Resources

What happens when we substitute pragmatism in place of scriptural commands and principles? Geoff Botkin explains in this video that people in America generally conduct their life in a largely pragmatic manner. But, in order to understand something like holiness, we cannot learn about holiness without first going to Scripture. Our understanding of holiness must be based on the true standards of holiness. This is where we find God’s standard of holiness. That is what we must default to. But, the American church has drifted so far from Scripture. We may be champions of pragmatism, but our first priority must always be to look to Scripture. We must look at everything around us and ask whether it is lawful, according to Scripture. If there is something that is contrary to the Scripture or it is a tradition of man, we must replace it with what we find in Scripture and then actually practice what Scripture says on the matter. Colossians 2:8 (NKJV) – “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Are there areas of legalism or hypocrisy in your life? Geoff Botkin explains in this video that from reading Scripture, it is clear that Christ hates hypocrisy and legalism. A father ought to be concerned about what his children and family believe to be pious conduct. What they may think is pious conduct may not actually be biblical. We can be guilty of following traditions of disobedience by becoming pharisaical in our conduct. We would then be teaching as doctrine the commands of men and thereby worship in vain. Many Christians are guilty of having forms of pietism where they believe that the sum of our Christianity is comprised of the quality of our quiet times that we have or how close we feel we are to Christ. We must realize that we must take his standards of holiness as they are laid out in Scripture and not simply base our actions on how it makes us feel. Matthew 15:9 (NKJV) – “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”

Scripture is clear that Jesus hates hypocrisy, legalism, and Phariseeism. Geoffrey Botkin explains how Christians can fall into those traps even while thinking they are pursuing true, Christian piety.

The covenantal promises of God warn men of corporate unholiness in nations and churches.  A study into the ways God’s prophets served entire nations with Divine lawsuits against conditions of national rebellion.  These suits can remind America of the standards God personally uses to assess and chasten the nations who depart from the highways of holiness.   

Geoffrey Botkin discusses in this audio message how he personally applies the sufficiency of Scripture his family. He shares that unfortunately, there is no formula to help you hang on to your children. Salvation is something that only God can bring about. And yet, that doesn't mean that we don't teach our children the right foundations. This sermon addresses the question of how we lay these foundations. Proverbs 24:3-4 (NKJV) - "Through wisdom a house is built,And by understanding it is established;By knowledge the rooms are filledWith all precious and pleasant riches."

What is the message of the Gospel? Geoff Botkin explains in this video that the church has a message that can change and convert the entire world. The power of the Gospel can benefit the unregenerate because when they are living in a culture and society that has been impacted by the Bible, they will learn God's standard of holiness and righteousness. The Gospel of the kingdom can mean so much more than the Gospel message. It includes all of the statutes and commands of how God wants us to live. It tells them how they as unbelievers can be released from slavery to sin into freedom in the law of Christ. John 8:12 (NKJV) – “Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

For more than a century, American Christians have shown little interest in repenting of a very clever form of idolatry. Evangelicalism has created ingenious religious reasons to avoid doing the right thing. Instead, we do the selfish, convenient, popular or affluent thing that gives us a carnal sort of security.  James knew this would be a temptation to believers, and in perhaps the first written message to the early churches, James addresses this with grim warnings, and he outlines the path to the righteous alternative expected of a true follower of Jesus Christ.  We must not be spiritually satisfied with the kind of Christian playground we have created.  

Jesus Christ has made Christians stewards of many tasks, many truths, and many people.  It is required of stewards that one be found faithful and trustworthy.  Christians and their children, physical and spiritual, must be continually faithful and always faithful, enduring to the end. How is this possible when our commission, the Great Commission, seems so impossible?  For centuries, the great Gospel doctrine of Perseverance of the Saints has imparted courage to individuals, the family and the church.    If we fail to understand the promises of God and the duties of perseverance, we can fall into discouragement and defeat, and live out lives of vanity.  In this message, Geoffrey Botkin will explore this misunderstood doctrine, and how it can be applied by the youngest believer, and the oldest, for productive and fruitful living in the home and in the church.  Many Christians proclaim their own goodness, but what is a truly faithful Christian?  Discover how God is able to keep us from stumbling, falling and failing to live meaningful lives until the very end. 

Geoffrey Botkin explains in this video that we are a very pragmatic people. And while that might work for certain things, we cannot compromise when it comes to things like holiness. We must look to Scripture to see how God defines it and how the pursuit of holiness should affect our lives. 2 Timothy 3:14-15 (NKJV) - "But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus."