Zealous for Good Works: Mobilizing Your Church for the Good of Your Community

Todd Wilson?s church was devoted to the gospel and had long aspired to be the kind of city on a hill Jesus talks about in the Sermon on the Mount. They wanted their hurting neighbors to see the light of Christ and be drawn to meet Jesus. But how? What practices actually make something like that possible?                                                                                                                                                                                They found the answers they were looking for in Titus. In that often-overlooked book of the Bible, they discovered a call to be zealous for good works-the kind of good works that are like a bright light shining in the darkness. Zealous for Good Works is an exposition of Titus with a particular focus on mobilizing the church towards acting in kindness and goodness toward her neighbors. This book is for anyone who?s ever wanted to make a difference in the world, and see their church do the same, but wondered how to make it happen. Zealous for Good Works offers you field-tested, scripturally based, practical answers that you and your church leaders will get excited about putting into practice. Titus 2:11-14For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. Review Praise for Zealous for Good WorksOften when one hears of good works, we are asked to think of salvation and being clear good works do not save. Todd Wilson?s Zealous for Good Works has used the book of Titus to take a biblical tact. Good works are about mission, evangelism, and key characteristics that build credibility to be the city on a hill, to be what God called His community to be in the world. They show what salvation is for and how mission can be fueled by a walk that matches the talk.DARRELL L. BOCKExecutive Director for Cultural Engagement, Howard G. Hendricks Center for Christian Leadership andCultural Engagement;Senior Research Professor of New Testament Studies, Dallas Theological SeminaryGod?s gospel is not only true and good; it is also beautiful. In this vibrant and practical exposition of Paul?s letter to Titus, Todd Wilson argues that the gospel is seen to be beautiful through a demonstration of good works by God?s people. Godly living is the goal of the gospel, and this is what is needed to close the church?s credibility gap and to make the gospel compelling in today?s culture. Wilson helps us to see that Paul?s instruction to Titus is as missional as it gets. Those who are tired of chasing the latest ministry fads and who want to listen again to God?s Word will be encouraged by this book. I was!BILL KYNESPastor, Cornerstone Evangelical Free Church, Annandale, VAOne of the major challenges for Christ followers today is figuring out how to declare ?the gospel? in a world that no longer wants to hear what we have to say. The book of Titus reminds us that it?s our good works that raise the curiosity of a watching world, which in turn opens the door of their hearts to our message. It?s the church?s version of ?show andtell?! Of course Titus takes his clue from the words of Christ who, while blessing those who were marginalized for His name?s sake, reminded us that we are to be lights in our dark world. And, as Christ notes, that light is our good works, which in turn will draw people to glorify God. Thanks Todd for this relevant and practical guide to practicing our faith in ways that are compelling to a world that, while not listening, is still watching us.JOE STOWEL As I read Todd Wilson?s excellent new book, I was blessed by thinking about ma