Understanding Christianity

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

During this COVID-19 pandemic, there are numerous opinions circulating that can easily divide Christians. Should you wear a mask or not? Should we reopeon church sooner or later? What policy should we adopt as a state to help the economy? There are no explicit Bible verses on these matters. In Romans 14 and 15, Paul gives us great insight into how we can agree to disagree over matters of conscience by welcoming one another and promoting unity in the church.

Dr. Sean Cole continues through Psalm 139 focusing on the omnipotence of God. You cannot escape God's perfect POWER over all things. He is the author of every detail of your life from before the creation of the world unto eternity and every thing in between. How does this omnipotent God SEARCH our sinful hearts and expose our idols? www.seancole.net

In Psalm 139:1-2, David expresses two theological truths in poetic langue. (1) God's omniscience--you cannot escape God's perfect knowledge of all things. (2) God's omnipresence--you cannot escape God's perfect presence in all places. These two truths can either be a source of comfort and joy for the believer or a source of fear and dread for the unbeliever. www.seancole.net

Dr. Sean Cole and his Youth Pastor Andrew Hayes launch the first Live Stream episode of "Ask the Pastors." They answer these four questions: (1) Is 2 Chronicles 7:14 applicable to America and COVID-19? (2) What is the role of the Law in the Old Testament in relation to us today? How did Jesus fulfill the Law? (3) Were Old Testaments saints Indwelt by the Holy Spirit? How did the Holy Spirit operate in the Old Testament? ( 4) What is the judgment of works that Christians will face? How is this different from Final Judgement?

Dr. Sean Cole and his Youth Pastor Andrew Hayes answer quetions in "Ask the Pastors." 1) What is Imputation or justification by faith alone? 2) Was Jesus a martyr? 3) How can I have assurance of salvation when I doubt I'm truly saved? 4) How do I know God is there when I don't necessarily feel His presence?

Dr. Sean Cole and his youth pastor Andrew Hayes answer questions on "Ask the Pastors" Facebook Live. This is the audio of the Livestream. Pastor Sean and Andrew answer four questions: 1) How do you maintain joy in difficult times? 2) What is the purpose of creeds and confessions? Shouldn't the Bible alone be enough? 3) What is continuationism vs cessationism? (ie: are the sign gifts like speaking in tongues and miracles around today?) 4) How do you reconcile with someone who has writtten you off? What is biblical forgiveness?

During this COVID-19 pandemic, we may be tempted to find security and satisfaction in God-substitutes instead of God Himself. Dr. Sean Cole preaches an encouraging sermon from Psalm 121 which shows that our Creator protects us during times of trouble. www.seancole.net

Recently there have been heated interactions between Dr. James White and Dr. Leighton Flowers over the theology of Augustine and the early church fathers. Instead of diving into this pool, Dr. Sean Cole has been listening to both sides. As he learns more and more about Provisionism (ie: SBC non-Calvinistic Traditionalism), he continues to see some fatal flaws in their theology. There seems to be a conflation of election in eternity past with salvation in time. They seem to hold the view that rejection of Christ is what sends a person to hell instead of original sin as well as actual sins committed. What about the salvation of those who never hear? Dr. Cole answers these questions and more as he interacts with Provisionism. Check out Sean's book "Your Identity in the Trinity" at amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Identity-Trinity-Discovering-Gospel-ebook/dp/B07RWTJK9K/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Sean+Cole&qid=1588006831&sr=8-1

How can we have hope amid such financial and economic insecurity in this COVID-19 pandemic? Psalm 46 reminds us that our Most High God rules supremely above all earthly powers. We can rest confidently in our ever present Lord who promises to always be with us. www.seancole.net

How old is the corporate view of election in church history? Dr. Sean Cole's hypothesis is that the predominant views in church history were the Calvinistic unconditional election view and the Arminian foreknowledge view. It was not until the 1950's with the prolific influence of Karl Barth that the corporate view of election became popular. Within Southern Baptist circles, the venerable Herschel Hobbs made this view a mainstay and it has influenced the Traditional SBC/Provisioinist movement today. What does Ephesians 1:4-13 teach? Listen as Sean Cole gives a historical and critical overview of the corporate view of election. Check out Sean's new book "Your Identity in the Trinity" at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Your-Identity-Trinity-Discovering-Gospel-ebook/dp/B07RWTJK9K/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1562027097&sr=8-1 www.seancole.net

Pastor Sean starts a new sermon series called "Hope in the Psalms." In Psalm 23, we see SEVEN ways Jesus graciously provides for all our needs. www.seancole.net

What do we learn from "Doubting Thomas" in regard to Jesus' resurrection? Your stubborn sin of unbelief needs to be overcome by a personal encounter with Jesus as your Lord and your God! Is there such a thing as "false faith" versus authentic saving faith? Listen and find out. www.seancole.net

Last summer, Dr. Sean Cole did a series on the Canons of Dort in recognition of the 400 year anniversary. He never got around to doing the Fifth point of doctrine--Perseverance of the Saints. How does the doctrine of eternal security give us confidence and security in the midst of a COVID-19 pandemic? This is the first podcast where he also combined it with a Facebook Live Stream. You can watch the video at: https://ebc-online.org/sermon-video www.seancole.net

What is God doing in this COVID-19 pandemic? Are we praying for revival and spiritual awakening for God's church during this time? What can we learn about revival from God's WORD? Nehemiah 9 shows the importance of confession and repentant prrayer during times of great awakenings. www.seancole.net

Pastor Sean Cole preaches the final sermon on Isaiah 53 for Palm Sunday. Jesus accomplished the will of the Father, accounts us as righteous by faith alone, and won the victory in his death, burial, and resurrection. www.seancole.net

If you don't believe that God has an eternal, immutable decree and that He is simultaneously good, then you will struggle during this COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Sean Cole explores these two issues and dives into Isaiah 46:9-10 and other passages. May this podcast be a source of encouragement and truth to help your soul stay anchored in our sovereign God during such a time as this. www.seancole.net

What are the marks of genuine revival? Dr. Sean Cole begins a new mini teaching from Nehemiah Chapters 8-10 which give us a biblical example of God's outpouring on a group of people. The first mark of revival is a renewed hunger, submission, and preaching of God's Word. www.seancole.net.

Isaiah tells us that Jesus went to the cross willingly, suffered unjustly, and died innocently as our Lamb. How do we respond to these truths as we approach Easter? www.seancole.net