Radical

There is a book out now that I hope all will read. The title is "Radical" and it is by David Platt. It is challenging, convicting and.....radical. It actually calls us to believe what Jesus says in a literal and real way. I hope you will pick up a copy. It won't stay with you because you'll lend it to as many as you can. David Platt's message is propehtic and by that I mean it is God's word for God's people for this moment in our lives. The ironic thing is it isn't anything new, it's just New Testament.

BUMP!

Bump again. I'm just trying to encourage you guys to check him out. I've been listening to his messages online for about two years or so now. God has used them to do a great work within my heart. If you want to be totally challenged read this book and also check out some of his messages online my favorite ones are from 2008 and start here: http://www.brookhills.org/media/series/?page=8
The Desperate for His Spirit Series were the first I ever listend to. WOW!

Alot of what you will read in the Radical book are from his 2008 sermon series "Radical, What the Gospel Demands" here is the link. http://www.brookhills.org/media/series/radical/

Snuff,

I don't want to be ugly but as in your other posts you have a way on seeing the worse in everything. How about listening to his messages and you might find out those answers?

As far as Luke 14:26 is concerned. I've never understood that message until I went to a STRICT MUSLIM country on a mission trip. I heard about an individual who was studying to become an IMAN. Had already done his journey to MECCA. And now had come across the message and hope of Christ. He was meeting with believers and said I want to believe, I really do, but if I do this I'm going to lose my job, my wife, and my kids. My parents will disown me. Pray for me, I want to believe. He is waying the costs and determing if he can follow Christ even if it looks like hate to himself and others. I understand it now. Only after getting outside my comfort zone. Our problem in the US is we read and interpert the scripture through a Western mindset.

Snufl:

I say this tongue in cheek, you're taking my post too literally. I agree with you that there are some symbolic calls that Jesus makes and there are some that are real and meant to be interpreted as radically as they were spoken. I suggest you read the book rather than relying on my own awkward use of words to describe it. The material and presentation are extremely good. His message is similar to what you will hear from Francis Chan, Paul Washer, and John Piper all of whom are calling out for the New Testament to be "real" in our lives and in our relationships with each other and the world around us. All the best to you.

Why me,

you are right, very similar to Piper and Chan. I seem to also pick up some Ravenhill in there too. But maybe that's just me.

Radical faith calls us to live with
reckless abandon for Christ. What
keeps us from living in this manner?
Most of the time, it is fear of letting
go and letting GOD.
Radical faith puts self in harms way,
selfs' wants and desires are in danger.
The death to self is a must for following
Christ, and death to self brings
the fullness of the anointing from the
LORD.
Radical faith proclaims the truth of
the gospel of the kingdom!! Radical
faith exalts the risen Savior!! Do
you have radical faith?? Is your love
for Jesus the driving force in your
life??

by FRANCIS CHAN

"we do have to give up everything we have to follow Jesus. We do have to love him in a way that makes our closest relationships in this world look like hate. And it is intirely possible that he will tell us to sell everything we have and give it to the poor . But we don't want to believe it. We are afraid of what in might mean for our lives. So we rationalize these passages away. 'Jesus wouldn't really tell us not to bury our father or say good bye to our family. Jesus didn't literally mean to sell all we have and give it to the poor. What Jesus really meant was.." And this is where we need to pause. Because we are starting to redefine Christianity. We are giving into a the dangerous temptation to take the Jesus of the Bible and twist him into a version of Jesus we are more comfortable with." - David Platt,from his book RADICAL page 18&19 Chapter 1 "Someone worth losing everything for - What Radical Abandonment to Jesus really means."

Shadyg:

I just listened to Desperate for the Spirit by David Platt that you posted earlier in this thread. You said "Wow". I don't think that covers it. That sermon is as powerful a sermon as I've ever heard and I've listened and read thousands. I just took it down to the church I attend and the pastor and worship leader are still on their knees before God. I had to leave. I hope all will follow your lead and listen to the message.

Well it's been a little while since I've listened to it. But I've been messed up every since...

sorry snuff my mother-in-law always interperts my text messages wrong too. So I know what you mean. Sorry didn't mean anything by it. I'll have to check out your link. It really is a good book though.

You know for the first time in many years I am really excited about what is happening in the Church. I am seeing God raise up men like, Francis Chan, Bro. Yun, Dr. Owuor and David Platt and a number of others, who think the bible is to be lived. Hallelujah.

I have been so sick of the TV gospel and the church looking like the world. We have been called out of something, into something. It should have no resemblence to the world. We are called to be radical. I just read a biography about Sundar Singh and what it cost him to follow Jesus. He took up his cross and did't look back. He let go of family, comfort and reputation and gained everyhing that really counts.

Praise God for a return to biblical christianity.