War in Me » Matt Chandler

Shining Through Darkness

Dustin Wright — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 23:28:10 +0000

Sometimes it is really hard to understand why God does what He does. But He is still God in every situation and everything He does is good, not matter how it empacts our hearts or lives.

Matt Chandler has been huge influence in my life toward a passionate love of Jesus and he is going through some really tough stuff at the moment. He had part of a malignant brain tumor removed (but the doctors couldn’t get it all), and no one knows what will come of it at this point. No one wants to say it, but he could die. He could die as a result of the tumor or in surgery or he could die peacfully in his sleep when he’s 83 after a lifetime of passionate service to the gospel.

But no one knows, and a malignant brain tumor is about as serious as it gets. Through this situation I have cried my tears for me, for him, for his family, and for the church. And I caught myself asking God why. Why would He do this? Why would he take a man who at 35 has done more for the gospel than most people will do in their entire lives?

But that is before I was rebuked by the testimoy of Matt, himself, that he gave in a video before his surgery. I have never seen Christ so honored in the midst of such dire circumstances. If you haven’t seen the video, you really need to: you can watch it at http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=363.

He also posted a blog post on the morning of the surgery that made me weep all day. You can read it here: http://fm.thevillagechurch.net/blog/pastors/?p=357.

The Dallas Morning News did a story on it and I think God was honored through it.

So please, pray for Matt and his family and the church. And pray for me, it is hard on me as well. But more than anything pray that Christ would be honored through all of this and that the gospel would shine brightly.

Christ is all.

Matt Chandler – Jesus Wants the Rose

Dustin Wright — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:17:56 +0000

…and thank God He does.

Matt Chandler: Silly Myths

Dustin Wright — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 22:03:23 +0000

Here is Matt Chandler from the Desiring God conference talking about the difference between myths and training in Godliness. He is the pastor of the Village Church in Flower Mound Texas, where my family attends.

The Pope and The Christ

Dustin Wright — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 22:43:01 +0000

“Breaking Now: Pope holds prayer service at national shrine in DC” “Fox News Alert” “Stop Everything you are doing” “Super Mega Important”

Just a thought here. As I sit working on some website stuff, I have Fox News running in the background, and it sounds like all of the anchors and guests are falling out of their seats with their excitement over the visit from the pope. I can’t even remember how many times today I have heard the phrase “holy father” in reference to the pope, and each time I cringe a little at the idea of anyone other than God being holy. We have one and only Holy Father and His name is not Benedict XVI.

His name alone implies that he is one in a line of many leaders who have died before him. There is only one Jesus, but many popes, and yet people worship the popes and shy away from Jesus? Why is it that people will worship a man who might do and talk of good things, but who is in himself not good (No one is good except God alone.

Luke 18:19

19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. (ESV)

…They would walk into a city, build a statue of Caesar, who was supposed to be god…The funny thing about calling a man god, whether it was the Chinese, whether it was the Romans, is they just keep dying.

Matt Chandler
The Trilogy

They treat the pope like deity, but the simple fact that he rides around in a vehicle covered with bulletproof glass demonstrates his mortality. I mean, think about it, if it where Jesus that everyone came see, He wouldn’t need a Jesusmobile to keep Him safe.

But, just think of the day when all of the human worship will be replaced with genuine worship to the One who is genuinely deserving of that worship. Imagine what it will be like when the people who are screaming and yelling and fainting, as if it where an Obama rally, and waiting for the pope to pass them by see the true Holy Father in all of His glory. And just think of how much more glorious the moment will be when all of the nations and all of the people groups of the world finally see the Glorified Christ. I can’t wait.

Oh yeah, and one more thing. Why is it that the only time people are interested in faith and prayer is when the pope comes to town? Don’t they realize that the prayer line is always open, even when the pope isn’t watching?

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:14-16

14 Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (ESV)

Jesus is our only Hope. And not just hope for today but for eternity. Jesus is the only one who can save us, so let’s worship Him. Let’s fall out of our seats with excitement over His coming. And let us live as if our faith is not something of dead orthodoxy or meaningless tradition that we only practice for watching eyes, but a faith that consumes our lives with joy because of the Savior who conquered death.

the State of the American Pulpit

Dustin Wright — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 00:26:30 +0000

Man, John Piper has just been on a roll lately. This video is a promotional video for a conference that is being held soon, that I wish I had had the money to go to, but didn’t (maybe next time). Matt Chandler also has a video that is pretty closely related to this current one.

I am becoming more and more convinced of the importance of good Bible teaching in the lives of Christians. I think without good Bible teaching Christians can never fully understand who Jesus is and why they should live for Him.

[youtube LdBMbcToWng]

The Authoritative Scripture

Dustin Wright — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:19:09 +0000

Lately, I have been arguing with different people about the importance of the bible. Some of them see it as nothing more than a rule book which breads legalism, while others see it as something that isn’t necessary as long as there are leaders like Bono to show us what to do. Needless to say, but I will anyway, I totally disagree with both of those views.

The Bible is there above everything else to point us to and to teach us about our great king. It is not a rule book in which we attain salvation, but a book pointing to our salvation in Christ. But, it would be a great mistake to assume, that it isn’t of great value. It is the authoritative declaration of God about God. It is in Him that we have hope salvation, and it is in the pages of His book that we learn about Him. And so it is extremely important, for from these pages we learn about our King.

So, in saying that, I would encourage you to watch this video from a conference that the Resurgence is putting on called Text and Context, from Matt Chandler (pastor of the Village Church). It’s less than four minutes, but it does summarize my views on the matter as well. After you watch it, I would be interested to hear your opinions on the matter.

[youtube VqqYJrKLTkA]

Crazy Christian Drivers

Dustin Wright — Sat, 29 Dec 2007 03:57:51 +0000

Crazy Christian drivers give Christ a bad name, so says Matt Chandler in a sermon on

Luke 1

1:1 Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile a narrative of the things that have been accomplished among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word have delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught.

5 In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, of the division of Abijah. And he had a wife from the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she kept herself hidden, saying, 25 “Thus the Lord has done for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among people.”

26 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.”

34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?”

35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

39 In those days Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah, 40 and she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth. 41 And when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, the baby leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit, 42 and she exclaimed with a loud cry, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! 43 And why is this granted to me that the mother of my Lord should come to me? 44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. 45 And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her from the Lord.”

46 And Mary said,

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
50 And his mercy is for those who fear him
from generation to generation.
51 He has shown strength with his arm;
he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts;
52 he has brought down the mighty from their thrones
and exalted those of humble estate;
53 he has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
54 He has helped his servant Israel,
in remembrance of his mercy,
55 as he spoke to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his offspring forever.”

56 And Mary remained with her about three months and returned to her home.

57 Now the time came for Elizabeth to give birth, and she bore a son. 58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her. 59 And on the eighth day they came to circumcise the child. And they would have called him Zechariah after his father, 60 but his mother answered, “No; he shall be called John.” 61 And they said to her, “None of your relatives is called by this name.” 62 And they made signs to his father, inquiring what he wanted him to be called. 63 And he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John.” And they all wondered. 64 And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. 65 And fear came on all their neighbors. And all these things were talked about through all the hill country of Judea, 66 and all who heard them laid them up in their hearts, saying, “What then will this child be?” For the hand of the Lord was with him.

67 And his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied, saying,

68 “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel,
for he has visited and redeemed his people
69 and has raised up a horn of salvation for us
in the house of his servant David,
70 as he spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets from of old,
71 that we should be saved from our enemies
and from the hand of all who hate us;
72 to show the mercy promised to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath that he swore to our father Abraham, to grant us
74 that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
might serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness before him all our days.
76 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,
77 to give knowledge of salvation to his people
in the forgiveness of their sins,
78 because of the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high
79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the way of peace.”

80 And the child grew and became strong in spirit, and he was in the wilderness until the day of his public appearance to Israel. (ESV)

called Skeptics Welcome.

"Nobody drives well enough to have a bumper sticker that has Jesus’ name on it. It’s true. You should go the opposite. ‘I don’t believe in Christ,’ and then you can drive like a madman."

- Matt Chandler

So what do you think? What is your reaction to people who have a fish or a Jesus bumper sticker on their car? And more to the point, what do you think about the ones that represent Jesus with a sticker, but defiantly do not represent him by the way they drive? What’s the solution? And how do you display Christ as you drive anyway?

UPDATED (1-3-08):
I also found a link that you might find interesting on the same topic:
Christians and the Etiquette for the Road