Living the Cross Centered Life: Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing

by C.J. Mahaney

Book Overview

This all-important message is the core of C.J. Mahaney's Living the Cross Centered Life, subtitled Keeping the Gospel the Main Thing. This hardback book weaves together content from C.J.'s two... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1590525787
• ISBN13: 9781590525784
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Multnomah Books
• Length: 176 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.1" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

A Book suggested by MY Pastor :-)

It was suggested by my Pastor that the entire congregation order,read,and be ready to have discussions about it. I found the reading very easy and understanding. :-)

Great Gospel Book

This is a book that is focused on the gospel. An easy read but does not sacrifice doctrinal clarity and orthodoxy. This is a great alternative to the "new" emerging Christian messages. Chapters on legalism and condemnation are particularly powerful. Great read for new Christians and Christians needing to kneel at the cross anew.

Great work...

This book is truly a great one as C.J. Mahaney brings it all back to the cross. A lot of this book includes previous works, "The Cross Centered Life" and "Christ Our Mediator." I also had just listened to C.J.'s sermon from the 2005 Resolved Conference called "Interrogating the Legalist Within" so most of this was review. But if you have yet to read or listen to these, please pick this little book up, you will not be disappointed. C.J. continues to bring out the cross in everything in this dissertation of the cross centered life. C.J. goes into understanding the cross in defining our lives, feelings (experience), God's love, Gethsemane, our part in the cross (sin), our suffering, legalism, condemnation (with much more) and then just the practical application. C.J. gives five practical ways to live a cross centered life: 1. Memorize the Gospel: Memorize those scriptures that remind us of the gospel (2 Cor 5:21; Romans 8:31-34; Isaiah 53:3-6) 2. Pray the Gospel: Since the Gospel is the reason we can approach such a holy God, continue to pray the Gospel as a reminder of why you can speak to such an awesome God. 3. Sing the Gospel: Find songs and CD's whose focus in on the great and glorious Gospel and not on man. Those songs that concentrate on what He has done for us. 4. Review How the Gospel Has Changed You: Looking to your past, not for condemnation's sake, but for the reminder of mercy and grace 5. Study the Gospel: Don't only study books on the Gospel or only on the New Testament, but study the Old Testament and see Christ's fulfillment of It. Making sure that our studies don't leave the Gospel behind but builds itself upon It. I would really recommend this to any and all Christians. Great reminders of how the Cross should impact our lives and how it has freed us from condemnation and the errors of legalism.

First Things First

When was the last time you saw a professional ball game lost because of missed free throws, penalties, or an untimely error? Even professionals are capable of making elementary mistakes. And so it is in the Christian life. Those who have been Christians for many years and even those in Christian leadership can forget the most fundamental teaching in all of Scripture - the message of the cross (1 Cor. 15:3-4). In Living the Cross-Centered Life, veteran Pastor and leader of Sovereign Grace Ministries, C.J. Mahaney seeks to focus his readers' attention on the cross of Christ. Far too often, believers get caught up in the latest fads or believe that they need to `move on' from the message of the cross. Mahaney argues quite persuasively for the centrality of the cross in living the Christian life. Do you want to grow in your prayer life? Then realize that all effective prayer is ultimately rooted in the cross. Without Christ's death on your behalf, you could not even enter into God's presence. Do you want to overcome temptation? Only grace sustains lasting change. Through the cross we overcome not only the guilt of sin, but also the power of sin (Rom. 6:18). The gospel empowers and motivates us in our ongoing pursuit of holiness. This book helps one to grasp the need for the cross and develop a God-centered theology. We also enter into Gethsemane and appreciate the Savior's final agonizing moments on the cross. Chapters 11 and 12 are two of the most significant chapters in this little book. Reading these chapters would deliver many from the chains of legalism and condemnation that threaten to rob believers of their joy. Chapter 13 is filled with helpful suggestions to help readers live a cross-centered day. Among them are: memorize the gospel, pray the gospel, study the gospel and sing the gospel This brief and enjoyable book can help prevent believers from " fumbling the ball" by keeping the gospel the main thing.

Excellent Book! Biblical, insightful, challenging, pratical, and profound!

Knowing that I am given to over-statement I hesitate to say this, but I think "Living the Cross Centered Life" is one of the best books I have ever read. No piece of writing I can recollect has presented the Cross and its place in life to me in such a clear and profound way. I would not be surprised if this is a book I continue to go back to again and again for renewed passion for my Savior. In classic Mahaney style the book is engaging, biblically-based, and never stops short of spelling out the seriousness of the issue at hand. He spends the majority of the book looking closely at the Cross and what Christ accomplished for us and also includes some pratical steps at the end for developing habits that build a Cross-centered life. I am aware that this particular work is a combination of some of his earlier writings with new material. Having not read those books I cannot tell you how unique this offering is. However, let me only say that this offering is unique. Among all the Christian-living and issues books out there, few that I know of inspire such a focus on Christ and the Cross as "Living the Cross Centered Life."

A Powerful Book

There may be no greater honor for a minister of the Word than this: his ministry has become nearly synonymous with the cross of Jesus Christ. His ministry has led people to the cross not just once, but time and again as they have come to reflect on the deeper meaning of Jesus' death. They have been led to see that "the cross is the blazing fire at which the flame of our love is kindled, but we have to get near enough for its sparks to fall on us." Such has been the case with C.J. Mahaney. When I post a reflection on the cross it is not unusual for people to tell me or to comment on this site that they are now going to go and re-read The Cross Centered Life or listen to some of the cross-focused songs on the album Songs for the Cross Centered Life. His ministry is marked by a passion for leading people near enough to the cross that its sparks can fall on us. I recently received an email from a person claiming to be a Christian, yet one who does not believe in Jesus. I was shocked. How could a person call himself by the name of Christ, yet not believe in Him? This person wanted to help me experience the power of God in my life, yet without Jesus Christ. That is impossible! Without the cross there is no Christianity. Without the cross we have no hope, no salvation. The cross stands at the very center of our faith and even at the very center of human history. We would be nothing without it. The focus of those who love the Lord should be constantly upon the cross. Living the Cross Centered Life combines two of Mahaney's books (The Cross Centered Life and Christ Our Mediator) with new material. This book provides a passionate, biblical reflection upon the cross and encouragement for living a life that will be centered upon the gospel, for this is what we all need to regard as the main thing. Mahaney delights in the cross. The reader will only be able to conclude that the cross is what motivates his life and his ministry. His enthusiasm, his desire, his love for the gospel message in infectious. Always focused on the truths of Scripture, Mahaney draws the reader back to the very center and focus of the Christian faith. The reader will be given much grounds for rejoicing and much grounds for deeper, prayerful reflection. The reader will be led near to the cross where he can experience the power of the Son of God. He will learn the need for the cross, the power of the cross and the wonderful benefits that have been extended to us because of the cross. He will learn why this cross stands at the center of our faith and why we must always hold it there. And so I commend this book to you. If you have not yet read The Cross Centered Life this is your opportunity to read it blended with Christ Our Mediator. Mahaney recommends that each Christian read at least one book about the cross each year. This is your opportunity to read that book while the year is still young. Read it, learn the message and worship at the foot of the cross. Your life may never be th