Most people naturally associate worship with church, but Mahaney aptly points out that we are always worshipping someone or something—a truth often on full display in sports. He challenges athletes to view sports as an opportunity to glorify God rather than drawing attention to self. This tiny booklet, complete with discussion questions, is a quick read and a great starting point for athletes (whether amateur or professional) as well as parents of students in sports.

Sports, like anything else in life, is an opportunity for us to glorify God … we have to be careful, though, because this promise carries a warning label, too. If it’s possible to use sports for God’s glory, then there is also a way to misuse sports for our own glory. And that is exactly what the sinful heart—mine and yours included—is often all too eager to do. [17]

To bring glory to God as athletes, we play sports in a way that draws attention to God’s greatness instead of our own. [25]

If we’re not playing sports to the glory of God, we’re still worshipping—we’re just worshipping someone or something else. And that’s what the Bible calls idolatry. [40]

On the last day, when each of us gives account to God, you will have no regrets about appropriately limiting participation in sports so that you can be involved in your local church. No regrets at all. [42]

Our children will pursue what we applaud. They will emulate what we celebrate. If we celebrate scoring and winning, our children will define success in these terms. But if we celebrate evidences of godly character in our children, we will help them define success more biblically. [50] 

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In the tradition of Preaching The Cross, this book features the collected transcripts of the messages given at the 2008 Together for the Gospel conference. Each speaker focused his sermon on the substitutionary atonement of Jesus Christ and what his death means in terms of both doctrine and application. Although the variety of writing styles occasionally disrupts the continuity of the book, the overall message is coherent and their unified proclamation of the Gospel remains clear. 

Pastoral ministry demands not only faithful proclamation of the gospel, but also personal holiness. It demands not only doctrinal precision, but also godly affection; not only public proclamation, but also pleasing God in the privacy of our hearts. Pastoral ministry is not only about our minds, but also about our souls. [187]

Faithfulness is both necessary and commendable, but it is not sufficient. If we are to fully please God and accurately represent him, we must also serve our churches joyfully. [189]

Paul’s habitual gratitude was rooted in theology. It sprang from an awareness of God’s grace, of God’s activity, and of the gospel’s effect and advance. When we discern God’s grace in our churches, we too will be grateful to God. [192]

How often during the day I am tempted to complain about hardships, whether trivial or severe. Each time, the pride in my heart says, “I see no reason for this.” When I complain, I am calling into question the sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness of God. Trouble? Sorrow? Inconvenience? I see no reason for this... When we respond to difficulty in this way, we are in our arrogance, presuming to be wiser than God. [195]

What do your children hear from you about the church? Do they hear criticism and complaining, or thankfulness? When they hear you celebrate God’s grace in your church rather than complain, they will be protected from bitterness or offense. [196]

Where is your confidence when you stand behind the sacred desk to preach? Is it in the One who began a good work and will sustain and complete it, using the preaching of his Word as a means to do this? Are you trusting in your eloquence, relevance, awareness of culture, or humor? Or is your confidence in the power of God to transform lives through the proclamation of the gospel? [199] 

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Several authors address the subtle allure of worldliness by dealing in practical terms with what we watch, hear, and wear. Not a call to avoidance but a challenge to discern and act with the wisdom given by God. While providing some very applicable help in these areas, the book feels disjointed at times and perhaps could have more strongly emphasized the underlying principles that are to govern our choices. Immensely practical and, at times, quite convicting.

Culture isn’t the same as worldliness. Our society’s cultural makeup has both positive and negative characteristics. We can seek to relate to our culture without being worldly. But worldliness – self-exalting opposition to God – is present in every culture. [79] 

The Son of Man is to be cherished above all because he came to reconcile sinners to God through his atoning sacrifice, to deliver us out of bondage into eternal life with him, and to display his glorious reign through a people of his own possession. To value him and celebrate his worth is not just important, it’s the whole point. [93]

Worldliness is not a matter of matter, but of the heart. The “world” we’re forbidden to love is not the earthly creation but the rebellious, independent, God-rejecting mindset of those who inhabit this creation. [147]

Knowledge of God gained exclusively from observation of the natural world will always be partial at best, and it can never impart a saving knowledge of God. We need the particular revelation of Scripture to disclose the saving purposes of God in the gospel, as well as to confirm, clarify, and correct our perceptions of the natural world. [152]

Of all people, it is the Christian who should appreciate aesthetics, discerning with renewed powers of perception the handiwork of God in creation. And as our own aesthetic achievements reflect his creativity and skill, we join him in expressing and celebrating beauty – a beauty that points us to God and intensifies our delight in him. [153]

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A compilation of messages delivered at a Together for the Gospel conference, this book addresses the notion of preaching from the perspective of several men who have been called to the preaching ministry. Filled with practical advice and timely exhortation concerning the proclamation of the Word, this book is easily recommended to anyone who stands behind a pulpit, or for any who would seek to better understand what preaching should be and what preaching should do.

While it is appropriate, even necessary, to distinguish between life and doctrine, the two are ultimately inseparable. I cannot watch my life accurately unless I understand sound doctrine, and it does me no good whatsoever to study doctrine unless I also apply it to my life. Thus, we must not watch one to the neglect of the other; we must give full and uncompromised attention to both. And we must watch closely and consistently, not casually or occasionally. [118]

This [Galatians 5:17] is no pre-conversion description of a non-Christian; rather, it is a post-conversion description of the war within a regenerated heart. Indwelling sin, or remaining sin, is present in each of us. It is tenacious, destructive, and unremitting in its opposition to grace. We are commanded to keep a close watch on our lives precisely because of this ever-active enemy within. [124]

There is no pastoral privilege in relation to sin, no suspension of sin’s temptations or exemption from its effects for men in the ministry; there is only a heightened responsibility to consistently fight and weaken sin – and more serious consequences for the pastor who fails to do so. Never imagine for a moment that God will overlook your sin because of the importance of your role. Imagining you are exempt is a grave mistake. [125]

Because I can often see other people’s sin clearly, I assume that I can see my sin clearly. But it doesn’t work that way. My own sin has an unusual ability to blind me, almost as if it never existed. The sin of a sinner is self-deceiving. [128] 

In all our preaching, we must never lose sight of the hill called Calvary, where the Son of Man was killed in our place. Regardless of the text or topic at hand, there must be some view of Calvary in every sermon. [133] 

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God opposes the proud, according to Scripture, but He helps those who are humble. Sadly, the notion of humility is all but lost on our self-satisfying, instant-gratifying culture. Mahaney argues that humility is the mark of true greatness, while showing just how subtle pride can be. Thankfully, Mahaney refuses to leave this discussion stuck in the realm of theory, dedicating nearly half this book to suggestions for the practical pursuit of humility on a day-by-day basis.

Contrary to popular and false belief, it’s not ‘those who help themselves’ whom God helps; it’s those who humble themselves. [21]

None of us are immune to the logic-defying, blinding effects of pride. Though it shows up in different forms and to differing degrees, it infects us all. The real issue here is not if pride exists in your heart; it’s where pride exists and how pride is being expressed in your life. Scripture shows us that prides is strongly and dangerously rooted in all our lives, far more than most of us care to admit or even think about. [29]

God is placing sticky-notes in our lives as daily reminders of His presence and provision. They’re everywhere. How alert and perceptive of them are you? Are you a thankful observer of the countless indications of His provision, His presence, His kindness, and His grace? [71]

Sin always has a destructive effect, but often that effect isn’t immediately obvious. Over a period of time, however, where sin is indulged, there’ll be a hardening effect on the soul of a genuinely converted Christian. [93]

Only those who are humble can consistently identify evidences of grace in others who need adjustment. It’s something the proud and self-righteous are incapable of. [100] 

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