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Writings on Christianity

Outgrowing the Ingrown Church Review Part 2

BOOK REVIEW: Outgrowing the Ingrown Church by C. John Miller (1986, Zondervan) Part 2 (this post is the second part of my review, to see the first go here) Miller goes on explain how God’s glory is the missionary motive for the church (ch 5). He gives four steps to pursue a renewal of the […]

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Writings on Christianity

Outgrowing the Ingrown Church Review Part 1

BOOK REVIEW: Outgrowing the Ingrown Church by C. John Miller (1986, Zondervan) Part 1 This was a required read for my church planting residency at Redeemer Fellowship. Even though it was written in 1986, the book is just as relevant, timely, and important today. Essentially, it is a call for ingrown, self-centered, evangelism-neglecting churches and […]

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Writings on Christianity

Incompatible New Identity

Incompatible New Identity The Creator has recreated a people to display His glory and enjoy His presence forever. God witnessed His creation rebel against Him and descend into the darkness of slavery to sin and death; but, in His loving-kindness, He came and redeemed a people to be His children and enjoy fellowship with Him […]

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Writings on Christianity

Incompatible Security

Incompatible Security In Jesus we have a security which cannot be shaken. God, who began a good work in us, will carry it on until the day when the risen Lord Jesus returns to earth (Phil 1:6). Our hope is in the Holy One who came to earth as a man and killed death by […]

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Writings on Christianity

Incompatible Joy

Incompatible Joy In Jesus we have a joy that is more wonderful than all the pleasures of the earth. Our hearts are enraptured with the God of the universe who made us in His image and redeemed us by his blood. The joy springs up from an awareness of God’s grace: God saw us in […]

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Writings on Christianity

Did Christ Die For Everyone? (Tsouloufis)

Did Christ Die for Everyone? (Tsouloufis) [The following is a post by friend Dan Tsouloufis] It’s a commonly held position to assume that Christ died for everyone, not just for the elect.  Yet John 17:1-9 seems to indicate otherwise, as does John 17:24.  As John 17:9 states: “I pray for them.  I am not praying […]

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Writings on Christianity

The Sin Beneath Our Cynicism

The Sin Beneath Our Cynicism If you’re like me, you are often tempted to indulge in cynicism. It’s the urge to believe that things aren’t quite what they portray themselves to be; it’s the assumption that an ulterior motive is at work, an impure approach is practiced, or a better way is intentionally overlooked. These […]

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Writings on Christianity

Crossfit and Christianity

Crossfit and Christianity What do Christianity and Crossfit have in common? I have been considering this question the last few months, since becoming a member of a local Crossfit community [Crossfit OLAF]. (Crossift is an intensive exercise program [in a group setting with coaches] that uses weight lifting and gymnastic exercises–it is known for being […]

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Writings on Christianity

New Naperville Church Plant

New Naperville Church Plant Are you new to Naperville? Interested in helping a new church plant get started in downtown Naperville? Cross of Christ Fellowship is a new church plant taking root in the heart of downtown Naperville. We are gospel-centered church in the Southern Baptist Convention and affiliated with the Acts 29 Network. Our […]

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Writings on Christianity

Cross of Christ Fellowship 2014 Goals

Cross of Christ Fellowship 2014 Goals Our Naperville church plant, Cross of Christ Fellowship, has both long term and short term goals. Our overarching long term goal is to plant a gospel-centered, biblically-faithful, evangelistic, church-planting church in the heart of Naperville for the glory of God. As we strive toward this, our core team is […]