Understanding Christianity

Isaiah 59:19-21 teaches that  the global glory of salvation in Christ alone will spread successfully by His Word and Spirit. It may appear that the gospel of Christ is losing ground, or that we are being pushed to the sidelines, or that wickedness is prevailing, or that millions living in unreached nations are not hearing the gospel. Isaiah 59 gives us the hope that God’s glory in...

In Isaiah 59:1-18, we see that  God, as a mighty Warrior, will save His people and judge His enemies. Dr. Sean Cole explores this passage in three parts: In verses 1-8, we see the devastating depth of our depravity. In verses 9-15, we see a humble confession of guilt. In verses 16-19, God is a mighty Warrior who puts on His own armor to save us because there was no one to intercede on our beh...

Dr. Sean Cole preaches Isaiah 55. In this passage, we see two responses that are crucial to understanding the foundations of the Christian faith. How should sinners respond to what Jesus accomplished in His death, burial, and resurrection, as seen in Isaiah 53? The answer: Saving faith and repentance which leads to life. Isaiah 55 shows us from the Old Testament what saving faith in Christ al...

Dr. Sean Cole continues preaching through the book of Isaiah. In 53:7-9, we see three truths about the death of Christ on the cross. Jesus went to the cross WILLINGLY in our place. Jesus suffered on the cross UNJUSTLY in our place. Jesus died on the cross INNOCENTLY in our place. How do you respond to this extraordinary act of sovereign grace? Listen and find out. You can purchase Sean’s two...

In Isaiah 53:10-12, we see THREE glorious truths that should warm our hearts as we think about the glories of Calvary. First, Jesus accomplished the will of the Father as our Sin-Bearer. Second, God counts us righteous by faith alone. Third, Jesus won the victory in His death, burial, and resurrection. We should look at the cross and be horror-stricken that Jesus died in our place instead of us dy...

Dr. Sean Cole preaches Isaiah 53:1-3 and asks THREE questions this passage answers regarding how people respond to Jesus. Question One: Why do so many people NOT believe in Jesus? Question Two: Why are so many people NOT impressed by Jesus? Question Three: Why do so many people hatefully reject Jesus? Listen as Sean explains this passage in detail. You can purchase Sean’s two books here: &nb...

Dr. Sean Cole explores the glories of Calvary in the Suffering Servant song in Isaiah 52:13-53:12 This section in Isaiah is a poem composed of five stanzas, each with three lines. We see THREE prophecies concerning Jesus in this first stanza: First, Jesus will accomplish His mission successfully. Second, Jesus will suffer physical torture as the Messiah. Third, Jesus’ message of forgiveness...

Isaiah 46:8-13 teaches that God is absolutely sovereign. He can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, however He wants, with no one to challenge Him or stop Him from accomplishing His will. God’s decisions are not contingent on human choices. Nobody can force God’s hand or manipulate or sway Him to act how they want Him to act. These are not arbitrary decisions made by God, but beca...

God used this passage in Isaiah to save Charles Spurgeon on January 6,1850, in the dead of winter in a major snowstorm. Look to Jesus and be saved, all the ends of the earth! Dr. Sean Cole examines four truths from Isaiah 45.   First, hell is the eternal destiny of unbelievers.   Second, Jesus is the one and only way of salvation.   Third, the invitation to trust in Jesus extends to...

Isaiah 44 teaches the devastation of idolatry. Idolatry will only leave you in the darkness of spiritual bondage. Idolatry, at its core, is exchanging, replacing, or substituting the glory, majesty, and power of the living God for things He has created. Those can be good things like a spouse, children, a job, or a project. Or they can be bad things like sexual immorality, materialism, ego, and pop...

In Isaiah 40:27-31, the Israelites think God has forgotten them and is coldly distant. When weary, tired, frustrated, and wondering if God cares and why we suffer, people charge God with falsehoods. They begin to think unbiblical things about God. Objection One: If God doesn’t end my suffering, He must not be good or loving. The first thing we do is question God’s goodness. He must not...

In Ephesians 6:1-9, Paul addresses two issues: parenting and slaves and masters. In this teaching session, Dr. Sean Cole examines how parents should raise their children in the fear of the Lord. He also shows how Christians should act in their employment. How does being Spirit-filled impact how we parent and how we live out our faith on the job?   You can purchase Sean’s two books here:...

Leading Provisionist Leighton Flowers of Soteriology 101 created a duststorm on Twitter/X recently with comments about the nature of the Quran and the Bible. Dr. Sean Cole interacts with the Provisionism view of the nature of the gospel appeal and the written Scriptures. They believe the gospel appeal is the supernatural, miraculous intervention that is alone sufficient to enable a positive respon...

Nothing in all creation compares to our glorious God. God has no equals. Why is this important? Don’t most people assume this truth? We live in a godless culture that: Denies the existence of God. Hates the sovereignty of God. Rebels against the authority of God. Wants to BE God! When you’re going through times of difficulty or depression or despondency or you lack assurance or securit...

Dr. Sean Cole continues teaching through the book of Ephesians. In this episode, he instructs on the biblical roles of husbands and wives. Wives are commanded to voluntarily submit to their husband's spiritual headship. Husbands are called to love their wives sacrificially as Christ loves the church. There is a lot of confusion today concerning the roles in marriage. Ephesians 5:22-31 clears up a...

Dr. Sean Cole has interacted with Leighton Flowers at Soteriology 101 and Provisionism for the last TEN years. In this podcast, he addresses a few Twitter/X posts that clearly teach Provisionist theology. Two key planks of their system are: (1) A denial of total inability/libertarian free will after the Fall, and (2) a denial of the effectual, internal call, which they claim is "extra" grace. They...

Dr. Sean Cole continues the teaching series in the book of Ephesians. He explains verse by verse 5:3-21 In verses 3-7, we are given commands on sexual immorality and impurity. In verses 8-12, we find out how we are to live as children of the light. In verses 13-14, we learn how God convicts us of sin and how he can powerfully bring someone to salvation through the gospel. Verses 15-16: We walk car...

In a world filled with distractions and spiritual warfare, God offers profound comfort and security through reconciliation, forgiveness, and His shepherding care. He ends our spiritual conflicts, pardons our sins through Jesus' sacrifice, and relieves our suffering. Through humility and repentance, we can experience His transformative comfort. As the Good Shepherd, Jesus tenderly cares for His flo...

In this Resurrection Sunday sermon from Ephesians 1:15-23, Pastor Sean Cole expresses his prayer for the congregation: He prays that the Father will give you spiritual understanding so you can fully know what you truly have in Christ! What are we to know? Three blessings that come from Christ alone: The HOPE of our calling The RICHES of our inheritance The POWER of our Savior. How can we experienc...

Dr. Sean Cole continues teaching through the book of Ephesians. In 4:25-5:2, Paul lays forth some particular commands of how sin affects our relationships as believers, how sin destroys relationships, and how we are to walk in a new way as new creations in Christ. We are to walk in a manner worthy of our calling as those who have put to death our old selves and put on our new selves. Those who, by...

In Isaiah 38, King Hezekiah receives tragic news that his sickness will end in death. He pleads with the Lord who graciously adds 15 years to his life. What does this chapter teach us? God sovereignly ordains your suffering ultimately for your good. This is not a popular message, especially with the proliferation of the Word-Faith prosperity gospel. It’s also not a popular message because pe...

In Isaiah 36 and 37, the Assyrian King threatens to invade the city of Jerusalem. King Hezekiah was faced with a decision during a time of national crisis. In this sermon, Dr. Sean Cole asks two questions: (1) In times of crisis, who do you REALLY trust? (2) In times of crisis, how do you TRULY pray? We see an excellent model in the recorded prayer of King Hezekiah. What should our ultimate aim be...

In Ephesians 4:6-17, Paul teaches that Jesus has given gifts to His church for the building up of the body. What are spiritual gifts? Are there apostles and prophets today or were these offices limited to the apostolic era? What is a healthy church? How should we grow as believers? The primary task of pastors is to EQUIP the saints for works of ministry. Dr. Sean Cole addresses these questions and...

A recent clip on Twitter/X from John Piper caused controversy in the Reformed world as he preached the threat of falling away from Hebrews 3. Dr. Sean Cole interacts with one of his heroes of the faith and critiques this confusing message. There were some good things in Piper's message, but more confusion. John Piper holds to a non-Reformed view of making a distinction between initial justificatio...

In Isaiah 12, we see a jubilant song of thanksgiving: Redemption should always result in rejoicing. Dr. Sean Cole preaches three truths from this chapter. First, God’s redemption is ACCOMPLISHED by the removal of His wrath. (vs. 1-3) Second, God’s redemption is ANNOUNCED by the sharing of his salvation.  (vs. 4) Third, God’s redemption is ADORED by the singing of His soverei...