God made humanity in a way that it’s hard to fit us in a nice, clean box. Generalities are easily broken, this issue is no exception. First, let’s blow up the idea that “Going” must take place outside the church walls. We saw one of the greatest ways a church was able to reach those around them after September 11th, 2001 was to have a building. When God shakes someone to the core they generally head to a church building, they think the people there know something about God. Additionally, Ed Stetzer’s research shows most seekers prefer a traditional looking building over a contemporary space.

Second, let’s blow up the idea that “Making” disciples has to happen inside the walls of the church. When you read about William Wilberforce, the Clapham Sect and others who powerfully changed 18th-19th century England for the sake of Christ…you hear a lot about mature Christians living as culture changing disciples, but you hear almost nothing about their church buildings.

Do I have an inny or outy? What type of church do I want to see? I’m convinced a church moves forward on its knees…unashamed of its building…unashamed of God…unashamed of Scripture…and with an equal heart loving the people inside the walls and outside the walls.

Quick setup…these guys were doing a video shoot in a random neighborhood and up came a homeless man…watch what happens next.

I have not suffered very much. I know a little bit of how the Lord uses suffering to bring maturity, and I tell others this. But I don’t want to suffer. The little suffering that I have had has taught me the need to hold more loosely things that are not eternal. It has taught me that God can always be trusted. It has taught me that faith is a muscle, and if not exercised, it atrophies. Suffering has helped me to long to be in the presence of Jesus, where he will wipe away every tear. Suffering sobers. Those who are drunk on life are less useful for service in the church.

Adam and Eve, along with their children, would have lived free of the penalty of death if they didn’t sin. They would have continued in the garden with healthy bodies forever. Sin was already in existence, being committed by Satan and a third of the angels. But when sin interacted with humankind the PENALTY was death. We are all still immortal, but death brings a breakdown of our bodies and a premature end to our life on earth and a beginning to an existence elsewhere.

As children of Adam we still are subject to death. Those who are children of God, are freed from the penalty of death, our bodies are raised one day with Jesus. Those without Christ still bear the penalty of death and continue in their immortality separated from all that is good. We all desire that those people will be annihilated one day, but Scripture teaches us it is just for their existence to continue.

No one has ever been able to shake this penalty (except Enoch and Elijah). Death is known as the last enemy. Alexandar the Great conquered every enemy on the planet, but in his early 30’s he was conquered by death. Osama bin Laden cannot hide from death. It is an enemy which wins every time. The wheel grinds slowly for some, but it grinds nonetheless. The miracle through Christ is that he conquered death. It took him on the cross, but He conquered it by rising from the dead. The death of death in the life of Christ. Those who believe in Him will not continue perishing but will follow Him and have everlasting life!

Matt Chandler demonstrates the difference between preaching which can easily be Bible-lite / man-centered versus preaching consumed with Jesus.

I have first-hand experience, as a preacher, knowing it is easy to move into the first camp tickling the ears of listeners. It is faithful, I believe, to be in the second camp. It requires more out of the life of the preacher to be consumed with Christ in life and preaching but leads more clearly to the One who is the center of it all. Thank you Matt for your courage and seeing/communicating this clearly.