Ray Ortlund Jr. and Sam Allberry's "You're Not Crazy" offers practical guidance for church leaders seeking to cultivate a thriving gospel-centered culture. The book addresses challenges faced by weary leaders, emphasizing the importance of fostering a healthy environment alongside sound doctrine. It provides scriptural advice on various aspects of church life, including honesty, honor, preaching, leadership, and mission. The authors aim to help leaders regain a Christ-centered vision, promoting unity and combating potential sources of division. Ultimately, the book encourages a renewed love for ministry and a focus on building a healthy church community.
J.I. Packer's "Praying" is a classic work on the subject of prayer, offering a comprehensive and insightful exploration of its nature and practice. Packer emphasizes the importance of prayer as a vital aspect of the Christian life, highlighting its transformative power and its role in shaping our relationship with God. He delves into various aspects of prayer, including its theological foundations, its different forms, and its practical application. The book is known for its profound theological depth and its clear, accessible style. Packer's work has significantly influenced generations of Christians in their understanding and practice of prayer.
John Stott's commentary on 1 Timothy and Titus offers a clear and insightful exploration of these pastoral epistles. Stott's writing is characterized by its accessibility and clarity, making complex theological concepts understandable for a wide audience. He masterfully unpacks the historical and cultural context of the letters, providing valuable insights into Paul's instructions to Timothy and Titus. The commentary is known for its practical application, helping readers understand how these ancient texts relate to contemporary church life. Stott's work is highly regarded for its balance of theological depth and pastoral sensitivity.
Gospel Sanity in a World Gone Mad – This is what Ray Ortlund Jr. aims to offer to the next generation of pastors and leaders. In this conversation with Mike, he discusses the profound value of remembering his own mortality, the importance of gathering and "gospelling" young men, and the encouragement that Christ Himself is preaching through us as we exposit the Word.
Ray also shares insights from his latest book, co-authored with Sam Allberry, You're Not Crazy - Gospel Sanity for Weary Churches. In this practical guide, seasoned pastors Ray Ortlund and Sam Allberry help weary leaders renew their love for ministry by equipping them to build a gospel-centered culture into every aspect of their churches. They emphasize that while healthy doctrine is crucial, failing to nurture a healthy culture can lead to frustration, division, and even unbiblical practices. The book provides Scripture-focused advice on honesty, honour, preaching, leadership, and mission, helping leaders regain a beautiful, Christ-centered vision for their ministries.
This episode, originally released earlier this year, was the most downloaded episode of 2024. We’re re-releasing it this December to celebrate its impact and ensure even more people benefit from Ray’s wisdom and encouragement.
Resources Mentioned:
You're Not Crazy book: https://www.crossway.org/books/youre-not-crazy-tpb/
You're Not Crazy Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2gjO1xAJVSomEdK6dVwnQh?si=1f98570e2bfd4972
Father Mapple's Sermon from Moby Dick: https://etc.usf.edu/lit2go/42/moby-dick/634/chapter-9-the-sermon/
J.I. Packer on Prayer: https://www.ivpress.com/praying
Tim Keller - Gospel Christianity Discussion Guide: https://gospelinlife.com/study/gospel-christianity-i-gospel-the-heart-group-study-product/
John Stott on 1 Timothy: https://www.ivpress.com/the-message-of-1-timothy-titus-ebook
J.N.D. Kelley on 1 Timothy https://archive.org/details/commentaryonpast00kell/page/n5/mode/2up
Recommended Episodes:
Ray Ortlund - Leaving Behind our Hidden Shame for His Glorious Grace: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2f8oJk5yovK4D4HDGCqsk8?si=69ef2f62acef4b03
John Koessler - Preaching that is Prayerful and Priestly: https://open.spotify.com/episode/43i46Oq38Zp1suugyQZ6YT?si=47217d32bc2a401d
Sam Allberry - Embodied Preaching: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0dtYypnuUzt1kocjYwDDdk?si=6b8dd4c5e768418a
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