How to Make Gospel-Centered Applications

Episode 776

Host Tony Merida chats with pastor, author, and long-time ministry partner J.D. Greear to discuss the implications of addressing the heart as we preach the Word of God. Here’s how the gospel reaches beyond moralization and leads to real life transformation.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

  • How gospel-centered preaching moves our congregations from shame to empowerment
  • Why adoration is the end goal of all parts of Sunday service
  • Our New Testament examples of how to read the Old Testament
  • The impact of relaying all pulpit messaging back to Christ
  • Why our motivations are shifted through Christ-exalting worship

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Sharable Quotes (#NewChurches):

When we fall on our faces and allow our gospel approach to say, “The rest of my life is Yours,” our desires change beyond a mere perspective change. Resurrection power flows from a rebel who comes to believe in the gospel. — J.D. Greear

When affections change, everything changes. Behavior follows. It’s not wrong to address behavior, but we want to do more than that in our preaching. — Tony Merida

If you are strong enough and bend an iron rod, you may create some bend in it, but eventually your strength will fail and it will go back to its original shape, or you’ll break it in half. The gospel is like a blowtorch that heats the rods of our hearts so that God’s commands become natural and not burdensome. — J.D. Greear

It’s so important in preaching that we’re not just transferring information, but leading people to adoration. — Tony Merida

We’re aiming to read the Bible how Jesus did, like in Luke 24, when He went back to the Old Testament and explained how everything ultimately points to the gospel. We are learning to see these stories, even New Testament applications, through a gospel lens. — J.D. Greear

It’s right to point out good wisdom and the law when relevant to the text, but we need more than that in our application. Christ-centered preaching with gospel-centered application always offers hope and plugs our people into the power of Christ. — Tony Merida


Published October 10, 2023

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