Unstoppable Gospel

Gregg Matte

Description

The path of least resistance is seldom the path of greatest impact. This is a truth that the apostles knew intrinsically, but from which we, the modern church, seem to shy away. They boldly proclaimed the Gospel, in season and out of season. We want to avoid risk, avoid stepping on toes, avoid any bad publicity that might come with going out on a limb. But much like the first rockets to leave Earth's atmosphere, giant leaps forward in God's kingdom don't come without a big vision and a great big dose of risk.In Unstoppable Gospel, pastor Gregg Matte calls readers to take up the task of the early church and go change the world. He shows how using ordinary, everyday people has been God's plan from the beginning and how we all have a part in that plan. He shares many practical ways Christians can get involved in their churches and communities to take advantage of the countless opportunities God provides for us to make a lasting kingdom impact in our world.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 27 octobre 2015
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493400560
• Langue: English

Extrait

© 2015 by Gregg Matte
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2015
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-0056-0
Scripture quotations are from the Holman Christian Standard Bible, copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
“Inspiring, challenging, propelling. This book reminds us that God accomplishes the extraordinary through the ordinary. Gregg Matte’s Unstoppable Gospel is a brilliant reminder that we are all invited into a story much bigger than we could ever imagine.”
— Louie Giglio , Passion City Church/Passion Conferences
“What I’ve always admired and appreciated about Gregg is his ability to communicate with profound wisdom and everyday practicality at the same time. His new book, Unstoppable Gospel , is no exception. To me, this book echoes Paul’s words in Colossians: ‘the mystery is revealed, Christ in you, the hope of glory.’ The gospel is the profound and the practical wrapped together in you and me as followers of Jesus. I am grateful to recommend this good work of writing to all of you.”
— Chris Tomlin , Dove Award – winning worship leader and songwriter
“God has used Gregg Matte to challenge me in my faith for over twenty years now. Gregg is a dynamic storyteller and gifted at making the Bible come alive in a real, applicable way. In his new book, Unstoppable Gospel , that’s exactly what he does as he tells the story of the original church and how God used a few people to change the world forever through the power of the Holy Spirit. If you’re looking for a book that will challenge you, inspire you, and equip you to change your community, nation, and the world for Jesus, then open up the pages of Unstoppable Gospel and start reading. You won’t regret a minute of it!”
— Melanie Shankle , New York Times bestselling author of Sparkly Green Earrings
“ Unstoppable Gospel calls all Christ-followers to rise in our generation to risk it all and change the world! This is the message that the church desperately needs. It is past time to stop playing it safe! Gregg Matte calls us to live out this unstoppable gospel boldly, and then we will see this unstoppable kingdom of God advance exponentially.”
— Dr. Ronnie Floyd , president, Southern Baptist Convention; senior pastor, Cross Church
This book is dedicated to the people of Houston’s First Baptist Church. The book of Acts and Mission 1:8 has changed us forever. This is our story, our journey with God. What a ride! It’s hard to believe God has even more for us. I’m privileged and honored to be your pastor.
Contents
Cover 1
Title Page 2
Copyright Page 3
Endorsements 4
Dedication 5
Acknowledgments 9
Introduction 11
1. Mission in Motion: The Gospel’s Shockwaves Are Just Getting Started 15
2. The Power Line: The Force That Moves God’s Hand 29
3. Going Global: God’s Power Unleashed through the Church 43
4. All Roads to the Cross: Why Jesus Is the Answer to Every Question 55
5. Love in Three Words: Why the Church Exploded 71
6. For Us, Not from Us: Secrets of the Generous Heart 85
7. At the Corner of Now and Eternity: How Life Happens at Intersections 103
8. Courageous at the Flashpoint: Showing Grace under Fire 117
9. Now How Much Would You Pay? The Meaning of Sacrifice 135
10. New and Lasting: When God Transforms 153
11. Connecting the Dots: Following the Divine Line 169
12. Prayer vs. Pride: The Difference between Freedom and Death 185
13. Unstoppable Impact: Four Groups to Touch Forever 201
Appendix 1: Taking the Next Step in Prayer 215
Appendix 2: Mission 1:8 Ministries 218
Notes 220
About the Author 224
Back Cover 225
Acknowledgments
I have learned through the years that I’m a speaker who writes, not a writer who speaks. Both are needed, but as a friend once told me, “You have to find your lane.” So there are many people I would like to thank for their contribution to Unstoppable Gospel .
My research team volunteers at Houston’s First Baptist Church: your prayer, wisdom, and depth are a blessing. My fellow Houston’s First staff and church members: without your hard work Mission 1:8 and countless other ministries would still be only ideas. It is an honor to serve with you.
My editor, Jim Denney: I’m grateful for your work and skill. My literary agent, Don Gates: your expertise has opened new doors for me. Lifeway: for producing the accompanying study guide. My publisher, Baker Books: I’m glad to be on your team. Thank you for all you have done to make this book a reality.
My family and friends who have been such an encouragement: you are a shaping influence in my life.
Greyson and Valerie: I’m so proud to be your dad. Great days are ahead of you and I pray you live these pages.
My wife, Kelly: words are too few to describe my love for you. No one on Planet Earth has supported and listened to me more on this book. I’m grateful to have you as my wife and best friend.
Most of all I’m thankful to Jesus, who knows me better and loves me more than anyone. I’m so amazed at how He has blessed me and is using me.
Introduction
In April 2012, the cover of Newsweek magazine depicted Jesus dressed in a denim jacket, plaid shirt, and a crown of thorns, standing on a Manhattan street. The headline read, “Forget the Church. Follow Jesus.” 1
Forget the church? We hear this refrain all the time these days. Some people ask, “Can’t I just be spiritual? Can’t I have Jesus without going to church?”
It’s easy to understand why many are frustrated with the church. We see divided churches where Christians can’t get along. We see churches that are little more than theological debating societies that have no impact on the world around them. And there’s that time-honored gripe, “The church is full of hypocrites.”
Are there hypocrites in the church? Sure. A few, but not as many as some people think. Hypocrites, after all, are people who pretend to be something they’re not. From where I sit, there aren’t all that many hypocrites in the church. I think the problem is that when people say “hypocrites,” they really mean “sinners.” And yes, the church is loaded with people struggling with sin.
But that doesn’t mean we’re all hypocrites. It simply means we’re all human , and we’re struggling to become more and more like Christ. As someone once said, “If you find the perfect church, don’t join it—you’ll ruin it.”
If you’ve ever read 1 and 2 Corinthians, you know that all the ills of the church today were commonplace in the first-century church in Corinth: divisiveness, immorality, backstabbing, and more. From New Testament times the church has been plagued by the sins, pettiness, and failings of its people. The church has long had an image problem, and there have always been those willing to write the church off as a failed institution.
Even some Christians want us to forget the church. But Jesus has not left that option open to us. He has made no provision for us to follow Him while living in isolation from other believers. Instead, He tells us, “On this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it” (Matt. 16:18). This comes on the heels of Jesus asking, “Who do you say I am?”
He confirmed His deity and then the vehicle by which He would become known on earth in perpetuity: the church. And before He went to the cross, Jesus prayed that we Christians would live together in love (see John 14–17).
We know that “Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy” (Eph. 5:25–26). We’re also told that the church has an exalted mission before it: “This is so God’s multi-faceted wisdom may now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavens” (3:10). God has put into motion an unstoppable force—the church. There is nothing like it as a force for good in society.
For all its flaws and failings, the church demonstrates the wisdom of God. And that’s why Satan hates the church, and continually tries to destroy, discredit, and defeat it. So if you hate the church, you need to ask yourself whose side you’re really on. If you’re on God’s side, if you want to be used by God to demonstrate His wisdom to “the rulers and authorities in the heavens,” then you need to learn to love His church.
Jesus loved it—and so should we. His message to us is, “Love Me, love My church. I gave Myself up for it, so how can you love Me while hating My church?”
In my own life, if you hate my bride, Kelly, then I have to assume that you don’t like me much either.
The Lord loves the church, empowers the church, and uses the church to accomplish His purposes. The church is His chosen means of reaching the lost with the Good News of salvation. The church is His vehicle for loving the poor, the sick, the prisoners, the widows, and the orphans.
The biggest difference maker in the heavens and in society is not to be relegated to singing pretty songs once a week; it is to be unleashed as the people of God scatter to neighborhoods and office desks and classrooms. As believers, we are the church . If we want to revive it, that begins with reviving ourselves. God’s purpose is for the church to be more than just an event on Sunday morning; it’s meant to be a fuse lit to unleash the explosive power of a believer’s life.
Do we in the church often seem like a bunch of squabbling, selfish sinners? Absolutely! The church that bears the name of Jesus often fails to demonstrate His character. Yet Jesus will not let us go. In spite of all our flaws and failings, Jesus loves the church—