Understanding Christianity

Dr. Sean Cole interacts with Soteriology 101 and their understanding of the role of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. Is the gospel appeal to be saved the only sufficient means needed for salvation? Or does the Holy Spirit need to do an internal, supernatural work of effectual grace to overcome total inablity? Does regeneration precede faith or does faith come first which then leads to regeneration? The differences between Reformed theology and SBC Provisionism on these issues could not be more stark. Check out Sean’s book “Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel” at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Identity-Trinity-Discovering-Gospel-ebook/dp/B07RWTJK9K/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596067608&sr=8-1 www.seancole.net

Two Jewish witnesses--Simeon and Anna--demonstrate that true faith waits for God's promise of salvation. In this passage we see that God always has a believing people in the darkest of times and the worst of places. In addition, we must proclaim Jesus as the light of the world. Lastly Jesus and His followers will always be hated by the world. Check out Sean’s book “Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel” at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Identity-Trinity-Discovering-Gospel-ebook/dp/B07RWTJK9K/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596067608&sr=8-1 www.seancole.net

In a recent YouTube clip from Soteriology 101 Leighton Flowers and his guest Louis Ruggiero argue against Unconditional Election. The problem is that they don't properly define our view. They assert that "fearing God" or "humbling ourselves" are the conditions we must meet in order for God to choose us. In this podcast, Dr. Sean Cole will expose the faulty exegesis of Provisionism and how they cherry pick verses out of context to say something they were never original meant to say. Check out Sean’s book “Your Identity in the Trinity: Discovering God’s Grace in the Gospel” at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Identity-Trinity-Discovering-Gospel-ebook/dp/B07RWTJK9K/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1596067608&sr=8-1 Listen and enjoy. You can watch the original Soteriology1O1 ciip here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncNcrxyECr4 www.seancole.net

Stephen Atkinson, Director of Christian Witness to Israel, shared about his ministry at Enmanuel Baptist Church. This is a Reformed organization that focuses on evangelizing Jews around the world. Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and Joel Beeke serve on his advisory board. This was his presentation during our Sunday School hour. For more information visit: http://www.cwina.org/

Stephen Atkinson, Director of Christian Witness to Israel, shared about his ministry at Emmanuel Baptist Church. This is a Reformed organization that focuses on evangelizing Jews around the world. Al Mohler, Ligon Duncan, and Joel Beeke serve on his advisory board. This was his sermon from Romans 1:15-20 about the gospel as the power of God. For more information about visit:

In the birth narrative, we see a stark contrast between Caesar Augustus who was allegedly conceived by a snake and considered "the son of God and Savior of the world" with Jesus, the Savior who is Christ the Lord--conceived by the Holy Spirit, and the true Son of God. The angels displayed God's glory by declaring God's gospel to the shepherds. The shepherds imitated the angels by doing the same. As believers today, we must display God's glory by declaring God's gospel to a world in desperate need of a Savior. www.seancole.net

In light of the recent interactions between James White at Alpha and Omega Ministries and Leighton Flower at Soteriology101 concering the sheep in John, Dr. Sean Cole shares a sermon he preached in October 2016. This sermon from John 10:22-30 focuses on four aspects of salvation and especially the doctrines of predestination and eternal security. This is a verse-by-verse exposition that alings with Dr. White's understanding and will refute Dr. Flower's faulty assertions about sheep using their libertarian free will to listen and learn from the Father and thus selecting themselves to be sheep. Listen and enjoy. www.seancole.net

in Zechariah's "Benedictus" or song of blessing, he presents three crucial elements of the Christian message. Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude. First, we all stand guilty before our holy God in need of forgiveness of sins. Second, God overcomes this guilt with tender mercy in His sovereign grace through Jesus. Third, in light of our redemption from guilty by grace, we respond with a life of gratitude. We joyfully serve God without fear! www.seancole.net

We live in a crazy age! This COVID-19 pandemic has brought out many strange things within evangelical Christianity. Dr. Sean Cole expresses how he sees Four "Isms" that have impacted the thinking and behavior of many Christians. Will the coronavirus vaccine be the mark of the beast? What about mask-shaming? If we pray enough is God obligated to "heal our land?" These four isms are: (1) Pelagianism, (2) Dispensationalism, (3) Pietism, and (4) Revivalism. What is the antidote to these? Confessional Reformed theology. Listen and find out as Sean "riffs" about what he is observing in our culture right now. Check out his book "Your Identity in the Trinity" at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Identity-Trinity-Discovering-Gospel-ebook/dp/B07RWTJK9K/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Sean+COle+Trinity&qid=1593792009&sr=8-1

Mary's Magnificat is the first of four songs in the Gospel of Luke. The Latin word for "magnify" is "magnificat." Like Mary, we should humbly magnify God because of HIs mercy and power. What does it mean to "magnify" the Lord? How does God opposed the proud? Listen and find out. www.seancole.net

The angel Gabriel announces the birth of Christ to Mary. In this sermon, we see the vital importance of believing in the virgin birth by the Holy Spirit. In addiiton, we see the astounding faith of Mary whom God graced to be the mother of Jesus. Here's the question for you: Do you trust Jesus for EVERYTHING in your life? www.seancole.net

Calvinists agree with their SBC Provisionists brothers and sisters that the God-determined prerequisite for salvaiton is faith. The difference comes in this question: What is the source or cause of that faith? Does a sinner have the ability to exercise libertarian free will when the gospel is presented? Or is the sinner totally unable to repent and believe unless God does a sovereign work of grace to overcome spiritual deadness. Was the faith you exercised to come to Christ a gracious gift of God or did God merely grant you an opportunity to have faith? Dr. Sean Cole addresses this issue. www.seancole.net

Zechariah and Elizabeth had to wait a long time to have their son John the Baptist. How did God providentially work in their lives to bring about this prophecy from Malachi. What does their account teach us about dealing with painful situations, trusting in God's providence, and believing God's Word? www.seancole.net

Dr. Sean Cole preaches an introductory sermon on the gospel of Luke. He gives the background and purpose of the book which is primarily to help us be certain of the historical events of the gospel of Christ. www.seancole.net

SBC Provisionists believe that the gospel appeal is God's sufficient grace to enable a sinner to use his or her libertarian free will to respond positively. They deny total inability as a fallen condition from birth inherited from Adam. Is this understanding of the human will "Semi-Pelagian?" Dr. Sean Cole gives a historical overview from Augustine to Luther, to Arminius, to the Canons of Dort, up the modern-day to show how both Calvinists and Arminians have defined both semi-Pelagianism and Pelagianism. To your suprise, many of their arguments against these views come very close to what Provisionists believe today. Dr. Cole attempts to be fair and not mischaracaterize Provisionism. He dives into some historical documents by key theologians to ask the question: "Is Provisionism Semi-Pelagianism?" Listen and find out his conclusions. www.seancole.net

Word-Faith preacher Jeremiah Johnson posted on Facebook about a prophetic dream where he encountered a demonic spirit who unveiled for him Satan's plan for America's future. This post has gotten a lot o attention. How should Christians practice discernment? What exactly is spiritual warfare? How does this relate to God's sovereignty? Dr. Sean Cole answers this question. Here is the link to the Facebook post: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=918126958693089&id=100014873790327

In light of the tragic and brutal death of George Floyd and the subsequent protests and riots across our nation, Dr. Sean Cole gives a measured and biblical response. In times like these, we can be tempted to be driven by emotion or by politics. Instead, we should address this issue with a biblical worldview. More than ever, Christians need to think biblically with godly discernment and filter everything through His authoritative Scripture. www.seancole.net

Emmanuel Baptist Church reopened for the first time since the COVID-19 lock down on Pentecost Sunday, May 31st, 2020. From Acts 2:1-13, Dr. Sean Cole shows how the church needs power, purity, and preaching. He also shows the Old Testament significance of Pentecost to its fulfillment in the New Testament. www.seancole.net

Jerome Zanchius (1516-1590) was one of the great Italian reformers. His seminal book "Absoulte Predestination" is a wonderful treatise on unconditional election. Dr. Sean Cole introduces his listeners to this less familiar Protestan reformer by focusing on material from the last chapter of the book: "The Scripture Doctrine of Predestination Should be Openly Preached and Insisted on." What are his reasons why pastors should openly and unashamedly preach the doctrine of unconditional election from their pulpits? Listen and find out. www.seancole.net

Many states are opening up and churches are beginning to meet back in their buildings for the first time in months. Dr. Sean Cole preaches a message to his congregation in preparation for them to reopen. Unity is essential in times like these. www.seancole.net