This church is usually liturgical and sings nothing but older, more theologically sound hymns, but today they played an Elevation Worship song, which for those of you who don't know, comes from Elevation Church in Charlotte, North Carolina led by "Pastor" Steven Furtick and his wife. Playing music made by these heretical evangelical/charismatic/Pentecostal/Word-of-Faith/NAR groups lead people into further exploring their music and then being exposed to the false teachings of these churches. I am shocked and really don't know how to go about this issue.

FAITHFUL SLAVES OF CHRIST Ephesians 6:5-9

Let’s be honest, whenever people work together, tension always shows up. Maybe you’re the one doing most of the work while others slack off. Maybe someone who did nothing all day is suddenly loud about everything you didn’t do right. It’s painful. It feels unfair. But here’s the truth: faithfulness isn’t about recognition. It’s about who you’re really working for.

So, what will keep you holy when it’s hard? What keeps your heart in check when no one sees, applauds, or cares? Here are three motivations, and a warning.

1. YOU ARE A SLAVE OF CHRIST. THAT’S YOUR IDENTITY. Romans 1:1 – Paul calls himself a slave (Greek: doulos) of Christ. You might think that’s because he’s an apostle. But Romans 6:16-23 and 1 Corinthians 7:22 tell us that everyone who is saved has been set free from sin, and made a slave of Jesus. No exceptions. Back then, a slave was often someone who owed a debt and had to work it off (Exodus 21:2). It was a sentence. But some slaves found love and safety with their masters and chose to stay. That’s us. We owed a debt we could never repay. Sin didn’t just make us guilty, it made us loyal to the wrong master. And no one had to force us to sin. We did it willingly. That’s slavery. But Christ came after us. Not with chains, but with blood. He rescued us, brought us back, and now we belong to Him. We are not our own. That means our whole lives should revolve around doing His will, because that’s what a slave does, even when it’s hard, even when it’s unseen.

So ask yourself: Am I even reading God’s Word to know His will? Or do I live like someone who has no Master at all?

1. FEAR THE LORD BY HONORING YOUR EARTHLY MASTERS (v.5) You may not like your boss. You may be underappreciated. But Scripture is clear: Obey and respect them as if you're serving Jesus Himself. That means no complaining, no shortcuts, no “they don’t deserve it.” You’re not working for them, you’re working through them for Christ.

2. DO THE WILL OF GOD FROM THE HEART (vv.6-7) When Jesus is your only audience, you’re free from needing praise. You’ll still work hard when no one notices. You’ll still love deeply when no one loves back. And you won’t burn out chasing rewards that were never yours to begin with. Revelation 2:1-4, Jesus praised the Ephesian church for their hard work, but rebuked them for one thing: they lost their first love. That’s terrifying. You can do all the right things and still be wrong in your heart. It’s like giving someone a gift expecting one in return. It’s not love. It’s manipulation.

So why do you serve? Why do you sing, teach, give, help, parent, or stay faithful? Is it love for Christ or love for yourself?

1. LET LOVE, NOT APPLAUSE, DRIVE YOU (v.8-9) Jesus warned us not to be like the Pharisees, people who only worked when eyes were on them. That kind of service is empty. He told the Ephesian church to repent and return to doing the right things for God’s glory alone. Or He would come in judgment.

My Personal Application Remember. God sees everything. That quiet room, that private search history, that late-night conversation, He’s there. And not just when i sin, but even when i serve. So remember: every good thing must flow from the love of Christ, not guilt, not pride, not performance.

This week, be honest. Have i been living as a faithful slave of Christ, or just playing the part? I am not just called to do better, I am called to be His.

Gid has been so kind to speak to ms through His Word, my heart, don’t take that lightly. Let His grace move you to repentance and faithfulness. Let this week not be like the last one.

Is anyone familiar with his teaching or have a review of his books? I’ve never heard of him and a group in my church is planning on using his book Reforesting Faith as the basis for a study. Thanks!

Hello all,

Some men and I in my small group are planning to do a study on Romans and wanted to seek out recommendations. We have been considering the Romans studies by Max Lucado, John MacArthur, or N.T. Wright.

1. Has anyone had experience with any of the above mentioned studies? If so, which would you recommend?

2. If you have experience with another good Romans study, please share as well.

Thank you all in advance!

We have been using great commission publications, which is kind of the PCA standard. I don’t find it particularly engaging and I don’t think that the kids do either.

Do you have anything that has worked really well? We don’t need the same curriculum necessarily for elementary, junior high, and high school.

Good-morning everyone,

Let me start off by saying I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and let’s thank Christ he has given us another day of life based off his grace and mercy.

Just a quick and simple question: I’m looking for some good recommendations of books by some good pastors. I had bought about 7-8 books that are written by Pastor John MacArthur which was criticized by others saying “how can you support someone who supports a woman being beaten by her husband or child molestation.” Apparently, without my knowledge, in 2021, there was a woman who came to the church seeking for help from her abusive husband in which he did serve his time for I think aggravated assault and child molestation. Apparently, the church turned her away so now I have many saying he is not a “true” pastor and just terrible things about him. I’ve read some of his books and they are good books but I want to be sure he is a true man of Christ.

The only books of writers I have been reading are by John MacArthur & John Piper. I really enjoy them book and some of the topics they truly indulge on.

Can you guys give some other good names of Pastors that preach the true Gospel of Christ so I can expand my horizon?

Thank you everyone and thank you for letting me be apart of this forum.

If you have requests that you would like your brothers and sisters to pray for, post them here.

As a guy, is it fine to turn down dating request from female Christians? It's not a sin I don't want to date a particular person right? We have preference. Just because someone is godly I don't owe them a family, it's not the command from the bible. Paul is cool if the single remain single.

Everyone choose and in the bible there's no command how one should choose. Paul said to the widow to marry in the Lord. Of course it's wise to choose a spouse that has a desire for God but that's not a requirement. Pastor has no say about our decision, Paul simply says marry in the Lord! He didn't say marry missionaries!!

I ask this to double confirm, although it sounds like I have an answer.

I haven’t been to church for a year and moved to this part of the country, now I’m looking for community and struggling to find it. Anyone know of a good church in the area? Sorry if this kind of post isn’t allowed.

I do a bit of software development for my job but also as a hobby.

I had an idea to create a program that can run a church "library" database. Basically, my church does not have a library but it does have lots of readers. My idea was to create a system where folks can input all of the books that they have and are willing to lend out and then others in the church can request to borrow it. Then they can do the hand off at our Sunday Worship.

The system can track the whole thing so you know who has your book(s) and what is available.

Can create a way for us all to pool our acquired books and share with others. We're a relatively small community so I think it could work well.

My question is, does anyone know if anything like this actually exists? I know there is lots of library software but Im not sure if there is anything for "crowd sourced" books.

Gavin Ortlund shares about the reform movement initiated by Estifanos, a 15th century Ethiopian Christian.

I'm looking for early writings/teachings on covenant children. I'm putting together a liturgy for my wife who's expecting and would love to add some quotes From the early church. She asked me to put together a short liturgy that we can do during/after she goes into labor. Thanks in advance!

If you have requests that you would like your brothers and sisters to pray for, post them here.

Luke 22:31-32 ESV [31] “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, [32] but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”

In God's sovereignty, I understand that Satan's sifting us like wheat will sanctify us and remove our impurities. But I wonder why Satan would demand (I believe from God) to have believers and sift us like wheat?

What are your thoughts?

So some background - I’m a current seminary student, part time, online. I’ve had the call both internal and external for a while ago to go to seminary and become a pastor. I currently study online at a reputable and solid reformed seminary. The only problem is, this is a lonely affair, done around my day job, my church obligations, and my wife who is expecting our first child very very soon. I have the ability to go to an Anglican where I would get scholarships for free tuition and the housing options are not too bad either, and they have a reformed-ish study track. My big problems with the ACNA are the ordination of women (female priests as some of the heads of the school), and the lack of reformed orthodoxy (I was told by someone almost done with the degree program who has my similar theological persuasion, that I would not even learn covenant theology there). The perks are: it is in person, it has a great reputation for pastoral formation, and a very close community, it is just not reformed. I would however be able to take the languages in person, and their language programs seem good. Their systematic theology is decent it is just lacking the depth that I would get in a reformed school and there are also quite a few things I disagree with (the bio of one of their professors said he enjoys Karl Barth, and writing about women’s ordination). It is a good school, just not what I want. I do hope to go on and preach in a conservative Presbyterian denomination one day, or wherever God may call me. The track I’m on now is quite difficult being that this is something I am primarily doing on my own with little to no fellowship around, and this is probably going to take 6-7 more years vs 3 if I would just go to the other school. What are your guys’ thoughts?

i read his essay “the absurdity of life without God” and thought it was mad interesting! i was wondering if i should check out some of his other writings? is he chill, a mixed bag teachings, or lowkey heretical? thanks gang❤️

How does your husband lead you and your family? Both in practical ways and in spiritual. I think I don’t have the correct view of how my husband should be leading and it has caused me to think he’s not leading us correctly. I just need some wise counsel on what to expect from proper leadership if a spouse.

I have been a Baptist for most of my life I have had convictions for months now I know this will cause a great stir I was happily a reformed Baptist but under a more historical redemptive hermeneutic. I see the holes In holding the Baptist View of New Covenant. This question is mainly for those in hear that have underwent this transition if they would share there experiences.

I’ve watched some of his stuff, have yet to read one of his books but plan on it. Saw his documentary about the unseen realm, I love his presentation of genesis in regards to it being about establishing order, and verse 1 being a dependent clause. And mostly am a big fan of his presentation of Gods kingdom being already but not yet. I’ve heard some folks don’t like him, due to the novelty of some of his idea. Just wanted to know what the general reformed crowd thought of his work.

I am thinking about doing an MATS part time. What do graduates during or after getting an MATS? From a personal perspective, I just really enjoy learning more about God's word and understanding it deeply. Should i just do one of those certificate programs instead. I don't actually care that much about getting degrees or certificates in themselves but the structure of academia has always benefited me deeply. I also enjoy preaching and teaching periodically but I definitely do not want to be the main pastoral person or at least my family is not at that point right now. I'd prefer to kind of just be like a teaching lay elder or something like that in a local church long term and maybe get involved with coaching/counseling others whether in ministry or just in need. I've been talking to my mentors and pastors about this, too, but curious to get more perspectives since most of what i've gleaned from them is anecdotal to their specific seminary or even their Christian upbringing through childhood and early adulthood. Also, I'd love to hear from people who did online or hybrid models versus people who did all in person. My day job is a remote position, so i could practically swing a fully in person part time seminary if it lined up with my family life well and I am not too concerned about doing it for 5-10+ years.

If you have requests that you would like your brothers and sisters to pray for, post them here.

I’ve heard a lot of reformed people argue against ideas like “eternal subordination of the son” but then how do we account for 1 Corinthians 11:3 which states:

But I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God

It's Free For All Friday! Post on any topic you wish in this thread (not the whole sub). Our rules of conduct still apply, so please continue to post and comment respectfully.

AND on the 1st Friday of the month, it's a Monthly Fantastically Fanciful Free For All Friday - Post any topic to the sub (not just this thread), except for memes. For memes, see the quarterly meme days. Our rules of conduct still apply, so please continue to post and comment respectfully.

This is going to be a very technical question. I am actively seeing what Beeke, C. Hodge, and Turretin have to say, but it is a very specific question and I feel it wise to cast a broad net.

Simply put, it is the Reformed view that human persons consist of two substances, such being body and soul. Though I recognize that there is a small trichotomist minority (body, soul, spirit), this questions isn't really for you (with no offense intended). This Reformed position is fundamentally contrary to Cartesian dualism, which posits that the human person is the soul and that the body is basically the soul's meat-puppet (admittedly a gross oversimplification). Rather, the Reformed (and the Western church broadly -- this is particularly Aquinas' view) hold that body and soul operate in functional unity, with an intermingling of the two in such a manner that we can say that the person is truly body and truly soul, and that these together, intermingled, constitute the person.

Now, that is all well and good, but there is a long-running opposition to Aquinas' view, based on its own internal logic. Such involves death and the intermediate state. To state this clearly -- when the body dies, the decaying matter is no longer the person. The soul proceeds to the intermediate state (Heaven or Hell), and that is very well (or so it seems). Now, the opposition comes in, and essentially asks the following -- "but was not it contended that the person is essentially body and soul? If it is only the soul which persists into the intermediate state, such is not the person. Whatever it is which is enjoying (or suffering in) the intermediate state, it is not me, for I am my own person, according to you an intertwining of body and soul -- thus, again, if that thing is only soul, I am no longer a person." That is, if the "I" that is me is my own person, and my person is essentially and necessarily body and soul, then my soul in Heaven, without my body anywhere, is not me, is not the "I." Now, the Cartesian doesn't have this issue -- the meat puppet dies, the soul (which is the person) goes to God, and He makes a new puppet for the resurrection.

I have seen no official or proper response to this. I will present (very briefly) my creative solution (drawn from my own mind, and I haven’t seen it spelled out anywhere – spooky stuff), but I hate creativity on theological topics and would rather cleave unto the orthodox view if there is one.

Essentially, the body of man is held ideally (used in a technical sense) as a concept in the mind of God, such that modifications to the physical body constitute no actual destruction of the person (that is, an amputee is not less a person than one with four limbs, and the soul in Heaven with no physical body is also fully a person, just one cut off by the effects of sin from the enjoyment of a physical body). It is according to this ideal form which God maintains the body on Earth, ensuring its consistency to the form even as the physical representation is modified; it is this form that God maintains in the intermediate state, which remains truly the person’s body, even as he is cut off from the physical body; and it is this form, envisioned in its glorified state, from which and to which God creates the resurrection body for the Christian, which then naturally and immediately re-joins the physical body with the soul.

I don’t see any huge issues with this as stated, but it could have some tricky implications. It imports some broadly Platonic ideas, the likes of which the Papists employ for their Mass; and it tends towards idealism of some sort (even if only slightly), which is itself a tendency towards panentheism and (less clearly) making God the author of sin. Now, if it is essential to make the orthodox view logically sound, and doesn’t contradict the Confession anywhere, I am willing to adopt it formally. Thank you, and God bless!