Johnny spoke twice Thursday in Brisbane–in the morning to church leaders and seminary students, in the evening to a general audience. Both of those gatherings were sponsored by Queensland Theological College, in honor of their 100th anniversary.

In between, we had sandwich supper with a couple dozen Campus Outreach leaders and related pastors, including David & Susan Cunningham. They were with CO and now David is a pastor at Christ Community Church in Brisbane. In one of those “small world” moments, I discovered David grew up in Griffin, GA, just 15 miles from where I grew up. I was a few years earlier, I guess.

A couple of highlights from Johnny’s words during the day. . . .

What is the Gospel? Here are 6 things that are essential to what makes the gospel the gospel:

1. It is planned by God, not just happening somehow.
2. It is a real event in history–Jesus died.
3. Something definite was accomplished at that moment.
4. It is freely offered.
5. It is applied to you by the Holy Spirit.
6. The final result of all these is that you get God.

Later, at the supper, a father asked something like, “What would you say to my young teen children to encourage them to keep treasuring Jesus?”

Looking those children, Johnny said: You’ll never meet anybody greater than Jesus. No singer or actor or sports figure. If you could hear Jesus sing! Or preach or play rugby — he’s better than them all.

Young people want to line up with someone they admire, someone they think is great. They want to know all about that person. Do that with Jesus.

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Make sure your name is entered for one of the Mystery Prizes from Down Under. So far, you can enter up to 3 times–#1 and #2 and #3.