Table of Contents

Introduction: The Dangerous Delight of Divine Grace Human hopes falter and fail. Asked to tell a story in only six words, one novelist responded with these words: "For sale: Baby shoes. Never worn." Human hopes can fall to pieces. But here is a beautiful bit of good news when we consider how often our plans can fall apart: This never happens to God. God knows all things, past, present, and future-so nothing happens that he cannot predict. God is powerful above and beyond all things-so no challenge ever arises that he can't stop. That's good news for believers in Jesus Christ. If you've trusted Jesus, it's not because you planned out your life in your fleeting and faulty wis-dom. It's because God set his heart on you from eternity past; God made this choice knowing eve-rything about you-past, present, and future! As a result, nothing can change his choice to pour out his grace on you. Not your sin. Not your fears. Not the darkness that gnaws at your heart that no one else knows about. Nothing in your future. Nothing in your past. Nothing in all creation can sep-arate you from God's love. Nothing. God proved his love for you once and for all through the cross of Jesus and the empty tomb-and nothing can change that determination to save you by his grace. His grace was... PLANNED from all eternity, knowing that he would RESURRECT your lifeless soul to lavish grace into your life that is OUTRAGEOUS because it doesn't depend on what you've done and OVERCOMING because it transforms your desires so that you long for Jesus. Because this grace depends on what God has already determined and done, it lasts FOREVER. Together, that spells "PROOF," which is precisely what God has provided in Jesus and poured out into our lives through the gospel: Proof of grace that will never let us go because it never depended on us in the first place; it depends instead on a God who is greater than anything we could ask or imagine. Chapter One: Planned Grace Chapter Two: Resurrecting Grace Chapter Three: Outrageous Grace Chapter Four: Overcoming Grace Chapter Five: Forever Grace Chapter Six: PROOF in Action Conclusion: The Beautiful Paradox

Promotional Information

Don't let the title PROOF fool you; this is not a traditional book about apologetics. It is a book that works out how Christians themselves are the "proof" of God's grace. Instead of viewing robust biblical teaching as a deadening weight on vital Christian living, these two authors are busy finding freedom through the intoxicating joy of irresistible grace (as the subtitle puts it). The detailed endnotes will satisfy more intellectual readers, but the rest of the book will prove a great help to the rest of us who want to learn in experience how some of the central truths of the gospel transform not only our thinking but our lives. -- D. A. Carson, , Research Professor at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, President of The Gospel Coalition PROOF is one of the most well-reasoned and heart-engaging presentations of the Reformed Faith I have read since becoming a Christian in 1968. Rooted in the history of theology, faithful to the text of Scripture, and accessible to a contemporary audience, these brothers throw the curtains wide open on the contours and grandeur of the gospel. -- Scotty Smith, , Teacher-in-Residence, West End Community Church PROOF is biblical, forceful, winsome, and clear about who God is, how God works, and what God wants. Daniel and Timothy have given us a treasure! -- Darrin Patrick, , Pastor, The Journey A book on the doctrines of grace that delights as much as it challenges? That exhilarates as much as it informs? That entertains as it enlightens? Be still my beating heart... PROOF is a rare breed indeed. Get it, savor it, let it bowl you over with the spectacular grace of God. -- Jared Wilson, , author of The Storytelling God This book demonstrates a wealth of reflection on both modern and ancient sources, helping us rediscover the scandal of the gospel,... the central fountain of the Christian life. -- J. D. Greear, Ph.D., , author of Stop Asking Jesus into Your Heart Daniel and Timothy will take you on a journey of grace in a way that you've never lived it before! -- Gregg R. Allison, , Professor of Christian Theology, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary PROOF is a fresh, new approach to the historical doctrines of grace. It will refresh and encourage the veteran learner and provide substance without the complicated jargon for the novice. -- Trillia Newbell, , author of United: Captured by God's Vision for Diversity Sadly, the doctrines of grace have often been used to score theological points. But PROOF shows how grace changes lives and brings joy. -- Tim Chester, , Associate Director, Porterbrook Seminary At the end of PROOF you will walk away with a comprehensive knowledge of grace, and even more importantly, with a heart of worship for the Grace-Giver. -- Flame, , Grammy-nominated hip-hop artist, ClearSightMusic.com Modern believers, who often unknowingly swing from license to legalism in their attempts to please God, need this joyous proclamation of the plan of salvation. This is a wonderful way of introducing the Canons of Dort to the heirs of the Me Generation. -- Eric Redmond, , Professor-in-Residence, New Canaan Baptist Church If predestination has often felt stodgy and stifling, this book's for you. PROOF is not your standard portrayal of Reformed theology. It's unlike anything I've come across before. The style is engaging, the stories are captivating, the logic is compelling, and best of all the theology is rock solid and biblically faithful. Trust me, you'll love this book (even when you don't agree with it!). -- Sam Storms, , Lead Pastor, Bridgeway Church Pastorally wise and academically rigorous, ... PROOF will pull you into the conversation and press you to consider afresh the biblical text and your own experience of God's grace. -- J. Michael Thigpen, , Executive Director, Evangelical Theological Society PROOF contrasts true grace with our typical perception of grace in a way that will drive souls to experience freedom, joy, and worship. -- Rebekah Hannah, , Columbia University Christian Union Ministry Fellow, editor of GospelTaboo.com Daniel Montgomery doesn't just understand grace ... no, grace arrested him, then grace tutored him, and now grace compels him to help others stand amazed. -- Dave Harvey, , Pastor, Four Oaks Community Church PROOF paints a powerful picture that the gospel is not a cheap bucket of grace that sits at the foot of the cross. Rather, the gospel is an ever-flowing, deep river of irresistible grace that flows from the foot of the cross. -- Brian Croft, , Senior Pastor, Auburndale Baptist Church

About the Author

Daniel Montgomery is founding pastor of Sojourn Community Church, a multi-site congregation with three campuses in Louisville, Kentucky and one in New Albany, Indiana. Sojourn began in 2000 with about sixty people and has grown into a community of nearly four thousand. Daniel now serves Sojourn as pastor of teaching, leadership, and church planting. He has served on a leadership task force for the Southern Baptist Convention and on the board of directors for the Acts 29 church planting network. In 2011, Daniel cofounded the Sojourn Network to multiply churches in North America and beyond. He is the coauthor of Faith-Mapping (Crossway, 2013). Timothy Paul Jones serves as professor of leadership at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and works in the SojournKids children's ministry at Sojourn Community Church. Before coming to Louisville, Timothy led churches in Missouri and Oklahoma as a pastor and an associate pastor. He has been widely recognized as a leading writer and researcher in the fields of apologetics, church history, and family ministry. He has authored or contributed to more than a dozen books, including Misquoting Truth (InterVarsity, 2007), Christian History Made Easy (Rose, 2010), and the CBA bestseller The Da Vinci Codebreaker (Bethany House, 2005).