Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson

Many of us may know someone who seemed suddenly converted to Christ, but they just as suddenly fell away. Today, Sinclair Ferguson shows that the joy of true faith goes hand in hand with the sorrow of real repentance. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-kind-of-faith-that-falls-away/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Even people who sit under the preaching of God's Word every week are capable of hardening their hearts against the truth they hear. Today, Sinclair Ferguson issues a solemn warning from Jesus' parable of the sower. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/hardened-hearers/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

It's important for us to hear the Word of God preached. But Jesus also instructs His disciples to be careful about the way we hear. Today, Sinclair Ferguson encourages us to ask ourselves, "What kind of hearer am I?" Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/take-heed-how-you-hear/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Jesus we know and serve today is the same wonderful Redeemer we read about in the Gospels, forever faithful and true. Today, Sinclair Ferguson shares a little verse filled with good news for all who rest in Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-same-yesterday-today-and-forever/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

If we are united to Christ by faith, we have died to the dominion of sin and must no longer live in it. Today, Sinclair Ferguson reflects on a passage in Romans that is essential for understanding our identity as Christians. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/dead-to-sins-dominion/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

How can we measure true success in ministry? Today, Sinclair Ferguson opens the Bible passage that was preached at his ordination, verses that have shaped his thinking about what it means to serve Christ and His church. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/servants-for-jesus-sake/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Until we come to saving faith in Christ, we remain lost in the darkness of sin and condemnation. Today, Sinclair Ferguson reflects on the verses of Scripture that were instrumental in opening his eyes to the light of the world. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/following-the-light-of-the-world/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Being a Christian is not about reading enough of the Bible to balance out our failures; it's coming to Jesus Christ for eternal life. Today, Sinclair Ferguson visits the passage in Scripture that exposed his need for a Savior. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/come-to-christ-for-eternal-life/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

All truly effective preaching shares one thing in common: it is attended by the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, Sinclair Ferguson focuses on the crucial yet often-neglected ministry of the Spirit through His preached Word. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-power-of-the-spirit-in-preaching/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Faithful, biblical preaching doesn't have to follow a specific formula in order to bless God's people. Today, Sinclair Ferguson reflects with gratitude on the variety of gifts and emphases that God gives to His preachers. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/different-kinds-of-preachers/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What effects should the preaching of God's Word have on us? Today, Sinclair Ferguson shares words of wisdom from Jonathan Edwards on the influence that faithful preaching should have on the way Christians think and feel. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-effects-of-preaching/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Why can it sometimes seem that the preaching in our church isn't bearing much fruit? Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers this problem and explains how every Christian in the congregation can contribute to the solution. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/what-is-wrong-with-preaching-today/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Whether we're preachers or listeners, the proclamation of God's Word plays a role in our lives as Christians. But just how important is preaching? Today, Sinclair Ferguson addresses the centrality of this means of grace. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/how-important-is-preaching/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

By God's sovereign grace, the very things that threaten to separate us from Christ are tools in His hands to make us more like Him. Today, Sinclair Ferguson concludes his reflections on the closing words of Romans 8. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/who-shall-separate-us/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

With all our falls and failures in the Christian life, what hope do we have of escaping the sentence of condemnation that our sin deserves? Today, Sinclair Ferguson reminds us anew of our sweet security in our Lord Jesus Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/who-is-to-condemn/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Satan accuses the people of God day and night. We'll never escape his charges of sin and guilt by looking to our merits. Today, Sinclair Ferguson points out where we must go to find assurance against our enemy's accusations. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/who-shall-bring-any-charge/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

If God is for us, then all the devil's efforts to destroy us will ultimately fail. Today, Sinclair Ferguson expresses how we can come to the deep, unshakable conviction that the Lord Himself is on our side. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/who-can-be-against-us/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What is your favorite passage in the Bible? Today, Sinclair Ferguson turns to one of the most cherished sections of Scripture and begins to address the remarkable questions that these verses raise. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/beloved-bible-verses/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

God places His name on us in our baptism, marking us out as those called to trust in the Father, believe in the Son, and live in the power of the Holy Spirit. Today, Sinclair Ferguson singles out the central truth of baptism. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/named-in-baptism/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Discussions about baptism often focus on what we are baptized with—how much water and how it's to be applied. Today, Sinclair Ferguson encourages us to consider what we are baptized into—and how that affects our identity. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/baptized-a-new-identity/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Sinners were coming to the Jordan River to be baptized by John. Why did Jesus, the sinless Son of God, ask to be baptized with that same water? Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the gospel message that this moment conveys. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/why-was-jesus-baptized A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Baptism wasn't given to us just for the experience of a moment--it's a sign that affects every day of our Christian lives. Today, Sinclair Ferguson reminds us what our baptism teaches us about Christ and what He has done for us. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-meaning-of-baptism A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

If we think of baptism primarily as a point of controversy rather than a gift from God, we need to take some time and think again. Today, Sinclair Ferguson shows that baptism is a sign that confirms the promise of the gospel. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-promise-of-baptism A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

"The way to measure genuine growth in holiness is..." How would you finish that sentence? Today, Sinclair Ferguson draws principles from two figures in church history to aid us in our pursuit of sanctification. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/principles-for-holiness A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What happens in a person's life that causes a sinner to become a saint? Today, Sinclair Ferguson looks closely at a familiar Bible verse that gets to the heart of our spiritual transformation. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/sanctification-summarized A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

What happens in a person's life that causes a sinner to become a saint? Today, Sinclair Ferguson looks closely at a familiar Bible verse that gets to the heart of our spiritual transformation. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/sanctification-summarized/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Sanctification--becoming increasingly like Jesus--takes place more often in the ordinariness of life than in our moments of apparent greatness. Today, Sinclair Ferguson points to one essential indicator of our growth in grace. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/a-more-excellent-way A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Being holy isn't merely about doing the right things. Nor should we mistake being holy with being gifted. Today, Sinclair Ferguson identifies the true fruit of sanctification: nearness and likeness to Jesus Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-fruit-of-sanctification A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Being holy isn't merely about doing the right things. Nor should we mistake being holy with being gifted. Today, Sinclair Ferguson identifies the true fruit of sanctification: nearness and likeness to Jesus Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-fruit-of-sanctification/ . A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The Bible teaches us a new vocabulary for understanding the Christian life, and one crucial word it gives to our identity is "sanctified." Today, Sinclair Ferguson explores what it means to be people who are set apart for God. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/set-apart-for-god A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Jesus wept at the grave of Lazarus out of love for His friend and out of a holy hatred of the destruction wrought by sin. Today, Sinclair Ferguson explains how Christ's perfect anger displays His devotion to His redeemed. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-anger-of-jesus A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Scripture reveals not only the power and authority of our Lord Jesus but also His heart as our compassionate Savior. Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the refining influence of reflecting on Christ's affections for His people. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/christ-a-man-of-feeling A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Scripture reveals not only the power and authority of our Lord Jesus but also His heart as our compassionate Savior. Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the refining influence of reflecting on Christ's affections for His people. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/christ-a-man-of-feeling/ A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://donate.ligonier.org/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Jesus understands our weakness and draws close to us in our need. Today, Sinclair Ferguson beckons us to come near to the One who provides rest for our weary souls. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/rest-for-our-souls A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

To see whether you have a healthy, biblical view of Jesus, turn to Luke 2:52, which says He grew "in favor with God and man." Today, Sinclair Ferguson explains how this passage shows the true humanity of our incarnate Lord. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/he-grew-in-favor-with-god A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Since the Christian life involves an ongoing transformation of becoming more like Jesus, we need to know what Jesus is actually like. Today, Sinclair Ferguson expresses the importance of knowing our Lord personally and deeply. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-personal-jesus A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Bill never ministered to large churches or spoke at conferences. But he touched lives by remaining the same constant Christian year after year. Today, Sinclair Ferguson thanks God for one of the godliest men he has ever known. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-legacy-of-a-godly-life A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Even if their paths cross only for a season, Christians can leave a lifelong impact on one another's spiritual lives. Today, Sinclair Ferguson remembers Dennis, whom God used in his life as a first-year university student. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/a-christians-enduring-influence A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Hamish didn't set out to be a mentor. He simply took an interest in a young man and encouraged him by his love and zeal for Christ. Today, listen as Sinclair Ferguson explains what this formative friendship taught him about discipleship. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/an-older-friend-in-the-faith A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

One icy evening in the dead of winter, a stranger asked a young Sinclair Ferguson, "Are you saved, son?" Today, he describes this momentary exchange that God used as a stepping stone toward saving faith in Jesus Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-man-in-black A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

When we read the obscure names that receive greetings in Paul's letters, we're reminded of the everyday Christians who have invested in our own lives. Today, Sinclair Ferguson invites us to think of these people with gratitude. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/our-hidden-helpers A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Spiritual growth isn't measured so much by the stature a Christian has attained as it is by the distance traveled and the obstacles overcome. Today, Sinclair Ferguson considers the many different ways God reshapes our lives. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/shaped-by-grace A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Sin can leave our souls misshapen in subtle ways. Yet the Great Physician offers treatment to reveal and straighten what has gone awry. Today, Sinclair Ferguson conveys the means of being reshaped into the likeness of Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/solutions-for-distorted-souls A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Pride distorts our thinking, making us more willing to heed our own minds than to submit to the mind of God revealed in Scripture. Today, Sinclair Ferguson poses the remedy for sin's big-headed self-sufficiency. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-big-headed-soul A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Martin Luther described our sinful condition as being "incurvatus in se," turned in on itself. Today, Sinclair Ferguson identifies the damaging effects of living for ourselves and the transformative way that Christ reshapes us. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/turned-in-on-ourselves A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

By creating us in His image, God has specially fashioned us for fellowship with Him. But because of sin, our souls have been bent out of shape. Today, Sinclair Ferguson thinks about our need for restoration in Christ. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-shape-of-the-soul A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

The devil offered Jesus the dominion that Adam had lost. This is just what Christ came to regain, but only by the conquest of the cross. Today, Sinclair Ferguson delights in Christ's unwavering devotion to His Father's will. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/all-the-kingdoms-of-the-world A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

By tempting Jesus to jump off the temple, Satan was inviting Him to win followers by parading the miraculous power of God. Today, Sinclair Ferguson explains why Christ really came: to save sinners by suffering in their place. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/the-pinnacle-of-the-temple A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Whereas Adam rejected God's warning and ate from the tree, Jesus lived not by bread alone but by every word proceeding from the mouth of God. Today, Sinclair Ferguson unpacks the meaning of Christ's first wilderness temptation. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/not-by-bread-alone A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts

Jesus' wilderness temptation isn't recorded in Scripture primarily to help us fight temptation--it marks the beginning of Christ's victory over Satan. Today, Sinclair Ferguson invites us to take courage in our conquering King. Read the transcript: https://ligonier.org/podcasts/things-unseen-with-sinclair-ferguson/christs-victory-in-the-wilderness A donor-supported outreach of Ligonier Ministries. Donate: https://www.ligonier.org/donate/ Explore all of our podcasts: https://www.ligonier.org/podcasts