A Model of Christian Maturity


Book Description

We live in a time when leadership and showmanship are seen as far greater virtues than humility and meekness. Even the church has often got it backward. And in Paul's second letter to the Corinthians, he confronts similar problems in the first-century church. D. A. Carson believes we can learn valuable lessons from Paul's letter about what it really means to be a mature Christian in the face of adversity. In A Model of Christian Maturity he takes the reader step by step through an exposition of 2 Corinthians 10-13 and then helps them apply these Scriptures to everyday life in the church. Perfect for pastors, students, and laypeople, this book highlights the power of weakness in the life of the Christian.




Spiritual Maturity


Book Description

Spiritual maturity is not a level of growth Christians achieve, but the passion to press on in Christ. In these concise chapters J. Oswald Sanders explores the primary source of continual growth. As we embrace God's providence, hardship, and more, we can move from infancy toward the fruitful maturity we were created to enjoy. Now, this new edition of "Spiritual Maturity" includes a "For Reflections" section making it an ideal resource for both individual and group study.




Growing Toward Spiritual Maturity


Book Description

One of the first lessons to learn as a growing Christian is how to serve. In contrast to a "me-centered" culture, Christians should not merely satisfy themselves but instead seek to emulate Jesus. Growing Toward Spiritual Maturity advocates a strategy for growing toward Christlikeness based on the actual ways that people develop. By understanding the dynamics of spiritual growth, readers are more aware of how God uses the specific circumstances of life to draw people closer to himself. Text and discussion questions help believers mature as Christians by identifying and understanding spiritual disciplines, such as Bible study, prayer, a godly lifestyle, witnessing, and using spiritual gifts. This title is one in a series being published by Crossway Books in cooperation with Evangelical Training Association. ETA provides Christian education resources for individuals, leaders and teachers, churches, Bible institutes, and other adult educational settings. With short chapters and thought-provoking questions, this book is useful for both personal study and group learning. Book jacket.




Called to Be Saints


Book Description

Theologies of justification are too numerous to count. In this book, Gordon Smith synthesizes a lifetime of writing on calling, conversion, discernment and spiritual formation in a comprehensive and compelling theology of sanctification. Smith presents holiness in its christological, sapiential, vocational, social and emotional dimensions.




More Than a Healer


Book Description

How does healing fit into God's will, especially when God doesn't heal? Our hearts, our bodies, and our world are desperate for healing. We all experience brokenness, and we rightfully look to Jesus for restoration. But many Christians have been taught the lie that God will heal us if our faith is strong enough, and that he is punishing us when bad things happen. Growing up in one of the world's leading faith-healing dynasties, Costi Hinn witnessed the tragedy of people chasing after healing more than the Healer. In this book he provides biblical clarity to some of the most challenging questions of the Christian faith. Does grace guarantee healing? How do we catch ourselves from slipping into the trap of seeking God for what he can do for us and not for who he really is? Beginning with the vivid memory of the night he discovered his son's cancer diagnosis—Costi unpacks the layered feelings and questions we have about God and his healing power, and he provides practical principles for growing closer to Jesus. With gentle clarity and biblical wisdom, he explains how to: Faithfully pray for healing while trusting in God's sovereignty. Navigate tough conversations about the topics of divine healing, love, and justice. Hold on to faith even in the most painful trials. More than chasing after the Jesus we want, this hopeful and encouraging book will guide you to discovering the Jesus we truly need—and the true power and hope that comes from a genuine relationship with him.




Maturity


Book Description

What are the most important lessons the New Testament has to teach us about being a Christian? Sinclair Ferguson shows that a deep-seated concern of the writers of the New Testament was to see Christians grow to spiritual maturity‚"‚€‚"and if that was the concern of the first believers, then it should be our concern too. In clear and logical chapters that are rooted in the reality of the Christian life, the author, who has had long experience in pastoral ministry and seminary teaching, seeks to show what Christian maturity is, and how it is to be obtained. It was the apostle Paul's desire to present those to whom he ministered 'mature in Christ'‚"‚€‚"for such a maturity would lead to stable, servant-hearted Christians, and healthy, fruit-bearing churches. All those who desire to live useful, mature, and consistent Christian lives will gain much wisdom from reading and reflecting upon the contents of this book.




Aiming at Maturity


Book Description

It seems that much of American Christianity has lost sight of the goal of growing to maturity in Christ. This loss of vision has had serious consequences for the quality of our witness and ministry. In Aiming at Maturity, Steven W. Rankin seeks to bring back into focus key qualities of spiritual maturity and summarizes important biblical passages to show the scriptural foundations that call for spiritual maturity. Rankin also addresses certain tendencies in popular Christian culture to reduce doctrinal truths to sound bites with the laudable but counterproductive goal to make doctrine memorable, therefore applicable. Thinking more expansively about certain key doctrines related to the work of Christ and the impact of grace contributes to growth toward maturity in a way that popular descriptions of these doctrines do not. Finally, Rankin also challenges readers to consider the important role of emotions in developing Christlike dispositions, which contribute toward producing the fruit of a mature Christian life. By looking at relevant modern research, Aiming at Maturity shows the inherent connection between thoughts and feelings that draw us closer to the actual biblical description of the heart.




Spiritual Maturity


Book Description

With advice on how church leaders can improve the health of local congregations, this book takes a close look at the styles of church leadership that exist within the body, and offers a holistic method to create and preserve a healthy congregation through spiritual maturity.




Success and the Christian


Book Description

Success and the Christian is a compilation of A.W. Tozer sermons on the subject matter of spiritual maturity—both its cost and criteria for the believer. The overall purpose of this collection is to "promote the personal heart religion"' among God's people, something Tozer consistently emphasized. Knowing God deeply and intimately brings purpose and meaning to life and should be the Christian's highest goal. So what holds us back from authentic spiritual success? A.W. Tozer contends that it is the excess baggage that most Christians carry that prevents them from going further with God. In this insightful and prophetic book, Tozer shows how we can recognize and clear away the stumbling blocks that keep us from a dynamic relationship with our Savior.




Maturing in Christ


Book Description

Maturing in Christ focuses on Christian truth that relates to living a successful spiritual life. Before a Christian can realize a consistent victorious spiritual life some basic truths must be understood: 1) the riches given by God at salvation to live Christ-like; 2) who the spiritual enemies are and how they attack; 3) and how to utilize divine enabling when resisting the enemies in order to live a successful Christian life. The Christian has three spiritual enemies: Satan, the world system and the sin nature. Dr. Schafer uses Scripture to identify these adversaries and how to access God's provisions for the strength to be victorious over them. This expository study of the Word is dedicated to Dr. Schafer's lifelong desire for saints to live Christ-like. H. LaVern Schafer served the Lord in several capacities for over 65 years as a Christian. He was pastor for 53 years, seminary professor for 44 years, and director of Dispensational Theological Seminary for 28 years. He earned his Doctorate of Theology from Dallas Theological Seminary, where his class was one of the last taught by Dr. Lewis Sperry Chafer. Dr. Schafer practiced a literal interpretation of Scripture. He believed that God's Word is meant to be interpreted literally to determine the exact concepts God is communicating and not what the reader wishes the Word to say. This desire resulted in a dispensational approach while interpreting Scripture with a historical linguistic treatment of the original text. His Christian Life series of booklets have been a blessing to thousands of believers. He went home to be with the Lord in 2008.