The Overcomers

“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb
and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love
their lives to the death.”
REVELATION 12:11

It is helpful to identify the three enemies that present themselves to us, and then the above verse will make even more sense. The overcomer must learn how to defeat each one. So what are they?
First, there is the enemy of Sin. Second, the enemy of Self. Third, the enemy of Satan. All contrary things, whether they be of spiritual, natural, or human origin, find their root in one of these three sources.
The glorious thing, of course, is that God’s provision meets all three enemies and defeats them in order to demonstrate the preeminence of Christ. This, in essence, is what it means to overcome. It is to demonstrate the preeminence of Christ over all things.
Source: The Irresistible Kingdom by Chip Brogden

An Accomplished Fact

“But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who
became for us wisdom from God— and righteousness
and sanctification and redemption— that, as it is
written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’”
1 CORINTHIANS 1:30,31

We must be clear: these things are not the “reward” for years of faithful service, or the fruit of walking with Jesus after a long period of time. If I have Him now, then I have all that pertains to Him now. My Wisdom, my Righteousness, my Sanctification, and my Redemption has a personality, for He is all those things in me.
It is not a question of my behavior, or my conduct, or my feelings one way or the other – those things will come into line soon enough – but it is all based upon this accomplished fact. Christ is God’s Gift. I repeat, we have much to praise God about!
Source: Lord of All by Chip Brogden

Why Christ is Irresistible

“I, if I am lifted up from the earth,
will draw all peoples to Myself.”
JOHN 12:32

The increase of Christ does not coerce, it compels; He does not push, He merely draws. The increase of Christ actually enables a person to choose the right way, the way that leads to Life. It is evil that deceives people into choosing the wrong path. Everyone born into this world comes into it as a fallen creature. If they had a full understanding of their spiritual condition, and the deliverance that is offered by and through the Lord Jesus, then they would, of course, choose to be delivered.
People only resist what they do not know and understand. Jesus does not have to manipulate anyone. Once a person with eyes wide open sees Him for Who He is, they will always choose Him. He is irresistible. And as He increases, as He is lifted up, He will draw all men unto Himself.
Source: The Irresistible Kingdom by Chip Brogden

Forever Linked

“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
old things have passed away; behold, all things
have become new.”

2 CORINTHIANS 5:17

When God placed us in Christ, He forever linked us to Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and being seated in the heavenlies. So God considers us to have been crucified, dead, buried, resurrected, ascended, and seated as well. It cannot be otherwise. So long as we remain in Him (John 15:5) our destinies are linked.
I once placed a $20 bill inside of a book. I then misplaced the book. What happened to the $20 bill? The bill was lost when the book was lost. The bill and the book were linked together because I placed one inside the other. In order to find the bill I had to find the book. Once I found the book, I also found the bill. In like manner, God has placed us in Christ. When Christ was crucified, we were also crucified. When Christ was raised, we were also raised. The two have become one, and what is true of Him is true of all those who are one with Him.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Relevant or Resonant?

Hey Dave and Church,


Let me get personal with you and share a little bit about my philosophy towards teaching.

As I see it, there are two approaches to teaching.

One approach is to bring in current events and controversies to stir up your audience and illustrate your points - to be "timely."

Another approach is to teach evergreen principles and ageless wisdom that is always in season - to be "timeless."

The first approach is good if you want to be considered "relevant" in the short-term and attract a lot of attention.

The second approach is good if you want to be considered "resonant" in the long-term - which, to me, means you're going to have an impact on people now, 10 years from now, or 100 years from now.

"Resonant" is defined as deep, clear, and continuing to sound or ring. I like that.

This idea of Relevance vs. Resonance applies to your learning style, and it explains why some people like the way I teach and others do not.

Well, guess what?

I'm not changing.

Early in my life (without realizing it) I adopted the Resonant approach to teaching because I felt God wanted me to be Resonant and Timeless - and while others were reacting to controversy and creating blog posts to insert themselves into every argument, scandal and debate, I would try to avoid that as much as possible and stick to ageless, timeless truths and principles that would benefit people their whole life.

That means in the short-term I'm giving up some of the advantage in talking about current events, fads, controversial issues, and hot topics - the stuff that fuels social media, Facebook likes, the evening news and radio talk shows - things that so often tickle the ears and stir up the emotions.

The benefit to you is you can listen to something I taught 20 years ago and find it is just as applicable and truthful and needful today as it was then; and 20 years from now, it will still be that way.

You probably read or listen to a few "classic" preachers and teachers who have the same resonance - it is as if the Word was just delivered through them yesterday.

Others try to be "relevant" and they do get attention but their messages are unremarkable and quickly  forgotten; they are always moving on to something else and you see them pivot and shift as they try to navigate around the flotsam and jetsam of shifting public opinions.

I'm not saying my way is the only way, or that I'm better than anyone else. I'm still learning and growing... hopefully my skills are improving as God gives me grace... but the truth is the truth, and I believe the principles God gives me to share with you are perpetual and enduring.

Well, that's the idea behind releasing this "timeless" series of messages called "The Early Years," all recorded in small groups and churches when I was in my late 20's - early 30's. They are unedited and digitally re-mastered from the original cassette tapes.

The titles just released in Volume III include:

01. Religion, or Relationship?
02. The Way, The Truth, and The Life
03. It's All About Jesus!
04. God's Solution for a Defeated Church
05. Put Ye On the Lord Jesus
06. How to (Really) Live the Christian Life
07. Vanity, or Spirit and Truth?
08. The Strength of Seeing

For a full description of each title, click here:

The Early Years, Volume III
http://theschoolofchrist.org/product/early-years-volume-iii

And in case you missed them, the previous volumes are available here:

The Early Years, Volume I
http://theschoolofchrist.org/product/early-years-volume-i

The Early Years, Volume II
http://theschoolofchrist.org/product/early-years-volume-ii


Thank you for supporting Resonant, Timeless, Christ-centered teaching.


I am your brother,

Chip Brogden



The School of Christ
http://TheSchoolOfChrist.Org


Sonrise Television
http://Sonrise.TV

PO Box 552, Canandaigua, NY 14424, USA

Into His Hands

“Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.”
LUKE 23:46

Death by crucifixion cannot be accomplished by suicide. We cannot crucify ourselves. The instrument of our death is chosen for us, as well as the manner in which it is carried out, the timing, and the duration of the execution – all is controlled by Another. There is nothing to be done, for we must submit to the Unseen Hand and cast ourselves completely upon Him.
Source: Embrace the Cross by Chip Brogden

Your Time Has Not Yet Come

Your Time Has Not Yet Come

Posted: 24 Feb 2015 02:00 AM PST

Jesus made the statement “my time is not yet come” several times in the Gospels.
The point of this statement is that there is a certain time for significant events and seasons which occur in a servant of God’s life.
This is especially true for ministry.
If God has called you to a specific work, there is a time in which that work will find its greatest fulfillment and its widest impact.
If you launch out and try to make things happen before your time has come, you will see little fruit and a lot of frustration.
If you are passive and miss your time, you will see little fruit.
The good news is that God will let you know when your time has come. If you’re in tune with the Spirit, it will become obvious.
Note that you can be in ministry now, and yet “your time” still hasn’t yet come.
In the meantime, it’s your responsibility to prepare for that time.
“The secret to success in life is for a man to be ready for his time when it comes.” ~ Benjamin Disraeli
In the same vein, former heavyweight boxer Joe Frazier said, “When the action starts, you’re down to reflexes. That’s where your road work shows. If you cheated on that in the dark of the morning, you’re getting found out now under the bright lights.”
I have a sense that some of you who read this blog are destined to have amazing ministries in the future.
What you do now in preparation, however, is going to determine how much impact you will have when your time finally arrives.
Are you reading the right books now?
Are you investing the right training now?
Are you building the right reflexes into your life now?
The answer will be revealed when your time has come.