Norma Jean and I are attending the annual Florida College Lectures this week in Temple Terrace, Florida—a gathering that has shaped my faith and ministry for a lifetime.
I have been blessed to attend every year since 1966, when I first came as a high school senior. That initial experience was unforgettable. I heard—and met—men who were gifted and effective gospel preachers, voices I had previously known only through their writings or reputation. It left a lasting imprint on my life.
With the passing of time and the changing seasons of life, each year has offered something fresh and meaningful not only in the themes and speakers but in the fellowship and shared faith that draw us together. This year is no exception.
The theme for 2026 is “Living the Gospel.” In the lecture book, Bible chair David McClister observed that the word “gospel” is slowly disappearing from ordinary American English, increasingly used almost exclusively by believers in Christ. That observation alone invites reflection.
Florida College President John Weaver—incidentally, the grandson of James R. Cope, who served as president during my student days—reminded us that “gospel” is the most basic and accessible word for describing the Christian faith. Yet, he noted, it is also “a unique and complex idea—an entry into the faith of Jesus and a lifelong journey deeper into the mystery of Christ.”
Last evening, we were privileged to hear my friend and longtime preaching colleague, Don Truex, deliver a powerful keynote message titled “Tell Me the Story of Jesus.” Don masterfully connected the narrative of Jesus’ life, ministry, and message to the very heart of the gospel. In the lecture book, he writes:
“The center and circumference of the gospel narrative is Jesus, and Jesus is the foundation upon which are built the moral, ethical, and behavioral teachings of the epistles… The essentials of the gospel find their home in Jesus” (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
That connection—between Jesus, the gospel, and the apostolic writings—finds its fullest expression in daily life. As Don rightly observed, “The New Testament insists that the gospel is more than a record to be admired; it is a life to be lived. And no one was more insistent on that truth than Jesus.”
Explaining the relationship between Christ, the cross, and discipleship, Don offered this sobering insight:
“To walk in His steps is to be Christocentric, not egocentric; truth-focused rather than relativism-driven; eternal-minded rather than earthly-minded. Perhaps more daunting is the fact that it is a daily—not a one-time—decision: ‘let him take up his cross daily and follow Me’” (Luke 9:23).
Living the gospel of Christ—as has already been emphasized and will no doubt be further developed throughout the week—is grounded in faith, sustained by hope, and expressed through love. It shows itself in lives marked by honesty, honor, and integrity; in sexual purity and humility; in selfless service and forgiving hearts; in practicing the Golden Rule and submitting to God-ordained authority.
Don challenged us to take sin seriously, to recognize our deep need for a Savior, and to follow Jesus even when obedience is inconvenient or costly. He closed with a stirring call to embrace the Truth, the Source of Truth, the demands of Truth, and the warnings against departing from it—while seeing Jesus as the very embodiment of grace, freely given, without which none of us could be saved.
We have already begun a rich week of spiritual feasting. For those unable to attend in person, I highly recommend purchasing the lecture book—a small investment that will yield lasting spiritual dividends. All lectures are also archived on YouTube for later viewing.
This year’s theme reminds us that living the gospel is not about perfection, but about direction—about devotion and dedication. It is Good News with Jesus at its center. It is meant to be proclaimed and practiced, learned and lived.
Indeed, the story of Jesus—and the gospel it proclaims—is the greatest story ever told.
–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman
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