Rich Wilkerson Jr - Sandcastle kings: meeting Jesus in a spiritually bankrupt world

PRAISE FOR SANDCASTLE KINGS

I cant say enough good things about Rich Wilkerson, Jr. Not only is he a close friend and an incredible pastor, he is a compelling voice in this generation. His passion and insight shine clearly in Sandcastle Kings. It is human nature to want to build something that lasts; to make our lives count; to leave a legacy that goes beyond ourselves. Yet too often, we find ourselves dazzled and distracted by pursuits we know will never stand the test of time. In this book, Rich reveals the answer to our dilemma by focusing on the one who will never fade or wash away: Jesus.

JUDAH SMITH, LEAD PASTOR, THE CITY CHURCH, SEATTLE, WASHINGTON; AND NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF JESUS IS _ _ _ _ _ _.

Thank you, Rich, for revealing this truth that we are all sandcastle kings. This book is a powerful reminder that God is our one true source for solid ground. While material things crumble away, Gods firm foundation remains! Its time for us to drop our shovels and allow Jesus to take over.

CHRISTINE CAINE, FOUNDER OF A21 CAMPAIGN AND PROPEL WOMEN

Pastor Rich is one of those rare people who always lights up the room and makes everyone feel like a priority. His optimistic advice and his passion for the Word of God are contagious. He has had such a positive and enlightening influence on my family; we are so blessed to call him our pastor and our friend.

KIM KARDASHIAN WEST

Rich Wilkerson, Jr., is a gift to this generation. His enthusiasm for life, his rich family heritage in the church, and anointing to communicate the Word of God in a relevant, accessible, and approachable way, has and will continue to impact countless lives.

BRIAN HOUSTON, SENIOR PASTOR, HILLSONG CHURCH; AUTHOR OF LIVE, LOVE, LEAD

Rich Wilkerson, Jr., could have been the king of sand castlessmart, talented, way too good looking for his own good! He chose instead to give his life for the One True Kingdom and to call the world to the One True King. Sandcastle Kings frees us from the illusion of all the kingdoms that cannot stand to become citizens of the only kingdom where all are free!

ERWIN RAPHAEL MCMANUS, FOUNDER OF MOSAIC; AUTHOR OF THE ARTISAN SOUL

Rich is a gifted communicator, and in Sandcastle Kings he compellingly puts forth the case for examining the foundations of our lives, the unsexy but vital underpinnings that he as a pastor is down in the dirt helping people repair each day.

BROOKE FRASER, SONGWRITER AND RECORDING ARTIST

Rich Wilkerson makes religion cool. Especially for the millennial generation that is so busy living in a fast-paced, tech-driven world that sometimes they forget to look up from their smartphones and be inspired. And thats exactly what Rich does, he inspires us to always make time for faith, no matter how busy we are, and he does it in the most relatable, entertaining way. Its like having a best friend who can guide you through struggles, heartache, and lifes biggest worries. He constantly amazes me with his love of all people and his genuine desire to help us all. He is the real deal.

GUILIANA RANCIC, HOST OF E! NEWS, FASHION POLICE; AND AUTHOR OF THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER GOING OFF SCRIPT

Sandcastle Kings will take you on a tour of life. The final destination may surprise you but will not disappoint. My friend Rich delivers an instant classic!

CHRIS DURSO

This is not a book, its a call to arms. Rich has clearly and passionately laid out a battle plan that will keep your life from becoming an empire of dirt and a story of what could have been. No matter what mistakes are behind you, Sandcastle Kings will help you build the kind of life you will want ten years from now and ten thousand years after that.

LEVI LUSKO, PASTOR, FRESH LIFE CHURCH; AND AUTHOR OF THROUGH THE EYES OF A LION

Growing up with Rich, I knew he would impact people, but I underestimated by how much. I witnessed him writing some of this book on a vacation when he sat down and couldnt type all his thoughts out fast enough. I knew he was on to something and, after reading Sandcastle Kings, he delivered. Im glad he gave up some of that trip to remind us about the importance of lifes foundations. Im forever changed.

JASON KENNEDY, E! NEWS COHOST

It doesnt take long to notice that Richs life stands on a solid foundation that is much bigger than himself. The genuine passion that so evidently radiates through his teaching, his love for people, and his heart for life is evidence of this. Sandcastle Kings paints a profound picture of the unshakable story the Lord has built on His foundation for you and shakes the desire to build worth on a personal empire that will never fulfill.

LAUREN SCRUGGS, FOUNDER OF LOLOMAGAZINE AND THE LAUREN SCRUGGS KENNEDY FOUNDATION, AUTHOR OF STILL LOLO AND YOUR BEAUTIFUL HEART

I cant think of anyone more qualified to write on the subject of a spiritually bankrupt society. Rich Wilkerson, Jr., has dedicated his entire life to serving people in need of help. These arent just observations on culture. This is a book written by a man who has successfully guided a countless number of people to the answer for all of lifes problems: Jesus.

CHAD VEACH, LEAD PASTOR OF ZOE CHURCH, LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA; AND AUTHOR OF UNREASONABLE HOPE

[O]ne of the most in touch leaders of our time... in touch with our generation and in touch with our God... a leader we can easily follow into modern revival.

JERRY LORENZO MANUEL, FRIEND

2015 by Rich Wilkerson

All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or otherexcept for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Published in Nashville, Tennessee, by Nelson Books, an imprint of Thomas Nelson. Nelson Books and Thomas Nelson are registered trademarks of HarperCollins Christian Publishing, Inc.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Readers Version, NIrV. Copyright 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIrV and New International Readers Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.

Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked PHILLIPS are taken from J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English, 1962 edition by HarperCollins.

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version). Copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations marked THE MESSAGE are taken from The Message. Copyright by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

Thomas Nelson, Inc., titles may be purchased in bulk for educational, business, fund-raising, or sales promotional use. For information, please e-mail SpecialMarkets@ThomasNelson.com.

ISBN: 9780718032692 (eBook)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2015943726

ISBN: 9780718032685

15 16 17 18 19 RRD 6 5 4 3 2 1

To my darling DawnCher. Words will never do justice for the love I have for you. Thank you for coming on the journey. The best is yet to come.

CONTENTS