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The paradox of life through death: Embracing our spiritual journey

In the contemplative shadows of the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus faced a profound truth that forms the cornerstone of Christian theology: to fulfill His divine mission, He had to embrace death — not just in physical form, but also by surrendering His will to the Father's. This dual act of dying, once in a garden and once on a cross, underscores a mystical yet fundamental principle of Christianity: to gain life, one must first lose it. This principle, though seemingly paradoxical to those who know only earthly life, illuminates the path every believer is called to tread.

Understanding the necessity of Jesus's death

Jesus, the embodiment of life itself, facing death is a profound paradox. As believers, we acknowledge that God did not create death; rather, it entered the world as a consequence of sin, an artifact of the enemy's influence over humanity. Jesus’s mission on Earth was not only to preach the Kingdom of God but also to break the chains of death that bound humanity. His death on the cross was the ultimate act of victory over this ancient foe, a necessary passage to defeat the power of sin and death.

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The crucifixion, a seemingly tragic end, was essential for the resurrection to occur — a triumphant affirmation that life, not death, is God's final word for humanity. In His resurrection, Jesus did not merely return to earthly life but emerged with a glorified body, embodying the full power of God. This transformation is pivotal, for it not only marked the completion of His earthly mission but also enabled the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His disciples, empowering them in ways previously unimaginable.

The call to die to self

The Christian journey mirrors the path Christ walked. Just as Jesus surrendered His will in the garden before His crucifixion, we, too, are called to die to ourselves. This “death to self” is not a physical demise but an ongoing process of yielding our desires, ambitions, and human will to God's higher purpose. It involves a daily, conscious decision to forsake our selfish inclinations for a life that reflects Christ's love and obedience to God.

Dying to self is fundamental because it aligns us with the transformative work of the Holy Spirit. It is in laying down our lives that we find the true essence of life as Christ intends it — rich, purposeful, and eternal. This spiritual death paves the way for the Holy Spirit to work within us, molding our character and empowering us for the mission God has entrusted to us.

The promise of eternal life and a new body

The hope of Christianity extends beyond the temporal confines of this world. As believers, we hold fast to the promise of resurrection, not just as a historical event that occurred two thousand years ago, but as a personal reality. Our physical death is not an end but a doorway to a new existence. We are promised a new, glorified body free from sin and decay, akin to what Jesus received at His resurrection.

This glorified body is not merely a restoration of our former selves but an upgrade to an incorruptible state, designed for eternal life. The implications of this transformation are staggering we will exist in a state that is no longer susceptible to pain, aging, or death, fully equipped to enjoy the eternal presence of God.

The power of the Holy Spirit in Christian life

The Holy Spirit’s role in the life of a believer cannot be overstated. Post-resurrection, Jesus imparted the Holy Spirit to His followers — a gift that radically transformed them. The disciples, once timid and uncertain, became bold proclaimers of the Gospel, even unto death. This same Spirit is available to us today, offering guidance, wisdom, and the strength to face the trials and tribulations of life.

The Holy Spirit continually works within us, enabling us to bear spiritual fruit and equipping us to carry out the Great Commission. Through the Spirit, we receive the power to demonstrate the reality of the Gospel through our lives and our words, impacting those around us.

Looking forward with hope

As believers, our perspective on life and death is radically different. We view our earthly challenges and inevitable physical death not as final defeats but as necessary steps toward achieving the fullness of life that God promises. The best, indeed, is yet to come. For those who love Him and have surrendered to His will, an eternal, glorious existence awaits, surpassing all that we can imagine.

Lest we forget, the Christian call to die to self and embrace life through Christ is not merely doctrinal — it is the pathway to true freedom and eternal joy! Christ’s victory over death is our assurance that life triumphs over death, love triumphs over despair, and ultimately, the will of God triumphs over all! Let us move forward in this faith, empowered by the Spirit, to fulfill our mission on earth as we await the fullness of life in the presence of our Savior.

Jerry McGlothlin serves as the CEO of Special Guests, a publicity agency known for representing guests who are dedicated to helping preserve and advance our Constitutional Republic, and maintaining a Judeo-Christian ethic.

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Podcast hosted by Jake Chocholous. Jesus in the trenches, life on the edge. An imperfect guy serving an absolutely perfect God. Got nothing but love for you guys!

Flawed & Forgiven Podcast Jake Chocholous

• Religion & Spirituality
• 3.0 • 2 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts Requires macOS 11.4 or higher

• APR 29, 2024

EP 8 - Hannah Lee - Turning Pain Into Purpose

In this powerful episode of Flawed & Forgiven, we welcome a very special guest, Hannah Lee (@hannahlee195), to share her incredible journey of redemption and forgiveness. Join us as we delve into Hannah's profound walk with Jesus, exploring the trials and tribulations she faced, from enduring abusive relationships to navigating the aftermath of difficult life decisions. Hannah bravely opens up about the shame and pain she carried, culminating in a life-altering choice: an abortion. But in the depths of her despair, she found hope and salvation in Jesus Christ. Through her transformative encounter with Him, Hannah discovered a new purpose and a newfound strength to pursue a life of faith and forgiveness. Her story is one of resilience, grace, and the unwavering love of God. Whether you've experienced similar struggles or seek inspiration and hope, Hannah's testimony will touch your heart and remind you that no matter how broken we may feel, we are never beyond redemption. Tune in to this episode of Flawed & Forgiven and be inspired by Hannah's journey from darkness to light.

• APR 21, 2024

EP 7 - From Dating to "I Do." Christ-Centered Relationships

Welcome back to another soul-stirring episode of Flawed & Forgiven! In this installment, we delve deep into the realms of conviction and identity, exploring how they intersect with our faith in Jesus Christ. Our esteemed guest, Pastor Brent Nussbaum, returns to grace our platform once again with his profound insights and unwavering wisdom. Drawing inspiration from the timeless wisdom of Dr. Rob Reimer's book "Soul Care" (2016), we embark on a journey of self-discovery and spiritual growth. Together, we navigate the complexities of conviction, understanding its role in shaping our beliefs and actions. Through heartfelt dialogue and introspection, we uncover the transformative power of embracing our flaws and finding redemption in Christ. Join us as we unpack the profound truths of Scripture and navigate the challenges of living out our identity in Jesus. Whether you're seeking clarity on your spiritual journey or simply yearning for encouragement, this episode promises to inspire, uplift, and ignite a renewed passion for pursuing a life rooted in faith and conviction. Tune in to Flawed & Forgiven and embark on a transformative journey of discovering your true identity in Jesus Christ. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more empowering conversations on faith, forgiveness, and redemption. Together, let's embrace our flaws and journey toward grace.

Alcoholic Abuse to Deliverance: A Father's Journey of Redemption

In this heart-touching interview, join us as my dad opens up about the challenges he faced growing up in a household marked by alcohol abuse. From the shadows of adversity, he emerged as an extraordinary father, weaving the principles of Christ into the fabric of his parenting. This candid conversation is a testament to the power of resilience, faith, and the capacity for positive change. 🙏✨ 📘 Explore the Pages of Transformation: "52 Weeks of Leadership" 🚀 Discover the inspiring story behind my dad's latest book, "52 Weeks of Leadership." Uncover the wisdom from a lifetime of experiences, offering a blueprint for effective and compassionate leadership. 📖🌟 🔗 Connect with Us: 📌 LinkedIn: / curtis-k-chocholous-7a5a971 📌 Get the Book: https://amzn.to/3T71xXa Join the Conversation: Share your stories of transformation and leadership in the comments below. Let's build a community of support and inspiration. 💬 🎥 Don't miss out on this powerful journey—Hit Subscribe and ring the notification bell to stay tuned for more uplifting content! 🛎️✨

• APR 20, 2024

EP 6 - Finding Conviction and Identity in Jesus Christ

Ep 5 - from addiction to redemption: chelsea marie's substance abuse journey to christ.

In this compelling episode of Flawed & Forgiven, we sit down with Chelsea Marie, a courageous woman who battled intense addictions to various substances, including drugs and alcohol. Chelsea's journey is remarkable transformation, as she shares her powerful story of hitting rock bottom and finding redemption through faith in Jesus Christ. Through intense life experiences, Chelsea found the strength to turn her life around and embrace a new path guided by her faith. Her journey serves as a beacon of hope for anyone struggling with addiction, showcasing the transformative power of belief and perseverance. Join us as Chelsea opens up about her past struggles, the pivotal moments that led her to seek change, and the profound impact that faith has had on her life. Her story is inspiring and serves as a reminder that it's never too late to find healing and redemption. Connect with Chelsea Marie on Instagram: @Chelseanoelmarie and tune in to this episode of Flawed & Forgiven for a dose of inspiration and encouragement on your own journey towards personal growth and fulfillment.

EP 4 - Conflict Warfare in Modern Day Church Culture

Join us in this thought-provoking episode of Flawed and Forgiven as we sit down with Pastor Brent Nussbaum, the insightful leader of Restoration Alliance Church. Together, we dive deep into the challenges faced by modern churches, exploring topics such as watered-down communities, the importance of strong leadership, and how God calls us to speak truth in love. 🏛️ Pastor Nussbaum shares his perspectives on revitalizing church communities, shedding light on the significance of fostering authentic connections and addressing issues that challenge the core values of faith. The conversation is candid, highlighting the need for resilience and spiritual strength in these times of change. 🌈 Additionally, we delve into the complex landscape of churches openly supporting the LGBTQ+ movements. Pastor Nussbaum provides a unique perspective on what this represents in our society, sparking a conversation about unity, diversity, and the role of love in shaping our understanding of faith. 🔥 Whether you're a churchgoer or simply curious about the evolving dynamics within religious communities, this episode offers valuable insights and a call to action for positive change. Join us on Flawed and Forgiven as we navigate the currents of contemporary faith with Pastor Brent Nussbaum. 🔗 Connect with Pastor Brent Nussbaum and Restoration Alliance Church: Brent Nussbaum FB: facebook/ brent.nussbaum.756 Restoration Alliance Church: facebook/ restoretiffin #flawed #Podcast #FaithLeadership #ChurchRevival #SpeakTruthInLove #LGBTQ+InFaith #RestorationAllianceChurch #PastorBrentNussbaum #SpiritualResilience #CommunityBuilding

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Your identity in christ: how god sees you.

• God's Will , Identity in Christ , Identity

Our culture is very interested in the journey of discovering individual identity. Personality tests and dream assessments are available everywhere you look. It seems like everyone is searching for something to tell them who they are, where they belong and how they relate to the world.

The Bible says that all men and women are created in God’s image. Humankind was created to reflect some of God’s attributes. You can look for your identity anywhere, but followers of Jesus are called to find their identity in Him.

Where Do You Find Your Identity?

While our world encourages you to look within yourself for your identity, your natural tendency is to search for your identity in external things. 

One of the first places that you can be tempted to look to is your career. Spending your time and energy pursuing your career can cause you to feel like it is a defining characteristic of who you are. After all, a job that you are dedicated to is likely to take up most of your time and attention. 

Jobs and careers are closely connected to other places where you can search for your identity, such as financial success and status. But it doesn’t stop there. People also ask their relationship statuses, appearance, grades and reputation to provide a sense of identity.

Any or all of these may feel like solid foundations, but none of them are permanent. Any of them could change without warning. If you base your identity on things like success, wealth, power, physical appearance and so on,  you are setting yourself up for great disappointment. A sudden job loss could leave you questioning your choices in life. One piece of gossip aimed your way could destroy your reputation, even if it is untrue. Your appearance will change as you get older.

God, however, is unchanging. He is reliable. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. If you find your identity in Him, you will never ultimately be let down because He has proven time and time again to be trustworthy. 

It is important, as you define your identity, that God not be just an aspect of who you are, like “I am a Christian,” or ”I am religious,” or “I am spiritual”.  Understanding your identity in God starts with understanding who He is, what He says about Himself, and what He says about you. Your identity can be defined by who God is making you to be in His image.  

How God Sees His Children

To be able to understand your identity as a follower of Christ, you need to understand how He sees you. It’s tempting to build your identity on what you accomplish, but this is not a stable foundation.

Your true identity is ultimately based on what God has done for you. In the Bible, God tells us often about how He views His people. Let’s take a look at what He says about you, if you received Him as your Lord and Savior. (Learn how to have a personal relationship with God and ask Him to be your Lord and Savior.)  

You Are Loved

In Christ, you are loved. You were created with a purpose. You are not just a convenient carbon copy of someone else. You were created uniquely and with intention. God lovingly designed every detail of your person. Can you imagine the love involved with that intricate design?  

You Are Chosen

In Christ, you are not only loved but chosen. God sent His own Son to earth to die in your place so that you could be included in His family . 

God was not obligated to choose you based on your performance or credentials. He chose to carry out an intricate plan that involved the death of His own perfect Son, which allowed you the opportunity to be a child of God.

You are no mistake. You are chosen and wanted.  

You Are Forgiven

In order to be counted a child of the perfect Father, you had to be free of sin — that is, you had to be perfect with regard to doing right and not doing wrong. That is a tall order considering no one but Jesus was or is perfect and no one can attain perfection by their own effort. 

However, because Jesus, who was without sin, died the death you should have on the cross, you can be forgiven of sin. What you’ve done wrong is not counted against you, and all that Christ did right is counted for you. This forgiveness allows you to be considered a child of God. 

Therefore, in God’s eyes, if you have accepted what Jesus did for you, you are completely forgiven. From His perspective, you are without sin. It’s not that you won’t sin, but when He looks at you, He calls you forgiven. That is something on which you can build your identity.   

You Are Redeemed

What does your forgiveness mean? You are redeemed — that is, Christ’s sacrifice has bought you back from the forces of sin and evil that once owned and controlled you and made you His.

When God looks at you, He does not see a former sinner. He does not see you in light of who you once were. He sees you as redeemed: a new creation that has been made whole. 

You do not have to define yourself in light of your past mistakes. God does not do that. You can walk in the identity of someone who is made new in Christ.  

You Are Adopted

What does it mean to be considered a child of God? It means that you have been adopted into His family. You are considered a legitimate child of the God of the universe, having all the rights and standing of Jesus His Son. 

God sees you as a cherished child who bears His name. Just as earthly adoption is a legally binding process that names you a permanent part of a family, heavenly adoption is just as permanent and binding. You are His child, and He will never take that away.

What the Bible Says About Identity in Christ

You don’t have to take anyone’s word for it. Actually, God wants you to find out for yourself by reading His Word. It is so important that you go to the Bible to find out how He feels about you. Your identity should never be based on a hope or a guess. God gave us His Word, the Bible, so you can know Him and know who He is making you to be in Him.

“You are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household.” (Ephesians 2:19, New International Version)

You are a member of His household, not a stranger. If you follow Christ, you belong in God’s household and with His people.

In this passage, Paul is encouraging followers of Christ to remember that they are all part of one family. They are to be unified with each other.  This can only happen if you understand that you are a legitimate child of God. You are part of His family.    

“God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” (2 Corinthians 9:8, NIV)

As a child of God, you are blessed and provided for. God is able to provide you with everything you need in Christ. He is the Owner of everything and the Giver of all good things.   

“See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know Him.” (1 John 3:1, NIV)

In Christ, you are loved. Your identity is a child of God. This Bible verse comes from a chapter that warns against the temptation to stray from God into sin. You can resist sin by remembering that God has the best for His children. He offers you more than the world ever could. You are complete in His love.  

“The LORD your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in His love He will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17, NIV)

Jesus delights in you. You are not just accepted or put up with. You are welcomed into His family with delight.

When correction comes, it lasts for a short time because the goal is for it to help you reflect God’s holy character more accurately. He delights in you so much that He is making you more like Himself day by day.  

“God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:21, NIV)

You are God’s righteousness. You are His goodness and rightness because of what Christ did on the cross. This was given to you, and you are called righteous by the Lord of the universe.

You can live in light of the righteousness you were given. It not only allows you to approach God with confidence, but it allows you to be an ambassador to others around you. Because your righteousness is not earned but freely given through faith in Jesus , you can share this gift with others and invite them to be God’s righteousness too.   

“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13, NIV)

You are forgiven. If you are a follower of Christ, you have become God’s child because the Lord forgave you for the sin you committed against Him.

As someone who is forgiven, you can now freely forgive others. God extended grace — that is, undeserved favor — to you. You can extend that grace to others around you.   

“We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10, NIV)

You were created with a purpose. God had specific intentions for your life when He brought you into the world. First and foremost, your purpose is to know Him and glorify Him. Then you can engage in other good works that will bring God glory and grow your own faith.

You were saved from great sin. Now, as a child of God, you can walk with God and do great good through His work in you.  

“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV)

In Christ, you are a new creation. God has made you new. The old things that used to define you have been taken away. God used to identify you as an enemy, but now he knows you as a child. You who were a sinner are now righteous.

You are new because through Jesus your sin has been paid for. You have been restored in right standing before God.   

“You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light.” (1 Peter 2:9, NIV) You are special to God. You are chosen by Him. This verse comes from a passage that talks about how Christ was rejected by many. But by faith in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, if you trust in Jesus, you are part of His holy, chosen people. You can rid yourself of things that are part of the old you, part of the darkness, such as deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander because you have been brought into wonderful light.

Obstacles to Believing in Your Identity

Even if you know all these things about where a follower of Christ finds their identity, there can often be obstacles standing in the way of believing who you are in Christ. Other sources of identity often stand in the way, such as career, appearance or money. But there are other things that can distract you as well.  

Everyone has made mistakes. Everyone has sinned. If you accept Christ, God forgives you of these things.  

Psalm 103:12 (NIV) says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Transgression is another word for sin or mistakes. God removes your sin from you. You will still often remember your sins, and those memories can make you feel unworthy, keeping you from accepting your true identity.  

Outside Messages or Experiences

You might not just remember what you have done; you may also remember what people have done to you. Maybe you were treated poorly or neglected. Maybe people told you negative things about yourself.  

The world is broken by sin. There are people who have experienced unspeakable injustice. From gossip to verbal and physical abuse, outside messages are trying to shape your identity every day. Those outside messages can lead you to believe that you are unworthy of what the Bible says is true of you in Christ.  

False Beliefs

As you follow Jesus, you will seek to know Him more. You can do this through time in the Word, through prayer, through talking with friends or a mentor and through gathering together with other believers in worship.

As your understanding of God grows, you may recognize flawed beliefs that you held before that do not line up with what you are hearing and learning about your identity now. 

Maybe you grew up learning that you can lose your salvation. Maybe you thought that there were certain behaviors or sins that disqualify you from receiving Christ’s salvation. There are many false beliefs out there that seem correct but really take away from who God is and what He says. It can be confusing to work through these differences.  

How Can You Respond?

These obstacles are difficult to navigate. It’s easy to believe that these things are legitimate barriers to following Jesus. But by the power of the Holy Spirit, you can overcome these obstacles and live fully in the identity that you were given in Jesus.  

The word “repent” means that you agree with God. So the first thing you can do to embrace your identity is to agree with Him that you are believing things that are no longer true of you. 

Bring the things you are struggling with to Him. Admit that they are difficult for you to overcome. Confess that you believe Him when He says that they are no longer true of you.  

Many places in scripture encourage believers of Jesus to mourn over their sin. Although your sin no longer defines your identity, you do still experience its effects in your life. Therefore, it is legitimate and even important to grieve the sin that keeps you from truly believing the things Jesus says. 

You can also grieve the sins that were committed against you and all that those wounds cost you. You can grieve the effect that it had on your relationship with the Lord. 

Paul was one of the leaders of the early church who helped write the Bible’s New Testament. In a letter to one church, which we now know as the Bible’s book of 1 Thessalonians, he talks about how to mourn for lost loved ones. He helps us to understand how we can grieve well.

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13, NIV).

In this passage, “those who sleep in death” is referring to followers of Jesus who have passed away. Paul says that we can grieve that they are no longer here and yet have hope that in Jesus they live in eternity.

The same principle applies to grief over sin. You can grieve your own sin and the sin of others, all the while knowing that you have hope in Christ. You are a new creation. You are forgiven and restored in Jesus.  

Invite the Lord to Change Your Mind

When you have confessed and grieved these things, you can ask God to help you believe what is true . He is the one who renews your mind and changes your heart.

God is the one who grows your faith and makes you new. Ask Him to help you believe the things that He says of you.  Ask Him to continue to make you into the person that He intends you to be in Jesus. 

He is faithful, and He will do it.  

Invite Others to Help You

God never meant for you to walk with Jesus on your own. He brings people into your life so that you can encourage one another.

When you are struggling with past sin or false and discouraging beliefs, share that struggle with a trusted friend. Inviting others to pray for you and remind you of the truth can be so beneficial.

A believer that is farther along on their faith journey can provide great insight to you as you walk with Jesus. Consider inviting a fellow believer to mentor you in areas that are a struggle for you.

When Christ followers bear one another’s burdens, they not only grow closer to the Lord, but they grow in unity with other Christ followers.

Seeing Yourself as God Sees You Matters

If you put your faith in Jesus, you have a new identity in Him. The more you get to know Jesus through His word and time in prayer, the more you will understand your identity in Him.

The more you get to know Jesus, the more you will be able to identify areas of your life that you are not living in this identity by the power of the Holy Spirit .

If you believed that you were all that God says you are in Christ, how would that change the way you lived, the way you interact with others, or the way that you relate to the Lord? 

As you find your identity in Christ, you will grow to look more like Him and less like the world. You will grow in intimacy with Him and with other believers.  

Where Do I Go From Here?

To learn more about finding your identity in Christ, go through the exercise described in “ How to Discover Your True Identity ."  

A Legacy of Changed Lives

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Russell Brand announces he is getting baptized as a Christian, describing it as an 'opportunity to leave the past behind'

• Russell Brand is getting baptized after spending several months exploring the Christian faith.
• Brand, who was previously Buddhist, said he saw baptism as an opportunity "to die and be reborn."
• Brand's gravitation toward religion comes in the wake of several  allegations of sexual assault.

British comedian and actor turned political influencer Russell Brand has announced his plans to be baptized, culminating a monthslong journey exploring the Christian faith.

"This Sunday, I'm taking the plunge," Brand said in a video shared to X on Friday. "I'm getting baptized."

He said that baptism had been explained to him as an "opportunity to die and be reborn."

"An opportunity to leave the past behind and be reborn in Christ's name, like it says in Galatians," he continued. "That you can live as an enlightened and awakened person."

Baptism. This Sunday I’m taking the plunge! How was it for you? pic.twitter.com/DnwcUrzoqa — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) April 26, 2024

The media personality said that he was "thinking about doing it in the River Thames" — recently found to have high levels of E.Coli — ending the video: "I may be leaving behind the sins, but I might be picking up some pretty serious viruses."

Starting in December 2023 , the 48-year-old has published several photos and videos on his social media profiles discussing his relationship with Christianity.

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In a video from January, he explained why he had begun wearing a crucifix , stating that the figure of Christ was "inevitably" becoming "more important" to him.

"I suppose it takes a certain amount of adulthood, and it might be different for all of us — for me, it seems that it's taken quite a lot — to recognize that you need — I need — a personal relationship with God," he said at the time.

Why I Wear A Cross! I'm interested to hear what YOU think, let me know. pic.twitter.com/kMcyYgvl7o — Russell Brand (@rustyrockets) January 21, 2024

In other videos published since then, Brand has shown himself praying with a Rosary and discussing his sacrifice of giving up sugar during Lent. In mid-March, the "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" actor shared his intentions of getting baptized .

Brand's gravitation toward the Christian faith has come in the wake of numerous accusations of sexual assault , which came to light in September 2023 from a joint investigation by The Sunday Times, The Times, and Channel 4's "Dispatches."

Four women, one of whom was 16 at the time , alleged that Brand sexually assaulted them between 2006 and 2013 .

Two months later, another woman brought a lawsuit against Brand , claiming that he exposed himself and assaulted her on the set of the 2011 film "Arthur."

In response to the allegations, Brand has denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that although he was "very, very promiscuous" in the past, all of his sexual relationships were "always consensual."

Before his pivot toward Christianity, Brand identified as a Buddhist and was interested in the Hare Krishna Movement.

In recent years, Brand has also established himself as a social media influencer in the conspiracy theory sphere with posts about COVID-19, free speech, and the war in Ukraine to his 13m subscribers to his accounts on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube , and the right-wing streaming site Rumble.

If you are a survivor of sexual assault, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline (1-800-656-4673) or visit its website to receive confidential support.

Watch: A look back at Tina Turner's life and work

• Main content

Michael Milton

Michael Milton and Faith for Living, Inc.

The Journey of a Lifetime: A Basic Guide to Discipleship for the New Believer in Jesus Christ our Lord

Have you trusted in the resurrected and living Christ? [1] Then God has revealed to you that according to His Word, the Holy Scriptures, [2] your faith is a gift of God, [3] not earned or deserved, and freely bestowed upon you by the Lord of life. [4] Your faith comes as you perceive your situation—a most hopeless condition—that you, like all of us, are separated from God in our sins, [5] in the progeny of Adam, [6] and in need of a Savior to live the life we cannot live and die the atoning death that should be ours. [7] That Savior is Jesus of Nazareth. [8] He is fully God and full Man. [9] He came to die on the cross for our sins, and to rise again for our new life. [10] In a word, Jesus is God. [11] He is the fullness of the triune God in bodily form. [12] He came of miraculous birth. [13] He performed miracles [14] and his powers over life and death, over the wind and the waves, validated His own self-identity. [15] He was crucified for our sins. He rose from the dead on the third day, was seen in his resurrected state by over five hundred men at one time, and He ascended into heaven where He is seated ever interceding for those who will believe and who have believed in Him. He is coming again in glory. The faith summed up in the Apostles’ Creed, the Nicene Creed, as well as historic Christian statements of faith such as the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Larger and Shorter Catechisms is the faith of the Bible. To receive this Christ by faith is to receive everlasting life and abundant life here and now.

Yet faith in Jesus Christ is the beginning of, literally, the journey of a lifetime.

Peter, one of the disciples, who was also an apostle, and who also came to believe in Jesus as the Christ [16] (the Messiah, the Anointed One, the Promised One of God to deliver us from our sins through a perfect life and through atonement) taught Christians that they must grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). [17]

This does not happen in one sermon, one reading, or one class. It is a lifetime of following the Lord in the three major ways that Peter outlines here.

Growing in Grace

As a new believer, you need to know, as we all should, that we were saved by grace. We were not saved by what we “brought to the table,” but what Christ did. Period. Christ plus nothing. [18] “G-R-A-C-E: God’s riches at Christ’s Expense” as Dr. D. James Kennedy used to say. [19] We are saved by this “great exchange” of Christ’s life lived for us (a perfect life which God requires in His Law) and His atoning death on the Cross (the verdict of sin is death and Christ died for you so that you could live with Him forever). [20] He got your sin. You get His life. That is the divine plan of salvation in Christ Jesus our Lord. [21] That is grace. But what is it to grow in grace?

To grow in grace is to grow in thanksgiving to God for His grace. To grow in grace is to recognize that God is due all of the glory for our lives. To grow in grace is to move closer to Him in every way, not in a relationship of earning His favor through our works, but in worshipping Him and enjoying Him forever for His love, mercy, presence and power all showered on us through His Holy Spirit. To grow in grace is also to grow together in grace. To grow in grace is to grow into a place of spontaneous, doxological combustion, “To God Alone be Glory!” That is the importance of Peter’s statement here. He was writing to the Church, not just to one believer. We grow in grace through the ordinary means of grace offered to us through God in His Church, the supernatural Body of Believers that He has adopted into His forever family. More about those “means” or “ways to access” God’s grace in a moment.

Grow in grace throughout all of your life. Come to love Christ more and more for His sovereign grace, His divine activities on your behalf, and you will come to live a life that is free, peaceable, and just. You will also begin to surely show that grace to others. You can become as patient with others as God was patience with you. Grace, like all of God’s truths, has practical everyday importance. Think of how the world would look if more and more people grew in this grace. Well, we don’t have to dream. Grace is on its way as the Kingdom of Jesus Christ continue to grow, one person at a time, just like you. [22] Families, nations and the whole world will be impacted by His grace. [23]

A lifetime of a journey begins with grace. [24] But grace, as the way that Christ saves us, and keeps us, and leads us all the way home to Him one day is strengthened by another way that we as believers must grow. [25]

Growing in Knowledge

You must know that we are not saved by just having knowledge of the plan of salvation, knowledge of Jesus Christ and His identity as God in the Flesh, or knowledge that God is One yet three in Persons: the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. You are not saved by only knowledge, yet to be saved you must receive those basic truths. [26] You must hear the Gospel that contains truths, like grace, [27] which form cogent ideas, or divine revelation from God communicated to us by the Bible. [28] Knowledge of God’s Revelation of Himself in the Bible is necessary to be believe. Yet knowledge of God’s Word, the Bible, which was written by God’s Spirit, through prophets and apostles and teachers, across thousands of years and 66 different books, is united in what has been called a “scarlet thread of redemption,” the covenant of grace. [29] God created all that is. Mankind fell into sin. And for the rest of what we call the Bible, God makes a sacred pledge, a “covenant,” that He will provide what He requires through His Messiah, who is Jesus our Lord. The Bible is thus about that promise, about the people who were used to bring that promise to fruition, and about God’s dealings with us. For this reason we should continue to grow in knowledge of God and of His Word. If we do not, we will grow weak and spiritually malnourished. This can lead to spiritual diseases of the soul and to temptations from the enemy, Satan (a fallen angel who presently is allowed by God to exist, with his demons, other fallen angels, and who, having opposed Jesus and lost, now “goes about like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour). It can also lead to bad decisions, lack of wisdom, and being deprived of the fellowship of other believers who are also on the journey of a lifetime. Failing to grow in knowledge of God and His Word can lead to danger, for while we cannot lose what God has won, to willfully ignore God’s Word, should rightfully lead us to question whether we truly believed unto eternal life, or whether we believed as a sort of experience that fizzled out like a flat Coke.

God wants us to be strong for the journey of a lifetime and that means growing in knowledge of Him. God wants you to be familiar with your own family history as it were. He wants you to know the names of those who have gone before. He has given us stories to relate to our own story and to the larger Story of His love in Jesus our Savior. He has given us knowledge that leads to self-knowledge also. In the Bible we see a mirror that shows us ourselves as well as shows us God. To grow in understanding of this knowledge is to desire to grow closer to God. It is not just knowledge for knowledge’s sake! It is for, literally, God’s sake (that is, for His glory)—and for your sake. And that leads me to the third great truth in 2 Peter 3:18.

Growing in Christ

We grow in grace and knowledge in a Person, the Lord Jesus Christ. Christianity is not just an idea. Christianity is not just a religion without a relationship. Christianity is centered in the Person of the God-Man, our friend, our Redeemer, our Mediator between Man and God, our Hope, our Sovereign, and our Lord and Savior, Jesus of Nazareth. He was prophesied in the Old Testament over three hundred times. [30] He was born, according to the Scriptures and in fulfillment of ancient prophecy, in Bethlehem of Judea, to a virgin named Mary. Her husband, Joseph, was did not lie with his wife until after Jesus was born (other children were born to them as the New Testament shows) Joseph was a good man, a man chosen by God, revealed by an angel, to rear this child, and Joseph gave Jesus his home, lineage, and name. Joseph was the adoptive father of Jesus and that fact forever seals the beauty of adoption. [31] You are I are adopted into God’s family. The world sometimes looks down on covenants and promises and vows, like adoption, as something less than physical inheritance. Not so in the Bible. In the Bible covenant and promise is more powerful than DNA. You are saved by grace, through the knowledge of your sin and need of a Savior, Jesus Christ. You become God’s child and He will never let you go. [32] When you die, your soul goes immediately to be with Christ through your remains stay here until the great resurrection, when Jesus comes again. Yet the One who made all of that possible was Jesus Himself. We grow in grace and in knowledge, but that growth in focused on a Person, Jesus.

If we love someone we want to spend time with that one. So, too, if you love Jesus you will want to spend time with Him. How? This leads me to now focus on the Biblical answer to how Christians in Peter’s day and Christians in our day are to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ. We are to do so through the “means,” or “ways” that God has appointed. These are supernatural. They provide a heaven-sent power that gives us strength for our journey of a lifetime.

The Means of Grace

When we look into God’s revelation of Himself in the Bible, we learn that there are three main ways or “ordinary means” by which a new believer (or any believer, for that matter) grows in this journey called discipleship as a follower of Christ. They include Word, Sacrament, and Prayer.

We grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ through His Word, the Bible. [33] You cannot be a believer and grow without God’s Word, the Bible. To grow in the Bible is to be a member of a body of believers where the Word of God is regularly taught, revered as inerrant (without error) and infallible (divine and thus incapable of ever being wrong or giving wrong counsel). That Word should be read by your personally as you grow by reading your own Bible each day. The Bible says in Psalms One that the one who does this is like a strong tree that is planted by a river of life-giving water. You will grow in the grace and knowledge of God if you grow in the Bible through reading its sacred contents, not only privately, but within the community of others, as a member of a Bible believing congregation, and through singing the Word, hearing the Word preached, and through reading the Word to your family daily (we call that “family worship” and I always say that I would want our church to be a “home” and our home to be a “church” in the sense that God’s Word is taught there). It is impossible to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ without growing in God’s Word.

We should also be ready to share that Word with others. It is not just pastors who share the Word. Every believer is called upon to share the Word. To do so means that we know the Word ourselves. Even giving a testimony of what God has done for you, and knowing the Word and how the Word frames and explains our sin, our salvation, and our hope in Christ is essential to “getting it right” in telling the Gospel story to others. There is no greater joy than sharing the Word of Christ with another. Since God’s Word has supernatural power and divine promises attending it, we can be sure that His Word will accomplish all that He intends. Share Christ in His Word and leave the results to Him. Funny thing, though, the more we share that Word, the more others believe.

So having a Bible, reading it, listening to it as it is faithfully preached, gathering with others under that authority and teaching of the Word in a faithful assembly or local church, is absolutely critical and necessary for growth.

A “Sacrament” is an old word, which means a “sign.” [34] The Lord God left us two visible signs that help us on our journey of a lifetime: baptism and the Lord’s Supper (at times called Communion, in the Bible, or the Eucharist, meaning “thanksgiving’). As Christ our King governs His subjects spiritually through the Church (not a building or an organization, but the called out pastors and elders and deacons and members of an assembly recognized by other believers as genuine), so, too, these Sacraments are dispensed for our growth through the Church.

If you have never been baptized then the Lord commands that we should be. Talk to your pastor. Talk to him about your desire to follow Jesus Christ. Meet with him to discuss baptism. While some in the Body of Christ differ on the method and candidates for baptism, it seems clear that baptism is for believers and their children. [35] Baptism does not save. Baptism is a pouring of water to represent an entrance into the Kingdom of God, to mark out those, like babies, who are children of believers, and who have the benefits of godly parents who will rear them in the grace and knowledge of Christ until they stand on their own to make their own confession of faith. Baptism is also a sign and a seal (God’s own kingly insignia) to represent the shedding of blood and washing of a person to be clean before God. Baptism is not something we do for God. Baptism is a gift of God to us. It is His sign, his testimony, not ours. If you have not been baptized, be obedient to Christ and go quickly to your pastor and schedule a time of baptism based on your profession of faith. Later, as you observe others being baptized, you are called upon to recall how you are saved, how God gave you to Christian parents who taught you the Gospel, and how you have been cleansed from sin by the shedding of the blood of Jesus. You are reminded that you are a member of His family, not because of what you did, but what He did for you.

The other Sacrament, or sign and seal of God’s plan of salvation, is the Lord’s Supper. [36] In this Sacrament there are two elements that God uses to signify His love: bread and the Cup. In the Bread and the Cup, which Jesus instituted in the Last Supper, we are given a Sacrament, not for entrance, but for lifelong nourishment. When Jesus gave the bread and the cup at the last supper with His disciples, He told them—and us—that the bread is His body given for us. He cup is His blood shed for us. This sign and seal is for believers and is to be received through Christ’s Body, the Church. The Lord’s Supper demands that we remember the death of Jesus for our sins. The Lord’s Supper re-calibrates our faith upon that central act of redemption, or liberating us from the auction block of sin, by looking again at the cross of Christ. By doing so, we are drawn closer to Jesus, closer to each other, and even closer to those who have gone before and those who believe around the world. In this it is Communion. In that it is God’s plan of salvation, following the ancient Passover of the Old Testament, it is our “Eucharist,” or our “great thanksgiving.” Thus the Lord Supper has a sense of awe, wonder, mystery, beauty, gratitude, and Holy Communion with God and each other. As often as the Church offers Communion, it is your obligation to be there. For in it you grow. You grow, as Peter said, in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ.

These Sacraments strengthen us for the journey of a lifetime.

Ole Hallesby, a Norwegian pastor-scholar wrote a book in 1931 entitled, simply, Prayer. [37] In that book Hallesby wrote,

“To pray is to let Jesus come into our hearts.” [38]

I believe that there is Biblical genius in his brevity. Speaking to God as we read His Word, hear His Word, and as we are drawn back again and again to His plan of salvation in the Sacraments is called prayer, and through this, Christ communes with us. We cannot grow in grace or knowledge of Jesus without prayer.

Prayer is coming to God silently or vocally, sometimes with only a groaning that cannot be uttered (because of our great burden overwhelms us) with our petitions, our afflictions, our joys, our dreams and hopes for justice, our prayers for others, the Gospel itself to go forward, family, authority, the sick and needy, ourselves, and, especially, worship towards God. In prayer many believers often say that we use A-C-T-S as an acronym for approaching Him: we adore Him in praise, we confess our sins before Him, we thank Him, and we bring supplications— our pleas and requests — to Him for others and for ourselves. We pray kneeling, standing, sitting, lying prostrate before Him, in private, in public, daily, momentarily, at hours of the day, and, as Paul said, “without ceasing”—that is, the “connection” between God and His creature is never to be broken. Don’t hang us on God when you say “Amen.” True prayer never really concludes.

The Lord’s Prayer [39] is known to many. “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name…” But it could also be called The Disciples’ Prayer. For Jesus was responding to a request by a disciple to be taught now to pray. Thus, we pray to Our Father, not MY Father, but OUR Father. Our faith and our growth in Christ always happens in the context of the Church. We should be in an Assembly of God’s people together, a local church, that is part of that one true universal (“catholic” is the older word here, meaning not just universal, but orthodox and holding to the basics of our faith, stated, for instance, in the Apostles’ Creed [which we have provided for you at the end of this document]). And from there, each of the petitions teaches us how to approach the Lord: to remember His glory in heaven, that we are to hallow His very name, that we are to pray for the coming of His kingdom in our lives and in the lives of others and in the world, that we should be grateful and relate to God in total dependence upon Him for our daily needs, that we should be penitent before the Lord, mindful that we are sinners saved by grace and coming not on our merits but through the merits of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, that we should be forgiving others as the Father forgave us, through Jesus Christ, that we are weak and in need of His guiding us out of temptation’s way and into the way of goodness, and that all of these things are brought under His Lord ship as King.

Others have simply put it this way: a disciple must be marked by a love of the Bible, worship, prayer, fellowship, and witness. These are the ways, the “means of grace” in which we are strengthened for the journey.

Years ago, I thought I could go it alone. I thought that I had enough knowledge of God to make it to heaven. But I was shown, in the Bible and in my own soul as the Holy Spirit came to me, personally, that I was depending on self and not the Savior, Jesus. I needed to come to Him by receiving His free gift of eternal life by grace through faith. When I did, my life was changed. [40] And now, maybe yours is as well. You are a journey and it is, indeed, a journey that winds its way through all of the seasons of our lives. We don’t get there all at once, unless we are taken home to be with him. In this life, we grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus Christ as a day in and day out, week in and week out, year in and year out way of life. We grow through Word, Sacrament and Prayer. But soon we will be home. And then we will look back to see that He who called us was the same One who sustained us, preserved us, and through all circumstances—good and bad—was with us all the way. And we will come into His very presence and be able to say,

“Truly, Lord, thanks to You, this was a journey of a lifetime.”

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Bonhoeffer, D. The Cost of Discipleship . Touchstone, 2012.

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Kennedy, D. James, and Tom Stebbins. Evangelism Explosion: Equipping Churches for Friendship, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Healthy Growth . 4th ed. Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996.

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Affirmation of Faith Resources

The Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, and the Ten Commandments have long been the basic articles of the Christian faith which help us to begin our journey. They are not meant to be learned for meaningless repetition, but that doesn’t mean that one should ignore the power or rote memory. Placing these truths in our minds as well as our hearts provides us with a rudimentary framework for the Christian faith. The Ten Commandments reminds us that God saved us to a new life of following Him. To follow Him through His revealed Word about our relationship with Himself, with the deep part of our own selves, and with others in community, brings blessings and life. The Ten Commandments do not save us. We are saved by God’s grace through Jesus Christ. The Commandments guide us into a new life of following God. Likewise, the Lord’s Prayer, as we have shown, is a guide to prayer. If we had nothing other than this guide, memorized and prayed, broken apart phrase by phrase, we would have all that we need to come to God according to His method of prayer for us. Finally, the Apostles’ Creed is an ancient summary of what the Bible teaches about the very basics of our faith. Those basics unite us with other believers all through time and all around the world. So do memorize these, but memorize them to active them into living expressions of your heart and life in the community of God’s people, the Church.

The Ten Commandments

[1] “For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Romans 10:13 ESV).

[2] James Montgomery Boice and Benjamin E. Sasse, Here We Stand : A Call from Confessing Evangelicals (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 1996).

[3] “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”

(Romans 6:23 ESV).

[4] “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV).

[5] David Martyn Lloyd-Jones, The Plight of Man and the Power of God , [2d ed. (Grand Rapids,: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1966). See also R. C. Sproul, Saved from What? (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2002).

[6] See J. Murray, The Imputation of Adam’s Sin (Presbyterian and Reformed, 1959). See also John Murray, Redemption, Accomplished and Applied (Grand Rapids,: W. B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1955).

[7] See J. Bridges, B. Bevington, S. Ferguson and S.B. Ferguson, The Great Exchange: My Sin for His Righteousness (Crossway, 2007).

[8] “The Son of God, the second Person in the Trinity, being very and eternal God, of one substance, and equal with the Father, did, when the fullness of time was come, take upon him man’s nature, with all the essential properties and common infirmities thereof; yet without sin: being conceived by he power of the Holy Ghost, in the womb of the Virgin Mary, of her substance. So that two whole, perfect, and distinct natures, the Godhead and the manhood, were inseparably joined together in one person, without conversion, composition, or confusion. Which person is very God and very man, yet one Christ, the only Mediator between God and man.” See The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter Three, article two, at Reformed.com ( http://www.reformed.org/documents/index.html?mainframe=http://www.reformed.org/documents/westminster_conf_of_faith.html ), accessed on September 4, 2012. For a review of six major Protestant confessions of faith and a study on the doctrine of Christ and other essential Christian teachings, we commend R. Pratt, Spirit of the Reformation Study Bible (Zondervan, 2003).

[9] “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth,” John 1:1, 14 KJV); “I and my Father are one.” (John 10:30 KJV); “And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are forgiven thee. And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone? But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts? Whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk? But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.” (Luke 5:20-24 KJV)

[10] C. S. Lewis, The Case for Christianity, 1st Collier Books ed. (New York: Collier Books, 1989). See also L. Strobel, The Case for the Resurrection (Zondervan, 2010). J. McDowell, The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict (T. Nelson, 1999).

[11] “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30 ESV). For a scholarly review of the self identity of Jesus of Nazareth as God in the Bible see D.L. Overman, A Case for the Divinity of Jesus: Examining the Earliest Evidence (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, 2009).

[12] “For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily” (Colossians 2:9 ESV).

[13] J.G. Machen, Virgin Birth of Christ (Lutterworth Press, 1987).

[14] C. S. Lewis, Miracles: A Preliminary Study ([San Francisco]: HarperSanFrancisco, 2001).

[15] See Overman, A Case for the Divinity of Jesus: Examining the Earliest Evidence.

[16] Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16 ESV)

[17] We commend the Commentary on 2 Peter by Dr. Simon Kistemaker: S.J. Kistemaker, Exposition of the Epistles of Peter and of the Epistle of Jude (Baker, 1987).

[18] John R. W. Stott, Basic Christianity , 2nd ed. (Leicester: Inter-Varsity, 2002).

[19] D. James Kennedy and Tom Stebbins, Evangelism Explosion : Equipping Churches for Friendship, Evangelism, Discipleship, and Healthy Growth, 4th ed. (Wheaton, Ill.: Tyndale House Publishers, 1996).

[20] John R. W. Stott, The Cross of Christ , 20th anniversary ed. (Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books, 2006).

[21] Benjamin Breckinridge Warfield, The Plan of Salvation , 1st Simpson Pub. Co. re ed. (Boonton, N. J.: Simpson Pub. Co., 1989).

[22] The Kingdom of God is the rule and reign of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. His rule, His Kingdom, is here, is growing, from the inside out, and will one day burst forth in cataclysmic form when He returns in visible, bodily form. See D. Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship (Touchstone, 2012) 166. See also G.E. Ladd, The Gospel of the Kingdom: Scriptural Studies in the Kingdom of God (Eerdmans, 1959).

[23] “Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever”

(Revelation 11:15 ESV).

[24] J.I. Packer, Knowing God Study Guide (InterVarsity Press, 1993) 22ff.

[25] T. Johnson, When Grace Comes Home: The Practical Difference That Calvinism Makes (Christian Focus, 2003).

[26] J.I. Packer, Knowing God (Hodder & Stoughton, 2011).

[27] Bryan Chapell, Holiness by Grace : Delighting in the Joy That Is Our Strength (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2001).

[28] R. C. Sproul, Knowing Scripture (Downers Grove, Ill.: Inter Varsity Press, 1977).

[29] James Montgomery Boice and Philip Graham Ryken, The Doctrines of Grace : Rediscovering the Evangelical Gospel (Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway Books, 2002).

[30] See “What the Old Testament Prophesied About the Messiah” ( http://www.christianity.com/Christian%20Foundations/Jesus/11541169/0 , accessed September 4, 2012. See also J. Walter C. Kaiser, The Messiah in the Old Testament (Zondervan, 1995).

[31] Michael Anthony Milton, What Is the Doctrine of Adoption? , Basics of the Reformed Faith (P&R Publishing, 2012).

[32] Michael A. Milton, What Is Perseverance of the Saints? , Basics of the Reformed Faith. (Phillipsburg, N.J.: P & R Pub., 2009).

[33] We commend C. Bibles, ESV Study Bible (Crossway, 2009). We also commend New Reformation Study Bible : English Standard Version , 1st ed. (Phillipsburg, NJ: P&R Pub., 2005).

[34] C.J.H. Wright, Salvation Belongs to Our God: Celebrating the Bible’s Central Story (InterVarsity Press, 2008) 125.

[35] B. Chapell, Why Do We Baptize Infants? (P & R Publishing, 2007).

[36] R.D. Phillips, What Is the Lord’s Supper? (P & R Pub., 2005).

[37] Ole Hallesby, Prayer (Minneapolis: Augsburg, 1994).

[38] Hallesby, Prayer 13.

[39] P.G. Ryken, When You Pray: Making the Lord’s Prayer Your Own (P&R Pub., 2006).

[40] M. Milton, What God Starts God Completes Pb: Updated Third Edition (Christian Focus Publications, 2012).