Jesus Gives Us So Much “Newness”

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH Jesus Gives Us So Much "Newness" SCOTTY SMITH "Behold… I am making all things new" (Rev.21:5). Jesus, isn't exaggerating, for by his grace he gives us "the new creation" (2Cor.5:17), a new heart (Ezek.36:26), a new life (Rom.6:4), a new song (Ps.40:3) a new name (Rev.2:17)—to name a few of many more.   Lord Jesus, I'm grateful today for the promise and gift of "newness." Not novelty—which is merely a remedy for boredom. But "newness"—which is the redemption of all things broken. To be specific, I'm grateful today for how you re-name us through the Gospel. Naming is such a critical part of life. We come alive or shut down, thrive or die, flourish or diminish by the names we receive in life. We know what's on our birth certificates, but some of us have been more shaped by names like these: "Slow," "Indecisive," "Fat," and "Wasteful." Worse, some of us answer to "You're-never-gonna-get-it," "You're-such-a-bother," "Why-can't-you-be-like-your-sister?" Jesus, we are so grateful your name is Redeemer. And as our Redeemer, you are renewing and renaming us in the Gospel. You're also healing us of every demeaning, damaging, and damning name we've ever received—including the ones we've given ourselves. Hallelujah, and thank you. Whether or not there's literally a new name you'll give us in heaven—but today when you look at us, you say to us, "You-are-mine." Pregnant in that one glorious declaration are other names you speak to us: "Beloved. Forgiven. Desired. My Bride. Precious. You matter. My delight. My inheritance." Jesus, we believe; help and heal us in our unbelief. Also, forgive and free us to be far more careful how we label and name others—in our hearts and to their faces. Forgive us for the harm we bring to others—including members of our own families. Help us see with your eyes, love with your heart, and speak with your kindness. 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.

The Hyper-Abundant Refreshment of Jesus

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH The Hyper-Abundant Refreshment of Jesus SCOTTY SMITH "Whoever refreshes others will be refreshed" (Prov.11:25).   Lord Jesus, I'll never read this verse without first thinking of you. Your mercies are new every morning, your steadfast love never comes to an end, and you give us "grace upon grace" (Jn.1:16). More than suggesting, you command us to come to you for rest (Matt.11:28). And you're not doling out any mere run-of-the-mill-peace; you promise to give us your peace (Jn.14:27). Thank you. Truly, no one gives more freely and copiously than you, Jesus (Rom.5:20; 2Cor.8:9, 9:12; Phil.4:19, Lk.6:38). You'll never be charged with withholding any good thing from your people. Just the opposite, you give "hyper-abundantly"—beginning with yourself. This is the Gospel, and nothing is more refreshing than the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation (Rom. 1:16). On this very Thursday, in May 2025, you are calling to us in a loud voice, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink" (Jn.7:37). Jesus, I join my brothers and sisters in coming to you right now with our hearts as wide open as the Gospel will free us. We humble ourselves before you, Jesus. We own our need that you alone can meet. You love to give, and gladly we will receive from you. And as grace runs downhill to the needy, so it flows freely to others. To whom would you send us today? Make us refreshers, Jesus—not just when we enter the new heaven and new earth, but today and all the way through the upcoming weekend. Freely we receive; freely we will give. 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.

20 Years of TGC: A Story Still Unfolding

Twenty years later, the need to help, renew, and unify the church is more urgent than ever.

Hi First, Twenty years ago this month, the men who became the Council of The Gospel Coalition first convened. I often return to the extensive notes taken from their three days together. They prayed. They opened the Word. They studied history. And they wondered whether God might be preparing the way for a gospel-centered movement that would bring the riches of Reformed theology to bear on contemporary life. By 2007, that vision came to life. At our first national conference, Tim Keller explored Christ in all of Scripture, and Don Carson helped us understand what it means to be prophetic from the center. I'll never forget how those talks changed my life. To this day, I may be the only person who's attended all 10 TGC national conferences and 7 women's conferences. Keller died a little more than two years ago. Carson retired from public ministry just last year. Last month, we gathered for TGC25—our first national conference without either of them as speakers. And yet, we saw their influence everywhere. As I talked to people who have attended many TGC events—and the nearly 50 percent who attended the national conference for the first time—I heard reports that would encourage TGC's founders. This conference was characterized by conviction and affection, defying an age when it seems you need to pick one or the other. The original vision of TGC might be even more urgent today than it was 20 years ago. Following our founders' call, we must commit ourselves to invigorating churches with new hope and compelling joy based on the promises received by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Much progress has been made in the last two decades, as we see in revived churches and renewed faith all around the world. But every new generation must hear again the best news of all—Jesus saves.  That's the story we must never tire of telling. At TGC25, I had the privilege of joining a panel with Nancy Guthrie, Juan Sánchez, and Ligon Duncan for a special 20-year anniversary led by Mark Vroegop. We reflected on where this movement began, how God has used it, and where we're heading together. Watch the 20-Year Anniversary panel. I don't know exactly what those pastors expected when they gathered on May 17, 2005. But I'm grateful for their wisdom, their example, and their faithfulness. Their invitation now awaits a new generation: We yearn to work with all who seek the lordship of Christ over the whole of life with unabashed hope in the power of the Holy Spirit to transform individuals, communities, and cultures. Will we answer their call? Join us as we seek to renew the church in the ancient gospel. Gratefully, Collin Hansen Vice President of Content and Editor in Chief Executive Director, The Keller Center for Cultural Apologetics The Gospel Coalition The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

First, encounter the saints and scoundrels of the gospels

This FREE ebook by Nancy Guthrie will help you see the grace of God in their stories

View in browser Hi First,   The gospels are filled with notorious figures—some who claimed to be saints were exposed as scoundrels, and others who were scoundrels were transformed into saints by encountering Jesus. The names and stories of these spiritual heroes and fallen foes might feel familiar. But what might we have overlooked in their stories?   Nancy Guthrie's Saints and Scoundrels in the Story of Jesus invites us to revisit the stories of those who welcomed and rejected him, and to see both Jesus and ourselves more clearly. These characters provide fresh insights into Jesus's generous grace.   Their stories remind us that no one is too far gone to be redeemed and that even the most well-intentioned can miss the truth of who Jesus is. As you explore their motivations and transformations, you'll be convicted of your own need for grace, comforted by Christ's unrelenting love, and even more convinced of his goodness and power to change hearts—including your own.   The Gospel Coalition is delighted to offer you this ebook for FREE today. Click this link to get instant access: Download Your FREE Ebook Today I pray this book will inspire you to cultivate a deeper love for Jesus, the hope for saints and scoundrels alike.    Blessings in Christ,   Courtney Doctor Director of Women's Initiatives   The Gospel Coalition, PO Box #1637, Columbia, MO 65205 Unsubscribe

With Whom Does Jesus “Hang Out”?

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH With Whom Does Jesus "Hang Out"? SCOTTY SMITH   Matthew held a great banquet for Jesus at his house, and a large crowd of tax collectors and others were eating with them. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?" Jesus answered them, "It's not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I haven't come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Lk.5:29–32)   Dear Jesus, this story fuels my longing for the banquet of all banquets—the Wedding Feast of the Lamb. Who'll be there? Messes like me you've "mercified!" Only those "low" enough to receive grace, humble enough to boast in your righteousness alone, free enough to wear a wedding garment we could never buy. Thank you for making me and my praying friends a part of your broken-yet-beloved bride. We've got no problem acknowledging our sickness and receiving your remedy. Jesus, there is no greater friend of sinners than you. Thank you for eating and drinking, reclining and dining, fellowshipping and communing with the likes of us. Thank you for desiring and delighting in us. We still struggle to believe that you do, so heal and free us. And Jesus, make us more like Matthew—so impacted by your love that we're constantly throwing mini-grace-banquets for our friends. Turn our appointments, work assignments, walks, churches, and playtime into picnics and parties of your presence and kindness. Turn our family gatherings into occasions where you're always filling the empty seat—actually the best seat. Make our concave hearts convex—far more welcoming and friendly, always assuming you are seeking and reaching people all around us. Indeed, Matthew "rocks," but make us more like yourself, Jesus. 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.

God’s Promises Enrich Us with Christlikeness

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH God's Promises Enrich Us with Christlikeness SCOTTY SMITH    Since we have God's promises, dear friends, let's live lives filled with his Spirit, shaped by his Word, and transformed by his grace. One Day we will be completely like Jesus. Until that Day, may our repentances be quick, deeper, and many; and Christlikeness more evident to others. (Paraphrase of 2Cor.7:1)   Abba has given us many very great and precious promises. These promises primarily enrich us by making us more like Jesus—a treasure we should seek above all fool's gold, perishable stuff, and fading bling-bling. (Paraphrase of 2Pet.1:4)   Patient Father, the "farther up and further in" I go into the Gospel, the more you challenge and change the way I think about everything—including your promises. As a young follower of Jesus, I related to your promises like a computer programmer, and you were the Computer waiting for me to give you "data." I was also told your promises were "blank checks," and you were the benevolent Banker. What a small, wrong, me-centered view of you. Thank you for not "cashing" many of my checks, Abba. Thankfully, I now see that your promises are primarily about you changing us, not us directing you. Through your promises, we increasingly share in your "divine nature"—not becoming "the 4th member of the Trinity," but becoming more and more like Jesus. Though I still pray for it not to "rain on my picnic," I pray more for your grace to reign in my heart and the world. All your promises direct our gaze away from ourselves to Jesus—the ultimate "Yes!" to every promise you've made (2 Cor.1:20). In this sense, we don't claim your promises—they claim us. Your promises aren't "might-be's," but "will-be's." Your will, Abba, is going to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Hallelujah, thank you, and 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.

When Strong Believers Have Sharp Disagreements

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

Heavenward SCOTTY SMITH When Strong Believers Have Sharp Disagreements SCOTTY SMITH  "Paul and Barnabas disagreed with each other so strongly they parted company with each other. Barnabas wanted to include Mark on their to encourage new churches and young believers, but Paul felt Mark's earlier failure in ministry showed he wasn't mature enough. Barnabus took Mark, and Paul took Silas, each went on a return trip to strengthen churches in the region." Paraphrase of Acts 15:36-41 Fast forward several years: Paul wrote, "Mark, Barnabas's cousin, also sends greetings .. Make Mark welcome if he comes your way" (Col.4:12). And in his last letter, Paul wrote, "Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry." 2 Tim.4:11   Gracious Jesus, as these Scriptures and story demonstrate, there are times when even your faithful servants don't see eye to eye on very important matters. Our best efforts at keeping "the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" get stressed, tested, and busted (Eph. 4:3). Differing perspectives lead to sharp disagreements. Painful words are spoken, hearts get hurt, sides are taken, and disconnection occurs. This happens in healthy churches, marriages, and between good friends. Jesus, help us. Conflict is inevitable; redemptive conflict is divine. We are grateful your Word records a later reconciliation and healing in this story involving Paul, Barnabas, and Mark. We look to you to bring similar Gospel-outcomes in our old, current, and future conflicts. The world will know we are your disciples by our love (Jn.13:34). Jesus, show us what "faith expressing itself in love" looks like when see eye to eye and heart to heart—especially when, like Paul and Barnabas, we have "sharp disagreements." You call us away from contempt, denial, spin, pretending, defensiveness, and simply giving up. As with Peter, you tell us to "put away our swords," and take up your grace (Jn.18:11, Matt.26:52). Help us, Jesus. 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.