The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places
All Christian disciples have one thing in common: as they carry the gospel across the ocean and across the street, persecution will become the norm for those who choose to follow Jesus. How believers respond in the face of persecution reveals everything about their level of faith and obedience.
The Insanity of Obedience is a bold challenge to global discipleship. Nik Ripken exposes the danger of safe Christianity and calls readers to something greater. The Insanity of Obedience challenges Christians in the same, provocative way that Jesus did. This book dares you—and prepares you—to cross the street and the oceans with the Good News of Jesus Christ.
Some of Jesus’ instructions sound uncomfortable and are potentially dangerous. We may be initially encouraged by His declaration, “I am sending you out.” But how are we to respond when He then tells us that He is sending us out “like sheep among wolves"?
In light of the words of Jesus, how can modern day believers rest comfortably in the status quo? How can we embrace casual faith in light of the radical commands of Jesus which are anything but casual? Ripken brings decades of ministry experience in some of the most persecuted areas of the world to bear on our understanding of faith in Jesus. The Insanity of Obedience is a call to roll up your sleeves . . . and to follow and partner with Jesus in the toughest places on this planet.
"We have the high privilege of answering Jesus’ call to go," Ripken says. "But let us be clear about this: we go on His terms, not ours. If we go at all, we go as sheep among wolves."
Jesus gives us Himself. And He gives us the tools necessary for those who dare to journey with Him.
This Faithlife Ebook is being made into a Logos edition. Learn more about Logos editions.
Top Highlights
“Third, we desire that the persecutors be punished.” (Page 31)
“Our initial tentative conclusion has now become a rock-solid conviction: Followers of Jesus do not need to justify their presence in areas where Christ is not known. They need simply to be obedient.” (Page 95)
“It is our hope that this chapter will ultimately help us have a faith rather than a religion, and a church rather than an institution.” (Page 67)
“Member Christians claim some sort of identification with a particular Christian institution or organization.” (Page 39)
“All believers, Western and local, need to make sure that when persecution arrives, it is for Jesus’ sake.” (Page 24)
Product Details
- Title : The Insanity of Obedience: Walking with Jesus in Tough Places
- Author: Ripken, Nik
- Publisher: B&H Books
- Publication Date: 2014
- ISBN: 9781433682292