Jared C. Wilson - Gospel Wakefulness (Foreword by Ray Ortlund)

The writing of this book was not without the cumulative influence of many friends, colleagues, and secondary source inspirations over the years. But I would like to especially acknowledge the following people for their contributions.

Ray Ortlund, Mike Ayers, and Roland Mitcheson, whose pastoral influence and mentorship have been invaluable in my life.

My friends David and Sarah McLemore, Bill Roberts, Eric Guel, Phil Schroeder, Chris Thomas, Jeremy Wilson, Glenn Lucke, Matt Chandler, Rob Townshend, Dale Carr, Jeff Miserocchi, Bill Streger, and Joel Burdeaux, all of whom encourage me, shape me, sharpen me, and love me. I love you, friends.

Mark Driscoll and John Piper, whose preaching was used by God to save my life.

Leslie, Eric, Jeff, Annisa, Rob, and Andrew, all of whom shared their wonderful stories of gospel wakefulness.

My agent, Steve Laube, who adopted me as a novelist and discovered that he ended up with something else. Justin Taylor and Tara Davis at Crossway, who made this book so much better than it was.

This book is first and especially dedicated to my best friend, Becky. By the grace of God, she will not give up on me. I am staggered by this. I love you, baby.

Second, I must dedicate this work to the flock at Middletown Springs Community Church. What a motley crew we are! What a bunch of spectacular human beings you are! Thank you for consistently receiving the Word with gladness and expectancy . I am humbled by you and thankful for you. What is God gonna do in the years ahead? I cant wait to find out!

Gospel Wakefulness was a joy to read. My eyes filled with tears and my heart flooded with joy on numerous occasions. Its been a long time since a book created the emotion in me that this book has. The chapters on brokenness and sanctification were humbling and beautiful reads. I am praying that Gospel Wakefulness falls into a lot of hands and hearts.

Matt Chandler, Lead Pastor, The Village Church; author, The Explicit Gospel

Gospel Wakefulness is one of the most theologically faithful, refreshingly honest, pastorally sensitive, and eminently practical books on the gospel I have read in a long time. Accessible without tiresome clichs or self-serving anecdotes, Jared writes as a man astonished at the riches of Gods grace, committed to the maturing of Christs church, and engaged with the advancing of Gods kingdom. The gospel is more clear and precious to me for having read Jareds book. I cannot think of a greater compliment to be able to offer.

Scotty Smith, Pastor for Preaching, Christ Community Church, Franklin, Tennessee

Anyone hungry and thirsty for righteousness will be refreshed by the invigorating streams of truth that flow from Gospel Wakefulness. Jared Wilson wants us to delight in the gospel to the point that sin becomes bitter and Christ becomes our supreme treasure. May this book awaken your affections toward the Savior who deserves all praise.

Trevin Wax, editor, TGM: Theology, Gospel, Mission ; author, Counterfeit Gospels and Holy Subversion

How many of us really understand the power of the gospel? Its about more than just knowing the facts; its a deep-down realization that something amazing and wonderful has taken place. Jared Wilson explains that our lives will overflow with incredible joy and thankfulness when we truly comprehend the gospel. Jareds book changes how we see the gospel and reminds us of just how amazing grace is.

Greg Surratt, Senior Pastor, Sea Coast Church, South Carolina; author, Ir-Rev-Rend

To paraphrase Solomon, of making many books (about the gospel) there is no end. And Im glad of it! I pray we never reach the day when we grow weary of writing and reading books about the gospel. That is why Im profoundly grateful for Jared Wilsons contribution to this growing genre of Christian literature. He awakens us to the power of the gospelthat alone brings hope in the midst of brokenness and joyin the stunning truth that a holy God is actually for us. If you need to wake up to the beauty of the gospel (and who doesnt?), this book is for you. If youve ever wondered how the gospel quite literally and radically changes everything, both now and tomorrow, Gospel Wakefulness is must reading.

Sam Storms, Senior Pastor, Bridgeway Church, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; author, Chosen for Life and The Hope of Glory

By Gods grace this book will help ignite a burning obsession with the always-overwhelming, always-underrated, and always-powerful gospel of Jesus Christ. Dont read this book unless you are ready to be ignited with a passion for the gospel in an extraordinary way.

Burk Parsons, Associate Pastor, Saint Andrews; Editor, Tabletalk

Youre a Christian, but youre lagging. Joy is elusive. You struggle to get as excited about your faith as you do about Monday Night Football or lavishly dressed housewives. As sinners, we will all find ourselves in this position at some point. What we need is a fresh vision of the gospel, a new savoring of Gods grace in Christ. Jared Wilson gives us just this gift in Gospel Wakefulness a book that makes us laugh even as it makes a mark.

Owen Strachan, coauthor, The Essential Edwards Collection ; Instructor of Christian theology and church history, Boyce College

Is it possible that in our evangelical desire for bigger, better, faster, shinier, and louder weve actually dulled our spiritual senses? What can wake us up? Only the astonishment the Spirit brings through the gospel of Jesus. In his new book, Jared Wilson beautifully keys in on our need to be bowled over by the life, death, and resurrection of the Son of God and helps us seek real amazement in Gods amazing grace. Writing with passion and clarity, Wilson shines the light of Christ on every page.

Ed Stetzer, President, LifeWay Research; contributing editor, Christianity Today

Gospel Wakefulness is full of light bulb moments. The powerful insights and divine truth contained in these pages will challenge your understanding of what it means to be fully awake to the gospel. Dont read this book unless you want your faith to be intensely strengthened and your view of the transformational life to be transformed. The eyes of your heart will be opened to the true treasure of Christ that is available to us all.

Pete Wilson, author, Plan B and Empty Promises ; Pastor, Cross Point Community Church in Nashville, Tennessee

Jared is a brilliant writer with an important message, calling us back to the power of the gospel. He reminds us that we dont need to desperately try to make it attractive, because it already is the most attractive thing in the universe! Wilson demonstrates how we can simply and powerfully proclaim the gospel through our lives and ministries. I feel liberated by this much-needed call to gospel wakefulness!

Jud Wilhite , author, Torn , Throw It Down, and Uncensored Grace ; Senior Pastor, Central Christian Church, Las Vegas, Nevada

You may not recognize your need for this book until you read it. You wont be sorry that you did, but be warned: Jared Wilsons relentless focus on the wondrous grace of Jesus Christ may prompt some painful if ultimately liberating reflection on your desperate, everyday need for a Savior. Enjoy highlighting Wilsons many pithy lines on our ongoing need for the gospel and rejoice over the stories of redemption he tells.

Collin Hansen, Editorial Director, The Gospel Coalition; coauthor, A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories That Stretch and Stir

Its been said you cant commend what you dont cherish. It is clear Jared Wilson cherishes the life-saving, life-giving gospel of Jesus Christ. In this book he also commends it, so we will do the same.