daddy4ms

Here are some of my favorite tweets from the last few weeks.  This is one of the blessings of social media where we can hear the gospel from people all over the world. If you like the tweet, go and follow the person on Twitter.  Our Justification in Christ received by faith means "just as if I'd never sinned" and "just as if I'd always obeyed" @elysefitz Christians need pastors who will make known the Gospel week in and week out. @rjgrune Jesus did not come to simply be our role model. He came to be our Savior. And to be our Savior, He became our righteousness. @elysefitz   "I fear that many of us offer care that doesn’t cure bc our eyes are so focused on the problem that we miss the person." @PaulTripp via @jonathan_dodson

You can read my notes from all of the speakers in previous blog posts.  Today, I am sharing some of my favorites from different speakers: Don't assume God is not at work in certain people or certain places. Be looking or listening for how God is already working. (Deb Hirsch) When Jesus says one thing and we experience something else, it should lead us to ask why. (Lance Ford) Discipleship is moving from unbelief to belief in all of life. All sin comes from unbelief. 4 Truths about God: God is Great so you don't have to be in control. God is Glorious so you don't have to fear others. God is Good so you don't have to look elsewhere for your satisfaction. God is Gracious so you don't have to prove yourself to self, others or God. (Caesar Kalinowski) The church needs to have a big front door-new believers. The church needs to have a big back door-church planting. (Nicky Gumbel) Repentance means to believe the truth and live in light of that truth....

gcdiscipleship.org Matthew 28:19-20 What is gospel centered discipleship?  Holiness is essential to Christian life. This is vertical discipleship. Missional is important to Christian life as well. This is horizontal discipleship. Is discipleship a code word for plate spinning? Don't put your focus on your holiness or mission, but instead on Jesus. This is diagonal discipleship.  Your life as a disciple is centered on you if you focus on vertical or horizontal discipleship. Jesus break the plates. Go in authority of Jesus not our piety or mission or our authority. Daniel 7 Are we enamored with our discipler or Jesus? Discipleship is a community project and a Trinity endeavor. Baptize into Jesus not into us. Great commission is all about Jesus and in the process we make disciples. We teach people to obey Jesus. We honor Jesus in honor and repentance. Holiness makes a bad master. Master Mission is not merciful. What about Master Jesus? Jesus must be at center of our discipleship....

As you read this, I am headed to Orlando, Florida for the Exponential Conference.  Check back throughout this week for posts from the conference.  I look forward to hearing from several great speakers such as Matt Chandler, Rick Warren, Jonathan Dodson, Robby Gallaty, Andy Stanley, Tim Keller and many more. 

There are some great deals for resources on the cross and resurrection this week.  I have personally only read the one by John Piper.  But have read other books by R.C. Sproul and Jonathan Dodson.  If you are looking for a helpful resource this Easter week, I encourage you to check out the following links. Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die by John Piper.  Available for $.99 here The Truth of the Cross by R.C. Sproul.  Available here for free. Raised by Jonathan Dodson and Brad Watson is also free here  I also recommend the following books about Jesus: Jesus Is ________________ by Judah Smith Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchvidjian  The Prodigal God by Timothy Keller The Gospel of Yes by Mike Glenn You can purchase these at Faith and Life Bookstore in Newton or your local Christian store.

As men, we often find it hard to have another man in our lives who knows us well.  And I mean knows all about us--the good and the bad.  This is one area that I have not invested a lot of time in over the years.  Obviously, I share with my wife, fellow pastors, and others within leadership.  But what about someone else. As a pastor, it is nice to have someone outside of my church to share with openly and challenge me. I don't like to use the word accountability because it tends to focus on trying harder or relying on self rather than being empowered by the Holy Spirit.  A great book on this topic is Gospel Centered Discipleship by Jonathan Dodson. He has a great section about what he calls "fight clubs." You can view posts about the book here & here. I have been meeting for several weeks now with a guy who is helping me in this area.  I share openly about how I am doing spiritually, specifics about marriage & parenting, what is going on in the ...

I finished Gospel Centered Discipleship by Jonathan Dodson on Thursday.  I highly recommend the book.  It along with Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian have been great reminders of the importance and need to focus on the gospel for all of life not just salvation.  I plan to share some quotes over the next few posts about the book.  "the gospel of grace wasn't just something that makes you a disciple; it matures you as a disciple." "Instead of being the church, we have fallen into merely doing church, and far too often our doing is disconnected from being." "But the biblical gospel is much more than personal conversion to gain a reservation in heaven. It is conversion to Jesus Christ as Lord. Moreover, the gospel has two more "thirds." The gospel calls us into community and onto mission." "Unfortunately, many of us have a disembodied Jesus, perhaps a bobble-head Jesus, all Head and very little body." ...

I am reading through Gospel Centered Discipleship by Jonathan Dodson.  I am thoroughly enjoying the book as it resonates with many of my thoughts regarding evangelism, discipleship, and the gospel.  On Thursday, I read a great chapter on the Holy Spirit.  Here are a few quotes for you to ponder: "Fear of charismatic excess has driven many evangelicals to emphasize Jesus to the exclusion of the Spirit." "Evangelicals rarely emphasize the role of the Spirit in motivation for discipleship." "What is gospel holiness? In short, gospel holiness is obedience to Christ procured from belief in the gospel, not from one's moral effort. . . Morality is self-centered; gospel holiness is Christ centered. . . .Gospel holiness requires both truth and grace." "What if you began to expect unplanned change and interpreted it as an opportunity to rely on the Spirit?" "Yet, instead of failing at each temptation of food, faith, and fame, Jesus su...

Here is an updated list of what I am reading now: Give Them Grace by Fitzpatrick & Thompson Family Shepherds by Baucham Real Marriage by Driscoll Gospel-Centered Discipleship by Dodson