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The Three Presbyteers

The Three Presbyteers

By: PCA Teaching Elders Josh Owen Aaron Garriott & Ruling Elder Gabe Williams
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 The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church in Port Orange, FL. Hosted by TEs Josh Owen and Aaron Garriott and RE Gabe Williams, The Three Presbyteers discusses church polity, PCA news, theology, Christian living, and current events from a Reformed perspective.2024 Christianity Social Sciences Spirituality
Episodes
  • Episode 43 - Sins of the Tongue: The Ninth Commandment and Christian Speech

    Episode 43 - Sins of the Tongue: The Ninth Commandment and Christian Speech
    Feb 6 2026

    Join us as we discuss: Sins of the Tongue: The Ninth Commandment and Christian Speech

    WLC Q. 145. What are the sins forbidden in the ninth commandment?
    A. The sins forbidden in the ninth commandment are, all prejudicing the truth, and the good name of our neighbors, as well as our own, especially in public judicature; giving false evidence, suborning false witnesses, wittingly appearing and pleading for an evil cause, outfacing and overbearing the truth; passing unjust sentence, calling evil good, and good evil; rewarding the wicked according to the work of the righteous, and the righteous according to the work of the wicked; forgery, concealing the truth, undue silence in a just cause, and holding our peace when iniquity calleth for either a reproof from ourselves, or complaint to others; speaking the truth unseasonably, or maliciously to a wrong end, or perverting it to a wrong meaning, or in doubtful or equivocal expressions, to the prejudice of the truth or justice; speaking untruth, lying, slandering, backbiting, detracting, talebearing, whispering, scoffing, reviling, rash, harsh, and partial censuring; misconstructing intentions, words, and actions; flattering, vainglorious boasting, thinking or speaking too highly or too meanly of ourselves or others; denying the gifts and graces of God; aggravating smaller faults; hiding, excusing, or extenuating of sins, when called to a free confession; unnecessary discovering of infirmities; raising false rumors, receiving and countenancing evil reports, and stopping our ears against just defense; evil suspicion; envying or grieving at the deserved credit of any; endeavoring or desiring to impair it, rejoicing in their disgrace and infamy; scornful contempt, fond admiration; breach of lawful promises; neglecting such things as are of good report, and practicing, or not avoiding ourselves, or not hindering what we can in others, such things as procure an ill name.

    Topics considered include:
    Undue Silence
    Slandering, Backbiting, Talebearing
    Flattery and Vainglorious Boasting
    Denying the Graces and Gifts of God
    Breach of Lawful Promises: Oaths and Vows

    Recommended Resources:
    The Book of Proverbs
    The Epistle of James

    Your hosts:
    TE Josh Owen
    TE Aaron Garriott
    RE Gabe Williams

    Produced by: RE Gabe Williams
    Music by: RE James Powers
    Logo design: Beth Cragg

    The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.
    If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 10:00 AM.

    www.Sprucecreekpca.org
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    50 mins
  • Episode 42 - Covenant Religion

    Episode 42 - Covenant Religion
    Jan 30 2026
    Join us as we discuss: Covenant Religion Topics considered include: Modern Christian Sentiments about Religion "Christianity is not a religion, its a relationship." "Religion is man's attempt to reach God. Gospel is about God's coming to rescue man." Religion is manmade. The Gospel is revealed from heaven. Religion is about rules that are like rungs on a ladder to climb to heaven. The Gospel is about God coming down the ladder in grace to rescue and relate to man. Defining Religion Cicero's etymology relegere= read again Popular etymology religare = "to bind fast" (Lactantius, Augustine) James 1:26-27 "If any man among you seem to be religious (thrēskos/religiosum), and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion (thrēskeia/religio) is vain. Pure religion (thrēskeia/religio) and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world." Godward–"Before God and the Father"--life Coram Deo Practical/Outward–visiting orphans and widows in affliction Personal/Inward–keep himself unspotted from the world Religion 18X in Westminster Standards (not including prefaces) I,8. Of the Holy Scriptures "...so as in all controversies of religion, the Church is finally to appeal unto them." I,10. "The supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined" X,4. Of Effectual Calling "much less can men not professing the Christian religion be saved in any other way whatsoever, be they ever so diligent to frame their lives according to the light of nature, and the law of that religion they do profess" XXIII, 4 Of the Civil Magistrate "Infidelity, or difference in religion, doth not make void the magistrates just and legal authority" XXIV, 3 Of Marriage and Divorce "And therefore such as confess the true reformed religion should not marry with infidels, Papists, or other idolaters" XXV, 2 Of the Church "all those throughout the world that profess the true religion, together with their children" XXXI, 2 Of Synods and Councils "matters of religion" Title of Larger Catechism "The Covenanted Uniformity in Religion betwixt the Churches of Christ in the Kingdoms of Scotland, England, and Ireland LC 60 "that religion which they profess" LC 62 "profess the true religion" LC 109 "tolerating a false religion" LC 113 "making profession of religion in hypocrisy, or for sinister ends" LC 121 "a short abridgment of religion" True Religion The Christian Profession of Faith Without Hypocrisy The Christian Way of Life False Religions Distortions of the Christian Profession of Faith as in Rome Hypocritical Profession of the Christian Faith Way of Life Contrary to Christian Practice True Religion Is Not Merely a Relationship "Not Merely"--the true religion is a relationship, but it is not just any relationship Relationship is undefined–there are many types of relationships (employee/employer; parent/child; husband/wife; friendship; partnership; acquaintance; legal, contractual, familial, formal, informal, high expectation, low expectation, consequential, inconsequential) Relationship is unregulated–tendency for people to set their own terms with God; best illustrated in the words "My god would never…" or endless variety of adjectives SSA Christian, Feminist Christian, Liberal Christian; Christians whose way of life contradicts the commands of Christ True Religion Is Covenant Covenant Theology is an understanding of the unity and structure of the Bible Covenant Religion = speaks of our bond with God in terms of His covenant His Person = "I will be your God"--this is your first and best relationship His People = "You will be My people"--you belong to God as Father and the church as mother His Premises = By grace through faith in Christ His Promises = eternal communion of life with God His Precepts = the moral law of God (Ten Commandments; Law of Christ) His Penalties = 2 Peter 2:20-22 "For if after they have escaped the pollutants of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it has happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire." Recommended Resources: John Murray, Principles of Conduct Your hosts: TE Josh Owen TE Aaron Garriott RE Gabe Williams Produced by: RE Gabe Williams Music by: RE James Powers Logo design: Beth Cragg The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL. If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. ...
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    46 mins
  • Episode 41 - Lost Virtues: Self-Control

    Episode 41 - Lost Virtues: Self-Control
    Jan 16 2026

    Topics considered include: Biblical Exhortations and Examples and Applications to Personal Discipline and Childrearing

    Galatians 5:22-23
    But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

    Temperance–enkrateia "in hand" "to have a grip on things"
    To have control of your whole self

    Do you have your bodily appetites in hand? Or do they have you in hand?
    Do you have your emotions in hand? Or do they have you in hand?
    Do you have your habits in hand? Or do they have you in hand?

    Philippians 3:18-19
    For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is their shame, who mind earthly things.

    Why is Paul weeping over these people who are enemies of the cross?

    They claimed to be Christians.

    Lacking self-control, they became enslaved to their baser appetites.

    "Baser appetites" because "who mind earthly things" does not mean attending to good health, business, family and friends, but to lowly, beastly instinct.

    Their glory, what they "achieve" and praise in themselves, is shameful.

    They profess Christ as their God, but the serve their belly as their god.

    2 Peter 2:12-22


    Jude 16-23

    Examples of Intemperance

    Genesis 6 the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were good-looking (lust/sex)

    Sarah–inordinate desire for children led her to insist that Abraham take Hagar to wife; laughing when the LORD promised a son through her body

    Esau–sold his birthright for a pot of stew (hunger/food)

    Judah–impregnated his daughter-in-law thinking she was a harlot (lust/sex)

    Samson–fornication with Delilah (lust/sex)

    Eli–indulged his sons (filial affection/indulgence) no discipline; (food)

    Hophni and Phinehas–food and sex

    Saul–anxiety/fear/paranoia murder; despair suicide attempt

    David–adultery with Bathsheba (lust/sex)

    Amnon–sick with lust, raped his sister Tamar

    Absalom–boiled with anger until he murdered Amnon and unseated his father (anger/murder)

    "You talk too much, homeboy! You never shut up!" Loose lips sink ships.

    James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

    Examples of Self-Control

    Joseph–resisting sexual advances of Potiphar's wife; not avenging himself on brothers

    Job–not despairing and cursing God; making a covenant with his eyes

    David not taking Saul's life

    Rechabites Jeremiah 35:1-11

    Discipline Yourself for the Purpose of Godliness

    1 Timothy 4:7

    Spiritual Disciplines/Exercises (Bible Intake, Prayer Times, Fasting, Intentional Conversations)

    The goal of temperance is not self-mastery. The goal is to be useful to God, an instrument of righteousness in His hand; holiness, not stoicism.

    Train Your Children to Exercise Self-Control

    High energy is not an excuse for disrespectful behavior and shirking duties
    Interrupting adults when they are talking
    Throwing a tantrum when they are impatient
    Teach them not to use intemperate language
    I'm gonna die!
    I'm starving!
    I hate you!
    Gossip
    Oversharing in the wrong company
    Teach them not to complain/whine
    Teach them to endure hardness
    Teach them that they do not need to be constantly entertained

    Proverbs 16:32

    Men, get a grip on your anger, sexual energy, and appetite for food and alcohol.

    Women, get a grip on your anger, fear/anxiety, and appetite for food and alcohol.

    Children, get a grip on your anger and impatience.

    Everyone, get a grip on your screen-time.

    United to Christ You Can Get a Grip on Yourself

    Romans 6:1-14

    Recommended Resources:
    Tedd Tripp, Shepherding a Child's Heart

    R. Kent Hughes, Disciplines of a Godly Man

    Donald Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life

    John Owen's writings on Sanctification and Mortification

    Your hosts:
    TE Josh Owen
    TE Aaron Garriott
    RE Gabe Williams

    Produced by: RE Gabe Williams
    Music by: RE James Powers
    Logo design: RE Gabe Williams and TE Aaron Garriott

    The Three Presbyteers is a ministry of Spruce Creek PCA in Port Orange FL.

    If you're in the area, please join us for worship every Lord's Day morning at 8:30 AM and 11:00 AM and in the evening at 6:00 PM. Education Hour is at 10:00 AM.

    www.Sprucecreekpca.org
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    1 hr and 13 mins
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