Being “In Christ” Is Gloriously Blessed and Bodacious

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Being "In Christ" Is Gloriously Blessed and Bodacious SCOTTY SMITH   "If you are in Christ, it means you haven't just been given newness of life through the Gospel, but that you are also now a part of the promised 'new creation order'—the messianic age, the kingdom of heaven, the firstfruits of the new heaven and new earth" (Paraphrase of 2Cor.5:17).   "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ" (Rom.8:1). "Because of Abba, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness and sanctification and redemption" (1Cor.1:30).   Lord Jesus, hallelujah for the preposition "in." It's one we use all the time, as in "I'm in such a hurry." Or "I'm in a messy situation." Or "I'm in a gorgeous, trout-filled stream, flowing at a perfect 1.5-2.5 mph pace." But there's never been, nor will there ever be, a most awesome use "in"" than when it's describing the relationship we have with you. Through the Gospel, you have given us the most intimate, enriching, unbreakable relationship with yourself imaginable. Jesus, help us see how our "in-Christ-ness" now defines us more than anything else. In union with you, we are forgiven, righteous, and beloved—because you are our "righteousness, holiness, and redemption" (1Cor.1:30). To be "in Christ" means we've been called, are loved and will be kept by you all the way Home (Jude 1:1). Hallelujah and thank you, for you have numbered our days, hairs, pains, and tears. You love us infinitely more than we love you, and are 10,000 times more excited about your return than we are. Oh, Jesus, free us, and help us "shake off our guilty fears," dullness of heart, and our Gospel under-belief. We want to live more fully alive to the peace-giving, fear-toppling, hope-fueling realities of our "in-Christ-ness." 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.

Want Your Church to Grow? Study the Book of Acts

Sign Up for a New Cohort — The Mission of the Triune God

View in browser TUESDAYS, MAY 6 - JUNE 17 LEARN HOW THE BOOK OF ACTS FUNCTIONS AS A MODEL FOR CHURCH RENEWAL TODAY  The book of Acts provides guidance for the church in every age. Its message can't be locked in the past. Its accomplishments can't be relegated to a bygone era. Its miracles can't be confined to another age. The same Spirit is still active. The same Christ still rules. The same God still sustains his church. We have much to learn from a close reading of Acts.   Patrick Schreiner, associate professor of New Testament and biblical theology at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, will introduce lay people, students, teachers, and pastors to the structure, major themes, and theology of Acts. Through exegesis of the biblical text, we'll trace the narrative of Acts—attending to how it functions as a model for the renewal for God's people today.    THIS COHORT IS FOR YOU IF: You're a church leader looking for biblical inspiration for church growth You're a seminary student looking to supplement your biblical theology studies  You're academically curious and looking for an in-depth introduction to one of the most exciting books of the Bible Find Out More I hope you'll join us.    Benjamin Gladd Executive Director of The Carson Center OTHER TGC COHORTS YOU MAY BE INTERESTED IN The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

Overwhelming Needs + Our Inadequacy + Jesus = Gospel Math

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Overwhelming Needs + Our Inadequacy + Jesus = Gospel Math SCOTTY SMITH The disciples said to Jesus, "Send the crowds away (5000 men + family members) so they can go to the nearby farms and villages and buy something to eat." But Jesus said, "You feed them." "With what?" they asked… "How much bread do you have?" he asked. "Go and find out." They came back and reported, "We have 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish" … Jesus took their little, looked to heaven, gave thanks, broke the bread, and gave and kept giving … Everybody was fed, satisfied, and there were 12 twelve baskets of leftovers." (Mark 6:36-38, 41-43)   Lord Jesus, the circumstances vary but many of us, like your novice disciples, are facing overwhelming needs with underwhelming resources. If I was good at math (and I'm not), I might tell their story in this equation:   5000 family units + 12 rookie caregivers + 5 loaves and 2 fish = Jesus better show up and be big in this story.   Hallelujah, you did "show up" and you continue to do so in our stories. Many of us are experiencing overwhelming scenarios in different sectors of life—in business, relationships, ministry, healthcare, etc. As with the disciples in the hungry-crowd story, we can respond in a number of ways.   We can pretend to be omni-competent, and see the challenge as a chance to showcase our individual awesomeness, using other people as a means to get self-glory. Or, like the disciples, we can get a bit "testy," and tell you what to do, Jesus—as though you're clueless, not "dialed in," and need our suggestions. We can humble ourselves, listen to you, and discover—yet again, that our weakness and inadequacy are good gifts, which drive us to the Gospel-Math of Jesus-dependence + Shared weakness + Mutual interdependence + Our "5 loaves and 2 fish" = Jesus is the only Hero, everybody contributes, and care is multiplied.   Jesus, thank you for writing us into your story, and for extending your compassion, care, and Kingdom to us and through us. We'll leave being awesome to you. 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.

Celebrating 20 Years of Gospel-Centered Ministry

This year, we pause to celebrate a remarkable milestone: The Gospel Coalition's 20th anniversary. 

Dear First,   This year, we pause to celebrate a remarkable milestone: The Gospel Coalition's 20th anniversary.    For two decades, TGC has been equipping the global church with gospel-centered resources and proclaiming the life-giving hope of Jesus Christ. Celebrate With Us In 2005, Tim Keller and Don Carson envisioned a ministry that could serve as a trusted voice for biblical truth and provide unity in a divided world. Out of their faithfulness, TGC was born. What started as a small initiative is now worldwide—a testament to God's faithfulness and the partnership of believers like you.   Over these 20 years, we've seen: Millions of believers nourished by gospel-centered articles, books, podcasts, and videos. Churches strengthened through conferences, convenings, and practical resources. Communities transformed by Christ-centered discipleship and teaching. As we honor this legacy, we are looking ahead, ready to face the challenges and opportunities of the next 20 years. And we need your help. Give Today Would you prayerfully consider making a gift today to ensure the gospel continues to flourish for future generations? Your partnership allows us to: Provide theological resources for the global church. Support pastors and leaders in underserved regions. Train the next generation of gospel-centered leaders, teachers, and writers. Thank you for standing with us. Your generosity honors the vision of our founders and extends the reach of the gospel worldwide. May we continue this journey together, laboring for Christ and His kingdom.   With gratitude,   Sarah Zylstra Senior Writer The Gospel Coalition   P.S. We're deeply thankful for the vision of Tim Keller and Don Carson and for how God has used TGC in countless lives. Your support ensures that this legacy of faithfulness carries on for years to come. Make a Gift Today The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

When You’re in a “Hot Mess” Beware “Hot Stew”

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH When You're in a "Hot Mess" Beware "Hot Stew" SCOTTY SMITH "Father, we are the clay, and you are our potter—we are all the work of your hand" (Isa.64:8). "The life of every living thing is in God's hand, and the breath of every human being" (Job 12:10).   Heavenly Father, I come to you this morning with empty hands, not to grab what isn't mine, but extended in dependence and surrender. Quite literally, you've got the whole world in your hands and you haven't made me co-sovereign. And I gave up thinking of you as my co-pilot a long time ago. That's not to say I don't crave control over unfinished stories, frayed edges of threadbare relationships, and resolution in matters that remain unsettled and triggerable. I do, Abba, you know I do. At times I want to trade places with you, with you being the clay and me getting to be the potter. When I'm in "tired-of-waiting" mode and raw with the insecurity of not knowing what is next, I want to grab the pen with your initials on it, and write the next couple of scenes in my life. But, Father, only you are the Author, Middle, and Finisher—not just of our faith, but also of our stories. When we take matters into our own hands, like Moses, we "take someone out" rather than waiting on you take us out of "Egypt" (Ex. 2:11-12). Or, like Abraham, we create Ishmaels instead of waiting for "Isaac" (Gen.16-17, 21). Or, like Esau, when we're in a "hot mess," we too easily settle for the immediate gratification of a bowl of hot stew (Gen.25:29-34). But, hallelujah, working in all things for our good and your glory is your specialty and guarantee. Thank you, Father. Grant us the grace of waiting and trusting. 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.

New Books in the Hard Questions Series for Good Friday and Easter

By Collin Hansen and Timothy Paul Jones

View in browser Where Is God in a World with So Much Evil?  Addressing Doubts about God's Justice and Goodness in the Face of Evil  In the face of evil and suffering, many people question God's goodness. Even faithful Christians may struggle to see God's justice when they experience the heartache, pain, and tragedies of our broken world. Why does God seem to remain silent when we need him the most?  Collin Hansen's short and accessible guide answers suffering peoples' questions about God's character by exploring the stories of Job, Jesus, and the Jewish people during the horrific events of the Holocaust. Ideal for both skeptics and Christians who want to help others in their pain, this booklet reminds us that God speaks through the cries of his people and offers us the gift of his Son—a suffering servant who makes all things new.  Collin Hansen (MDiv, Trinity Evangelical Divinity School) is the vice president for content and editor in chief for the Gospel Coalition. He hosts the Gospelbound podcast and wrote Timothy Keller: His Spiritual and Intellectual Formation.  FIND OUT MORE Did the Resurrection Really Happen?  A Concise Look at the Evidence for Christ's Resurrection   In this concise booklet, author Timothy Paul Jones addresses doubts and questions about Jesus's resurrection. He argues that the New Testament account is not a mere repetition of old pagan tales or a fabrication to fulfill Jewish expectations. Instead, the resurrection was a historical event that is supported by compelling evidence, including accounts of men and women who were willing to die for what they believed they had seen.   Timothy Paul Jones (PhD, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is vice president for doctoral studies; professor of Christian family ministry; and chair of the department of apologetics, ethics, and philosophy at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.  FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE HARD QUESTIONS SERIES TGC Hard Questions series is a series of short booklets that seek to answer some common but difficult questions people ask about Christianity. The series serves the church by providing tools that answer unchurched people's deep longings for community, their concerns about biblical ethics, and their doubts about confessional faith.  EXPLORE THE SERIES The Gospel Coalition PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO, 65205 Unsubscribe