Does God Choose Who Gets Saved? Predestination vs Free Will EXPLAINED | Pastor John MacArthur

In this powerful theological discussion, Pastor John explains:

✅ Biblical evidence for predestination - What Scripture actually says

✅ Human responsibility in salvation - Why unbelievers are still accountable


✅ How both truths coexist - Understanding God's infinite mind vs. finite understanding

✅ Practical application - How to know if you're among the elect

Key Topics Covered

• Predestination before the foundation of the world

• The Lamb's Book of Life

• Election and chosen people

• Dead in trespasses and sin

• Sovereign grace and human faith

• Biblical paradoxes explained

• Assurance of salvation

Discover the life-changing power of God's grace in this deep biblical study!

In this episode, we explore 5 essential features of God's grace that every believer needs to understand:

✅ God's Saving Grace - Why salvation is entirely by grace, not works

✅ God's Sanctifying Grace - How grace transforms us into Christ's image


✅ God's Sustaining Grace - Finding strength in weakness through trials

✅ God's Serving Grace - How spiritual gifts are expressions of grace

✅ The Ordinary Means of Grace - Scripture, prayer, and Christian community

Key Bible Verses Discussed:

• 1 Corinthians 15:10 • Titus 3:4-6 • Romans 5:15-21 • 2 Corinthians 12:9 • Ephesians 4:7-11

Perfect for:

• Bible study groups

• New Christians seeking to understand grace

• Anyone struggling with works-based salvation

• Christians wanting deeper theological understanding

Timestamps: 0:00 Introduction to God's Grace 5:30 Saving Grace vs. Works 12:15 Sanctifying Grace & Transformation
18:45 Sustaining Grace in Trials 25:20 Serving Grace & Spiritual Gifts 30:10 Practical Applications

The 3 Biblical Realities Every Christian Needs to Understand:

1. See Your Trial for What It Is - God's custom training program for your faith
2. See Yourself for Who You Are - Unfinished work in progress
3. See God for Who He Is - A Father doing necessary work in difficult circumstances

What You'll Actually Learn:

• Why James tells us to "count it ALL joy" (and what that really means)
• How trials test both the authenticity and quality of your faith
• The difference between trials that refine vs. consequences of bad choices
• Why we need God's wisdom during difficult seasons
• How to work with God's purposes instead of just enduring
• Paul's approach to finding strength in weakness (2 Corinthians 12)

Straight From Experience:

This isn't academic theology - it's tested truth from a family dealing with ongoing challenges and the daily choice to trust God when circumstances don't improve.

For Anyone Facing Trials:

Regardless of your struggle - medical, financial, relational, personal - these biblical principles apply to every type of difficulty. You don't need to be dealing with illness to benefit from this conversation.

Perfect for:

• Anyone currently in a trial of any kind
• Christians questioning God's purposes in suffering
• Those supporting others through difficult seasons
• Anyone wanting biblical wisdom for tough times

Scripture: James 1:2-8, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

"It's a good God doing good work in a hard place."

What does it really mean to follow Jesus Christ? In this powerful conversation, we explore the uncomfortable truths about discipleship that many churches avoid discussing.

Key Topics Covered:

• Why Jesus never hides the demands of the gospel in "fine print"
• What it truly means to deny yourself and take up your cross daily
• The difference between adding Christ to your life vs. giving your life to Christ
• How to practically live for God's glory instead of your own recognition
• Why persecution and difficulty are promised parts of following Jesus

📖 Scripture References:

Matthew 16:24-25, Mark 8:34, Luke 9:23, Luke 14:27, John 15:14, Matthew 10:38

This isn't about earning salvation - it's about the heart transformation that genuine faith produces. If you're tired of watered-down Christianity and want to understand what Jesus actually taught about following Him, this conversation will challenge and encourage you.

💬 Discussion Questions:

• How does our culture try to make the gospel "easier" than Jesus presented it?
• What does daily cross-bearing look like in your life?
• How can we find the motivation to live sacrificially for Christ?

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Are you struggling with prayer? Feel like your prayers are just going through the motions? In this episode, we dive deep into why prayer often feels difficult for Christians and provide practical, biblical guidance on how to transform your prayer life.

🙏 What You'll Learn:

• Why prayer is both a command AND a privilege
• The real power behind prayer (with biblical examples)
• How to pray relationally, not just functionally
• The Lord's Prayer as your model for effective prayer
• Simple prayer techniques to get started
• Why corporate prayer matters in today's church
• How to pray Scripture back to God

📖 Key Topics Covered:

• Overcoming barriers to consistent prayer
• Moving from perfunctory to passionate prayer
• Biblical examples of powerful prayers (Elijah, Moses, Daniel)
• The ACTS prayer method (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication)
• Praying without ceasing throughout your day
• Understanding God's timing in answered prayer

Whether you're a new Christian learning to pray or a seasoned believer wanting to deepen your prayer life, this biblical teaching will help you understand both the "why" and "how" of effective prayer.

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In this eye-opening conversation, biblical counselor Greg Gifford exposes the fundamental lies being told about mental health diagnoses and reveals why Christians need to be more skeptical of secular therapeutic culture.

🔍 Key Topics Covered:

- Mind vs Brain distinction - why it matters for Christians

- How mental health diagnoses work (symptom-based, not medical evidence)

- The $40 billion psychotropic drug industry

- Biblical alternatives to secular therapy

- When medication might be appropriate vs unnecessary

- How to approach panic attacks, anxiety, and depression biblically

- The sufficiency of Scripture for life's problems

📖 About the Book: "Lies My Therapist Told Me" challenges Christians to examine mental health through a biblical lens rather than accepting secular therapeutic ideology without question.

💡 Main Takeaways:

- Most mental health diagnoses lack verifiable medical evidence

- The mind (immaterial) vs brain (material organ) distinction is crucial

- Scripture provides sufficient answers for anxiety, depression, and other struggles

- Christians should seek medical evaluation but remain biblically grounded

🎯 Perfect for: Pastors, biblical counselors, Christians struggling with mental health issues, parents of children being diagnosed with ADHD/anxiety, anyone questioning modern therapeutic culture

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Wondering what red flags to watch for when dating? In this episode, we discuss personal, familial, relational, and spiritual warning signs to consider in Christian relationships.

Learn about setting healthy boundaries, how to evaluate potential partners, and get practical advice on questions like "How long should I date?" and "What if there's no one at my church?" We dive into important topics like handling someone's past, financial readiness for marriage, and whether Christian dating apps are a good option.

This conversation covers essential dating wisdom including:

- Key personal red flags like social awareness and financial stewardship

- How to navigate family dynamics in relationships

- Spiritual maturity indicators to look for in a partner

- Practical answers to common Christian dating questions

Whether you're looking for your first relationship or trying to make better dating choices, this episode provides biblical perspective on finding a godly partner who demonstrates the character traits that lead to a healthy marriage.

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