What did Jesus finish?

With his last breath Jesus uttered a final word, translated into English, "It is finished!"

The eternal Son of God, who fully embraced humanity by becoming a man, accomplished what no human being could. We likely can't fully grasp the magnitude of the horrific event that occurred on the cross. Some have attempted to describe the physical aspects of crucifixion, and it was vividly portrayed in the film "The Passion of the Christ." It certainly must have been terribly gruesome and excruciating. However, what we may gloss over is the emotional and psychological aspects of what happened to Jesus as he was consumed by sin that was not his own. He took upon himself wickedness that was gravely offensive to God the Father. The combination of all of this torture and trauma was exactly what the Lord would have avoided if God would have provided a different path. 

But the cross was the path.

With that final declaration Jesus completed an enormous task fueled by God's love for mankind.

Salvation. 

Atonement. 

Forgiveness. 

Eternal life. 

The way into God's presence. 

The power and effect of this event stands as the single most significant act in all of human history. And it served to provide the solution to the deepest longing in every human heart - connection to God himself in the most meaningful way. When we embrace Jesus' finished work on our behalf we come home in the truest sense. We gain everything that was lost in the Garden of Eden because of Adam's failure to trust God completely.

As we approach "Good Friday" perhaps it will be helpful to slow down and consider exactly what was "finished" and why it matters.

Hope for My Hometown

St. Albans, WV is situated at the confluence of the Kanawha and Coal Rivers.

(awesome photo by Joey Puterbaugh)

Several years ago I started a Facebook group page for my hometown, St. Albans, WV. I did it on a whim and invited all my high school friends to join. Within a couple of weeks the group had 200 members. I was shocked. Today there are over 9,500 members and counting. That's nearly as large as the current population of the town. The group page is a place to share memories and catch up on local events. A significant portion of the membership no longer live there. Like me, they want to remain connected to the place that still has a piece of their heart.

The group page is often a source of angst for me, and I suspect it is for many of the group members as well. The fond and pleasant memories are occasionally interrupted by present day turmoil. Tempers flare, divergent opinions are expressed, harsh words are used...all from behind an electronic device and little good is accomplished.

You see, drugs and crime have become part of everyday life in my hometown (like many in our country). At times these things seem to overshadow everything else. Its bad and people are dying. The drug epidemic has impacted me personally. However, I'm certain the solution is not ranting on a social media page.

Many who are caught in the terrible cycle of addiction don't believe there is another way to live. They are physically enslaved by the toxins and emotionally overwhelmed by a series of bad choices. Add to that the stigma and shame heaped upon them by others, who scratch their heads in dismay at so much tragic mess. On a practical level there is no quick fix or simple solution. Government and law enforcement can assist, but they do not hold the ultimate remedy. Treatment facilities, community support groups and early intervention can also play a helpful role. But, it is a messy and complicated situation that brings pain and leaves many suffering.

Hope, healing and freedom are possible. Ultimately these are found in God's love, that was demonstrated in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Furthermore, if and when the people who claim to know Jesus will risk graciously extending that love, to those who are struggling, perhaps a visible impact will be made. One life at a time. In one small hometown at a time.

P.S. There are good things happening in My Hometown like this, this and this, as well as more I don't have time to mention.

Soulful Relationships

I've just finished reading The Relational Soul: Moving from False Self to Deep Connection. All I can say is, "Wow, everyone must read this book!" It is that good and helpful.

Here is a sampling of the deep delights in this work by Rich Plass and Jim Cofield:

"Our relational God heals our wounds, not simply by decree but by inviting us into a participatory life of communion with him."

"The good news of Jesus is not religious doctrine; it is not an idea; it is not a set of beliefs to be embraced. The good news is the loving presence of the Trinitarian God in the person of the eternal Son dwelling within us. We have life in him, not in our ideas about him."

"Our soul has terrain that is deeper than what we think. In this terrain of the soul there is knowledge of truth, love and mercy that is far more than mere information... The soul's deepest terrain is not experienced by more thinking or doing, but by means of solitude and silence."

If you long for better relationships with a spouse or friends, and feel blocked or stuck in those relationships, this book might be helpful. If you want to better understand how God has made us for relationships and why they can be hard, this book might be insightful. You can get a copy here.

Enjoy!

Love and Marriage

Generally we don't make a huge deal about Valentine's Day at our house. Except I love any excuse to eat chocolate. This week my lovely and talented wife and I participated in a panel discussion about love and marriage at my daughter's school. It was part of their chapel program for grades 7-12. It was fun. It also gave me hope.

There were three other couples on the panel, we were the oldest. I resonated with much of what others shared. So while my circumstances may be different, I'm not alone in dealing with the joys and struggles that come with marriage. Two broken people coming together, through thick and thin, better and worse, plenty and want. It's hard. It's good. It's messy. It's joyful. It's painful. I'm so thankful for the woman I married and every experience along the way. I definitely "out kicked my coverage!"

A couple hundred kids heard great insights today in chapel. They heard about the grace and love of God, that is reflected in marriage. They heard about God's design for sex. They heard about His forgiveness for those who stray from that design. They were challenged to use their voices to ask questions and set boundaries. This struck me because when I was their age I didn't really get these messages clearly. So I'm hopeful that a few were impacted by our discussion.

This experience was a great reminder for me of the beauty of marriage and the power of the gospel. It has caused me to want to fight for a stronger relationship with my wife. I want to model what a healthy marriage looks like for my daughters.

Below are the lyrics to a song about relationships, especially marriage. You can watch/listen here. Let me encourage you to press into the hard things, celebrate the joys and struggles and know that there is grace for all of it.

If We're Honest

Truth is harder than a lie
The dark seems safer than the light
And everyone has a heart that loves to hide
I'm a mess and so are you
We've built walls nobody can get through
Yeah, it may be hard, but the best thing we could ever do, ever do

Bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine
'Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy's waiting on the other side
If we're honest
If we're honest

Don't pretend to be something that you're not
Living life afraid of getting caught
There is freedom found when we lay our secrets down at the cross, at the cross

So bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine
'Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy's waiting on the other side
If we're honest
If we're hones

It would change our lives
It would set us free
It's what we need to be

So bring your brokenness, and I'll bring mine
'Cause love can heal what hurt divides
And mercy's waiting on the other side
If we're honest
If we're honest
If we're honest

Songwriters: FRANCESCA BATTISTELLI, JEFF PARDO, MOLLY E. REED

© Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., CAPITOL CHRISTIAN MUSIC GROUP

Grief, One Year Later

It has been a year since our family experienced a life-changing loss. My 28 year old daughter, Chasity, died from a heroin overdose on January 28, 2017. The opioid epidemic brought with it this reoccurring nightmare for tens of thousands of families in our country. Over 42,000 Americans died from drug overdose in 2016. The official numbers for last year are not available yet, but everyone knows they are not trending down. This is tragic, heart wrenching and sickening.

My daughter's death, as well as her struggle with drug addiction, has given me a different lens through which I can view others. My propensity to criticize and evaluate is being nudged out of the way by compassion. The "log in my eye" is not completely gone, but I feel differently about the speck in your eye. I have addictions too, ones that are not likely to cause my sudden death, but still they reveal my desperate need to rest in the love and grace of God. Perhaps more honesty about this sort of thing would be helpful in our culture, in our congregations. I believe many American churches have a long way to go before drug addicts feel safe entering the building without condescending glances. Will they hear a gospel shared with authentic love, untainted by judgement? I hope my church is moving in that direction.

One year removed from the shock and pain of overdose death in my immediate family, I'm not completely sure how I'm supposed to be feeling, what I'm supposed to be doing. Before you jump to conclusions (like I often do), let me clarify. I am aware that there is no "right" way to grieve. But I still can't help but sense that I've missed something and I should be ______ (fill in the blank). A wise and dear friend told me it is never helpful to "should" on yourself or others. Still, I'm wondering about this difficult process. It is a process.

After the death of a loved one I have heard others say, "I think about them every day." Well, the plain truth is, some days pass and I don't think about Chasity. I want to be okay with that. The loss doesn't change because it is not front and center in my thinking. My love for her is not diminished. Day by day, moment by moment I have been living my life for the past year, in the shadow that has been cast by her death. I have laughed. I have cried. I have struggled. I have trusted. I have loved. I have been angry. I have been sad. I have been ashamed. I have talked. I have been silent. I have preached. I have whined. I am human. Life does indeed go on, until it doesn't.

The death of my oldest daughter has caused me to look at my other two daughters differently. I occasionally feel fearful around the thought that I will lose them too. I'm not sure they realize, but I have tried to hug them more. I suspect that many parents have a fear of losing a child. Prior to Chasity's death I also had that fear, but it was more theoretical. Experiencing reality has a way of raising awareness and bringing truth into perspective.

This life is short. We will experience loss. There is not really a way to fully prepare for walking that particular road. The presence of trusted friends and family have aided me. My faith and hope in Christ has been extremely helpful. But with humanity comes a frailty that impacts even God-given faith. Although mixed with fear and doubt at times, my faith is still present and powerful. We must live with this delicate tension, embracing our humanity as well as the Divine.

I can not go back. I can not undo or unsay anything. I have no idea what will come across my path tomorrow. I only have this moment, to live and love and also at times to grieve. Although during the last year our family has experienced pain and loss, there is much for which I am thankful. It is a very helpful thing to consider grief, and at the same time, gratitude. That is a place where I am certain we will also discover the boundless reservoir of God's grace.

[For those interested, I wrote about these circumstances and their impact last year here and here.]

Destruction of Disconnection

I'm weary. I'm on overload from the current news cycle. Just when I thought it was safe to log onto "the Facebook" I get bombarded with stuff. I get sucked in and suddenly I'm irritated, unsettled and empty. I was just hoping to connect with my "friends."

An issue that is underneath so much of the mess that is filling up your news feed: Disconnection

Technology, which ironically provides the platform for this article, has "connected" us in some fascinating ways. At the same time, it has destroyed genuine, personal, face-to-face life. Various forms of media draw us into a world that is not actually ours.

We don't look into the faces of our friends in the same way we once did. We stare at screens and buy the illusion that we are truly engaging with others. We talk at one another electronically, instead of talking with one another empathetically. These devices are holding our relationships hostage and robbing us of joy.

What can we do? Rant more frequently on social media OR risk authentic connection with other human beings? I know what I need. I know what feeds my soul.

So here here are a few very simple suggestions:

1. Instead of texting someone, actually dial the phone and speak. I realize its still electronic, but you will hear the voice of a live person. Baby steps, right?!

2. When you go to the bank, post office or fast food place, avoid the drive through. Forsake convenience in favor of personal interaction. Take a moment to inquire about the individual on the other side of the counter, really listen to them and smile. Smiles are free!

3. Turn off the TV, walk across the street and visit with your neighbors. Check in to see how they are getting along. Sit on the porch. Ask about the kids or the grand kids. Make a plan to have them over for dinner or take in a local event together. Connect with the people who actually live closest to you. If you go with cookies or a cake, even better. Do this regularly.

4. Eat at least one meal each day with family or friends, around an actual table. While you are eating, talk about real life, your life, not the lives of people on TV you will never even meet. (But don't talk with your mouth full.) Share your stories, your joys and struggles. Laugh. Cry. Hug. Hugs are free too!

5. Make it a point to meet with others face to face weekly. Lunch or coffee, at the park or in your home. Be intentional about scheduling these in-person visits. It won't happen by accident. Don't talk about sports or the weather. Get underneath, to the important things that are driving the ebb and flow of life. Share the things that are behind your sadness, joy and struggle. Pledge to hold your friend's story in confidence. Pray together. These are the things that foster friendships.

6. Move beyond your current circle of friends and engage with people who are not like you - at all. Pick out that person in the neighborhood, at work or at church that you have literally nothing in common with, and befriend them. Spend time listening to their ideas. Learn about their journey and learn from their journey. Don't try to convince them to see everything exactly like you see it. This can be risky. It will likely push you to the edge, which is where growth can happen.

Your presence, as an image bearer of God, carries weight. God has made us for connection. As Christians we want to bring the issues of life into the light with trusted friends, bearing each other's burdens, pointing one another to the cross where we find hope, healing and ultimate relationship.

I would commend to you the book, Befriend: Create Belonging in an age of Judgment, Isolation, and Fear.

Living in isolation, disconnected from others, often brings the illusion of peace. But disconnection is destructive and leaves us hollow. So, turn off your device and go develop some authentic connections. It may not change the latest news cycle, but it will change you.

Gentle on My Mind

Musician and singer Glen Campbell died this week. He had been living with Alzheimer's disease for the last several years. I watched with great interest, and sorrow, the Netflix documentary about his farewell tour. Campbell spent about a year on the road doing concerts after he announced his diagnosis. Although his mind was fading, his musical talent still showed flashes of brilliance. The human brain is an amazing creation of God.

Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are perhaps the most heart wrenching ailments that I have witnessed.  Nearly everyone I know has been touched by dementia in some form. It is this sort of pain that remind us of the frailty of this life. There is often a tremendous sense of powerlessness that grips the family members of those struggling with Alzheimer's and dementia.

As we witness this level of suffering and brokenness, in the depths of the human heart there is something that cries out, "This is not the way it is supposed to be!" Indeed, this is not how thing were in the garden of Eden. However, it was the sin and rebellion of mankind that started the mess. We have been going our own way ever since. What we experience today, the pain and struggle, is the fallout. Thankfully, God has graciously provided a way for the brokenness to be restored through Jesus. This is the good news of the gospel.

Still, even for the followers of Jesus, there is heartache and turmoil. Watching someone deal with dementia is a vivid reminder. One of the last recordings that Glen Campbell made, I'm Not Gonna Miss You, seems like a haunting and honest statement about this struggle. Take a few minutes to enjoy his musical gift, here.

Thankfully, because of Christ, there is eternal hope and peace that transcends this brief and broken life.

Adversity and Grace

One of my favorite Christian authors is Jerry Bridges. His book The Discipline of Grace has been so helpful in my life. The crux of the book is an exhortation to rest in God's unfailing grace, rather than our daily performance. It is here that Bridges introduces the oft repeated insight that a Christian must, "Preach the gospel to himself every day." Through this we remind ourselves that our standing before God is all of grace from start to finish, and every moment in between.

The final chapter is entitled "The Discipline of Adversity." I can only assume the author put this last because adversity and trials are so dreadful. Passages like James 1:2-4 are easy to understand but hard to apply when the tidal wave of hardship has crushed me.

Here are a few of the closing lines from the chapter:

"Learning to live by grace instead of by performance helps us to accept the discipline of adversity. For one thing, we realize that God is not disciplining us because of our bad performance but, on the contrary, because of His love for us. We also learn to accept that whatever our situation is, it is far better than we deserve."

Keep this in mind when you are experiencing suffering or hardship. Wade out into God's "river of grace" and stand there. Let the current wash away your self judgements as it pushes you further into the loving arms of your Heavenly Father. Preach the gospel to yourself and receive this truth: Nothing "will be able separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:39b)

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I've Got Good News

The gospel is the good news that actually starts with some pretty bad news.  Mankind is completely ruined because of sin.  Because of our sin we all face the judgement and wrath of God, and rightly so.  There are no good deeds or religious acts that we can do to make ourselves acceptable to God.  However, God in His grace and mercy provided a way for our sin to be removed and His wrath to be appeased through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus lived a perfect life and died sacrificially on the cross in the place of sinners. In demonstration of victory and power, Jesus was raised from the dead and is alive today.  His sacrifice for our sins was totally sufficient and accepted by God the Father.  Jesus is the living Lord!  Everyone recognizing their hopeless condition, their offense of sin against God, turning from their sinful/selfish life and believing in Jesus Christ - they will be saved and made right with God. Jesus takes our sin and we receive His perfect righteousness when we repent and believe.  Believing in Jesus is the expression of faith, resting one's entire life on what Jesus accomplished by His sinless life, purposeful death and victorious resurrection.  Having come to believe in Jesus, the Christian has been given a new life and will remain a faithful follower of Jesus forever.  All of this is a gracious work of God.

The Good News for the World

The Great Commission (or Jesus' famous last words) gets a lot of press among evangelicals, and rightly so.  After all Jesus was giving his disciples and us marching orders.  Although opinions may vary on the primary aim of the local church, most agree that making disciples through the gospel is of utmost importance.  But what is "the gospel?"  [there is actually a nice little volume by the same title]

In case you are unfamiliar with it, let me give you a brief summary of the gospel:

The gospel is the good news that actually starts with some pretty bad news.  Mankind is completely ruined because of sin.  Because of our sin we all face the judgement and wrath of God, and rightly so.  There are no good deeds or religious acts that we can do to make ourselves acceptable to God.  However, God in His grace and mercy provided a way for our sin to be removed and His wrath to be appeased through His Son, Jesus Christ.  Jesus lived a perfect life and died sacrificially on the cross in the place of sinners. In demonstration of victory and power, Jesus was raised from the dead.  His sacrifice for our sins was totally sufficient and accepted by God the Father.  Everyone recognizing their hopeless condition, their offense of sin against God, turning from their sinful/selfish life and believing in Jesus Christ - they will be "saved" and made right with God. Jesus takes our sin and we receive His perfect righteousness when we repent and believe.  Believing in Jesus is the expression of faith, resting one's entire life on what Jesus accomplished by His sinless life, purposeful death and victorious resurrection.  Having come to believe in Jesus, the "born again" Christian will remain a faithful follower of Jesus forever.  All of this is a gracious work of God.

Perhaps more could be said about the gospel and one can certainly elaborate some of the details.  But the heart of this truth is seen in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  This is the good news that we are commissioned to share, it is for the whole world.  I noticed that in addition to the US, there are individuals from many other countries who find there way to this blog.  While I suspect most visit here without genuine interest in my thoughts, I understand the power of the gospel and the reach of the Internet.  So I publish this post in an effort to reach the world with the good news.  My prayer is that someone will read this wonderful truth and embrace Jesus as Savior and Lord.  To the glory of God!

Landscape of Hope from Lecrae

Watch Lecrae Extended Interview on PBS. See more from Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly.

Take a few minutes to hear a fresh perspective from Christian Hip-Hop artist Lecrae.  If you are unfamiliar with this sort of music OR fearful that it is incompatible with genuine Christianity, you need to listen intently.  You may just be blessed.  Lecrae has become a favorite around our house.  And my kids LOVE when I "throw down!"

If you have difficulty watching the video, try this link.

HT: JT

Power of the Gospel

Today I got a small package from Chapel Library, a ministry that reprints and distributes solid Christian literature.  They provide this wonderful ministry for free!  If you don't know about their work, get to know them today!

Among the group that came in my mail was the small booklet, Greasy the Robber: A True Story of the Power of the Gospel from Siberia in the Late 1800's.  I picked it up, hoping to browse the first few pages to see if I wanted to read it.  Twenty-five minutes later I finished it.  It was such a blessing.  The power of God's word and the depth of God's providence are so encouraging to me.  Even though I have experienced it in my own life, read the Bible for myself, witnessed God working in the lives of others, His grace never ceases to amaze me.

Since the little booklet was so good, I shared it with a friend just minutes later.  I know it will bless him too.  But wait, you can read it as well since I found a link to the PDF online here.

Enjoy the story.  And marvel with me at the Power of the Gospel!

Faithfulness in Ministry

This clip is very encouraging for me as a pastor.  Our culture, let alone the church growth gurus, tells us that bigger is always better.  We are challenged to measure our success by numbers, from every conceivable angle.  Dever makes all of this nonsense fade into the background as we focus on the gospel and Scripture.  I want to be found faithful in ministry.

HT: JT

The Biblical Christmas Story

The four gospels that open the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) all contain a reference to Jesus' Birth, which is the Christmas story.  Each of the accounts are different as each were written for different audiences, from different perspectives.  However, the primary aim is the same.  All four gospel writers are conveying the truth that Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, was uniquely born.  Jesus took on human flesh and identified with His creation so that ultimately He could redeem the lostness and brokenness of mankind.

John captures with great depth the story of Jesus' incarnation when he boldly states, "And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14)  In the Old Testament days God would display His glorious presence among the nation of Israel in the most holy place, first in the tabernacle and later in the temple.  This symbolic, shining light was the closest the people, through the ministry of the high priest, would ever really come to God Himself.

All of that changed in Bethlehem.  The glory of God, in the person of Jesus, came down to dwell among us.  That baby in the manger changed everything!

This is the story of Christmas. For those who have come to know Jesus as Lord and Savior, it is up to us to "Go Tell it on the Mountain...that Jesus Christ is born!"

The Gospel Alliterated

Many preachers alliterate the main points of their sermon.  It is the sort of thing that is catchy and often easy to remember.  This method is not actually taught in a seminary preaching class, at least not in mine.  Alliterating sermon points may stem from our desire to appear clever or engaging.  Which can be helpful to hold the attention of our audience.  But this could also lead to an egotistical clown in the pulpit.  We need to guard against relying on our own abilities or drawing attention to ourselves and away from Christ and the gospel.

Here are a few key aspects of the gospel that contain a bit of an alliterated flow.  I understand this is not an exhaustive explanation of the good news.  But it seems to cover at least three vital points.  The alliteration provides a helpful tool when trying to recall these areas.

God is Righteous.  Man is Ruined and needs Repentance.  Jesus Christ is the only suitable Redeemer.

The simple truth is this: I'm not clever enough to actually formulate these thoughts on my own.  Just like I am unable, as a broken and filthy sinner, to come to God on my own.  I am so thankful and amazed at the mercy and grace of God!

The Gospel is the Word of Life

"To all those who love Christ and his gospel," John Calvin writes:

"Without the gospel everything is useless and vain; without the gospel we are not Christians; without the gospel all riches is poverty, all wisdom folly before God; strength is weakness and all the justice of man is under the condemnation of God.  

But by the knowledge of the gospel we are made children of God, brothers of Jesus Christ, fellow townsmen with the saints, citizens of the Kingdom of Heaven, heirs of God with Jesus Christ. By whom the poor are made rich, the weak strong, the fools wise, the sinners justified, the desolate comforted, the doubting sure and slaves free.  The gospel is the Word of life."

From John Calvin's preface to Pierre-Robert Olivetan's 1535 translation of the Bible

Sharing the Gospel

I just finished reading Marks of the Messenger by Mack Stiles. The subtitle clearly defines this handy little volume, "Knowing, Living and Speaking the Gospel." Stiles doesn't waste words. He strikes at the heart of the challenges facing Christians in the realm of personal evangelism.

There are lots of books available on evangelism. If you are looking for a book that offers you a so called "sure-fire method" or "strategy," look elsewhere. However, if you want to be challenged to better understand the gospel, why we share it and the heart of what it means to be a "healthy evangelist," then Stiles work will be very helpful. Additionally, the author nails down the essentials of sharing Christ in a way that exposes the weaknesses of most overly pragmatic "strategies."

"When our lives are in line with the gospel and our witness to Christ is consistent, we find that our grace-filled lives have perfume-like attraction (2 Cor. 2:16). Don't be surprised at the opportunities God will bring your way to share your faith. And as you share your faith, you become the instrument that God uses to move people from death to life." pg. 58

I highly recommend Marks of the Messenger for everyone who has experienced God's grace in Christ and wants to be able to share that same truth with others. Pastors, you will want to pick up extra copies to give away. It's that good.

Christians and Christmas

Here are just a few suggestions to direct our attention to the Lord Jesus in the days leading up to Christmas.

* Read carefully – Reread the gospel accounts of Jesus’ birth in the days leading up to Christmas. Perhaps read them aloud with others.

* Sing thoughtfully – Christmas carols are so familiar we often sing them with little thought about what the words mean. Make an effort to meditate on the truths you are singing.

* Think biblically – The birth of Jesus makes no sense if it is disconnected from the rest of scripture and the gospel. You may even want to spend time thinking about Easter. Why did God become a man anyway? There is a direct line from the manger to the cross.

* Live missionally – Look for opportunities to share and explain the story of Christmas. We are fond of saying that Jesus is the ‘reason for the season,’ but we must be ready to explain why. We need to share the underlying message about man’s hopelessness, because of our sin, and God’s grace in providing the solution in Christ. We can sing carols, give gifts and say ‘Merry Christmas’ all we want, but if we don’t share the whole story we have missed it.

* Celebrate prayerfully – Pray for your lost friends and family with whom you will be gathering for Christmas. Ask God to open their hearts to receive Christ and ask for boldness, wisdom and grace as you interact with them.

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The AIR of Evangelism

While attending the KBC annual meeting last week I heard a message from Cas McCaslin, founder of Upward Sports. He is so passionate about what he does, which is reaching kids with the Good News of Jesus Christ through sports ministries. He shared one particular tidbit of information that I found helpful. Its really not groundbreaking or unique. But it does provide a quick summary of what our attitude towards evangelism should be. Here it is:

A - Aware of the lost around us

I - Intentional in our efforts & actions

R - Ready when we encounter the lost

With that little primer in mind, evaluate what the "air" of evangelism is around your congregation or in your own life.

"But sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence." 1 Peter 3:15

[If you look closely here you can see me actively and enthusiastically participating in the KBC annual meeting.]

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Introduction & Summary of John Piper's Thesis

John Piper's ministry, which includes preaching, writing and speaking, has had a profound impact on the modern evangelical landscape. His passion for the Word and gospel is so evident and it is contagious.

The gospel of Jesus Christ is at the center of all that Piper says and does. But, there are several key ideas that flow from Piper's theology, understanding of the gospel and his notion of how one should live out the gospel. He has a clearly articulated thesis that is woven into his preaching and writing. You would have to read at least 2 books written by John Piper OR listen to a minimum of 3 of his sermons to gain a clear understanding of this thesis. But this short video provides a concise summary. If you are not familiar with John Piper, this is a great introduction. Enjoy!



HT: Justin Taylor