Bob Christopher - Simple Gospel, Simply Grace: How Your Christian Life Is Really Supposed to Work

Bob lives the truths he speaks with such passion. I found the same authenticity and genuine life in Simple Gospel, Simply Grace . A transforming grace for every pore of my being, every moment of my life.

John Lynch

author of On My Worst Day and coauthor of The Cure

Bob Christopher is one of the clearest articulators of Gods unfailing grace and how it benefits Christians today. This new book will enlarge your grasp of the riches of his grace and bring you more fully into what his grace offers.

Frank Viola

author of Gods Favorite Place on Earth and From Eternity to Here

Bob Christopher humbly and powerfully points us to Jesus Christ as our source of purpose and fulfillment. If youve been longing to lean into the love of Jesus, you dont want to miss this book.

Andrew Farley

bestselling author of The Naked Gospel and pastor at ChurchWithoutReligion.com

My friend Bob Christopher explains the truths of salvation and our life in Christ in a relaxed and easy-to-understand style. Backed solidly by the Scriptures and examples from his own journey, Bob communicates the message of Gods amazing grace in a way that is refreshing and liberating. Simple Gospel, Simply Grace is simply awesome!

Frank Reed

KLTY Radio, DallasFort Worth

The greatest gifts given to the human race are the love, forgiveness, and new life found in the grace of God. Simple Gospel, Simply Grace does a fantastic job of sharing Gods grace in simple and understandable terminology with a blend of Scripture and practical illustrations. This is my new go-to tool when I want to share Gods grace with others.

Henry Shaffer

founder of Won by One to Jamaica

Bob Christopher rightly observes that grace is not a thing, but a Person. Thats why the message of grace never gets old even though it has often gotten lost. Find it again in this great read.

David E. Bish

lead pastor, Tri County Church, DuBois, Pennsylvania

author of I Dont Go to ChurchI Am the Church

Bob Christopher walks us through the life-transforming treasures of a life lived in the power and assurance of Gods unmerited favor. Prepare to be liberated from the chains of legalism and sin as you learn to live from the life and promise of a God who will never even think about leaving or forsaking you!

Jeremy White

lead pastor of Valley Church, Vacaville, California

author of The Gospel Uncut: Learning to Rest in the Grace of God

In a world that is constantly telling us, try harder, dont give up, and you can do it, Bob Christopher gives a refreshing alternative through the message of the gospel. This book will point you to the liberating truth of resting instead of working, and trusting instead of trying. It truly is the good news we all have longed to hear for so long!

Bob Hutchins

founder and CEO of BuzzPlant

HARVEST HOUSE PUBLISHERS

EUGENE, OREGON

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Verses marked ESV are 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.

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

Verses marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.Lockman.org)

All italicized emphasis in Scripture verses has been added by the author.

Cover by Dual Identity, Inc., Whites Creek, Tennessee

SIMPLE GOSPEL, SIMPLY GRACE

Copyright 2015 by Bob Christopher

Published by Harvest House Publishers

Eugene, Oregon 97402

www.harvesthousepublishers.com

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Christopher, Bob

Simple gospel, simply grace / Bob Christopher.

pages cm

ISBN 978-0-7369-6272-8 (pbk.)

ISBN 978-0-7369-6273-5 (eBook)

1. Grace (Theology) I. Title.

BT761.3.C47 2015

248.4dc23

2014042881

All rights reserved. No part of this electronic publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, digital, photocopy, recording, or any otherwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The authorized purchaser has been granted a nontransferable, nonexclusive, and noncommercial right to access and view this electronic publication, and purchaser agrees to do so only in accordance with the terms of use under which it was purchased or transmitted. Participation in or encouragement of piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of authors and publishers rights is strictly prohibited.

To my wife, Jeanna

the most genuine person I know.

First, I thank my mom and dad. Im proud to say that you can find their fingerprints on almost every area of my life. I say almost because all the bad stuff is mine alone. Their support, encouragement, and belief have made a lasting impact. And Im grateful that Dad is already enjoying what we all long forlife in Christs presence.

A special thanks to Jeanna for her honest and sincere insights about the bookstuff like This story is awful. You need to rewrite it and make it better. She has never been one to play games or to hide her true feelings. This is one of the traits I love most about her. And it has helped provide a strong foundation for us to see and understand Gods grace more fully.

And there are our kids, Caitlin, Coleman, and McKenzie. I think they are the coolest kids on the planet.

Im also so thankful for my three sisters, Lisa, Gina, and Sally.

A special thanks to Vivian Foster, Kim Groff, and Jeannie Thompson for their help on the manuscript. Also to Bob Davis, Richard Peifer, Greg Parke, Stephen Simon, Michelle Lister, and Billie Raybourne. I am privileged to work with these amazing people every day.

I first shared much of the content of this book with a group of men I meet with each week in the card room of a local country club. Thank you, guys, for the many questions you asked and for keeping it real. You guys are the best. Also, to my lifelong friendsWade, Tom, Richard, and Stacythank you for standing with me through thick and thin.

Thank you to Bob Hawkins and Harvest House for believing in this project. I am extremely grateful for Paul Gossard and his work on this book. The faith and courage he exhibited during the most trying of times was a testimony to the reality of Gods grace. And to Gene Skinner, thank you for making this book better.

And finally, thank you to Jesus Christ, the one who is full of grace and truth.

Contents

H ave you ever been so parched and thirsty that when you finally got a drink, you could feel that first fresh, cool gulp revive your whole body? Thats what this book does to your spirit. Bobs writing is refreshing and crisp and awakens the soul. His simple and direct message gives you strength when you need it.

This book was so refreshing, I had a difficult time putting it down. Plenty of things in this world are working against me, so when I find something that nourishes my soul and offers a joy I can celebrate, I want to shout it out to everyone I know. Bobs book provides just that kind of nourishment. He writes with a simple directness that makes his point difficult to miss.