Reliable Truth

What is the purpose of planting?Of course, the purpose of planting is to yield something more than just the seeds that one plants. The purpose of planting is to yield something of value, like forests, food, shade or beauty.Jesus tells us in John 15:8, "By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be my disciples."Yet, we cannot make the fruit ourselves. Only God can bring life. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 3:6 that, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth." Bearing fruit is not optional. As His people, God designed and expects us to be fruitful in some way or another.But the beautiful part of planting is to rest in knowing that the results are up to God. Yes, strive to plant and do your work well in the Lord, using the gifts He has given you, but He is the one that causes the growth and brings others to Himself.

How much would it take to satisfy my heart? How much is enough? Interestingly, there are people who don't have much that want more, understandably, and then there are people that have a whole lot, and they still want more. And neither group stops to ask the question: Do I have enough?

Are you passing wisdom on to the next generation? Do you have young men in your family or life?The book of Proverbs is an extremely important book for finding practical truths and principles to help us in wise living. As we are gaining wisdom, it is a worthy endeavor to look for ways to share it with others, particularly to those younger than us.Proverbs 25:2 tells us that, "It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter." What a blessing it can be to us to search out the mysteries of God that He is inviting us to discover!Then in Psalm 78:4, the Psalmist declares, "We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about His power and His mighty wonders." >>Watch on YouTubeDr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

The doctrine of election can be a matter of division among a lot of Christians. Today's Richard's guest, Dr. Mark Gignilliat, discusses some overlapping and important theological concerns that the Bible itself raises, in terms of what we are as human beings and the necessity of God's grace to enter into our lives and to raise us into new life in Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 12:3 that "no one can say Jesus is Lord" without the animating work of the Holy Spirit. We cannot say with true sincerity that Jesus is Lord without the work of the Holy Spirit to take that which is dead and to make it alive again. Watch on YouTubeDr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

What is the quality of your work? Would you like to get understanding on how to live a more fruitful life?In today's message, we continue looking at the metaphor of the different types of soil that the Word of God fell on. We'll look at three things that keep us from being fruitful: worry, deceit and the desire for other things.

The podcast discusses the importance of sharing who Christ is with others through personal connections and friendships. It explores creative ways to bear fruit for the Lord and emphasizes the significance of inviting others to encounter Christ. Tim Keller shares the principle of finding Jesus through a friend, highlighting the effectiveness of personal relationships in leading others to a personal relationship with Christ.

What would it mean for the world if Jesus truly did rise from the dead? And what does it mean to me personally - or does it mean anything at all to me? For many years C.S. Lewis thought the Bible and the stories of the resurrection were all a bunch of myths, kind of like Norse mythology. But I would just say that the evidence for the resurrection is quite compelling, particularly if you'll take the time to look into it.In this message I dive into 3 strategies that we use to deal with facing our own mortality. By choosing the right one you can have true peace and confidence that will impact the quality of your life until it comes to an end. Watch on YouTube

What is Lent, and why is it important? Much like Advent leading up to Christmas, Lent is a season that's really a gift for us. It is a time to become conscious and to take some time to enter into thought, prayer and repentance as we prepare for Easter Sunday. Christians have an unusual relationship with the concept of time. We live in the present here on earth, but the Bible also lets us know that we're already participants and citizens of another time and place. What does that look like in our daily lives?Watch on YouTubeDr. Mark Gignilliat is professor of divinity at Beeson Divinity School, where he teaches courses in Old Testament and Hebrew, and also serves as theologian in residence at St. Peter's Anglican Church in Birmingham. Dr. Gignilliat is married to Naomi, and they have four children.

How did God design us, and what were we made to long for?God is a relational being, and we are in His image, so we are also relational beings. Relationships are inherent to who we are as people. If we were not made relational, then there would be no such thing as loneliness.Why do people get lonely? Life is bankrupt without relationships.Former pro football player Joe Ermann says this about men:"This is our problem (as men): we compare, we compete; that's all we ever do. It leaves most men feeling isolated and alone. And it destroys any concept of community."Even to truly know God in the fullest way, we also need to experience God in relationship with other believers who know God intimately.As you listen to this message, ask yourself, "How does this really apply to me?" Be honest with yourself. Then ask, "Is there something that I can do differently in my life?" Watch on YouTube

What would say are the biggest struggles in your life?In Part 3 we discussed how to grow in wisdom as men. Now, using that wisdom, let's look at how to confront the three deadly sins - pride, greed and envy.My desire is that these messages help bring you wisdom and freedom to live as healthy men. >>Watch on YouTube