Critique of John MacArthur’s recent sermon, “The Damning Deception of Empty Words and Empty Hearts” – https://youtu.be/D1VQLTCEbN4, preached on March 23, 2020. This teaching will critique the the middle part of the aforementioned sermon (10:00 minute mark through 43:20), specifically addressing Matthew 7:13-15, 21-23.
Understanding the Cause of Depression
1. Depression (Genesis 4:1-7) 1.1. The difference between depression and sadness or discouragement is that depression is unauthorized feelings of sadness, self-pity, or discouragement. (v. 6) 1.2 What causes depression and is considered “unauthorized”: Unbiblical expectations. (vv. 3-4) (e.g. unbiblical expectations in relation to your job, your life, your marriage, your kids, your relationships, your […]
The Greatest Commandment
Matthew 5 – Part 8: Old Testament Authoritative for New Covenant
8. There are many today who think that the obligation to obey the Old Testament Scriptures has been removed (in part or whole) as essential to salvation for the New Covenant Christian[1]. What they fail to consider is not only the content, clarity, and consequences of Jesus’ teaching in Mat 5:17-20, but also that: 8.1. […]
Matthew 5 – Part 7: Old Testament Authoritative for New Covenant
8. There are many today who think that the obligation to obey the Old Testament Scriptures has been removed (in part or whole) as essential to salvation for the New Covenant Christian[1]. What they fail to consider is not only the content, clarity and consequences of Jesus’ teaching in Mat 5:17-20, but also that: 8.1. […]
Matthew 5.3 – Old Testament Authoritative for the New Covenant
7. Jesus preserves the entirety of the Old Testament Scriptures as authoritative for God’s people under the New Covenant: 7.1. The OT Scriptures are not to be destroyed but rather observed and obeyed (17)[1] “abolish” = destroy (Mat 26:61, 27:40; Luk 23:2; Act 6:14; Rom 14:20; 2Co 5:1; Gal 2:18); “the Law or the Prophets” […]
Matthew 5.2 – Conditional Identity
6. Jesus asserts that the identity we have gained as God’s people must be maintained through productivity and public witness (again Exo 19:4-6 = Israel’s identity also needed to be maintained – i.e. it was conditional): 6.1. (13) In the ancient world, salt was used as fertilizer for the soil/earth (“earth” = th/j gh/j = […]
Matthew 1.3 – Jesus’ Spiritual Origin (Matthew 1:1-17)
JESUS’ SPIRITUAL ORIGIN (1:1-17) 1.1. The genealogical list found in these verses is NOT based on Mary’s bloodline (Jesus’ biological ancestry, Luk 3:23-38[1]), but rather Joseph – His adopted human father (16). 1.2. The reason Matthew starts w/ Jesus’ adopted family tree (versus His biological) is b/c of what it tells us about His spiritual […]
Matthew 1.0
In ancient times, when a family adopted a child, they believed that child to have equally adopted their family tree. Though there would clearly be a physical difference between the adopted child and the one blood-born based on their differing gene pools, their “spiritual genes” would be the same. In other words, the adopted child […]
Matthew Introduction – Part 14: The Saving Gospel is a Marriage Covenant
6.4.3. What it is: A marriage covenant The plan of salvation communicated throughout the Bible’s redemptive history is always the same (e.g. Heb 8:5-6 = the “DNA” of God’s redemptive plan remains the same). It involves people entering into a marriage covenant with God[1]. 6.4.3.1. Consider: 6.4.3.1.1. God’s salvation always includes a covenant (Adamic = […]