What began as a small vision has grown into a global movement

We live in a world longing for truth, hope, and the transformative power of the gospel.

Dear First,   In 2005, a small group of pastors gathered with a singular conviction: to uphold the gospel of Jesus Christ and equip the church with biblical, faithful resources that would serve every generation. From this conviction, The Gospel Coalition was born. By God's grace, what began as a small vision has grown into a global movement rooted in the unchanging truth of Scripture.   Since those early days, we've witnessed the Lord at work in remarkable ways: Millions of believers around the world have been equipped with biblically sound resources. Churches have been strengthened through faithful teaching, theological training, and practical tools. New generations of pastors and leaders have been raised up to proclaim the gospel boldly in an ever-changing world. But as we look around, the urgency of our mission has only grown.   We live in a world longing for truth, hope, and the transformative power of the gospel. That's where we, together, can make a difference.   Would you prayerfully consider supporting this work with a financial gift?    Your generosity fuels: The creation of gospel-centered articles, books, and podcasts. Convening and training to equip pastors and leaders with the tools they need. Global initiatives to bring sound theology to underserved regions. Give Today Every gift helps carry forward the mission we started all those years ago: to build up the church, proclaim the gospel, and glorify Christ in everything we do.   Whether you've been with us since the beginning or joined along the way, we're deeply grateful for your partnership. Your prayers and support are vital as we press on toward this God-given mission. Blessings in Christ Jesus,   Daniella Czelusta Senior Major Gift Officer The Gospel Coalition P.S. We are building on the foundation of the gospel for future generations. Let's continue this work—together. Give Today The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

“Oh Love That Will Not Let Us Go” … Thank You.

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH "Oh Love That Will Not Let Us Go" … Thank You. SCOTTY SMITH "I will sing of the Lord's great love forever." Psalm 89:1   Heavenly Father, I have no clue who Ethan the Ezrahite was—the author of Psalm 89 but I love his adoration and awe-filled heart. It's one thing to be doctrinally correct about your love, it's an altogether different thing to be doxologically-smitten with your love. That is, to get your love so fresh and deep into our hearts, we non-singers sing, and we non-dancers dance. By your Spirit, Abba, astonish us afresh with an experience of your great love. Melt, mold, and make our hearts merry with your affection for us in Jesus. When did we stop singing? Where did we lose our song and voice? The Apostle Paul called your love compelling (2Cor.5:14-15) incomparable (1Cor.13:1-13), and so great it's impossible to fully know (Eph.3:14-21). King David labeled your love "better than life" itself (Ps.63:3); and as steadfast, generous, and enduring as the best Shepherd imaginable (Ps.23). Jeremiah pushed the envelope when he told us you love us with an unwavering, never-ending love—full of unfailing kindness (Jer.31:3) John described your love as lavish and fear-expelling (1Jn.3:1; 4:18). Isaiah said your love is as tender as a nursing mother (Isa.49:15,16) and as passionate as a young groom delighting in his new bride (Isa.62:5). And what are we to do with Zephaniah's shocking images of the way you love us? Abba, he said you greatly delight in us, are committed to quiet us with your love, and actually rejoice over us with singing (Zeph.3:17). May it be. Let it be. Do it Abba, for your glory. Indeed, the heck with decorum, restraints, politeness, "staying in our denominational lanes," or not embarrassing ourselves or anybody else … fill us to overflowing with your matchless love.  So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

Imagine Your Heart Filled with These 7 “I Will’s”

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Imagine Your Heart Filled with These 7 "I Will's" SCOTTY SMITH   "They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will  give them one heart and one way, that they may worship me forever—for their good and their children's good. I will make with them an everlasting covenant, and I will  never stop doing good to them. I will  put awe and adoration of me in their hearts—so they will never turn from me. I will  rejoice in doing them good and I will  assuredly plant them in this land—doing both with all my heart and all my soul."  Jeremiah 32:38–41    Heavenly Father, thank you! I came upon this passage again today like treasure hidden in the field of my distracted, busy heart. Oh my… Oh glorious my… the 7 "I will's" in these four verses are promises only you could make—promises you fully keep through the Gospel.    You gave us a new heart and made us your beloved people when you drew us, redeemed us, and gave us to Jesus (Jn.6:37). Thank you, Abba. The New Covenant is the everlasting covenant you made with us through Jesus' life, death, and resurrection—and it's all by grace, from beginning to end. Hallelujah!    Now and forever, you will never stop doing good to us, Abba—always doing so with great joy and incomparable delight. Please free us from our unbelief, because, quite honestly, this seems too good to be true. But even when we're on your Potter's wheel of liberation, healing, change, and discipline (sanctification), your love for us is unwavering and you rejoice over us with loud singing. Hallelujah!    And, Abba, as fully as you have already hidden our lives in Jesus (Col.3:1-4), you will ""plant us in the ultimate land of the new heaven and new earth—with all your heart and soul (Rev.21-22). Until that Day, Abba, supersize our awe and adoration of you, because we want to love you as you love us, with all our heart and soul. So Very Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

👉🏻 Join Me and Sam Allberry for This Cohort on Sexuality!

Tailored to Equip Pastors and Others in Vocational Ministry. Registration Closes Soon!

View in browser REGISTRATION CLOSES FEBRUARY 27 Hi First,   I would like to invite you to join me and my friend Sam Allberry for a six-week cohort running this March, exploring what Scripture says about sexuality, marriage, and singleness—and how God's design for each points us to Jesus's unending love. But be quick as registration closes on February 27.   Wherever you are ministering today, the Bible's "no" to same-sex sexual relationships may well be seen as an obstacle to faith. That's certainly the case where I live in Cambridge, Massachusetts. But Christian sexual ethics were countercultural from the first, and if we truly understand the Scriptures, we will find we have not a story of hate but a story of love to share with a world as much in need of it as ever before.   This cohort has been tailored to equip pastors and others in vocational ministry theologically, apologetically, and pastorally to lead their churches well on these topics.   Through presentations, exercises, Q&A, and discussions, this cohort will help you do the following: Understand the Bible's "no" to same-sex sexual relationships in the context of the love story of Jesus and his people, and the Bible's "yes" to brotherly and sisterly love Learn how we got to this cultural moment where the biblical vision for marriage, gender, and sexuality is so often viewed as hateful and unloving Grow in your ability to respond compellingly to arguments in favor of same-sex marriage for believers Communicate the biblical vision for both marriage and singleness and move toward a church culture that enfolds all believers in a family of love Explore how the Bible's teaching that God made humans male and female in his image, the impact of the fall, and the promise of embodied resurrection all challenge the trans movement today Think biblically and pastorally about the challenges and opportunities presented by the trans movement FIND OUT MORE Would you or someone you know benefit from going deeper on some of these topics?    We'd love to have you join us!   Rebecca McLaughlin Author and speaker The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Manage preferences

Source, Sum, Substance, Sustainer, and Savior

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Source, Sum, Substance, Sustainer, and Savior SCOTTY SMITH "I (Jesus) am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave" (Rev.1:18)—and of every other door, portal, mystery, and challenge we will ever go through   Lord Jesus, we love your beautiful and bold affirmations in this verse. The "keys" that matter most aren't in the hands of chance, evil, or fate. They are in your hands You will never say, "Oops" or "I didn't see that one coming." Even the "roll of the dice" (Prov.16:33), the "ordering of our steps" (Prov.16:9), and the fall of sparrows and follicles are under your control (Matt.10:29). "Death and the grave," all history and our hope belong to you. Whew, and grant us the grace of acceptance. The implications of these affirmations are far reaching, worry sabotaging, and hope igniting. We don't have to fear getting older, global anything, meteors crashing to earth, rain falling on our parades, the next catastrophe, or our family not making it on the cover of "Kind Parents and Perfect Children." You have the keys, Jesus, because you are the key—the source, sum, substance, sustainer, and Savior. Abba has entrusted to you "all authority in heaven and on earth" (Matt. 28:18). History is your storyboard of redemption and restoration. You don't just have the keys, but also the steering wheel, GPS, chosen route, and perfectly timed arrival date, and eternal destination. Forgive us for acting like impatient car-seated 3-year-olds asking, "Are we there yet?" Or annoying backseat drivers questioning your awareness, "Weren't we supposed to turn back there, Jesus? You do know this is a 25 mph, zone, right?" Hallelujah, you aren't slow to keep your promises—you are merciful (2Pet.3:9). Wow, are you merciful. So VERY Amen. Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.

In All Our Striving, Let’s Strive to Rest in God’s Rest

Heavenward. Read the latest from Scotty Smith's blog.

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH In All Our Striving, Let's Strive to Rest in God's Rest SCOTTY SMITH "The promise of entering God's rest still stands… We who have believed enter that rest… Whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Let us therefore strive to enter that rest." (Heb. 4:1-3, 9-11).   Heavenly Father, on this 1st Sunday in February, 2025, I rejoice in the magnificent paradox and glorious irony this Scripture presents: We are to strive to rest—to strain to not strain… to stay restless till we rest fully in you… to work hard to cease working… to "sweat" till we don't break a sweat. This is the primary example of how the Gospel contradicts the way we've been taught (brainwashed) life "works"—pun intended. "You deserve it, go earn it." "God helps them who help themselves." "There's no such thing as a free lunch." We may have to pay for lunch, but Jesus paid for our eternal feast, essential rest, and everlasting peace. Hallelujah! There's no greater rest than to know you are at peace with us, Abba—to be certain you are resting in your love towards us, and rejoicing over us with great rejoicing (Zeph.3:17). Sabbath isn't a mere day, it's our only Savior—Jesus, himself. "Find rest Oh my soul in God alone" (Ps.62:5). So why, Abba, do we who have already received rest in Jesus still "strive" to enter that rest? There's the striving of gaining, and there's the striving of maintaining. Until Jesus returns, we're still going to drift towards Jesus + something for our sense of "okay-ness" with you. We are legalists and performers to the core—allergic to grace and plagued with unbelief. Our rest in Jesus is like our freedom by Jesus. It's ours forever, but we "lose it" in the moment (Gal.5:1). Abba, we treasure both our rest and our freedom and will "strive" to thrive in each. So Very Amen.   Wish you had a roundup of our best content? Subscribe to our weekly Update. SIGN ME UP! The Gospel Coalition  PO Box #1637    Columbia  MO  65205    You received this email because you are subscribed to Scotty Smith's Blog: Heavenward from The Gospel Coalition. Update your email preferences to choose the types of emails you receive. Unsubscribe from all future emails.