Adapted from a sermon by Matt Chandler at the San Jose Boot Camp in June 2011.
The Moralism Pitfall
Preacher: The Gospel must be explicit in your teaching — it cannot be assumed. If you assume it, you will build out what Christian Smith called, "Christian Moralistic Theurapeutic Deism."
If you don't make the Gospel explicit, if you don't keep coming back to the imputed righteousness of Jesus Christ for us, if you don't keep coming back to the wrath absorbing cross for us, If you don't keep coming back to the resurrection — listen, you need all three of those — if you don't keep coming back to those things and you assume that's some sort of kindergarten-level, entry-understanding Christianity; you are going to build out Moralistic Deism — do this, don't do this ...
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Brevity of Sermons
By Pastor Scott Thomas
Therefore, since brevity is the soul of wit… I will be brief. ~William Shakespeare, Hamlet
Church planters generally have a lot of vision, passion, drive and urgency to communicate the Good News to others. How do these excellent characteristics translate into the sermon length—particularly for those of us who have a high view of Scripture?
The length of a sermon does not necessarily equate to a message centered on the Gospel. A good sermon may be long, but rarely is a long sermon good. Just because some great communicators preach for an hour, does not mean that it is the new covenant for church planters.
It is my ambition to say in ten sentences what other men say in whole books - what other men do not say in whole books. ...
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Church Planting Makes Disciples (and Sometimes Enemies)
By Pastor Scott Thomas
Church planting is still one of the most effective ways to make disciples. New church plants baptize twice as many converts per attendee than existing churches (McNichol, 1991). Jesus called the local church to make disciples of all nations. Those orders from the Head of the church motivate pastors to start churches all over the world.
Where many planters fail to prepare is the enemy attack as they lead others to follow the Great Commission. Relational casualties will come with close friends, board members, core group participants, and treasurers and sometimes from their own children. The Apostle Paul speaking to the elders in Ephusus said, “from among your own selves will arise men ...
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Generous Churches Display the Gospel
By Pastor Scott Thomas
“Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine” (Proverbs 3:9-10, ESV).
Generosity is not normally discussed in association with a local church. Generosity is usually what the church expects from its members. But I think churches need to think about generosity as a means to image the Gospel to its members and community. We describe “grace” as God’s bestowing of gifts and favor on those who have not earned the gift. Generous small businesses are linking themselves with charitable causes to market their businesses. One example of cause marketing is the partnership ...
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"As a church, if you don't believe in the present reality of the gospel, in terms of the Spirit's presence to save, even now, then you will feel like every time you're up to preach you have got to do the work to get them there. Your worship leaders will say 'they'll never worship God unless we do better songs.' Or your leaders will say, 'they'll never get on mission unless we kick their butt every week and put together a plan and tell them what to do every moment.' All it is is unbelief in the gospel power of Jesus to do its work today."
Jeff Vanderstelt spoke on the Gospel at last fall's Phoenix Boot Camp – and in particular the gospel's power over the past, present and future realities of a Christian. Here he talks about Clay, a man who recently met Jesus and is in his ...
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Posted in: Disciple Making
Tags: gospel, sanctification, gospel is the power of sanctification, phoenix boot camp, how to stop sinning, how to grow as a christian, why can't i stop sinning, do i need accountability, accountability, sin issues, discipleship, helping new christians
