From One Degree to Another

Phil Auxier's Blog

Connect

Jared C’s Latest: Gospel-Driven Ministry

by

I don’t know how to put into words how grateful I am for Jared Wilson. Over the years, Jared has written books at an amazing pace. But, even more impressive is the content of these books, helping the church to think through issues, as well as ultimately driving us back to the good news which not only is the starting point for our faith but the continuing point for our growth and godliness.

His latest book, Gospel-Driven Ministry, is another book that delivers. When I first started digging into this book, I wondered how it would differ from other things I’ve read from Jared on ministry centered on the good news. But, this book does deliver and help the reader have a sense of what ministry–specifically pastoral ministry–looks like when Jesus is everything to you.

Some things that have stood out to me upon my first time through the book have been: helping pastors to root their identity in Jesus, encouraging pastors to be encountering God in worship as they study, prodding us to lead congregations not merely settle for what shakes down, and to pastor people through our preaching.

This book will certainly serve those who are called to some sort of full-time ministry. But, in a deeper way, it will help those who are curious about what pastors should be and do. In other words, church people will be helped by it. So, I encourage you to take advantage of this book. Take up and read Gospel-Driven Ministry by Jared C. Wilson.

Weekend Recap – Determined Mission

by

My 2/21/21 sermon at Crestview, Determined Mission (Acts 21-22), is now online. This is the first of three sermons that will have Paul testifying and explaining his faith. And, in these chapters we see a good bit of determination from the apostle, to end up in Jerusalem, to try to serve his enemies, to be misjudged and use that to speak up for his beliefs, and finally to work to find a way forward. I hope this sermon encourages you.

Weekend Recap – Powerful Remembering

by

My 2/14/21 sermon, Powerful Remembering (Acts 19-20), is now online. The sermon dug into Paul’s ministry in and around Ephesus in Acts 19-20. There were some amazing things happening in these chapters, which culminated in Paul exhorting the elders from Ephesus to lead a certain way. The sermon helped give some exhortation as to what we are encouraged to remember as we go about Gospel work, or living our lives on mission. I hope it encourages you.

Weekend Recap – Jesus Guides His Church

by

On 1/31/21, I was able to get a break from preaching and my friend Luke continued preaching our church’s series through the book of Acts. His sermon Jesus Guides His Church (Acts 16) is now online and gets at all the effects of what will come out of lives as Jesus guides His people on mission. It was encouraging for me to have the week off. Luke’s sermon helps us step into mission and really live.

Weekend Recap – A Good Church Fight

by

Typically, church fights are good for nothing. Certainly, they wouldn’t be described as good. But, in Acts 15, the church comes together to make some important decisions and determinations. On 1/24/21, I preached a sermon entitled A Good Church Fight from Acts 15, which is online now. I hope the sermon not only encourages you, but helps you make progress as you seek to live and fellowship with others.

Weekend Recap – The Sending Church

by

My 1/17/21 sermon at Crestview got us back into the book of Acts. The sermon, The Church Sends (Acts 13-14), dug into the church the propelled Saul and Barnabas on the 1st Missionary Journey.

This church in Antioch was a pretty amazing group of believers, devoted to worship and prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit, and sending workers out. It’s really a vision to which I hope every church would aspire. I hope the sermon encourages you.

Weekend Recap – Sanctified in the Truth

by

My 1/10/21 sermon at Crestview, Sanctified in the Truth (John 17:17-19), is now online. Each year, on the heels of our church’s Week of Prayer to open the year, we try to do a sermon that highlights why God’s Word is an important part of our Christian walk. This year, I used Jesus’ High Priestly Prayer in John 17 to help direct us to prayer and honed in on vv.17-19 to see what Jesus thought of God’s Word. So, I hope this sermon motivates you to consider how you can be in God’s Word in 2021. Enjoy.

Weekend Recap – Week of Prayer 2021

by

My 1/3/21 sermon at Crestview, Confident Prayer (John 17), is now online. Part of the regular rhythm at Crestview is beginning the year with a Week of Prayer. This year, our Week of Prayer has the theme of unity and the devotional draws out prayer from the ending of John 17.

My sermon helped to kick this off. It dug into Jesus’s prayer in the Upper Room with the disciples in John 17. It’s a way of loving them to the end and helping them see how they can have peace as well as helping them see how they can overcome the tribulation the world will dish out. Jesus has overcome the world and this prayer shows this. I hope this sermon encourages you.

Weekend Recap – High King of Heaven

by

To wrap up 2020, I came back to the book of Acts and preached a sermon on Acts 12, which relates to King Jesus, King Herod, and an amazing rescue of Peter. My sermon entitled High King of Heaven is online. I really hope it encourages you as we come to the end of this year. Specifically, I hope you put your confidence in Jesus.