Advancing

The Heart Of Easter

Rick McKinley of Imago Dei in Portland, OR is one of the most graciously poignant communicators of the gospel I have ever heard.  I know Easter is behind us but if you haven't reached critical mass I highly recommend this download to take you there.  Rick approaches the resurrection from 3 different paths:  the historian, the philosopher, the lover.  I continue to be bombarded with the importance of story.

Adrian Warnock's Easter Message

Adrian over at Jubilee Church in London preached a great sermon today on the polarizing effect of the cross of Jesus Christ.  He begins by listing the "Top 20" most influential Britons of all time. He then compares their perceived influence to the influence Jesus seemed to have in His day.  Jesus' ministry forced people to make decisions.  You either loved Him and embraced His Lordship or hated his guts.  Some things never change.

In the midst of all these questions a woman named Mary Magdalene offers an appropriate response to the generous love of God by annointing Jesus for burial with costly perfume.   

The Power Of Stories

I'm captivated by good stories and good storytellers.  Sermons or sales pitches, actors or airline stewardesses, tell me a story well and I'm in.

I've stumbled upon this topic a couple times in the last few days.  First, Pastors James Harleman and Gary Shavey of Mars Hill Church discuss the power of stories in their discussion of the Academy Award winning film, Crash.  Hollywood's success, they point out, is largely based on it's story telling skill.  Secondly, Forbes magazine published an article by Harvard Business School instructor, John P. Kotter (left), on the power of stories in the business world.  You may have heard of his new book, Leading Change.

Suffering With Hope

Nothing reveals the impotence of words like human suffering.  When the devastation of acute pain hits most of us Bible memory verses temporarily fly out the window.  All we can do is grieve and feel the pain.  Yesterday morning Rick McKinley (left) of Imago Dei Community in Portland, OR preached a great message on Romans 8 and the consequences of living in a fallen world.  Something painfully beautiful happens at the end of the sermon.  Please download the mp3 when you get a few minutes of free time.  It's worth it.

Stewards of the Gospel

One of the preachers God has used to speak into my life over the last few months is Dr. Adrian Warnock.  Adrian is a reformed charismatic lay preacher at Jubilee Church in London.  He serves enthusiastically under lead elder Tope Koleoso.  Paul Schafer (not Letterman's band leader) recently blogged an outstanding Q&A with Adrian which helped me understand what makes this guy tick.  Adrian has a genuine gift from God and is faithfully stewarding it.  Who better to share an important message such as the one he did last Sunday.  I highly recommend you download Stewardship:  Entrusted With The Gospel.  Sermon notes here.  Our family listened to this message over the last couple days during our devotional time.  The kids enjoyed the plethora of illustrations Adrian employed to drive home the main idea.  We loved his English accent and gracious disposition.  Enjoy!

Bono At National Prayer Breakfast

Do you think this man has influence?  Put aside your personal opinion of U2 frontman/political philanthropist Bono for a second.  This guy is appealing this morning to the most powerful leader in the world on a national stage to increase US spending an extra 1% GDP to help fight global poverty and disease.  Will it work?  Probably not.  But listen to him speak.  Bono strikes me as a humble man who really wants to please God by helping people.  Nobody has this kind of audience.  Perhaps we would do well as the church by following his example of "doing" something about the problems surrounding us instead of debating whether or not he's saved.  God, forgive me.  Watch Bono's complete 20 minute speech.  I would love to hear your opinion.  HT:  DP

Tip:  If you experience difficulty with the full length video stream, try clicking the pause button and leaving it for a few minutes.  Or read the transcript.

Mark Driscoll On Google Video

Nothing has influenced me more in the last year than the preaching ministry of Mark Driscoll, senior pastor of Mars Hill Church in Seattle, WA.  Blind spots in my theology have been exposed.  I've adopted a much more balanced perspective on how to relate to and hopefully influence culture for Jesus.  My ecclesiology and missionology have been challenged and informed.  Well, today Mark decided to make available 13 recent sermons on Google Video for free.  I can't endorse them more enthusiastically.  In his latest sermon, Pastor Jesus, he talks about the adventures of Porno Boy and Spooky Smart!  Be warned:  As entertaining and informed as Mark tends to be, you might find a few of your golden calves getting kicked upside the head!  At least that reflects my own personal experience with Driscoll's "in your face" preaching style.

Tip:  Make sure to download the player first for superior picture quality.

Justice and Mercy

Rick McKinley, founding pastor of Imago Dei (The Image of God) and author of Jesus in the Margins just returned from a one month study sabatical and a couple weeks with his family in Mexico.  I love this guy.  Frank Martinez and Quinn Crandell, a couple close friends from Portland, turned me on to Imago Dei.  Donald Miller, author of the popular Blue Like Jazz, belongs and speaks occasionally. 

God must have done some great things in Rick's heart while he was gone.  Yesterday's sermon was one of the best presentations of the gospel I've ever heard.  Download the mp3 here!