“The apostle Paul was consistent.  Paul desired “that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel” (Ephesians 6:19).  When he said hard things he was able to remind those who knew him how consistent his life was with the gospel (Acts 20:18; 2 Timothy 3:10).  So make sure the message you share is consistent with the message you bear.  Endeavor, by God’s grace, to think through how to keep careful watch over your life as well as your doctrine by living out the gospel.”

-J. Mack Stiles, Marks of the Messenger (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2010), 52.

“The healthy evangelist is asking these questions and looking for answers so as to guard the gospel.  Here is the critical test.  Could you have preached that sermon if Christ had not died on the cross?  Could you have developed that Christian leadership principle had Christ not been crucified?  I’m not saying be impractical-the Bible has much to say about being practical-but make sure that the practical is tied to the message of Jesus.  Otherwise we are on the road to an assumption that will lost the gospel.”

-J. Mack Stiles, Marks of the Messenger (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity, 2010), 41.