Preaching Daily - October 12

Today's Reading...

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. - Ephesians 5:11

Weaving Gospel Fluency into Every Sunday Message

The apostle Paul instructed the church in Ephesus that the means by which we help each other grow up in every way in Christlikeness is by speaking the truth in love (Eph. 4:15). What is the truth? In verse 21, Paul says “the truth is in Jesus.” In other words, if we are going to grow people up into Christlikeness in every way, we need to learn how to speak the truths of Jesus Christ into everything.

I call this gospel fluency.
I believe God wants his people to become gospel fluent. He wants them to be able to translate the world around them and the world inside of them through the lens of the gospel–the truths of God revealed in the person and work of Jesus. Gospel-fluent people think, feel, and perceive everything in light of what has been accomplished in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The gospel becomes their native tongue because through it they were born again. It is by the gospel that they find themselves growing up into Christ. And they are convinced that the gospel will keep them to the end and perfect them into the true image of Christ one day.

As they believe this and grow in fluency, they also learn how to speak the good news of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection to the everyday stuff of life–into work and money, sex and relationships, marriage and parenting, rest and work. And as they grow in gospel fluency, they not only grow up into maturity themselves, but also help others to grow up as well. Fluency requires immersion. People must be immersed in a gospel community where gospel conversations happen daily and gospel preaching happens regularly.

Those of us who preach have a very important part to play in developing gospel fluency in God’s people. We are called to model being gospel fluent in our everyday lives, but we are also called to equip the church in gospel fluency through our teaching and preaching ministry. So, how do we do that?

(Read the full article here.)

Today’s Pastoral Resource...

Spice

SermonSpice exists to equip pastors, church leaders, and worship leaders with powerful visual media to spice up sermons, teachings, and worship experiences. Use this free download to spice up your service this weekend.