The gathered church, then, isn’t just important at the start of the Christian life; it remains essential to our ongoing discipleship. Week by week, our earthly gatherings reflect the heavenly reality we’re being prepared for.
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The Great Commission, then, is for fearful, doubting, weak, disbelieving disciples, who need to be reminded of Jesus’s power and authority.
Our corporate unity in Christ is not just an implication of conversion; it’s part of the very thing. Being reconciled to God’s people is distinct from but inseparable from being reconciled to God.
Godly grief leads to mourning over sin, not simply its consequences.
It’s difficult to discern whether someone has been converted if you’re hazy on what conversion is.
When we appeal to people’s carnal desires, we should not be surprised when our “converts” are more in love with the world than with our Savior.
All sinners, regardless of past trauma, messiness of life, socioeconomic background, or educational attainment must be converted the same way—through repentance and faith in Christ alone.
Worse than offending unbelievers is treating them like they are believers. Instead, we must aim to help sinners see their sin and confess their need for Christ. This spiritual clarity is not cruel, but kind.
Biblical friendship is not a luxury for pastors. It is one of God's ordinary means of sustaining us for long-term ministry.
It is easy to get lost in wanting to lead out in change just so we can say we did it, or out of concern to our reputation. But our motivation for change should be to bring greater glory to God and greater health to his church.
I am here to testify that God is with his people in the midst of their suffering. Jesus promised to be with his people to the end of the age (Matt. 28:20), and he is faithful.
It seems the reason God gives pastors a job that is too big for one man is that he never intended for one man to do it alone!
The Lord can work his wisdom into our plans long before we realize how great our need will be or when it will arrive.
