the text, what converted Augustine was a correct understanding and application of the biblical text.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 14:38
Humans are often deceived into believing that happiness can only be achieved by experiencing all the desired pleasures in life.
And yet we're still deceived by the temptation that you will only be happy if you can experience all the pleasures that you want out of life.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:20
God's providence brings about redemption even through the evil intentions of wicked men.
And so there's a sense in which we see most clearly here, the concept of the providence of God Who is bringing about redemption through the evil intentions of wicked men like Judas and Caiphas and so on.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:21
Biblical prophecies foretold that the Messiah would suffer outside the camp.
The early church, the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah and of the suffering servant of the sin-bearer of the people, is one Who will suffer for the people but He will suffer outside the camp.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:40
The phrase 'gospel to all nations' may be an idiomatic expression referring to the Roman world of that day, and should not be interpreted literally as every single nation or tribe or tongue.
Now, that phrase is an idiomatic expression of the people to refer to the Roman world of the day and in that case we would not interpret it literally to mean each and every single nation or tribe or tongue.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:03
Jesus emphasizes that merely performing religious acts or knowing him is insufficient for salvation; one must be known by him in a redemptive way.
He doesn’t know them savingly. And so He says, “You are not known by Me in a redemptive way. So, I can’t hear your knocking at My door. It’s too late!”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
The proto-evangelium is the first proclamation of the gospel found in all of sacred Scripture.
So, the first proclamation of the gospel is the proto-evangel, the proto-evangel, the first proclamation of the gospel in all of sacred Scripture.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 14:31
Christian redemption involves a transformation to a new paradise where sin, death, and pain are permanently eliminated.
The rest of Scripture tells about not simply the restoration of paradise, but the redemption of paradise, so that what we have as Christians is not merely paradise regained. It's not like we get a second chance to go back there and be a restored state of innocence and have to go through the trial again, but we go to a paradise where the new Adam has prevailed and death is no more and pain is no more because sin is no more.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 27:02
God's promise is that in heaven, He will wipe away all tears, meaning weeping will cease forever.
The Bible says that in heaven, God is going to wipe away our tears. And when God wipes away our tears, it’s the end of tears. We will never weep again from grief or sorrow or sadness.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:31
If God uses all our proximate miseries and tragedies for good, then ultimately, those experiences are good.
If ultimately all of these proximate miseries and tragedies and griefs and sufferings and bad things that we experience are taking place, if ultimately God is using these things to bring them about for good, then QED, ladies and gentlemen. Ultimately, it is good that they have happened to us.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:24
True love must transcend the cynical view that happiness comes from winning or losing, and instead rejoices in the prosperity of others.
But that's a somewhat cynical view of the matter, and love is to transcend that, as we are to rejoice with each other's prosperity and successes.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 14:50
True love rejoices in the truth, not in sin.
"Love does not rejoice in iniquity but rejoices in the truth." You know, Paul tells us in Romans one that our sin as human beings is not only that we commit sins, but we encourage other people to join us, and we rejoice when we see sins being committed, because it somehow excuses us. True love rejoices in the truth not in iniquity.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 20:55
God had a plan of redemption from all eternity, even before the creation of the world.
And God, before the creation, knew about the fall, and he knew that he was going to execute a plan of redemption. So from all eternity, God has had a plan of redemption.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:08
True understanding of the gospel requires loving God for His inherent being, rather than for the benefits He provides.
Until your love for God is a love for who He is rather than for the benefits that you receive from His hand, you haven’t understood the gospel.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:08
While salvation is received by faith in Christ, God subsequently calls believers to actively work toward holiness.
But once He has accepted us and redeemed us, He puts us to work. Now, how are we supposed to approach this work of sanctification? He says, "Work out your salvation," with what? Let me write it down, "with fear and trembling."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:47
Individuals should reflect on their life's turning points and determine if they are moving in a direction that aligns with God.
I’d like you to think back today over your life and write a list of the most crucial turning points of your life. What are those moments? What are those decisions? What are those events that turned you away from God?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
God promises that if Abraham trusts and believes in Him, he will receive descendants who will suffer for four hundred years, but God will judge the nation they serve.
You follow Me, you trust Me, you believe Me, I'm going to give you descendants, and they're going to suffer for four hundred years. But that nation whom they shall serve will I judge. And wait till you see it, Abraham.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:32
The messenger who brings good news is analogous to the runner who brings news of victory, whose feet are beautiful on the mountain.
But you can see the sparks fly from the runner on the mountain who’s bringing news of victory and of triumph and of redemption to his people. Have you ever received good news from a telegram delivery boy, opened that telegram, saw tremendous news, and wanted to throw your arms around the guy and kiss him? He didn’t have anything to do with the good news. All he did was bring it.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:13
The preacher's responsibility is to faithfully deliver the message, regardless of whether people listen or respond.
It’s my business to be faithful to the message, to preach it accurately and faithfully in season and out of season.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:45
God has multiple options regarding the fallen world, including providing no opportunity for salvation, providing an opportunity, or actively ensuring salvation.
There are basically four ways in which God can relate as a sovereign God to a fallen world. Number 1, God could decide to give no one who is fallen an opportunity for salvation.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 11:30
The Bible teaches that some people are ultimately lost and will never be redeemed.
The Bible seems to teach, I think clearly, that there are those who are lost, ultimately lost, and at the Last Judgment will be lost.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 18:35
God is not obligated to save everyone, and He does not ensure that every person in the world hears the gospel.
I know that God is under no obligation to save anybody, and I know that God does save somebody. But God is God, and God reminds His people of one crucial principle of divine sovereignty.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 24:48
God's narrative after the fall is not simply a record of sin, but a promise to rescue and redeem humanity.
But instead, He makes a promise. He makes a promise to spare, to rescue, to redeem, and to save His fallen creatures.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:08
The gospel message, or the first promise of the Redeemer, was given in Eden.
The gospel was preached in Eden, the first gospel, the first promise of the coming Redeemer.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 6:05
The speaker was ultimately convinced of a doctrine after a period of struggle, eventually accepting it through submission.
And the thing that finally turned me over to the concept—that was five years later before I submitted to it—but I had a little sign on my desk that said, “You are required to believe and to teach what the Bible says, not what you think it ought to say, or what you would like for it to say.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:18
The pursuit of God does not end upon conversion, but begins at the moment of conversion.
No, ladies and gentlemen, the beginning of seeking the kingdom of God is at our conversion. That's when we start seeking God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:16
Heresy serves a beneficial function in church history by forcing the church to define its doctrines and distinguish its truths from falsehoods.
In fact the function that heresy has in church history is that it forces the church to be precise. It forces the church to define her doctrines and to differentiate her truths from the attending falsehoods and corruptions of that truth.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:16
A good God will ensure that evil is not allowed to continue without being punished.
And a good God will not allow evil to go on unpunished.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:09
The core message of the gospel is that the God who knows a person in all their sinfulness still loves them.
I mean that's what the gospel is all about: is that the God who knows me in all of my nakedness loves me.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 21:16
God promises to be with Jacob and will not leave him until His purpose is fulfilled.
God says to Jacob, “Behold I am with you and I will keep you wherever you go. I will bring you back to this land and I will not leave you until I have done what I have spoken to you.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 18:49
The primary theological focus of the text is the message of the angels, not the physical structure of the seraphim.
What is really important about this text, as far as I'm concerned, is not the structure of the angels. It's the message of the angels.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:26
The desire to evangelize naturally stems from the personal experience of God's forgiveness and grace.
When I experience the forgiveness and the pardon of God, if I have any affection for anybody else, am I not going to want to communicate that to them?
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:21
Evangelism is fundamentally characterized as one person sharing the good news with another person.
All evangelism is one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
God's absolute promises to believers are His presence and that He will not forsake them.
What God does promise categorically, and what He does promise absolutely to us through Jesus, is His presence, “I will be with you,” and the negative, “I will not forsake you.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:08
God grants the promised land to Israel not because they earned it or deserved it, but purely out of His free mercy.
God had granted them the promised land, not because they earned it, not because they deserved it, but out of the free bounty of His mercy, He gives them the promised land.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:49
The purpose of the gospel is to tell the story of what happened, while the purpose of the epistle is to explain the meaning of that story.
in general terms, in simple terms, the purpose of the gospel is to tell us what happened, it's to tell us the story, and the purpose of the epistle is to explain to us the meaning of the story.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:56
The gospel records the event, and the epistle interprets the meaning of the event.
So another way that we could delineate the difference between gospel and epistle is this: that the gospel records the event; the epistle interprets the meaning of the event.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 3:11
The gospel and epistle accounts are interconnected, and setting them against each other is merely setting one apostle against another.
But there is an inner connection between gospel and epistle in the New Testament. You don't know anything about Jesus except what you learn from the gospel writers, and when you set Jesus against Paul, what you do is you simply set one apostle against another apostle.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 8:03
God's method of salvation, which involves Christ, is necessary because human attempts to save others are not holy.
The biggest reason why I am not God is because I am not holy. And so, the way that I would do it and the way that you would do it, is not the holy way. It’s not the way God has decided to do it.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:45
If God knew everyone from eternity, then the text implies that he would have predestined everyone, which would lead to the conclusion of universal salvation.
But if we insert into this text what is implicit and tacit in the text, namely that all whom God foreknew he predestined, and if indeed God knew everybody from eternity, then that would mean that he predestined everybody, and now the text proves more than the pressing-in folks want it to prove, because now it would prove universal salvation, or universal predestination, which is clearly in opposition to the teaching of sacred Scripture.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:14
The biblical text indicates that the call of the gospel is not merely an external call, but rather an internal call.
The fact that all who are called in the sense that Paul is speaking of calling here, are in fact justified and glorified, indicates categorically that the apostle here is speaking of something other than the external call. He’s speaking of those who are called inwardly.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 18:12
Human election is presented as a direct result of God's eternal love for individuals.
That your election is a result of his eternal love for you, and here’s the supreme case of God’s loving the unlovely, and that’s what happens when he loves us.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:45
God redeems people when they are still dirty and imperfect, viewing them as a 'brand snatched from the fire.'
So that when God redeems you, when God rescues you and pulls you out of the flames, He gets His hands dirty; and when He rescues you you are a brand snatched from the fire.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 13:04
The core of the gospel is that while humans are still filthy, they are given the righteousness of Christ's cloak to be accepted by God.
That’s the gospel, isn’t it – that while we are still filthy we are given the cloak of the righteousness of Christ, to be received in the fellowship with God so that every Christian is a brand snatched from the fire;
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 13:32
After God redeems a person, He replaces their dirty garments of sin with clean garments of righteousness.
God goes through the process of replacing those dirty garments with clean garments, and He promises to do the same thing for every one of you – to put a new turban on your head, a new cloak on your body that is free of all of those blemishes.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:34
It is both possible and a duty for a Christian to know their status of redemption before God.
Now I take the position that not only you can know if you are in the state of redemption, but it is your duty to know because God commands us to make certain what our status is before Him, and i personally believe, ladies and gentlemen, that one of the most important doctrines that a Christian can learn, and learn early, in his walk is the doctrine of the assurance of salvation.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:53
The speaker finds assurance of salvation in the Word of God, knowing that their soul belongs to God and will remain with Him forever.
Yes, I have Thine own Word to assure me of it. My soul belongs to Thee, and will abide with Thee forever! Oh, Amen.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 30:51
The doctrine of the gospel is foundational to the Church's existence and must not be compromised.
That's the article upon which the Church stands or falls. Look, I won't stand at any Diet of Worms, I won't debate with any Cardinal Cajetan. I won't fuss with Martin Eck. I will never defy the pope over minor matters of theology, but this is the article upon which the Church stands or falls.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 46:03
The meaning of words like 'salvation,' 'justification,' and 'sanctification' must be determined by the context of the Scripture, not by assuming a full doctrinal meaning.
There's a different meaning to the term, "sanctification." This is where we need our Bible dictionaries and our Bible handbooks so that we can understand that certain words like salvation, justification, sanctification -- even the word "lord."
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 23:16
Jesus stated that the disciples would not complete their missionary outreach across all of Israel until the Son of Man came.
You shall not have gone over all the cities of Israel till the Son of Man be come.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 12:03
Preaching that God loves people unconditionally leads nonbelievers to believe they do not need to repent or seek salvation.
He hears this: “Well, God loves me just as I am. I don’t have to repent of my sins. I don’t need a savior. I don’t have to worry about going to hell because a God who loves everybody unconditionally won’t ever send anybody to hell. So, I can keep on living a hellish life just as I am and never worry again about offending God because He cannot be offended, so unconditional is His love.”
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:09
The prophet Malachi charges the people of Israel with the sin of committing robbery against God.
Malachi comes, and the charge that he brings to the people is the charge of committing robbery against God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 16:51
The novel Moby Dick is a deeply theological work, with the white whale representing God.
What makes it so great is its richness in symbolism, for at its depth dimension Moby Dick is an intensely theological work. The white whale, the albino whale that is the focal point of this obsession of Captain Ahab represents God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:27
God stands ready to forgive completely if we come to Him and humble ourselves, promising that sins as scarlet can be made white as snow.
God has made a commitment to you that He stands ready to forgive you totally and completely if you will but come to Him and humble yourself before Him though your sins be as scarlet, they may be purged with hyssop as they are like crimson, you can be as white as snow.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 28:35
David promises to use his voice to praise God for his mercy and salvation after being delivered from his guilt.
Here David promises to use his voice, which is obviously accomplished, as he was a musician, to praise the mercy and the love of God and to praise God for being the God of his salvation and the God who would deliver him from his guilt.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 4:05
The speaker identifies three specific Greek words for love: 'eros', 'philein', and 'agape'.
The first one is the noun 'eros', the second is a noun that comes from the verb 'philein', or philein, and the third is the noun that most have heard of, 'agape'.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 1:07
The speaker found great delight in reading the Scriptures and discussing the things of God after his conversion.
It was utter sweetness to me, and I had great delight in reading the Scriptures and talking to people about the things of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:56
He believes that a healthy evangelical church must become solidly Reformed, emphasizing biblical Christianity and the concept of a sovereign God, because unreformed Christianity has failed.
I'm tired of pussyfooting, because I don't think we're ever going to see a healthy evangelical church until the evangelical church is Reformed, solidly Reformed, where it takes seriously biblical Christianity and its concept of a sovereign God. Because unreformed Christianity has failed in our culture.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 22:25
The greatest weakness in modern evangelicalism is that it fails to understand the character of God, leading to a belief that one does not need to believe in Christ's lordship to be saved.
The greatest weakness, I'm convinced, in the evangelical, and the evangelical church today, ladies and gentlemen, is sick, sicker than it's ever been in my judgment. It's an honest judgment. If I didn't believe it, I wouldn't be speaking so strongly about it. It's in the evangelical world that people are saying that you don't have to believe in Christ's lordship to be saved, that you can be carnal in your life and still be a Christian.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 25:41
The text in II Peter 3:9 is often used to argue that God desires the salvation of all people.
But beloved do not forget this one thing that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slack concerning His promise as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 7:38
Some theologians argue that God provides the means for salvation to all, but the final effect depends on human response, and God does not sovereignly bring people to faith.
Context: Describing the view of a friend/other theologian, not his own.
He's provided an atonement in Christ and has provided an offer of the benefits of that atonement to all who believe, but in the final analysis whether the atonement of Christ affects their salvation rests upon some kind of human response and God will not intervene to in any way sovereignly bring a person to faith in Jesus Christ.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 9:01
The authority and purpose of any missionary or preacher must be rooted in personal experience of God's forgiveness.
The only justification for any missionary's mission, for any preacher's preaching is that that person has experienced the forgiveness of God.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 30:10
God's redemption plan ensures that He remains both just and the justifier, meaning He never compromises His righteousness.
God remains both just and the justifier -- that in our redemption, in our salvation God never ever, ever, ever, compromises His righteousness.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 9:59
David's allusion to the drought is contrasted with the metaphor of the flood.
And I just mentioned a few moments ago, David's allusion to the drought in the dessert and I mentioned that these great "wadis" were there and that they were caused by the flashfloods that rained twice a year in the dessert; and when it would rain the water would come pouring off the mountainsides, and you would have these flashfloods.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:49
The apostles testified to what they had personally seen with their eyes and heard with their ears.
And then Peter says you know my blood brother – we don’t declare unto you cleverly devised myths or fables, but we declare unto you what we have seen with our eyes and have heard with our ears.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 10:06
Blind faith, which negates the senses, is not what the Bible calls for; instead, the Bible calls for moving from darkness into light.
What does blind faith mean? But a faith that has its eyes shut. A faith that can’t see anything. A faith that’s negating the senses. Or the leap of faith, which is – has been glamorized and romanticized in our age, that it’s something virtuous to plunge into irrationality. And that the more irrational you are, somehow the more heroic in belief that you are. But the Bible nowhere calls you to take a leap into darkness. In fact the Bible tells you to leap out of the darkness, and come to the light.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 15:06
The common contemporary understanding of John 3:16, which suggests God saves everybody, is incorrect.
According to contemporary understandings of John 3:16, God so loved the world that He gave Christ and saves everybody in the world. People draw from this text, a doctrine of universal salvation that God loves the world so much, He saves everybody, but obviously that's not what the text says.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 0:00
God must intervene through His grace to rescue humanity from spiritual death and bondage by giving the gift of faith and causing a spiritual resurrection.
God has to intervene, and in His grace He must rescue us from spiritual death and the other metaphor spiritual bondage. He has to give us the gift of faith by creating a spiritual resurrection in the heart and in the soul.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 21:31
A man-centered view of salvation incorrectly suggests that man contributes to the glory of salvation, which belongs only to God.
And this we call an “anthropocentric” view of salvation, or a man-centered view, where man gets at least some of the glory, which glory belongs to God and to God alone.
Source: R.C. Sproul @ 2:41
Prophets used oracles, which were two types—woe and weal—to communicate God's message.
Oracles from God were of two types: the oracle of woe and the oracle of weal. The oracle of woe communicated an announcement of God’s wrath, and the oracle of weal pronounced God’s good news upon His people.
Source: Abraham Justified Before Circumcision (Ligonier)
A sign points beyond itself to the promise it represents, much like the rainbow points to God's promise after the flood.
No, a sign points beyond itself. The sign of circumcision pointed beyond itself to the promise of God, to the covenant promise that God made with His people.
Source: Abraham Justified Before Circumcision (Ligonier)
The speaker notes that Abraham's righteousness was counted by God simply because he believed the promise.
Rather, he was counted just by God simply on the basis that he believed the promise.
Source: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
The speaker quotes James to present the argument that faith without works is dead.
Context: Quoting James 2:26
Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
Source: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
A person cannot share a unity of faith in the gospel with others if they do not believe the same gospel.
I know I don’t have a unity of faith with people who deny justification by faith alone and preach a different gospel from the biblical gospel. I can be friends with them. I can have a unity in concerns about abortion and a host of other things, but not in the gospel, because we don’t believe the same gospel.
Source: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
Human beings cannot earn the righteousness needed for salvation; it is received solely by grace.
There is no way that we could conceivably earn it. We know that all we receive from You is not from debt but from grace, for which we will be eternally grateful.
Source: Abraham Justified by Faith (Ligonier)
Luke is unique among the gospel writers for starting his account with the angel Gabriel's announcement to Zacharias regarding John the Baptist's impending birth.
Of all the gospel writers, Luke is the only one who starts at this point and gives us this information regarding the impending birth of John the Baptist.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Angels play a significant and recurring role in biblical accounts, appearing at major events like the annunciation, the birth, the resurrection, and the ascension of Christ.
This is not simply a peripheral matter for the biblical accounts we have, for angels play a significant role throughout the New Testament, not only here with the annunciation to Zacharias, but shortly thereafter, the annunciation by the same angel to Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 2) (Ligonier)
When confronted with the announcement of a miraculous birth, Zacharias struggled with his faith by questioning the angel.
Suddenly, Zacharias struggles with his faith, and he says to the angel, “I am an old man.”
Source: The Angel & Zacharias (Part 3) (Ligonier)
The angel's greeting to Mary, 'Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!' is noted to be similar to words found in the rosary.
When the angel came to Mary, he greeted her with these somewhat strange words: “Rejoice, highly favored one, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women!” Those of you from a Roman Catholic background may immediately notice these words as being familiar, as they are part of the rosary.
Source: The Annunciation (Ligonier)
After Jesus' departure, the disciples were commanded to wait in Jerusalem for the promise of the Father, which is the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
Source: The Ascension (Ligonier)
Jesus instructed the disciples that their immediate focus should be waiting for the promise of God rather than engaging in evangelism or caring for the needy.
What I want you to do right now is not to run out onto the highways and the byways engaged in evangelism. I don’t want you to take care of the orphans and the widows this week. Rather, for a short time, wait. You need to wait for the promise of God, which you have heard from Me. For John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.
Source: The Ascension (Ligonier)
Christ will return in glory, just as He departed, and believers should be ready to fulfill the Great Commission.
This same Jesus, who is departed from you before your very eye today, will return in the same manner as He departed. He will return in glory. In the meantime, it’s time to go to work, fulfilling the Great Commission.
Source: The Ascension (Ligonier)
Persistence in prayer will eventually lead to a positive outcome, even if the initial response is negative.
Even if your friend were reluctant to get up and answer your request, for no other reason even apart from your friendship, by your persistence he will be annoyed enough to put an end to it and get up and give you whatever you need.
Source: Asking & Knocking (Ligonier)
Humans are saved only through the name of Jesus, who is the second Adam and the only one who can help those who have sinned.
The new Adam, the second Adam, is the only One who can help you if you have ever sinned. There’s no other name under heaven through which men may be saved but the name of Jesus.
Source: The Baptism of Jesus (Ligonier)
Anyone who preaches a gospel different from what was originally received is condemned and should be accursed.
As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.
Source: Bearing Others' Burdens (Ligonier)
Oracles of weal were good pronouncements from God, typically prefaced by the word 'blessed.'
Today, we are going to look at the first portion, which includes the oracles of weal. Those oracles were good pronouncements from God, usually prefaced by the word “blessed.”
Source: The Beatitudes (Ligonier)
Translators who attempt to modernize Scripture by changing 'blessed' to 'happy' are making a theological error.
One of my pet peeves is when modern translators attempt to contemporize the ancient language of Scripture by translating it in such a way as to bring it up to date, and when they come to the Beatitudes, they say, “Happy are those” instead of “Blessed are those.” That is a travesty to the biblical understanding of blessedness.
Source: The Beatitudes (Ligonier)
Because of God's gifts, believers will not suffer from poverty in any ultimate sense.
so none of us in any ultimate sense will suffer from poverty, because we have the richness of the pearl of great price.
Source: The Beatitudes (Ligonier)
God expects believers to manifest a love that is genuine, sincere, and authentic, not a pretense.
The love that we are to manifest is to be a love that is genuine, sincere, and authentic.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Christians are commanded to hate evil and to embrace and cling to what is good.
The Christian is to hate evil and to embrace and hang onto with all his might that which is good.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The speaker prays for the congregation to receive a love modeled by Jesus and the apostles, specifically mentioning the ability to rejoice and mourn with others.
Father, give us this kind of love that was modeled by Jesus, modeled by the Apostle, and modeled by the great saints of the ages. We do not have the kind of love that blesses those who persecute us yet. But we thank You for softening the hardness of our hearts and giving us a greater capacity to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Christians should maintain a reputation for good things in the eyes of all people, even unbelievers.
Have regard for good things in the sight of all men”—that is, people are watching you, and they know of you.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The Christian life's strategy for overcoming evil is to use good, rather than engaging in evil.
With everything that is in us, we are to overcome evil, not with evil, but with good.
Source: Behave Like a Christian (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The reason Zacharias blesses God is because God has visited and redeemed His people, raising up a horn of salvation.
The reason he is blessing God is because God has visited and redeemed His people. He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Divine visitation, or providence, can result in either redemptive blessings or severe judgment, depending on the state of God's people.
Those visits can be either wonderful and redemptive or tragic as they bring His judgment. The people of God in the Old Testament looked forward to the promised day of the Lord.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The primary mission of Jesus and John was to inform people and give them knowledge, specifically the knowledge of salvation.
Jesus’ earthly ministry, however, just like John’s, began with preaching, with proclamation, with the announcement of the gospel. Early on, the gospel wasn’t called the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was called the gospel of the kingdom of God.
Source: The Benedictus (Part 3) (Ligonier)
The knowledge of salvation is a profound, defining, and life-changing experience.
I got my first knowledge of salvation, and then I went to my college dormitory room, walked in the room, turned out the light, got on my knees before the bed, and the only thing I could say was, “God, forgive me of my sins.”
Source: The Benedictus (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Judas was condemned from the beginning and never genuinely converted or saved.
No, he was the son of perdition from the beginning, as the Scriptures told us.
Source: Betrayed (Ligonier)
He warns that Christians can betray Jesus by failing to keep His commandments or by seeking escape from the scandal of the cross.
You and I know that there are a thousand ways in which we have betrayed Jesus by not keeping His commandments; by not willingly participating in His suffering, affliction, and humiliation; by seeking escape from the scandal that is the stone of stumbling to the world in Jesus.
Source: Betrayed (Ligonier)
The biblical text, specifically Luke's account, is presented as sober history, not a fairytale.
This story does not begin with the words, “Once upon a time,” because this is no fairytale. This is sober history, announcing the entrance into this world of our Savior.
Source: The Birth of Jesus (Ligonier)
Unlike Nietzsche's view that life is meaningless, Jesus provides a reason for living with good cheer: because He overcame the world.
Life is meaningless—no! Be of good cheer. This is not dialectical joy. He gave a reason for that command. “Be of good cheer,” Jesus said, “for I have overcome the world.”
Source: The Birth of Jesus (Ligonier)
The shepherds did not merely live good lives by example, but actively spread the message they witnessed.
They didn’t just try to live a good life after that and have people come up to them and say, “What’s changed you from a sin-blistered soul into a valorous saint?” They didn’t just do evangelism by example. They opened their mouths. They told everyone what they heard and what they saw, and everyone who heard it marveled at the things that were told them by the shepherds.
Source: The Birth of Jesus (Ligonier)
The Christian life involves a deep community where believers are called to share in each other's joys and sorrows.
Beloved, this is the communion of saints. This is what it’s all about in the community of people who believe and put their trust in God. The Word of God tells us that as Christians in the communion of saints, we are to weep with those who weep and to rejoice with those who rejoice so that your joy is my joy, my joy is your joy, and your sorrow is my sorrow—it is our sorrow.
Source: The Birth of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The Bible provides truth and hope, which in turn give us comfort, peace, and strength for life's challenges.
Context: Part of a prayer/invocation.
For in your Word, we find truth, and in that truth, we find hope, and in that hope, we find comfort, peace, and strength for everything that comes to us in this world.
Source: The Birth of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Luke may have used the literary technique of ellipsis when stating 'Blessed are the poor' because he did not include the qualifier regarding spiritual state that Matthew used.
Luke may have been using this technique when he said, “Blessed are those who are hungry” because he didn’t include Matthew’s implication that Jesus was talking about a hunger and thirst for righteousness.
Source: Blessings & Curses (Ligonier)
Jesus's benediction is not a universal promise for anyone who is unhappy or grieving, but specifically for the people of God.
He was not saying that anybody who is unhappy or stricken with grief will go to heaven. It is not a universal promise. The elliptical sense of the text is that He is speaking to the people of God—the people who have suffered for the kingdom of God, who are hungry for the kingdom of God, and who weep for the kingdom of God.
Source: Blessings & Curses (Ligonier)
Wealth itself is not inherently evil, and Scripture provides many examples of wealthy people who received God's blessing.
The Bible says things about the rich that are scary to the rich, but it contains no absolute condemnation of the rich. It does not say that there is something inherently evil about being wealthy.
Source: Blessings & Curses (Ligonier)
Jesus repeatedly informed his disciples about the suffering, mocking, and eventual resurrection that would fulfill the prophecies concerning the Son of Man.
Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things that are written by the prophets concerning the Son of Man will be accomplished. For He will be delivered to the Gentiles and will be mocked and insulted and spit upon. They will scourge Him and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.
Source: The Blind Man (Ligonier)
The disciples failed to understand the prophecies Jesus told them, and this lack of understanding was attributed to the message being hidden from them.
But they understood none of these things; this saying was hidden from them, and they did not know the things which were spoken.
Source: The Blind Man (Ligonier)
Jesus told the disciples about future events so that they might understand them after the events had taken place, and also for the edification of later readers.
The only possible answer would be that they may understand after the facts had taken place, and in addition, for our edification as we read of these events two thousand years later.
Source: The Blind Man (Ligonier)
To live as faithful Christians, one must be rooted and grounded in the Apostolic Word.
If we are going to live as faithful Christians, we must be rooted and grounded in the Apostolic Word.
Source: Build on the Rock (Ligonier)
Jesus came specifically to seek and save the lost, targeting sinners rather than the righteous.
I’m the Son of Man, and I’ve come to seek and save the lost. I found one of those lost people at that table, sitting along the toll road by the Sea of Galilee. I asked him to join My group, and he left everything to follow Me. I came for Matthew. I came for tax collectors. I came for prostitutes. I came for the people of the land, the dirty people.
Source: The Call of Levi (Ligonier)
The ultimate goal of both the Old Testament rescue (Exodus) and the New Testament redemption (Christ's work) is for people to worship God.
Moses was commanded to say to Pharaoh, “Let My people go, so that”—that is, for the purpose of—“they may come to My mountain and worship Me there.”
Source: The Calming of the Storm (Ligonier)
Paul's teaching method involves referencing the Old Testament, specifically the promises made to Abraham and the exodus, to draw parallels to current events.
I have said before that when Paul comes into the synagogue, his approach is to reach back into the pages of the Old Testament, back to the promises God made to Abraham and to the exodus led by Moses.
Source: Christ and David (Ligonier)
Human effort alone cannot bring people to Christ; salvation requires the empowering work of the Holy Spirit.
Unless God the Holy Spirit empowers the word of preaching, unless God the Holy Spirit empowers the outreach of evangelism, no one will ever come to Christ.
Source: Christ in Our Place (Ligonier)
Only believers who belong to Christ, not all people, will go to heaven.
Only believers, those who belong to Christ, go to heaven.
Source: Christ in Our Place (Ligonier)
The biblical understanding of God's unconditional love is not that it means God loves people regardless of their actions, but rather that it is a love reserved for believers and is demonstrated through Christ's sacrifice.
Only the believer receives God’s love of complacency, and that is because of Christ, not because of anything in us. We receive God’s love of complacency because God gives gifts to His Son. From all eternity God loves His Son, and from all eternity He plans to give a portion of humanity to His Son, that His Son might be the firstborn of many brethren. He loves His Son with a love of complacency, and He demonstrates that love of complacency for us in that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
Source: Christ in Our Place (Ligonier)
The existence of God's wrath is necessary for the gospel and Christ's work to be required.
If there is no wrath in God, there is no need for the gospel. If there is no wrath in God, there is no need for Christ.
Source: Christ in Our Place (Ligonier)
The speaker expresses gratitude for God's love, which demonstrated sending His Son to save humanity despite their unrighteousness.
Context: This is part of a prayer, reflecting the speaker's understanding of God's attributes.
We cannot begin to plumb the depths and the riches of the love of complacency that You have demonstrated to us who are neither righteous nor good, yet You sent Your Son while we were without strength to die for us.
Source: Christ in Our Place (Ligonier)
Even the greetings included in Paul's letters can provide valuable lessons for the spiritual life.
Even in these greetings, I trust that we can learn something of value for our souls
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
Those who teach false doctrine deceive the simple using smooth words and flattering speech.
He says that they “by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.”
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
The Apostle Paul reminds the recipients that God is the one who is able to establish believers according to the gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.
In this benediction, the Apostle reminds the people at Rome who it is who is able to make that happen. “Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ.”
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
The ultimate goal of the Christian life and the message of the gospel is that all glory belongs to God alone.
The final portion of the benediction in the final line of Paul’s epistle repeats the quintessence of the message he has labored to communicate throughout this epistle: the principle of Sola Deo Gloria . To God—and to God alone—is the glory: “To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
The core message Paul communicates is that all glory belongs to God alone.
To God—and to God alone—is the glory: “To God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen.”
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
The gospel, which was revealed in Romans, continues to manifest itself despite heresies and persecutions.
Despite all heresies, despite persecutions and distortions, the gospel that was revealed here in Romans keeps manifesting itself by the wisdom, power, and establishment of God, who alone receives the glory.
Source: Conclusion (Ligonier)
The gospel message must include both the cross and the resurrection of Christ, as these are essential elements.
The cross of Christ and the resurrection are essential elements of the gospel, so without them, you do not have the biblical gospel.
Source: Cornelius' Household (Ligonier)
Paul rhetorically asks if believers should continue sinning just because grace is abundant, and the answer is a strong denial.
Paul, knowing this kind of thinking, says: “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?”
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The gospel teaches that true faith in Christ makes works of obedience inevitable and immediate.
The gospel teaches us that if you have true faith in Jesus Christ, works of obedience are not only inevitable, but immediate, because a justified person is a changed person.
Source: Dead to Sin, Alive to God (Part 1) (Ligonier)
By lifting our eyes to the cross and resurrection, we realize that God embraces and adopts us as His children because He has been reconciled to us.
But if we lift our eyes to the cross and the resurrection, we see that the Lord God omnipotent, who is too holy to even look at us in our sinfulness, now not only looks at us but embraces us and adopts us as His children because He has been reconciled to us.
Source: Death in Adam, Life in Christ (Ligonier)
Rejecting the principle of representation, whether in Adam or Christ, means rejecting the only hope of salvation.
For the Christian who does not like that and objects to having a representative in the fall, saying that it is never appropriate for God to accept the representation of one person for another, if you want to hold to that principle consistently, then you must not only reject any identification between you and Adam, but you would have to reject equally any representation of you by Christ. The principle of representation is at the very heart and soul of our salvation.
Source: Death in Adam, Life in Christ (Ligonier)
Christ, as the new Adam, perfectly represented believers to God and provided the joy of salvation.
Context: Prayer/Theologian's reflection on Christ's work
So, we look to Him, O God, the new Adam, who has represented us perfectly to You and given us the joy of our salvation.
Source: Death in Adam, Life in Christ (Ligonier)
Unlike the fate of the king, the gospel flourished and was not consumed by judgment.
The worms did not eat the gospel; they ate the king—and the gospel flourished.
Source: The Death of Herod (Ligonier)
Christ came not to destroy people, but rather to save them, and believers should point others to Him as their Savior.
Context: Quoting Jesus' rebuke of James and John.
Don’t you know that the Son of Man came not to destroy people, but to save them? I have not come to be Jesus Christ the Destroyer, but Jesus Christ the Savior. James and John, I want you to point people to Me as their Savior.
Source: Discipleship (Ligonier)
The speaker recognizes that he and his friends are sinners, and his natural concerns tend to favor those who are sinful.
I realized that I am a sinner. All my friends are sinners. Everybody that I love is a sinner. I have so much more in common with sinners than with God in His perfection and holiness.
Source: The Dividing Christ (Ligonier)
Without the imputation of Christ's righteousness, there is no good news left in the gospel, as the speaker would be left on their own.
Take away the imputation of my Savior’s righteousness to my account, and there is no good news left to the gospel. I am on my own.
Source: The Doctrine of Imputation (Ligonier)
Fear is overcome by knowing that Christ is constantly present with the believer.
If I knew with full assurance every second of my life that Jesus was right next to me, what would I be afraid of? Why would I be afraid of anything? How could you be afraid of anything if you knew the Lord was standing right beside you?
Source: The End of Anxiety (Ligonier)
God uses the power of the gospel and the Holy Ghost to bring those whom He has appointed to faith.
But as Paul preached, God used the power of the gospel and joined with it the power of the Holy Ghost to quicken those whom He had appointed unto faith.
Source: Eternal Appointment (Ligonier)
When the gospel was preached to Ethiopia, Philip preached Christ using the Old Testament, similar to how Jesus preached on the road to Emmaus.
Philip preached Jesus not from the New Testament, but like Jesus Himself preached to the people on the road to Emmaus from the Old Testament, Philip preached Christ.
Source: The Ethiopian Eunuch (Ligonier)
When the gospel is under attack or controversy is intense, every Christian has a duty to contend with all their might.
But where the gospel is under siege in any generation, where the controversy is hot and the truth of the gospel is at stake, every Christian is called to contend with all his might.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The speaker emphasizes that the commitment to gospel truth is more valuable than extensive academic knowledge.
John Owen said, “I would trade all of the knowledge I had if it would please your Majesty, if I could preach just once like John Bunyan.”
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The gospel provides reconciliation and ends the estrangement and war between God and man.
The good news of the gospel brings reconciliation and the end of estrangement. It is the good news that publishes peace and the good news that says the war is over. Being justified, we have peace with God.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The hope that God will fulfill all His promises is a fruit of justification.
The fruit of justification is that this kind of hope, which is the anchor for your soul, is planted in your heart.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
The hope derived from God never disappoints or embarrasses, unlike worldly hopes which are prone to failure.
But the hope that we have from God never, ever will disappoint. It will never embarrass us. We will never have to be ashamed for putting our confidence and trust in Christ.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Those who are outside of Christ are destined for disappointment and lack true hope.
If you are not in the faith, if you do not believe, if you are outside of Christ, if you are without Christ, you are without what? Hope . You are destined ultimately to disappointment.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
The hope found in God's glory and kingdom is reliable and cannot be disappointed or canceled.
But the hope that we have of the glory of God and the hope we have for the ultimate victory of His kingdom will never let us down. No one is going to cancel that reservation or let it fall between the cracks.
Source: Faith Triumphs in Trouble (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Jesus assured his followers that God cares for them deeply, comparing their value to that of sparrows.
Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.
Source: Fearing God (Ligonier)
Although salvation does not depend on good works, every believer will still be evaluated on the day of judgment regarding their obedience and profession of faith.
However, even though our entrance to Heaven is not based in any way upon our good works and our good works contribute nothing to our salvation, every one of us will be evaluated on that day according to our works.
Source: Fearing God (Ligonier)
The believer should delight in knowing that God knows them altogether, and even though He knows them altogether, He redeems them altogether.
While the pagan trembles at the rustling of a leaf and seeks to hide from the all-seeing eye of God, the believer should delight in knowing that God knows us altogether, and even though He knows us altogether, He redeems us altogether.
Source: Fearing God (Ligonier)
Sproul asserts that the Bible teaches that God abhors the wicked, contradicting the idea that God loves people unconditionally.
I cannot find anywhere in the Bible that God loves you or me unconditionally. Rather, by nature we are estranged from Him, and we are told in the Scriptures that He abhors the wicked.
Source: Fearing God (Ligonier)
Interpreting the feeding of the loaves and fishes as merely an ethical miracle is a radical misreading that diminishes the significance of the biblical text.
This understanding, of course, does radical violence to the New Testament text. It completely depletes the narrative of the significance found in the biblical text.
Source: The Feeding of the Five Thousand (Ligonier)
The core of the gospel is that sin is condemned in the cross, and Christ's righteousness is accounted to us.
Sin is condemned in the cross; our sin is accounted to Him and His righteousness is accounted to us.
Source: Free from Indwelling Sin (Ligonier)
Attempting to earn salvation through personal righteousness is a futile effort.
That is the ladder that we try to climb, the ladder of our own righteousness, so that we can come to God at the last day with something in our hand other than the cross.
Source: Freed from the Law (Ligonier)
Luke's inclusion of a genealogy tracing back to Adam suggests the gospel is intended for Gentiles as well as Jews.
Of course, one reason is to show that the gospel is not just for the Jews, but for Gentiles as well.
Source: The Genealogy of Jesus (Ligonier)
Luke portrays Jesus as a savior not only for Jews and Gentiles, but also for women.
so that Jesus is not just the Savior of the Jews, not just the Savior of the Gentiles, not just the Savior of men, He’s also the Savior of women.
Source: The Genealogy of Jesus (Ligonier)
Jesus's salvation is not limited only to the Jews but also extends to those who are later added and grafted into the original root.
We thank You that Jesus is not simply the Savior of the Jews but also of those born out of due time, who have been added on and grafted into the original root; we thank You that He is our Savior as well.
Source: The Genealogy of Jesus (Ligonier)
The imagery and symbolic content used to predict catastrophic events in biblical prophecy often include astronomical shakeups.
Almost always, the imagery and symbolic content predicting catastrophic events at the hands of God includes astronomical shakeups, such as the moon turning to dripping blood and so on.
Source: This Generation Will Not Pass Away (Ligonier)
Because God spared nothing to effect our redemption, He will not withhold anything to effect our salvation.
He has spared nothing to effect our redemption, and in His refusal to spare anything, He does not hold anything back to effect our salvation.
Source: God's Everlasting Love (Ligonier)
God gave His Son to redeem only His elect, not all of mankind.
God gave His Son to redeem His elect.
Source: God's Everlasting Love (Ligonier)
Because the judge has declared a believer righteous, all worldly slander will not affect God's final judgment.
Once the supreme, sovereign judge declares you righteous in His sight, all the slander in the world will make no impact or dent upon God’s assured, final judgment of you.
Source: God's Everlasting Love (Ligonier)
Paul taught that mere physical signs, such as circumcision or church membership, do not guarantee salvation or entrance into the kingdom of God.
Paul went on to argue that circumcision does not get you into the kingdom of God. Rather, those who are circumcised inwardly are the real children of promise.
Source: God's Judgment Defended (Ligonier)
It is wrong to believe that sinfulness can indirectly bear witness to God's glory, as this leads to continued sin.
But we begin to think: “Even my sinfulness indirectly, in some way, bears witness to God’s glory. God is glorified in my unrighteousness. So, I might as well keep being unrighteous. I will continue in sin that grace may abound.”
Source: God's Judgment Defended (Ligonier)
God does not send sin to hell; rather, He sends sinners there as their just judgment.
But God does not send sin to hell. He sends sinners there, as their just judgment.
Source: God's Judgment Defended (Ligonier)
The good news will eventually reach people who currently do not care about it, perhaps by first having them realize the severity of the bad news.
The good news is coming, and people who do not care about the good news perhaps will care if they digest the bad news first and realize what it is that our Savior has done, what He has saved us from, for, and unto, to be conformed to His image, to love the things that He loves, and to hate the things that He hates.
Source: God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness (Ligonier)
Humans, despite knowing God, fail to glorify Him or be thankful, leading to spiritual darkness.
although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Source: God’s Wrath (Ligonier)
The good news is most appreciated when understood against the backdrop of humanity's guilt and exposure to God's wrath.
I am sure the reason the Apostle introduces the wrath of God at this point is that no one can fully appreciate the good news as good news except against the backdrop of our guilt before God.
Source: God’s Wrath (Ligonier)
The Apostle introduces the wrath of God before developing the gospel theme because people need to understand their guilt before God.
But what the Apostle says here, before he develops the theme of the gospel, is that “the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.”
Source: God’s Wrath (Ligonier)
Innocent people who have never heard of Jesus do not require salvation, and missionaries should not attempt to preach to them.
The poor, innocent native in African who has never heard of Jesus does not need to hear of Jesus. He has nothing to worry about. Do not bother sending missionaries to preach to him. You will probably mess him up.
Source: God’s Wrath (Ligonier)
The gospel is the only refuge from guilt.
The only refuge from guilt is forgiveness. It is the gospel, which we will look at more later.
Source: God’s Wrath (Ligonier)
The biblical passage describes a sequence where God foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and finally glorifies individuals.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
Source: The Golden Chain (Ligonier)
The only reason for salvation found in Scripture is for Christ's sake, as demonstrated by Christ's prayer to the Father.
The only reason I can find in Scripture as to why anybody is saved is for Christ’s sake.
Source: The Golden Chain (Ligonier)
If the doctrine of the golden chain is true, then those who are justified will be glorified, meaning salvation is permanent.
Not if the golden chain is true, because all the justified will be glorified. If you are saved now, you are saved forever and ever.
Source: The Golden Chain (Ligonier)
The fig tree parable is not about botany but is a prophetic lesson intended to describe people who appear fruitful but are actually hypocritical.
Jesus used that as a prophetic object lesson, not to describe fig trees, but to describe people who give the appearance of fruit yet have no fruit.
Source: Good & Bad Fruit (Ligonier)
The term 'gospel' originates from the Greek word 'euangelion,' meaning 'good news' or 'good proclamation.'
The word gospel comes from the Greek euangelion , which means “good news” or “good proclamation.”
Source: The Gospel of the Kingdom (Ligonier)
The Kingdom of God is not limited to a geographical area but describes the realm where God saves and the society of the redeemed.
In biblical terms, however, God’s kingdom is not merely that area, that land, that geography, that realm over which He reigns and over which He rules. God reigns already over the whole world, over all things. In biblical categories, the kingdom of God doesn’t just describe that place where God rules, but it also describes preeminently that place where God saves.
Source: The Gospel of the Kingdom (Ligonier)
The King is also the High Priest who offers himself for salvation, which is a new concept compared to previous expectations.
The King is also our High Priest who offers Himself for our salvation. That is what’s new. That is what Jacob could only dream of. That is what David could only hope for.
Source: The Gospel of the Kingdom (Ligonier)
The persecution that forced the Christian community to flee from Jerusalem was a main cause of the rapid expansion of the Christian faith.
The persecution that forced the Christian community to flee from Jerusalem was one of the main causes of the rapid expansion of the Christian faith in the early church’s life.
Source: The Gospel to Samaria (Ligonier)
If one neglects salvation, there is no escape.
Now the author raises this question: How do we escape? If you neglect that salvation, beloved, there is no escape.
Source: A Great Salvation (Ligonier)
The author of Hebrews is speaking to the congregation using the word 'we,' not to pagan outsiders who are disinterested in the gospel.
He uses the word “we.” That is us. How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?
Source: A Great Salvation (Ligonier)
Neglecting the gospel or salvation suggests that a person has never been converted, meaning God has never awakened their soul from spiritual death.
If you neglect this salvation and treat it lightly, it probably means that you have never been converted, that God has never quickened or awakened your soul from spiritual death.
Source: A Great Salvation (Ligonier)
Miracles do not exist to prove the existence of God, but rather to prove and attest to the truth of those who declare the gospel.
The purpose of miracles is not to prove the existence of God; the purpose of miracles is to prove and attest to the truth of those declaring the gospel.
Source: A Great Salvation (Ligonier)
Neglecting the gospel means that one may still be failing to grasp the great salvation, even if they are regularly attending church and Sunday school.
Beloved, if you come to church every single Sunday of your life and go to Sunday school every single week of your life, you may still be neglecting this great salvation.
Source: A Great Salvation (Ligonier)
The passage in John's gospel contains the doctrine of election, stating the Father planned to save people from eternity.
Beloved, this passage in John’s gospel contains the doctrine of election on steroids. What Jesus pronounced, to the disgruntlement of some present in that day and many who read the passage in our day, was that the Father planned from all eternity to save people out of fallen humanity and give them as a gift to His beloved Son.
Source: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Ligonier)
For salvation to occur, Jesus must actively come to the individual.
If you are lost, if you do not want to stay lost, it is necessary for Jesus to come to you.
Source: Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (Ligonier)
The students who claimed Harvey was not cured because he lacked faith were wrong, as they taught that one must believe they are healed before they can be healed.
The next thing these students did was tell Harvey that he wasn’t cured of cerebral palsy because he didn’t have the faith. He needed to have faith, and then he would receive his healing. They explained that you had to believe you were healed before you could be healed.
Source: Healing of the Leper (Ligonier)
Just as Jesus needed to withdraw to the wilderness to recharge His strength after healing people, believers also need to withdraw to be alone with the Father to gain strength from the Spirit.
if it was necessary for the Lord Jesus to find strengthening and intimate power from being alone with the Father, how much more important is it for us to be before the Father, gaining strength from His Spirit?
Source: Healing of the Leper (Ligonier)
True Christian boldness involves proclaiming the gospel without fear, distinguishing it from being merely brash or offensive.
I am talking about being done with cowardliness and living the proclamation of the gospel with the boldness that characterizes a Christian who is persuaded of the resurrection of Christ, the defeat of death.
Source: Holy Boldness (Ligonier)
The speaker describes a view held by Holiness churches that posits a second work of grace, which instantly grants a victorious Christian life.
Context: Describing the view of a Holiness church member (Larry).
Larry was a member of what was called a “Holiness” church in those days, and he believed that in addition to the Spirit’s instantaneous work of regeneration in a person’s life, the Holy Spirit makes available a second work to Christians that instantly gives them the victorious Christian life, instantly filling them with the Spirit and perfecting their will and heart.
Source: The Holy Spirit to the Gentiles (Ligonier)
Pentecostals teach that the victorious Christian life is a state that some Christians possess and others do not, but it is available to all who earnestly seek it.
Pentecostals teach the idea of the victorious Christian life, which they believe some Christians have and other Christians do not. Those who do not have it can have it, since it is available to all. But, they say, it is only realized by those who earnestly seek it.
Source: The Holy Spirit to the Gentiles (Ligonier)
The speaker teaches that receiving Christ means that the Holy Spirit resides permanently in the believer's heart and soul.
If you are in Christ, and Christ is in you, then God the Holy Spirit is in your heart and soul, and you have received what was promised in the Old Testament.
Source: The Holy Spirit to the Gentiles (Ligonier)
The church is guaranteed by God that it will never perish from the world.
God gave to His people the guarantee that His church will never perish from the world.
Source: If It Is of God (Ligonier)
The assumption that unconverted people are desperately seeking God is incorrect because the Bible states that no one seeks after God in that state.
This rests on the assumption that people who are unconverted are desperately seeking after God but cannot find Him, as if He is hiding. This movement in the church wants to structure worship, teaching, preaching, and everything else to the pagan in order to help him find what he is desperately searching for but just cannot seem to uncover. Is it not a strange, foolish thing to structure worship for unbelievers seeking after God, when the Bible tells us there are none?
Source: The Indictment of the Jews and Gentiles (Ligonier)
The most successful people who do not know the gospel are ultimately futile and unprofitable in all they do.
But that is what God says is the bottom line for the richest people in the world who know not Christ, for the most successful people in the world who know not the gospel. They have become futile, unprofitable in all that they do.
Source: The Indictment of the Jews and Gentiles (Ligonier)
Paul was called to be an apostle and separated to the gospel of God through the Holy Scriptures.
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures
Source: Introduction (Ligonier)
The teaching that one can be a Christian merely by accepting Jesus as Savior, without yielding Him as Lord, is a distortion of the gospel.
The Lordship Controversy centered around those who were teaching and preaching that you can receive Jesus as Savior, but not as your Lord, and still be a Christian.
Source: Introduction (Ligonier)
True conversion requires yielding to Christ as Master, not just accepting Him as a savior.
No, those who come to the cross, who fall on their face before Jesus, who trust in His work of redemption alone also yield to Him as the Master over their lives.
Source: Introduction (Ligonier)
The gospel is simple and easily understood, requiring no advanced theological education.
Paul says that the Word of God he is preaching, that Word about justification by faith, is near you and in your mouth. He is saying that the truth he is proclaiming in this epistle and throughout his Apostolic ministry is the gospel of justification by faith alone.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The gospel is readily accessible and understood, described by the Hebrew idiom 'near to you' meaning 'within your grasp.'
Paul is saying that it does not require a Ph.D. in theology to understand the gospel. We are not gnostics who believe that the gospel can only be understood by an intellectual, elite group of scholars. No, Paul says, the gospel is “near to you.” “Near to you” is a Hebrew idiom used to say that it is “within your grasp.”
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The church is given the sacred vocation of carrying the treasure of redemption in earthly vessels.
But He has given us the most sacred vocation possible: to be those who carry this treasure in earthly vessels.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The church has a command to spread the message globally because people cannot hear about Jesus without someone telling them.
Saving faith requires data and information. That is why the church is commanded to go to every corner of the world and make that message plain and known to all people:
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The message of the gospel is recognized by the physical appearance of the messenger's feet, specifically when they are moving vigorously.
But when they looked into the distance and saw the feet of the messenger making the dust fly from the floor of the earth, they knew the message was gospel—good news.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The motivation for preaching the gospel is not merely a duty, but a blessed privilege given by God.
So, Paul answers the question: If election is true, why should we preach? It is not simply a matter of duty, but because God gives us this blessed privilege: to be those whose feet are beautiful in the eyes of those who hear and respond to the gospel.
Source: Israel Needs the Gospel (Ligonier)
The gospel is proclaimed widely, not only to Israel but also to the gentile nations.
The gospel is proclaimed widely, not only to Israel but even to the gentile nations.
Source: Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
Not everyone who hears the gospel will obey or embrace it.
The point the Apostle makes in this text is that not everyone who hears the gospel obeys the gospel—that is, not everyone who hears the gospel submits to the gospel or embraces the gospel.
Source: Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
The church should ensure that expository preaching is given every Sunday morning, making sure the text is the focus of the message.
If you ever go to another church, if you are ever on a pulpit committee, or if you are ever on the board of deacons or the session or whatever group is ruling the church, make sure that, whatever else happens, you have expository preaching every Sunday morning. Make sure the text is what you are hearing, because that is what we need.
Source: Israel Rejects the Gospel (Ligonier)
Many people who convert to Christ still struggle with the full implications of election, often adopting a semi-Pelagian view.
The vast majority of people who have come to Christ still ride the horse of semi-Pelagianism and try to find a way to escape the full implications of the doctrine of election as it is set forth in Romans 9.
Source: Israel's Rejection of Christ (Ligonier)
The speaker finds that his personal grief experiences are often related to departures from biblical truth within the church.
When I began to search my heart for my grief experiences in this world, I discovered that almost all of them were associated with departures from biblical truth that I have seen take place in the church over several decades.
Source: Israel's Rejection of Christ (Ligonier)
Martin Luther, in an essay often overlooked, affirmed the biblical principle that salvation belongs to the Jews and that the church owes a debt to Israel.
But earlier on in his ministry, Martin Luther wrote a magnificent essay on the debt that the church of Christ owes to the Jews, in which Luther pointed out the biblical principle, “Salvation is of the Jews.”
Source: Israel's Rejection of Christ (Ligonier)
Because election is a biblical truth, it must be addressed and not avoided.
Context: Quoting John Calvin's view.
On the one hand, Calvin said that because it is a biblical teaching it ought not to be neglected. It is the Word of God. It is part of the truth of God, and even though we struggle with it, we ought not, therefore, sweep it under the rug and studiously avoid it.
Source: Israel's Rejection & God's Justice (Part 2) (Ligonier)
God can use people, even those who are wicked, for His glorious plan of salvation.
I do not need to give you an explanation, Pharaoh, because when I started working on you, your heart had no righteousness at all, and so I used you. Yes, I’ve used you for My glorious, holy, merciful, and gracious plan of salvation.
Source: Israel's Rejection & God's Justice (Part 2) (Ligonier)
While the speaker is assured of salvation and not facing condemnation, he anticipates experiencing God's corrective wrath or chastisement.
I know that my justification is not on the line. I know that I will never experience condemnation at His hands, but I will—and do—experience His chastisement, His corrective wrath.
Source: Israel's Rejection & God's Justice (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Membership in the commonwealth of Israel or being an ethnic Jew does not guarantee salvation.
Just because someone is an ethnic Jew, just because he is a member of the commonwealth of Israel, does not mean that person is saved.
Source: Israel's Rejection & God's Purpose (Ligonier)
The rejection of Israel by God is not the final step in God’s plan of salvation, and a history for His people remains to be fulfilled.
In this section, we see the Apostle teaching us that the rejection of Israel by God is not the final step in God’s plan of salvation. There remains a history for His people that is yet to be fulfilled.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The Gentiles stand by faith, while the original branches were broken off due to unbelief.
Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
God's goodness and severity are demonstrated by His actions, warning that those who do not continue in faith may also be cut off.
Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness, if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
God's bringing good things out of Israel's failure means He will bring even greater blessedness through their restoration.
If God brings this good thing out of Israel’s failure, how much more blessedness will He bring through their restoration?
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The Jewish establishment is profoundly opposed to Christian evangelism and proselytism.
They are profoundly opposed to any type of proselytism.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Sproul challenges Jewish people by asking why they do not evangelize Christians if they truly believe Judaism is the truth of God.
But why don’t you evangelize us? If you believe that Judaism is the truth of God, why wouldn’t you do everything in your power to help me out of my darkness and error, to bring me into the true religion of Abraham?
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The olive tree symbolizes strength, durability, and value in the history of Israel.
In terms of the general history of Israel, the symbol of strength and durability to the Jew was the olive tree.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The wild olive tree is characterized as being worthless, having no cultivation, and bearing no fruit.
In contrast to the olive tree, which was the most valuable and durable of trees, the most worthless tree in the community was the wild olive tree—those that grew wild without any cultivation. They did not bear any fruit. They were worthless.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The speaker asserts that Israel is the root, and the Christian community is the wild olive branch grafted into it, meaning redemption originates from the Jews.
They are the root; we are the wild olive branch that is grafted into the root. That should be the deathblow to any kind of anti-Semitism, which should never be numbered among Christian people.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Paul taught that the fall of the ethnic Jews has allowed the Gentiles to be incorporated into God's family, like wild olive branches grafted into the root.
He talks about how, in the course of redemptive history, the fall of the ethnic Jews has led to the gentiles being incorporated into the family of God as wild olive branches that are grafted into the root.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 2) (Ligonier)
God's plan of redemption includes both ethnic Jews and gentiles, operating through a single agenda.
Do not make any mistake: I do not believe that God has two agendas, one for the Jew and one for the gentile. There is one agenda that incorporates both the Jew and the gentile into His kingdom.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Paul's statement that 'all Israel will be saved' does not mean every individual ethnic Jew, but rather the full complement of God's elect.
I do not believe so. But I do believe that the full complement of God’s elect from Israel will be saved.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Paul's epistle to the Romans spends eleven chapters detailing the gospel, covering topics like justification, sanctification, and adoption, and dedicating chapters 8 through 11 to election and predestination.
He introduces the concept of the gospel in the first chapter and spends eleven chapters unfolding the depths and riches of the gospel of God, including justification by faith, sanctification by the Holy Ghost’s assistance, and adoption. Then, beginning in chapter 8 through chapter 11, Paul deals with the difficult doctrines of election and predestination.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Chapter 12 marks a significant shift in the epistle's focus, moving from theological content to practical application.
At the end of chapter 11, we find a very significant transition. Chapter 12 shifts the focus from the theological content of the epistle to its practical application.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 3) (Ligonier)
God actively brings people away from sin to respond to Him, rather than waiting for them to change on their own.
But God, in His sovereign mercy and grace, does not wait for the sinner to turn or incline himself. God brings us away from our disobedience to respond to Him.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Final (Part 3) (Ligonier)
Apostasy occurs when a person who previously professed the true God renounces the faith they once held.
For someone to be an apostate, he must have at some point renounced paganism and professed the only true God. The only place apostasy can happen is in the house of God. People become apostate when they repudiate the faith that they once professed.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Total (Ligonier)
When real apostasy manifests, believers have a moral obligation to leave the apostate group and distance themselves from it.
But when real apostasy manifests itself, it is time to shake the dust off our feet and get out. But not every Christian does that.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Total (Ligonier)
Although individual parishes or denominations may fail, God will preserve His elect and His remnant throughout every generation.
Individual parishes may fall. Whole denominations may crumble. But God will preserve His elect. He will preserve His remnant in every generation. You will never be asked to stand alone in a dying world, because God has a people who cannot fail.
Source: Israel's Rejection Not Total (Ligonier)
Spiritual salvation is achieved through the inner, omnipotent call of God, which is called the effectual call.
It was the inner call of God the Holy Ghost, the omnipotent God who brought you alive from spiritual death, what we call in theology, “the effectual call of God.”
Source: Jairus' Daughter (Ligonier)
Paul suggests that his writing to the recipients is a reminder, given that they already possess deep theological knowledge and understanding.
Context: This is a summary/interpretation of Paul's implied message, but the quote itself is a direct quotation of the speaker's interpretation of Paul's intent.
What Paul is saying to the congregation who is receiving this magnum opus, the weightiest epistle to come from the pen of the Apostle, is this: “I know you already know these things. I know that you can already pass a theological exam on the doctrine of justification by faith alone. I know that you’re all Calvinists. I know that I don’t have to prove the errors of Arminianism and Pelagianism to you. You understand the doctrine of election, the providence of God, and all the things that I have set forth to you. Nevertheless, knowing that you understand these things, I have written more boldly to you on some points to remind you. This is just a reminder.”
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Christians are called to offer their lives as a living sacrifice, which is a response to the gospel.
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Paul stated that his goal was to preach the gospel, rather than building upon the foundation laid by others.
That was his aim, he said, “to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build on another man’s foundation.”
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
The gentiles understood that salvation was a blessing that originated from Israel.
Paul is saying of the gentile converts: “We know who we are. We know that we have been supremely blessed because of that which has come to us out of Israel. Salvation is of the Jews.”
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Paul expressed confidence that he would arrive in Rome in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.
He continues, “But I know that when I come to you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.”
Source: From Jerusalem to Illyricum (Ligonier)
Participation in the Lord's Supper should prompt believers to look forward to the future, specifically the marriage feast of the Lamb.
When we come to the Lord’s table, we do not just look to the past and remember what Christ accomplished for us on the cross. We do that, but we also look ahead to the future. We look to the marriage feast of the Lamb.
Source: Jesus & John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Demons possess a sound theology, knowing who Jesus is and what the truth is, even though they hate it.
One thing I could say for demons is that they have a sound theology. They know who Jesus is, what the truth is, and who God is. If one says he believes in God, it is not enough because even the demons believe and tremble (James 2:19).
Source: Jesus Meets a Demon (Ligonier)
Receiving Jesus is defined biblically as embracing Him, which is different from merely accepting or tolerating Him.
To receive Jesus is not the same as to accept Him. To accept somebody, in our modern language, is to tolerate him. To receive Him, in biblical categories, is to embrace Him.
Source: Jesus Rejected (Ligonier)
Believing 'in Christ' or 'into Christ' means welcoming, receiving, trusting, and embracing Him with one's whole heart.
When the Bible speaks of believing “in Christ” or believing “into Christ,” it means to welcome Him, to receive Him, to trust Him, to embrace Him with all your heart.
Source: Jesus Rejected (Ligonier)
Justification occurs when one puts faith in Christ, and this justification immediately results in adoption into the family of God.
When you receive Christ, it is because you put your faith in Him. Because you have faith, you are justified before God. Because of that justification, adoption into the family of God immediately comes with it, so that now you have the privilege and the authority to say, “Abba, Father.”
Source: Jesus Rejected (Ligonier)
Hearing the gospel from Jesus, especially when the Holy Spirit quickened His words, immediately made people aware of their spiritual poverty.
Any time the Lord Jesus preached the gospel, when the Holy Spirit quickened His words, everyone who heard Him knew immediately of their poverty-stricken spiritual condition.
Source: Jesus in the Synagogue (Ligonier)
Jesus' initial sermon in the synagogue was a direct fulfillment of the prophetic mission of the Messiah, which the people were aware of.
Jesus sat down, looked out at this congregation peering at Him relentlessly, and said to them, “Today, this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”
Source: Jesus in the Synagogue (Ligonier)
Jerusalem had become a secular city, causing the people to miss the peace that Jesus brought.
But Jerusalem had become a secular city, and they missed the Prince of Peace, who was riding on a donkey, coming to His own people.
Source: Jesus Weeps Over Jerusalem (Ligonier)
The unbelievers blaspheme God because of the poor example and witness given by Christians.
It is true that the gentiles, the pagans, the unbelievers, blaspheme because of us, because of the horrible example and witness that we often give them.
Source: The Jews Are as Guilty as the Gentiles (Ligonier)
Baptism and joining the church are merely outward signs of an inward spiritual reality, not means of salvation.
Baptism does not save anyone. Joining the church has never saved anyone. It is an outward sign of what God promises to do inwardly. The final analysis does not concern whether we are baptized outwardly, but whether we are baptized inwardly.
Source: The Jews Are as Guilty as the Gentiles (Ligonier)
Salvation is achieved only through the gospel, not through adherence to the law or deeds of the flesh.
By the deeds of the flesh, by the law, nobody is saved. Salvation comes only through the gospel.
Source: The Jews Are as Guilty as the Gentiles (Ligonier)
True conversion necessarily results in visible evidence, or 'fruit,' in a person's life.
true conversion always and necessarily brings forth the fruit of repentance.
Source: John Preaches (Ligonier)
A fruit of conversion is to be content with one's wages and not to complain to God when one is not prosperous.
Another fruit of conversion, as John says, is to be content with your wages. We are not always content with our wages, and when this happens, we tend to shake our fists in the face of God, saying: “God, You in Your providence have not been kind enough to us.
Source: John Preaches (Ligonier)
The office of the preacher includes prophetic criticism, which has been a consistent function throughout Scripture.
The office of preacher and the office of prophetic criticism is well-attested throughout the whole of Scripture, beginning with Moses when he told Pharaoh, “God says, ‘Let my people go,’ because what you have done in your government of Egypt is wrong.”
Source: John Preaches (Ligonier)
The Bible calls believers to be mature and knowledgeable in their discernment so they can recognize evil, flee from it, and know the good and righteous thing to do.
Throughout sacred Scripture, from the first pages of Genesis to the very end of the book of Revelation, God’s Word calls us to be mature and knowledgeable in our discernment so that we might recognize evil when it appears, flee from it, and know the good and righteous thing to do.
Source: Judge Not… (Ligonier)
When Paul says that the faith is known throughout the world, he means that the faith has gained recognition throughout the known world, particularly the Mediterranean world.
When Paul says, “I rejoice that your faith is known throughout the world,” he is talking in the way people talked at that time. He is saying, “I’m glad that throughout our known world, throughout the Mediterranean world, people everywhere are talking about your faith, which has made an impact.”
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The word 'euangelion' means a good message or good news.
But this word euangelion , which means a good message or good news, has a rich background in the Old Testament.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The speaker believes that a fervent commitment to serving Jesus Christ should be the core passion of every believer.
That should be the heartbeat of every believer.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
Paul demonstrated a deep, eager passion for preaching the gospel, even when it required great effort.
Paul is reaching down into his soul to speak of the depth of his own passion. He says: “As much as is in me, every fiber of my being is ready to preach the gospel to you. I can’t wait to get to Rome.”
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
Christians should not be ashamed of the gospel, regardless of cultural hostility.
He says: “I’m not ashamed. I glory in it. Let him who boasts boast of the Lord.”
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The accurate and passionate preaching of the gospel inevitably leads to conflict.
He had warned the people earlier that any time the gospel is preached accurately and passionately, it will bring conflict.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
People tend to diminish or hide the gospel in times of conflict, leading to its eclipse.
People flee from conflict, so every generation will tend to water down the gospel, hide the gospel, and let it be eclipsed into darkness, as it had been for the centuries before the Reformation.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The true power for salvation comes from the gospel, not from relics, human programs, or the preacher's eloquence.
His power is invested in the gospel. There is no program known to man that has the power that the gospel has.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
Once a person experiences the gospel and is delivered from the torment of the law, they will never give it up.
No wonder Luther stood against kings and officials of the church who would refuse to compromise, because once he tasted the gospel of Jesus Christ, once he was delivered from the pangs and torment of the law, nobody was going to take it from him.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The theme of the gospel is that the just shall live by faith.
You can trust Him with your life. That is the theme of Romans: the just shall live by faith.
Source: The Just Shall Live by Faith (Ligonier)
The central message derived from the text is that believers must be prepared for Christ's return.
In any case, one message comes through, whether it refers to the destruction of AD 70 or the final coming of Christ and the consummation of His kingdom. This message is plain: be ready.
Source: The Kingdom Come (Ligonier)
The lamb imagery is not a novelty in the gospel, but is seen in multiple biblical events, including the Passover and Genesis 22.
It is foolish to say that the lamb imagery is a novelty in the gospel according to Saint John. We see it in the celebration in heaven, the future hope of the church, where the Lamb will receive the glory and honor of all the hosts of heaven.
Source: The Lamb of God (Ligonier)
The text of Romans 7 is the most important biblical text that argues against the doctrine of a second work of grace that produces instant sanctification.
The most important biblical text that militates against such a doctrine of a second work of grace, which produces instant sanctification, is the text I have just read to you in Romans 7.
Source: Law Cannot Save from Sin (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Despite the struggle, God's grace is always available to help the believer overcome sin.
Yet at every moment, the grace is there to overcome, no matter what it is.
Source: Law Cannot Save from Sin (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Believers who are in Christ are safe from condemnation, even if the world or the church condemns them.
The world may condemn you, even the church might condemn you, but if you are in Me, you’re safe, for now there is no condemnation for those who are in Me?
Source: Law Cannot Save from Sin (Part 3) (Ligonier)
When dealing with differences in belief, Christians should accept and receive each other because the weaker brother has already been received by God.
Your weaker brother is still your brother, and your weaker brother has been received by God. He has been welcomed into the family of God.
Source: The Law of Liberty (Ligonier)
Paul instructs believers to accept and receive one another regarding matters that are indifferent, or adiaphora.
He is talking about issues that are indifferent, where people have come to a conviction that something is wrong when, inherently, it is not wrong.
Source: The Law of Liberty (Ligonier)
Christian acceptance and reception should be applied to both doctrinal misunderstandings and weaknesses.
It covers a multitude of misunderstandings, weak theology, and weak understandings.
Source: The Law of Liberty (Ligonier)
The early church provides a model for contemporary believers, emphasizing a lifestyle of joy, simplicity, and shared faith.
In this brief glimpse of life in the early church, we have a model of what the church is supposed to look like. We are two thousand years removed from the Apostolic church, but we need to have the vision of the Apostolic church, blowing the cobwebs and assumptions from our minds so that when we come together, we do so with delight, rejoicing, and praising God for what He has done for us in Christ.
Source: Life in the Early Church (Ligonier)
Paul's argument in Romans 12 is a practical conclusion drawn from the entire theological unfolding of the gospel presented throughout the book of Romans.
Paul makes a clear transition from the doctrinal portion—the theological content of the epistle—and moves to the point of application. What he is saying to his audience in Romans 12 is that, in light of all that has been unfolded about the things of God, therefore , there is a practical conclusion that we ought to reach.
Source: Living Sacrifices to God (Ligonier)
Paul's plea to the readers is based on the tender mercies of God, which are demonstrated in various aspects of salvation and divine providence.
I think the Apostle is saying that his plea is in light of the tender mercies of God that he has just expounded. The fact that we are justified by faith is because of the mercy of God. The fact that our sins are forgiven through the atonement of Christ is because of the mercy of God.
Source: Living Sacrifices to God (Ligonier)
When experiencing injustice from other people, believers should not despair but should instead pray, trusting that God will vindicate His elect.
When we experience injustice at the hands of men, Jesus told us we ought not faint, but we ought to pray. He said, “Will not God vindicate His elect who cry unto Him day and night?” (Luke 18:7).
Source: The Locus of Astonishment (Ligonier)
A good shepherd will gently find a straying sheep by stooping over and picking it up, rather than scolding or beating it.
When you find him, you do not take your shepherd’s crook and beat him over the head with it. You do not scold the sheep. The sheep is probably bleating, frightened from being separated from the flock and the shepherd. When you find that sheep trembling, you stoop over, reach down, and pick up that lamb.
Source: The Lost Son (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The parable illustrates the joy in heaven when something that was lost is found.
In response to those complaints, the Lord told this parable and two shorter ones to speak of the joy in heaven when that which is lost is found.
Source: The Lost Son (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The biblical principle regarding truth is that one should always tell the truth when righteousness and justice require it.
In other words, when we talk about truth, the biblical principle is this: We should always tell the truth where righteousness and justice require it.
Source: Love Your Neighbor (Ligonier)
God's goodness does not negate His ability or promise to judge sin and wickedness.
But God, the One who judges all the earth, who does what is right, is a God who promises judgment against evil. Do we so despise His goodness that we assume there is no room in His goodness for justice?
Source: Man Is without Excuse (Ligonier)
People who feel successful or happy often fail to recognize their desperate need for Christ's covering.
I’m happy. I’m successful. My conscience isn’t bothering me. What do I need with Jesus?” There is nothing you need more desperately than someone to cover you when every secret is made manifest.
Source: Man Is without Excuse (Ligonier)
God will eventually bring all people before judgment, requiring them to abandon excuses and accept the gospel.
Next time, Paul will bring the whole world—every last one of us—before the tribunal of God and show that each of us is guilty until we stop giving excuses, quiet our mouths, and go to the gospel.
Source: Man Is without Excuse (Ligonier)
The reason the bread was unleavened was due to the historic circumstances of the Passover, requiring the people to be ready to move quickly.
The reason the bread was unleavened was because of the historic circumstances of the Passover. God commanded the people to be ready to move not just out of their homes but out of the nation to follow His guidance in the Exodus. At a moment’s notice, with haste, they had to leave.
Source: The Anointing at Bethany (Ligonier)
Even though the gospel record is called 'redemptive history,' it still takes place in real space and time, which is real history.
But we are quick to point out that even though it is redemptive history, it is redemptive history . The sphere in which God reveals His work of redemption is real space and time, real history.
Source: Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry (Ligonier)
Hearing the gospel presents a profound crisis, requiring a response of repentance and belief.
You cannot hear the gospel and walk away indifferent. When you receive the gospel, it is the greatest moment of your lifetime. When you do not receive the gospel, it is the greatest judgment upon you.
Source: Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry (Ligonier)
Entering the kingdom of God requires repentance, which is a necessary response to the gospel.
You cannot enter the kingdom of God without repentance, without fleeing from your sin and putting your trust in Christ alone.
Source: Beginning of Jesus' Public Ministry (Ligonier)
The church has an offensive mission to tear down strongholds and the gates of hell using the power of the gospel.
The church has an offensive mission to tear down strongholds and to tear down the gates of hell by the power of the gospel.
Source: The Blind Man & Peter's Confession (Ligonier)
The biblical evidence does not support the tradition that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute, nor does it support the idea that Jesus was married to her.
Mary Magdalene, Mary from Magdala, has the unfortunate tradition surrounding her—which has not one shred of evidence biblically—that she was a prostitute. There is no basis for that whatsoever, except that she was one from whom Jesus cast out demons.
Source: The Burial of Jesus (Ligonier)
The dramatic language used by prophets regarding the Lord's coming is characteristically symbolic, warning of God's judgment.
This language was characteristically used by the prophets in the Old Testament in a symbolic way to warn the people of the judgment of God.
Source: Christ Coming in Glory (Ligonier)
Mark included the detail about Simon being the father of Alexander and Rufus because the gospel was written to Christians in Rome who would be familiar with these names.
Scholars are mostly convinced that the reason Mark mentioned him in this text is that when Mark wrote his gospel, he wrote it to the Christians at Rome, and they would know about Rufus, Alexander, and their father, Simon of Cyrene.
Source: The Crucifixion (Ligonier)
The church is called to remain loyal to Christ while he is temporarily in heaven, mirroring the loyalty shown by Robin Hood to King Richard.
Our King is already seated at the right hand of God, but He has gone to heaven temporarily. In the meantime, He looks to us, His people, to remain loyal to Him when the whole world goes for Prince John.
Source: David's Son and Lord (Ligonier)
The Pharisees believed that salvation was achieved through maintaining ethnic separation and ritual cleanliness.
The Pharisees believed that salvation came from ethnic separation; they would be saved by how clean they kept themselves from any contamination from unbelievers, or sinners.
Source: Defilement from Within (Part 1) (Ligonier)
True righteousness for salvation is the alien righteousness of Jesus, not one's own works.
namely, that we are justified by faith and by faith alone, and that the only righteousness that can possibly avail for us is an alien righteousness, not our own. It is the righteousness of Jesus.
Source: Defilement from Within (Part 2) (Ligonier)
All good and perfect gifts received by people originate from the mercy and goodness of God.
The fundamental premise for wealth in the Bible is this: every good and perfect gift that we have comes from the mercy of God. There is no such thing as a bootstrap ethic in the Bible.
Source: The Eye of the Needle (Ligonier)
Jesus warns his disciples to be cautious of false doctrine and hypocrisy, which are compared to leaven.
Jesus is saying: “Watch out for false doctrine. Watch out for hypocrisy and teaching that can poison you.”
Source: The Feeding of the Four Thousand (Ligonier)
Pilgrims arriving in Jerusalem faced a two-part problem: they needed to buy sacrificial animals, and they lacked the correct currency, leading to extortionate exchange rates.
When the pilgrim came to Jerusalem, he had to buy an animal, but he didn’t have the right kind of money to buy the animal. The first thing he had to do was go to the money changing tables, exchange his money for Jerusalem’s money, then go and buy the animals. The animals were sold for a premium because the people needed them, and the exchange rates were extortionary.
Source: The Fig Tree and the Temple (Ligonier)
The preaching of the gospel must be directed to every person in the world, regardless of their personal circumstances.
But the gospel relates to everybody’s circumstances. The extent of the preaching of the gospel is, according to our Lord’s directive, to every creature in all the world.
Source: The Great Commission (Ligonier)
The signs that follow believers include casting out demons, speaking in new tongues, taking up serpents, and surviving deadly drinks.
Jesus goes on to say, “And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”
Source: The Great Commission (Ligonier)
The biblical account of Paul surviving a snake bite is the proof text for snake-handling cults, not the idea that handling snakes proves faith.
This, of course, is the proof text for snake-handling cults. Many of us have heard about cults of people who put testing their faith by handling poisonous snakes, usually rattlesnakes, copperheads, or moccasins, at the heart of their Christian faith.
Source: The Great Commission (Ligonier)
The gospel of Mark, which has been studied in their gatherings, reveals the truth of God.
What you have been listening to every week in all our gatherings together as we have followed closely through the gospel of Mark is the truth of God.
Source: The Great Commission (Ligonier)
The itinerary described in Mark's gospel, involving travel from Tyre to Sidon and then to the Sea of Galilee, is confusing to biblical scholars.
His description of the itinerary here in the seventh chapter is one that has, frankly, baffled biblical scholars for centuries, because we read that Jesus left Tyre, went north to Sidon, made His way east, came back south, then back up to the Sea of Galilee.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
When God announces judgment, he typically includes an element of future hope because he does not abandon his remnant.
When God gives His announcement of judgment, He almost always gives us an element of future hope as well, because God never abandons His remnant to desolation.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
Following the announcement of judgment, God promises that the wilderness and wasteland will rejoice and blossom.
The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing.
Source: The Healing of the Deaf Mute (Ligonier)
Jesus' lamenting was not about the disciples' lack of power, but rather their lack of faith.
Jesus is lamenting not the lack of power in His disciples, but the lack of faith: “Faithless generation, how long do I have to put up with this? You’ve been with Me. Your eyes have seen what angels wanted to look at, and still you are faithless.”
Source: The Healing of the Possessed Boy (Ligonier)
Jesus taught that when praying, believers should believe they will receive what they ask for, and they will receive it.
Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.
Source: Jesus’ Authority (Ligonier)
The world and the church often desire a version of Jesus that is more palatable and less challenging to their current sinful state.
For two thousand years, the world has cried for a different Jesus, and the church has cried for a different Jesus. We want a Jesus more like ourselves, one for whom we have no envy and no hatred.
Source: Jesus before Pilate (Ligonier)
Church history consistently attests that the content of the gospel was largely directed by the Apostle Peter, and Mark served as his interpreter.
The testimony of church history, particularly from people of great importance in the second century like Papias, Eusebius, and Irenaeus, consistently attests that Mark’s work on this gospel was a labor directed largely by the Apostle Peter. Mark served as Peter’s interpreter.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
While the timing of the writing is debated, it is virtually certain in church history that Peter gave his stamp of approval on the gospel's content.
There is some doubt as to whether the actual gospel was written before or after Peter’s death, but that Peter gave his stamp of approval on the content is virtually certain in church history.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
It is historically settled that the initial audience for the gospel was Christians who were suffering persecution in Rome.
It is basically a settled matter of historical investigation that the initial audience for this gospel was the Christians suffering persecution in Rome.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) constitute a new literary genre designed to focus attention on the person and work of Christ.
By organizing this material and writing in this literary style, Mark introduced a whole new literary genre to the ancient world, the genre that came to be known as gospel.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The opening statement of Mark's gospel serves as the thematic statement for the entire work, affirming Jesus' identity as the Son of God.
Instead, he plunges right into this affirmation at the beginning of his work: “The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.” That is the thematic statement for the entire work that comes from Mark.
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
Mark's gospel immediately places Jesus' appearance within the context of the promised Messiah of the Old Testament.
So, Mark immediately locates the appearance of Jesus in the context of the promised Messiah of the Old Testament, and he says, “As it is written in the prophets.”
Source: John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The gospel writer alerts us to the gathering storm approaching the ministry of Jesus.
As early as the second chapter of Mark, the gospel writer alerts us to the gathering storm approaching the ministry of Jesus.
Source: New Wine Skins (Ligonier)
The tribulation that will occur will be unprecedented in history, and only the elect will be saved because God shortened the days for their sake.
For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect’s sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days.
Source: The Olivet Discourse (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The command that the gospel must be preached to all nations was fulfilled in the first century.
Then He said that the gospel must be preached to all the nations, all the ethnoi , all the gentiles, and of course the gospel was preached to the ethnoi in the first century.
Source: The Olivet Discourse (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Paul's reference to the gospel going to the whole world in the first century referred specifically to the Mediterranean world, or the known world of that time.
Paul was speaking about the Mediterranean world, the known world of that time, where the gospel had been preached in the first century.
Source: The Olivet Discourse (Part 2) (Ligonier)
God's judgment on Israel is prophesied because the vineyard, which was expected to produce good grapes, instead produced wild grapes.
Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, Did it bring forth wild grapes? And now, please let Me tell you what I will do to My vineyard: I will take away its hedge, and it shall be burned; And break down its wall, and it shall be trampled down.
Source: The Parable of the Vinedressers (Ligonier)
The gospel writers had the freedom to place Jesus' sayings in any context they desired when compiling their gospels.
The gospel writers had the authority and opportunity to place these statements of Jesus in any context they wanted in their gospels in order to make the points they were trying to make.
Source: Parables of the Kingdom (Ligonier)
The disciples and the world required more than mere secondhand accounts; they needed direct, personal eyewitness experience to believe.
Secondary witness was not enough for the disciples or for the world. What was necessary for them to believe was not hearsay but eyewitness experience, which Mark mentions in the text that we will examine, God willing, next week.
Source: The Resurrection (Ligonier)
In heaven, sin will be banished from all human relationships, leading to deeper and more fulfilling fellowship than earthly marriage.
Sin will be banished from all human relationships. Our relationships to people that we hardly know in this world will be deeper, more blessed, more intimate, and more fulfilling than anything we can experience in marriage in this world.
Source: The Resurrection (Ligonier)
The gospel's purpose is that Christ pays the debt and provides His righteousness, which is the only thing that satisfies God's law.
The tragedy in this event was that the only person in the universe who could get the rich young ruler out of bankruptcy, the only person in the universe who could pay the debt that the man couldn’t possibly pay himself, was standing right in front of him. This is what the gospel is about. Christ pays for us. He purchases us. He pays our debt, and He gives to us His righteousness, which is the only thing that will satisfy the demands of God’s law.
Source: The Rich Young Ruler (Ligonier)
People should honor their commitments and not accept better offers at the expense of previously agreed-upon engagements.
If you get a better offer, don’t take it.
Source: The Sending of the Disciples (Ligonier)
The core message of the early church's mission is that people must repent to enter the kingdom of God.
So, the disciples went out, and they preached that people should repent, the same message John the Baptist preached and that Jesus preached—a message nobody wants to preach today—that people must repent to enter the kingdom of God.
Source: The Sending of the Disciples (Ligonier)
The story of Bartimaeus is strategically placed by Mark to contrast the beggar's humble, persistent faith with the squabbling and status-seeking behavior of Jesus's disciples.
He tells us the name of this blind man because Bartimaeus stands in bold relief and contrast to the behavior of the disciples of Jesus, who were squabbling among themselves for status and rank in the kingdom of God.
Source: Son of Man, A Servant (Ligonier)
True redemption is found not merely in calling upon the Lord, but in the Lord calling upon us.
It’s one thing for us to call upon the Lord. It’s something else when He calls upon us. That’s where our true redemption lies.
Source: Son of Man, A Servant (Ligonier)
When Jesus approaches, believers should metaphorically throw aside anything that hinders them, stand up, and come to Jesus.
We could make metaphorical hay out of those words, couldn’t we? This is what everybody should do when Jesus approaches. We should throw aside whatever is hindering them. We should stand up, and we should come to Jesus.
Source: Son of Man, A Servant (Ligonier)
The blind man, Bartimaeus, successfully demonstrates true discipleship by recognizing Jesus as Lord and Master, contrasting with the failure of Jesus's own disciples.
Mark gives us a portrait of a true disciple, who is ragged, poor, and blind, but who recognizes the Messiah for who He is, and when he calls upon Him, addresses Him as, “My Lord, my Master.” You see, Jesus has just taught His disciples about what it means to be a servant. To be a servant is to serve a master. Where the disciples failed, the blind man succeeds.
Source: Son of Man, A Servant (Ligonier)
True believers are characterized by a humble acceptance of God's grace, recognizing that even small blessings are gifts of undeserved mercy.
Every crumb that You bestow upon me is one I receive as an unworthy servant.
Source: The Syro-Phoenician Woman (Ligonier)
Believers who are in Christ Jesus are invited to a heavenly banquet, receiving a portion of salvation immediately.
He has given each of us who are in Christ Jesus an invitation to that feast, where we won’t have to wait until dinner is over before we get our portion.
Source: The Syro-Phoenician Woman (Ligonier)
The gift of salvation is described as being of immense value, comparable to a pearl of great price.
Would any of you trade in the crumb of your salvation for anything in this world? That crumb is at the same time the pearl of great price.
Source: The Syro-Phoenician Woman (Ligonier)
The gift of salvation was given to the Syro-Phoenician woman and is also given to the current audience.
He gave it to the Syro-Phoenician woman, and He gives it to you.
Source: The Syro-Phoenician Woman (Ligonier)
To follow Jesus, one must deny oneself, take up one's cross, and follow him, recognizing that losing one's life for the gospel is the only way to save it.
Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.
Source: Taking Up the Cross (Ligonier)
The use of 'some' in the prophecy indicates that the prediction does not apply to every single person in the group.
He uses what we call a particular negative proposition, saying that some people will not do something. This indicates less than a universal negative or universal affirmative, which would include all people, or at least all of the group that’s under discussion here.
Source: Transfiguration (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Jesus predicted that after the tribulation, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its light, the stars will fall, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.
Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heaven will be shaken.
Source: Transfiguration (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Jesus stated that upon His return, He will send His angels with a great trumpet sound to gather His elect from all directions.
And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they will gather together His elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.
Source: Transfiguration (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Jesus taught his disciples that he would be betrayed and killed by men, but would rise on the third day.
For He taught His disciples and said to them, “The Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him. And after He is killed, He will rise the third day.”
Source: Who Is the Greatest? (Ligonier)
Devoting oneself to Christ will result in receiving blessings that are permanent and lasting.
If we choose to spend time with Christ, if we choose to devote ourselves to being at His feet, to take everything we can from His teaching, whatever we get will not be taken away.
Source: Martha & Mary (Ligonier)
The differences between evangelical Christianity and Roman Catholicism are significantly greater today than they were in the sixteenth century.
▷ A view Sproul explains or critiques — not his own position.
I’d like to remind you that the differences between evangelical Christianity and Roman Catholicism are far, far greater today than they were in the sixteenth century.
Source: Mary's Fiat (Ligonier)
The maximalists incorrectly claim that salvation depended on Mary's imperative response, which is a misreading of the context.
So, according to the maximalists, salvation depended on Mary’s imperative response to the angel’s announcement.
Source: Mary's Fiat (Ligonier)
The Exodus account, celebrated in song, details God's powerful salvation of Israel from Pharaoh's army.
The Red Sea parted, and the children of Israel walked across dry ground while the ferocious wind held back the sea. As soon as they reached the other side, Pharaoh and his armies entered the vacant portion of the sea, and when they reached the middle of the Red Sea, the wall of water collapsed and drowned them.
Source: Mary's Visit to Elizabeth (Ligonier)
Some commentators assume that John the Baptist sent messengers to Jesus to confirm their faith and transfer their disciples' allegiance to Jesus.
Context: Describing a view held by 'those commentators', not his own assertion.
There are those commentators who assume that the reason John the Baptist sent messengers to Jesus with the question, “Are you the One who is to come, or should we look for another?” was: “John had not been shaken in his confidence. After all, he was a prophet, and he was simply having his disciples go and ask Jesus this question for their sakes, to confirm their faith, for John was going to transfer the allegiance of his disciples to Jesus.”
Source: Message from John the Baptist (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Jesus emphasized that the poor receiving the gospel was a crucial message, linking it to the prophetic description of the Messiah.
Go, tell John that the blind see, the lame are walking, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, and the dead are raised. Don’t forget to tell him this above all else: the poor are having the gospel preached to them.
Source: Message from John the Baptist (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Jesus pointed to Isaiah 61 as the fulfillment of the Messiah's job description, which included preaching good news to the poor.
In Isaiah 61, an agenda was set for the Lord’s anointed, the Messiah: “Behold, the Spirit of the Lord is upon me to preach good news to the poor and deliverance to the captives.”
Source: Message from John the Baptist (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The speaker warns that when the world is offended by the truth of Christ, believers should not compromise their faith.
We want to flee from the offense and say to them: “Christianity is right for me, but whatever you believe is fine for you. You pray to your god, and I’ll pray to mine, and we’ll all be happy together”—in hell.
Source: Message from John the Baptist (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Liberation theology was a synthesis that incorrectly focused the gospel's purpose on social justice and political revolution rather than the personal salvation of the soul.
Christianity was therefore seen as really having its purpose and focal point not in the personal salvation of the soul for eternal life, but rather the establishment of a kind of what they call social justice, which is really social injustice .
Source: The Ministry of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The kernel of truth is that redemption occurs vertically, meaning salvation happens immediately and directly from God in the present moment.
Context: Describing Bultmann's view, not his own.
The kernel of truth is that redemption takes place vertically rather than horizontally. That is to say, for Bultmann, salvation takes place “immediately and directly from above,” in an existential instant, in the here and now, the hic et nunc , with an existential experience of the sense of God.
Source: The Ministry of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The Bible is not merely real history, but it is redemptive history or salvation history.
In other words, the Bible is not real history, but it is redemptive history or salvation history.
Source: The Ministry of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
John's message was that the coming Messiah would offer a permanent removal of sin, unlike the annual ritualistic remission of the Passover.
John was now talking about a remission that would not have to be repeated every year in the celebration of the Passover. Rather, this was the taking away of sins forever—as far as the east is from the west. So, John was saying, “The One coming is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He will take your sin away, but before He comes, you need to get clean.”
Source: The Ministry of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The command to 'prepare the way' is not about physical road construction but is prophetic imagery describing the necessary spiritual transformation of people for God's arrival.
This is not a description of actual topographical changes that were supposed to take place on the roads of Palestine. This is the prophetic Word, delivered in poetic imagery, talking about what must happen to people as God comes to them.
Source: The Ministry of John the Baptist (Ligonier)
The text records that Jesus sent out a group of seventy (or seventy-two) on a mission, which was larger than the original twelve.
In chapter 10, He sent a larger group, six times larger than the original twelve, and He appointed them to go two-by-two into all the cities to which He was about to go.
Source: The Mission of the Seventy-Two (Ligonier)
Rejecting the gospel repeatedly increases one's guilt before the Day of Judgment.
If you reject it, every time you reject it, you are heaping up guilt against that Day of Judgment.
Source: The Mission of the Seventy-Two (Ligonier)
The speaker believes the Scripture overwhelmingly teaches that most people who have ever lived will end up in hell.
It seems to me that the Scripture is overwhelming in its teaching to the contrary, namely that most people who have ever lived are either now, or soon will be, in hell forever.
Source: The Narrow Way (Ligonier)
The speaker asserts that calling oneself a 'broad evangelical' is a contradiction because true evangelism requires choosing the narrow path.
A broad evangelical is an oxymoron. If you are evangelical, if you really believe the gospel, then you have chosen the narrow path, and you have said: “This way and none other. One Christ, no more. Jesus is the monogenēs , the only begotten of the Father. All the rest are thieves and robbers.”
Source: The Narrow Way (Ligonier)
Jesus was determined to travel to Jerusalem because it was the necessary destination for the prophets.
Nevertheless I must journey today, tomorrow, and the day following; for it cannot be that a prophet should perish outside of Jerusalem.
Source: The Narrow Way (Ligonier)
God's revelation of His plan of redemption and salvation was a gradual and progressive process, starting in Genesis and expanding through the Old Testament.
God’s revelation of Himself and His plan of redemption and salvation was gradual and progressive, beginning in Genesis and expanding through the prophets and the whole Old Testament, where God added new information about the kingdom that was to come.
Source: New Wineskins (Ligonier)
Attempting to patch old doctrines with new, incompatible elements will weaken the original structure.
If you sew an unshrunken piece of material on the old piece, the patch will shrink when you try to wash it. When it shrinks, it will pull the threads off, and the hole in your pants before you patched them will be worse than when you started.
Source: New Wineskins (Ligonier)
Most self-identified evangelical Christians do not embrace a Christian worldview, but rather are influenced by secular tenets.
The net result of the survey was that the vast majority of people who call themselves evangelical Christians in our society do not embrace a Christian worldview. They have a religious inclination toward Jesus, but their thinking is not informed by what Jesus or the Apostles taught.
Source: No Other Name (Ligonier)
Those who are not converted to Christ face the eternal wrath of God.
If you are not converted to Christ, as Whitefield, Wesley, and certainly Edwards emphasized, your destiny is the wrath of God forever.
Source: The Parable of the Barren Fig (Ligonier)
While God saves people outside the church, the church is the primary location where the means of saving grace are concentrated, specifically through hearing the Word of God.
That being said, the main place where the means of God’s saving grace are concentrated is in the church. It is where you hear the Word of God, and God uses His Word as His primary means to bring people to faith.
Source: The Parable of the Barren Fig (Ligonier)
The speaker urges the audience to repent and believe in Christ before the day passes.
Before this day passes if you remain unconverted, when you lay your head on your pillow tonight, I pray you will not sleep until you are on your knees before the living God, taking advantage of the blessed redemption given to all who repent and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Source: The Parable of the Barren Fig (Ligonier)
Scripture teaches that God has a strong concern for the poor, especially those who are poor due to catastrophes.
Sacred Scripture reveals that God has a tremendous concern for the poor. He sets forth laws to protect the poor, particularly those who are poor as a direct result of catastrophes that have determined their existence, such as farmers who have experienced a drought or people who have disabilities and are not able to physically labor because of their health.
Source: The Parable of the Minas (Ligonier)
Jesus warned that those who are not faithful and not productive will face judgment upon the Master's return.
Jesus was saying, at the last day, when the Master returns, those who were not faithful and not productive will receive His judgment.
Source: The Parable of the Minas (Ligonier)
The seed in the parable represents the word of God, and the different types of soil represent various ways people receive and respond to that word.
The seed is the word of God. Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away. Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
The seed that falls on good earth represents fine soil with necessary nutrients, allowing the seed to take root and produce a hundredfold crop.
Instead, it was fine soil that had the nutrients needed for germination and growth. The seed that fell on this soil took root. It grew and produced a hundredfold, a wonderful crop.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
Parables served a dual purpose: they could reveal hidden truths to some, but also conceal the truth of the gospel from others.
In actuality, parables had a dual purpose. For those who had ears to hear, parables were given to reveal the hidden things of the kingdom of God, to explain, elucidate, and clarify Jesus’ teaching. For others, Jesus spoke in parables to hide the truth of the gospel.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
The Bible teaches that God preserves those whom the Lord redeems, confirming the perseverance of the saints.
The Bible tells us that those whom the Lord redeems, He preserves. He gives them the seal and earnest of the Holy Spirit. We are told that He who began a good work will finish it to the end.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
Individuals whose hearts have been changed by the Holy Spirit will respond to the Word by loving it, embracing it, and obeying it.
For those whose hearts have been changed by the Holy Spirit, when they hear the Word, they love it. They embrace the Word and obey it. They bring forth the fruit of conversion, real salvation in abundance, a hundredfold.
Source: The Parable of the Sower (Ligonier)
The speaker warns listeners against being ensnared by the usurious interest rates charged by credit card companies.
The interest rates charged by credit card companies in this country are as usurious as it gets, and it is plain wicked. Do not get yourself ensnared by them.
Source: The Parable of the Unjust Steward (Ligonier)
The primary concern should be the content of the gospel message, not merely the historical details.
The historical accuracy aside, what we are really concerned about is what happened in this meeting between Paul and Barnabas and Sergius Paulus.
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
Opposition to the gospel, even from those close to a believer, is a common experience.
Those of you who are believers know well that when you were first converted, there were people all around you—friends, family, and so on—who did everything they could to dissuade you from committing your life to Christ.
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
The message of warning sermons is the application of a biblical text and principles.
The message in it is the application of one biblical text, and principle after another taken from Deuteronomy, “their steps shall slip in due time,” where he warned the people in Enfield, Connecticut of how perilous their current situation was.
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
True salvation requires a full commitment of the heart to Christ alone, rather than relying on personal performance or good deeds.
Or am I still resting on my performance, how many times I go to church, how many good deeds I’ve done, or how much money I’ve given away? Or have I fled to the cross as my only hope in life and death?
Source: Paul at Cyprus (Ligonier)
The gospel must be a proclamation of historical events concerning the person and work of Jesus, not a personal testimony.
The gospel has to do with a proclamation of what happened in history in the person and work of Jesus.
Source: Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier)
The core of the gospel message must be presented directly, rather than being spread out over long periods of education.
While I was going through all the details along the way, I never stopped and gave them the big picture, the big question, and brought them face-to-face with the essence of the gospel itself.
Source: Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier)
Some people's theology, particularly regarding salvation, is derived from the unbelieving world rather than sound doctrine.
Right then, I realized he was getting his theology not from his father but from the unbelieving world, because in our culture, the belief is justification by death alone.
Source: Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier)
The gospel is fundamentally about Jesus, as illustrated by John's statement regarding the sandals.
Well, John said, “I am not even worthy to help Jesus with His sandals,” because the gospel is Jesus.
Source: Paul's Sermon at Antioch (Ligonier)
The Christian life requires waiting for God to fulfill the promises He has made.
That is the hardest thing for the Christian: to wait for God to keep the promises He has made.
Source: Pentecost (Ligonier)
The health-and-wealth gospel wrongly teaches that God always wills healing and never wills suffering, and that faith is the only factor determining physical outcomes.
We are besieged all around us today by the health-and-wealth gospel, wherein preachers promise people that God always wills healing, God never wills suffering, and all you have to do to escape from any malady is to “name it and claim it.”
Source: Peter in Prison (Ligonier)
Human beings cannot earn salvation or avoid hell because they rely entirely on God's grace.
Context: Quoting Jonathan Edwards' sermon, 'Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.'
Oh sinner, you cannot give any sound reason why you have not dropped into the pit of hell since you rose from your bed this morning except that the grace of God in His hand has held you up.
Source: Peter's Second Speech (Ligonier)
The Holy Spirit enabled the apostles to speak in languages they were unskilled in so that people from all over the region could hear the proclamation.
At that time, God, through the Holy Spirit, enabled the Apostles to speak in languages in which they were unskilled so that people from all over the region, even outside of Palestine, heard their proclamation in their native tongue.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
Apostolic preaching, exemplified by Peter's sermon, is fundamentally expository, meaning it directs the hearers to the Word of God.
Peter was not standing up and giving his latest views of public opinion, a psychology lesson, or scratching the itches of the people and giving people who have itchy ears something to lay their fascination upon. He took his hearers immediately to the Word of God, which is the only kind of authentic preaching there can ever be in the church.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
Effective gospel preaching moves the heart first, and then reaches the mind.
He did not ask people to circumvent their intelligence because the gospel that moves the heart first gets to the heart through the mind.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
God's message often combines judgment regarding sin with a promise of future spiritual outpouring.
He said, “This has happened to your nation because you’ve turned away from the Lord.” God announced the doom of His judgment upon the people. But then God tempered His message of judgment with a message of hope. He said: And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 1 (Ligonier)
The gospel must always be proclaimed with a serious warning of God's judgment against those who remain unrepentant.
Context: Summarizing the view of Jonathan Edwards, not his own direct assertion.
Edwards was basically saying that the gospel is never truly proclaimed unless it is proclaimed against the backdrop of the serious warning God Almighty gives of His judgment upon all who cling to their impenitent ways, never acknowledging their sin, and never coming to the cross.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 2 (Ligonier)
The core message of the gospel is the affirmation of Christ's lordship, which is an objective reality and does not depend on human invitation.
The recent disjunction between Christ as Savior and Christ as Lord is as foreign and antithetical to the New Testament as anything can possibly be. I want you to notice that in this text where the kērygma is being preached, where the gospel is being preached, at the heart of the message is the affirmation of the lordship of Christ.
Source: Peter's Sermon - Part 3 (Ligonier)
Christ's presence broke down the barriers that separated Jews and gentiles, extending hope to the Gentiles.
But now, with the presence of Christ breaking down the barriers that had separated Jew and gentile, that hope was extended to the Gentiles.
Source: Peter's Vision (Ligonier)
When confronted by God, the proper response is to acknowledge that one's hope and salvation rest solely on Jesus Christ.
I hope you would say something like: “Because of Jesus, because He’s my only hope. I put my trust in Him. Everything else is sinking sand.”
Source: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Ligonier)
The righteousness discussed in the epistle is not God's inherent righteousness, but rather the righteousness that God makes available through faith.
This is not referring to God’s own inherent righteousness but the righteousness that God makes available by faith.
Source: Present Condition of Israel (Ligonier)
God redeems people because of the great love the Father has for His Son.
The only answer I can come up with is that He redeems us because of the great love the Father has for His Son.
Source: Present Condition of Israel (Ligonier)
While not guaranteeing redemption, the visible church is essential because it is the primary location where the means of grace are concentrated.
It is in church that the means of grace are concentrated. Where else can you go to hear an exposition of the Word of God? That is not on the loudspeaker at the supermarket.
Source: Present Condition of Israel (Ligonier)
John's gospel is intended to persuade readers of the truth of Christ so that they might become his disciples.
John is not interested in being a detached observer and chronicler of the life of Jesus. He is trying to persuade us of the truth of Christ so that we might be His disciples.
Source: The Prologue of John's Gospel (Ligonier)
Jesus answered the question of 'Who is my neighbor?' with the parable of the good Samaritan, demonstrating that biblical responsibility extends to all people.
Jesus answered the question of “Who is my neighbor” with the parable of the good Samaritan, and we see that this biblical responsibility extends to all people.
Source: Put on Christ (Ligonier)
Sproul asserts that Paul's statement, 'our salvation is nearer than when we first believed,' refers to the consummation of our salvation when we enter glory, not the physical return of Christ.
However, most commentators say, and I think rightly so, that Paul is talking about the consummation of our salvation when we pass into glory.
Source: Put on Christ (Ligonier)
Sproul teaches that salvation is not merely an event experienced at conversion, but a process unfolded biblically through various tenses, culminating in glorification.
And in the ultimate sense, salvation is not just something that you experienced when you were born again. That was one aspect of salvation. But the fullness of your salvation does not take place until your glorification, until you enter heaven.
Source: Put on Christ (Ligonier)
He explains that the concept of salvation is covered by multiple Greek verb tenses, indicating that salvation is a continuous process.
It is a Greek word, sōzō , which means “to save.” In this biblical text, that word appears in every one of the tenses of Greek verbs, which are far more than we find in the English language.
Source: Put on Christ (Ligonier)
Augustine was converted by the Word of God, specifically through a text that contrasted sinful practices with putting on Christ.
Here is what Augustine read: ". . . not in revelry and drunkenness, not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts."
Source: Put on Christ (Ligonier)
The Christian hope is that while believers are not yet whole, Jesus is actively working to make them whole.
Right now, Christians, Jesus is making us whole. But no one of us is whole yet, though we will be someday. That is the Christian hope.
Source: The Raising of Dorcas (Ligonier)
Christ is present with believers today to nourish, strengthen, and heal them through His Word and the sacrament.
One of the ways He makes us whole is by feeding us, strengthening us, and healing us through His Word and through the sacrament. He is present with us when we worship.
Source: The Raising of Dorcas (Ligonier)
When entering heaven, believers will lose nothing of substance or value, and all experiences will constitute a gain.
In one sense, I must leave it at that point, simply saying that this we know for sure: when we enter heaven, we will lose nothing of substance or value. What we will experience is only gain.
Source: The Resurrection & David's Son (Ligonier)
Jesus had previously predicted that the Son of Man would be delivered into the hands of sinful men, crucified, and rise on the third day.
Don’t you remember what He said to you while He was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men and be crucified and on the third day, rise?
Source: The Resurrection (Ligonier)
God, for His eternal purposes, chose to give the grace of salvation to some people and to withhold it from others.
What I am saying is that God, for His eternal purposes, looked at a fallen humanity, what Augustine called a mass of perdition, and He chose to give justice to some and mercy to others. He chose to give the grace of salvation to some and to withhold it from others.
Source: The Return of the Seventy-Two (Ligonier)
Human beings acknowledge that their salvation and joy are gifts received through the sovereign good pleasure of God's grace.
This is our joy, our unspeakable joy, which we have done nothing to earn. There but for the grace of God go we. Let us pray. Our Father and our God, we thank You for Your sovereign good pleasure by which You were pleased to make a gift of us to Your beloved Son.
Source: The Return of the Seventy-Two (Ligonier)
Sproul argues that Jesus was using the comparison to emphasize that having riches makes salvation less likely.
He was saying that it is harder for a rich man to get into the kingdom of God than it is to get that camel stuffed through that needle. It is impossible. The more riches you have, the lower the possibility that you will ever be saved.
Source: The Rich Young Ruler (Ligonier)
The good news of the gospel is that God declares people just even while they are still sinners.
The good news of the gospel is that God pronounces people just, astonishingly enough, while they are still sinners .
Source: Righteousness Revealed (Ligonier)
The gospel's marvel is that God can be both perfectly just and the justifier through the imputation of Christ's righteousness.
But He is both just and the justifier. That is the marvel of the gospel. In this text, Paul is just introducing this marvel.
Source: Righteousness Revealed (Ligonier)
The men finally recognized Jesus when he took the bread, blessed it, broke it, and gave it to them.
When he was at table with them, he took the bread and blessed and broke it and gave it to them. And their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
Source: The Road to Emmaus (Ligonier)
Even after conversion and being in a state of grace, Christians continue to struggle with sin and temptation.
But one of the most deeply difficult things, as Paul expresses in chapter 7, was that after my conversion, though my life was turned upside down, there was still sin there.
Source: Sanctification (Ligonier)
When studying the gospel, one should focus on the purity of the first-century gospel as set forth by the Apostles, rather than being stuck in a specific historical century.
I want to go back to the foundation of the Christian church, to the purity of the gospel as it was set forth by the Apostles, that we may study the Apostolic doctrine in that location.
Source: A Second Account (Ligonier)
The gospel is a command, not an invitation, and refusing it has eternal consequences.
No R.S.V.P. comes with the gospel. Those days are over. In the former days, God overlooked that, but no more. Now He commands all men everywhere to repent because of the resurrection.
Source: Seeking a Sign (Ligonier)
Hearing the gospel requires a response, leading either to eternal life or hardened sin.
You cannot hear the gospel and be neutral to it. If you receive it, you enter into heaven forever. If you reject it, you have hardened your heart, and you are heaping up wrath against the day of wrath.
Source: The Sending of the Twelve (Ligonier)
God expects believers to actively use the gifts He has given them, whether that gift is teaching, preaching, or evangelism.
If God has given you a gift, He expects you to use it. The admonition is simple. If God gives you the gift of teaching, what should you do? Teach. If you have the gift of preaching, preach. If the gift of evangelism, evangelize, and so on.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
The ability to give generously and liberally is a valuable gift that helps churches accomplish their mission.
It is because there are people who are liberal, not in their theology—that never accomplishes anything—but in their giving.
Source: Serve God with Spiritual Gifts (Ligonier)
Sproul teaches that humanity can only stand before God through forgiveness, which is granted by clothing us in the righteousness of Jesus.
We thank You that You have made us just, not by our achievements, not by our merit, not by our righteousness, but clothed by the righteousness of Jesus. You have given the gift of His righteousness to us.
Source: A Simple Way to Pray (Ligonier)
Sin deceives people by making them believe that acting on their passions is necessary for fundamental happiness.
The devil never comes and says, “Do this and suffer; do this and die; do this and be miserable.” But rather, the passions are so excited by sin that we come to believe that unless we act on your passion, we would be denying ourselves fundamental happiness.
Source: Sin's Advantage in the Law (Ligonier)
The struggle described in Romans 7 characterizes the ongoing life of every Christian, not just Paul's pre-conversion experience.
When the Apostle speaks autobiographically in Romans 7 of the struggle that continues between the flesh and the spirit, he is talking about the struggle that characterizes every Christian’s life.
Source: Sin's Advantage in the Law (Ligonier)
True assurance of salvation comes not from personal performance or achievement, but solely from the gospel and Christ's righteousness.
The only way I can have any assurance of my salvation is not by looking at my performance or my achievement but by looking again at grace.
Source: From Slaves of Sin to Slaves of God (Ligonier)
Belief in Christ provides salvation from death and destruction, paralleling the remedy given to those bitten by snakes in the wilderness.
The people who were bitten by the poisonous snakes were going to die. They were in a predicament where they were bent on perishing. The remedy God gave was to preserve them from certain destruction.
Source: The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
God's love for the world is demonstrated by sending His one and only Son, not by providing multiple saviors or universal salvation.
He loves the world how much? Enough to send His monogenēs , His one and only Son.
Source: The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
God's love necessitates that there is only one way to salvation, which is through Christ.
God loves the world enough to send the only One. He does not love the world enough to say you can ignore the only One.
Source: The Son of Man Must Be Lifted Up (Ligonier)
Simeon's song revealed that he had seen the full scope of God's salvation, eliminating his need to wait for future events.
Mine eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all people. Mine eyes have seen that light which will be a revelation to the Gentiles and the glory of Israel.
Source: Song of Simeon (Ligonier)
Anna was a very old woman who regularly prayed and spoke about God to those seeking redemption in Jerusalem.
Anna came every day with prayers, and she joined this group at that very moment, giving thanks to God and speaking of him to all who looked for redemption in Jerusalem.
Source: Song of Simeon (Ligonier)
People should repent and be converted so that their sins can be blotted out and refreshing times can come from the Lord's presence.
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.
Source: Sons of Covenant (Ligonier)
The gospel message requires a call to repentance and conversion for sins to be blotted out.
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.
Source: Sons of Covenant (Ligonier)
The gospel must be experienced personally, leading to a genuine understanding and repentance, rather than merely being intellectually heard.
You see, she knew the gospel, but she did not know it. She had heard it a thousand times, but she never had ears to hear. She had never been brought to repentance. She had never experienced the erasing of her sin.
Source: Sons of Covenant (Ligonier)
Ignoring Christ's message will result in the failure of sin to be erased and the persistence of ignorance.
This is the Son of God. Listen to Him, because if you don’t, your sins will not be erased, and your ignorance will not save you.
Source: Sons of Covenant (Ligonier)
Resistance to God's grace is a daily reality for believers, but the Holy Spirit's power ultimately overcomes this sinful rejection.
It does not mean that we are incapable of resisting the grace of God; we do that every day. What is meant by irresistible grace is that despite our resistance, the power of the Holy Spirit vanquishes our sinful rejection of Christ and gives us ears to ear and hearts to embrace Him.
Source: Stephen on Trial (Ligonier)
Saint Augustine taught that all wars are evil, excluding only the divinely ordained conquest of Canaan.
He said that all wars are evil. He excluded the divinely ordained conquest of Canaan.
Source: Submit to Government (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The Reformers followed Augustine regarding salvation, but they disagreed with him concerning the doctrine of the church.
The Reformers, with respect to questions of salvation, all followed Augustine, but with respect to the doctrine of the church, they departed from Augustine.
Source: Suffer the Little Children to Come Unto Me (Ligonier)
God's redemption will encompass every dimension of fallen creation, resulting in a new heaven and a new earth.
God’s redemption will extend far beyond the realm of the human. It will include within it every dimension of fallen creation. The whole world, which has been plunged into ruin, will be redeemed. There will be a renovation. There will be a new heaven and a new earth, and the zeal of the Lord of Hosts will perform it.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The gospel's ultimate goal is not just human salvation, but the rescue and liberation of the entire creation.
The goal of the gospel—the goal of the finished work of Christ—is to rescue the entire creation.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The entire creation will eventually be delivered from corruption into a glorious liberty, mirroring the liberation experienced by humanity.
Paul continues, “Because the creation itself also will be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.”
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
The promise that all things work together for good is restricted only to those who love God and who are called according to His purpose.
But Paul continues, “And we know that all things work together for good” for a restricted group: “to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 1) (Ligonier)
Humans must not confuse good with evil or evil with good, as this is a lie spread by Satan.
One of the most fundamental principles of biblical Christianity is that we are never, ever to call good evil or to call evil good, because that is essentially the lie of Satan that has been spread abroad through every generation.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The primary deception of Satan is to convince people that sin, which brings pleasure, is actually good.
The great seduction of the enemy is to convince us that sin, which brings pleasure, is really not so bad. In fact, the enemy wants us to think sin is actually good, and if we are to experience the best that life has to offer us, then we must indulge ourselves in things that God prohibits.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
A fundamental principle of biblical Christianity is that one must never confuse good with evil or evil with good.
One of the most fundamental principles of biblical Christianity is that we are never, ever to call good evil or to call evil good, because that is essentially the lie of Satan that has been spread abroad through every generation.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
He strongly denies that God needed the fall to bring about His plan of salvation.
I would cut my tongue out before I would make a statement like that. I do not know where this gentlemen got that quote, but I challenge you to ask him to document it and cite it. He’s going to have a hard time, because I’ve never said such a thing.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The process of salvation is a divine chain where God foreknows, predestines, calls, justifies, and glorifies.
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
God's plan encompasses all aspects of life, including both positive events and suffering, working them together for the good of all saints.
He planned the exodus from Egypt just as much as He planned the betrayal of Joseph, his imprisonment, and his demonstration that all of the afflictions and suffering that Joseph endured were working together not only for Joseph’s good but for Israel’s good, for the good of all the saints of all the ages.
Source: From Suffering to Glory (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The gospel spread from Jerusalem to other regions, even to those who were not Jewish.
But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they had come to Antioch, spoke to the Hellenists, preaching the Lord Jesus.
Source: The Team of Barnabas and Saul (Ligonier)
The Word of God is the truth that not only redeems us but also sanctifies us.
Our Father and our God, we look to You because Your Word is the very truth that not only redeems us but sanctifies us.
Source: The Triumphal Entry (Ligonier)
Matthew was a missionary who took the gospel to Ethiopia and established a church in Africa.
According to ancient tradition, he took the gospel to Ethiopia and was one of the first to visit and establish a church in Africa.
Source: The Twelve Apostles (Part 2) (Ligonier)
The Apostle Paul taught that there is only one gospel, and any attempt to preach a different one is condemned.
The Apostle understood there was only one gospel. There are not two gospels. Paul continued: “But there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
Source: The Way of Humility (Ligonier)
The gospel cannot be compromised, negotiated, or exchanged for the sake of relationships or peace.
I knew that the Apostle Paul had told us that we must not negotiate, compromise, or exchange the gospel in any way whatsoever, and that if any would seek to pervert the gospel, they were under the judgment of God.
Source: The Way of Humility (Ligonier)
The core message of the gospel is non-negotiable, and any deviation from it is fundamentally different from the true gospel.
I knew that the Roman understanding and the Reformed understanding of the gospel were different. They could not both be right. One is gospel, the other is not.
Source: The Way of Humility (Ligonier)
The Apostle Paul's writings, particularly Galatians, demonstrate that the gospel message cannot be compromised for human approval.
I kept coming back to Galatians: “If anyone, even an angel from heaven, even if it’s your best friend, even if it’s your co-laborer, preaches a different gospel, you can’t negotiate that. No matter what.”
Source: The Way of Humility (Ligonier)
It is better to sacrifice worldly relationships or reputation than to compromise the gospel.
It is better to lose one thousand friends or relatives than to lose the gospel.
Source: The Way of Humility (Ligonier)
The gospel is a serious, eternal commitment, not a casual or negotiable matter.
With respect to the gospel, it is never, ever a game. It is a commitment on which eternity hangs in the balance.
Source: The Way of Humility (Ligonier)
The redemption of Christ is symbolized by the first miracle Jesus performed, which was making wine.
The redemption of Christ is indicated in the very first miracle that He performed—making wine.
Source: The Wedding Feast (Ligonier)
The Jewish people expected the Messiah to arrive only after the prophet Elijah was sent.
He tells us that the day of the Lord is coming, but it will not come until God first sends Elijah to announce it. That is why the Jewish people were waiting for the return of Elijah, because the Old Testament said that the Messiah cannot come until Elijah comes first.
Source: Who Are You? (Ligonier)
The Jewish way is the correct and ordained way, and salvation is specifically of the Jews.
It is the Jewish way that is the correct way, the way God has ordained, and we must always remember that salvation is of the Jews.
Source: The Woman at the Well (Part 2) (Ligonier)
Believers must pay serious attention to Christ's command to preach the gospel to the entire world.
I think we have to pay serious attention to the passionate command of Christ to go to the whole world, to every living creature, and tell them of Jesus.
Source: Are those who have never heard of Christ going to hell? (Ligonier Q&A)
Sproul observes both encouraging signs of church revitalization and dreadful decay within the church.
I see all kinds of encouraging signs of the revitalization of the church in our own day. At the same time, on the other side of the spectrum, we see dreadful decay in the life of the church.
Source: Are you hopeful for another spiritual awakening in our day? (Ligonier Q&A)
God has a special love for those who are redeemed or saved, which is different from the love He has for the wicked.
Rather, it describes the special love that He has for His Son and those who are in His Son; that is, those who are adopted into His heavenly family. They are the redeemed or the saved. The result is a special love that God has for His redeemed that He does not have for the wicked.
Source: Does God love the wicked the same way He loves the elect? (Ligonier Q&A)
It is dangerous to preach that God loves people unconditionally, because people need to be warned about the reality of God's wrath.
So, it is very dangerous when we tell people, “God loves you unconditionally.” We have to do things from a biblical perspective rather than trying to change the biblical character of God. God is angry every day against the wicked, and justly so.
Source: Does God love us just the way we are? (Ligonier Q&A)
The church must be reformed according to Scripture, emphasizing that the reform must happen first, not merely changed.
Context: This is a response from Ferguson, not Sproul.
Once the church has been reformed according to Scripture, it needs to keep on being reformed according to Scripture, but let’s get it reformed first. Not changed first, but reformed according to Scripture .
Source: Does “semper reformanda” mean that the church should always be changing? (Ligonier Q&A)
The New Testament word for angel, 'angelos,' appears more often than the words for sin or love, suggesting that angels should be discussed.
The New Testament word for angel, angelos , appears more frequently than the word for sin and the word for love. So there is no excuse for not talking about angels.
Source: Does the Bible preclude the existence of life elsewhere in the universe? (Ligonier Q&A)
God's love is conditional, requiring repentance and coming to Christ, which contradicts the idea that He loves everyone unconditionally.
When I hear preachers stand up and say that God loves everybody unconditionally, I want to scream and say, “Wait a minute, then why does He call us to repent? Why does He call us to come to the cross? Why does He call us to come to Christ?” If God loves everybody unconditionally, then you can do whatever you want and believe whatever you think, but that’s just not true.
Source: Is it biblical to say God "loves you" to believers and nonbelievers alike? (Ligonier Q&A)
When engaging in evangelism, one should operate under the assumption that the person being addressed is elect.
My working assumption in evangelism and outreach is to be hopeful the person to whom we’re speaking is numbered among the elect.
Source: How should we evangelize someone who claims they aren’t elect? (Ligonier Q&A)
The speaker believes that God has called every believer to be where they are at the present moment.
I believe that God has called me to be where I am at this very moment, and I think it’s true for every believer at that point.
The promises found in poetic literature are general guidelines regarding God's providence, not necessarily universal promises for all Christians.
These are general guidelines, general principles of how the beneficence of God’s providence is poured out on a regular basis in the protection of His people.
Source: How should we interpret promises in the Psalms that no harm will strike us? (Ligonier Q&A)
The gospel is more important for understanding than other historical accounts found in Scripture.
But that’s not as important for us to understand as the gospel is.
Source: Is all Scripture equally applicable? (Ligonier Q&A)
The fundamental nature of fallen humanity has not changed since the time of Adam's fall, meaning the task of evangelism remains constant.
The other good news (and bad news at the same time) is that the constituent nature of fallen humanity has neither improved nor de-proved since the day that Adam fell. We’re still dead in our sins and trespasses.
Source: Is evangelism more difficult in a society where truth is considered relative? (Ligonier Q&A)
The biblical God reveals both His tender mercy and His wrath, and people who claim He has no wrath are wrong.
And He’s angry about people who say He has no wrath, because the biblical God reveals not only His tender mercy, but also He reveals His wrath.
Source: Is it a sin to be angry with God? (Ligonier Q&A)
True believers who fall away will eventually be brought to repentance and redeemed.
Those who are true believers and who turn away will someday, before they die, be brought to repentance and redeemed. We have full confidence in the perseverance of the saints in that regard.
Source: Is there hope for a child who turns away from Christ as a college student? (Ligonier Q&A)
Baptism serves as a sign of the benefits of Christ's work, but it does not automatically convey salvation.
Baptism is a sign of all these benefits, but it doesn’t automatically convey salvation any more than circumcision automatically conveyed salvation in the Old Testament, as Paul labors in Romans (Rom. 2:28–29).
Source: What would you say in response to the doctrine of baptismal regeneration? (Ligonier Q&A)
It is justifiable and important to include warnings about the danger of one's soul in evangelism because it shows genuine care for the person.
So, my answer to your question is yes, it is justifiable and important to include that element in the full measure of our evangelism. If we don’t warn people of where they’re headed, then we don’t really care for them.
Source: Should fear play a role in our evangelism? (Ligonier Q&A)
The way Jesus and the Apostles preached was by warning people about the clear and present danger of their spiritual state if they remained unrepentant.
This is the way Jesus preached. This is the way the Apostles preached. This is the way the great preachers of all time preached. They tried to awaken people to the clear and present danger of the state of their soul if they remained impenitent.
Source: Should fear play a role in our evangelism? (Ligonier Q&A)
The outward or external call is the proclamation of the gospel to everyone who hears the preaching.
The outward, external call is that which is proclaimed indiscriminately to everyone who hears the preaching of the gospel. When we proclaim Christ to the world, anybody who is within earshot can hear the outward or external call to come to repentance and to come to Christ.
Source: What does it mean to be “called” in the New Testament? (Ligonier Q&A)
The inward call is irresistible because while resistance is possible, it cannot overcome the call, and God's effectual call achieves its intended purpose of leading to saving faith.
The inward call is irresistible, not in the sense that I don’t have the power to resist it, but my resistance cannot overcome it. God’s effectual call effects what He intends it to do; namely, to bring us to saving faith.
Source: What does it mean to be “called” in the New Testament? (Ligonier Q&A)
The single meritorious cause of salvation is the transfer or counting of Jesus' righteousness for the believer.
This is why we say that the single meritorious cause of our salvation is the transfer, or counting, of Jesus’ righteousness for me.
Source: What is imputed righteousness? (Ligonier Q&A)
Every believer, regardless of their profession, should dedicate their work to the glory of God.
And every believer, whatever work he’s engaged in—banker, lawyer, Indian chief, baker, or whatever it may be—his work should be done to the glory of God.
Source: What is the doctrine of vocation? (Ligonier Q&A)
The gospel, specifically the kerygma, is the proclamation of the person and work of Jesus Christ and how we receive His benefits.
In New Testament terms, the gospel is the proclamation of the person and work of Jesus Christ plus how the benefits of that work can be appropriated to us by faith and by faith alone. So the gospel has a narrow definition: it’s the message about Jesus.
Source: What is the gospel? (Ligonier Q&A)