The Battle with the Devil - R.C. Sproul Message

[@DaphneTinane]

I'm always fascinated by the wisdom of this precious man of God Glory be to God ❤❤❤❤

[@joanlewis9921]

Good preaching & teaching. We thank God for these such men.

[@ElizabethMayo-sf4wg]

Absolutely outstanding!!!! Worthy of listening to more than once!!!!

[@Andy-m8b]

Sproul couldn't overcome the devil of evil calvinism.

[@jacobschmale8384]

As a young Christian at the beginning of my walk I would like to make an argument for election (which I assume is your biggest concern of Calvinism) my first point is that I think most "anti Calvinists" think we have a low view of evangelism because they assume we think "who's saved is gonna be saved so why try to convert anyone?" But this is not true! As Christians we MUST try are hardest to obey all that God has commanded us to do. One of which being to "go out into the world and make disciples" (Matthew 28:19) if we agree and fallow some parts of the Bible and ignore other parts we are hypocrites and no better then the pharisees! Also Hebrews 13:1-3 is important for a Calvinist to understand. We must treat EVERYONE as if they're elect because god sees it fit that we don't know! You can spend years with a person and not truly know. For my second point I would argue that without a PROPER view of election. I would be concerned that you would have low view of your own depravity, A low view of God's grace to save a wretch like you and me, A low view of what Jesus did on the cross, and low view of gods sovereignty. All of which being extremely crucial doctrines to a Christians walk with God. That being said I don't think that your views on Calvinism (election) are evil or from the devil and would discourage you from using that kind of strong language when talking to a Christian brother about doctrines and theology. these before mentioned doctrines do not save you. Faith in Jesus Christ saves you.

[@bempong]

You’re comment is illiterate.

[@Andy-m8b]

@@jacobschmale8384 I'd have to disagree. Heretics of old passed these mannmade calvinist interpretations garbage down for generations. I see in the Bible in many places that it's faith in Jesus Christ alone that saves, not election of God chosen that calvinists twist in Romans and Ephesians. In other words, anybody can choose to accept a FREE GIFT of eternal life. Calvinist preaching about God's sovereignty is nothing but a perversion by saying that God picks and chooses who's saved and who's damned. That's wrong; God gave us a choice where we spend eternity. Even in the OT, there were "free will offerings". As for Calvinists unsure of their final destination to eternity is a sick situation. No matter how good or bad things turn out in One's life, it's faith in Jesus Christ alone that saves. Sproul made the mistake like people did in Mathew 7 when Jesus said, "depart from me, I never knew you workers of iniquity". Sproul was wondering if his works were going to be good enough for entry into Heaven. Sproul may not of had faith in Jesus Christ alone. Maybe when he was younger. I'm not going to listen to any man or woman with this uncertainty. As for good works; I'm not against that. But when one reports in to Jesus like in Mathew 7, it's him alone that saves. As for the works, that's a discussion for another time at that point. What makes me angry are the countless people who went to Hell thinking that they weren't the chosen hearing only what evil calvinists had told them. Calvinist need to be called out for their insane and sociopathic beliefs.

[@jacobschmale8384]

@@Andy-m8b i totally agree that works do not save you! I'm so glad that we have common ground. Like Isiah says in chapter 64 verse 6 our righteousness is like filthy rags (I've heard the literal translation being like used minstrel rags but don't quote me on that) I've never heard sproul dispute this but maybe you've heard something I haven't. Also as a Calvinist I do believe in free will. It's the state of our will that I think we disagree on. I've had it explained to me this way. Say you have three flavors of ice cream in front of you. (I know a bit childish but bear with me) You are FREE TO CHOOSE which flavor you want. However. You have no choice over what your first experience with ice cream was or how your taste buds experience each flavor. And in that way I'd argue you have no control over which flavor you choose. I've had atheists say to me "if you were born somewhere else or raised differently you wouldn't be Christian!" And to that I say of course! If I was born in Iran to Muslim parents chances are I'd have a much greater desire to be Muslim! But I wasn't. God placed me exactly where he wanted me to do the works which he prepared before hand for me to do (Ephesians 2 verse 10) I am so thankful for this gift he has given me to have ears to hear his words and a taste for his goodness! No matter how we came to understand the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ I'm glad we both found our way.

[@noelsimmons1663]

​@jacobschmale8384 As I read both of your talking points, I am encouraged that there is discussion and not an argument. I think I would enjoy sitting down over coffee with both of you. I'm presently heading to work after just listening to this sermon and feel compelled to send a story of an experience that occurred to me many years ago that I recently penned. For the record, I was labeled a Calvanist before I even understood the definition. I wonder what Calvin identified as? I humbly see myself as a believer and follower of Christ. I was working at Charity, the inner city trauma center in New Orleans. I was assigned to the trauma side this particular day on what was called the East hall, a long stretch of hallway where all the simple bangs, falls, and fender benders would be triaged to. This is where I came in contact with the vilest human in my estimation to ever draw breath. Imagine what you think contemptible flesh would look like and multiple that by an infinite number. Everything about this man encompassed the word nasty, from his speech, demeanor, and clothing; I really don't think he was ever introduced to soap in his lifetime. Where was I physically while observing this fine upstanding pillar of society? About 10 feet away. Where was I in my affections at this time? Not on the things of God. I was actually consumed with a deep, rotting sense of disgust. This man's stretcher was located a few feet from the double door ambulance entrance. I was thinking that if I dared to get close enough to him, I could give that stretcher a push and he would roll out onto the ramp, then roll all the way down to Perdido Street and with any luck not lose momentum until he reached the Superdome. That was about all I could muster in my mind to "help" this individual. It was at this moment I sensed movement to my immediate left. Standing close by was a man about my age wearing hospital scrubs I had never seen before in the Er. I assumed he was one of the many interns that filtered in and out of the Tulane/LSU schools of medicine for their Er rotation. He was standing there with his arms crossed, shaking his head, taking in this derelict who was acting out beyond belief. I was thinking to myself, "Right, I really should take one for the team and shove him out the door." It was then he looked at me and profoundly stated, "There but for the grace of God am I." I have never been slain in the spirit or whatever those charasmatic folks call it. I did experience something akin to, for lack of a better descriptor, a spiritual 2x4 whacking my person. Those words literally staggered me to where I physically fell back into the wall behind me. I didn't see God's Holiness like the prophet Isaiah or this man's uncleanness in that moment, just the absolute wretchedness of my own depravity. I am with all my self-righteous proclivities worth nothing more than fodder to be trampled upon in hell, but for the substitutionary atonement of Christ, BUT for the Grace of God. I often think of that man and myself in light of the the Sheppard leaving the 99 for the one. How can I say this?....The one was not some 4H County fair show lamb. The one is something so horrid that it deserves Gods wrath only to be sought after and redeemed by a Holy God so rich in unfathomable love and mercy. That's my starting point, beating my chest, exclaiming like the publican 'Have mercy on me a sinner' when it comes to professing the Gospel. Blessings be upon you both.