Being able to articulate the gospel with accuracy is one thing; having its truth captivate your soul is quite another.
J. D. GreearRead
The gospel has done its work in us when we crave God more than we crave everything else in life - more than money, romance, family, health, fame - and when seeing His kingdom advance in the lives of others gives us more joy than anything we could own. When we see Jesus as greater than anything the world can offer, we'll gladly let everything else go to possess Him.
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the importance of valuing a relationship with God above all worldly desires and achievements.
J.D. Greear's quote highlights the transformative power of faith in creating a deep desire for God that surpasses all other ambitions or desires, such as wealth, love, or success. It suggests that true fulfillment comes from prioritizing one's spiritual life and finding joy in the growth of faith, both personally and in others, rather than in material possessions or accolades.
In practice
In a sermon about spiritual priorities, one might use this quote to illustrate a life devoted to God.
Being able to articulate the gospel with accuracy is one thing; having its truth captivate your soul is quite another.
As far as you can, get into the habit of asking yourself in relation to any action taken by another: "What is his point of reference here?" But begin with yourself: examine yourself first.
Worshiping someone means...placing that person outside of our world. We are not worshiping anyone or anything, we are simply communing with Creation.
It is the part of a Christian to take care of his own body for the very purpose that, by its soundness and wellbeing, he may be enabled to labour, and to acquire and preserve property, for the aid of those who are in want, that thus the stronger member may serve the weaker member, and we may be children of God, and busy for one another, bearing one another's burdens, and so fulfiling the law of Christ.
Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.
I'm like everyone else—I see the world in terms of what I would like to see happen, not what actually does.
Look through the whole history of countries professing the Romish religion, and you will uniformly find the leaven of this besetting and accursed principle of action - that the end will sanction any means.
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