The pursuit of holiness requires sustained and vigorous effort. It allows for no indolence, no lethargy, no halfhearted commitment, and no laissez faire attitude toward even the smallest sins. —Gerald Bridges
Author: Jojo Agot
Pastor at Victory. Faculty and adviser at Every Nation Leadership Institute (ENLI). MA in Theology and Mission at Every Nation Seminary.
Warm Feelings
Some people attend a certain kind of church on the basis of that warm feeling they feel when they get inside the building. You need to get past that warm feeling- it won’t save you and it won’t do you much good. Get to know the real, biblical, historical Christ.
—Jojo Agot
Read as an Act of Worship
Read as an act of worship. Read to be elevated into the great truths of God so that you may worship the Trinity in Spirit and in truth. Be selective about what you read, however. Measure all your reading against the touchstone of Scripture. Read more for eternity than time, more for spiritual growth than professional advancement. Think of John Trapp’s warning: “As water tastes of the soil it runs through, so does the soul taste of the authors that a man reads.”
Before picking up a book, ask yourself: Would Christ approve this book? Will it increase my love for the Word of God, help me to conquer sin, offer abiding wisdom, and prepare me for the life to come? Or could I better spend time reading another book?”
Source: Joel Beeke, Feed My Sheep (Reformation Trust Publishing, 2002)
Customized Theology
The time is coming when people won’t listen to good teaching. Instead, they will look for teachers who will please them by telling them only what they are itching to hear. —2Timothy 4:3
Other translations say, “they will gather unto themselves teachers…” It wouldn’t be a stretch if we mention bloggers, podcasters, televangelists and authors who major on doctrines that don’t proclaim the true gospel of Christ.
Captured by the Gospel
People don’t need a lecture or an oration or a discussion from the pulpit on Sunday morning. They need to hear of the mighty deeds of God. And they need to hear the message from someone who not only understands it but has been captured by it.
—Kevin DeYoung, DON’T CALL IT A COMEBACK
Reaching the Next Generation
“Reaching the next generation- whether they are outside your church or sitting there bored in your church- is easier and harder than you think. It’s easier because you don’t have to get a degree in postmodern literary theory or go to a bunch of stupid movies. You don’t have to say “sweet” or “bling” or know what LOL or IMHO means. You don’t have to listen to… well, whatever people listen to these days. You don’t have to be on Twitter, watch The Office, or imbibe fancy coffees. You just have to be like Jesus. That’s it. So the easy part is you don’t have to be with it. The hard part is you have to be with HIM. If you walk with God and walk with people, you’ll reach the next generation.”
Source: Kevin DeYoung, Don’t Call It a Comeback (Crossway Books, 2011)
Jojo Agot 