First, if you do not currently read the Resurgence blog, you should bookmark it. I don't care if you are a Mark Driscoll/Mars Hill fan or not, there is a ton of good stuff on there about teaching, preaching, leading, planting churches, Christ in culture and more.
Second, last night I started a vodcast of Alistair Begg teaching on "The Power of the Cross" and finished here in Sorrentos this morning. I was brought to tears a number of times as he covers why the cross is so powerful. The video is from a recent talk at Mars Hill. If you are a pastor or teacher I personally believe this is a must watch/listen. Alistair is one of the great preachers of our time. His combination of deep expositional teaching and powerful application is unusual and refreshing.
One of my fears as a young leader is that we (church leaders) shy away from the centrality, power and necessity of the cross. I wrestle every week with communicating to pre-followers the power of the cross while addressing felt needs. Is it possible that this tension is good? Is it that the answer to the felt need is not more steps on how to be a better employee but that through the cross and Jesus work we are changed people and therefore become better employees? Just hashing out the tension.
You will be encouraged and challenged by Alistairs direct and precise presentation of the Power of the Cross.
1 comment:
I had the priveledge of attending that event, it was amazing and I definitely remember some tears. It came shortly after we as a church had gone through that passage in 1 Corinthians that says "The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God" What an amazing passage of scripture, so much hope and strength comes from it, especially as we live the gospel in our culture.
Speaking of the resurgence website, I am hooked on sermons from Matt Chandler at www.thevillagechurch.net and I think they might be right up your alley. The Ecclesiastes series is especially awesome. Matt also has a pod/vodcast from when he spoke at the Resurgence Conference that talks about how he came into ministry. Seriously check it out if you haven't already.
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