If you've ever seen CJ preach, you'll know that this impersonation is dead on. Really funny!
Jonathan Rourke as CJ Mahaney from Resolved on Vimeo.
Showing posts with label CJ Mahaney. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CJ Mahaney. Show all posts
New Recommended Reading on the Gospel from CJ Mahaney
In the past few years, CJ Mahaney (along with many other faithful friends & pastors) has helped me realize that as a Christian, I still need to hear the good news of the gospel, day in & day out. To that end, here are 6 new books on the gospel that CJ recommends you think about reading.
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“The gospel cannot be preached and heard enough, for it cannot be grasped well enough,” wrote Martin Luther.*
By God’s grace I have been a Christian for 38 years. I agree with Luther—I still cannot hear the gospel enough. Each morning I seek to preach the gospel to myself by my study of Scripture and through the strategic reading of supplemental books about the cross. Over the past several months it has not been difficult to find enough books to fill this role. Six wonderful new books on the gospel have been published in the last five months, and they constitute a portion of my recent reading diet. Here they are:
God the Peacemaker: How Atonement Brings Shalom by Graham A. Cole (Dec 2009), 257 pages. This is a technical but reader-friendly addition in the NSBT series (New Studies in Biblical Theology). And not only is it detailed and readable, but I found it to be deeply moving, too. Many times throughout this book as I read about the atoning sacrifice of our Savior I ceased reading, looked up from the book, and broke into song. (In the interest of full disclosure, this often happens when I read. I am a noisy reader and often break into song while reading.)
God the Peacemaker is a wonderful book that explains why God's intention to restore shalom (peace) to his creation requires the death of Christ. Cole writes in the introduction:
By Grace Alone: How the Grace of God Amazes Me by Sinclair Ferguson (Feb 2010), 118 pages. Few have taught me more about the gospel of the grace of God than Sinclair Ferguson. I was reminded of the profound influence of his ministry in my life a couple years ago when I did this interview with him about the cross. Through his sermons and writing I am personally reminded of grace, affected by grace, and inspired to lead by grace. His latest book on the gospel of the grace of God is a gem—showing us why we should be amazed by it. Ferguson writes,
Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus by D.A. Carson (Feb 2010), 168 pages. In the preface Carson writes,
Atonement by various authors, edited by Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer (Feb 2010), 142 pages. This is a compilation of messages delivered over the years at the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. Contributors include J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, and Ferguson. In his preface, editor Gabriel Fluhrer opens the book with these pointed words: "This is a book about blood and it soaks every page" (ix). And a little later he writes,
What Is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert (April 2010), 124 pages. Gilbert's new book on the gospel is clear and compelling. I wrote in my endorsement that I hoped to place this book in the hands of every pastor and church member. And the only thing I would add is that I hope it finds its way into the hands of non-Christians as well. I agree with Mark Dever: "This little book on the gospel is one of the clearest and most important books I've read in recent years." Help me put a copy of this book into every hand. Buy a case of them and begin giving them away immediately!
It Is Well: Expositions on Substitutionary Atonement by Mark Dever and Michael Lawrence (April 2010), 223 pages. This series of sermons was published out of concern over the neglect of the gospel in the life of local churches. In the preface Dever writes,
I am grateful that we have many wonderful (and affordable) books about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need these books because we cannot read enough about the gospel. We cannot read enough about the gospel because we cannot grasp it well enough.
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* What Luther Says: An Anthology, compiled by Edwald M. Plass (St. Louis: Concordia, 1963), vol. 2, pp. 563–564.
-----------------------------------------------------
“The gospel cannot be preached and heard enough, for it cannot be grasped well enough,” wrote Martin Luther.*
By God’s grace I have been a Christian for 38 years. I agree with Luther—I still cannot hear the gospel enough. Each morning I seek to preach the gospel to myself by my study of Scripture and through the strategic reading of supplemental books about the cross. Over the past several months it has not been difficult to find enough books to fill this role. Six wonderful new books on the gospel have been published in the last five months, and they constitute a portion of my recent reading diet. Here they are:
God the Peacemaker: How Atonement Brings Shalom by Graham A. Cole (Dec 2009), 257 pages. This is a technical but reader-friendly addition in the NSBT series (New Studies in Biblical Theology). And not only is it detailed and readable, but I found it to be deeply moving, too. Many times throughout this book as I read about the atoning sacrifice of our Savior I ceased reading, looked up from the book, and broke into song. (In the interest of full disclosure, this often happens when I read. I am a noisy reader and often break into song while reading.)God the Peacemaker is a wonderful book that explains why God's intention to restore shalom (peace) to his creation requires the death of Christ. Cole writes in the introduction:
We live in a troubled world. As I write, there are reports of a devastating cyclone in Myanmar, an earthquake in China, fighting in the Sudan and Iraq, shooting death after shooting death on the south side of Chicago. The list could go on and on. The waste of human life is enormous....Yet Christians believe in a good God who as the Creator has never lost interest in his world. The key evidence and the chief symbol of that divine commitment is the cross of Christ....Central to the divine strategy is Christ, his coming and his cross. The troubles and calamities will end. (19)In recent years there have been many books that emphasize God’s restoration of shalom, but too few that highlight the central role of the cross in this plan.
By Grace Alone: How the Grace of God Amazes Me by Sinclair Ferguson (Feb 2010), 118 pages. Few have taught me more about the gospel of the grace of God than Sinclair Ferguson. I was reminded of the profound influence of his ministry in my life a couple years ago when I did this interview with him about the cross. Through his sermons and writing I am personally reminded of grace, affected by grace, and inspired to lead by grace. His latest book on the gospel of the grace of God is a gem—showing us why we should be amazed by it. Ferguson writes, Being amazed by God’s grace is a sign of spiritual vitality. It is a litmus test of how firm and real is our grasp of the Christian gospel and how close is our walk with Jesus Christ. The growing Christian finds that the grace of God astonishes and amazes. Yet we frequently take the grace of God for granted. (xiv)Ferguson writes as a man who is himself amazed by grace.
Scandalous: The Cross and Resurrection of Jesus by D.A. Carson (Feb 2010), 168 pages. In the preface Carson writes, Nothing is more central to the Bible than Jesus' death and resurrection. The entire Bible pivots on one weekend in Jerusalem about two thousand years ago. Attempts to make sense of the Bible that do not give prolonged thought to integrating the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus are doomed to failure, at best exercises in irrelevance. (11)This book is not only not doomed to failure but destined to serve readers in their appreciation of the gospel as he expounds on both the death and resurrection of the Savior. As Mark Dever says in his endorsement, "This professor can preach. These are model messages on crucial passages." They are crucial passages, presented as a model of exegesis and exposition. The book is developed around five core passages: Matthew 27:27–51, Romans 3:21–26, Revelation 12, John 11:1–53, and John 20:24–31. Pastors can easily adapt this structure and use these passages to develop a sermon series to serve their churches.
Atonement by various authors, edited by Gabriel N.E. Fluhrer (Feb 2010), 142 pages. This is a compilation of messages delivered over the years at the Philadelphia Conference on Reformed Theology. Contributors include J.I. Packer, R.C. Sproul, and Ferguson. In his preface, editor Gabriel Fluhrer opens the book with these pointed words: "This is a book about blood and it soaks every page" (ix). And a little later he writes, Today, along with other great doctrines of the Christian faith, the doctrine of the blood atonement of Christ is under attack. It is derided as “cosmic child abuse” and traded for a grandfatherly sentimentalism that muffles the piercing cries of the Savior being nailed to the cross. The pride of our sin dilutes the simple, clear, and shocking teaching of the New Testament: God killed his perfect Son to save hate-filled rebels from the wrath they deserve. (x)The messages included in this book were finely chosen.
What Is the Gospel? by Greg Gilbert (April 2010), 124 pages. Gilbert's new book on the gospel is clear and compelling. I wrote in my endorsement that I hoped to place this book in the hands of every pastor and church member. And the only thing I would add is that I hope it finds its way into the hands of non-Christians as well. I agree with Mark Dever: "This little book on the gospel is one of the clearest and most important books I've read in recent years." Help me put a copy of this book into every hand. Buy a case of them and begin giving them away immediately!It Is Well: Expositions on Substitutionary Atonement by Mark Dever and Michael Lawrence (April 2010), 223 pages. This series of sermons was published out of concern over the neglect of the gospel in the life of local churches. In the preface Dever writes, Have you wondered about the cross lately? Have you wondered where it is in your own church, or in your own life? It's our prayer that these meditations will help you re-center your life on God's sacrifice for us in Christ and join in the celebration that's going on eternally as the saints in heaven praise God for the Lamb who was slain for us. (15)Like Carson’s, this book can provide a pastor with a sermon series on the gospel. The 14 sermons are presented in canonical order on these texts: Exodus 12, Leviticus 16, Isaiah 52:13–53:12, Mark 10:45, 15:33–34, John 3:14–18, 11:47–52, Romans 3:21–26, 4:25, 5:8–10, 8:1–4, Galatians 3:10–13, 1 Peter 2:21–25, and 3:18.
I am grateful that we have many wonderful (and affordable) books about the gospel of Jesus Christ. We need these books because we cannot read enough about the gospel. We cannot read enough about the gospel because we cannot grasp it well enough.
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* What Luther Says: An Anthology, compiled by Edwald M. Plass (St. Louis: Concordia, 1963), vol. 2, pp. 563–564.
CJ Mahaney... Now & Then
It's not too often that after 26 years, God allows you to look better than you once did. I think it's unanimous that's what has happened to CJ Mahaney. Just look at that hair!
(Left to Right: Gary Ricucci, Gary's dad, CJ Mahaney and Robin Boisvert)
Thanks to: Josh Harris
CJ Mahaney Reflects on Tiger Woods
CJ Mahaney has some good thoughts on the recent Tiger Woods incident.
New C.J. Mahaney Videos
Now this is a real treat. Sovereign Grace Ministries has just uploaded several new C.J. Mahaney videos to their Vimeo page. If you're not familiar with him, please watch just one of these videos.
Do Not Love the World
1 John 2:12–17
New Attitude
January 3, 2002
Sovereign Grace
Ephesians 1:4
Sovereign Grace Small Group Leaders Conference
November 14, 2002
Only One Gospel
Galatians 1:1–5
Covenant Life Church
December 8, 2002
Interrogating the Legalist Within
Galatians 3:1–5
Covenant Life Church
February 9, 2003
Cravings and Conflict
James 4:1–2
Covenant Life Church
March 21, 2004
The Morning After
Psalm 33
Covenant Life Church
October 31, 2004
Encourage
Ephesians 4:29
Covenant Life Church
December 12, 2004
Different by Design, Session 2
1 Timothy 3:14–16
Different by Design Conference
January 31, 2005
The Cross: A Meditation on Jesus's Atoning Death
Isaiah 53
New Attitude Conference
May 29, 2006 The Assessment That Matters
1 Corinthians 3:18–4:5
Covenant Life Church
October 22, 2006
Deflating the Puffed Up Church
1 Corinthians 4:6–13
Covenant Life Church
November 5, 2006
Trinitarian Pastoral Ministry
2 Corinthians 13:14
Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference
April 13, 2007
The Idol Factory
Exodus 20:1–3
New Attitude Conference
May 27, 2007
Discern How to Apply
James 1:22
New Attitude Conference
May 29, 2007
The Cup
Mark 14:22–42
Covenant Fellowship
October 21, 2007
Who's Really at Work?
Philippians 2:12–13
The Pursuit
November 10, 2007
Q&A on Biblical Masculinity
The Pursuit
November 10, 2007
A Warning Label
1 Corinthians 2:6–16
Sovereign Grace Church
February 3, 2008
Pastoral Character and Loving People
1 Corinthians 1:1–9
Resurgence: Text & Context Conference
February 25, 2008
Death Swallowed Up in Victory
1 Corinthians 15:17
Covenant Life Church
March 23, 2008
Sustaining a Pastor's Soul
Philippians 1:3–8
Together for the Gospel
April 17, 2008
The Troubled Soul
Psalm 42
New Attitude Conference
May 25, 2008
Knowing God as Father
Galatians 4:1–7
Resolved Conference
June 17, 2008
The Scream of the Damned
Mark 15
Resolved Conference
June 16, 2008
Hidden in Plain Sight
1 Corinthians 1:1–9
Straight Up Conference
October 7, 2008
Q&A with James MacDonald
Straight Up Conference
October 7, 2008
Extravagant Devotion
Mark 14:1–11
20/20 Collegiate Conference
February 6, 2009
Death
Mark 15:33–39
Next Conference
May 25, 2009
Do Not Love the World
1 John 2:12–17
New Attitude
January 3, 2002
Sovereign Grace
Ephesians 1:4
Sovereign Grace Small Group Leaders Conference
November 14, 2002
Only One Gospel
Galatians 1:1–5
Covenant Life Church
December 8, 2002
Interrogating the Legalist Within
Galatians 3:1–5
Covenant Life Church
February 9, 2003
Cravings and Conflict
James 4:1–2
Covenant Life Church
March 21, 2004
The Morning After
Psalm 33
Covenant Life Church
October 31, 2004
Encourage
Ephesians 4:29
Covenant Life Church
December 12, 2004
Different by Design, Session 2
1 Timothy 3:14–16
Different by Design Conference
January 31, 2005
The Cross: A Meditation on Jesus's Atoning Death
Isaiah 53
New Attitude Conference
May 29, 2006 The Assessment That Matters
1 Corinthians 3:18–4:5
Covenant Life Church
October 22, 2006
Deflating the Puffed Up Church
1 Corinthians 4:6–13
Covenant Life Church
November 5, 2006
Trinitarian Pastoral Ministry
2 Corinthians 13:14
Sovereign Grace Pastors Conference
April 13, 2007
The Idol Factory
Exodus 20:1–3
New Attitude Conference
May 27, 2007
Discern How to Apply
James 1:22
New Attitude Conference
May 29, 2007
The Cup
Mark 14:22–42
Covenant Fellowship
October 21, 2007
Who's Really at Work?
Philippians 2:12–13
The Pursuit
November 10, 2007
Q&A on Biblical Masculinity
The Pursuit
November 10, 2007
A Warning Label
1 Corinthians 2:6–16
Sovereign Grace Church
February 3, 2008
Pastoral Character and Loving People
1 Corinthians 1:1–9
Resurgence: Text & Context Conference
February 25, 2008
Death Swallowed Up in Victory
1 Corinthians 15:17
Covenant Life Church
March 23, 2008
Sustaining a Pastor's Soul
Philippians 1:3–8
Together for the Gospel
April 17, 2008
The Troubled Soul
Psalm 42
New Attitude Conference
May 25, 2008
Knowing God as Father
Galatians 4:1–7
Resolved Conference
June 17, 2008
The Scream of the Damned
Mark 15
Resolved Conference
June 16, 2008
Hidden in Plain Sight
1 Corinthians 1:1–9
Straight Up Conference
October 7, 2008
Q&A with James MacDonald
Straight Up Conference
October 7, 2008
Extravagant Devotion
Mark 14:1–11
20/20 Collegiate Conference
February 6, 2009
Death
Mark 15:33–39
Next Conference
May 25, 2009
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