No one could ever get fully inside the mind of Jesus, but we can gain important insights through a better understanding of the contexts in which he spoke and acted. For example, with whom was he speaking and interacting in that moment? Where did this take place? How can the events of the history of the period in general, and the many new and often unexpected archaeological discoveries, in particular from the time of Jesus, enhance our understanding of what he was thinking? And what light c...

In these pages you will find a vision of preaching that is both illuminating and inspiring. Drawing from biblical and theological resources as well as years in the pulpit, Darrell Johnson takes us far beyond the mere mechanics of delivering sermons. He dynamically unpacks the link between the human task of speaking to a congregation and the real, gracious action and presence of the living Christ in and through our proclamation.Johnson assists preachers to profoundly engage the biblical tex...

Many find it difficult to take words that were written thousands of years ago and apply them to twenty-first-century life in the Western world. How do we read God's unchanging Word in a world that is increasingly defined by change?How to Read the Bible in Changing Times shows everyday Christians how to interpret and apply the Scriptures regardless of time and culture. Rather than seeing the Bible as a magic answer book, a list of commands to obey, or a series of promises t...

A must-read for church leaders and members alike, this book outlines nine essential marks that distinguish a healthy, biblical church. This classic book is now revised with a new foreword, a fresh cover, and updated content, illustrations, and appendices. Third edition.

Do you ever find yourself wondering . . .Is it actually possible to know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that I am going to heaven?If you say that my salvation is "eternally secure" and that I can never lose it, does that mean that I can commit any sin and still go to heaven?How can an understanding of "eternal security" make a difference in my Christian life?With the wisdom and skill of a man who has personally wrestled with these questions,...

Spiritual discernment is good for more than just making monumental decisions according to God's will. It is an essential, day-to-day activity that allows thoughtful Christians to separate the truth of God from error and to distinguish right from wrong in all kinds of settings and situations. It is also a skill-something that any person can develop and improve, especially with the guidance in this book.Written by a leading evangelical blogger, The Discipline of Spiritual Discernment...

"In Paul, the Spirit, and the People of God, Pentecostal scholar Gordon Fee has redefined the terms of the discussion about the Holy Spirit in a way that transcends today's paradigm of 'charismatic' or 'noncharismatic' orientation. His words are a strong reminder of what God, through his Holy Spirit, intends the church to be. . . . His work is an attempt to point us back to the Bible and reinvigorate our own vision of how the Spirit mobilizes the community of believers in the...

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context.To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections:Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the worl...

Jesus told Peter, “Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). Such is the mission for all Christ’s shepherds. But when preaching is neglected, those who have been called to feed the sheep do little more than pet them.In the Old Testament, God decried the fact that His people were perishing for lack of knowledge about Him. The same seems to be occurring today. There is “sharing,” “suggesting,” plenty of storytelling, and lots of preaching to “felt needs” in modern pulpits. But the authoritative, ...

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context.To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections:Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the worl...

Reclaim the Psalms for true worship, as well as prayer, as you learn how to approach God with the emotional intensity of the ancient psalmists. Denise Dombkowski Hopkins combines the insights of scholarship on the Psalms with artwork, liturgy, song, and poetry, to give us a new way to use the Psalms in our life of faith together, to empower our corporate identity and revitalize our worship. She examines how the Psalms formed the worship of ancient synagogues and the earliest churches and h...

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context.The Gospel of John tells us the story that is the foundation of the distinctive teaching of Christianity. It provides all the elements necessary to see the full picture of the person and work of Jesus: a human Christ to redeem us, a divine Christ to reveal God's nature, and a powerful, Spirit-filled Christ to help us lead holy lives. This commentary unveils, ...