The premise that modern inventions have caused the globe to shrink and time and distance to be demolished drives Stephen Olfords The Christian Message for Contemporary Life. The text is published essentially as the sermons were delivered by Olford, and his warm and pointed preaching style comes through.
"We have radio, television, computers, the Internet and astounding advances in literacy and available literature," writes Olford. Yet, says Olford, despite the advances in technology and other scientific endeavors, there are still millions of people who have never heard the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Christian Message is a succinct presentation of the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians, and Olford follows the keen reasoning of the apostle Paul to show the relevancy of the Christian message for our generation so that you can be better prepared when you share your faith. The overarching theme is the commission of Christ in Acts 1:8: But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (NIV).
Olfords study is engaging and filled with excellent illustrations and quotes, always keeping Christ at the center and putting the church in its proper place.
The book is divided into six chapters, examining the following themes:
Each chapter includes an outline of the scriptural text, and readers are encouraged to read and reread the first three chapters of 1 Corinthians as they study Olfords book.