Matt Smethurst > Quotes

“A sweeping aerial view of the Bible’s topography focused on Christ therefore would look something like this: Old Testament Anticipation, Gospels Manifestation, Acts Proclamation, Epistles Explanation, Revelation Consummation. From beginning to end the Bible is an epic story about Jesus.”
― Matt Smethurst, Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel

“You may be familiar with praying in response to God’s Word, but what does it mean to pray in anticipation of it? What does it look like to approach your Bible prayerfully? It means not rushing into your Bible reading, expecting the pages to magically microwave your cold heart.”
― Matt Smethurst, Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures For Approaching God's Word

“There is more mercy in Christ than sin in us.”
― Matt Smethurst, Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready

“Have you ever known,” asks Keller, “the glorious release of realizing your shepherd knows you to the bottom and yet loves you to the skies?”
― Matt Smethurst, Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel

“Contemporary people tend to examine the Bible, looking for things they can’t accept, but Christians should reverse that, allowing the Bible to examine us, looking for things God can’t accept.”
― Matt Smethurst, Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel

“I am convinced that a prayerless approach to God’s Word is a major reason for the low-level dissatisfaction that hums beneath the surface of our lives. We rob ourselves of joy and peace when we fail to pray. Indeed, approaching Scripture apart from prayer is one of the most counterproductive things we do. For prayerless Christianity is powerless Christianity.”
― Matt Smethurst

“We must pray earnestly for a united heart, lest it drift toward being divided, distracted, and distant from the words of the living God.”
― Matt Smethurst, Before You Open Your Bible: Nine Heart Postures For Approaching God's Word

“Prayer is arguably the most objective measurement of our dependence upon God. Think of it this way. The things you pray about are the things you trust God to handle. The things you neglect to pray about are the things you trust you can handle on your own.”
― Matt Smethurst, Before You Share Your Faith: Five Ways to Be Evangelism Ready

“The Gospel of Jesus Christ contains incomparable power to dignify those the world ignores. The last thing the disadvantaged need is a press release that reads "Behold, I bring you great news of great joy that will be for all the peoples. God helps those who help themselves." The Gospel is infinitely better news. Give the self-help thing to the poor and you are going to destroy them. Give the Gospel to the poor and you are doing to transform them.”
― Matt Smethurst, Tim Keller on the Christian Life: The Transforming Power of the Gospel