Note to Self:The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself

Joe Thorn's book, Note to Self: The Discipline of Preaching to Yourself, brings clarity, focus, and practicality to the daily discipline of living in light of the gospel. While the gospel is the power of God displayed in bringing salvation to the lost, it is also the power of God in the believer's life as we grow in grace. In three sections (The Gospel and God; The Gospel and Others; and The Gospel and You) Thorn shares brief, devotional insights that bring to light how the gospel is our life. Thorn provides excellent examples, bringing together scripture, the gospel, and all aspects of life together in a way that will challenge, convict, and correct!

I have been preaching/pastoring for nearly 13 years. Any pastor who has preached any length of time understands how we can focus so intently on preaching the gospel to others that we fail to preach the gospel to ourselves. Or, we preach the gospel (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus) to the lost that we miss connecting the gospel to our daily lives. As a pastor it was a great reminder that I need to continually preach to myself, but don't think this is only for pastor's!

This book will speak to every believer, whether we stand behind the pulpit or we sit in front of the pulpit. Throughout our churches many believers have grown accustomed to seeing the gospel as a message for the lost, or something we hear about on Sunday. Too few understand the reality that the gospel undergirds all of life. If one takes the time to read through this book prayerfully, they will no doubt be awakened to the discipline of preaching to themselves.

I would highly encourage every pastor to read this book and will recommend it to others. Of the countless books I have read in the past year, this is by far of the best! And it is one I will read more than once!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Crossway as part of their Blogger Review Program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commision's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."