Seeds and Stars: Resting in Christ for Great Commission Service

by E.D. Burns, Dustin Benge (Foreword)

Great Commission spirituality must first emerge from a hearty trust in the Triune God, and then it should grow out of and bear fruit from the power of the Word of Christ. It should result in a restful, glad-hearted contentment in God, and it therefore labors freely and gratefully to the glory of God and the salvation of the nations. Great Commission spirituality is a subset of classical evangelical spirituality. It actively trusts God’s promises to gather worshipers from every people, heartily rests in Christ’s atonement and righteousness, and seeks to sacrificially serve with a strength that can only come from the Holy Spirit.


Many biographies retell legendary accomplishments of sacrificial Great Commissin servants of generations past. However, more than learning from what they famously achieved, we must look deeper at what they believed. We would do well to consider how certain beliefs are especially applicable for gospel service of all kinds, and how fruitfulness and faithfulness emerge from resting in and acting upon the promises of God. God certainly did and does amazing things through weak gospel servants. And that is just the The Triune God does it. And he seems to delight in using frail, ordinary servants who are willing to risk everything to abide in his Word, rest in his grace, and hope in his promises.

258 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 28, 2023

Reviews

[Ben Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What has the Triune God accomplished in Christ? What is He doing today? How do us struggling gospel-servants fit in as we proclaim His message of reconciliation to lost and unreached sinners? What makes up the mindset and heartbeat of a gospel-servant?

Burns handles these questions with doctrinal clarity, using Scripture to point us outside of ourselves and towards God's faithfulness to save to the uttermost.

I found this book immensely helpful and encouraging. It's a wonderful resource for Christians struggling with struggling. Though today's hardships seemingly whisper "all is lost," Scripture announces that God is working out history for His glory and He will not fail to save to the uttermost. Therefore, we can rest our weary souls upon Him, and enjoy the privileges of living as ambassadors for the God who has declared, "It is finished!"

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave this book only two stars because I struggled to find it worth my time to read it. Perhaps in a different context for a different reader it may be more helpful. However, I serve in ministry in a healthy church so much of the points he was making seemed very obvious to me. I am sure there are people in ministry contexts that this may be a new and needed perspective to them. However, I found that many of his points were repeated and extremely wordy. As a linear thinker, I struggled to find much of a pattern to his arguments. It read as though it were a monologue going from one thought to the next. Based on reviews, others have enjoyed it, so it may just not be my style.