listen to the audio recording of this second lecture presented at Westminster Seminary in California, April 22.
Lecture Two
Let it Alone for this Year:
The Patient Gardener Metaphor Informs Church Planting
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listen to the audio recording of this lecture presented at Westminster Seminary in California on April 23.
Lecture Three
The Evolution of Evergreen Church Planting
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“Parable of the Lost Sheep”
Luke 15: 1-7
Luke presents to us three parables of Jesus: The Lost Sheep; The Lost Coin; and The Lost Son. Jesus’ main point tying these three parables together is that heaven rejoices in the repentance of a sinner. The occasion for the telling of these parables was the Pharisees and scribes grumbling over Jesus, who was receiving the tax collectors and sinners. Luke writes, “the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus.” Jesus attracted sinners. Particularly his gospel message attracted them. As Jesus preached, all sin was condemned and certain hope in God was declared to everyone. These outcast sinners could not stay away from Jesus. While they listened to his every word, the Pharisees and scribes were grumbling. They believed that association with such outcast sinners would make them all unclean. As Jesus told his three parables, the sinners heard the gospel of the God who seeks and finds his lost children. They heard the gospel of heaven rejoicing over repentant sinners. This is the gospel Jesus has given to his Church in all ages to proclaim. (more…)