the gate

Back in May, Pablo had posted a clip of Pastor Matt Chandler giving a powerful illustration entitled, “Jesus Wants The Rose.” On November 26, Matt Chandler had a seizure and passed out. He has been diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor. Doctors have removed as much of the tumor as possible and will decide on the future course of treatment in the days ahead. Please pray for Matt and his family and church.

In Matt’s response to his cancer, we see a powerful example of the peace and comfort the true gospel gives. Rather than causing fear, guilt, hopelessness, and condemnation like the false health and wealth gospel, the true gospel of Jesus gives real comfort and hope.

You can sense Matt’s peace in this statement he made before his surgery:

I am thankful that I have deep, real friendships at The Village [his church] . . . They have been such a comfort to me and my family this past week. Pastors should have good friends on their staff. It’s risky but worth the risk.

I am grateful for the men of God in my life, namely John Piper who taught me to hold my life cheap and to join with Paul in saying “I don’t count my life of any value or as precious to myself if only I might finish my course and complete the work that He gave me to do to testify to the Gospel of the grace of God. I’m nothing, I just have a job. God keep me faithful on the job and then let me drop and go to the reward.” Without this strong view of God’s sovereign will, I’m not sure how you don’t despair in circumstances like mine.

Below is the statement the church has issued regarding his pathology report. Again, you can hear the peace and honesty it conveys. They are not playing “name it & claim it” games. They’re not living in fantasy like the proponents of the health and wealth delusion. They are being real, which is what the true gospel of Jesus enables us to do.

Dear church,

In the first chapter of Philippians, the Apostle Paul writes that whatever imprisonments, beatings and trials he may have suffered, they all “serve to advance the gospel” of Jesus Christ. We implore you to keep the gospel of Christ as the main focus as we walk with Matt and Lauren through this trial.

On Tuesday, Dr. Barnett informed Matt and Lauren that the findings of the pathology report revealed a malignant brain tumor that was not encapsulated. The surgery to remove the tumor, the doctor said, was an extremely positive first step; however, because of the nature of the tumor, he was not able to remove all of it.

Matt, who is being released from the hospital today, is meeting with a neuro-oncologist this week to outline the next steps of the recovery process. There is a range of treatment possibilities but the exact course of action has not yet been determined. He will continue outpatient rehab.

The Lord is calling Matt and Lauren and The Village Church body to endure this trial. It will be a challenging road for Matt, his family and our church body. The gospel is our hope and the Lord is our strength. Matt and Lauren continue to find solace and hope in Christ. They weep facing this trial, but not as those without hope and perspective. The gospel clarifies their suffering and promises more of Christ through it all.

You have done a wonderful job respecting the family, and we ask that you continue to do this. They are processing all of this together and need you to give them precious space. Please do not visit them at their house unless personally invited by the Chandlers. The best way to serve the family is to continue to be faithful in prayer. Specifically, pray for the following:

* Wisdom for all the coming decisions
* Strength and peace to endure
* The kids’ (Audrey, Reid and Norah) hearts; pray the Lord is merciful as they process and that their little hearts do not grow embittered
* The Chandlers and The Village would suffer well because of the gospel and for the sake of Christ’s name

As you hurt and weep for the family, do not do it alone. Gather with your home group and with other believers in homes and pray together. This is a time to walk together with others and to endure this trial in community. If you wish, send cards and letters to Matt and Lauren at 2101 Justin Road, Flower Mound, TX 75028.

We will continue to keep you informed as new information is made available. Please be patient with the frequency of the updates. May God strengthen us all and may His glory shine brightly through this.

Two days ago, Matt himself tweeted this:

Path report is 2ndary at best…good report doesn’t mean much, bad report doesn’t mean anything…my days r numbered and nt by ths report.

These posts on illness are not just words to fill space — they are about real life in this world. Only the true Good News of Jesus enables us to deal with the realities of life in this fallen world. I pray that we at Gateway will build our lives and our community according to the true gospel of Jesus. Please pray for those in our fellowship undergoing the trials of illness, and other kinds of trials.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Related posts:
The Christian and Sickness - Part 1
The Christian and Sickness - Part 2
But How Does It Affect You?