In Jesus' view, "many" are wrong about being right with God. They anticipate a home in heaven but will receive an eternal eviction. How can we be sure that we are not among the many? This book will help you find that answer. Presented from a pastor's heart, this work combines exegetical analysis, theological acumen, and practical ministerial insight to help you obtain and maintain a saving relationship with God. The Parable of the Sower serves as the roadmap on our journey, as it provides remarkable insight on why "many" seeds fail to find good ground or bring forth good fruit. Jesus also reveals how we can tap the unimaginable potential for personal and kingdom growth contained within. The first section breaks up the hard ground to reveal the deep truths of sin and salvation. The second section identifies ways to overcome the stones that prevent spiritual growth--offense, unforgiveness, fear, solitude, and complacency. The third section analyzes the postmodern worldviews, deficient theologies, materialism, and the idolatry of self that suffocates many growing Christians. Only the believer who rightly responds to God can begin to live for God and ultimately live from God. This is God's salvation. Is it yours?

“Jeff, I couldn’t put it down. Started reading and couldn’t stop. Not a conventional approach, but your subject matter really matters. Your personal stories win the reader over, conclusions were solid and the presentation intriguing. Thanks for the opportunity to be an early reader and fan! Really good, Jeff.” “I think you nailed it, Jeff. Your passion shows through. You won’t sell many copies, though, maybe to a few serious Christians.” There is no fear of God in this land. Without a proper fear of God straying is inevitable in our practices and our beliefs. What was once staunchly admonished is now tacitly accepted and important doctrines are treated like casual recommendations. If the Word of God is so serious and profound, why do contemporary Christians treat it so playfully?

One man’s quest to find the oldest Bible scrolls in the world and uncover the story of the brilliant, doomed antiquarian accused of forging them. In the summer of 1883, Moses Wilhelm Shapira—archaeological treasure hunter and inveterate social climber—showed up unannounced in London claiming to have discovered the oldest copy of the Bible in the world. But before the museum could pony up his £1 million asking price for the scrolls—which discovery called into question the divine authorship of the scriptures—Shapira’s nemesis, the French archaeologist Charles Clermont-Ganneau, denounced the manuscripts, turning the public against him. Distraught over this humiliating public rebuke, Shapira fled to the Netherlands and committed suicide. Then, in 1947 the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Noting the similarities between these and Shapira’s scrolls, scholars made efforts to re-examine Shapira’s case, but it was too late: the primary piece of evidence, the parchment scrolls themselves had mysteriously vanished. Tigay, journalist and son of a renowned Biblical scholar, was galvanized by this peculiar story and this indecipherable man, and became determined to find the scrolls. He sets out on a quest that takes him to Australia, England, Holland, Germany where he meets Shapira’s still aggrieved descendants and Jerusalem where Shapira is still referred to in the present tense as a “Naughty boy”. He wades into museum storerooms, musty English attics, and even the Jordanian gorge where the scrolls were said to have been found all in a tireless effort to uncover the truth about the scrolls and about Shapira, himself. At once historical drama and modern-day mystery, The Lost Book of Moses explores the nineteenth-century disappearance of Shapira’s scrolls and Tigay's globetrotting hunt for the ancient manuscript. As it follows Tigay’s trail to the truth, the book brings to light a flamboyant, romantic, devious, and ultimately tragic personality in a story that vibrates with the suspense of a classic detective tale.

Jesus is the end of all religion. All the sacrifices of priests and people are rendered null and void by Jesus' one-time-for-all-time sacrifice for all people, everywhere, past, present, and future tense. Jesus' death and resurrection save us from our own religiosity.

What do unicorns, law, love, and hell all have in common? They are all unfortunate words of the Bible. Through mistranslation, cultural shifts, anachronisms, and misguided intentions, this book traces several key words whose meaning is commonly misunderstood in our world today. If the blatant mistranslation of unicorns could survive in the Bible for thousands of years, securing their place in our cultural imagination to this day, what would happen if important words, like salvation, were misunderstood? How might our cultural imaginations hide the meaning of the Bible rather than revealing it? By tearing down misunderstandings, Wagenfuhr builds up a broad overview of the story of the Bible that illustrates a more mature and more exciting vision for Christian faith(fulness) than is commonly assumed.

Widespread deficiencies in spiritual formation see an increasing number of ministers buckle under the significant burdens common to the task. There are seasons when a powerful triad of the flesh, the world, and the devil converge (Eph 2:2-3, cf. Jas 3:15 and 1 John 2:16). Misdirected attempts to fulfill emptiness, find worth, or heal longstanding wounds ensue. Widespread instances of sexual immorality result. Sound exegesis and analysis of theological doctrine presents an allowance, in certain cases, for ministerial restoration. However, this necessitates an intimate and intricate approach that differs significantly from the varied solutions churches and denominations offer. Few restoration programs bring a biblical response to bear. Remarkably rare are restoration programs that look to correct causal factors and commit to congregational care. This program orients itself on an understanding of brokenness and the need for holistic (re)formation. The latter requires fallen ministers to progress beyond biblical confession and repentance to partner with the Holy Spirit and key authorities such as an overseer, mentors, Christian mental health professionals, and a designated congregation. The unitive goal is a "sanctifying psychopathology" that properly diagnoses spiritual and emotional health; eradicates the adverse influences of emotional, cultural, and spiritual factors; and redirects self-oriented patterns of thought and behavior.

A profound exploration of how to hold on to hope when our unchanging faith collides with a changing culture, from two respected Christian storytellers and thought leaders. “Offers neither spin control nor image maintenance for the evangelical tribe, but genuine hope.”—Russell Moore, president of ERLC As the pressures of health warnings, economic turmoil, and partisan politics continue to rise, the influence of gospel-focused Christians seems to be waning. In the public square and popular opinion, we are losing our voice right when it’s needed most for Christ’s glory and the common good. But there’s another story unfolding too—if you know where to look. In Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra counter these growing fears with a robust message of resolute hope for anyone hungry for good news. Join them in exploring profound stories of Christians who are quietly changing the world in the name of Jesus—from the wild world of digital media to the stories of ancient saints and unsung contemporary activists on the frontiers of justice and mercy. Discover how, in these dark times, the light of Jesus shines even brighter. You haven’t heard the whole story. And that’s good news.

Ray Stedman guides you on a verse-by-verse exploration of the book of Revelation, bringing to life the mysteries of this highly symbolic book of the Bible. God's Final Word encompasses and brings into brilliant focus the entire scope of human history—of eternity itself.

Maybe you've read stories about millionaires who travel to Tibet to learn how to meditate. Maybe you know someone who visited a monastery for a month to learn how to pray. Maybe you don't have that kind of money or spare time. But you still want to learn to pray. Don't worry. You don't need money or a monastery. You have this book. You have a sense of humor. And you have God's grace. You're ready to pray. Prayer is how we talk with God. The Bible says we should do it constantly. Jesus said it's the one thing we need to do. Your soul was made to be in conversation with God. Nobody knows you better. Nobody cares more about you. The good news is that prayer isn't something exotic or esoteric - not when Matthew Leonard talks about it. He makes the methods manageable. (Promise: you won't have to twist your body into a pretzel, hire a coach, or learn a foreign language.) So if you've never read a book on prayer, you've got the right one. And if you've read lots of books on prayer, you've still got the right one. It's got laugh-out-loud humor, great storytelling, and rock-solid instruction. Prayer Works is fun and fast-paced. It will put you on your knees - after you're finished slapping them.

Sordid romance! Gripping intrigue! Fast-paced action! None of these really describe a book about theology, and they, surprisingly enough, do not apply to "A Layman's Christianity," either. However, if you are looking for a well thought out book, replete with scriptural references, written, not by a dreary doctorate of theology nor by a "hip," "young" pastor of a mega-lo-church, but by an average joe, then look no further. Written from a young man's perspective, "A Layman's Christianity" is a book that delves into the belief that every man has the right to think about who God is and what He wants from our lives and that phrase, "every man," is not restricted to age, gender, or educational background, but rather should be based on the author's commitment to God and his love for His Bible. "A Layman's Christianity" is not a "how-to-manual" for living a better Christian life, but is rather an outline of several characteristics and ideas that, taken together, form the author's ideal Christian. Leaving room open for argument and individual thought, "A Layman's Christianity" refuses to be taken at face value and insists that the reader check its assertions with the Bible, thus fulfilling the purpose of the book: that every man and woman who follows after God has the right and responsibility to think about Him and upon Him.