Category: Gospel-Driven
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The Scandal of American Evangelicalism
I was not there, but I am now wishing I had been, at least for R.C. Sproul Jr.’s address. The Layman Online reports that Sproul prophetically challenged those gathered for 2012 Ligonier National Conference “… about the true scandal of the evangelical mind.” Developing his message from 1 Corinthians 1.18-31 Sproul briefly outlined the Christian faith,…
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Gauging Your Church’s Temperature
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, in Life Together, talks about looking at our churches through critical lenses: If we do not give thanks daily for the Christian fellowship in which we have been placed, even where there is no great experience, no discoverable riches, but much weakness, small faith, and difficulty; if on the contrary, we only keep…
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Can Mission Become an Idol?
“There is a first-rate commitment to a second-rate mission.” That is what Roger, a leader in global church planting, said as he looked at the rock climbers ascending a cliff in the Alps. Many of us called into ministry feel the same way. Rather than giving our lives to climbing a rock, building a business,…
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Gospel Fluency pt 2
I have been listening these past few days to the audio of Jeff Vanderstelt on Gospel Fluency. The concept of Gospel Fluency is simply to learn to speak the language of the gospel, and gospel-centeredness, in every aspect of our everyday lives. Like any language, the the vernacular surrounding gospel-centeredness may initially feel somewhat foreign,…
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Gospel Fluency pt 1
I have been listening these past few days to the audio of Jeff Vanderstelt on Gospel Fluency. The concept of Gospel Fluency is simply to learn to speak the language of the gospel, and gospel-centeredness, in every aspect of our everyday lives. Like any language, the the vernacular surrounding gospel-centeredness may initially feel somewhat foreign,…
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A Key to Vibrant Prayer
We are not desperate to pray because we are self-deceived. We are blind to our depravity. We don’t see ourselves as we really are. Do you want to learn to pray more? Learn of your sin. Ask God to show it to you, to give you a glimpse of your need. Ask him to show…
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Deeper Into the Gospel
Reflecting on Colossians 1.6, Tullian Tchividjian, in his book Jesus + Nothing = Everything, offers this poignant perspective about the present practicality of the gospel: The gospel represents both the nature of Christian growth and the basis for it. Whatever progress we make in our Christian lives – whatever going onward, whatever pressing forward –…
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Gospel Centrality & Insanity
If you think about it, Paul makes a rather peculiar declaration when he asserts: “I am not ashamed of the gospel…”. (Romans 1.16) Usually I don’t give these words much thought. But with a little reflection I find myself asking questions like: Who suggested Paul was ashamed? What Christians are ashamed of the gospel? What does…
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Appropriating the Justifying Work of Christ
Only a fraction of the present body of professing Christians are solidly appropriating the justifying work of Christ in their lives. Many have so light an apprehension of God’s holiness and of the extent and guilt of their sin, that consciously they see little need for justification. Below the surface, however, they are deeply guilt-ridden…
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You Can Change
I started reading You Can Change by Tim Chester of The Crowded House. It is different from most books about transformation and personal growth because Chester roots everything in the dual truths of the Christian’s new identities and the power of the gospel. This video is Tim’s introduction and explanation of the book. Here is what a couple…
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Principle of Gospel-Centrality
A key principle in gospel centrality is a growing and deepening understanding of the gospel, and that the gospel is not just for unbelievers in need of conversion, but equally for the Believer in need of growth, strength, transformation, boldness, and humility.
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Gospel-Driven Sanctification
The first thing to remember is that we must never separate the benefits (regeneration, justification, sanctification) from the Benefactor (Jesus Christ). The Christians who are most focused on their own spirituality may give the impression of being the most spiritual but from the New Testament’s point of view, those who have almost forgotten about their…
