Highlights:
– This verse is typically used to mean, “I can do anything I set my mind to” and then apply it to various life goals or the overcoming of adversity.
– Context always determines the meaning of words. “All things” means whatever the context dictates. Here, it is not literally all things.
– The main idea of the paragraph is “I’ve learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” Phil 4:13 relates directly to that idea.
– Phil 4:13 is a statement about the ability of the believer to be content in all circumstances.
– We should appeal to this verse anytime we find ourselves in difficult situations, struggling to be content.
Episode 64: What is the Biblical definition of lust? How do we know when we’ve crossed the line? Part 2
Episode highlights:
- Lust can take place regardless of what we do with our eyes.
- We should keep our heart and mind focused on the Word. Prov 6:20-24
- We should enjoy the godly sexuality that God has provided. Prov 5:20-23; 1 Cor 7
- We should run from the ungodly sexuality the world/devil is pushing. Prov 6:25; 7:6-9, 24-27.
Episode 63: What is the Biblical definition of lust? How do we know when we’ve crossed the line? Part 1
Episode highlights:
- Sexual desire is not inherently evil.
- The only appropriate place to entertain sexual desire is within the confines of a marriage of a man and a woman.
- Lust is entertaining illicit sexual desire for someone.
Episode 62: Does It REALLY Mean That? Matthew 7:1 – “Judge not, that you be not judged.”
Episode highlights:
- The typical application of this verse is that you should never call somebody out on their sin.
- The context indicates that Jesus is forbidding hypocritical condemnation, NOT confrontation of any sin of any sort.
- Matt 7:5 actually encourages us to help one another with sin.
- There are a plethora of cross-references indicating that we should lovingly confront sin in other believers. Matt 18:15-17; Luke 17:3b; 2 Thess 3:14-15; 1 Cor 5:12
- Bottomline application: in your confrontation, be like Jesus, not like the Pharisees.
Episode 61: Our close family members are a mix of unbelievers and then believers with poor doctrine (not heretical). Should we vocalize to our child the wrong thinking they’ve adopted beforehand or respond to those things as she encounters them?
Episode highlights:
- Focus first on positive instruction. Eph 6:4
- In your positive instruction about the Bible, warn about the real danger of error.
- Deal generally and secondarily with aberrant belief systems.
- Warning children ahead of time about specific family members may create an “us-vs-them” situation in the children’s minds.
- Warning children ahead of time about specific family members may inadvertently teach them to make assumptions about people.
Episode 60: I’ve recently befriended an unbeliever. As I develop a relationship with her, how should I talk with her about spiritual things? Do I come right out and share the gospel or is there a better approach?
Episode highlights:
- Seek to grow in your affection for Jesus so that spiritual conversation is normal for you.
- Beware of “relationship evangelism” that is all relationship and no evangelism. Matt 5:13-16
- Ask good questions and listen to the answers. (Do you have any spiritual beliefs? To you, who is Jesus? Do you think there is a heaven or a hell? If you died tonight, where would you go? If what you were believing was not true, would you want someone to tell you?)
- Ask if they would read the Gospel of Mark with you. (One to One Bible Reading, David Helm)
- Invite them to church.
- Be the best and most caring friend they have.
Episode 59: My spouse and I want to have sex with greater frequency, but there are obstacles – small children, different schedules… What would you suggest?
Episode highlights:
- Identify all the factors making it difficult to come together regularly.
- Agree together that its a priority. Gen 2:24; 1 Cor 7:2-5
- Make time for your relationship in general. 1 Peter 3:7
- Think outside the box.
- Communicate, communicate, communicate.
