Questions & Answers with Ferguson, Godfrey, Lawson, Nichols, Parsons, and Thomas

A questions and answers session with Sinclair Ferguson, W. Robert Godfrey, Steven Lawson, Stephen Nichols, Burk Parsons, and Derek Thomas.
Introduction (0:00)
Questions:
1. What does the panel believe has weakened the local churches the most? And what advice do they give to our friends who are unsuccessful in finding a faithful church in their local area? (0:41)
2. My Catholic roommate points to the fact that Protestantism has so many denominations of varying beliefs. She argues that Sola Scriptura cannot be true because so many individual interpretations lead to a wide variety of beliefs. She argues that we need a “higher authority” to interpret for us. How would you answer this? (17:55)
3. Is there anything wrong with saying, “hate the sin, love the sinner?” (29:03)
4. It has been said in this conference that Satan is bound, and it has been said that Satan is bound. Is Satan bound? In eschatological terms, who is ruling this world right now, Christ or Satan? (31:34)
5. In my sin, I feel that I have seared my conscience. How do I make my conscience tender again to the will of God and the cost of sin? (39:04)
6. How can I be saved if I have sin in my life that I hate but keep committing? (42:20)
This session is from Stand Firm, our 2023 National Conference: • Stand Firm: 2023 Natio...

[@paulinesousonis]

Even the smallest of churches can be the richest in preaching and teaching God’s Word! 💜

[@theliberatedplanet]

Sin can be a habit that must be broken. When that sin occurs you must repent immediately. And since you know it is a recurring sin you must be ever watchful and prayerful throughout your day, drawing close to God so that you do not commit that sin. There is always that one or two things that the evil one will use to discourage and Separate you from your loving Savior. Love the Q & A's. Lots of preaching and teaching!

[@deborawilliams6390]

In my view, the love of materialism, and the love of this world, have weakened the churches across our planet. Also, I was five years old when I was exposed to the real Jesus as my Savior by Evangelical missionaries, and since that happened, I never return to the Roman Catholic Church. to the Glory of God.

[@maryloulongenbaugh7069]

I really hate screens and bands In the sanctuary. We don’t have a reformed church in my area. I remember second services. I loved it.

[@lynnmcintosh]

Thank you God for these shepherds.

[@jacobjake6339]

Rises and falls on spiritual leadership

[@juliangodsend9418]

GLORY TO GOD

[@lee-annebarrett366]

Thats what we are considering doing, moving closer to a stronger biblical church and not the wokeish church ours is turning into. Soft serve preaching. We would be moving 2 hours away from family.A hard thing to do at 73 years of age.

[@bobloblaw2958]

That is a tough situation. At 73 it's not that easy to just pick up and move is it. Especially if you are on a fixed income.

[@gracepilditch9388]

Is there no other God-honouring church in the area so you could be near your children? A tough decision but a good one I think!

[@OldMovieRob]

I would have liked to hear a premil view of the 4th question. I think that's been one of my struggles with amillennial eschatology is the idea that satan is bound, but he still has power? The nations were deceived but are no longer being deceived? I think just looking at the world around us one can see that's not the case. The premil view seems to give a better interpretation of what Rev. 20 means, in that the binding is something that just hasn't happened yet but will eventually.

[@crushedrighthand3090]

it depends on whether you believe that Revelation is telling a literal physical future narrative or, like it says in Rev. 1:1 it is a book of symbols. Satan is shown in the OT as roaming the earth, going to and fro (Job 1), meaning he is a spatial being, as in cannot be in more than one place at one time. We see in the Gospels that Christ denied the temptation of Satan and after the death and resurrection, Satan is no more a prominent player in the Narrative. This, to me, suggest that the Victory gained by Christ over death in His resurrection bound Satan from the elect by the Faith they have in Christ. You must rectify whether you believe that Revelation is a literally literal book (an actual Dragon and separate Beast rising from the sea), or that it signifies both past, present, and future struggles of God's people in all ages. I personally believe it is the latter.

[@terencealbertmcbain8041]

The Best Church that I know is Calvary Chapel Poulsbo, WA.

[@jgeph2.4]

I was very grateful to the Lords providence in using Calvary Chapel to bring he to faith then leading me to a Confessionally Reformed OPC

[@dnzswithwombats]

That's my question exactly.

[@dnzswithwombats]

True. Elders in the local church do not stand up for the message of the gospel and neither have the clergy. There is evident fear of man over fear of the One True and Living God.

[@miguelsalinas5273]

Alot of catholics don't read the bible they are so used to the priest reading it for them are end up decieved..hopefully the new generation will read it n seek salvation

[@emilykelly7453]

As a former Catholic myself, I can tell you two things: First, Catholics don’t read their Bible, not because the priest reads it to them, because they hardly read from scripture, but because they aren’t Christians to begin with. And two, Catholicism as a whole is a false church. There are certainly true Christians in Catholicism, but the overwhelming majority don’t know Christ. They teach a faith + works gospel. They teach to and worship idols. Most “Catholics” have no clue what the Bible says and they use the church as a get out of hell free card.

[@moonmonk6418]

A lot of protestants don't read it either.

[@emilykelly7453]

@@moonmonk6418 the difference is staggering. Comparing the two, you will find far more Protestants that know their Bible than Catholics.

[@brianpayne8931]

@Emily Kelly for if they did they would no longer be catholic.

[@forestmichael7050]

And most muslims bully Christians based on them.. catholics

[@csg9095]

25:27 Exactly!

[@theliberatedplanet]

Thank you for making that comment where people write things off by saying oh , that's just how he is; that's just the way he or she is. Here is another one, Oh, they are just a big personality. Any excuse not to examine the evil and calling it what it is, so that we can eliminate it from our lives and uphold each other in love.

[@JoeyboyRosebud]

It is interesting that two of these ministers left their home countries to minister. Without casting stones, if the shepherds depart where are the sheep to go?

[@Jesusmyhopeofglory]

Ministers go where they are called friend and in a lot of cases not necessarily where they choose. What we can be sure on is that these men are exactly where God in His providence has placed them.

[@gracepilditch9388]

@@Jesusmyhopeofglory they see a need and go to make disciples as Jesus said. As for other shepherds, He will provide godly men. We can be sure of that.

[@gracepilditch9388]

Does Sinclair Ferguson mean the evening service when he refers to the second service? All this is very helpful, thank you very much! I do think the church we go to should be local so that we can meet and have fellowship, build one another up and encourage one another etc. Steve Lawson says it well when he says you may need to move.

[@pattymellen8685]

2nd service is the evening service

[@gracepilditch9388]

@@pattymellen8685 thank you! I’ve never heard it referred to as that so was confused. It’s true, in the Uk far fewer people tend to go to the evening service.

[@horsecare.skincare]

@@gracepilditch9388 The 2nd service is the 2nd morning service. Many churches have this now instead of an evening service

[@gracepilditch9388]

@@horsecare.skincare is this an American practice? I think in the Uk we do this when a church has got too big and while waiting to do a church plant so there are two services, the same message, on the Sunday morning.

[@Jesusmyhopeofglory]

@@gracepilditch9388 it’s the same in North America. This is not what Sinclair Ferguson is talking about. 😊

[@ruthgoldbergives6945]

😊

[@moonmonk6418]

The church building has become an idol. An unnecessary expense to maintain. No REAL fellowship/discipling occurs there. Do you want REAL, sweet fellowship and discipling? Then keep it in the home. As churches across the USA become more and more WOKE, true Christians will "come out from among them and be separate" and be found in the home, and not in some building.

[@hasimhodzic9649]

The Biblical example of a service was not a question of one or two services because their services went a lot longer than an hour, you go to services in countries where Christians are hungry for The Word of God and services can go on all day and even under some very uncomfortable conditions. Remember the wheat and the tares, you cannot take out the tares because you might harm the wheat. We have plenty of resources these days for the Child of God who is truly hungry for The Word of God and The Holy Spirit for a guide. The Lord is faithful to provide us with all our needs.

[@glacierbouy6ix768]

I need help to understand about the Second service

[@terry-fn9dj]

Most Churches used to have a Sunday evening service.

[@adrianaamado473]

God says Jacob have I loved and Esau I have hated. Somewhere in Psalms 5 it says he hates the sinner.

[@selwynwaterboer8199]

Jeremia 4 1 As jy jou bekeer, Israel, spreek die HERE, bekeer jou tot My; en as jy jou verfoeisels van my aangesig af verwyder, hoef jy nie rond te swerwe nie.

[@noplanband3302]

Relevance??? I believe God's word (THE KING JAMES) spans all generations as He intended. The Same Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow and Forever, AMEM

[@revitalizedbornagain4418]

John 3:18-21 (KJV) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

[@joev6470]

hello

[@chrispereji785]

They didn't address Sola Scriptura and went on a rant on the Roman Catholicism, Pope, yadi yadi, yada

[@cryptobradley2009]

How about 3 times a week

[@OtisKopp]

That’s what our ministry does.

[@MJ-jc4jo]

1Jn 2:27, We need no man, to teach us...the Holy Spirit shall teach you. Seek the Lord Jesus Christ, repent and be saved. Jn3:5, 6:29, 44, If you confess with your mouth you shall be saved. What is so hard?? BELIEVE AND KNOW Jesus is Lord...obey Gods Word and Live, in Jesus name, Amen.

[@revitalizedbornagain4418]

Holy Scriptures God's INFINITE Wisdom Knowledge Understanding Humanity finite limited intellectual understanding of ALL things Lifting up Holy Scriptures Holy Prayer Closet Lifestyle

[@holdthewinds]

The Lord's Day is the 7th day Sabbath (Saturday), just as God has declared at Creation, Genesis 2:2-3 and in the fourth commandment, Exodus 20-8-11. God's only sanctified blessed day of the week is the 7th day, not the first day. The Roman Catholic church declared their authority to change God's law. So, if you are faithful to the Bible, WHY do you follow them? No where in the scriptures do we find ANY slightest evidence of the Sabbath being changed. In fact in the final verses of the book of Isaiah, you will see we will continue to keep God's Sabbath - for eternity.

[@terencealbertmcbain8041]

American generation now wants to live in their own sin. The Pastors job is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, for it is foolish to them that hear the word of God.

[@deco6588]

Quite interesting question...some intriguing answers....later on does God love the sinner and hate the sin? Answer...he actually hates the sinner too...the non elect!! How depressing a doctrine could you invent...even in Islam you are hopeful Allah will be merciful..

[@johnnilan8240]

Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then has the health of the daughter of my people not been restored? 1 Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people! Jeremiah 8:22 - 9:1 The bride of Christ has not improved with your work. I weep bitterly for the church who has these leaders.

[@johnnilan7788]

That's the ticket! Have a second service to get us to heaven quicker because we will all be bored to death!! Summa Arrogantia!! Isn't that what Aquinas said?

[@wesleymemenon683]

Pastor GINO JENNING!!!!!!!

[@MJ-jc4jo]

God has given him' satan' authority to infiltrate minds on this earth!!.why do you think we see all this wickedness occurring upon the land' The love of many shall wax cold, MT 24:12. Can you men please stop being over the top analytical...and plain talk! We are sinners saved by grace. The Grace of God.

[@revitalizedbornagain4418]

Luke 24:32 (KJV) And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? The preacher who has lost this. "Anointing " has lost the art of preaching. Whatever other talent or ability he may have and retain the art of sermon making, the art of eloquence, the art of great clear thinking, the art of pleasing and audience or congregation. He has lost the divine art of preaching. This Anointing makes God's truth, Powerful and interesting, it draws, it attracts, it edifies,[ it convicts], ( it saves. ) To the uttermost . This same Anointing vitalizes Gods revealed truth, Holy scriptures and makes it Life Giving Just like GOD'S truth spoken without this Anointing is dead and without power. From the Hills of Tennessee and from my Heart Unction Anointing Gods Glory

[@yahuahforever3169]

After looking at the make -up of this panel of all white nen it’s know way I could have clicked and listen to these men talk, considering the original nan of the Most High’s eye was a black man whom he gave the Law, statues, and commandments to, whom his convenant was made with is not present, that would be foolish!!!

[@OC3707]

What are you even trying to say?

[@chunter123]

You are delusional

[@stayhumble6092]

@@OC3707doesn’t make much sense

[@tombigger53]

SEND DERECK THOMAS BACK TO ALTER BOY SCHOOL.

[@bornagain2641]

Grace to you. Lose the WORDLY SUIT. The western suit is a upside-down pentagram. It even has the goat ears. Do you really claim the SUIT is not worldly? A nice dress sweater pants and shoes is good.

[@War-Daddy]

Respectfully, that sounds like superstition. There’s nothing biblical about that.

[@bornagain2641]

@@War-Daddy the suit is rhe western buisneman . the world

[@War-Daddy]

@@bornagain2641 That’s your interpretation. God doesn’t care much about what you wear unless a man or woman are trying to dress like the opposite gender or if someone is trying to dress seductively. Western business men use all kinds of things: marketing, advertising, computers, machines, labels, etc. We can’t just call all these things sinful. It’s just suit. It has no spiritual implication as far as I can tell. Remember when Jesus said clean the inside of the cup so that the outside may be clean also? Jesus is concerned about the attitude of our hearts. If our hearts are right before God, then the outward appearance will be right also.

[@HearGodsWord]

​@Mr. Kyle indeed, people worry about the wrong things. Our friend is trying to judge books by their cover.

[@OC3707]

You have got to be kidding. Please tell me you are not that dumb.

[@halsmyer9245]

Looks a bit like a white old man convention. Don’t get me wrong, I’m an old white man too. I’m not surprised that the church is losing partitioners. We live in a very diverse country (USA). These guys feel very insular in their Christian and biblical views and I’m not sure they have much to contribute to the discourse

[@chunter123]

Reformed churches are growing in many areas of the US. As to your complaint, the men in this video have a commitment to truth as they sincerely understand it and cannot become 'relevant' to a culture that hates God by abandoning the standards they have sworn to uphold.

[@johnnilan7788]

The reformed church suffers from dry rot. Talk, talk, all talk and no spiritual life. You need the Holy Spirit but alas you always refuse the Holy Spirit. Stephen Acts 6:51. Dump the irrelevant talk.

[@sg51psd04]

Wow...sounds like you are saying the Spirit operates separate from the Word...

[@mister.crowder]

🤦‍♂️

[@theocratickingdom30]

Biblically, this makes no sense.

[@johnnilan7788]

@@sg51psd04 No. HOwever, the "leaders" are dry rot in the church. Jesus died so that the promise of the Father, the baptism of the Holy Spirit, could come. The Reformed church has ignored the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:9 Instead they go for smoke machines! I have head the reformed dry rot for 50 years and it ignores the gift of the promise. Galatian 3:14. In the words of JB Philips -- Dear idiots, who has bewitched you . . . having begun in the Spirit are we now made perfect by the flesh? Repent therefore and honor the Holy Spirit and not rationalism. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5

[@johnnilan7788]

@@theocratickingdom30 That is because you have not the Holy Spirit. Just rationalism. 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Wake up Arise from the dead and Christ will give you life. The purpose of Jesus' dead and resurrected was so that we may Have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us. Acts 2: 39 but you always refuse the Holy Spirit.