Bailey > Bailey's Quotes

“Jesus proclaimed the same gospel to the crowds that he taught to the disciples. He did not have the twelve on a special, gospel-plus track to study advanced subject matter. The good news is for everyone because nobody ever graduates from the gospel. Jesus taught the same gospel of the kingdom to sinners and to saints. Why? Because his agenda of grace is the only solution to our common predicament of sin, Christian or non-Christian. Both desperately need the forgiving, reconciling, and restoring power of the gospel to know and enjoy God, not just once but for a lifetime.”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded

“Confession divorced from repentance reduces holiness to half-hearted morality.”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded

“Edwards explains faith by comparing it to honey.6 Allow me to paraphrase Edwards: I can show you honey. You can marvel at its golden hue, the way it refracts light, and its viscosity. And I can tell you that it is sweet . . . and you can believe that it is sweet. But unless you have tasted it, you don’t know it is sweet. Believing honey is sweet doesn’t mean you really know it is sweet. I could be lying to you. You only know honey is sweet when you have tasted it. Similarly, it’s not enough to believe Jesus is the Son of God and that he died on the cross for our sins. There are many people in the southern states who believe these facts but have not tasted their sweetness. Religious affection compels us beyond “mere belief” into genuine faith, a relishing of all that God is for us in Jesus. It is not enough to agree with Jesus; we must worship Jesus. Genuine faith not only believes but “tastes” the sweetness of Christ. How can we cultivate this affection?”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded

“Not an ounce of holiness is possible apart from the work of Jesus applied through the Spirit. To bluntly summarize Owen: no Spirit, no gospel holiness. Without reliance on the Spirit we may get morality, even a veneer of Christianity, but no gospel holiness. Apart from the presence and power of the Spirit, our attempt to desire God, believe his promises, fear his warnings, and walk in his ways is absolutely futile. Disciples need more than resolve to believe the gospel; they need the Holy Ghost.”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded

“How many times have we rationalized away an opportunity to communicate the gospel? “They are in a hurry.” “She would think I’m weird.” “I don’t even know that person.” These rational objections didn’t stop Philip with the Ethiopian, or Peter with Cornelius’s family, or Paul with Lydia. Instead of assuming that your thoughts are a dialogue with your reason, enter into dialogue with the Spirit. Ask him for clarity, direction, and power to believe the gospel. In a word, surrender! Surrender to the Spirit’s promptings, follow his nudging, and talk to him about it along the way. When we surrender to the Spirit, we become more like Jesus. Communion with the Spirit releases the power of the Spirit to follow Jesus and make disciples.”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded

“Depending on what your biological family was like, church-as-family may intimidate or inspire you. It’s easy to import our own baggage or expectations into the church, but it’s also important to be aware of the baggage. Creating some space to talk about these issues with one another can be very fruitful. But in our society, meeting with relative strangers for two-and-a-half hours a week, sharing a meal, giving and receiving grace from people very different from us, isn’t ordinary. We are used to being dependent on ourselves and, if we are honest, our highest obligation is to self—doing, saying, and feeling whatever we want. In an interesting twist, self-love is the paradigm for true love. Jesus tells us to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matt. 19:19; see Lev. 19:18). Disciples of Jesus should do, say, and try to feel what is best for others, not just for themselves. To put it bluntly, disciples of Jesus should regularly sacrifice privacy, convenience, and comfort in order to love and serve one another.”
― Jonathan K. Dodson, Gospel-Centered Discipleship: Revised and Expanded

“As one prone to depression, I find comfort in remembering that Jesus went through the most depressing state possible: being separated from God the Father on the cross. When the nerve damage in my arms is unbearable, I think about the nails that pierced Jesus’s arms right through the nerves. When I go through difficult family circumstances, I recall that Jesus’s family didn’t believe he was Lord. When I miss my friends who live half the world away from me, I remember that Jesus left his throne in heaven to come to earth. When money is tight, I remember that Jesus was poor and didn’t own more than the clothes he wore. When I am facing endless temptation, I know Jesus can sympathize with my weaknesses because he was tempted just like we are. Friend, Jesus knows.”
― Dave Furman, Kiss the Wave: Embracing God in Your Trials

“Joy in our trials can begin to take root in our hearts when we understand the magnitude of grace God has given us. Unless we stand in Barabbas’s sandals and find they fit us, we won’t see the gravity of God’s love for us. This is our story. You and I are Barabbas. We needed someone to take our place, and Jesus has done that for us. He willingly took the wrath of God upon himself. On the cross, Jesus absorbed all our wickedness. He has poured out his perfect love upon us.”
― Dave Furman, Kiss the Wave: Embracing God in Your Trials

“Other truths can bring you some measure of joy, but why not remind yourself of and reflect on the greatest news in all the world? Why look for lesser truths to bring you hope in your pain than the most joy-inflicting, radical reminder that Jesus went to the cross in your place?”
― Dave Furman, Kiss the Wave: Embracing God in Your Trials

“True joy is a joy that is not subject to ever-changing circumstances. It is a joy that is grounded in truth. As we suffer, we can work hard to try to numb our painful circumstances or try to deny that they exist. But what we need instead of denial or distraction is a truth that will overwhelm the trouble. In the resurrection we have that truth and it cannot be undone. It means that everything Jesus said and did was trustworthy.”
― Dave Furman, Kiss the Wave: Embracing God in Your Trials

“But in addition to spiritual matters, providing for your family’s emotional needs must also remain a priority. One reason to avoid constantly coming home drained and depleted from too many hours of work is so you’re not as likely to be touchy, impatient, and irritable around your family. Part of their emotional well-being depends on the pleasantness of your conversation, your ability to give them your full attention, and your quickness to be understanding and forgiving.”
― Stephen Kendrick, The Resolution for Men

“Many men need to pray for a new boss or a new job. But they should not keep sacrificing their lives and families for people who won’t cry at their funeral. Men never lie on their deathbeds and wish they could have spent more time in the office. They always long to go back and spend more time with their wife and kids. If you prioritize God’s priorities, He can give you greater favor at work, bless you in ways your job never could, and stretch out the income you do bring in.”
― Stephen Kendrick, The Resolution for Men

“You don’t have to read twelve books to learn what wives need from their husbands. Just walk up and ask her.”
― Stephen Kendrick, The Resolution for Men

“What are some reasons you may not be sharing the gospel? Do you expect the church staff to do it or perhaps just the extroverts in the church? Are you too busy with your plans to think about someone else’s eternal state? Are you a Christian in name but a Universalist in practice, acting as if God will simply save everyone in the end anyway? Are you ashamed of God’s justice and goodness in judging and condemning sinners? If any of these reasons describe you and your lack of evangelism, I’d like to gently say two things: First—you need to repent. Second—there’s hope for you. If you’re a discouraged evangelist, or if you feel like one, this book is for you. The good news for bad evangelists is that the same gospel we want to preach to others is the same gospel that gives us the power to obey Christ’s command to share the gospel with others.”
― Isaac Adams, What If I'm Discouraged in My Evangelism?

“I once shared the gospel with a friend who rejected it. As we parted ways, I felt like a failure and like I dishonored God. I see now, however, that my discouragement emerged from a misunderstanding. I was approaching evangelism like a salesman: I acted as if I had to sell the gospel to my friend, and since I didn’t close the sale, I figured my boss (God) would be mad at me. And so, I was mad at myself. But friends, being rejected for sharing the gospel is normal. Didn’t Jesus tell us as much? If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. (John 15:18) Instead of making us despair, rejection should make us rejoice.”
― Isaac Adams, What If I'm Discouraged in My Evangelism?

“While we lived in Thailand, we had the privilege of having Jim Downing, former Deputy President of the Navigators, come for a visit. While eating breakfast one morning, I asked him the following question: “Jim, you had the opportunity to work with Billy Graham from the early days. You watched his ministry develop over the years. Why do you think Billy’s ministry grew so dramatically while other evangelists’ ministries of that time didn’t?” Jim’s answer was simple. “Billy had the faith to go rent the stadium when others didn’t.” I was speechless and challenged to trust God for more. The spiritual principle is true. “You do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). What are you asking God to do with your life? If it’s not intimidating to you, it probably is insulting to God.”
― Bob McNabb, Spiritual Multiplication in the Real World: Why some disciple-makers reproduce when others fail.

“The word ambition comes from a Latin word meaning “campaigning for promotion.” The phrase suggests a variety of elements: social visibility and approval, popularity, peer recognition, the exercise of authority over others. Ambitious people, in this sense, enjoy the power that comes with money, prestige, and authority. Jesus had no time for such ego-driven ambitions. The true spiritual leader will never “campaign for promotion.” To His “ambitious” disciples Jesus announced a new standard of greatness: “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all” (Mark 10:42–44).”
― J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer

“True greatness, true leadership, is found in giving yourself in service to others, not in coaxing or inducing others to serve you. True service is never without cost. Often it comes with a bitter cup of challenges and a painful baptism of suffering. For genuine godly leadership weighs carefully Jesus’ question: “Can you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with?” (Mark 10:38b). The real spiritual leader is focused on the service he and she can render to God and other people, not on the residuals and perks of high office or holy title. We must aim to put more into life than we take out.”
― J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer

“I have one passion: it is He, He alone.” Zinzendorf turned from self-seeking to become the founder and leader of the Moravian Church.”
― J. Oswald Sanders, Spiritual Leadership: Principles of Excellence for Every Believer

“Individual laborers are not miniature bodies of Christ. When we study spiritual gifts, we quickly recognize that no believer has all of the gifts, and because of this, we need each other. However, when it comes to disciple-making, somehow we tend to think that individuals can go out and do it on their own. This is a root cause of why so many fail to reproduce.”
― Bob McNabb, Spiritual Multiplication in the Real World: Why some disciple-makers reproduce when others fail.