10 Reasons Why You Should Be at TGC25, First

Next Week Is the Final Price Increase—Secure Your Seat Today

View in browser THOUSANDS ALREADY REGISTERED SECURE YOUR SEAT Hi First,   If you're on the fence about attending TGC25, let me offer 10 reasons to consider joining us in Indianapolis this April:  Learn from wise and encouraging speakers (including David Platt, John Piper, Jen Wilkin, and more!) Sing along with the Gettys' modern-day hymns Choose from more than 50 breakout sessions on a wide variety of ministry interests Take advantage of exclusive discounts in our conference bookstore Catch up with old friends (and make new ones!) Return home with fresh ideas for life and ministry Stock your home library with free books carefully selected for attendees Browse the exhibit hall and learn what the church is doing all over the world Enjoy time with other leaders in your church outside your usual ministry context Worship and learn alongside thousands of other believers TGC25 PRICE INCREASES NEXT WEEK The regular rate for TGC25 ($299) ends next week—after that, the final rate ($339) kicks in. This is the last time you can save on your registration.    I hope you'll join us for three days of gospel-centered teaching, worship, learning, and connection as we experience what it means to be "alive together." REGISTER NOW I can't wait to see you there!   Melissa Kruger Vice President of Discipleship Programming The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO, 65205, Unsubscribe

This Loved, Cared For, and Destined for Awesomeness

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH This Loved, Cared For, and Destined for Awesomeness SCOTTY SMITH   Absorb, ponder, "behold what great love the Father has lavished on us" (1Jn.3:1). "It is God who works in you, both to will and accomplish his good pleasure" (Phil.2:13). "The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever" (Ps.138:8).   Heavenly Father, on this chilly, snowy (in some places!) February Friday,  it's a huge gift to live without doubting, fearing, or having to guess what you think about us. Because of the Gospel, we live in your 100% favor 100% of the time. No more "He loves me, He loves me not." The burden of our guilt, shame, and failures have been lifted, replaced with your unwavering delight. Posing and pretending have been crushed under the weight of your eternal welcome and lavish love. What relief… what freedom… what peace we have. Your currency is grace, your "pockets" are full, and your generosity is limitless. You will remain on stay a grace-riches spending spree until you take us Home. Hallelujah… Jesus' saving work is finished for us, and the Spirit's transforming work continues in us until the Day of all things new and beautiful (Rev.21:5, Eccl.3:11), and you remain in sovereign control over us. May the rest we have in the Gospel mark the rest of our days with…   Faith expressing itself in love. Hope expressing itself in mission. Grace expressing itself in kindness. Peace expressing itself in faith and trust. Humility expressing itself in quick repentances. We are loved, yours, grateful, and Home-ward bound. 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.

Home Is More About “Who” Than “Where”

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Home Is More About "Who" Than "Where" SCOTTY SMITH Jesus to us: "Abide in me—abide in my love" (Jn.15:4, 9). "Lord, through all the generations you have been our home!" (Ps.90:1). "This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him" (Ps.91:2).   Dear Jesus, I've lived on Melville Street, Oakwood Lane, Rosewood Vally Drive, Highgrove Circle—meaning I've lived in houses on those various thoroughfares. But more than ever I am so grateful to be able to say that you are my Home, Jesus—my heart habitat, permanent address, happy place, grace sanctuary, and residence of rest. Hallelujah, and thank you. It's just flat-out true—home is more about "who" than "where." A house has an address, a home has a heart. It's more profound than cliché to say that our home is where our heart is—more so, our home is where your heart is. That explains why I easily weep when I hear Mike Card's song, "I Will Bring You Home," in which he wrote you singing to us… "Though you are homeless, though you're alone, I will be your home. Whatever's the matter, whatever's been done. I will be your home. In this fearful fallen place, I will be your home. When time reaches fullness, when I move My hand, I will bring you home … I will be your home." Hallelujah, on Gospel-steroids. Jesus, teach us how, and take us afresh into a life of abiding in you, and abiding in your love. Thank you for our houses, and for the sweet seasons and moments of "homelife" we have enjoyed in this life. But help us understand that our deepest longings for Home are connected to you. Fill our hearts and our houses with you as our Home… until the day you take us Home. 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.

Rekindling Our Founding Vision

The Gospel Coalition was founded on a simple yet profound conviction: the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ

Dear First,   In 2005, The Gospel Coalition was founded on a simple yet profound conviction: the unchanging gospel of Jesus Christ has the power to transform individuals, renew churches, and bring hope to a weary world. TGC started as a small group of pastors and leaders, united by a shared longing to see the church anchored in Scripture, shaped by Christ, and committed to making his name known. Twenty years later, that's still our goal. But our reach is now global.   Through articles, books, conferences, cohorts, podcasts, and more, TGC is equipping millions of Christians and church leaders around the world with resources for gospel-centered life and ministry. But we can't do it without faithful supporters like you.   Every resource we produce, every pastor we train, every believer we encourage—is the fruit of your partnership with us. But the work is far from done.   Would you help us continue this mission? Give Today Your support allows us to: Equip leaders with sound theology and biblical resources Translate gospel-centered resources for underserved regions Bring gospel clarity to emerging cultural challenges We invite you to give today and be part of the next chapter of TGC's story. Together, we can ensure the gospel remains central in every generation.   Thank you for standing with us in this mission. As we press on, may we remain steadfast, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that our labor is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58).   Thank you for your faithful support,   Brett McCracken Senior Editor The Gospel Coalition Make a Gift Today The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

Only One Set of Executive Orders Will Last Forever

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Only One Set of Executive Orders Will Last Forever SCOTTY SMITH Jesus is "the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1Tim.6:15)   Lord Jesus, this verse is an apt and awe-fueling summary of what the Bible affirms about you. Hallelujah, you and only you are "ruler of the kings of the earth" (Rev.1:5) and "king of the nations" (Rev.15:3)—sovereign over our hairs, hours, heartaches, and "Hooray's!" Indeed, "there will be no end to the increase of your government and peace" (Isa.9:7). This is the true and best news—the transcendent, eternal reality in which we rest and rejoice today. Over the past several days, I've experienced delight, dismay, and disgust over how easily world leaders can make choices that change the life and lifestyle my neighbors and the nations. If I wasn't certain you already occupy the throne of heaven, I would despair (Rev.4). Only your "executive orders" last forever—Hallelujah! Human ink, ultimately will prove to be invisible ink on papers that are destined to burn. "Whew!" Some countries will experience today as "monarch for a moment"—for power changes hands as quickly as the weather. Other communities live under "tyrant by terror"—whoever can create more fear, trauma, and evil gets to call the shots and enrich themselves. But as those who belong to you, we joyfully reaffirm our most defining "citizenship is in heaven" (Phil.3:20). Lord Jesus, you are our life and righteousness, our freedom and hope, our God, King, Savior, and Bridegroom. We crave your return, the fullness of your Kingdom, and our coming life in the new heaven and new earth. But you are no less King today than you will be then. Until the Day of all things new, we purpose to live and love to your glory. 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.

Having and Being the Crème de la Crème of Gospel Friends

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Having and Being the Crème de la Crème of Gospel Friends SCOTTY SMITH "I rejoice at the coming of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus… for they refreshed my spirit." (1Cor.16:17-18). Jesus, the Good Shepherd… "restores, refreshes, renews my soul" (Psalm 23:3)   Lord Jesus, "Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus"—3 of many names we "skim through" to get to the "important" parts of chapter or verse in the Bible. But in the economy of grace, these men were in the Hall of Fame of friendship—the "crème de la crème," the summum bonum of friends. The Apostle Paul said of them, "I am always glad to see these brothers come through the door, for they bring refreshment to my spirit. They have the "it," body-language, and heart for giving me refreshment when I need it the most." Jesus, thank you for our version of refreshing brothers and sisters like Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus—and Phoebe, Priscilla, Mary, and Junia (Rom.16). They bring no pressure, just your non-anxious presence. They're the kinds of friends whose names we love to see come up on a text or call. They're more likely to ask, "How can I help you?", than "Aren't you over that yet?" We can laugh, weep, repent, and play with them—trust them with our biggest fears and hardest struggles. But Jesus, we don't just treasure those kinds of friends, we want to be that friend to others as well. Work in us and love through us—for you are the headwater, river, and fountain of refreshment. You are the friend who sticks closer than a brother and loves deeper than we realize. You are near and dear to the brokenhearted, weary, and heavily burdened. Thank. You. Jesus. Be all of that to us and through us, this very day. 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.