Understanding Christianity

In this episode, Dr. Sean Cole presents the two historical views of the identity of the Nephilim and argues for the Reformed interpretation of Genesis 6:1-4. Genesis Chapter Six has sparked some of the most contested and controversial interpretations concerning the identity of the Nephilim. Were these “mighty men” in fact giants? Were they the offspring of fallen angels who procreated...

You hear non-Christians using this phrase all the time: "Don’t be judgmental. Don’t judge. You have no right to judge what I’m doing." You’ve probably met someone who has told you that the reason they don’t come to church or that they are not a Christian is because they think Christians are judgmental. We are hypocritical. We are intolerant and unaccepting of oth...

Since God, instead of money, is your master, you should never be anxious. It’s, in fact, disobedient to you, Master, to be anxious about what He will provide for all your needs. Jesus gets right at the heart of anxiety, which is a natural response when we struggle with finances, or we struggle to make ends meet. In fact, the word “anxious” appears SIX times in this pass...

First, fasting is often neglected as a regular practice for spiritual growth. Second, fasting is not mandated as a regular practice for spiritual growth. Since fasting is not practiced very often by evangelical Christians, and there may be some confusion or questions about this topic, Dr. Sean Cole answers FOUR questions to help us grow in our understanding of fasting. Question One: What is a...

In this sermon, Dr. Sean Cole preaches the first three petitions in the Lord's Prayer. Here’s the main focus of the first three requests : Our prayers must be thoroughly God-centered instead of self-centered. Request Number One: We passionately ask that Your name be hallowed! Request Number Two: We passionately ask that Your kingdom come! Request Number Three: We passionately ask that Your w...

Dr. Sean Cole preaches an overview of the Lord's Prayer. He addresses the following topics: The prayer's brevity, God's sovereignty, and it's strategy. The Lord's Prayer serves as a template for not only WHAT to pray for but also HOW to pray. The address to our Father in heaven shows us that we can approach God with boldness, reverence, and togetherness. Do you need to be taught to pray? Is your p...

In Matthew 6:1-6, Jesus teaches us to beware of seeking man’s praise instead of God’s glory. Verse 1 is Jesus’s main point in this section of the Sermon on the Mount, and he will give three areas of personal worship or devotion: giving to the needy, prayer, and fasting. The idea of practicing righteousness is a good thing. This is not legalism or working FOR our salvati...

Dr. Sean Cole answers questions spontaneously from the class, without notes or preparation, during "Stump the Pastor" night. The questions asked ranged from the scapegoat legend from the Talmud to the identity of Melchizedek. Pastor Sean answered the question about whether John 8's account of the women caught in adultery should be included in the Bible. This led to a discussion on textual variants...

Dr. Sean Cole preached a special Mother's Day sermon on parenting, based on Matthew 5:48. This section of the Sermon on the Mount started at 5:17 and now ends at 5:48 as a summary of the six antitheses. Jesus has addressed six laws or issues that the religious leaders were twisting: (1) murder, (2) adultery, (3) divorce, (4) oaths and vows, (5) retaliation and revenge, and (6) loving our enemies.&...

The main idea of Jesus' teaching in Matthew 5:38-42 is that we should trust the Lord to vindicate us for our wrongs. This passage has been one of the most misunderstood portions of the Sermon on the Mount, resulting in some strange interpretations and practices. Does this mean we are to be doormats who give up all rights? Does this mean we should never use or endorse violence in any situation? Doe...

Dr. Sean Cole concludes this teaching through Paul's letter to the Romans. In Chapter 16, he discusses the list of names, the role of women in the church, a warning against false teachers who cause division, and the centrality of the gospel as the entire theme of Romans. Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released. You can purc...

Here is the main point of Jesus’ teaching in this passage: Live so truthfully that your word is never questioned. In this sermon, Dr. Sean Cole answers three questions of this text: First, how did the Old Testament explain vows and oaths? (vs 33) Second, how were the religious leaders abusing the taking of oaths and vows? (vs. 34-36) Third, what is the main point of Jesus’ teaching on...

In this sermon from Matthew 5:31-32, Dr. Sean Cole preaches on divorce. He answers FOUR questions regarding marriage, divorce, and remarriage. Question One: How does the Bible describe marriage? Question Two: How did the religious leaders view divorce? Question Three: What are the biblical grounds for a divorce? Question Four: Is it permissible for a divorced person to remarry?   Sean's...

In Romans 14:1-15:13, Paul addresses the issue of disputable matters or issues of Christian freedom that are not specifically addressed in Scripture.  Dr. Sean Cole teaches how we should relate to one another as believers in Christian unity when we disagree on non-negotiable dogmas or doctrines, but on preferences or personal convictions. A church can experience two extremes: One: Legalism &m...

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released. You can purchase it here: https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1 https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk In Romans 15:14-33, Paul describes his pas...

In Romans 13:8-14, Paul teaches believers to cast off works of darkness and put on the Lord Jesus Christ. He urges us to live holy lives as we anticipate the Second Coming of Christ.  Instead of just saying “no” to sin, we need to see Christ in all of His glory and find that He is more captivating, beautiful, glorious, and worthwhile than the sin before us. The other half of gospe...

Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released. You can purchase it here: https://www.amazon.com/Compassionate-Calvinism-Defending-Doctrines-Without-ebook/dp/B0FZDNLGK4/ref=sr_1_1   https://shop.g3min.org/products/compassionate-calvinism-defending-the-doctrines-of-grace-without-being-a-jerk   Romans 13 teaches the role o...

  Dr. Sean Cole preaches from the book of Job on Resurrection Sunday. He asks three crucial questions: Question One: Do you truly KNOW Jesus as your risen Redeemer? Question Two: Will you SEE Jesus face-to-face when He returns? Question Three: Is Jesus EVERYTHING to you?   Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released....

Dr. Sean Cole continues through the Sermon on the Mount. Pastor Sean distilled this passage down into one crucial question: Will your heart choose sinful desires or a single devotion? The single devotion has a double meaning. First and foremost, it means that you have a single devotion to Christ alone as your Lord. But second, if you’re married, it means you have a single devotion to yo...

The main point of this passage comes in a question I want to ask you today: Will your heart choose rage or reconciliation? In this sermon, Dr. Sean Cole explores THREE truths that emerge from this text. First, what is murder according to God’s Law? Second, God’s Law involved not only actions, but attitudes of the heart and mouth. Third, God’s moral law always has a positive eleme...

In Romans 12:9-21, Paul gives us a great list of very practical ways we live out our faith. This is sanctification in action. And it starts with love. Never lose sight of what God has done for you in the gospel. Let that grace and your identity in Christ serve as the foundation and motivation for you to live a life of JOYFUL Obedience to Jesus out of gratitude for what He’s done. We saw the...

In Romans 12:3-8, Paul lists spiritual gifts. In this teaching, Dr. Sean Cole goes in-depth and explains the purpose of spiritual gifts. He describes each of the following:  Prophecy Serving Teaching Exhortation Giving/Contributing Leadership Mercy   Sean's new book, Compassionate Calvinism: Defending the Doctrines of Grace Without Being a Jerk, has been released. You can purchase it her...

Matthew 5:13-16 concludes the Beatitudes before Jesus transitions into the Sermon on the Mount, which is how we live out our identity as believers in the Kingdom. Jesus begins with our identity in the Beatitudes before He tells us how to obey or live out our faith as His followers. This section is a bridge between our identity—those blessed by Christ—and what we do—becoming...

Dr. Sean Cole preaches the final Beatitude, and it is shocking. It is so countercultural. So counter-intuitive. So backwards and upside down. This final Beatitude really tells us what the result will be when we actively live out the other Beatitudes as a constant way of life. In this sermon, he asks THREE questions of this passage of Scripture. First of all, is persecution truly a reality in...

Romans 1-11 teaches what God has done for us in the gospel and focuses totally on our identity in Christ. Paul spent a lot of time on justification by faith and what God the Father has done to save us. He focuses on our election and God’s grace and how, from first to last, God has rescued us as guilty sinners by sending Jesus to die in our place. The mercies of God in chapters 1-11 of Romans...