Out Of Commission (Getting Every Christian Back To The Great Commission) Order Printed Copy

Author: Paul Chappell
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About the Book

"Out of Commission" by Paul Chappell challenges Christians to recommit to the Great Commission given by Jesus in the Bible. The book discusses the ways in which Christians have become complacent in sharing their faith and offers practical steps to reignite a passion for evangelism and disciple-making. Chappell emphasizes the importance of every believer playing a role in fulfilling the Great Commission and provides guidance on how to effectively reach and disciple others for Christ.

Lee Strobel

Lee Strobel (Lee Patrick Strobel) is a former American investigative journalist and a Christian Author who has written several books, including four which received ECPA (Evangelical Christian Publishers Association) Christian Book Awards (1994, 1999, 2001, 2005) and a series which addresses challenges to the veracity of Christianity. He is a former host of the television program called Faith Under Fire on PAX TV and he runs a video apologetic web site. Lee Strobel Age He was born on January 25, 1952 in Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S. Lee Strobel Family | Chicago Tribune Less information has been revealed about his father, mother and siblings if he has any. He attended the University of Missouri where he received a Journalism degree. He later earned his Masters of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School. He became a journalist for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers for 14 years. The UPI Illinois Editors Association newspaper award program gave him a first place for public service (the Len H. Small Memorial award) for his coverage of the Pinto crash trial of Ford Motor in Winamac, Indiana in 1980. Later, he became the assistant managing editor of the Daily Herald, before leaving journalism in 1987. Lee Strobel Wife | Daughter He married Leslie Strobel and they are blessed with two children; a son called Kyle who is an an Assistant Professor of Spiritual Theology and Formation at the Talbot School of Theology and a daughter called Alison who is a novelist. Lee Strobel Church He was an atheist when he began investigating the Biblical claims about Christ after his wife’s conversion. Prompted by the results of his investigation, he became a Christian on November 8, 1981. He was a teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, from 1987 to 2000, before shifting his focus to writing and producing his TV show, Faith Under Fire. He later was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Southern Evangelical Seminary in recognition of his contributions to Christian apologetics in 2007. Lee Strobel Books He has written several books just to list a few. 1998 – The Case for Christ: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus 2000 – The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity 2004 – The Case for a Creator 2005 – The Case for Christmas: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger 2007 – The Case for the Real Jesus 2013 – The Case for Grace: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives 2014 – The Case for Christianity Answer Book 2015 – The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead with Courage and Confidence 2018 – The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural Lee Strobel Net Worth From his work as a former investigative journalist and from his work as a Christian apologetic author, he has gained a great fortune. Besides that, he lives with his wife in his home that he bought. He has an estimated net worth of $8 million. Lee Strobel Movie His movies include; 2004 – Jesus: Fact or Fiction. 2007 – Jesus: The Great Debate. 2017 – The Case for Christ Lee Strobel The Case For Christ The Case For Christ is one of the books that Lee has written. This book summarizes Lee’s interviews with thirteen evangelical Christian scholars—Craig Blomberg, Bruce Metzger, Edwin Yamauchi, John McRay, Gregory Boyd, Ben Witherington III, Gary Collins, D. A. Carson, Louis Lapides, Alexander Metherell, William Lane Craig, Gary Habermas, and J. P. Moreland—in which they defend their views regarding the historical reliability of the New Testament. His personal encounters with these scholars and their beliefs led to the 2017 film of the same name. Lee Strobel The Case For Miracles The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural is one of the books that he has written. This book starts with an unlikely interview in which America’s foremost skeptic builds a seemingly persuasive case against the miraculous. But then Strobel travels the country to quiz scholars to see whether they can offer solid answers to atheist objections. Along the way, he encounters astounding accounts of healings and other phenomena that simply cannot be explained away by naturalistic causes. The book features the results of exclusive new scientific polling that shows miracle accounts are much more common than people think. Lee Strobel Testimony This is a summary of the detailed transcript of his testimony; For most of my life I was an atheist. I thought the idea of an all-loving, all-powerful creator of the universe–I thought it was stupid. I mean, my background is in journalism and law. I tend to be a skeptical person. I was the legal editor of the Chicago Tribune. So I needed evidence before I’d believe anything. One day my wife came up to me–she’d been agnostic–and she said after a period of spiritual investigation she had decided to become a follower of Jesus Christ. And I thought, you know, this is the worst possible news I could get. I thought she was going to turn into some sexually repressed prude who was going to spend all her time serving the poor in skid row somewhere. I thought this was the end of our marriage. But in the ensuing months, I saw positive changes in her values, in her character, in the way she related to me and the children. It was winsome; and it was attractive; and it made me want to check things out. So I went to church one day, ah, mainly to see if I could get her out of this cult that she had gotten involved in. But I heard the message of Jesus articulated for the first time in a way that I could understand it. That forgiveness is a free gift, and that Jesus Christ died for our sins, that we might spend eternity with Him. And I walked out saying–I was still an atheist–but also saying, “If this is true, this has huge implications for my life.” And so I used my journalism training and legal training to begin an investigation into whether there was any credibility to Christianity or to any other world faith system for that matter. Lee Strobel The Case For Easter The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection is one of his books that answers the following questions. Did Jesus of Nazareth really rise from the dead?Of the many world religions, only one claims that its founder returned from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very cornerstone of Christianity. But a dead man coming back to life? In our sophisticated age, when myth has given way to science, who can take such a claim seriously? Some argue that Jesus never died on the cross. Conflicting accounts make the empty tomb seem suspect. And post-crucifixion sightings of Jesus have been explained in psychological terms.How credible is the evidence for—and against—the resurrection? and many others. Lee Strobel Quotes “Only in a world where faith is difficult can faith exist.” “If your friend is sick and dying, the most important thing he wants is not an explanation; he wants you to sit with him. He’s terrified of being alone more than anything else. So, God has not left us alone.” “Faith is only as good as the one in whom it’s invested.” “To be honest, I didn’t want to believe that Christianity could radically transform someone’s character and values. It was much easier to raise doubts and manufacture outrageous objections that to consider the possibility that God actually could trigger a revolutionary turn-around in such a depraved and degenerate life.” “Abruptly, Templeton cut short his thoughts. There was a brief pause, almost as if he was uncertain whether he should continue. ‘Uh … but … no,’ he said slowly, ‘he’s the most …’ He stopped, then started again. ‘In my view,’ he declared, ‘he is the most important human being who ever existed.’ That’s when Templeton uttered the words I neer expected to hear from him. ‘ And if I may put it this way,’ he said in a voice that began to crack, ‘I … miss … him!’ With that tears flooded his eyes. He turned his head and looked downward, raising his left hand to shield his face from me. His shoulders bobbed as he wept.” Lee Strobel Website His website is leestrobel.com

triune decision-making - how god guides tough choices

When we face a big decision, sometimes the decision-making process can feel more like a game show than a guided path. We can easily slip into the thinking that God is hosting “Let’s Make a Deal,” where we have to choose one of a slew of suitcases, hoping we pick the right one. When we face multiple doors and potential pathways, the freedom to choose can feel like crippling anxiety and pressure. Thankfully, our God does not play games with us, nor does he leave us to our own devices when making decisions. Contrary to popular belief, decisions are not puzzles to solve, but privileges to steward with the guidance of our triune God. Triune Guidance God offers triune guidance to his children as we face the decisions of life, from the minute to the monumental. Rather than stand far off from us, watching as we make decisions in consternation, he comes near to us, offering to guide us gently through a process that ultimately leads to more of himself. “Contrary to popular belief, decisions are not puzzles to solve, but privileges to steward.” As the Father who stands outside of time, God knows all that will happen and assures us that none of his plans will be thwarted (Isaiah 14:27; Job 42:2). He providentially steers all of creation, even the decisions of humans made in his image, working all things according to his everlasting and good purposes (Ephesians 1:11; Romans 8:28). He knows the number of hairs on our heads, the length of our days, and the tears we shed as we wrestle to make decisions (Luke 12:7; Psalm 139:16; Psalm 56:8). As the Son who stepped into time, Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:1–3). He knows what it feels like to live within the limits of time and space, as he made decisions daily during his time on earth. While the first Adam led the way into disastrous, self-centered decision-making, as the second Adam, Christ always made decisions in light of the goodness of his Father (Romans 6:17–21). His perfect decisions cleared the path so that we can make our present decisions in the presence of the triune God. As the Spirit who makes his home within us, the Holy Spirit guides us into all truth, convicting us of our selfish propensities and pointing us to God’s promises as we make decisions (John 16:12–15). He offers us comfort and peace when we feel dizzied by the sheer amount of decisions we make daily. Triune Perspective In addition to these timeless truths that anchor our souls in the sea of decisions, a Trinitarian perspective can also serve as a practical help in the process. When we face decisions large or small, we are limited by our own perspective as embodied creatures. We simply cannot see or imagine all the possible angles, try as we may. God does not live within these limitations. As John Frame wisely notes, God “sees all things from every possible perspective” ( Theology in Three Dimensions , 4–5). While the Trinity is a unity (meaning all of God does all that God does), Frame’s triperspectivalism creates a framework that helps us approach complex truths from three different angles or perspectives within the Trinity. The normative, the situational, and the existential perspectives (which correlate to Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) can serve as different entry points for considering decisions. The normative perspective relates to God’s authority. God acts as our loving authority, providing principles and revealing truths by which we can understand the normative human experience. As Creator and Father, God sets the standards by which his creatures operate best in his world. When we approach a decision from the normative perspective, we ask, “What does God’s word say about the decision set before me?” The situational perspective relates to God’s control. Through his eternal Word, God perfectly controls and orders the movement of every proton and every person. If God is in complete control over all things (which he is), then we can trust that he has perfectly ordered our present circumstances with their opportunities, challenges, and limitations. When we approach a decision from the situational perspective, we assess the realities and circumstances in which we find ourselves. The existential perspective relates to God’s presence. The triune God has always sought to be close to his people, and by the Holy Spirit, he now lives within every believer. He is closer than even the air we breathe. The Spirit searches and permeates the deep waters of human hearts and personalities (1 Corinthians 2:10–13; Proverbs 20:5). When we approach a decision from the existential perspective, then, we are asking more internal questions about personal desires and feelings. Three Perspectives in Action If we can get past the length of the word triperspectivalism , we will begin to see the depth of practical wisdom we can glean from this approach to decisions. For example, when a couple is praying through a potential marriage, walking through the decision from the normative, the situational, and the existential can provide helpful insight. In Scripture, God is clear that marriage is between a man and a woman and that believers are to be equally yoked spiritually ( normative ). If the couple’s friends and family are not opposed to the union, and present circumstances seem to allow it ( situational ), the couple is then free to consider whether they desire to commit to each other in the covenant of marriage ( existential ). Let’s consider a different example. A young couple is eager to grow their family and has prayed and processed through adoption. They know that physical adoption is one of the most powerful pictures of the spiritual adoption we have received through Christ into the household of God (normative). They have been going through the prerequisite steps of training, they have conducted a home study, and they have even begun to check out agencies. There are countless options in their county, all of which they are able to pursue (situational); however, they both feel especially pulled toward the foster-care system, even though they know it will likely present unique challenges (existential). While God is pleased with all forms of adoption, they plan to forgo international and private adoption after much praying and processing within their local church. “God promises to use the decision-making process as a means to make us more like him and to give us more of him.” Finally, let’s look at a more ordinary, everyday decision through these three perspectives. A child has been invited to play in a sports tournament on a Sunday. The family has already prioritized worship in the local church (normative). The child knows that he will miss the first game because attendance at worship is a high point of the family’s weekly rhythms; however, he really wants to play in the afternoon game (existential). The parent of another player offers a ride to the second game that does not interfere with the rest of the plans for the day (situational). The parents are left to discuss what the child thinks is the best way to serve as a team member (existential). Guided Process to More of God When we are facing a significant decision, it is natural to be overwhelmed at the various paths set before us. But no matter which of the potential pathways you choose, remember that Jesus has opened up the most significant pathway for us already: he has opened up the path to fellowship with God through his own body (John 14:6). He has not left us alone to see how we fare in our decisions, as if he were a game show host. Rather, he takes us by the hand and leads us toward glory (Psalm 73:23–24). And along the way, he promises to use the decision-making process as a means to make us more like him and to give us more of him, who is our great reward (Genesis 15:1).