Book Description

Richard Sheffield's preaching is stimulating and unique. Whenever I am burdened or under pressure his pithy insights into the Gospel of our Lord refresh my spirit. They sometimes also sting my soul to pay attention to more significant things in life than preoccupying problems. He is also a courageous preacher when he says things we all think or doubt and dare not to express. He handles life's misgivings kindly and cleanly so that listening to him is a religious experience. This comes about because he came to the temple of religion through the corridors of commerce and knows the real world of his laymen. Under his gentle manner there is the fire of Peter, Thomas and St. Paul, all of whom also preached with integrity and conviction. Bryant Kirkland, Minister Emeritus Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church New York, New York At first glance the Easter title may seem out of place for a book half full of sermons for Lent. But Richard Sheffield argues and preaches that the sermon for Easter Day is really the sermon for every day in the life of a Christian. The Lord Is Risen is really the only sermon we have or need to have. How we live out our lives in response to that central fact of our faith fills the sermons in Lent, as well as Easter, with hope. Hope in the here-and-now as well as in the hereafter. Rev. Sheffield has little patience with those who would turn the good news about God into the bad news about us... and it shows. He writes: "Belief is more than just ascertaining the facts and figures of faith. Or figuring out the best way to keep God happy long enough to get into heaven. Belief is living life now certain of the love of God in Jesus Christ for you and me. Living life unafraid -- even of death itself." Richard L. Sheffield is senior pastor of Market Street Presbyterian Church, Lima, Ohio. He holds a Master of Divinity degree from Princeton Theological Seminary and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Chicago. He is a candidate for the Doctor of Ministry degree at Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.