An honest, passionate, wise, personal outpouring & reflection. Self-written without editing, contains many errors of grammar, spelling, formatting, reAn honest, passionate, wise, personal outpouring & reflection. Self-written without editing, contains many errors of grammar, spelling, formatting, repetition etc....more
Brilliant. As advertised, an ideal book to give to new Christians, or anyone taking their Christian faith seriously for the first time. Readable, encoBrilliant. As advertised, an ideal book to give to new Christians, or anyone taking their Christian faith seriously for the first time. Readable, encouraging, gospel-focused, covering a really good selection of important topics and some good pointers for further reading. Recommended....more
The best kind of Church History! A creatively told story of the Reformation, with only about 17 pages of text scattered amongst illustrations and themThe best kind of Church History! A creatively told story of the Reformation, with only about 17 pages of text scattered amongst illustrations and themes. Uses key events of Martin Luther's life, plus selected people and events from later in the Reformation, to illustrate Reeves beautiful single-line summary of the Reformation's message: "Sinners are attractive because they are loved; they are not loved because they are attractive."
These Cruciform publishing books seem like a great concept. This one was an encouraging, concise reminder of the basic message of the gospel as it appThese Cruciform publishing books seem like a great concept. This one was an encouraging, concise reminder of the basic message of the gospel as it applies to the identity of a Christian. Typical Jerry Bridges: measured, practical, biblical, understandable, measured and occasionally firm & confronting. I listened to it as an audio book over the course of a few days of short drives, and it was great to have this kind of basic gospel encouragement present in my thoughts over those few days....more
This is a great introduction to Jesus. It's well packaged, inexpensive and only 80 pages. Contains a helpful introduction, a good, readable original tThis is a great introduction to Jesus. It's well packaged, inexpensive and only 80 pages. Contains a helpful introduction, a good, readable original translation of the Gospel of Luke (with a few helpful footnotes and no verse numbers) and a good summary of the gospel message at the end....more
Wonderful. I read these every few days before or after my Bible reading over about 6 months. They consistently applied the gospel to my heart in conviWonderful. I read these every few days before or after my Bible reading over about 6 months. They consistently applied the gospel to my heart in convicting and encouraging ways. Reading these prayers was sometimes merely devotional, and sometimes became actual prayer. I also used them as the basis for public praying in church quite often. ...more
Fantastic. Gospel Doctrine + Gospel Culture = A church that portrays the beauty of Christ. The first half of the book outlines the message of the gospFantastic. Gospel Doctrine + Gospel Culture = A church that portrays the beauty of Christ. The first half of the book outlines the message of the gospel from the point of view of an individual, a church, and the world. The second half takes a realistic look at why it is that so many churches fail to live out a culture that corresponds with the gospel. When the gospel is truly preached, people will either respond with joy or take offence, and persevering despite the negative responses (usually from church members) requires prayer, courage and love. What a challenging and constructive book. Plus, it's short (130 pages, small format), readable and nicely presented....more
The best of the Christmas/Advent reading collections I've read over the last few years. The best of the Christmas/Advent reading collections I've read over the last few years. ...more
Brilliant book. I can't recommend it enough. This is what being a Christian family is about - living according to the gospel. Very realistic, practicaBrilliant book. I can't recommend it enough. This is what being a Christian family is about - living according to the gospel. Very realistic, practical, doable. Only 90 pages long, and each chapter is very short. And it only costs about $8. Get it....more
A fantastic blog-post-in-48-pages about living out the gospel in everyday domestic situations. Tim Chester has a gift for making theology accessible. A fantastic blog-post-in-48-pages about living out the gospel in everyday domestic situations. Tim Chester has a gift for making theology accessible. He covers the creation mandate, our call to love and serve others, knowing God through natural theology and Jesus removing the distinction between the sacred and the normal. Well suited for the "buy 10 and give one to everyone" strategy, but too brief to be completely satisfying....more
The most powerful book I've read in 2014. The best book I've read on prayer. A book not just about prayer but about the gospel and the Christian life,The most powerful book I've read in 2014. The best book I've read on prayer. A book not just about prayer but about the gospel and the Christian life, and how they all go together. Reading this has shaken me up and rebuked me, and I need to make some changes. Definitely recommended!...more
An encouraging and direct book about evangelism which covers a lot of ground in a short space. Here's a summary I made after reading this with a groupAn encouraging and direct book about evangelism which covers a lot of ground in a short space. Here's a summary I made after reading this with a group at our church:
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INTRODUCTION - Amazing story about John Harper, Titanic evangelist
CHAPTER ONE: Why Don’t We Evangelise? —> Five common reasons —> Solution: Plan to stop not evangelising: 1. Pray, 2. Plan, 3. Accept that this is our job, 4. Understand that all Christians must evangelise, 5. Be Faithful to God instead of letting other people rule our motivations, 6. Risk, 7. Prepare, 8. Look for the opportunities, 9. Love others by evangelising, 10. Fear God, not people, 11. Stop using the excuse of God’s sovereignty, 12. Consider Jesus and don’t lose heart (Heb 12:3).
CHAPTER TWO: What is the Gospel? —> What it’s not: - Simply that we are ok - Simply that God is love - Simply that Jesus wants to be our friend - That we should live rightly —> What is the gospel? Page 43: 1. God made us to know him; 2. We sinned and cut ourselves off from him, 3. The life , death and resurrection of Jesus which has fulfilled the law and taken our punishment; 4. We are called to repent and trust in Jesus to receive forgiveness and eternal life.
CHAPTER THREE: Who Should Evangelise? —> All Christians, equipped as members of their local church, working together.
CHAPTER FOUR: How Should We Evangelise? —> With Honesty, Urgency and Joy. —> Specifically: 1.Pray, 2. Use the Bible, 3. Be clear, 4. Provoke self-reflection, 5. Use the church.
CHAPTER FIVE: What Isn’t Evangelism? 1. Imposition: We can’t force anyone to believe, we simply tell the good news. 2. Personal Testimony: This is powerful, but make sure include the actual message of the gospel. 3. Social Action and Public Involvement: They commend the gospel, but don’t actually share it. 4. Apologetics: Can be helpful, can be unhelpful, but by itself isn’t sharing the gospel message. 5. The Results of Evangelism: We can’t control these and shouldn’t try — we simply tell the gospel.
CHAPTER SIX: What Should We Do After We Evangelise? —> Negative responses (“Undecided", “Not now", “No, never”): Clarify unclear responses, be patient, respect people's decisions, don’t keep sharing if unwelcome, pray and live the gospel. —> Positive responses: Bring into the church, teach what it means to follow Jesus, wait for fruit to be seen over time.
CHAPTER SEVEN: Why Should We Evangelise? - A desire to be obedient - Love for the lose - Love for God Encouragements to Evangelise: 1. Ask people about their testimonies, 2. Consider the reality of hell, 3. Consider the encouragement of God’s sovereignty, 4. Meditate on the gospel, 5. Consider the cross.
CONCLUSION: “Closing the Sale” - Don’t be tempted to change the message in order to get a response or “close the sale”.
APPENDIX: A Word to Pastors - Practical and realistic encouragements regarding a pastor’s role in building a culture of evangelism in a church....more
Typically great John Piper - infectiously passionate, biblically saturated, profoundly theological, slightly awkward to read. A reminder to set our heTypically great John Piper - infectiously passionate, biblically saturated, profoundly theological, slightly awkward to read. A reminder to set our hearts on God himself, as he is revealed through Christ, rather than on the gifts that he gives....more
Loved it. Initially gave it 5 stars, but reconsidered down to 4. McKnight is a good writer who draws you in! He argues for a 'Gospel Culture', not jusLoved it. Initially gave it 5 stars, but reconsidered down to 4. McKnight is a good writer who draws you in! He argues for a 'Gospel Culture', not just a 'Salvation Culture', for Disciples rather than Decisions. The Biblical Gospel is more than just the 'Plan of Salvation' applied to an individual, it's the Story of Israel fulfilled in the Story of Jesus. I loved this biblical theology emphasis -- the gospel concerns the whole story, not just a "minimal" version. McKnight is purposefully provocative, and his "Soterians" vs "Evangelicals" made me examine my own approach to communicating the gospel. I didn't think every accusation was well founded, but he's on target enough to make it a needed book. I appreciate McKnight's pastoral heart. Also loved the threads of church history running throughout....more
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