David Alan Taylor Jr

Husband, father, disc golfer, sinner saved by grace.

[Jacksonville Jaguars @Jaguars]

God is Good.. All the time!🙏

[Greg Stier @gregstier]

4 REASONS JESUS WOULD GET FIRED AT THE TYPICAL CHURCH:

That’s right. I’m convinced that Jesus would be fired after a few months if he were hired on staff at a typical evangelical church.

Years ago I wrote a book called “Firing Jesus.” Its premise was this: What if Jesus were hired as a youth leader by a run-of-the-mill church? This book is written from the perspective of the emergency elders meeting that was called to decide what to do with this 30 year old radical youth leader, JC Davidson (Son of David😂) who was rocking the boat with his radical ministry approach.

But, whether he was hired as youth leader or discipleship pastor or anything in between, here are the 4 reasons Jesus would be fired fast.

1. “TOO MUCH TIME PRAYING.”

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

Jesus often couldn’t be found because he was off somewhere praying. Many times he was interceding for hours on behalf of his disciples and the people he was seeking to reach. He would wrestle in prayer to seek direction from the Father (John 5:19.) Sometimes the disciples were frustrated because they couldn’t find Jesus because he was off somewhere praying. He was missing potential ministry opportunities to spend time with the Father (Mark 1:35-37.)

I can imagine a church elder saying, “He spends way too much time praying on the church’s dime. Let him pray on his own time!”

2. “HE BRINGS IN THE WRONG ELEMENT.”

Jesus was called “…a friend of tax collectors and sinners.” Matthew 11:19

Can you imagine the alcoholics, thugs, homosexuals and prostitutes that Jesus would reach out to and bring into the church?

It would only be a matter of time typical church leadership would confront him.

Even though he would speak boldly to them about their sin as well as about the hope of the Gospel to save them from it, super uptight religious leaders would find a reason to “stop the madness and realize church is for good Christians not vile sinners.”

A pink slip would soon be slipped to Jesus as a result.

3. “HE CONFRONTED THE PASTOR ABOUT HIS SERMON.”

“So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. They tie up heavy, cumbersome loads and put them on other people's shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to lift a finger to move them.” Matthew 23:3,4

Can you imagine what Jesus would say to the typical “turn or burn” pastor who made getting saved more about our commitment, surrender and service to Christ than simple faith alone in Christ alone based on his death on the cross for our sins and resurrection from the dead?

Jesus would directly confront those who dared to insult his Gospel of grace.

And, yes, this act would get him fired quickly.

4. “HE PLAYS FAVORITES.”

“Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach.” Mark 3:13,14

Jesus would be accused of playing favorites. Although he would minister to everyone, he would invest his life only into a few. These he would choose to “be with him” and to be sent out from him to share the Gospel and make disciples who make disciples.

I can hear the complaints right now:

“Jesus doesn’t spread his time out equally to everyone.”

“He delegates way too much to his leaders.”

“Jesus plays favorites and leaves good people out of his inner circle.”

These are 4 reasons I believe Jesus would be quickly fired from the typical church. What are some more reasons? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Also, if you’d like to read my book, Firing Jesus, you can download a free digital copy from our @Dare2Share website here:

https://t.co/DIw39pOczB

[Greg Stier @gregstier]

As you give and receive presents this morning stop as a family and take time to thank God for giving us his “indescribable gift” 2,000 years ago…Jesus! Through faith in him we have eternal life!

“Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!” 2 Corinthians 9:15

#MerryChristmas

[Greg Stier @gregstier]

5 REASONS JESUS WOULD (PROBABLY) BE FIRED IF HE WAS THE YOUTH PASTOR AT YOUR CHURCH:

In the crazy “what if” world of impossible scenarios I am convinced that Jesus would be fired within his first few months of becoming a youth leader at the typical church.

Here are 5 reasons why…

1. He would shrink the group before he grew it.

In the Gospels, Jesus scared away the loud crowds and nestled into the committed core on several occasions. What makes us think he would do anything differently in a modern youth group context as a youth leader?

His large and thriving “youth group” shrunk to next to nothing after his hard-to-understand lesson on communion in John 6:66, “From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.”

In Luke 14:25-35 he calls his followers to give everything up, pick up their crosses and die to themselves.

Calling for such radical commitment would cause pastors’ kids to complain to their parents. Not to mention how Jesus’ thought provoking teaching style (that often created more questions than answers) would cause parents and pastors alike to cringe. Their red faces would soon turn into a pink slip.

2. He would do most of his youth ministry outside the four walls of the youth room.

How much time do we see Jesus ministering in the temple or synagogues (the equivalent of a church building in the Jewish context)?

He was in the synagogue some but, more often than not, his pulpit could be found by a fig tree, on a pathway, in a field, on a mountain or in a boat. He used nature as sermon illustrations and “that just happened” incidents as his teaching curriculum.

Jesus would be with the teens and in their worlds. Jesus would be mobilizing teenagers on their campuses and coaching them along the way (mostly) outside the church walls.

3. He would bring the “un” ones into his inner circle.

“He has gone into the house of a sinner.” Luke 19:7

As soon as Jesus started bringing converted call girls, puss-oozing sickies and cultural rejects into youth group many pretty and pristine Bible-toting, Scripture-quoting teenagers would evacuate the premises.

Soon the elders would call a meeting and, well, you know what happens after that.

4. He would confront the status quo in the youth group and church at large.

“When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found people selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables.” John 2:13-16

Imagine the scenario, Jesus flipping tables in the church foyer and screaming, “Why have you turned my Father’s house into a den of robbers?”

Sure, our churches aren’t selling over-priced livestock for temple sacrifices. But many of them are selling the fattened calves of consumeristic Christianity that caters to self and not service to God. You wonder how many Sunday school classes Jesus would interupt and ask, “Why don’t we get out of here and go down to the local shelter together? We can feed the poor, clothe the hungry and share the gospel. I can teach you the lesson in the church van on the way back.”

This would lead to the inevitable, “Jesus, I think our leadership team is headed in a different direction” conversation.

5. He would spend “too much” of his time praying.

“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” Luke 5:16

Imagine the hours Jesus would spend praying every week for the teenagers in his youth ministry!

I can imagine an elder at a church complaining about a youth leader like Jesus with these words, “We don’t pay JC to pray, we pay him to lead the youth group. He can pray on his own time!”

Seriously, how long do you think Jesus would make it at your church as a youth leader before he got fired?

#YouthMinistry

[Julie Roys @reachjulieroys]

For those rejoicing in election results & those who are heartbroken, Psalm 146 is great reminder that God is on the throne, regardless of who's in White House. We put far too much stock in politicians

"Do not put your trust in princes,
in human beings, who cannot save... 1/

[David Alan Taylor Jr @DavidTaylorJr]

Obligatory, I voted Post. 🇺🇸

[David Alan Taylor Jr @DavidTaylorJr]

@DiscGolfProTour Please disregard this post most of Arizona and do nothing🌵🌞

[Phoenix Police @PhoenixPolice]

Please see this message from Interim Chief Michael G. Sullivan on the passing of Officer Zane Coolidge.

[David Alan Taylor Jr @DavidTaylorJr]

🗳️

[David Alan Taylor Jr @DavidTaylorJr]

26 years ago today I married my high school sweetheart. God is so good. #26years

[Greg Stier @gregstier]

Training teenagers in Gospel fluency is critical for effective evangelism.

In this gun little clip @jasonglamb quizzes Zambian teenagers in the GOSPEL Acrostic.

Over the last 33 years we @dare2share have trained millions of teenagers to master this simple acrostic and quizzed them just like this.

Doing this gives teenagers Gospel fluency which is essential to evangelism proficiency.
Afterward we break them into groups of 2 to practice Gospel conversations.

This acrostic provides a simple outline that tells the whole story of the Bible from Genesis 1- Revelation 22 and gives students a short mental outline to explain the Gospel. No matter what method you use make sure you have the GOSPEL message down first. This acrostic provides “quality control” to make sure you and your teenagers are sharing the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

G-God created us to be with him.
O-Our sins separate us from God.
S-Sins cannot be removed by good deeds.
P-Paying the price for sin Jesus died and rose again.
E-Everyone who trusts in him alone has eternal life.
L-Life with Jesus starts now and lasts forever!

You can also find this acrostic (and equivalent acrostics in 21 languages) on our free #Lifein6Words app.)

Memorize. Personalize. Gospelize.

Go to the link in my bio for more free evangelism training resources from Dare 2 Share.

[Phoenix Police @PhoenixPolice]

With heavy hearts, we extend our deepest condolences to the Tucson Police Department and the family of Officer Adam Buckner who tragically lost his life in the line of duty last night.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the department, Ofc. Buckner’s family, and his loved ones.

[David Alan Taylor Jr @DavidTaylorJr]

Hey Rikki, Valentine’s Day is on February 14 every year because I’m the ONE FOUR you. 👩🏻‍❤️‍👨🏼 (since 1993)

[Greg Stier @gregstier]

If I could turn from my sin BEFORE I came to Christ I could, in a sense, save myself.

The Gospel declares to me that I CAN’T turn from my sin in and of myself. I am helpless before a holy God, condemned as a sinner before the righteous Judge of the universe, unable to do good and please God (Romans 3:10-23.)

Knowing this, I come to Jesus in simple faith, believing he died in my place for my sin, and trusting in him alone to save me from my sin (John 6:47.)

He forgives me for all my sin (past, present and future), imputes to me his righteousness (2 Corinthians 5:21) and gives me the power and desire to turn from my sin.

He spends the rest of my life turning me from my sin (Jude 1:24) and conforming me into his image (2 Corinthians 3:16-18.)

First comes faith in Christ, then comes the desire and ability to turn from our sin. To mix that order up adds works to the Gospel.

[Greg Stier @gregstier]

SATAN WANTS TO DIVERT YOUR PUNCH!

When I was in middle school Rodney was the neighborhood “Karate Kid.” Although he was only in high school he held multiple black belts and could work nunchucks like nobody’s business.

I remember asking him to teach me some karate moves. After he agreed, he calmly told me to punch him in the face as fast and hard as I could.

I pretended that I wasn’t going to, then suddenly I threw my 12 year old fist-of-fury right toward his nose.

His arm went up in a flash and he barely blocked my punch. I missed his face by a mere inch.

Then, like a karate sensei, he leaned in and whispered my first lesson, “Greg, you don’t need to use all your energy to block a punch. You just need to divert it be a few degrees.”

Lesson learned.

What’s true of karate is true of our attack against the kingdom of darkness.

How much of the church’s punch has been diverted by Satan by a few degrees?

Instead of an advancing the Gospel we advance the latest programs.

Instead of equipping the saints to go and make disciples we challenge them to go to more meetings.

Instead of intercessory prayer for the lost, we only pray for our own lives, families and agendas.

Instead of seeking to play our part in the Great Commission we pay off missionaries to do it for us.

Instead of reaching out to co-workers, neighbors, family and friends with the Gospel, we meet in small groups to talk about it.

We are not here just to exegete the mission. We are here to execute it.

We are here to “equip God’s people for works of service” which includes evangelism and disciple making (Ephesians 4:11,12.)

We are here to “punch Satan in the nose” and rescue the lost people all around us that Satan “has taken captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:26.)

Brothers and sisters, don’t let the devil block your punch.

Hit him hard, fast and in the power of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-12) then be used by God to rescue every lost soul you can (Jude 23)!

[Greg Stier @gregstier]

I just read most of the book of Revelation for my quiet time this am. Not a typical #Thanksgiving day read but it happened to be on my reading plan.

The book of Revelation should make the believer thankful and the unbeliever nervous.

I am thankful that my name has been “written in the book of life from the creation of the world” (Revelation 17:8.)

I am thankful that, as a believer, I won’t have to stand before the terrifying Great White Throne Judgment to discover what degree of punishment I will receive in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:11-15.) Instead, I will stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10) to be rewarded by Jesus for what I did for him as a believer on earth (Revelation 22:12.)

I am thankful that, before we as believers enter the eternal kingdom, God promises, “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4)

I am thankful that, even now, the nail-scarred hands of Jesus are offering unbelievers the gift of eternal life through faith in his name, “Whoever is thirsty, let him come. And, whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life.” (Revelation 22:17.)

I am thankful that Jesus died in our place for our sin, proving he loves us.

I am thankful that Jesus rose from the dead, proving he was God in the flesh.

I am thankful that Jesus will come back someday to rule and reign forever, proving he is King of kings and Lord of lords.

If you are not yet a believer in Jesus, put your faith in him right now to save you from your sins and he will rescue you from all the judgments in the book of Revelation and give you an eternal kingdom.

If you are a believer, live everyday for him because he reminds us, “Behold I am coming soon! My reward is with me and I will give to everyone according to what he has done” (Revelation 22:12.)

The book of Revelation gives us plenty to be thankful about (or nervous about) on #thanksgiving2023.

Think about that as you enjoy your pumpkin pie today.

[David Alan Taylor Jr @DavidTaylorJr]

Course #218⛓️🥏⛓️

[Greg Stier @gregstier]

Some people would rather spend the bulk of their time online criticizing and critiquing churches and ministry leaders, than to get into the actual battle for lost souls themselves.

I’m not talking about the much needed apologetic and awareness ministries whose sole purpose is to help Christians be aware of false teaching and false teachers who “whose condemnation was written about long ago” and “have secretly slipped in among you.” (Jude 1:4.)

I’m talking about those self-appointed, flesh-anointed online armchair quarterbacks who do nothing more than analyze and criticize anyone and everyone who doesn’t have their exact same theological grid.

These are the ones who gorge at the banquet of criticism and get drunk on the wine of cynicism.

These are the ones who can’t wait to fight fellow brothers and sisters over jots and tittles, while Satan is dragging their friends, co-workers and neighbors to hell.

These are the ones who should push back from their computer screens and look out the window to the lost world around them.

These are the ones who should engage the real fight, not with fellow brothers and sisters, but with Satan for the souls of those in their sphere of influence.

When I talk to someone who fits this description I often ask, “When’s the last time you shared the Gospel with anyone?”

Usually I’m met with a blank stare.

We are in a battle with Satan for lost souls.

May we face our cannons toward him, not each other.

And when we have to confront those in our midst who are teaching false doctrine, may we take cue from the Apostle Paul and, “not be quarrelsome but be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will” (2 Timothy 2:24-26.)

Let’s fight the good fight for the lost and stop wasting so much time fighting each other.

[David Alan Taylor Jr @DavidTaylorJr]

Pumpkin Patch 🎃 🌽