Comments on: I’m Done But God’s Not http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/ Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:25:41 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Miguel http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2327 Miguel Thu, 23 Apr 2009 14:12:52 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2327 Ditto to DJ: It's really great to hear a Reformed preacher humbly acknowledge his absolute dependence on the filling/empowering/anointing of God's Spirit in order for the preaching to be effective. We Reformed truly are pretty "naturalistic" in a lot of ways, probably due to our very rational nature and history and also as a reaction (over-reaction?) to wild forays into subjectivity on the part of other professing Christians. But we should not neglect that Christianity must have an experiential, "mystical" aspect to it as surely as it must have objective propositional content. Yes, in our Puritan heritage there was much more attunement to this aspect of Christian life (of course, the Puritans hadn't been through the First and Second Great Awakenings, the occasional excesses of which pushed us toward our present naturalism). Anyway, this "spiritual" aspect of our Christian life is very much exhibited in preaching, both in preacher and listener. A preaching class can teach you a lot, but if the Spirit doesn't fill you for the work and open the hearts of your hearers, you have little more than a well-crafted speech. This work of the Spirit during preaching truly is a mystical thing, hard to quantify, describe, or "nail down," but very tangible in either its presence or its absence! Ditto to DJ: It’s really great to hear a Reformed preacher humbly acknowledge his absolute dependence on the filling/empowering/anointing of God’s Spirit in order for the preaching to be effective. We Reformed truly are pretty “naturalistic” in a lot of ways, probably due to our very rational nature and history and also as a reaction (over-reaction?) to wild forays into subjectivity on the part of other professing Christians. But we should not neglect that Christianity must have an experiential, “mystical” aspect to it as surely as it must have objective propositional content. Yes, in our Puritan heritage there was much more attunement to this aspect of Christian life (of course, the Puritans hadn’t been through the First and Second Great Awakenings, the occasional excesses of which pushed us toward our present naturalism). Anyway, this “spiritual” aspect of our Christian life is very much exhibited in preaching, both in preacher and listener. A preaching class can teach you a lot, but if the Spirit doesn’t fill you for the work and open the hearts of your hearers, you have little more than a well-crafted speech. This work of the Spirit during preaching truly is a mystical thing, hard to quantify, describe, or “nail down,” but very tangible in either its presence or its absence!

]]> By: Rod Hayes http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2326 Rod Hayes Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:03:18 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2326 Hi Tullian, I'm sure you are already aware of this but I thought some of your readers might be interested. The Gospel Coalition 2009 National Conference "Entrusted With The Gospel" is being webcast live for the next few days. Today's speakers feature Keller, Piper, Ryken and Driscoll. Not a bad foursome! The webcast link with full schedule can be found at: http://www.christianity.com/gospelcoalition/ Hi Tullian,

I’m sure you are already aware of this but I thought some of your readers might be interested. The Gospel Coalition 2009 National Conference “Entrusted With The Gospel” is being webcast live for the next few days. Today’s speakers feature Keller, Piper, Ryken and Driscoll. Not a bad foursome! The webcast link with full schedule can be found at: http://www.christianity.com/gospelcoalition/

]]> By: Robin Revier http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2325 Robin Revier Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:41:48 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2325 Dear Pastor Tullian: I am just 'stupid' blessed by your leadership! I have been waiting sooooooooooo long to hear what you are saying from the pulpit and I have struggled off and on in the meantime in my quest to prayerfully find the right place to worship. Indeed, it is not about the minister, but Christ...HOWEVER, it is so darn good to hear a solid 'no nonsense' message; so good! This Sunday you said, "In a crowd this big, somebody here is running from God...hellooooooo...of course! Thank you for not being afraid to say that. God pinned me down several years ago, and it was precisely at that point that I felt the most loved and had the most assurance. I wept repeatedly during your message because it was so personal! Preach it brother...you and your family are lifted up daily in our home and we are overjoyed at what God is doing in this community through the unanimous decision to vote you in. I believe we haven't seen anything yet and we are all revved up at the Revier residence! In His AMAZING Grace- Robin Revier Dear Pastor Tullian:

I am just ‘stupid’ blessed by your leadership! I have been waiting sooooooooooo long to hear what you are saying from the pulpit and I have struggled off and on in the meantime in my quest to prayerfully find the right place to worship. Indeed, it is not about the minister, but Christ…HOWEVER, it is so darn good to hear a solid ‘no nonsense’ message; so good!

This Sunday you said, “In a crowd this big, somebody here is running from God…hellooooooo…of course! Thank you for not being afraid to say that. God pinned me down several years ago, and it was precisely at that point that I felt the most loved and had the most assurance. I wept repeatedly during your message because it was so personal!

Preach it brother…you and your family are lifted up daily in our home and we are overjoyed at what God is doing in this community through the unanimous decision to vote you in. I believe we haven’t seen anything yet and we are all revved up at the Revier residence!

In His AMAZING Grace-
Robin Revier

]]> By: DJ Cimino http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2324 DJ Cimino Tue, 21 Apr 2009 16:03:16 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2324 Stephen - duly noted. However, you don't often *hear* a Presbyterian talking about unction. What the charismatics and Pentecostals overemphasize, the truly Reformed often under-emphasize. So, i'm glad to hear it :) Stephen – duly noted. However, you don’t often *hear* a Presbyterian talking about unction. What the charismatics and Pentecostals overemphasize, the truly Reformed often under-emphasize. So, i’m glad to hear it :)

]]> By: Larry Revier http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2323 Larry Revier Tue, 21 Apr 2009 15:39:12 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2323 Tullian- In searching for a change, my wife and I happened to fall into a pew on Audition Sunday and have not been the same since. We are not yet members but if accepted, I expect we will be soon. We feel so fortunate to live in the same community as you and the amazing church you are guiding. TY so much for you and your family's personnel dedication and immense vulnerability to hear all God is telling you, as you share His word with us. God Bless You and TY again... Best, Larry Revier Tullian- In searching for a change, my wife and I happened to fall into a pew on Audition Sunday and have not been the same since. We are not yet members but if accepted, I expect we will be soon. We feel so fortunate to live in the same community as you and the amazing church you are guiding. TY so much for you and your family’s personnel dedication and immense vulnerability to hear all God is telling you, as you share His word with us. God Bless You and TY again… Best, Larry Revier

]]> By: Michele and Dennis Hofmann http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2322 Michele and Dennis Hofmann Tue, 21 Apr 2009 02:32:15 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2322 Fantastic message yesterday! Tullian, wether it's unction or junction it is always flowing when you are preaching! We are blessed! We would like to echo your appreciation of Aram's clarification on things. He's a hoot! We can just imagine what your house was like when you where growing up! Are there any quiet or shy children in your family? Be blessed! We hope you are feeling better! Dennis and Michele Fantastic message yesterday! Tullian, wether it’s unction or junction it is always flowing when you are preaching! We are blessed!

We would like to echo your appreciation of Aram’s clarification on things. He’s a hoot! We can just imagine what your house was like when you where growing up! Are there any quiet or shy children in your family?

Be blessed! We hope you are feeling better!

Dennis and Michele

]]> By: Tammy Sandidge http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2321 Tammy Sandidge Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:44:39 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2321 Tullian, My computer has been sick since Friday so I did not even know you were sick. You could not tell. When you prayed and asked, "Do you know Him?....the power of the Holy Spirit (unction) went through you and many were moved to tears in my section. All I can say is WOW! Tammy Tullian,

My computer has been sick since Friday so I did not even know you were sick. You could not tell. When you prayed and asked, “Do you know Him?….the power of the Holy Spirit (unction) went through you and many were moved to tears in my section. All I can say is WOW!

Tammy

]]> By: Tullian Tchividjian http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2320 Tullian Tchividjian Mon, 20 Apr 2009 23:08:42 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2320 Thanks for the deep clarification Aram. We don't know what we would do without you! Thanks for the deep clarification Aram. We don’t know what we would do without you!

]]> By: LBW http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2319 LBW Mon, 20 Apr 2009 18:49:58 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2319 Dear Reverend God was surely in the place on Sunday Morning. Please take care of yourself - remember to take time for yourself and family. Why if you feel up to it and it's a good day - go catch a wave or two!!! Keeping you in Prayer! LBW Dear Reverend
God was surely in the place on Sunday Morning. Please take care of yourself – remember to take time for yourself and family. Why if you feel up to it and it’s a good day – go catch a wave or two!!! Keeping you in Prayer!
LBW

]]> By: Aram Tchividjian http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/tullian/2009/04/18/im-done-but-gods-not/comment-page-1/#comment-2318 Aram Tchividjian Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:13:49 +0000 http://www.newcitypres.com/blog/?p=674#comment-2318 Guys, its pronounced <i>JUNCTION</i> - with a "J". And it doesn't have anything to do with preaching - it has something to do with "a place where two or more things meet or converge". Guys, its pronounced JUNCTION – with a “J”. And it doesn’t have anything to do with preaching – it has something to do with “a place where two or more things meet or converge”.

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