J.D. Greear is the lead pastor of The Summit Church, in Raleigh-Durham, NC and author of Gospel: Recovering the Power that Made Christianity Revolutionary (2011) and Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart: How to Know for Sure You Are Saved (2013). More
JD what was the name of the book you recommended last year about praying for people’s salvation. I think you said it showed 4 different types of prayers taking into account election and middle knowledge. I’m looking for some summer reading. Thanks
JD, I was really encouraged (not rattled too much this past Sunday. I have been shown some areas where I am not believing the gospel as I should as a result… So thank you!
In a small group this week John 15:2 came up. Can you elaborate on how that ties in with Hebrews 6? Specifically, how is it explained that someone can be attached to the vine and then be cut off?
You say that the faith that saves is the faith that endures to the end. I agree. I believe in eternal security and the perseverance of the saints. But if this doctrine is true, then what about assurance? Can we be assured of our salvation only at the last second of our lives, when we know that we really did persevere to the very end?
You gave the illustration of the chair: you’re either sitting in it now, or you’re not. But what about those people who are sitting in it now, but are going to stand up a few years from now, and remain standing up until they die? So that may not be a good measure, unless we do it periodically throughout our lives. (Yup, still sitting.) My point is that we may have assurance now, but maybe it’s a false assurance, because what happens if we change our posture in the future? To me, the doctrine of perseverance of the saints seems incompatible with the doctrine of assurance.
I look forward to reading your book on the topic when it comes out next February. Thank you for this sermon–it was a good one.
JD what was the name of the book you recommended last year about praying for people’s salvation. I think you said it showed 4 different types of prayers taking into account election and middle knowledge. I’m looking for some summer reading. Thanks
It was Providence and Prayer by Terrence Tiessen. It’s thick and dense but good, so enjoy!
JD, I was really encouraged (not rattled too much
this past Sunday. I have been shown some areas where I am not believing the gospel as I should as a result… So thank you!
In a small group this week John 15:2 came up. Can you elaborate on how that ties in with Hebrews 6? Specifically, how is it explained that someone can be attached to the vine and then be cut off?
Thanks,
Stephen
You say that the faith that saves is the faith that endures to the end. I agree. I believe in eternal security and the perseverance of the saints. But if this doctrine is true, then what about assurance? Can we be assured of our salvation only at the last second of our lives, when we know that we really did persevere to the very end?
You gave the illustration of the chair: you’re either sitting in it now, or you’re not. But what about those people who are sitting in it now, but are going to stand up a few years from now, and remain standing up until they die? So that may not be a good measure, unless we do it periodically throughout our lives. (Yup, still sitting.) My point is that we may have assurance now, but maybe it’s a false assurance, because what happens if we change our posture in the future? To me, the doctrine of perseverance of the saints seems incompatible with the doctrine of assurance.
I look forward to reading your book on the topic when it comes out next February. Thank you for this sermon–it was a good one.