The Whole Counsel

Following the Follower X: A Life Worth Commending

This week we conclude our series on 2 Corinthians 2:12-6:10. As we have mentioned before, this passage is the longest autobiographical writing we have of Paul. He concludes this small autobiography by commending himself to the Christians of Corinth. Why?
One simple answer is from the context. Paul was under attack from enemies of Christ who had infiltrated the church. His defense was not focused on himself but on Jesus Christ and the gospel. False teachers had their aim on Paul, but their target was the gospel. Paul uses the opportunity to showcase and call the Corinthian Christians, and us as well, to pursue lives of holiness no matter the cost, the hardship, or the apparent defeats. Paul entrusted himself to Christ and became the example to us that we can entrust our lives to this worthy King as well.
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Following the Follower IX: A Proper Ambition

Moving along in our series, we come to 2 Corinthians 5. In this passage, Paul describes the thoughts and ambitions that fill his soul.
We often think of ambition as a negative thing, and it easily can be if it is motivated by self. But there is a holy ambition the Christian should strive for. In this week’s episode, John Snyder and Chuck Baggett discuss what this proper ambition is and how to pursue it.
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Following the Follower VIII: Treasure in Jars of Clay

In 2 Corinthians 4, Paul presents several parallels in the his life: Afflicted, but not crushed; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.
Today, John Snyder is once again joined in the studio by Chuck Baggett as they pick up with 2 Corinthians 4:7 to explore the topic of how these parallels are applicable to every Christian.
Modern Christians may not be called to suffer in the same ways Paul did, but God still intends to use our weakness as an indisputable billboard for His power.
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Following the Follower VII: Two Key Temptations to Battle

The Christian has been entrusted with the most important message in the history of mankind: How can man be made right with God? This question has one answer and it is a person: Jesus Christ. But Christian face a world that hates the question and the answer. Because of this reality there is constant temptation to soften the question, alter the answer, or adulterate the message in some form.
The book of 2 Corinthians is a wonderful help in this temptation because we get a glimpse into the mind of Paul who was constantly faced with this temptation amid indescribable trials. Much of his trouble would disappear if he only compromised a little. But through the grace of the Holy Spirit, he refused and remained faithful. It is that faithful we get to read about in the passage we have been walking through the last several weeks.
In this week’s episode, John Snyder is by himself because Chuck Baggett is on vacation. But John focuses on two fronts we can find temptation. The first front is when we present the gospel over and over to a loved one only to see them reject Jesus again and again. We can despair and listen to the lie of the enemy that there is no hope in this battle.
The second temptation deals with our own weaknesses. We can see the trials we face, our perceived defeats, and feel there is no hope for us.
But the glorious reality is that God is sufficient enough, the gospel is sufficient enough to change the lives of those around us and sustain us even in our weakest moments. We pray this week’s episode is an encouraging balm to your soul.
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Following the Follower VI: How to Handle Losing Heart

We’ve all experienced dark nights of the soul. We know what it feels like to swim in the waters and despair and want to give up on evangelizing a child, leading a ministry, or even progressing in the Christian life. Paul was no stranger to this reality.
So what do we do when we feel the sense of losing heart creeping upon us? We can take the same path Paul took in holding firm to the glorious descriptions of Jesus found in Scripture. We realize that our lives are lived out before two audiences. First, we live in front of God our Father and Sustainer. Second, our lives are lived in front of the people around us.
Chuck Baggett and John Snyder focus on 2 Corinthians 4 in this week’s episode and seek to show how God helps His children who are despairing in all situations.
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Watch the episode here: https://youtu.be/180fUMbxRV0

Augustine’s Confessions | Navigating the Classics

Study the God who gripped Augustine’s soul so completely: https://shop.mediagratiae.org/collections/behold-your-god-series
Augustine is one of the most prolific writers of early Christianity. He is considered one of the most non-canonical theologians in history. His writings and theology are still creating ripples today.
In this episode of Navigating the Classics, Dr. John Snyder and his son Andrew Snyder, walk through Augustine’s seminal work, Confessions. Andrew first read the book in high school, but he has recently read through it as part of his seminary coursework. John has read and been a fan of the book for years.
But for many Christians, Confessions is intimidating. It is long, sometimes dry, and can be easily confusing. Our aim in this prolonged discussion is to remove the mystique surrounding the book and make it as approachable as possible. Our prayer is that this episode will encourage you to check the book out for yourself for the first time or read it again with better preparation.
Our recommended translations:
Physical Book: https://www.amazon.com/Confessions-Everymans-Library-St-Augustine/dp/0375411739/ref=asc_df_0375411739?tag=bngsmtphsnus-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=80333185695388&hvnetw=s&hvqmt=e&hvbmt=be&hvdev=c&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=&hvtargid=pla-4583932713748769&psc=1
Audio Book: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Confessions-of-St-Augustine-Audiobook/B002V5GQ64?qid=1686234245&sr=1-4&ref=a_search_c3_lProduct_1_4&pf_rd_p=83218cca-c308-412f-bfcf-90198b687a2f&pf_rd_r=84XA7PM90DGSAA6M14JP&pageLoadId=levX5EDVrLFc5WoC&creativeId=0d6f6720-f41c-457e-a42b-8c8dceb62f2c
Ebook (free): https://www.monergism.com/confessions-ebook

Following the Follower V: Key Lessons from Paul’s Example

Podcasts are a wonderful vehicle to convey ideas and information. But they are not perfect. Due to the limited time frame of our podcasts, we have a tendency to hit the highlights of a Scriptural passage, book, or idea and then move on. Because of this reality, we wanted to take one episode to reemphasize some key truths before we continue moving forward in our study of 2 Corinthians.
The first truth we want to emphasize is that Christ is spread from life to life, not library to library or even podcast to podcast. It takes us living the life of holiness before those God brings into our paths. Our lives must affirm and confirm that gospel truths we speak of Scripture.
Another truth we want to reemphasize and focus on is that we must look to the boasts of Christ when life become difficult. When the storms of life roll in, when the waves of despair begin crashing against us again and again, we can easily lose hope. Paul was tempted to despair, just as we are. But it was the glories of Christ that sustained Him. He refused to back down from the Holy Spirit’s boasts of Jesus and he daily chose to walk forward as though they are true. We must walk this same path.
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Following the Follower IV: Glorious Confidence in the New Covenant

During one of the most difficult seasons of Paul’s life and ministry he had many opportunities to despair. He had multiple chances to switch his tactics and pursue something more pragmatic. Each time he refused. We began talking about the foundation of his confidence last week, and we continue doing so this week, but with an emphasis is on the glory of the New Covenant.
Whether Paul experienced encouragement and perceived success during his missionary trials, or whether he was chained in a Roman prison, he had one confidence, one thing to boast in: Jesus Christ. And his boasting in Christ and the glory of the New Covenant did not diminish when it would have been so easy to believe the church was failing and would be destroyed by the power of Rome.
Of course, we know the church wasn’t destroyed by Rome. Paul wasn’t able to see the things we see, but he never wavered from the fact that Jesus is faithful and will accomplish His good purpose.
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Following the Follower III: The Foundation of Our Confidence

Paul tells the church of Corinth to follow him as he follows Christ. That would be an impossible task for us if Paul had been given special tools, a special skillset, a secret knowledge that only he could possess. Instead, he had the same Scripture, the same Holy Spirit, the same means of grace as us. As a result, when Paul commands us to follow him, we really can obey. We have the same Bible, as it were. We can pray to the same God. We can commune with God. So why don’t we find more success in following the pattern he laid out for us?
In this week’s episode, John Snyder and Chuck Bagget explore the topic of how Paul could have such confidence in the work he was doing. It wasn’t because he was so strong, smart, or faithful. It was because he knew the God he was serving. He trusted Christ with the fruit. That is a pattern we can and must follow.
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Following the Follower II: Staying Steady in Hard Times

The largest biographical passage we have the Apostle Paul is found in 2 Corinthians. We are spending several weeks discussing this extended passage in our newest series, Following the Follower. Today we hone in on 2 Corinthians 2:12-13.
In these short verses, John and Chuck discuss some pictures of reality that held Paul steady in times of great trial and distress. The first is the great procession with Christ at the head. The second is the aroma God is spreading throughout the world. Third is the reaction from the world we can expect and prepare for. And lastly, there is a picture of a man doing gospel work as unto the Lord and not for worldly gain.
We pray these realities would be so present in our lives that at moments of deep distress, pain, confusion, and angst, we can see Christ and press on holiness in Him.
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