Short, Readable Guide Shows How Good Theology Leads to Transformation, Life, and Joy Sound doctrine is the life-blood of God's people, providing the foundation for the church's unity and witness. From shaping the corporate life of the church to directing individuals in the practical issues of life, right thinking about God, humanity, sin, and salvation, good theology is indispensable for real growth. This short, accessible book speaks to the importance of solid doctrine for godly living and powerfully argues that truth is always meant to lead to transformation. - Practical: Short, accessible guide combines careful biblical study and compelling reflection - Biblical: Winsomely argues for the importance of sound doctrine - Part of the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches Series

"The church's mission does not begin with the Great Commission, but is integrally related to the grand storyline of Scripture." Did the Old Testament simply point to the coming of Christ and his saving work, or is there more to the story? After his resurrection, the Lord Jesus revealed how his suffering, glory, and mission plan for the nations are in fact central to the biblical story of redemption. After Emmaus shows how Christology and missiology are integrally connected throughout Scripture, especially in the teaching of Jesus and the apostles. Brian Tabb explains what Luke 24:46–47 reveals about God's messianic promises in the Old Testament, their fulfillment in the New Testament, and the purpose of the church. By understanding Jesus's last words to his disciples, Christians today will be motivated to participate in the Messiah's mission.

An Expository Journey through the Book of James Helps Christians Move from Double-Mindedness to Wholeness Everyone longs for wholeness and honesty in their lives. In reality, people are often double-minded—pulled between good and bad—in their speech, actions, and character. These rifts can be spiritually and relationally devastating. So how does God heal a fractured heart? This analysis of the New Testament book of James helps readers identify double-mindedness in their own lives and understand God's grace as he "pulls apart the divided heart to make it whole." Explaining James's challenging epistle chapter by chapter, David Gibson helps readers embrace the painful yet profound process of redemption, defeat double-mindedness, and experience wholeness in every area of their lives. - Theologically Rich: Thoroughly examines major themes in the book of James, including double-mindedness, pride, spiritual maturity, suffering, and God's grace - Winsome and Accessible: This clear, expository study is ideal for pastors and laypeople, including college students and those involved in small groups or adult Sunday School - Written by David Gibson: Author of Living Life Backward: How Ecclesiastes Teaches Us to Live in Light of the End - Includes Study Questions: Each chapter ends with questions for deeper reflection

Pursuing an Expansive Life of Prayer In wondrous contrast to silent idols, the one true God speaks. He addresses his people in love, and it's their great privilege to answer him in prayer. At its root, prayer isn't mere self-expression or a prod to get a silent God to speak, but it is a learned skill to answer God's initiating word in Christ. Through this thoughtful book, author and pastor Daniel J. Brendsel explains how responding to God can nurture prayerful engagement with Scripture, shape healthy rhythms among God's praying people, and spur excitement for communion with God. For those disappointed by their current life of prayer, Answering Speech invites readers to enter into an expansive and exuberant life of response to the Father through the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit. - Offers a Unique Perspective: Explores how Christians are not initiators of prayer but responders to what God has already done - Appeals to Pastors and Thoughtful Laypersons: Focuses on important issues that should be taught within the local church - Theological yet Accessible: Deeply rooted in theology, this book offers encouragement and practical rhythms for prayer

In This Brief Guide, Ray Ortlund Explains How the Church Portrays the Beauty of Christ The gospel is the greatest message of all time, addressing the greatest need of all people. However, the good news about Jesus does more than just promise eternal life to all who believe. In this addition to the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches series, pastor Ray Ortlund explains the gospel's power to transform individuals from the inside out and create beautiful human relationships. This short book helps readers experience the power of God as they are encouraged to trust in Christ and allow him to transform their beliefs, perspectives, and practices. For everyone who wants to be true to the Bible and honest with themselves, this book offers a practical guide to the fundamental teachings of the gospel and how they affect our relationships with others. - A Great Resource for Congregations: Helps Christians experience the beauty of Christ - Practical: Demonstrates how the gospel can transform readers' beliefs, perspectives, and practices - Part of the 9 Marks Building Healthy Churches Series

The Best Way to Find Meaning in Life Is to Get Honest About Death Life expectancy worldwide is twice what it was a hundred years ago. And because of modern medicine, many of us don't often see death up close. That makes it easy to live as if death is someone else's problem. Ignoring the certainty of death doesn't protect us from feeling its effects throughout the lives we're living now—but it does hold us back from experiencing the powerful, everyday relevance of Jesus's promises to us. So long as death remains remote and unreal, Jesus's promises will too. But honesty about death brings hope to life. That's the ironic claim at the heart of this audiobook. Cultivating death awareness helps us bring the promises of Jesus from the hazy clouds of some other world into the everyday realities of our world, where they belong. - Insightful and Accessible: Draws from many sources, including research from science and psychology, and examples from literature, pop culture, theology, and Scripture - Christ-Centered Encouragement for Life and Loss: Teaching what the Bible says about identity, futility, and grief, McCullough offers hope that is tied to the promises of God

John Piper’s classic poem about the innkeeper who provided the stable for Jesus's birth has been redesigned. This beautiful book will help you celebrate his birth and the power of his death and resurrection.

Over 100,000 Copies Sold Winner of the 2014 ECPA Book of the Year Award "Everything Kevin DeYoung writes is biblical, timely, and helpful for both life and ministry. You can't afford to miss what he says here." --Rick Warren, #1 New York Times best-selling author, The Purpose Driven Life "I'M TOO BUSY!" We've all heard it. We've all said it. All too often, busyness gets the best of us. Just one look at our jam-packed schedules tells us how hard it can be to strike a well-reasoned balance between doing nothing and doing it all. That's why award-winning author and pastor Kevin DeYoung addresses the busyness problem head on in his book Crazy Busy--and not with the typical arsenal of time management tips, but rather with the biblical tools we need to get to the source of the issue and pull the problem out by the roots. Highly practical and super short, Crazy Busy will help you put an end to "busyness as usual."

The ESV Journaling Bible provides the perfect way for you to keep a journal of your spiritual life right inside the Bible that you read and study every day. With covers and formats that look like the finest journals, the ESV Journaling Bible features 7-point type and 2-inch ruled margins for writing observations, reflections, prayers, praises, and journal entries. This unique Bible makes a great gift and lasting keepsake for anyone who values God's Word. Personal Bible Study Tool: Includes a one-year reading plan and 2" ruled margins for writing reflections, prayers, and journal entries High-Quality Production: Features 7-point type, cream-colored paper, a ribbon marker, smyth-sewn binding, and elegant TruTone and leather covers designed to last

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." --2 Peter 3:18 How do Christians grow? Few question the call of the Bible to grow in godliness, but the answer to exactly how this happens is often elusive. In this book, Dane Ortlund points believers to Christ, making the case that sanctification does not happen by doing more or becoming better, but by going deeper into the wondrous gospel truths that washed over them when they were first united to him. Drawing on wisdom from figures throughout church history, Ortlund encourages readers to fix their gaze on Jesus in the battle against sin, casting themselves upon his grace and living out their invincible identity in Christ. Explains how Christians grow deeper in the new life that is theirs in Christ Written by Dane Ortlund, author of Gentle and Lowly (100,000+ copies sold) A follow up to Rejoice and Tremble in the Union series Part of a series created in partnership with Union School of Theology to teach Christians to delight in God, grow in Christ, serve the church, and bless the world A concise version also available: How Does God Change Us? (978-1-4335-7403-0)

Concise Guide Sets Forth a Clear, Scripture-Based Job Description for New Elders Effective leadership is important. Nowhere is this more true than in the church. In this short guide, Jeramie Rinne offers readers a concise overview of the Bible's teaching on spiritual leadership, helping church leaders effectively shepherd their congregations. Giving practical guidance to new elders and helping church members better understand and support their spiritual leaders, this conversational book emphasizes purposeful ministry rather than project management. It will also bolster leaders' confidence by encouraging them to embrace their pastoral calling with grace, wisdom, and a clarity of vision. - Concise and Practical: Go-to resource for pastors so that they can develop effective elders within their church - Biblical Encouragement: Emphasizes purposeful ministry over project management - Part of the 9Marks Building Healthy Churches Series

Drawing Closer to God One Decision at a Time On an average day, people make countless decisions: Should I get out of bed or hit the snooze button? What should I have for breakfast? Where should we go for this year's vacation? While some decisions are easy to make, others can leave individuals paralyzed and full of anxiety. As Christians living in an increasingly individualistic society, what's the best strategy for making decisions that honor God while becoming more like him in the process? Writing from her own experience and pointing to biblical examples, Aimee Joseph offers a biblical and theological framework for decision-making. She explains God's design for humans as decision-makers, the biblical model for making choices, common wrong approaches, practical tips, and what to do when you've made a poor decision. With the philosophy that "as we shape our decisions, our decisions shape us," Joseph teaches readers how to worship and draw closer to Christ through their daily decisions. Published in partnership with the Gospel Coalition.

A Clear Outline of Basic Christianity from Theologian J. I. Packer Followers of Christ grow spiritually by learning and living out the essentials of their faith, which are often taken for granted or overlooked in daily life. Renowned theologian J. I. Packer believed that Christianity is not automatic and must be learned by new believers and mature Christians alike. In Growing in Christ, Packer offers readers an easy-to-follow road map for studying theological topics, including the Apostles' Creed, the Lord's Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and baptism. Each chapter helps both new and lifelong believers examine what Packer calls "the intellectual ABCs" of the gospel so they can grow in faith.

Inviting Children to See Jesus from Creation to the Manger In the beginning God created the whole world. After six days of work, he had created the stars in the sky, the mighty oceans, tall trees, beautiful flowers, mighty sea creatures, and the most prized of all creation—Adam and Eve. Created in God's image, Adam and Eve were friends with him. But one day "the worst of all days came"—the serpent deceived them and they sinned against God. Adam and Eve's relationship with God was broken. But God gave mankind a promise. And what a great promise it was! The promise of salvation! He promised that one would come who would crush the head of the lying serpent, one who would deliver mankind from their sin, one who would restore man and woman's relationship with God. But who has the power to do that? Does Abraham, a great man of faith? Does Moses, a great prophet? What about Joshua, the great conqueror? Jason Helopoulos invites you to join him on a journey through the pages of the Bible in search of the promised Savior, from the garden of Eden to a manger in Bethlehem. With captivating illustrations by Rommel Ruiz and easy-to-read language, children and parents alike are invited to come to know the promised one—Jesus Christ.

Experience Freedom from Sexual Sin through the Power of the Savior Many women and men trapped in sexual sin believe willpower is the key to overcoming temptation, but your shaky self-discipline doesn't have to be the source of your strength. Sharing from his personal struggles, J. Garrett Kell explains that life-long transformation rests in the supernatural power of the Savior and the support of a local church. He offers profound insights into Jesus's teachings on purity and provides you with long-term strategies for your own pathway to freedom. Applicable for both men and women struggling with temptation, this audiobook is a vital resource for the church, encouraging a healthy, empathetic community to help brothers and sisters in Christ resist sin. The goal isn't purity for purity's sake, but delighting in God and trusting him for ultimate victory.

In This Follow-Up to Gospel People, Michael Reeves Calls Evangelicals Away from Pharisaism to True Reformation Scripture warns believers of hypocrisy—called the "leaven of the Pharisees"—and its potential to spread quickly in the church. Outwardly appearing as devout religion, this legalism hides destructive pride, idolatry, and even apostasy. Unfortunately, pharisaism is still a problem among evangelicals today. How does Jesus instruct the church to recognize and defeat one of its deepest theological issues? In this clear, compelling call to spiritual reformation, Michael Reeves helps believers reject pharisaism and embrace gospel integrity. Studying 3 essentials of Christian doctrine that the Pharisees misunderstood—their approach to Scripture, understanding of salvation, and disregard of regeneration—Reeves shows readers how to embrace a biblical, Trinitarian, and creedal understanding of the gospel necessary for true reformation. - Explains the 3 Essential Rs of the Gospel: Teaches readers about revelation, redemption, and regeneration - A Great Resource for Pastors and Congregations: Addresses the threat of hypocrisy in the church, and tackles in-house issues from partisanship to pragmatism - A Follow-Up to Gospel People: Reeves continues his study of timely evangelical topics

Daily Strength, a year-long devotional, walks Christian men through Scripture passages that speak to their most pressing issues. Featuring content from the ESV Men's Devotional Bible, each daily devotion features a short summary of a Bible passage with a thought-provoking message from from one of more than forty contributors. Arranged canonically from Genesis to Revelation with short introductions to each Bible book, Daily Strength encourages and enlightens men throughout the year while equipping them for moral and spiritual transformation.

A Biblical Framework for Intentional, Spirit-Filled Worship Music can be a source of tension in many churches. Whether driven by preferences for specific styles, popular trends, or traditional practices, corporate worship can feel more divisive than unifying. How can we cultivate worship that honors God and strengthens his church in the midst of these challenges? Spirit-Filled Singing offers a biblical framework to help believers engage in musical worship with greater intentionality and gospel-centered purpose. Drawing insight from Galatians 5 and Ephesians 5, author Ryanne J. Molinari explores how singing and the fruit of the Spirit share a common purpose—to glorify God and edify his church. Through concise, thoughtful chapters that explore each fruit of the Spirit, this audiobook invites readers to examine their worship practices, assess the condition of their hearts, and grow in Christlikeness through song. - Biblical: Draws insight from Ephesians 5, Galatians 5, and Colossians 3 to help readers glorify God and edify his church through corporate worship - Concise: Nine short chapters make it ideal for seminar classes or small-group studies - Ideal for Current or Future Church Leaders: Helpful for high school and undergraduate music students, church study or staff groups, and worship teams - Thought Provoking: Includes questions at the end of each chapter for personal reflection or group discussion

Understand Why God Allows Suffering and How That's Good News for Christians Facing Hardships For more than a decade, Matt Rhodes has been a church planter in unreached Muslim countries. In that time, he's risked illness, difficult living conditions, and physical danger. He's also stood with new believers who were attacked for their faith in Jesus. Scripture tells Christians to expect trials in life. For missionaries, knowing God's good purpose for pain is essential for enduring harsh conditions on the field. Persecution in Missions: A Practical Theology presents a scriptural view of suffering, including its role in the Christian life and in the missionary task. Rhodes tackles challenging topics, such as when to flee or face risk, how to minister to those suffering for Christ, and the dangers of downplaying or romanticizing persecution. Reassuring listeners with God's promises of redemption, this compelling study equips missionaries to face suffering and endure with joy. - A Biblical Theology of Suffering: Explains why it's necessary for believers to suffer and how God redeems pain for his glory - Written for Missionaries, Pastors, and New Christians: Supports listeners as they fulfill the Great Commission, provide pastoral care, and pursue personal spiritual growth - Practical: Offers realistic, gospel-centered answers to the issues missionaries face

Jonathan Leeman Addresses the Commonly Asked Question, "Why Should I Join a Church?" In a time when many are shunning the practice of organized religion, Jonathan Leeman offers a short book on why church membership is a critical element in every healthy Christian's maturation. By offering a brief, straightforward explanation of what church membership is and why it's important, Leeman gives the local church its proper due and builds a case for committing to the local body. Church Membership is a useful tool for churches to distribute en masse to new and potential members of their congregation. - Practical: Short guide with biblical, applicable advice for Christians - A Great Resource for Congregations: Helps readers understand why becoming a member of a church is important - Part of the 9 Marks Building Healthy Churches Series