At this year’s Southern Baptist Convention in Houston The Gospel Project is hosting a discussion panel on Christ-Centered Preaching and Teaching. Ed Stetzer will moderate the panel with Trevin Wax, Eric Hankins, and Jon Akin. We are working with several publishers to give each attendee free resources on Christ-Centered preaching and teaching. There will also be a free breakfast. We only have room for 350 so sign up soon because I am confident that this is going to fill up fast.

Here are the details;

Christ-Centered Preaching and Teaching: A Discussion Panel
Tuesday June 11, 2013
George R. Brown Convention Center
Room 351A-F on Level 3
6:30 a.m. to 8:00 a.m.

 REGISTER HERE

For those of you who may not yet have a copy of Simple Church, I have good news. It is available for free as a digital download today. If you happen to choose to download it via Amazon, it’s only $0.99. It’s pretty tough to beat that deal.

So, go check it out and also be looking for Dr. Rainer’s newest book, “I am a church member,” which will be in stores this Wednesday.

Barnes & Noble

ChristianBook.com

iTunes

Amazon (99 cents)

And He personally gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, some pastors and teachers, for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness

While this passage is not unknown to most pastors, I am not sure we have really considered the application of the text. I see four major implications of this text that cannot be missed by those who are leaders in the church.

1. God gives the church leaders. (11)

Leaders are not in their role simply because of giftedness, or desire, though both of those things are important. Leaders exist in their roles, first and foremost, because God has ordained that they be there. Your role as a church leader is a commission; an assignment from the God of the universe. It cannot and should not be approached with lazy, half-hearted effort. Leaders are given, as a personal gift from God. Notice the text. Leaders do not just exist. They do not just exist because God put them there. They exist as God’s gift to the church. The idea here is that church leaders are intended by God to be a good, and gracious gift to the church.

2. Leaders equip the body. (12a)

It is difficult to overstate this. God does not give us church leaders so that they can simply “do ministry.” This text reminds us that He gives us leaders to equip the body, as a whole, to do ministry. In the American church we have even modified our vocabulary about the vocational expectation of a pastor to indicate that when we assume certain aspects of pastoral leadership that are focused on serving the needs of others we are now known as being “pastoral.” This belies a belief that what it means to be pastoral is to minister to the needs of others. This is unfortunate because, not only is it not faithful to the biblical text, but it is enabling, rather than equipping the church.

While this practice can sound noble, and while the pastor should certainly be a servant, we do a disservice to the people we serve and the kingdom of God, if we as leaders do the ministry that God has called the whole church to do. I want to suggest that while “pastoral ministry” is part of our responsibility as the body of Christ, the unique responsibility of the church leader is not to be extraordinarily good at “doing ministry”, but instead to invest our lives equipping the body to serve.

Not only that, though, the bible is clear that the ministry will not be done well, when we assume that posture, and the church will not grow, when we assume that posture.

Far too often we have developed a form of church that reflects our consumer driven society. “Church” is where people go to receive goods and services, and the pastor’s job is to deliver those goods and services. In this model,  we don’t create disciples, we create customers.

3. The body is built up. (12b-15)

The ability of the church to be built into the image of Jesus is dependent upon the leadership training and handing off ministry. Allow me to say that again. The ability of the church to be built into the image of Jesus is dependent upon the leadership training and handing off ministry. This cannot be stressed enough. The spiritual growth and maturity of the church is incredibly dependent upon the church leadership’s capacity to develop the body to serve in ministry.

Colossians 1:28-29 reminds us, We proclaim Him, warning and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 29 I labor for this, striving with His strength that works powerfully in me

I know so many pastors and church leaders who are living out this passage, and yet they are frustrated because much of their effort seems to be ineffective. I want to suggest that our effectiveness as a pastor or church leader is extraordinarily connected to our capacity to hand off ministry others.

Notice how Paul says the church will grow, when leaders are developing others and handing ministry off to them. Paul says that the church will grow in unity, knowledge, doctrinal stability, gracious speech & the character of Jesus. Is it surprising, then, to note that much of these described character traits are absent from the church today? Could it be that our insistence on doing what we should be equipping others to do with us is radically inhibiting our churches?

The ability of the church to be built into the image of Jesus is dependent upon the leadership training and handing off ministry. All this is done as Jesus enables it to be so, and it is done to bring him great glory. As we serve passionately, equipping the body for the work of ministry, the body matures into what God intends for them to be. His bride is made perfect (or complete) as they mature, and that maturity does not happen apart from equipping. Notice the progression of the text concerning what Jesus accomplishes in the church, as leaders equip the church instead enable the church.

4. Jesus is glorified. (16)

All this equipping, this “building up of the body” is done as Jesus enables it to be so, and it is done to bring him great glory. As we serve passionately, equipping the body for the work of ministry, the body matures into what God intends for them to be. His bride is made perfect (or complete) as they mature, and that maturity does not happen apart from equipping. Notice the progression of the text concerning what Jesus accomplishes in the church, as leaders equip the church instead enable the church. The text explicitly points out that when church leaders equip the body, this is what would happen in the church:

- Jesus brings the church together (unity in diversity)

- Jesus makes the church grow

- Jesus increases the church’s capacity to love

- Jesus helps every believer to reach their potential

Ultimately, in the end, all of these things serve to make us like Jesus and advance Jesus’ mission. If we want to lead churches to be like Jesus; if we want to lead churches to advance Jesus’ mission, then we must determine to do the hard work of equipping the people. We must hand off ministry. Unfortunately, the reality is that in too many churches this kind of ministry shift would be challenging. Objections are sure to come from lazy church members who are happy as consumers, but I fear that the greatest objections will come from pastors who are fearful of doing the hard work of leading this kind of change, or who feel personally fulfilled when the church is radically reliant on them being Pastor Superman.

Remember this radically important lesson. You church’s mission effectiveness is directly tied to ministry multiplication. Yes, this is hard. It may even be costly, both personally and professionally, but I am confident that the future success of the church is dependent upon it.

*This was originally posted at ProjectTGM where I am also a regular contributor.

This Sunday they begin another new chapter, and an incredibly remarkable one, in my mind. Over 7 years ago they moved from Florida, where my dad was a Director of Missions at the Holmes Baptist Association, to begin a new ministry as church planters in heavily unreached, rural, southwest Wisconsin. Through their faithfulness and tenacious spirit, Heartland Church in Muscoda, Wisconsin was born. Meeting every Sunday evening in a local movie theatre, they have seen God move and are reaching people in that area of the state. After a bit of time there, my dad was asked to consider becoming an interim pastor at another church, and he and my mom gladly assumed leadership at Blue River Valley Church along with their duties at Heartland. Their typical Sunday includes leading Blue River Valley on Sunday morning, and then leading Heartland on Sunday evenings. In addition to this, not long ago he was approached by another area church. First Baptist Church of Richland Center approached and asked him if he would consider serving as their interim pastor. After much prayer, they decided that they would respond to this call, and so beginning this Sunday, my dad will begin leading a 3rd church each Sunday. He will be preaching each week at 8:15, 10:45 and 6:30 in the respective congregations. Leading one church, a church plant none-the-less, is a herculean task, but to also help lead two other churches, albeit in an interim capacity, is an incredible commitment that evokes an image of a circuit rider in the frontier areas in days of old. In a very rural area, where there are few people willing to lead smaller churches, and even fewer who are qualified to serve as pastors, I am thankful for the faithfulness of my parents who love Jesus, love the people of southwest Wisconsin, and are willing to give themselves to that end, without any promise of recognition and gain. To be honest, I do not know that there is any way I could do what they do.

Thankfully they are not alone. The evangelical landscape is replete with other examples of faithful servants who lead well, and who honor Jesus. So today, as my parents prepare to take on this new task, I am thankful for superheroes of the faith, like them, and I have great hope for the advance of the gospel because of them. I hope, as you read this, it will encourage you to pray and encourage those who you know who are serving in incredible, yet often little-known ways, thanking God for their kingdom vision and faithfulness.

Same-Sex Marriage

Same-sex marriage is coming. As of this moment it has not been recognized by the Supreme Court, but I have little doubt that it is coming. While it may not ultimately be determined by the Supreme Court, it will certainly be determined by the court of public opinion and in that domain, those of us who would advocate for a traditional understanding of marriage as a lifelong commitment between a man and a woman have lost. 58% of all Americans now believe the legalization of same-sex marriage is inevitable. 70% of all Millennials support same-sex marriage. Half of all U.S. Senators have now publicly announced support for same-sex marriage and even prominent Republicans are joining that chorus. The verdict may not have been announced yet but, apart from an act of God, the verdict is now in. Same-sex marriage will be the law of the land, and it will happen soon.

With that said, I think the ramifications run deep. The increasing marginalization for those who support traditional marriage will only pick up speed as these decisions are ratified in the public square. It would not surprise me to see Christians who embrace traditional marriage, during my lifetime, viewed with much the same disdain as those who embrace white supremacy are currently viewed. Obviously this will increasingly diminish a conservative Christian ethic from the general acceptance in the marketplace and serve to push conservative Christianity to the margins.

Encroaching Secularization

Another troublesome trend that seems to be discouraging many within contemporary Christianity is oft-reported, and regularly referred to as, “the rise of the nones.” This phenomenon is the movement of significant numbers of Americans who previously identified with Christianity and who now identify as having no religious preference. This scares a lot of Christians, and the fear has been fueled by many in the media who may struggle to understand the nuances behind it and are reporting that Christianity is in substantial decline. Thankfully Ed Stetzer, who I work for, has been at the forefront of researchers who have identified that committed Christianity is not actually disappearing, but nominal Christianity is. In other words, what is actually happening is that those who have not really expressed any tangible commitment to their faith, but have previously identified as a follower of Christ, are now acknowledging what has probably been true all along, that is they are not actually believers.

The New Dawn of the Church

In spite of these incredibly fast-changing realities for the American church, I am not nearly as discouraged as one might assume. These changes, among others, would seem to indicate doom for the church, and yet I am convinced that there are reasons for hope.

1. Christianity is strongest as a counter-cultural movement, rather than as a form of civil religion.

In America, we have long been told that America was founded on a “Judeo-Christian ethic.” While this may be true, it has unfortunately led to an unintended problem, namely that Christianity long ago began to be assumed by many inside and outside of the Christianity community. Anytime something is so broadly “known” that it begins to be assumed, or taken for granted, any attempts to learn about it will be subtly, but surely, diminished. Why learn about something that everyone already knows? This has certainly become the position of Christianity in the USA. Our churches are full of Christians who are extraordinarily unfamiliar with their bible, and as a result, they are unfamiliar with their faith. Of course, this is to say nothing about those outside of the church who are increasingly unfamiliar with the claims of our faith. Beyond this, assuming the faith has led to a diluted faith which is not a clear picture of the faith of Jesus at all.

As Christianity continues to be marginalized, and as those who claim the faith are reduced to only those who are most committed to the faith, this naturally leads us to a place where Christianity is no longer assumed. When it is no longer assumed, it becomes more and more difficult for it to be misunderstood, though it may often be dismissed, allowing the church a unique opportunity to declare and display the unique story of God to the world. This is a good thing.

2. Christianity is strongest when Christianity means something more than nominal identification.

This should be seen as one of the great blessings of “the rise of the nones” across the country. As we find fewer and fewer people who willingly assume the title “Christian” without any tangible commitment to the faith, a substantial barrier to effective evangelism comes down, namely the barrier of false belief. Those who have spent any time in areas cloaked with an aura of Christianity understand how difficult it is to share our faith with people who are far from God, and yet are convinced that they are in the faith.

Another wonderful consequence of the changing moral norms, and the decreasing identification with Christianity, is the number of those who are convinced of their eternal security because of their ability to adhere to a moral code is also reduced. In other words, those who have embraced a sort of moralism as their faith, and interpreted that moralism as Christianity, are going to disappear. This dilution of authentic faith is problematic to gospel expansion, and as it disappears, the growth of the gospel seems more likely. Again, these are good things.

3. Christianity is strongest when we assume a missional posture.

Missional activity occurs most naturally in an environment where Christianity is not regularly seen or understood. I know this is true for me, personally. For instance, when I find myself in a foreign country that is unfriendly to the gospel I find myself more intentional in my behavior and my conversations. I find myself more accommodating, relationally, to those who disagree with me. This is often not true when I am in the majority.

Sadly, my story has too often been the story of the church in America. The church has assumed a position that could be considered anything but missional. Far too regularly we have talked down to those who disagree with us. We speak using verbiage that most do not understand, and we expect them to modify their behavior if they want in our “club.”

As Christianity is marginalized in America; as most are not only non-believers, but are aggressively opposed to our faith, I think the church will find itself increasingly forced into a missional posture. This, of course, is a good thing.

4. Christianity has historically thrived when it is the minority.

History tells us that Christianity is most sharp; it is most clear and it is most aggressive, when it is in the minority. It is when the faith becomes generally accepted as normative that the church begins to function lazily, when lethargic, and even lapsed faith often becomes the norm and the church begins to decline. We have seen this over and over throughout the millennia.

So the decline of the church’s supposed influence may, in fact, be the spark that leads to a renaissance of our faith. Even, potentially, the persecution of those who identify with Jesus could be a blessing. It was early church father Tertullian, after all, who reminds us that “the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.” While I do not foresee martyrdom coming in the U.S., his point stands. The isolation and marginization of the church may end up being the fuel that drives her growth. This is a good thing.

To be fair, it should also be noted that history does not always indicate the best future for post-Christian corners of the world. The Middle East and Western Europe are not exactly shining examples of our faith on display after Christianity has moved off the scene as a dominant force.

In light of all of the above, I think the church should approach the future with some level of brevity. We should be aware of the challenges that are ahead of us, but we should not run in fear. The future can be bright, for all the reasons I laid out, and even more. Most of all, the future is bright because God is good, he is still sovereign and he loves his bride, the church. And this is a great thing!

Abortion is quite possibly the most horrific of all evils across the spectrum of the USA since our country was founded. In spite of its horror, what has gone on in Kermit Gosnell’s facility takes abortion to a whole new level of evil. It is so horrific, it seems that to me, that even the most strident abortion supporter should find it appalling. For those of us who oppose abortion, let us never forget what is occurring under the guise of protection of a personal right to privacy, and let us pray for those involved. May God forgive us.

*Warning* The articles posted, and the video below, feature horrific and disturbing details.

3801 Lancaster from 3801Lancaster on Vimeo.

This book is an interesting one, to me. In one sense, the strength of the book is also its weakness. The strength of the book is its very real, and personal portrayal of the life of someone walking toward Jesus. The path is full of stumbling, and fear, and ultimately leads toward grace. Along the way, though, things are organic and messy and are rarely packaged neatly. The book reflects this very real, honest portrayal. It is not so much a polished example of professional writing – though the writing is very good – as much as it is very similar to listening as Butterfield sits down beside us and shares her story with us. It is very much a story. With that said, this story, I think, can also be part of the weakness of the book. While her personal narrative is strong and compelling, there are a few times when, in an effort to reveal some of the process through which she has come, Butterfield spends a fair amount of time walking through various theological perspectives, none more consistently than her interpretation of the Regulative Principle of Worship. These excurses are obviously important to her, but they seem to detract from the strength of the personal narrative, in my opinion. However, as I said, these theological distinctions are important to her personal narrative, therefore I understand why she would include them.

What may have encouraged me most about this book, apart from the compelling story of her own experience with grace, is the story of the Christians that she interacted with who helped lead her to Jesus. Their willingness to love and accept her, along with their wisdom and intelligence, as well as a personal commitment to living out their faith, paint a different picture than the one we all too often see when we hear about evangelical Christianity in the marketplace.

This book is extraordinarily readable and is quite compelling. The narrative of redemption and grace; the transformation from adamant anti-Christian professor, to grace-filled pastors wife, is tremendous. I would highly encourage you to go out and get a copy for yourself, and maybe a few to give away.

As I understand it, the only store where you can purchase a copy, as of this writing, is in a LifeWay Christian Store, so go find your local LifeWay, and pick up a copy. If a digital copy is more your speed, you can order that through Amazon by clicking here.

Today Amazon is offering the Kindle version of the book for just $2.99! If you do not own this yet, you need to go get this book. Trust me on this. You can purchase it by clicking here.

If my recommendation is not enough, you should consider the list of endorsements that accompany the book. Person after person who reads this book lifts it up as an incredible example of God on mission, and his preservation of his church.

So, let me say it again, go buy this book! For only $2.99, there is no reason to avoid it. 

The Insanity of God is a book you could read in a single sitting but you won’t. You can’t. Time and again you will have to stop, go aside, and weep. At times you will weep for our suffering brothers and sisters around the world who experience persecution for King Jesus as normal Christianity. At other times you will weep for joy at how the gospel continues to run wide across the globe in spite of demonic opposition. And, you will also weep as the anemic and tepid “Christianity” of the American Church is exposed for the shameful counterfeit it too often is. I was literally “undone” by this book. I will not be the same for reading it. Be warned: neither will you!”

Daniel L. Akin
President, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary

What can I possibly say about this book? It completely and utterly wrecked me. Half the time I found myself sitting in heartbreaking silence on the verge of tears, and the other half I found myself want­ing to shout and dance over some of the stories. No one will read this book and be the same person after the last page. If you want a front row seat to the raw, potent, heart transforming power of Jesus, this book is a must read.

Jeff Bethke
Author, Why I Hate Religion, But Love Jesus

This is a book that every well-meaning Christian ought to read. It gives the most comprehensive overview of what life is like for the true followers of Jesus who are willing to pay the whole price for following Him. Extremely touching at times. It makes you cry and it makes you laugh. But remember they are your brothers and mine. Therefore we have a responsibility of standing with them as part of the body of Christ worldwide.

Brother Andrew
Founder, Open Doors International
Author, God’s Smuggler and Secret Believers

The Insanity of God is a compelling, convicting and life changing book. This true story grips you from the introduction and keeps you reading page after page. You will weep as you read about persecution around the world. You will fall under conviction as you read about the commitment of Christians in dark places who risk their own lives to share the good news of Jesus. You will be encouraged as you real­ize that the power of the gospel supersedes evil and the malevolent intentions of men. In the end you will come away with a renewed sense of faith in God who truly is enough, even in the face of extreme persecution.

Dr. Mac Brunson
Pastor, First Baptist Church Jacksonville, FL

In his book, The Insanity of God, Nik Ripkin takes us on a journey of extreme emotional highs and lows to demonstrate that our lim­ited understanding of events in our lives is only one piece of God’s larger puzzle of fulfillment and salvation. This book puts our daily struggles into perspective and leaves us inspired and ready for the next challenge.

Dr. Ben Carson
Benjamin S. Carson, Sr., M.D. and Dr. Evelyn Spiro, R.N. Professor of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine
President and Cofounder, The Carson Scholars Fund
Author, Gifted Hands

Not only was Jesus persecuted, so are his followers to this day around the world. This is a heart-breaking, faith-stretching, insider’s look at what it means to pick up your cross and follow Jesus.

Mark Driscoll
Founding & Preaching Pastor of Mars Hill Church
Founder of Resurgence
Cofounder of Acts 29
NY Times #1 Best-selling Author

The story is gripping; the crisis is universal.

John Eldredge
Author, Wild At Heart and Beautiful Outlaw

We are in danger of rapidly losing what it means to feel compassion for those held in the grip of sin on this broken planet. After glancing at a few fleeting photos and hearing the usual review of “today’s tragedies” on each evening’s network news, we casually top off the evening with a little “weather and sports” before plodding off to an undisturbed sleep. But for Jesus, the very sight of those crushed beneath the boot of the Adversary was nothing short of gut-wrenching. He was compelled to do something about it! Now Nik Ripken takes you on a personal, real life journey with Jesus into the dark, back-alleys of human depravity where only Christ’s love can overcome. With remarkable clarity, this gifted writer transports you into a world where, through the blood-stained glass of persecution, the light of Christ shines brightly.

Tom Elliff
President, International Mission Board

In The Insanity of God we are reminded of the power of the gospel to save using biographical sketches that most of us in the American church will struggle to comprehend. Deeply moving, intensely powerful and challenging describes the stories contained in these pages. I cannot rec­ommend it strongly enough. This book will help you walk closely with Jesus and challenge you to take great risks for the sake of His name.

Micah Fries
Lead Pastor, Frederick Boulevard, St. Joseph, MO

Nik and Ruth Ripken have long been heroes of mine as I have watched and admired them from afar, drawing personal inspiration from their passion, faith, and resilience that comes from the Resurrection Lord they serve. More than once I have been encouraged to keep going, because they kept going, overcoming challenges that would crush lesser souls. In this, I am not alone. Around the world, I have met countless young missionaries who trace their pilgrimage back to the influence of Nik and Ruth.

The Insanity of God merges the Ripkens’ story with those of hun­dreds of other heroes of the faith who did not consider their present sufferings worth comparing to the glory that will one day be revealed in them. These stories bear telling, and hearing, and reproducing. You need to hear these stories that the Ripkins have rescued from this world’s prisons, gulags and shadows. I pray that they will do for you what they have done for me: encourage you to shake off your slumber and press on to the high calling that is ours in Christ Jesus.

David Garrison
Author, Church Planting Movements

A touching, deeply stirring book about the seriousness of the Great Commission. This book rekindled my passion to do all that God is leading me to do for the nations, to expect and attempt great things. I am grateful for the grace that drips off every page of this great work.

J.D. Greear
Lead Pastor, The Summit Church

If there’s one thing many desire, it’s going deeper and knowing the God of the Bible intimately. When one takes the trip of following Jesus to the ends of the earth, having previously counted the cost, died to self, surrendered fully to His call, they may then know the reality of 2 Timothy 3:12, “all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suf­fer persecution.” The Insanity of God will stretch you to new places of trusting God for the impossible in reaching the nations, at any cost.

Johnny Hunt
Pastor, First Baptist Church, Woodstock, GA

In this life-changing book, Nik Ripken recounts his adventures as one who walked in faith, hoping against hope, obeying God’s call regard­less of its costs in hardships, pains, and bewilderments. To the list of the heroes of faith in Hebrews 11, we may add our contemporaries who took God’s Word seriously, and at any cost! I heartily recom­mend this epic story as a necessary “vitamin” to help Christians live out their faith in this terribly secular age, demonstrating that we walk by faith, and not by sight.

Bassam Michael Madany
Middle East Resources

Nik Ripken has told a great story, and in doing so he has made it clear that the question every believer must answer is whether we have the courage to bear the consequences of obediently exercising our freedom to be salt and light to all peoples, wherever they live. Perhaps Nik has put it best when he says, “Perhaps the question should not be, ‘Why are others persecuted?’ Perhaps the better question is, ‘Why are we not?’”

John Maxwell
New York Times Best-selling Author

This is not a book. It’s a soul earthquake. You don’t read it as much as you experience it, and when it’s done with you, you’ll never be the same. Ripken’s story is one of those that shows up once in a genera­tion, and everyone I know needs to read it. ‘The Insanity of God’ may very well be the book of the century.

Johnnie Moore
Vice President, Liberty University
Author, Dirty God: Jesus in the Trenches

You see, the truth is that discipline does not have the capacity to give us joy, to fill us with satisfaction or to captivate our affections. In fact, on its own discipline does exactly the opposite. It brings restriction, frustration and inhibits our ability grow in our affection for Jesus.

As I have grown in my faith I have slowly realized that discipline is not a joy, but is in fact almost like death if it is not first preceded by delight in the person and character of God. This simple little truth has absolutely transformed the way I see Jesus and the way in which I am able to practice discipline. In fact, in all my years as a believer, I cannot count the number of times I have heard someone reference some sort of need for discipline, but all too rare were messages about the importance of being satisfied with God.

This was really driven home to me not long ago when I sat down to read all four gospels in one sitting. In doing so, I was amazed at how consistently John’s gospel refers to our relationship with God in terms of physical satisfaction. The gospel is referred to in terms of water and bread, among other things. The point that John is making is that God is soul-satisfying like nothing else is. When we come to him, we drink and we eat and we are satisfied. In addition to John, there are so many references, throughout scripture, to being satisfied with God. Psalm 22:26, Psalm 119:57, Isaiah 55:1-2, John 4:14 & John 6:53-58 are but just a few examples of the goodness and satisfaction that are found in God.

As I read through that gospel it occurred to me that this is, in fact, what makes discipline beautiful, and this is equally what has been missing so often in what I hear about discipline. Discipline is only life-giving if it comes in response to the satisfaction of the soul. In other words, our efforts to restrict things in our life should come as a response to something else, namely God, wholly and completely satisfying us. As we, like the woman at the well, receive the gift of eternal water from Jesus, we find that it so deeply and completely satisfies that eliminating other things is no problem because our apetite has already been thoroughly quenched. Taking this one step further, we need to then be reminded that this applies to the killing of sin in our life as well. The great Puritan John Owen once famously said, “Be killing sin or sin will be killing you.” However, it is important to remember that the method to killing sin in our life isn’t starving it, it is drinking deeply of something else, something wholly satisfying, that is Jesus.

So yes, discipline is a vital aspect of a maturing faith. It points us to Jesus, and walks with us in satisfaction, but it, in itself does not satisfy. If you try to walk the path of discipline without first drinking deeply of the truth of the gospel and the person of Jesus, your discipline will lead to anger, frustration and eventually abandonment of the gospel. It is only when we are first satisfied with Jesus that we are willing, and glad to abandon those things that are necessary through the act of disciple.