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Jesus, continued... (2014)

by J.D. Greear

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2642101,380 (4)1
Why does God often feel more like a doctrine we know about than a Person we know? Why do so many of us think of Christianity as a lifestyle to which we conform, rather than a God with whom we commune? Jesus gave his disciples the audacious promise that it was to their advantage he go back to heaven because the Holy Spirit could then come to live inside of them. How many of us consider our connection to the Holy Spirit so strong and so real that we would call his presence in us better than Jesus beside us? Author J.D. Greear asks those questions because throughout his Christian life he felt disconnected to God and unsure about how to interact with him. Although he had learned a lot of truths about God, he sensed very little relationship with him - at least, not the dynamic, two-way relationship he really wanted. He tried to have such a relationship, but all of God's work seemed stockpiled in the past: he created the world, died on a cross, and left a Bible. God seemed like a busy teacher who had given an assignment and then stepped out of the room, leaving students to get the work done on their own. But Greear discovered it doesn't have to be like that. Not at all. In clear and practical language, he explains how any follower of Jesus can have a satisfying, powerful relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. While many books about the Holy Spirit get stuck in secondary questions that divide believers, The God Factor focuses on a central, truth that unites us: God wants to be vitally present in and through his people. This truth, though central, is sadly neglected. This generation of Christians - mission-driven but burned out, weary, and longing for joy - desperately needs to recover the dynamic presence of God. And the good news is that God wants us to have exactly that.… (more)
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This book shows you why 'the Spirit inside you is better than Jesus beside you' It was a good look at the Holy Spirit; getting to know Him and realize how much He can and will do in our life if we only take advantage of Him. God's Spirit stands ready "to guide you empower you, and use you". I took many good quotes from this book and wrote them in my journal to look back upon and be reminded of. ( )
  judyg54 | Sep 20, 2019 |
J. D. Greear states the thesis of Jesus Continued....:Why the Spirit Inside You is Better than Jesus Beside You thusly: "In this book I want to tell you what I was missing, how God restored it to me, and how you can have it too. I want to show you how you can have a deep, satisfying relationship with God though the Holy Spirit, on the basis of the finished work of Christ" (13).

From my perspective, Greear accomplishes this goal in spectacular fashion. Those of a cessationist mindset may not agree with or appreciate Greear's positions on the work of the Holy Spirit today, but they will have a hard time denying the articulate and engaging style in which he writes. Not a cessationist myself (but cautious of charismatic extremes), I found what he wrote to be thoroughly rooted in Scripture. Cessationist views often, in my opinion, rely more upon reactionary logic than the actual teaching of God's Word. I agree with the author when he writes, "Many Christians have not only thrown out the baby with the bathwater, but have thrown out the institution of bathing altogether. They seem completely unaware, even opposed to, a Spirit alive and at work, dynamically, inches church. But doing so cuts us off from one of the primary sources of our evangelistic poor and ministry support!" (143).

While the entire book is chock full of theological and practical nuggets of wisdom, chapter 13, "When You Can't Feel God," is worth the price of the book itself! A close second would be chapter 14, "Revival: When the Holy Spirit Moves in Power."

I highly recommend this book. It is a refreshingly biblical and honest look at pneumatology from a (gasp!) Baptist pastor who sees value and worth in the wonderful work of God through the Holy Spirit. In fact, the Spirit's presence inside us is better than Jesus beside us. I couldn't agree more! ( )
  RobSumrall | Jul 18, 2016 |
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I have a friend - I'll call him Brennan - who served for several years as a leader in our church.
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Why does God often feel more like a doctrine we know about than a Person we know? Why do so many of us think of Christianity as a lifestyle to which we conform, rather than a God with whom we commune? Jesus gave his disciples the audacious promise that it was to their advantage he go back to heaven because the Holy Spirit could then come to live inside of them. How many of us consider our connection to the Holy Spirit so strong and so real that we would call his presence in us better than Jesus beside us? Author J.D. Greear asks those questions because throughout his Christian life he felt disconnected to God and unsure about how to interact with him. Although he had learned a lot of truths about God, he sensed very little relationship with him - at least, not the dynamic, two-way relationship he really wanted. He tried to have such a relationship, but all of God's work seemed stockpiled in the past: he created the world, died on a cross, and left a Bible. God seemed like a busy teacher who had given an assignment and then stepped out of the room, leaving students to get the work done on their own. But Greear discovered it doesn't have to be like that. Not at all. In clear and practical language, he explains how any follower of Jesus can have a satisfying, powerful relationship with God through the Holy Spirit. While many books about the Holy Spirit get stuck in secondary questions that divide believers, The God Factor focuses on a central, truth that unites us: God wants to be vitally present in and through his people. This truth, though central, is sadly neglected. This generation of Christians - mission-driven but burned out, weary, and longing for joy - desperately needs to recover the dynamic presence of God. And the good news is that God wants us to have exactly that.

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