The Whole Counsel

This week we are presenting a special episode to you. Several years ago Andrew Davies, a long-time friend of Media Gratiae and contributor to our Behold Your God studies, visited New Albany, MS. While he was here we asked him to read select sermons preached during the Great Awakening. One of those sermons was originally preached by William Chalmer Burns. Burns was a contemporary of Andrew Bonar and Robert Murray M’Cheyne in Scotland. Because of his godliness, he was offered a number of offices in large churches but turned each one down because he had on his heart to preach the gospel in China. He saw very little fruit there, but took the opportunity to mentor a young missionary by the name of Hudson Taylor. If you are unfamiliar with the work of Taylor, you can search through our archives as we have mentioned him multiple times throughout our podcasts. We also highly recommend his two-volume biography and will put a link to it below. We pray this sermon is a blessing to you. Show Notes: Hudson Taylor Biography - https://www.davidsonpublishing.org/hudson-taylor.html Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

During the gold rush of the 1800’s, men packed up their families and moved out west in search of treasure. Friends and family may have thought them crazy for taking such risks on the small chance of riches. But no one would have faulted the same men if they suddenly found a vein of gold and refused to eat or sleep until they have dug to the end of that vein. When it comes to studying Scripture, it is helpful to think of it as digging in a mine. We go where others have found treasure before, trusting that we will find it as well. But there is one major difference between those who mine the Scriptures and those who mine for gold: we are guaranteed a reward for our efforts. God is the author of Scripture and the same Holy Spirit that worked in the lives of its human authors is living and working in every believer. But that does not mean the work of reading, studying, interpreting, and applying will be easy. As you do the hard work of studying and praying, keep the end goal in mind. God’s ultimate purpose is not that you would have the ability, like the Puritans, to write multiple volumes on one verse of Scripture. God’s purpose in your life is for you to be conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. Let that aim, that goal, that purpose, be the fuel that prevents you from stopping short and getting lazy. Follow the example of Martin Luther said that he would beat against the Scriptures until he wrung our every drop of truth and application from its pages. Show Notes: Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-rare-jewel-of-christian-contentment/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

In this week's episode, Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James engage in an imaginative discussion. What if we could bring back masters in their fields like J.R.R. Tolkien, C.S. Lewis, George Whitefield, Albert Einstein, or Hudson Taylor to teach us in Northeast Mississippi? If they were to offer tutoring near our homes, we'd do whatever necessary to be present and prepared to learn from them. As previously discussed, wisdom has called out to us. God Himself has promised to teach us His word. Sadly, we often approach Scripture unprepared, uninterested, and unwelcoming. Yet, there's no greater privilege in human life than meeting with our Creator. Therefore, we must come to Scripture filled with prayer, crying out to the One who is willing and able to teach us all we need to know. But how do we read and study well? John provides helpful tips on approaching personal Bible study. He and Teddy then discuss how to pray while studying Scripture to maximize its impact on our pursuit of holiness. We'll delve deeper into this subject next week. Resources mentioned: Hendrickson Commentaries https://www.accordancebible.com/product/bakers-hendriksen-kistemaker-nt-commentary-12-volumes/ New International Commentaries Old Testament: https://www.christianbook.com/page/academic/bible-commentaries/nicot?srsltid=AfmBOorKYTUSA9vqpFT4J28fPCsHtRUqdWc4Y6KgJKScSgsH33N0UkaS New Testament: https://www.christianbook.com/apps/easyfind?Ntt=nicnt&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCQ&nav_search=1&cms=1&ps_exit=KEYWORD|legacy&ps_domain=www&aq=NIC Geneva Commentaries: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/series/geneva-series-of-commentaries/ John MacArthuer commentaries: https://www.gty.org/store/macarthurcommentaries Welwyn Commentaries: https://us.10ofthose.com/series/welwyn-commentary-series Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week, Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James continue our series on Proverbs 2, examining our biblical response to wisdom. As a refresher, we've explored what it means to welcome wisdom into our lives, treasure her, and turn our ears to her. Now, we focus on how we can incline our hearts to wisdom. Inclining our hearts is an active exercise. We'll never achieve this if we approach wisdom lazily. The heart must be moved by the will. Just as a relationship can grow cold without effort, our spiritual lives will wither if we don't actively and regularly warm our hearts by heeding wisdom's voice. In this episode, John presents 10 definitions of what it means to incline our heart to wisdom: To spread out — Picture a river overflowing its banks in the rainy season. To stretch out or extend — Imagine reaching for something you desperately need. To bend down — Like a worker setting their shoulder under a heavy burden (the heart bends to embrace the task of the Word). To turn aside or swerve — Someone pausing their journey to closely examine something off the path. To plot or scheme — Desiring something and realizing it requires careful planning. To be inclined to a certain view — When a strong opinion manifests in your daily life and conversations. To be won over — Being convinced of something's value and inclining toward it. To engage in a new relationship — Think of a honeymoon and the heart's enthrallment at the start of a marriage. To stay or remain — The heart finding a sweet resting spot (John 15). No longer running to find happiness, but abiding in Christ. To be enticed — In this context, it's the pleasing experience of meeting God in His Word, drawing us back again and again. We challenge you, as we did in the podcast, to write these definitions on a bookmark and keep them nearby as you read Scripture. Choose one and pray over it. Ask God to win you over to holiness, help you remain in Christ's reality, or entice you with Jesus' beauty. Incorporate this into your Bible reading this week. Resources mentioned: Proverbs 4:23 Luke 6:45 Jeremiah 15:16 John Flavel - Keeping the Heart https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/keeping-the-heart-john-flavel-9781845506483?variant=9996757598255 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

A few weeks ago, we had Jeremy Walker on The Whole Counsel, and he introduced us to an organization in Zambia called Hope Project. This ministry works to take children off the streets and provide them with four pillars of support: physical, emotional, educational, and spiritual. We were so moved by Hope Project's work and ministry that we wanted to have its founder, Gilbert Mulubwa, on the podcast so he could speak directly to you. We invited Jeremy back to help us cover all our bases. Because were having a conversation on three continents, we had to overcome some technical difficulties with the audio and video quality, which was not up to our usual standard. We appreciate your patience with that. We encourage you to see the show notes for more information about the Hope Project, including how you can sponsor a child. While you’re there, don't forget to check out the video produced by Hope Project. Show Notes A note from Gilbert Mulubwa: CARE4 KIDS CHILD SPONSORSHIP PROGRAM At Care4 Kids - Hope Project (a Gospel Initiative), we believe every child deserves to be cared for and loved. Even vulnerable and orphaned Children like the ones in our care, deserve an opportunity to learn, grow and thrive. For just $48 per month, you can make a life - changing difference. The love you show by sponsoring a child ensures that the child will receive the following things: •⁠ ⁠Free Quality Christian Education •⁠ ⁠School Uniforms, Books, Pens, Pencils and other School Supplies •⁠ ⁠Nutritious Lunch every School Day •⁠ ⁠Evangelism & Discipleship •⁠ ⁠Biblical Counseling & Mentorship Program As a sponsor, you are becoming more than a financial contributor but an answered prayer to us as you’re becoming an essential link in our pursuit to maximize the God given potential of these children’s lives, enabling them to end the cycle of poverty in their families and communities. Your support is a lifeline, a chance to bless/ change a life forever. Being a sponsor is an opportunity to build a relationship, offer encouragement, and see the direct impact of your generosity. Join us on this journey of love. Together, we can make a world of difference, one child at a time. Email us on [email protected] website is care4kidshopeproject.com You can reach out directly to Hope Project by emailing [email protected] Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Are you listening? It is a common refrain of parents to children, teachers to students, etc. But it is an incredibly important question to us to ask ourselves when it comes to wisdom’s voice. As our highlighted instruction tells us, we must be actively listening, bending our ears, or making sure our ears are cleaned out, to hear her voice. The battle for truly listening to God’s voice is a constant one that is fought on multiple fronts. We must realize that we live in a world filled with distractions. Furthermore, we have to keep in mind that we have an enemy who seeks to distract us. Lastly, we have a internal will that wants to distract us. With so much stacked against every Christian, it takes the work of God in our souls to make us listen attentively to His voice. So do not fall for the lie of self sufficiency and believe you can just make yourself try harder. It takes the work of God. So come out of the wilderness leaning on your Beloved. Show Notes: God Tells a Man Who Cares by A. W. Tozer - https://awtozer.com/books/god-tells-the-man-who-cares Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

There are treasures that are placed in safety-deposit boxes, rarely seen and more rarely used. Then there are things we treasure that are used every day, and the more worn and scarred they become, the more precious they are to us. Wisdom should be seen in the second category. It is a thing to be truly treasured by the Christian, but if it is left on the shelf and collects dust, it is worthless. We must use God’s wisdom in every aspect of life. We must welcome it in, as Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James discussed last week in our series, but we must also treasure it. This sounds like a very spiritual thing to do. We know we should appreciate wisdom, but to treasure it? To the average person, that sounds like something only academics or the spiritual giants of the past could do. But this command isn’t given just to them. It is delivered by our King to us, the common, ordinary Christian. And we must obey. But we don’t live on an island. A healthy Christian is living in a community of other believers, and so we must help others treasure it as well. John and Teddy also give some commentary on how we can help church members and our family members walk down this path of answering Wisdom’s call. Show Notes: Colossians 3 1 Thessalonians 2:13 Psalm 119 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts A Way to Pray by Matthew Henry - https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/way-to-pray/ Dr. Beeke’s sermon on Church and Family Life Conference - https://churchandfamilylife.com/resources/65bd3672fbd7d4eaadeacd07 You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

See more podcasts, small group studies, and theological studies for children at www.mediagratiae.org. Last week, we introduced our new series examining the metaphors Proverbs 2:1-5 gives us for responding to the call of wisdom. The first metaphor the writer of Proverbs gives us is to receive, or take, wisdom. This is not a passive reception; it requires intentionality, purpose, and effort. Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James focus on two primary applications. The first is to take the word of God into every area of life. We must apply God’s truth to our minds, thoughts, imaginations, relationships, stewardship, worship, and more. To receive God’s Word means to give it full access to every closet, drawer, and dark corner of our lives. The second application is equally important. We must take care to receive every part of God’s Word. We must fight the temptation to only dwell in our favorite books or passages. All of Scripture is given to us by our King, and it is all necessary for the complete Christian life. So this week, put forth the effort, do the work, and take wisdom into your life. Next week, we will look at treasuring Wisdom’s commands. Show Notes: 1 Thessalonians 1 &2 James 1:22-23 Acts 17:11 Philippians 2:3 Zephaniah 3:16 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

See Media Gratiae resources including, Behold Your God: Seeking Him Early, Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically, Christ Our Treasure, and more: https://shop.mediagratiae.org Proverbs 1 tells us that “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice.” Religious systems throughout history have taught wisdom as something often hidden and difficult to find. But Proverbs clearly tells us the opposite. Wisdom is shouting in the busiest part of the city, calling out to anyone willing to listen. The problem isn’t the availability of wisdom; it’s our willingness to hear her. The writer of Proverbs gives us great insight not only into the call of wisdom but also the response every Christian should have to her call. This is what we will discuss over the next seven episodes. Dr. John Snyder is joined by Teddy James in this new series focusing on our response to wisdom’s call. In this introductory episode, we focus on what that call is and what we must do if we have rejected God’s call for years. A life that walks closely with wisdom is a happy life, blessed by the presence of God. The life that rejects wisdom is filled with calamity, and God will laugh as calamity strikes. Does this make God mean and vindictive? Quite the opposite. It is out of love that God warns of this reality. We will reap what we sow. If we sow selfishness and self-rule, we will reap destruction. If we sow humble obedience to Christ, we will reap His righteousness. That leaves us all with one question: How long? For the Christian, how long will we dull our ears to wisdom’s call before coming to repentance and walking closely with Christ? For the unbeliever, how long will you resist God’s gracious call to follow Him? The good news is that if you can read Scripture and hear God’s call, it is not too late for you. Listen today, obey today, repent today. Next week, we will begin looking at the first of six practical steps Proverbs gives us to respond to wisdom’s call. Show Notes: See Media Gratiae resources including Behold Your God: Seeking Him Early, Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically, Christ Our Treasure, and more: https://shop.mediagratiae.org Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week, we conclude our series on the union between Jesus Christ and the Christian. We’ve explored several aspects of this union and now reach its apex—the culmination of everything. However, to fully grasp it, we must first correct some common misunderstandings. Many Christians believe that once we die, we enter into our glorified state. Dr. John Snyder and Acey Floyd held similar views until they studied the topic in-depth and discovered that Scripture teaches something different. This distinction is crucial because a wrong understanding can lead us to see glorification as an isolated reality in the Christian life. It isn’t. It is interconnected with every other aspect of the Christian’s union with Christ and the Father’s promises to the Son. Seeing glorification as part of these broader realities, rather than as an individualistic event, can significantly impact our assurance of salvation, our pursuit of sanctification, our confidence that God will conquer sin in our lives, and more. Throughout this series, we have recommended John Murray’s Redemption Accomplished and Applied. As we conclude, we want to highlight it once more. If you haven’t read it yet, we highly encourage you to do so. You can find the link below. Show Notes: Communion with God by John Owen https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/communion-with-god/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app See the Media Gratiae resource mentioned here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products-1

Our current series has focused on our union with Christ, with the last few episodes emphasizing our adoption. In the last episode, Dr. John Snyder and Acey Floyd explored the biblical foundation for our adoption in Christ. This week, they examine the privileges available to every Christian because of our adoption. For this, they refer to John Owen's small work “Communion with God.” While the entire book is a treasure, they focus on chapter 17 in this episode. In these pages, Owen discusses what we have access to because of our relationship with Jesus and some of the objective realities that should appear in the life of a Christian. Show Notes: Communion with God by John Owen https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/communion-with-god/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app See the Media Gratiae resource mentioned here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products-1

A few times a year we want to visit a classic work of Christendom. Rather than spending a long series walking through the work, we try to discuss it all in one long-form discussion. For this episode of Navigating the Classics, Dr. John Snyder is joined by Chris Green and Steve Crampton to take a look at Anselm’s Cur Deus Homo, which translates to “Why God Human.” Anselm, who was a church leader eleventh century and sought to answer two criticisms of the Christian faith. The first was a claim that God is too holy to have become a human. The other claim was that if Jesus was the God-man, His death on the cross was no essential to our salvation. The approach of the book was not unique for Anselm’s time, but he utilizes a device not often seen today. It is written in the form of a conversation between Anselm and a pupil. He sets up questions from his pupil that he wants to answer and then begins the conversation. Throughout the work, Anselm shows that he is very gifted in both logic and communication. While Cur Deus Homo is a work of philosophy, it is a treasure trove for the Christian. Perhaps you have never heard of this book, but if you have and you have put off listening to it, let us encourage you to take on the task and reap the rewards it contains. Read what R.C. Sproul had to say about Cur Deus Homo: https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/cur-deus-homo Physical Copy: https://www.amazon.com/Cur-Deus-Homo-Saint-Anselm/dp/1411646436 Digital Copy: https://www.monergism.com/search?keywords=cur+deus+homo&format=All See the Media Gratiae resource mentioned here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products-1

A few weeks ago, Teddy James visited Granbury, Texas, to meet with Dr. Stephen Yuille. Dr. Yuille is Professor of Church History and Spiritual Formation in the School of Theology at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and pastor of Fairview Covenant Church. The Media Gratiae team was introduced to Dr. Yuille through several of his books including The Blessed and Boundless God and The Inner Sanctum of Puritan Piety: John Flavel’s Doctrine of Mysical Union with Christ. Both of these books we wholeheartedly recommend to you. Teddy’s visit wasn’t just to spend time in one of the most welcoming little towns he has ever seen. It was to film a new study for Media Gratiae, taught by Dr. Yuille, on the book of Galatians. You can expect to hear more about that study in the coming months. But this week we wanted to give you a chance to meet Dr. Yuille and hear a bit of his heart for Christ and His bride, the church. We pray this episode will be a blessing to you, but also give you fuel to pray for us and Dr. Yuille as we continue serving in the ways and means God has given us to further His kingdom and train the church. Show Notes: Blessed and Boundless God - https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/the-blessed-and-boundless-god-swinnock.html The Inner Sanctum of Puritan Piety: John Flavel’s Doctrine of Mystical Union with Christ - https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/the-inner-sanctum-of-puritan-piety-john-flavels-doctrine-of-mystical-union-with-christ-ebook-yuille.html Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app See the Media Gratiae resource mentioned here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/all-products-1

This week, Dr. John Snyder is joined by Acey Floyd again to continue discussing the Christian’s union with Jesus Christ. If Jesus were only our kinsman redeemer, high priest, and propitiation, that would be more than anything we could dream of. But Scripture goes further and tells us He is also our elder brother. We are joint heirs with Him. This is a reality that, if we were told it by a preacher, we would say he was going too far. But we can read those very words in Hebrews 12. So what does this relationship with Christ have to do with adoption, and what effect does adoption have on our Christian lives? Everything. Adoption is how we can be certain that our relationship with God isn’t based on our merits or on our progressive sanctification. Our relationship with Him is as certain as His relationship to Jesus. Even though Jesus is begotten and not adopted, the Father is still pleased to call us His children. That will never change because it is based on Himself and upon the work of Jesus Christ. We have mentioned this book throughout this series, but if you have not gotten a copy of John Murray’s "Redemption Accomplished and Applied," let us encourage you to find a copy and read it. Then read it again. Then read it again. It has been a tremendous blessing to us, and we believe it will be a help to you as well. Show Notes: Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray John 1:12-13 Galatian 4:6 Romans 8:15-17 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

We are back in the studio this week with Dr. John Snyder and Acey Floyd. Continuing our discussion on the believer’s union with Christ, the duo this time focuses on the doctrine of sanctification. Salvation is a massive reality. It takes a person who was once spiritually dead and makes them alive. It takes a person who was once an enemy of God and brings him or her to adoption. We hate what we once loved and love what we once hated. And all of this is done by the work of our Triune God. But sanctification is more complex because it involves unpredictable, inconsistent us. We fluctuate from warm to cold-hearted, from completely focused on Christ to distracted by the cares of the world. We sin and repent. To understand this complex reality, we need to look at sanctification in two categories: positional and practical. On the positional side of things, we see that we have been purchased by Christ and therefore are made holy. That means we are separated to everything in Him and from everything not in Him. In the practical category, we see a life being progressively transformed to reflect the new family we have been adopted into. This means every day we will see more and more areas taken captive for our Lord and brought to submission of His will. Martyn Lloyd-Jones offers wonderful help in this part of the conversation through his commentary on Romans 6. We are now dead to sin and therefore cannot have sin reigning in our mortal bodies. We highly recommend that if you have not read through that commentary, make the investment and read through it now. Show Notes: Exposition of Chapter 6: The New Man by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/sermons-and-expositions/romans-6/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

A few weeks ago, Dr. John Snyder was in Nova Scotia, Canada, to teach a theological intensive for local pastors. The theme of the seminar was Union with Christ, a familiar topic if you’ve been following the podcast. During a short break in the teaching, John sat down with Dave Story and Hugh Morrison. These two men have been faithful pastors in their areas for years. They have also been instrumental in discipling and training many of the younger pastors at the retreat. John, Dave, and Hugh take the opportunity to share with you the spiritual needs of Canada, what community evangelism and engagement can look like, and some practices for training young men with an interest in ministry. Because we were recording with limited equipment, our audio is not up to our normal standard. We have cleaned it up to the best of our ability and apologize for the subpar quality. Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

aul writes in Ephesians commanding us to address one another with “psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart (Ephesians 5:19). The Christian faith is a singing faith. We worship, learn, and fellowship in song. We praise, worship, and mourn to timeless melodies. But not all hymns are created equal. And not all hymns are equally timeless. Even some of today’s most beloved hymns are substantially different from their original versions. In this special episode, Dr. John Snyder has Jeremy Walker on the podcast to discuss a work he has been actively pursuing for over 10 years. He is seeking to recover and update classic hymns for today’s churches. Make sure you follow Media Gratiae over the coming months as we will work in conjunction with Jeremy to make this project widely available. Show Notes: Spurgeon’s Our Own Hymnbook: https://hymnary.org/hymnal/SOHB2019 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

The topic of justification, the objective reality of being united to Christ, is so vast that we couldn't cover it in a single episode. To be honest, we could spend several weeks focusing solely on this topic and still only scratch the surface of what could be said. Last week Dr. John Snyder and Acey Floyd talked about justification from our side: How can we be made right with God. This week we look at justification from God’s perspective: How can a holy and just God declare the guilty man right? We start by looking at God’s character and then what He has said throughout Scripture. As theologians of the past have stated, God constitutes sinners to make them right with the law by uniting us to Jesus Christ. His innocence before the law, His perfect obedience to the law are imputed to every Christian. And every sin committed by the Christian is imputed, or placed upon, Jesus Christ on the cross. Show Notes: Romans 3:25-26 Romans 5:17 For further reading: God’s Gospel of Grace - https://www.chapellibrary.org/book/ggog/gods-gospel-of-grace Ligonier 12-session study on Union with Christ by Sinclair Ferguson - https://www.ligonier.org/learn/series/union-with-christ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

God reveals Himself to be perfectly just, perfectly holy, and perfectly wise. So how could this perfect Being unite His perfect Son to fallen humanity? How can man, who has rebelled against God's sovereignty since our first parents, ever have a right standing before this Supreme Judge? Therein lies the sweet doctrine of justification. That is the focus of this week’s conversation between Dr. John Snyder and Acey Floyd. They explore God’s plan to justify a fallen people so there can be communion between us and Him, what justification does not do, and what the final, eternal result of justification is. Show Notes: Key Scriptures: Job 25 Job 15 Psalm 89:14 Deuteronomy 32:3-4 Deuteronomy 25 Proverbs 17 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

So far in our series, we've discussed how we are united with Christ in life. His perfect and obedient life is credited to our sinful and rebellious lives. However, Scripture goes further, stating that we are also united with Him in His obedient, yet horrific death because Jesus is our sacrificial Lamb. This week, Acey Floyd leads the discussion with Dr. John Snyder, exploring Old Testament descriptions of Jesus's death and their New Testament fulfillment. All the scriptures Acey summarizes can be found below. But what does it mean to be united or baptized into Jesus's death? As Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones articulates in his commentary on Romans 6, it means that we are dead to the power of sin. The death of Christ empowers every Christian to overcome sin. While we will never be perfectly sinless, we will ultimately conquer sin to the glorify of God. Show Notes: Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray Blog Post: https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/union-with-christ-ii-the-nature-of-our-union Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Romans 6: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/sermons-and-expositions/romans-6/ Scriptures mentioned: Deuteronomy 21:22-23 Psalm 22:6-8 Psalm 22:12-21 Isaiah 53:1-3 Isaiah 53:4-6 Isaiah 53:7-9 Isaiah 53:10-12 Mark 10:37-38 Galatians 3:13-14 Romans 6:3-4 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Union with Christ doesn’t begin after we have reached a certain point of spiritual maturity. Jesus doesn’t wait until we know Him “well enough” to unite Himself with us. Our union with Him was decreed by the Father in eternity past and is experienced by every Christian from the moment of conversion, through every scene of life, upon death, and into our eternal rest. Focusing on Ephesians 1:3-4, Dr. John Snyder and Acey Floyd put on their thinking caps (make sure to check out the YouTube channel!) to discuss this glorious mystery. Whether you want to use the word foreknowledge, predestination, or election, the reality the duo discusses this week is like a mountain whose peaks are obscured by clouds too high for us to see clearly. We cannot understand every aspect of it. However, God has revealed enough for us to know His choosing is sourced solely in Himself. This gracious choosing of the Father should drive us to worship Him and tell every person united to Adam to turn to Christ as their only hope. Show Notes: Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray Blog Post: https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/union-with-christ-iii-the-origin-of-our-union Scripture to meditate on after this podcast: Luke 22:22 Acts 2:23 Acts 4:27-28 1 Peter 1:2 Ephesians 2:8-10 2 Timothy 1:9 John 6:37 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

The Scriptures are filled with metaphors and descriptions of the Christian’s union with Christ. Each of them expresses a different reality of that union. But even with all the words dedicated to explaining and describing that union, it still holds a mystery that escapes even the best theologians. But the existence of the mystery should not stop us from taking our time to study, examine, and meditate on our union with Christ. In fact, it should motivate us. So this week, Dr. John Snyder and Acey Floyd spent time doing exactly that, discussing what we can know of our union with the second Person of the Trinity. We pray this episode will lead you to a time of sweet worship and communion with our Savior and Redeemer, Jesus Christ. Show Notes: Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray Blog Post: https://www.mediagratiae.org/blog/union-with-christ-ii-the-nature-of-our-union

Dr. John Snyder is joined this week by Acey Floyd, co-elder of Christ Church New Albany and Media Gratiae’s Office Manager, to start a new series discussing the Christian’s union with Christ. This doctrine is central to the letters of Paul in the New Testament and should therefore be central in our lives. Union with Christ can be seen as the central hub of the wheel that is the Christian life. If we put that hub as anything else, the wheel will become warped and our progress will be slowed. For this first episode, John and Acey focus on the Who we are united to. We are united to the only Being in history to have two distinct natures. Jesus Christ is truly the Godman. If He is not God, as some have claimed, our union with Him would be worthless. If He is not human, as others have claimed, our union with Him would be impossible. Show Notes: Redemption Accomplished and Applied by John Murray Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Jeremy Walker, pastor of Maidenbower Baptist Church in Crawley, England (a town just south of London) is a long-time friend of Media Gratiae. We turn to him when we have difficult questions and value his wisdom and godliness. Several months ago, while Jeremy was preaching in Lusaka, Zambia, he was approached by a man who was burdened for the orphans on the streets of Lusaka. This man had been seeking a way to help educate, evangelize, and disciple these children. After a short conversation, Jeremy understood the need and decided he had to become involved in the ministry himself. Currently, The Hope Project is seeking to provide education so the children can learn to read Scripture for themselves. While meeting their spiritual needs, the team behind The Hope Project is also working to meet their physical needs. We pray this special episode of our podcast will pique your interest, and you will begin praying for The Hope Project. If the Lord enables you to financially support the ministry, a link to where you can do that is provided below. Show Notes: Project Hope Go Fund Me - Help the Hope Project Care for Vulnerable Children https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-the-hope-project-care-for-vulnerable-children Learn more about The Hope Project here: https://hopeprojectzambia.org/the-great-commission/ See more from Jeremy Walker here: From the Heart of Spurgeon: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/from-the-heart-of-spurgeon A Word in Season: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts-1/a-word-in-season Through the Eyes of Spurgeon: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/products/through-the-eyes-of-spurgeon-feature-edition-dvd-package

This week, Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James will wrap up our series on a talk given by Hudson Taylor to several missionaries in the late 19th century. His main emphasis throughout the talk was the significance of the missionaries living a life that aligns with their teaching. While we are focused on living consistent lives, we also have to be aware of the contradictory nature of the Christian life. But the contradictions aren’t between teaching and life. They are between what is happening to us and how we respond. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6:8-10, “We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything.” So, as we strive for consistency in our lives, let us also embrace those contradictions the Lord brings for the glory of His name and the growth of His kingdom on earth. And if you haven’t taken the time to read Hudson Taylor’s short talk to his missionaries, let us encourage you to do so at the link below. We pray you will find it beneficial. Show Notes: Days of Blessing in Inland China: Being an Account of Meetings Held in the Province of Shan-Si Digital: https://www.brethrenarchive.org/bookshelf/missionary/china/days-of-blessing-in-inland-china/ sPhysical: https://www.amazon.com/Days-Blessings-Inland-China-Meetings-ebook/dp/B00MW7YMRG Hudson Taylor Biography https://www.davidsonpublishing.org/hudson-taylor.html Poor Richard https://issuu.com/omf_international/docs/poor_richard_gospel_tract#google_vignette Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week we continue discussing a talk Hudson Taylor gave to a group of missionaries in the late 1800s. His talk was grounded in 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 and focused on the importance of leading a life consistent with the teachings of Christ. There is so much to highlight, Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James couldn’t fit it all into one episode (or even two). So today they take a deep look at what it means to commend oneself to the world. We do not do so to bring glory to ourselves, but to show the world our message is true and can be lived upon. There are other fruits beyond evangelism. By living in the power of Christianity before those we love, we protect them from false teachers. Heresies are not powerful enough to live upon. Only the gospel is. So if we want to teach others the true gospel and give them answers to the false teachings, we must lead holy lives. Show Notes: Days of Blessing in Inland China: Being an Account of Meetings Held in the Province of Shan-Si Digtal: https://www.brethrenarchive.org/bookshelf/missionary/china/days-of-blessing-in-inland-china/ Physical: https://www.amazon.com/Days-Blessings-Inland-China-Meetings-ebook/dp/B00MW7YMRG Hudson Taylor Biography https://www.davidsonpublishing.org/hudson-taylor.html Poor Richard https://issuu.com/omf_international/docs/poor_richard_gospel_tract#google_vignette Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Hudson Taylor is no stranger to anyone who has been through a Media Gratiae study. He was a pioneer missionary to inland China and founded the Inland China Mission. There is a great deal we could say about his life and ministry, but Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James wanted to spend the next two weeks walking through a particular talk Taylor gave to his missionaries in the 1880s. The talk is recorded in “Days of Blessing in Inland China” and the story of its creation is worth noting, as John does in the podcast. But the heart of his focus is 2 Corinthians 4:1-2 where Paul is teaching that Christians do not have to rely on the same tools and deceitful approaches of the world for success. We do not have to alter the truth of the gospel to affect change. We use His means and trust His hand. While Taylor’s talk is aimed at missionaries, his applications speak to the pastor, the Sunday school teacher, the parent, or the Christian friend witnessing to a lost soul. Because we wanted to give a brief biography of Taylor in this episode, we only get through the first major point of his talk. We will finish it next week. If you would like to read it for yourself, find the link below. Show Notes: Days of Blessing in Inland China: Being an Account of Meetings Held in the Province of Shan-Si Digtal: https://www.brethrenarchive.org/bookshelf/missionary/china/days-of-blessing-in-inland-china/ Physical: https://www.amazon.com/Days-Blessings-Inland-China-Meetings-ebook/dp/B00MW7YMRG Hudson Taylor Biography https://www.davidsonpublishing.org/hudson-taylor.html Poor Richard https://issuu.com/omf_international/docs/poor_richard_gospel_tract#google_vignette Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

his is the final episode of our series focusing on Christians fulfilling our responsibility to speak God’s words carefully, accurately, and timely. We started last week looking at our ultimate example in our Lord Jesus Christ. He perfectly spoke the words the Father gave Him to speak. He spoke comforting words to the hurting, convicting words to the lost, and glorifying words to the Father. We are called to do the same. But how was He able to do that? This week Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James look at the tools Jesus used to learn how to glorify God in His life. How did He know what would please His Father? How did He know the words to say, the path to walk? It wasn’t a mystical, magical power. He didn’t have a secret antenna through which He heard the Father speak. He had the same Scriptures, the same prayer, and the same indwelling Holy Spirit available to us. Now, He was able to study with an uncorrupted mind and heart. But He had a fully human mind and heart, the same as us. How can we know those things will be enough for us? Because God promises they will be. Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

In what was supposed to be our final episode of the current series, John and Teddy are in the studio again discussing the type of person who can be trusted with God’s words. The conversation begins by asking how we should view conversations on the Internet. Are we commanded as Christians to answer every question we see on social media? Are we to respond to every criticism of Christianity? Or are we merely adding to the noise by doing so? After this, John and Teddy move to the central point of the episode: following the pattern of Christ in being a person entrusted with God’s words. Jesus had the perfect word for every situation. He knew how to apply the Scriptures to every circumstance. And He spoke experientially, not from secondhand knowledge. This is an important distinction. But is His path one that a redeemed sinner can walk? Can a believer in today’s world have such wisdom and speak such words? The answer is yes. We will not do it perfectly, but we can do it faithfully. Though we hoped to make this the final episode, there was too much to say for a 30-minute conversation, so we decided to add one more. Next week, we will conclude the series by diving deeper into Jesus's path and how we are to follow in His footsteps. Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

See the new study here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/christ-our-treasure We have spent the last four episodes dealing with the types of people God will and will not entrust with His words. But how can we, a fallen, weak, and sinful people know that we are capable of accomplishing the tasks or delivering the messages God has entrusted to us? God leads His children to difficult, and even impossible, situations every day. This is nothing new. In this week’s episode, Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James come together again to share three such examples from Scripture. God led Moses, a man of slow speech, to deliver the Israelites out of Egypt. He chose David, the leader of a weak nation, to devote materials for the building of the Temple. He chose Paul, a blasphemer and murderer, to become an Apostle and missionary to the Gentiles. Each of these men had to ask two vital questions: Who am I? and Who is sending me to accomplish this task? Those are the questions every Christian must ask throughout the day-to-day tasks of life. Whether we are in the midst of the mundane or overwhelmed by the impossible, we must keep in mind Who it is that sends us, and who it is we are in Him. Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

We have been discussing the type of person God has and will entrust His Word and His messages to. These are those who do not turn a blind ear to the truths of God, those who find application to HIs Word in their lives, those who repent when truth shines light on sins. We have also discussed those who God will not trust with His words. Those who harbor idols, those who have the form of religion without the power. This week we take a look at a strange passage of Scripture, Psalm 119: 43, “And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for I wait for Your Ordinances.” It is as though you have had the words of God on the tip of your tongue, but now they escape you. You know the best words that are right for the person in front of you, or even for your own soul, but now you can’t find them. We can find this happening in our praise, in our prayer, in our evangelism, and more. So how do we turn this request from the Psalmist into our own prayer, and what do we do if we have found the Lord has removed His word from our mouths? Dr. John Snyder and Teddy discuss these realities in this week’s episode. Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James are continuing our series on looking at the people God entrusts with His words. Though we spent the last two episodes examining the type of people God does entrust with His words, this week we examine the negative example. In Ezekiel 14, and 33, we see a scene where idolators are coming to the prophet to hear a word from the Lord and God refuses to speak to them because they have idols in their hearts. A natural question that arises from this passage is what an idol actually is and how can we identify idols in our lives? The duo follow these Old Testament examples with Paul’s letter to the Colossians where Paul tells the saints there to let the Word of God dwell richly in them. God will trust His Word to people who will not limit its access into their lives. Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

very Christian wants have the right words to deliver to their family, friends, children, coworkers, and fellow church members. We want to speak timely truths in love. But some things can hinder this and make our words weightless. Last week Dr. John Snyder introduced us to our new series and this week he is joined by Teddy James, the guy who belongs behind the camera. They discuss the reality that if we want to be a people who are listened to by those we love, we must be a people who listen well. That means primarily two things: First, we must be active listeners to God. Whether it is reading Scripture, participating in a sermon on Sunday morning, or having a spiritual conversation with others we must win the battle of actively listening, rather than being passive and lazy. Second, we must do the hard work of plowing up our lives to make room for the truths of Scripture. How much of the sermon you heard on Sunday has found application in your life? How are you living on and applying what God showed you in your morning devotion? Do not leave truth unapplied in your life. For reading and meditation: Psalm 111:10 Matthew 25:14-30 Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week we begin a new series discussing the weight of our words. We will focus particularly on speaking weighty words. We have the words of Scripture, which are the most important words to read and speak. But we’ve all had the experience of listening to someone teach or preach Scripture and we feel as though listening to them is optional. Their words are weightless. So what gives weight to a person’s words? It is the fact they have been entrusted by God. In this series, John Snyder will be joined by Teddy James to discuss what makes a person trustworthy with God’s messages. This is something special that goes beyond hermeneutics. It is a particular help that only comes after we have done the hard work of studying and applying Scripture to our lives. Can your family, your church, your community afford to have you speak good and true things but without the weight and effectiveness that only God can give? The simple answer is no. But how do we pursue that gifting from God? Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Last week we teased an interview Teddy had with Greg Jones, president of the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Trust. This week we can deliver it to you. During the discussion, Greg and Teddy discuss the purpose and mission of the MLJ Trust, where Greg would recommend people begin with Dr. Lloyd-Jones’ sermons, and how you can pray for the team behind the trust and the work they do. We pray the episode is a particular blessing to you. Make sure to check out their website, apps, youtube channel, and more. The MLJ Trust website: https://www.mljtrust.org The MLJ Trust App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mljsermons.mljsermonsappnew&pli=1 The MLJ Trust App (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mlj-sermons-christian-audio/id819555751 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4x1iiTSZyRxNu4SeaJihBa Support: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/mljtrust Martyn Lloyd-Jones Two-Volume Biography: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/d-martyn-lloyd-jones-3/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Sometimes we make plans for a podcast and then have to change them after we finish recording. Such was the case this week. Earlier last week, Teddy filmed an interview with Greg Jones, president of the Martyn Lloyd-Jones Trust. Because we wanted to properly introduce the MLJ Trust to you John jumped into the studio for a “10-minute introduction” that lasted over 30 minutes. We thought the discussion was so good and hopefully would whet your appetite for more, we decided to split everything into two episodes. So this week, we present to you Dr. John Snyder and Teddy James discussing the MLJ Trust and the impact Dr. Lloyd-Jones has had on the two of them. Next week we will present the interview with Greg Jones. In case you don’t want to wait until next week for all the pertinent links teased in the episode: The MLJ Trust website: https://www.mljtrust.org The MLJ Trust App (Android): https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mljsermons.mljsermonsappnew&pli=1 The MLJ Trust App (iOS): https://apps.apple.com/us/app/mlj-sermons-christian-audio/id819555751 YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@MLJTrust Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4x1iiTSZyRxNu4SeaJihBa Support: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/mljtrust Martyn Lloyd-Jones Two-Volume Biography: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/d-martyn-lloyd-jones-3/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Earlier this month Ian Hamilton came to the office of Media Gratiae to begin production on a new study focusing on genuine discipleship. While he was in town, we asked him to preach at Christ Church New Albany. His chosen text was Psalm 44 and he focused on the seasons of life when our theology and life experience seem to be at odds with one another. How should we pray when overwhelemed by life’s problems? How should we worship when all seems hopeless? We as a team and as a church found his sermon warm, encouraging, convicting, and most importantly, Christ exalting. We share it with you praying it will be a blessing to your soul. Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Last week John took a look at John the Baptist bringing doubts to Jesus Christ. It was the result of John’s study of Scripture not matching up with what he was seeing and expecting. So he brought doubts to Jesus. This week, John Snyder is taking another look at Christ in a way that will, prayerfully, help us as we enter 2024. The central thought comes from Matthew 11, with Jesus saying, “Come to Me all who are weary and heavy-laden.” The problem with golden passages like this is that we are so familiar with them that we think we have mastered all the meanings and applications of the passage, but we certainly have not. So John seeks to add weight to the passage by examining it closer, particularly focusing on the little word “all.” This word is incredibly important, weighty, and precious to those who have come to Christ. And it should be terrifying those who are independent and rebellious against the Savior who has stooped to offer salvation to them. See the full study here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

In Matthew 11, we see this incredible scene of John the Baptist questioning whether or not Jesus is the promised Messiah. This is the man who had prepared the way for Christ. He was the final Old Covenant prophet. He had stood before kings and refused to turn from the truth. That’s why he was in prison. But this strong, faithful man had questions and doubts. The fact he had doubts isn’t the only important detail of this passage, we also need to see what he did with those doubts. He took them to Jesus Christ. He asked Jesus directly the questions that burdened his soul. And Jesus chose to answer John in an interesting way. It wasn’t simply, “Yes.” It was pointing John to the Old Testament passages he already knew so well, but shifting his perspective on them. In this week’s episode of The Whole Counsel, Dr. John Snyder, author of the Behold Your God series and an elder of Christ Church New Albany, teaches us how we are to apply this scene of Scripture to our lives. What do we do when we have questions? What dangers are there when we are facing difficult questions in our souls? And what do we do when we receive an answer we weren’t expecting? See the full study here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week we end our special episodes publishing the interviews from Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically. We chose to end these with Paul Washer. In the concluding part of his interview, Paul points out the necessity of making the realities of God more than mere head knowledge. The truths of God and the Christian life must be applied. It is dangerous to have the head knowledge of Jonathan Edwards without also having his heart. We pray these special episodes have been a blessing to you. If you want to see the study they came from, you can view that at the link below. If you have already gone through the study, we pray and hope these interviews have reminded you of the truths you wrestled with during those 12 weeks. See the full study here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Continuing with our final series of interviews from Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically, we present to you the final installment of our interview with Richard Owen Roberts. Roberts has dedicated his life to studying, teaching, and writing about the reality of revival. He is a well-known itinerant preacher and he was very instrumental in the spiritual development of Dr. John Snyder. We pray this interview warms your heart to the joys of Christ and encourages you to pursue holiness with clean and intentional hands. See the full study here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

We will be spending the next three weeks publishing the rest of our complete interviews conducted for Behold Your God: Rethinking God Biblically. We pray you have benefited from these interviews as much as we have. It has been an indescribable joy to go back through this old material with the knowledge of how the Lord has been pleased to use it over the last decade. This week we are releasing the interview with Jordan Thomas. Jordan is a pastor in Memphis, Tenessee, and was discipled by Clyde Cranford, the same man who discipled John Snyder. As you watch or listen to this week’s episode, let us ask that you pray for Jordan and the Media Gratiae team as we put the finishing touches on his study on treasuring Christ. See the full study here: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

One of our favorite episodes to create every year is our book recommendation episode. Each year, close to Christmas (sorry if it’s too close to Christmas for you this year) we record an episode recommending some of our favorite books we have read over the last year. If you want to see previous years’ book recommendations, we have an entire playlist on our YouTube channel. We’ve provided links to all the book recommendations below, and for those that are out of print, we have the digital versions. Books: Mercy Revealed by Gerald Bilkes https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/mercy-revealed-a-cross-centered-look-at-christs-miracles-bilkes.html Daniel Rowland by Effion Evans https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/history-biography/daniel-rowland/ Proverbs by Charles Bridges (Digital) https://www.monergism.com/exposition-book-proverbs-ebook (Kindle) https://www.amazon.com/Proverbs-Charles-Bridges-ebook/dp/B07JMY75KL (Out of Stock) https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/commentaries/proverbs/ Revelation by Joel Beeke https://www.heritagebooks.org/products/revelation-the-lectio-continua-expository-commentary-on-the-new-testament-beeke.html All that Jesus Commanded by John Piper https://www.amazon.com/All-That-Jesus-Commanded-Christian/dp/1433585057 (Free Digital) https://www.desiringgod.org/books/all-that-jesus-commanded The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/the-rare-jewel-of-christian-contentment/ (Box Set) https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/collected-workssets/puritan-classics-box-set/ Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Media Gratiae is an independent, donor-funded publisher. We both create and distribute material focusing on the experiential Christian life. Throughout 2023, we have been blessed to produce materials such as Behold Your God: Seeking Him Early, and distribute the film Welsh Awakening. In addition to creating study resources for churches, families, and small groups, we also produce several podcasts such as The Whole Counsel, From the Heart of Spurgeon, A Word in Season, and Hymn Stories. Every year we publish a ministry report to let those who support us know how their money was used. We are very grateful to those who helped us produce this content. But we also produce the ministry report so everyone who follows us can know how to pray for us in the upcoming year. We do not ask for donations, funds, or support. But we will ask you to pray for us. Pray that we would live lives pleasing to our King. Pray that we will produce material that honors Him. Pray that we would have hearts in line with His will. You can read our ministry report here: https://report.mediagratiae.org

If you have listened to The Whole Counsel for any length of time or gone through the Behold Your God studies, you know that Dr. John Snyder has great appreciation and affection for Samuel Rutherford. But he doesn’t appreciate of Rutherford’s work equally. In fact, there is one book that he calls, “My least favorite book from my favorite Puritan.” That work is Lex Rex. Lex Rex: The Law and the Prince, though John’s least favorite, is an incredibly important work by the Scottish minister. It was influential not just in his own day (published in 1644) but also in today’s legal realm. Many lawyers and legal practictioners have found the content to be incredibly helpful in defining, description, and developing the proper boundaries for government and individual liberty. With John not being well versed in this book, we have called into two men who have both read, benefited, and used this work in their professions. Those who have followed The Whole Counsel have already met Steve Crampton. Steve is a lawyer who has argued cases before the Supreme Court. He specializes in religious liberty litigation and has worked with several organizations across his storied career. But new to our listeners this week is Chris Green. Chris is a Professor of Law and Jame L. Whitten Char in Law and Government at the University of Mississippi. He was educated at Notre Dame, Yale, and Princeton. He is the author of several books focuses on constitutional law. In this episode of Navigating the Classics, the trio walk through the historical setting of Lex Rex, the biblical philosophis that undergird the work, and lastly they bring this 500-year-old work into current events helping us see how we as contemporary Christians are to both submit to and, when necessary, stand against governing powers. If you want to step into reading Samuel Rutherford, but aren’t quite ready to the giant work that is Lex Rex, we recommend “The Loveliness of Christ:” https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/devotionalsdaily-readings/the-loveliness-of-christ/ If you would like to read through Lex Rex: Physical and ebook: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07BHKNF88/ref=x_gr_bb_kindle?caller=Goodreads&tag=x_gr_bb_kindle-20 Free ebook: https://www.monergism.com/lex-rex-ebook

This is our final look at the five letters of Archibald Alexander written to those in the Autumn of Life. In this last letter, Alexander wants to teach his readers how to prepare to end their lives well and it perhaps the most applicable letter to those who are far from the grave. Alexander starts the letter by saying we can be best prepared for death by living intentionally, walking closely to our Savior while we still have the vigor of health. He gives us some great help in how we walk the path Christ has set before us in confidence and holiness. But there is another important point Alexander makes. When we know our end is coming near, it is easy to lose assurance that we are Christ’s and Christ is ours. Alexander points out that it isn’t assurance we should seek, but the face of Christ Himself. If we do that, not only will we gain assurance, we will obtain much more. A good test for our souls to see whether we are seeking assurance or Christ Himself is to note if we slacken our pace when we are certain, or if we press on. While we had hoped to give away a biography of Archibald, it is currently unavailable. In its stead, we are giving away five pamphlets of the letters published by Log College Press: https://www.logcollegepress.com/shop/aging-in-grace-letters-to-those-in-the-autumn-of-life. You can sign up for the giveaway here https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

Death is always a difficult topic for conversation. But Archibald Alexander focuses on the reality of death in this week’s letter to those in the autumn of life. John Snyder, using Alexander’s letters helps us see what can make death particularly bitter and how to seek comfort in times of intense distress. Alexander also shares his pastoral wisdom with us regarding improper ways of dealing with those who have died in an unknown spiritual state. There are times we are not to pronounce them sainted or damned. We must trust the judgment of Christ and be careful with our wording. But he goes further to address the reality of deathbed conversions and how we are to think of them. Lastly, Alexander points us to the One who is our only comfort in life and death. We can hold up the torch of Scripture on our path to the grave and be confident in our steps leading to our eternity with our Savior. While we had hoped to give away a biography of Archibald, it is currently unavailable. In its stead, we are giving away five pamphlets of the letters published by Log College Press: https://www.logcollegepress.com/shop/aging-in-grace-letters-to-those-in-the-autumn-of-life. You can sign up for the giveaway here https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

It is a common refrain, “That’s a young man’s work.” But the opposite is true in God’s economy. There is some work reserved for those who have had the Book of Providence (Letter One) opened to them. In this week’s episode, John Snyder is discussing Archibald Alexander’s third letter to elderly Christians focusing on the work God has laid before them. Alexander says that time seems to be going by faster and faster. And while we see the signs of aging in the mirror, our minds want to believe we are still young and full of physical ability. We aren’t. We simply can’t do what we once could. While that could be a source of discomfort and even jealousy, to allow our souls to wallow in would be to miss the opportunity God has given for this specific time of life. The elderly Christian has the opportunity to please God in obedience and prayer. While Christians today can often overlook these two simple offerings to God, Alexander says they are great gifts God is pleased to accept. He gives us specific things we can be doing and praying to be a blessing our families, our churches, and our world. While we had hoped to give away a biography of Archibald, it is currently unavailable. In its stead, we are giving away five pamphlets of the letters published by Log College Press: https://www.logcollegepress.com/shop/aging-in-grace-letters-to-those-in-the-autumn-of-life. You can sign up for the giveaway here https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

As we age, the body becomes weaker and our sense of usefulness can wane. But this is a lie of the enemy. God has given older believers a gift not available to those young in years. The Book of Providence, as Archibald Alexander coins it, is the ability to look back over years of your life and see God’s hand moving you to where you are, even before you were a Christian. In this week’s episode, John Snyder discusses Archibald Alexander’s second letter to those in the autumn of life. Archibald’s wisdom is not just for those who are in the twilight years of life. His words carry much practical application for the young as well. We pray it is a blessing to you. While we had hoped to give away a biography of Archibald, it is currently unavailable. In its stead, we are giving away five pamphlets of the letters published by Log College Press: https://www.logcollegepress.com/shop/aging-in-grace-letters-to-those-in-the-autumn-of-life. You can sign up for the giveaway here https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts You can get The Whole Counsel a day early on the Media Gratiae App: https://subsplash.com/mediagratiae/app

This week we begin looking at the letters of Archibald Alexander to those in the autumn of their lives. We have an enemy who whispers many lies that can be effective in slowing down the Christian’s pace or cause us to turn our eyes away from Christ. One such lie is that when the body becomes frail and weak, we have nothing we can offer the local church. Nothing could be further from the truth. Those in the later years have a great deal to offer their local congregations and Alexander gives us some examples to look for. Another lie leads to ungodly introspectiveness and false repentance. We can somberly look back at our lives, at the time wasted or sins committed and feel regret. But there is hope even in those circumstances. Christ can redeem even that. Alexander, in a very pastoral way, puts our gaze upon our only Hope, Christ Jesus. We are giving a copy of Archibald Alexander’s book away at the end of this podcast series. Make sure you are signed up to win the giveaway by clicking here: https://www.mediagratiae.org/the-whole-counsel-giveaway If you want to get a copy of book before the series is over, check it out here from The Banner of Truth: https://banneroftruth.org/us/store/christian-living/thoughts-on-religious-experience/ You can read his “Letters to the Aged” online here: https://gracegems.org/26/letters_to_the_aged.htm Want to listen to The Whole Counsel on the go? Subscribe to the podcast on your favorite podcast app: https://www.mediagratiae.org/podcasts