Podcasts about gospel fluency

Text: Colossians 4:5-6   Gospel Urgency with Wisdom (4:5) We are called to conduct ourselves in biblical wisdom to those around us. We are called to use our time wisely for the Gospel's sake.   Gospel Fluency with Grace (4:6) We are called to speak grace-filled words that are seasoned with the flavor of Christ. We are called to respond to others with grace-filled answers that point them to Christ and His Word.

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We continue in our short series looking at how the gospel shapes the way we understand and deal with the anxiety, anger, fear, and confusion we see in our culture. Today, we take a brief look at why we should be cautious with putting our trust in the political powers and why the gospel compels us to put our ultimate allegiance in Jesus the King.

There's no doubt that we are living in an anxious and angry time. The anxiety and anger that we see is not only around us, but can also be within us. How do followers of Jesus battle against such emotions in stressful times? Over the next few weeks, we'll explore how the gospel frees us to live in faith, peace, and confidence. We must become gospel-fluent people who KNOW the gospel, APPLY the gospel, and SPEAK the gospel in every area of life, especially in our anxiety, anger, fear, and confusion.

Everyone wants to know how to make money, how to lose weight, how to make friends and influence people. But before all that, more importantly, the first thing we got to know is how to think -- and as people who live our lives before God -- specifically, it is knowing how to think theologically.Hi, my name is Terence and I'm your host for Reading and Readers, a podcast where I review Christian books for you. Today I review “How to Think Theologically” by Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke. 142 pages, published by Fortress Press in 2006. 2006 is the second edition. The fourth edition, published in 2023 is available in Amazon Kindle for USD14.99.Reviewing the 2nd not the 4th EditionWhy am I reviewing the 2nd edition and not the 4th edition? Because I got the 2nd edition for free. Even though I was not reviewing books for the past 6 months, I still made sure to get the Logos free book of the month. For June, the free book was “How to Think Theologically”.You might be wondering whether it's worth listening to a review of the second edition when, if you do read the book you would get the latest edition. In any case, my review is still helpful in your buying, reading, decision.First, whatever is good in the 2nd edition will be in the 4th edition. That is why there is a 4th edition.Second, when you hear all the good things I have to say about today's book, you might resolve, like I have, to never miss a free book deal. And if you did get the Logos free book for June, this review might just persuade you to read it.I Could Not Help You... Until TodayThe book resonates with me because it describes the one thing I have been trying to excel in all these years.When I was a young Christian I did not know what thinking theologically meant. I knew it was imperative for us to think biblically but what does that mean?I only understood after I read books like Don Carson's “Showing the Spirit”, a commentary on 1 Corinthian 12-14. That book fundamentally transformed my thinking process.Now, many good books later, I try to bring the Bible to bear in everything, to understand God and his work in myself, the people around me and the world across space and time.If you ask me, “Terence, I want to learn how to think theologically too, can you help? Can you do what you do best and recommend a book?”A few weeks ago, my answer would be, “I wish I had a simple guide for you. Everything I practise, I learnt it the hard way through many books, by many writers, on many diverse issues, over many years. You could read Don Carson's book but you would learn by observing the master. The master is not explaining what or why or how. He is busy doing the thinking through the Bible on the topic. In Don Carson's case, thinking through 1 Cor 12-14 on the topic of the Holy Spirit. I wish I have that one book to recommend to you.”And today, I have!Buy this book. Read this book: “How to Think Theologically” by Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke.Dynamic DuoHoward Stone is a psychologist, marriage and family therapist, theologian ,and professor emeritus at Texas Christian University. James Duke is Professor of the History of Christianity and the History of Christian Thought at Brite Divinity School.They have put together this concise how-to guide for Christians who never knew they were theologians and don't know where to start.So let me share my thoughts on the book.Embedded vs. DeliberativeFirst, I found the distinction between embedded theology and deliberative theology to be immensely helpful.This is the way I understand it. Embedded theology is what you grew up with in church; it's the air you breath. It's instinct, reflex, it's how you do the faith.Deliberative theology is questioning your growing up years; it's putting the air you breath into a mass spectrometer. It's inquisitive, reflective, it's asking why you do faith in this way and not that.Deliberative theology is the theology I tend to force unto the people around me. Embedded theology is what they wish we could all do instead.When we make a distinction, we are drawing a line, we are pointing out differences. Sometimes, often times, that leads to quarrels. Other times, making that distinction helps people to reconcile.We recognise that embedded theology is what everyone practises and it is good enough until it isn't. And then deliberative theology becomes necessary. Christians who are able to do deliberative theology within the faith are less likely to deconstruct themselves out of the faith.They are more equipped to handle crisis. In this book, the authors use many real world examples. But two stick out the most.First is the Great Hymnal Controversy. The church wrestles with whether to buy new and different hymnbooks to replace the ones falling to pieces. You can replace this controversy with the one you have in your church.The second crisis moves away from the religious assembly to the personal home. Tom's mother has terminal cancer and the doctor suggests removing life support. Tom doesn't know what is the right thing to do. All of us have faced devastating dilemmas before. And if you have not, you will.Do you know what to do? Do you know how to think theologically?The Reason You Read This Book: How-ToStone and Duke are here to help. They will teach us in a systematic way.The first three chapters of the book sets up the motivation and principles. Then the next four chapters show us how to do it, and lastly the final two chapters describes how thinking theologically works in the Christian community and in spiritual formation.When we come to the how-to chapters, the authors give us a template to work from. Three sets of diagnostic exercises covering three areas: The Gospel, the Human Condition and Vocation.I quote:Each question in turn (though not necessarily in order) can be applied to every issue that calls for our theological deliberation. The exercises surely will not cover all that could be said about the meaning of the Christian message of God. But they strike near the very heart of the concerns of Christian faith. In exploring these questions, something is disclosed of the breadth and depth of the Christian message. They provide a staging area for later, more complete, reflection.Let's look at the questions in the first set, the Gospel set.What is the gospel?How does the gospel reach the people?How do people receive the gospel and its benefits?Hmm... the questions are not ground-breaking. A bit basic. And that's the point, to go back to basics and re-evaluate our situation in light of the basics, the gospel!This is how it works, I quote:For the church council debating the purchase of new hymnals, a clearer understanding of the church's role in promulgating the gospel might have facilitated the discussion. Tom, who is already searching the Scriptures on his own for help in dealing with his mother's imminent death, might be prompted to seek more help from the church: as a companion to the Scripture in making the gospel of Jesus known and as a potential source of guidance and strength in making his hard decision regarding life-support removal.We now turn to the chapter on Human Condition. The questions are:What is the basic problem with the human condition? (What is Sin?)What is the resolution to that problem in the human condition? (What is Salvation?)How is the problem resolved? (What is the means of Salvation?)This chapter reminds me of another book I read, “Gospel Fluency” by Jeff Vanderstelt. Vanderstelt makes this audacious claim: “For every problem, the gospel is the solution.”When I first heard it, I thought, "That couldn't possibly be true."But as Vanderstelt explains, I begin to realise that, indeed, underlying every quarrel, addiction, fear and anger, is sin. And once I saw the True Enemy, it was easier to see The Solution, because there is only one solution to Sin, and that is Jesus Christ.So far we have only looked at two sets of questions. You can do so much with these questions.Find a quiet place to sit. Reflect on the questions that Stone and Duke ask in their book. Don't give the Sunday School answers. See the issue as a Christian.And when you do some reflections, you can be surprised at how an incidental reading leads to unexpected assurance.That was what I got.What is Sin is Not IncidentalIt all started when someone told me, “Nobody is born with a sin nature. We are all born as a blank slate.” In theology, this means a denial of Original Sin.I believe we are all born with Sin. But I went back to study why I believe so. Along the way, I read Augustine's Anti-Pelagian writing, which became a podcast review. I searched for Christian books that deny Original Sin, I couldn't find any. There are books that deny Original Sin, but they were not within the broad spectrum of the Christian faith.But the biggest pushback I faced seems to not be whether to affirm or deny Original Sin, but whether it even matters. The issue is not veracity, but practicality or necessity.Some say: “Why don't we accept both interpretations as equally valid? After all, many Christians hold different interpretations on many parts of Scripture and have learnt to look past these differences to unite on the main thing, the Gospel.”So I have been questioning myself over and over again, whether am I being unnecessarily difficult. Yet, over and over again, as I study Scripture, I cannot see how one church can hold two opposing interpretations on what Sin means.Stone and Duke's chapter on the Human Condition just reinforces my conviction that this matter is of critical importance.To be clear, this is not a book written to affirm or deny Original Sin. But I note that one of the questions they ask is: What is the basic problem with the human condition? In other words, What is Sin?How you answer this question affects how you understand salvation. What did Jesus do? He saved us from our sins. But what is Sin?And as the book makes clear, answering these questions affects how we live life. The authors do not see Sin as something out there, something that lives in the books of dead theologians to be dissected by theologians who have too much time in their hands.Sin is the basic problem with the human condition. Just this fact demands our every effort to get what it is right. We should not just sweep distinctions aside and claim all interpretations leads to Jesus.Not Just a Series of QuestionsI have only discussed two sets of the diagnostic exercises. The third set covers Vocation. The questions are:What deeds are Christians called to do?What are the reasons for performing a service or action?Why is one course of action the most fitting in a given situation?You could say, "If I knew how to answer those questions in the first place, I wouldn't be in a dilemma!"That is why we have to understand, the book is not just a series of questions. If it was, it would be two pages long and not 142 pages.There is more to the practise of theological reflection and the authors do a good job explaining them. Except when they don't.More Explanations Would Be BetterSome parts could be better explained.In chapter 3, the authors quote theologian David Kelsey. Kelsey lists four ways theologians draw biblical texts into theological reflections. According to Kelsey, the Word of God is identified in:Propositions about divine truthSymbolic expressions of faith experiencesRecitals of God's identityInvitations to existential possibilities for new lifeThen without further explanation the authors challenge the reader, I quote:Try listening for Kelsey's categories in the next sermon you hear. When the minister quotes Scripture, ask yourself: What is this speaker using the Bible to ask me to do? Or, put the same question to a sermon or lesson that you deliver: What are you asking your hearers to do when you quote the Bible?Challenge not accepted. I don't understand what Kelsey means by those four ways. I could guess but I should not have to.In chapter 8, the authors ask us to think critically using a process that includes description, analysis, framing a view, judgment and response.They explain what description means. They explain what analysis means. But they explain framing a view by describing how a camera frames the subject. I like photography. I know how to frame a subject. But I don't know how to transfer my photography skills into theological thinking.What is the difference between analysis and framing a view? The authors do not explain. I could guess but I should not have to.I appreciate how the authors want to keep the book short. They succeeded in doing that. But I wish they could have a few more extra pages so that they can explain things properly. And I guess many other readers thought so too because the 4th edition has 40 more pages. The book must be good if people want more of it right?Two Starting Points and One CorrectionHowever there was one part of the book that I felt needed correction.In the authors' introduction to the theological method, they describe two starting points. I quote:Christian theology is reflection on the faith in the Christian message of God in Jesus Christ. The connection between faith and God's message is an invitation to reflect either on the human side of the connection (faith) or on its divine side (God's message).These two tracks have given rise to a distinction between theologies with an anthropological or human starting point and those that begin with divine revelation.They then proceed to explain the merits and risks of each starting point. They give the impression that both are equally valid starting points. I disagree. I believe we should always start with divine revelation.When preparing for a sermon or bible study, we must start with the text. We mustn't allow the congregation's felt needs direct where the text wants us to go.When a preacher is doing a book series, preaching verse by verse, how much more amazing it is when we hear how the Word of God speak to the people's needs without the preacher ever knowing about them.The problem with the church today is our tendency to put us, our wants and needs, first and not God. We think we know better, but we don't. I could rant about this for hours but let's just skip to the part where I changed my mind.As I was preparing for this book review, I read up on the authors. Stone describes himself as psychologist, marriage and family therapist first, then theologian. So I started thinking from his perspective.And I realised I was framing the discussion wrongly. I was interpreting the two approaches strictly from a preaching or bible study point of view.In preaching, I still hold strongly to everything I just said. We start with the text.But when it comes to counselling, if I have Tom in front of me, and he has all these questions. If he agrees to the medical experts to withdraw life support for his mother, is it euthanasia or is it allow nature to carry its course? Is he honouring God or participating in the culture of death?As I listen to him, obviously my starting point is him. I would be scrambling to pick from my mind anything from Scripture that deals with his issue. So in counselling, the Word of God is responding to the believer's confusion, pain, doubts and fears.Then when I zoom out, reframe this conversation I am having with myself, I remind myself that the point of the book, is for everyone to think theologically about all parts of life. I was so zealous to establish divine revelation's primacy that I had tunnel vision.So instead of correcting the authors, I found myself corrected. And this is good. That means I am growing.Every Christian should experience correction. If a Christian never finds himself or herself corrected in the Christian walk, then humanity has just found the next perfect person after Jesus Christ.The People Who Should Read This Book and Don'tSpeaking of correction, I can think of many categories of people who should read this book but won't.Those who think theology is for overly-intellectual people. That is not true, the authors refute that from the get go.On the other extreme, those who think they already know how to think theologically. They are seasoned fighters in theological MMA. Bashing people online over doctrine is not theological thinking. You should read this.In an ideal world, everybody would read this book. In an ideal world, this book would be required reading to graduate from elementary school. Okay that's a bit exaggerated. Required reading to graduate from high school.This is because theology needs to be done in community. I quote:[Indeed,] theological reflection is insufficient if it is done in isolation. Theological reflection occurs in the context of community. Because it is communal, it is also collaborative and dialogical. Even though we eventually come up with our own unique operational theology, its formation occurs in testing, sharing, talking, and listening to others.If you and I both read this book, when we have a dispute, maybe over hymnbooks or something else, then if we say let's look at this biblically. We understand each other. Naturally, we each want to prove that we are right, but we now engage in a process of exploration and discovery.Even if I totally disagree with you, it is edifying for me that we looked at the issue through the Gospel, the Human Condition and Vocation, and went further from there. Although we have different answers to the questions, I could, in the years to come, reflect on your answers and eventually it might make sense to me and the process leads to my correction.So the experience is not of two warriors grappling in the octagon, trying to bash the other senseless, but it is of two seekers continually exploring the divine landscape in search of truth. Sharing what they have found in hopes that the other will join them on the correct path.OutroIn conclusion, this book is not the only way to learn how to think theologically. But it might be the most concise and practical guide for all Christians in that process.This is a Reading and Reader's review of “How to Think Theologically” by Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke. 142 pages, published by Fortress Press in 2006, which is the second edition. The fourth edition, published in 2023 is available in Amazon Kindle for USD14.99.For more book reviews and contact details, you can visit readingandreaders.com. Thanks for listening. Bye bye.Book ListHow to Think Theologically by Howard W. Stone and James O. Duke. Amazon 4th Ed. Logos 2nd Ed.

Sunday, September 1, 2024 Values, Part 4 psbchurch.net

Tim Rice

HCP 207 - **REPOST of The 4 G's of Gospel FluencyHCP - Ep. 151 - The 4 G's of Gospel FluencyOn this episode Larry and Drew begin season 3 with a conversation around a gospel tool meant for personal use as much as to equip and bless others. This tool comes from Jeff Vanderstelt and his book Gospel Fluency. We each need to be reminded regularly that the Gospel of Jesus should be applied to every area of our lives. There are times where we feel anxious because we're not in control or when we fear people and live from a place of codependency, when we look for satisfaction in sinfulness or start to believe the wrong things about why God loves us. This tool helps you remember to apply all aspects of the Gospel to your daily life and live from a place of centeredness in the finished work of the cross instead of what you think you bring “to the table”. For more info on Jeff Vanderstelt's book "Gospel Fluency"https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Fluency-Jeff-Vanderstelt-audiobook/dp/B06VVGZ9BL/ref=sr_1_1?crid=10SZV2F8RSQ1M&keywords=gospel+fluency+jeff+vanderstelt&qid=1683317684&sprefix=Gospel+F%2Caps%2C121&sr=8-1You can email us at info@healthychurchpodcast.com orTo find more information about The Healthy Church Podcast go to:http://www.healthychurchpodcast.comor find us on FaceBook!

Pastors Alex and Chris talk about general revelation and its implications to us and our faith. A dive into topics like AI and social justice seems nice and easy for a leisurely afternoon with less caffeine.Gospel Fluency by Jeff VandersteldtKey thought from this episode: General revelation is everywhere and it shows us who God is (in part).We look forward to hearing from you for future topics we might address!Email chris.stukenberg@parkhillsefc.org or check out parkhillschurch.com for more info.

SouthCrest Church Sunday morning message, 2/25/24. We conclude our series, Gospel Fluency 101, in Colossians 4:2-6. Growth Pastor Caleb Warren helps us understand the power of our witness—the gospel in our words. To share our witness with gentleness and respect, we must adjust the lens through which we view others, we must listen and learn their creation, fall, redemption and new creation.

SouthCrest Church Sunday morning message, 2/18/24. Gospel fluency reveals itself by the gospel showing in our deeds and words. We continue our Gospel Fluency 101 series with Senior Pastor Matt McFadden explaining that we cannot live the gospel in our actions while keeping the gospel message disconnected from the “why” we live “differently.” We keep others from Jesus when they do not connect our lives to our gospel transformation—we may be encouraging them to believe they too can live “good” without Jesus. Gospel fluency includes both our actions and our explanation for those actions.

SouthCrest Church Sunday morning message, 2/11/24. Senior Pastor Matt McFadden continues our Gospel Fluency 101 series in Acts 2:42-47. We learn that gospel fluency has its fullest expression within Christian community. Christian community is only possible with Christ at the center, and in it we grow in our shared Christian identity and participate in Christian mission.

1 Timothy Message Series1 Timothy Chapter 2:1-10Join us for an in-depth discussion on 1 Timothy 2:1-10. Rick and Svea tackle embracing humility and mutual submission and the far-reaching implications of the gospel for men and women.Additional Resourceshttps://autumnridge.church/1-timothy/Topics Discussed in this Episode00:00 Welcome and Introduction.01:00 The challenge and conviction about not praying for those in authority.03:10 How does praying for those in authority play out?04:37 Embracing humility and submission "resets" and recalibrates us.06:31 What does it look like to pray with thanksgiving for those who are trying to do away with a godly way of life?09:55 Practical ways to model humility and submission.10:31 Our conscience and the Holy Spirit are not the same.20:38 Gospel Fluency.22:56 The implications of the gospel: Men and women in 1 Timothy 2:8-1029:52 Using verses 1-10 as a mirror of self-examination as we move into verses 11 and following.

As we continue our series on Genesis Church’s recipe for making disciples, this morning we begin explaining the key ingredients … and the first and most important ingredient is Gospel clarity and fluency. Knowing and believing the Gospel is central to our journey of becoming disciples—followers of Jesus. Apart from the Gospel, religion will be centered on efforts to change our own lives by fulfilling religious duties and rules. Paul reminds us of the universal need of the Gospel, but also the beautiful truth that we are justified as a gift because of the finished work of Jesus. Disciples need foremost and consistently to be reminded of the central truth of the Gospel, and shown that their identity and acceptance before God is always based on the finished work of Jesus. In other words, they need the Gospel, as Martin Luther declared, “beat into their heads continually.” The Gospel is our one and only message as a church and it is our desire to lead our people to gain clarity and fluency in the Gospel.

SouthCrest Church Sunday morning message, 2/4/24. Meals are relational. Senior Pastor Matt McFadden continues our series, Gospel Fluency 101, in Matthew 26:26-30, where we learn that Jesus is the true Passover meal. Most of Jesus's ministry is spent going to a meal, coming from a meal or eating a meal. A meal reminds us of God's provision, it is a picture of fellowship and peace, and it is eaten as a reminder of our redemption.

Discipleship lies at the heart of the Christian journey, yet it often becomes compartmentalized within separate ministries or aspects of the Christian faith. Jeff Vanderstelt, with years of experience leading others in the way of Jesus and equipping the broader church through his writings, is now dedicated to mentoring pastors and leaders in gospel fluency and missional living. In this insightful discussion, Jason and Jeff delve into the significance of maintaining an open-handed approach to those entrusted to pastors' care, navigating critical voices, and the profound impact of Dallas Willard's last unanswered question. Jeff candidly shares his personal leadership journey within a fractured church, reflecting on how God's intervention brought healing to his own brokenness amid numerous challenges. We hope this conversation encourages you and we invite you to share any thoughts or reflections on how it may have impacted you with us. Bio | As the Executive Director of Saturate and founding leader of the Soma Family of Churches, Jeff Vanderstelt gets to spend his days doing what he loves – mentoring leaders and equipping the Church in the gospel and missional living. Additionally, Jeff is on the leadership team of Saturate the Sound, a local church collective focused on gospel saturation in the Puget Sound. Jeff has authored Saturate, Gospel Fluency, and Making Space. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Give⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to CCLN and help seed a hopeful future for the Church in Canada. Partners:  Download a free PDF on Improving Your Giving Statements from Generis or get in touch with Jon Wright from their team ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Show Notes: ⁠One Eighty: A Return to Disciple Making⁠ ⁠Saturate⁠ ⁠Soma Churches⁠ Youth Pastors Summit | East:⁠⁠ DISCOUNT CODE: Register today with CYPS20OFF for a total of $50 off the regular registration rate. Get Connected! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Blog & Episode write-up⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join our Mailing List! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Share a Canadian Church Story⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

SouthCrest Church Sunday morning message, 1/28/24. The battle is spiritual. Our Gospel Fluency 101 series continues with Growth Pastor Caleb Warren helping us understand the Enemy is trying to skew the Truth away from what God's word tells us. To be Gospel fluent we have to let the truths of the Gospel inform our thoughts, feelings and actions.

In this episode, Dale and Veronica Partridge delve into the concept of a Gospel-Filled home, emphasizing the importance of parents' salvation. They also explore topics such as Gospel Clarity, Gospel Fluency, Gospel Chatter, and Gospel Relationships within the home. To listen to part 2 of this episode on Dale and Veronica's Top Tools to Sustain a Gospel-Filled Home, subscribe to the Relearn App. Listen Here: https://app.relearn.org/tabs/listen/audiobooks/26832

SouthCrest Church Sunday morning message, 1/21/24. We cannot keep hidden what we love, or we talk about what we love. Senior Pastor Matt McFadden continues our Gospel Fluency 101 series in Mark 10:17-31 from that idea: we cannot keep hidden what we love. Who has control of your heart? For it to be Jesus, we must know Him, we must study His Gospel, we must ask questions about Him, and we must spend time with Him. Then, we will talk about Him as we cannot hide our love of Him.

SouthCrest Church Sunday morning message, 1/14/24. We continue our series, Gospel Fluency 101, by realizing that we are all unbelievers: that a gap exists between what we believe about God and the way we live our lives. Teaching from the Romans Road (Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9, 10:13, 5:1, 8:1 & 8:38-39), Senior Pastor Matt McFadden shows us through gospel fluency we fill this gap—this vacillation between believer and unbeliever—by understanding what The Gospel is and what it provides: justification, reconciliation, regeneration and redemption.

A Vision for Gospel Fluency | Gospel Kingdom Mission by Christ Covenant

SouthCrest Church Sunday morning message, 1/7/24. We begin our new series, Gospel Fluency 101, guided by Jeff Vanderstelt's book “Gospel Fluency: Speaking the Truths of Jesus into the Everyday Stuff of Life.” Senior Pastor Matt McFadden introduces the idea of gospel fluency as “christian maturity.” Maturity is not simply arriving at some arbitrary biological age, but rather upon the obtaining of deep understanding. For example, when the subconscious dreams of a person learning a second language are in the new language—the person has become “fluent” when the secondary language flows from them without effort. Fluency requires knowledge, application and immersion.

The Gospel is not something to be kept to ourselves; it's to be shared freely with others. For many Christians, sharing the Gospel is intimidating and overwhelming, but it shouldn't be. We've made it more complicated than God ever intended. Sharing your faith is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. When you're able to identify what made the Gospel good news to you then you can't help but share that with others. As Paul instructs in Colossians 4:2–6, sharing the Gospel effectively means praying for open doors, making the most of your opportunities, and speaking clearly and graciously!

The Gospel is not something to be kept to ourselves; it's to be shared freely with others. For many Christians, sharing the Gospel is intimidating and overwhelming, but it shouldn't be. We've made it more complicated than God ever intended. Sharing your faith is simply one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread. When you're able to identify what made the Gospel good news to you then you can't help but share that with others. As Paul instructs in Colossians 4:2–6, sharing the Gospel effectively means praying for open doors, making the most of your opportunities, and speaking clearly and graciously!

1 Peter 2:9–12 highlights the profound connection between our identity in Christ and our actions. Our new identity in Christ shapes our behavior, emphasizing that we don't earn our identity; it is given to us. Because we've been made different, we're called to live differently among unbelievers so that they can see the beauty of the Gospel and be transformed by its power. Are your actions pointing people to Jesus or away from Him?

1 Peter 2:9–12 highlights the profound connection between our identity in Christ and our actions. Our new identity in Christ shapes our behavior, emphasizing that we don't earn our identity; it is given to us. Because we've been made different, we're called to live differently among unbelievers so that they can see the beauty of the Gospel and be transformed by its power. Are your actions pointing people to Jesus or away from Him?

The New Testament knows no such thing of a churchless Christian. God created us to live in community because other people can see what we can see and can speak the truth of the gospel into areas of our life when we need it the most. The early church understood this and devoted themselves to one another. They realized that we grow most when we go together.

The New Testament knows no such thing of a churchless Christian. God created us to live in community because other people can see what we can see and can speak the truth of the gospel into areas of our life when we need it the most. The early church understood this and devoted themselves to one another. They realized that we grow most when we go together.

We are in a war; an invisible war; a spiritual battle. Satan is our enemy and he attacks us with lies, accusations, and temptations. What lies are you believing? It doesn't have to be that way. God has not left us defenseless.. We combat Satan's lies with God's truth by remembering what God has done in the Gospel and using the armor God has given us.

We are in a war; an invisible war; a spiritual battle. Satan is our enemy and he attacks us with lies, accusations, and temptations. What lies are you believing? It doesn't have to be that way. God has not left us defenseless.. We combat Satan's lies with God's truth by remembering what God has done in the Gospel and using the armor God has given us.

What do you love more than anything else? Take a look at the actions you take and the decisions you make; they demonstrate what you really love. Jesus teaches that what we love comes from our heart. So any lasting change requires a change of heart. When we realize God's love for us in the Gospel, it changes us and causes us to love God in return. And because it's easy for our love to grow cold, we need the Gospel daily, not just once. We constantly need to remind ourselves of God's love and grace.

What do you love more than anything else? Take a look at the actions you take and the decisions you make; they demonstrate what you really love. Jesus teaches that what we love comes from our heart. So any lasting change requires a change of heart. When we realize God's love for us in the Gospel, it changes us and causes us to love God in return. And because it's easy for our love to grow cold, we need the Gospel daily, not just once. We constantly need to remind ourselves of God's love and grace.

Every person on the planet lives under a dominant story which shapes how they view the world, make decisions, and find meaning. Many of us settle for lesser stories that ultimately let us down. The Gospel is the true and better story. When we live under God's story, all of life's biggest questions are answered in a way that gives us purpose and significance. Only the Gospel satisfactorily answers what's truly wrong, how to make it right, and where we can find hope.

Every person on the planet lives under a dominant story which shapes how they view the world, make decisions, and find meaning. Many of us settle for lesser stories that ultimately let us down. The Gospel is the true and better story. When we live under God's story, all of life's biggest questions are answered in a way that gives us purpose and significance. Only the Gospel satisfactorily answers what's truly wrong, how to make it right, and where we can find hope.

Many of us have been in cross-cultural environments where people spoke a language we didn't understand because we weren't fluent. The same thing happens with the Gospel. We think we're sharing the Gospel, but people aren't hearing it as good news. In this series, we're going to discover how to become Gospel Fluent: speaking the truths of Jesus into the everyday stuff of live. The Gospel isn't just a get-out-of-hell free card; it addresses and speaks into every part of our lives. It saves us, sustains us, and grows us into maturity, which is why we need to be Gospel fluent!

Many of us have been in cross-cultural environments where people spoke a language we didn't understand because we weren't fluent. The same thing happens with the Gospel. We think we're sharing the Gospel, but people aren't hearing it as good news. In this series, we're going to discover how to become Gospel Fluent: speaking the truths of Jesus into the everyday stuff of live. The Gospel isn't just a get-out-of-hell free card; it addresses and speaks into every part of our lives. It saves us, sustains us, and grows us into maturity, which is why we need to be Gospel fluent!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

Message from Jeff Vanderstelt on August 27, 2023

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

If you've been listening to the Gospel for Life for a while, you'll know that you never graduate from the Gospel. It is, for lack of a better term, the Gospel for all of our lives! However, sometimes we get so enveloped in that fact, we lose some of the specifics. For this series, the Pastors return to their roots, per se, and define the Gospel, asking what it means to be truly fluent in the Gospel. For more information about this group, please visit their website at reformationboise.com. If you have a question, comment, or even a topic suggestion for the Pastors, you can email them here. There is only one rule: Be Kind!

Jun 11, 2023Neil McClendon, Lead PastorThe Beauty of Gospel FluencyActs 6:8-7:81. Christianity is historical before its personalThere is a two-fold beauty to Gospel fluency...questions get answered that were not being asked things begin to make sense that didn't before2. God is not a god of place, v. 3Stephen was charged with two things: he speaks against the Temple- where God liveshe speaks against the Law- where we live3. God knows our future better than we do, v. 4-54. God knows your children's future better than you do, v. 6-75. God has always wanted a people more than a place, v. 8“Thus says the Lord:  Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; where is the house that you would build for me, and what is the place of my rest? All these things my hand has made and so all these things came to be, declares the Lord. But this is the one to whom I look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.”          -Isaiah 66:1-2“When Abram was ninety-nine years old the Lord appeared to Abram and said to him, “I am God Almighty; walk before me, and be blameless, 2 that I may make my covenant between me and you, and may multiply you greatly.” 3 Then Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, 4 “Behold, my covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. 6 I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you. 7 And I will establish my covenant between me and you and your offspring after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your offspring after you. 8 And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession, and I will be their God.” 9 And God said to Abraham, “As for you, you shall keep my covenant, you and your offspring after you throughout their generations. 10 This is my covenant, which you shall keep, between me and you and your offspring after you: Every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you.”                                                                                                                                               -Genesis 17:1-11Mental worship…Are you ever guilty of “temple thinking?” Meaning, you live one way on Sunday and differently the rest of the week. What would change in the way you relate to God if you believed that He knew everything about your future? How would your parenting change if you embraced the truth that God knows your kids future better than you do?Do you understand the relationship between “this”, “that” and “after that?”