Daniel Burton, Author at The Gospel Outpost

The Fruit of Self-Control: With The Good In Mind

October 8, 2018

It seems that our current day and culture does not value self-control. Everyone is urged and encouraged to give in to their immediate desires in order to gratify whatever they are seeking. Pleasure has become the god of our current day as we all desire to achieve the most amount of pleasure for what we seek. Yet, throughout scripture, what mankind desires has proven itself time and time again to not be beneficial for their own good. The things that God desires and directs His follows to do, while it may contradict the desires of the flesh, consistently remain better for mankind. When the Spirit of God is alive and moving within us, self-control that refuses to give in to every desire will demonstrate the God within us. Self-control involves taking an intense look at what our heart craves and choose to obey what ultimately will secure our salvation and sustain our soul. It abstains when it’s easier to give in, it runs when it’s easier to walk, and it submits to the will of an infinite and Holy God who only wants what is best for His beloved creation.

The Fruit of Gentleness: Towards Non-Believers

October 1, 2018

As Paul discusses the fruit of the Spirit, he includes gentleness as a clear indication that a person is living a spirit-filled life. As much as we use this term and mentally ascent to its Christ-like quality, often times this quality is one of the first to go for the sake of boldness or standing firm aggressively. We live as if gentleness concedes territory in our spiritual lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gentleness finds its basis in the ideas of meekness and humility but not in weakness. Instead the expression of gentleness roots itself in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Nobody Special 044 | A Return to Parkland and A Look At Drugs

September 28, 2018

The boys of Nobody Special talk about Danny’s social media posting, being glad that he filters some things. Then we talk about Cameron Kasky and his decision to step down from March For Our Lives. After that, we look at the effects of drugs on society and whether a Christian can follow God while taking drugs recreationally.

The Dragon, The Child, and The Woman - Revelation 12:1-17

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Dragons, Children, and The Woman – Revelation 12:1-17

September 26, 2018

Throughout the bible, we gain the perspective from earth of God’s intervention and rescue plan for mankind. Throughout the entirety of scripture, God remains the star as He saves those receive Him. Yet, for the most part, this is told through the perspective of the physical. In Revelation 12, John is given a glimpse of the spiritual story. We gain great detail as to the consequences of the devil’s rebellion in heaven, how he came to earth, and ultimately what he will endure. Some parts of this chapter seem to be almost a flashback of events from the past while others still are to come. Often times, from the perspective of man, it seems as though the battle is still ranging onward between God and man. We worry about what we face and that the trials and temptations of the world will be the end of us as the devil tempts us. However, we must remember that Satan, for all his accusations, has no reign or power outside of what God allows him to. The church, no matter what, will be eternally safe against the attacks of Satan as long as the church remains and pursues the One, True Savior.

The Fruit of Gentleness: Restoration

September 24, 2018

As Paul discusses the fruit of the Spirit, he includes gentleness as a clear indication that a person is living a spirit-filled life. As much as we use this term and mentally ascent to its Christ-like quality, often times this quality is one of the first to go for the sake of boldness or standing firm aggressively. We live as if gentleness concedes territory in our spiritual lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gentleness finds its basis in the ideas of meekness and humility but not in weakness. Instead the expression of gentleness roots itself in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – Persecution and Protection – Revelation 11:1-19

September 19, 2018

Throughout the whole of this chapter, many times and numbers are given. It is very likely that these are not indicative of the literal time but rather as an indication of completeness and representing God. Furthermore, as John references the temple, it is the opinion of this author that this does not necessitate a physical rebuilding of the temple. The temple refers to the people of God and the true believers who find their identity in the body of Christ. In the Old Testament, the temple represented the place where the priests would intercede for mankind to God. Now, with the coming of Jesus Christ and the sending of the Holy Spirit, we as the body of Christ represent the intercession of God to the world and identifying with Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. In this chapter, you see the believers begin to feel the persecution of the world. For part of this, the people of God will be spared and for others, true believers will feel the unabated persecution. Throughout this chapter, though, we see that God does not abandon His people. No matter what the world does to those who believe, God will protect those who worship Him and belong in Jesus Christ.

The Fruit of Gentleness: A Strong Humility

September 17, 2018

As Paul discusses the fruit of the Spirit, he includes gentleness as a clear indication that a person is living a spirit-filled life. As much as we use this term and mentally ascent to its Christ-like quality, often times this quality is one of the first to go for the sake of boldness or standing firm aggressively. We live as if gentleness concedes territory in our spiritual lives. Nothing could be further from the truth. Gentleness finds its basis in the ideas of meekness and humility but not in weakness. Instead the expression of gentleness roots itself in the strength of the Holy Spirit.

Nobody Special 043 | Williams Kaepernick and Two Nerds

September 14, 2018

There is something humbling about being humbled. While it’s never a fun process, the boys of Nobody Special talk about the times when they have been humble and been humbled. In the end, everyone will one day bow before God, the difference will only be on what side of eternity we stand. This week we look at some of the moments where Caleb and Danny endured tough times and came out stronger in the process. We talk about where to find your identity and what it means to stand with one another, all while growing closer to God in the process.

The Revelation of Jesus Christ – The Angel and The Scroll – Revelation 10:1-11

September 12, 2018

Stop for a moment and consider what John has witnessed so far. John has witnessed the throne room of heaven, seen the beginnings of heaven’s collision with earth, and watched as God poured out judgment on the world. He has witnessed natural disasters beyond explanation and seen heavenly creatures roam throughout the earth. With six of the seven trumpets having resounded their blasts, a brief interlude begins resembling the interlude between the breaking of the seven seals. For all of the wonders that John has seen, though, at this point, it is almost as if there is still time and hope for the people of the world.

The Fruit of Faithfulness: Works From Faithfulness

The Fruit of the Faithfulness: Works from Faithfulness

September 10, 2018

Understanding the nature of faithfulness is, assuredly, important. We must understand the underlying root of our faith, knowing that we are faithful because God first demonstrated faithfulness to us even though we were enemies and in rebellion against Him. But, as with most of the Fruit of the Spirit, knowledge must produce action of some sort. We cannot say that we embody an idea or characteristic if it never reveals itself through what we do. Faithfulness demonstrates this easiest among the Fruit of the Spirit. Faithfulness, because of its unknown nature, lends itself to people giving it lip service to demonstrate faithfulness but lack the drive to follow through. Faithfulness, without the corresponding action is not true faithfulness but only self-deceit. With our faithfulness having been rooted in the strength of God’s ability and character, we can live fully devoted lives where our actions clearly and accurately depict a life transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, in faithfulness, we will remain faithful to the biblical doctrines of truth as a public testimony to the world while still maintaining the grace and love of Jesus Christ.