Summary of the Gospel

I like this.  It comes from Paul Langham's translation of the New Testament.

From the book of Titus.

God has commissioned me (Paul) to tell everyone the wonderful truth that because of Jesus Christ, there is hope for life after death and power to live God's way here and now.  God made this promise before time began, and he always keeps his word.

N.T. Wright says a similar thing when he sums up the good news of the Christian hope with something along these lines ... In the resurrection of Jesus, God has declared that Jesus is the Messiah of Israel and the Lord of the universe.

Awesome Responsibility

Frederick Buechner in 'Now and Then' talks about the terrible responsibility that comes with being a preacher.  To have the audacity to get up, week after week, in front of a group of people hungry for God and presume to feed them !!

He also says that in the end the preacher must be clear about their task .... which is not about people believing in the preacher or even the words that they say - the result of preaching must be that people are drawn to a deeper faith in God

Amen to that !