Assumption of Gospel-Powered Parenting

In preparation for becoming parents this fall (God-willing), my wife and I have begun reading through William Farley book "Gospel-Powered Parenting." In the opening chapter he elaborates on five assumptions of the worldview of gospel powered parents:

1. Parenting is not Easy

"Because parenting is difficult, and because you are imperfect, you will need the grace that comes to you through the gospel." (p. 20)

2. God is sovereign, but He uses Means

"...God normally exercises his sovereignty through parents who faithfully practice biblical parenting." (p. 22)

3. A Good Offense is better than Defense

"...effective parents equip their children to overcome the world - not by changing and controlling their environment, but by going after their children's hearts. We change their hearts by teaching the gospel, modeling the gospel, and centering our homes on the gospel." (p. 24)

4. The need to Understand New Birth

"New birth is radical change of heart that ushers in new desires, new loves, and a new life direction. (p. 29)

5. God-centered, not Child-centered, Families

"It is important to love your children, but there is a fine line between healthy parental love and child worship. We know the latter has happened when we begin compromising God's will for the sake of our children or their activities. (p. 33)

And the most striking statement I've read so far in the book (especially since by God's grace I will soon by a father): "There seems to be a strong correlation between the faith, commitment, and sincerity of the family's head and the spiritual vitality of his adult children." (p. 15)

By God's Grace, Jeff

Change we DO Believe In

On Sunday March 21st I preached a sermon from 2 Corinthians 5:11-17 entitled "Change we DO Believe In," as part of our sermon series "Gospel-Centered Living" through 2 Corinthians. If you would like to listen to the sermon, click here.

By God's Grace, Jeff

Our Eternity Shapes Our Present

On Sunday March 14th I preached on 2 Corinthians 5:1-10 as part of our series "Gospel-centered Living." The main point of the passage as it applies to us is that our eternity shapes our present. If you would like to listen to the sermon, click here.

By God's Grace, Jeff

The Glorious Gospel Changes Lives

This past Sunday I preached a sermon on 2 Corinthians 3:7-4:6 as part of our series "Gospel-centered Living" through 2 Corinthians. The main point of the passage as I saw it applying to us is that the gospel of Jesus Christ is glorious in that it changes lives. If you would like to listen to the sermon, click here.

By God's Grace, Jeff

Recognizing New Covenant Ministry

On February 14th I preached on 2 Corinthians 2:12-3:6 as part of our series "Gospel-centered Living." The main point of the passage was recognizing true Christian ministry or New Covenant, gospel-centered ministry. If you would like to listen to the sermon, click here.

By God's Grace, Jeff

The Restoration of Church Discipline

The third sermon in our series "Gospel-centered Living" through 2 Corinthians, which I preached on February 7th, was from 2 Corinthians 1:23-2:11. The main point as I saw this passage relating to us was the need for restoration of church discipline. Church discipline has as its goal restoration and the church today has forsaken it and thus needs to restore the biblical practice. If you would like to listen to the sermon, click here.

By God's Grace, Jeff

Comforted to be a Comfort, not Comfortable

I preached the first sermon in our series "Gospel-centered living" through 2 Corinthians on January 24th (sorry for not getting it up until now). And the main point I saw in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11 as it applies to us is that we're comforted by God so that we can be a comfort to others, not mainly so that we can live a comfortable life. If you would like to listen to it, click here.

By God's Grace, Jeff