Steve Lawson, False Teachers, and Works Based Righteousness (Ep. 190)

Most people who hold to a Calvinistic view of salvation probably think they have rejected works-based righteousness. But when sin is revealed in a leader, why do so many turn to that man’s works to assure themselves that he is truly saved? This was the response of many when Steve Lawson was removed from office. And in the last sermon he preached before his removal, this was Steve Lawson’s defense of himself as well.

Scripture teaches us that we can have assurance of salvation. But it warns us that even though we can examine our inward motivations, we are susceptible to deceiving ourselves (Philippians 2:12-13, I Corinthians 11:28-32). When it comes to other people, scripture is very clear, we can NEVER be assured of someone else’s salvation in the same way. But more importantly, scripture teaches that while those who have been saved still sin, those who walk in sin or practice sin, ARE NOT saved. (Galatians 5:16-24, I John 1:16). To say it a different way, we can be more assured that someone else is NOT saved than that they are. And this bothers many people.

In his last sermon, which was on John the Baptist, Steve Lawson suddenly says the following: “And you should not judge a man by his one weak moment you need to look at the whole body of his work you need to look at his whole message. You need to look at his whole ministry and don’t judge him on one hiccup that happens.” And while you may disagree that this statement was connected to what was about to happen to Steve Lawson and his ministry, it is a perfect example of how he was defended by many.

So here’s the question: how susceptible are you to a work-based righteousness defense of salvation? Not where you say, “good works are the necessary fruit of salvation”, but where you are tempted to weigh the good works vs the bad? Because that’s not found in scripture. Nowhere does God say that we should reassure ourselves of someone’s salvation because they have done many good works. That is the proclamation of the lawless who stand before God in the day of judgment: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:15-23

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2024/10/steve-lawson-false-teachers-and-works-based-righteousness-ep-190-audio/

Timecodes
00:00:00 Lawson and Works
00:08:06 Wolves
00:14:54 Celebrity Pastors
00:22:47 Did Lawson Teach Works Based Righteousness?
00:31:54 Reformation Day Ad
00:32:49 Works Based Righteousness
00:45:14 Attacks on the Flock
01:00:17 Biblical Examples

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Steve Lawson, False Teachers, and Works Based Righteousness (Ep. 190 Audio)

Most people who hold to a Calvinistic view of salvation probably think they have rejected works-based righteousness. But when sin is revealed in a leader, why do so many turn to that man’s works to assure themselves that he is truly saved? This was the response of many when Steve Lawson was removed from office. And in the last sermon he preached before his removal, this was Steve Lawson’s defense of himself as well.

Scripture teaches us that we can have assurance of salvation. But it warns us that even though we can examine our inward motivations, we are susceptible to deceiving ourselves (Philippians 2:12-13, I Corinthians 11:28-32). When it comes to other people, scripture is very clear, we can NEVER be assured of someone else’s salvation in the same way. But more importantly, scripture teaches that while those who have been saved still sin, those who walk in sin or practice sin, ARE NOT saved. (Galatians 5:16-24, I John 1:16). To say it a different way, we can be more assured that someone else is NOT saved than that they are. And this bothers many people.

In his last sermon, which was on John the Baptist, Steve Lawson suddenly says the following: “And you should not judge a man by his one weak moment you need to look at the whole body of his work you need to look at his whole message. You need to look at his whole ministry and don’t judge him on one hiccup that happens.” And while you may disagree that this statement was connected to what was about to happen to Steve Lawson and his ministry, it is a perfect example of how he was defended by many.

So here’s the question: how susceptible are you to a work-based righteousness defense of salvation? Not where you say, “good works are the necessary fruit of salvation”, but where you are tempted to weigh the good works vs the bad? Because that’s not found in scripture. Nowhere does God say that we should reassure ourselves of someone’s salvation because they have done many good works. That is the proclamation of the lawless who stand before God in the day of judgment: “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ Matthew 7:15-23

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Did God Send the Hurricanes? Understanding God’s Judgment (Ep. 189)

In the past weeks, several hurricanes have struck the United States, killing hundreds and displacing millions. Many professing Christians are offended if you say that God sent these hurricanes as judgment, but we’d like to argue that this is because we tend to think very shallowly about the judgment of God. And while disaster striking an area does not inherently mean that God judged the people who lived there because they were the most evil and vilest of sinners, scripture clearly teaches God ordains all events and that he is the one who kills and makes alive (Deuteronomy 32:29), who brings peace or sends calamity (Isaiah 45:7).

In this episode, we want to discuss what the Bible says about natural disasters and God’s judgment. We start out by framing the issue, reviewing scripture explaining how God’s wrath is revealed to man (Psalm 10 and Romans 1) and establishing His authority as Lord over all the earth. We then walk through some of the many passages that show God’s judgment through storms and other disasters and how He uses them to punish, warn, demonstrate his power, teach men to fear God, and demonstrate the danger and power of sin. Please join us as we discuss this very important topic.

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2024/10/did-god-send-the-hurricanes-understanding-gods-judgment-ep-189-audio/

Timecodes
00:00:00 Understanding God’s Providence
00:09:33 Worship of Nature
00:20:47 God’s Judgment
00:30:23 Punishment
00:39:37 Warning
00:47:44 Praise
01:00:22 Increasing Fear of God
01:02:31 As Metaphor
01:06:39 Showing the Difference of Christians

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Did God Send the Hurricanes? Understanding God’s Judgment (Ep. 189 Audio)

In the past weeks, several hurricanes have struck the United States, killing hundreds and displacing millions. Many professing Christians are offended if you say that God sent these hurricanes as judgment, but we’d like to argue that this is because we tend to think very shallowly about the judgment of God. And while disaster striking an area does not inherently mean that God judged the people who lived there because they were the most evil and vilest of sinners, scripture clearly teaches God ordains all events and that he is the one who kills and makes alive (Deuteronomy 32:29), who brings peace or sends calamity (Isaiah 45:7).

In this episode, we want to discuss what the Bible says about natural disasters and God’s judgment. We start out by framing the issue, reviewing scripture explaining how God’s wrath is revealed to man (Psalm 10 and Romans 1) and establishing His authority as Lord over all the earth. We then walk through some of the many passages that show God’s judgment through storms and other disasters and how He uses them to punish, warn, demonstrate his power, teach men to fear God, and demonstrate the danger and power of sin. Please join us as we discuss this very important topic.

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Projecting Our Sin Onto Others: How Christians Should Think About Hypocrisy (Ep. 188)

The law of God confronts us with our sin. And while sinners hate this condemnation, they also want others to obey God’s law because it makes their life easier. Because of this, they are very quick to notice sin in others, specifically, the sin that the law has convicted them of. This is often referred to as projection. Scripture refers to it this way: And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

In this episode we want to discuss the different ways that this practice of hypocrisy presents itself in the world and in our lives and how we as Christians should think about it. It is one of the reasons why the world calls Christians unloving, not because the world understands love, but because they are convicted of their lack of love and so accuse others of it. (This does not mean that Christians are always loving or that the world is always wrong about Christians being unloving, but that this is a common pattern it is helpful to understand it). We also discuss how sin impacts our ability to understand others. It separates us from them and then causes us to see them through the perverting influence of sin. This is why perverts think the innocent are being perverted when they are not, why the angry take offense at kindness, why the covetous are harmed by gifts they are given and so on.

The law of God is good, but sin perverts everything, and as Christians it is good for us to understand how sin twists the good commandments of God and causes men to project their sins onto others. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2024/10/projecting-our-sin-onto-others-how-christians-should-think-about-hypocrisy-ep-188-audio/

Timecodes
00:00 Hypocrisy
26:24 Assuming Everyone is Like You
38:33 Deflection

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Projecting Our Sin Onto Others: How Christians Should Think About Hypocrisy (Ep. 188 Audio)

The law of God confronts us with our sin. And while sinners hate this condemnation, they also want others to obey God’s law because it makes their life easier. Because of this, they are very quick to notice sin in others, specifically, the sin that the law has convicted them of. This is often referred to as projection. Scripture refers to it this way: And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

In this episode we want to discuss the different ways that this practice of hypocrisy presents itself in the world and in our lives and how we as Christians should think about it. It is one of the reasons why the world calls Christians unloving, not because the world understands love, but because they are convicted of their lack of love and so accuse others of it. (This does not mean that Christians are always loving or that the world is always wrong about Christians being unloving, but that this is a common pattern it is helpful to understand it). We also discuss how sin impacts our ability to understand others. It separates us from them and then causes us to see them through the perverting influence of sin. This is why perverts think the innocent are being perverted when they are not, why the angry take offense at kindness, why the covetous are harmed by gifts they are given and so on.

The law of God is good, but sin perverts everything, and as Christians it is good for us to understand how sin twists the good commandments of God and causes men to project their sins onto others. Please join us as we discuss this important topic.

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Right Doctrine is NOT Enough: Why Orthopraxy Matters (Ep. 187)

Having right doctrine is important, but it’s not enough. That why orthopraxy (having correct practices) matters.

People like to debate theology. Many people believe that Christians should make an effort to persuade other Christians to their understanding of scripture – and the bible is clear, while pointless debates are foolish, persuading others to understand sound doctrine is a good and important thing to do. Right doctrine is how the church is made one. Unity comes from the right and complete understanding of who Christ is. But many are satisfied with only having right doctrine. They do not go on to apply it to their lives and to have right practices. And when orthopraxy is ignored, it is reasonable to ask whether the doctrine was ever really and correctly understood. In every field of study, there is a recognized difference between abstract knowledge and application. And as anyone who has tried to build a building or follow a recipe for the first time knows, applying knowledge can be much more difficult than obtaining it.

In this episode, we want to discuss why right doctrine is insufficient. While the wicked do not love right doctrine, it is almost always actions that they find most offensive. When Christ came to his own, they would not receive him, and while many of them were offended by his doctrine, what the religious leaders were most offended by was that he revealed them to be hypocrites, not just by his words, but by his deeds. We also want to talk about how orthropraxy and orthodoxy cannot be separated from one another. And when we try to separate them, we often lose what doctrine we have or create practices that teach a false doctrine. We can see this in how the world describes “servant leadership”. Leaders really should serve those they are called to lead, but they also still have authority. As the world tries to destroy Biblical manhood and womanhood, even among those who have correct doctrine the practice of male head of household and male representative authority has been discarded and as a result the doctrine has grown weaker. So please join as a we discuss this and many other points related to the question: “Why is orthopraxy, which means to practice what is right, important?”

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2024/09/right-doctrine-is-not-enough-why-orthopraxy-matters-ep-187-audio/

Timecodes
00:00:00 Example to the World
00:07:22 Honoring with Obedience
00:19:55 Linking Doctrine and Practice
00:29:39 Walking in the Flesh
00:37:51 Revelation of False Believers
00:44:11 Hypocrisy
00:53:48 What to Do

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

Right Doctrine is NOT Enough: Why Orthopraxy Matters (Ep. 187 Audio)

Having right doctrine is important, but it’s not enough. That why orthopraxy (having correct practices) matters.

People like to debate theology. Many people believe that Christians should make an effort to persuade other Christians to their understanding of scripture – and the bible is clear, while pointless debates are foolish, persuading others to understand sound doctrine is a good and important thing to do. Right doctrine is how the church is made one. Unity comes from the right and complete understanding of who Christ is. But many are satisfied with only having right doctrine. They do not go on to apply it to their lives and to have right practices. And when orthopraxy is ignored, it is reasonable to ask whether the doctrine was ever really and correctly understood. In every field of study, there is a recognized difference between abstract knowledge and application. And as anyone who has tried to build a building or follow a recipe for the first time knows, applying knowledge can be much more difficult than obtaining it.

In this episode, we want to discuss why right doctrine is insufficient. While the wicked do not love right doctrine, it is almost always actions that they find most offensive. When Christ came to his own, they would not receive him, and while many of them were offended by his doctrine, what the religious leaders were most offended by was that he revealed them to be hypocrites, not just by his words, but by his deeds. We also want to talk about how orthropraxy and orthodoxy cannot be separated from one another. And when we try to separate them, we often lose what doctrine we have or create practices that teach a false doctrine. We can see this in how the world describes “servant leadership”. Leaders really should serve those they are called to lead, but they also still have authority. As the world tries to destroy Biblical manhood and womanhood, even among those who have correct doctrine the practice of male head of household and male representative authority has been discarded and as a result the doctrine has grown weaker. So please join as a we discuss this and many other points related to the question: “Why is orthopraxy, which means to practice what is right, important?”

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

What God’s Law Says About Divorce, Remarriage, and Abandonment (Ep. 186)

There are well-meaning Christians who teach that no one should ever be allowed to remarry after divorce. The main problem with that interpretation is that God divorced and remarried. Spiritually, God is only ever married to the invisible church, but that is not true in an earthly sense. According to Scripture, God divorced Israel and He was divorced from Judah when he came to them and they put him to death. But then Christ is betrothed to the church, with his death paying the bride price. So, if God, who is perfectly righteous, divorced and remarried what does that mean for us?

In this episode, we want to discuss what scripture teaches about marriage, divorce, remarriage, and abandonment. We will look at the Old Testament law of divorce and see how its substance and intent are consistent with Christ’s and Paul’s teachings in the New Testament. We will look at marriage as both a picture of the gospel and of Christ and the church and how the message throughout scripture of “hardness of heart” is a central theme demonstrated through the differences between the old and new covenant.

Marriage is an important institution, and while God hates divorce, he hates hardness of heart even more. While the church needs to protect the importance and sanctity of marriage by requiring fidelity, the church must also recognize that hardness of heart can bring a marriage to an end. When we deny this, we obscure the perfect righteousness of God. Please join us as we discuss this very important topic.

Listen to the audio version here: https://theconqueringtruth.com/2024/09/what-gods-law-says-about-divorce-remarriage-and-abandonment-ep-186-audio/

Timecodes
00:00 Purpose of Marriage
18:01 Christ’s Teaching
28:39 Hardness of Heart
41:32 Paul’s Teaching
52:43 Exceptions
59:19 Conclusion

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson

What God’s Law Says About Divorce, Remarriage, and Abandonment (Ep. 186 Audio)

There are well-meaning Christians who teach that no one should ever be allowed to remarry after divorce. The main problem with that interpretation is that God divorced and remarried. Spiritually, God is only ever married to the invisible church, but that is not true in an earthly sense. According to Scripture, God divorced Israel and He was divorced from Judah when he came to them and they put him to death. But then Christ is betrothed to the church, with his death paying the bride price. So, if God, who is perfectly righteous, divorced and remarried what does that mean for us?

In this episode, we want to discuss what scripture teaches about marriage, divorce, remarriage, and abandonment. We will look at the Old Testament law of divorce and see how its substance and intent are consistent with Christ’s and Paul’s teachings in the New Testament. We will look at marriage as both a picture of the gospel and of Christ and the church and how the message throughout scripture of “hardness of heart” is a central theme demonstrated through the differences between the old and new covenant.

Marriage is an important institution, and while God hates divorce, he hates hardness of heart even more. While the church needs to protect the importance and sanctity of marriage by requiring fidelity, the church must also recognize that hardness of heart can bring a marriage to an end. When we deny this, we obscure the perfect righteousness of God. Please join us as we discuss this very important topic.

Production of Reformation Baptist Church of Youngsville, NC
Permanent Hosts – Dan Horn, Charles Churchill and Joshua Horn
Technical Director – Timothy Kaiser
Theme Music – Gabriel Hudelson