Revival


Book Description

In every era the church needs revival—certainly today as much as ever. And in the heart of every committed Christian there is the longing for personal revival—to know the quality and depths of spiritual reality, and the presence of God in one's personal life. This was the deepest desire of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, one of the great 20th-century Bible expositors. It was also the purpose behind this series of messages which were first given on the 100th anniversary of the Great Revival which started in Wales, and swept across England and throughout the United States and to the far corners of the world. As Dr. Lloyd-Jones recognized, it is a rare time in the history of the church when there is a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit— and a time of special interest of every Christian who longs for revival today. As Dr. J. I. Packer writes in his foreword, Dr. Lloyd-Jones believed in "the necessity of revival—that is, a quickening divine visitation—as the only vent that can avert ultimate spiritual disaster. The thrustful urgency of the sermons in this book testifies to the depth of his conviction that without revival in the church there is really no hope for the Western world at all." Dr. Lloyd-Jones deftly draws principles from the lives of Old and New Testament characters as well as expounding some of the great prayers of the Bible. Clearly and forcefully, he presents a masterful exposition of the circumstances accompanying revival in the past, why each generation needs it, and how it will come about today. We must come to the sovereign God, forsake our sin, and wait upon Him for this special, essential outpouring. God, bring us revival!




Revival Preaching


Book Description

As part of his passion to bring glory to God, Ernie Klassen is particularly interested in the revival of God's people and the awakening of the lost. He believes strongly that God-honoring, Christ-exalting, and Spirit-empowered preaching plays a critical role in revival and awakening. No one models this dynamic better than Jonathan Edwards. He was a pastor who was a protagonist of the First Great Awakening. He thought deeply and critically about religious movements, and his reflections and sermons provide valuable "fodder" for reflection. Revival Preaching extracts the most important lessons of Edwards's writings and sermons for preaching in today's world.




Steps to Personal Revival


Book Description

On August 14, 2011, when I was in Kandergrund in the Bernese Highlands in Switzerland an important connection became very clear to me. I recognized a spiritual cause for why we are losing part of our youth. I was very shocked. I thought of my children and grandchildren. Since then I have been intensively occupied with this subject.Now I believe that the same spiritual cause is behind many of our problems; specifically the personal problems, in the local churches and the world-wide church. It is the lack of the Holy Spirit. If this is the cause, then we should urgently address this issue. If the cause can be eliminated or considerably reduced, then many problems will become superfluous or will be resolved.







Divine Disruption


Book Description

USA Today Bestseller Learn how to work your way through life’s unexpected challenges with grace and find a deeper faith while on your journey. In this biblical and conversational book by Dr. Tony Evans and his four adult children—Chrystal Evans Hurst, Priscilla Shirer, Anthony Evans, and Jonathan Evans—you will hear five insightful perspectives on what it means to hold on to faith when life breaks your heart. We have all been through difficult seasons and times in life when it seems like the hits keep coming and you can barely catch your breath. The Evans family knows what this is like, as they’ve experienced the deep grief of losing eight loved ones in less than two years’ time, including the devastating passing of Lois Evans, the matriarch of the family. In Divine Disruption, Dr. Tony Evans and his children pull back the curtain on their faith-shaking experiences, in order to provide biblical wisdom and practical encouragement for how to deal with the hard, unexpected things we all inevitably face. You’ll walk away with insights on: Why bad things happen despite a good and powerful God Persevering in difficult times and experiencing God’s peace What causes distress in your life—and how to move past it How to keep your faith from being damaged during tough times Join the Evans Family in this unique Kingdom Legacy partnership as they candidly share honest questions they’ve asked, raw emotions they’ve felt, and solutions they’ve learned. Your life may have been interrupted, but you can use that to grow closer to God—and find peace.




Jonathan Edwards on Revival


Book Description

A Faithful Narrative of the Surprising Work of God Preface Sect. I. A general introductory statement. Sect. II. The manner of conversion various, yet bearing a great analogy. Sect. III. This work further illustrated in particular instances. The Distinguishing Marks of a Work of the Spirit of God Mr. Cooper’s Preface to the Reader Sect. I. Negative Signs; or, What are no signs by which we are to judge of a work and especially, What are no evidences that a work is not from the Spirit of God. Sect. II. What are distinguishing scripture evidences of a work of the Spirit of God. Sect. III. Practical inferences. Some Thoughts Concerning the Present Revival of Religion in New England The Preface Part I. Showing the Extraordinary Work Which Has Oflate Been Going on in This Land, Is a Glorious Work of God Sect. I. We should not judge of this work by the supposed causes, but by the effects. Sect. II. We should judge by the rule of Scripture. Sect. III. We should distinguish the good from the bad, and not judge of the whole by a part. Sect. IV. The nature of the work in general. Sect. V. The nature of the work in a particular instance. Sect. VI. This work is very glorious. Part II. Showing the Obligations That All Are Under to Acknowledge, Rejoice in, and Promote This Work; And the Great Danger of the Contrary. Sect. I. The danger of lying still, and keeping long silence, respecting any remarkable work of God. Sect. II. The latter-day glory, is probably to begin in America. Sect. III. The danger of not acknowledging and encouraging, and especially of deriding, this work. Sect. IV. The obligations of rulers, ministers, and all sorts to promote this work. Part III. Showing, in Many Instances, Wherein the Subjects, or Zealous Promoters, of This Work Have Been Injuriously Blamed. Part IV. Showing What Things Are to Be Corrected or Avoided, in Promoting This Work, or in Our Behaviour Under It. Sect. I. One cause of errors attending a great revival of religion, is undiscerned spiritual pride. Sect. II. Another cause of errors in conduct attending a religious revival, is the adoption of wrong principles. Sect. III. A third cause of errors in conduct, is, being ignorant or unobservant of some things, by which the devil has special advantage. Sect. IV. Some particular errors that have risen from several of the preceding causes—Censuring others. Sect. V. Of errors connected with lay-exhorting. Sect. VI. Of errors connected with singing praises to God. Part V. Showing Positively, What Ought to Be Done to Promote This Work. Sect. I. We should endeavour to remove stumbling-blocks. Sect. II. What must be done more directly to advance this work. Sect. III. Of some particulars that concern all in general.




Center Church


Book Description

Practical and Gospel-centered thoughts on how to have a fruitful ministry by one of America's leading and most beloved pastor. Many church leaders are struggling to adapt to a culture that values individuality above loyalty to a group or institution. There have been so many "church growth" and "effective ministry" books in the past few decades that it's hard to know where to start or which ones will provide useful and honest insight. Based on over twenty years of ministry in New York City, Timothy Keller takes a unique approach that measures a ministry's success neither by numbers nor purely by the faithfulness of its leaders, but on the biblical grounds of fruitfulness. Center Church outlines a balanced theological vision for ministry organized around three core commitments: Gospel-centered: The gospel of grace in Jesus Christ changes everything, from our hearts to our community to the world. It completely reshapes the content, tone, and strategy of all that we do. City-centered: With a positive approach toward our culture, we learn to affirm that cities are wonderful, strategic, and under-served places for gospel ministry. Movement-centered: Instead of building our own tribe, we seek the prosperity and peace of our community as we are led by the Holy Spirit. "Between a pastor's doctrinal beliefs and ministry practices should be a well-conceived vision for how to bring the gospel to bear on the particular cultural setting and historical moment. This is something more practical than just doctrine but much more theological than "how-to steps" for carrying out a ministry. Once this vision is in place, it leads church leaders to make good decisions on how to worship, disciple, evangelize, serve, and engage culture in their field of ministry—whether in a city, suburb, or small town." — Tim Keller, Core Church




Overcomer


Book Description

A New York Times bestseller! Do you want to live a life of unstoppable strength, unmovable faith, and unbelievable power in the face of every challenge? Learn how to become an Overcomer—starting right now. We live in a time of deep uncertainty, and yet the Bible promises that we were created to enjoy lives of freedom, even in times when the world around us seems filled with darkness. You were not made to live in disappointment, disillusionment, and defeat, and God has given you the tools to live a life defined not by your trials, but by your victories. In Overcomer, beloved Bible teacher Dr. David Jeremiah offers his insights on one of the most quoted but least understood passages of the Bible: the apostle Paul’s admonition to the Ephesians to take up the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). With his signature depth, wisdom, and compassion, Dr. Jeremiah explores the powerful relevance of spiritual armor as a critical tool each day as we confront the specific challenges in our lives and of our time. Overcomer contains: Examples of how the people of God have overcome their enemies in the past Inspiring stories of victorious Christian living today Specific strategies you can practice armoring yourself in God’s strength In Christ, believers have everything necessary to live a victorious, overcoming life. If you’ve had enough of living in defeat, it’s time to find renewed strength and claim the promises of God’s Word to overcome life’s greatest threats.




When God Breaks Through


Book Description

Licensed to preach at the age of twelve and ordained at fifteen, Havner spent a lifetime calling people to repentance. A popular revivalist known for his homespun storytelling and memorable wordplay, Havner boldly proclaimed the Word of God for seventy-three years. The author of more than thirty books, Havner's sermons are favorites among pastors who find his style refreshing, his quotes memorable, and his message convincing. In this collection of ten revival sermons, Havner's hard-hitting words proclaim the biblical message of heaven, hell, sin, repentance, sacrifice, holiness, prayer, and the lordship of Christ--themes that resonate with as much relevance today as when Havner first preached them.




Preaching, Sermon and Cultural Change in the Long Eighteenth Century


Book Description

The fourth volume in Brill’s series A New History of the Sermon, this study examines the sermon during the ‘long’ eighteenth century – the era between Bossuet and Schleiermacher. It offers a broad outline of the history of preaching in this period, an overview of the research over the past three decades, and suggestions for new approaches to the subject. Thematically, the book includes chapters on such topics as the theology of the eighteenth-century sermon, preachers' instructions, the sermon in daily life, delivery as a means of reaching congregations, and audience reception of preaching. It also pays ample attention to the three important religious and intellectual currents of the long eighteenth century: (Neo-)classicism, Pietism, and the Enlightenment. Contributors are Alexander Bitzel, Françoise Deconinck-Brossard, O.C. Edwards, Joris van Eijnatten, Sabine Holtz, Pasi Ihalainen, Herman Roodenburg, Jonathan Strom, and Thomas Worcester