How to Preach the Psalms


Book Description

Proven strategies for preserving the emotional, imaginative, and aesthetic qualities of the psalms in preaching.




Preaching the Psalms


Book Description

How many preachers know how to preach the Psalms? It must be admitted that noticeable differences exist between the Psalms and the narrative sections of the Scripture. Further, obvious distinctives exist between the Psalms and the four Gospel accounts, as well as between the New Testament epistles. These literary variations pose real challenges to every expositor. As a result, the Psalms, tragically, remain a neglected book in many pulpits. That is to say, the book of Psalms is often read, but rarely exposited. Therefore, this book is an attempt to help provide a helpful key to unlock the inexhaustible riches of this vast storehouse of truths that Spurgeon once called "the treasury of David." Steven Lawson's ministry is widely appreciated and his preaching and books are a blessing to the church in a time of great need. The focus of Dr Lawson's ministry is the verse-by-verse exposition of God's Word. His writing includes passionate pleas for more expository preaching and he has shown how John Calvin stands as a great example of such a preacher. Dr Lawson has also written a two-volume commentary on the Psalms and in this latest book he shows preachers how to develop Christ-centered expository messages from the great hymn book of the people of God. Pastors, elders, lay preachers -- all who love preaching and love the Psalms will find this book invaluable.




Preaching Christ from Psalms


Book Description

In this final volume of his series on preaching Christ from the Old Testament, Sidney Greidanus offers expert guidance for busy pastors on preaching Christ from Psalms. Beginning with a general introduction on how pastors can interpret and preach from the biblical psalms -- and why they should -- Greidanus proceeds by discussing twenty-two psalms in the Revised Common Lectionary, Year A, supplying the building blocks necessary to preach from Psalms at Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, and other major days and seasons of the church year. In addition to laying out basic homiletical-theological approaches suitable for each selected psalm, these chapters also provide verse-by-verse exposition, bridges to Christ in the New Testament, and ideas for placing the psalmist's words into contemporary context.




Preaching and Teaching the Psalms


Book Description

Renowned and beloved Psalms scholar James Luther Mays shares in this book some of his most influential ideas about the Psalms and shows the reader how this rich Old Testament poetry can be taught and preached in the church. The book's editors, Patrick Miller and Gene Tucker, have carefully brought together Mays's best insights into the meaning of the Psalms and shown us in his sermons how a master with a love for the church handles these beautiful texts.




The Flow of the Psalms


Book Description

An investigation by O. Palmer Robertson that uncovers the mystery of the arrangement and structure of the Psalms and shows that there is a redemptive flow through its five books.




Prayer


Book Description

Renowned pastor and New York Times bestselling author of The Prodigal Prophet Timothy Keller explores the power of prayer. Christians are taught in their churches and schools that prayer is the most powerful way to experience God. But few receive instruction or guidance in how to make prayer genuinely meaningful. In Prayer, renowned pastor Timothy Keller delves into the many facets of this everyday act. With his trademark insights and energy, Keller offers biblical guidance as well as specific prayers for certain situations, such as dealing with grief, loss, love, and forgiveness. He discusses ways to make prayers more personal and powerful, and how to establish a practice of prayer that works for each reader. Dr. Keller’s previous books have sold more than one million copies. His Redeemer Presbyterian Church is not only a major presence in his home base of New York, it has also helped to launch more than two hundred fifty other churches in forty-eight cities around the world. His teachings have already helped millions, the majority of whom pray regularly. And with Prayer, he’ll show them how to find a deeper connection with God.




Psalms for Preaching and Worship


Book Description

Psalms for Preaching and Worship a key addition to the critically acclaimed three-volume Lectionary Commentary / Despite the rich resources available for studying the Psalms, few are as focused on their place in worship and preaching as is this volume. The responsorial Psalms of the Revised Common Lectionary are here taken up in careful and often illuminating interpretation with attention also to their interaction with other lectionary texts. The many ways that psalms can function meaningfully in the liturgical life of congregations are explored especially in John Witvliet s concluding section. I know of no work that combines practice and substance better than this lectionary commentary. Patrick D. Miller / Princeton Theological Seminary / A fascinating book well organized, well written and edited, thorough, and informative. . . . An excellent resource not only for preachers using the Revised Common Lectionary but also for those wishing to preach a series of sermons on the Psalms. In addition, worship leaders and worship committees will appreciate the many excellent ideas for using the Psalms in worship. Highly recommended. Sidney Greidanus / author of Preaching Christ from the Old Testament and Preaching Christ from Genesis / Here is something even better than a simple completion of The Lectionary Commentary, which would be cause enough for gratitude. . . . Serious attention paid to this one book could go a long way toward remedying the scandalous neglect of the treasure of the Psalms in too much contemporary worship. Marguerite Shuster / Fuller Theological Seminary / Contributors: Nancy R. Bowen, William P. Brown, Walter Brueggemann, Richard J. Clifford, Nancy L. deClaiss-Walford, Jennifer S. Green, Karl N. Jacobson, Rolf A. Jacobson, Melody D. Knowles, Eunny P. Lee, Joel M. LeMon, James Limburg, J. Clinton McCann, James K. Mead, Carol A. Miles, Luke A. Powery, Stephen Breck Reid, Sandra L. Richter, Cynthia L. Rigby, Kathryn L. Roberts, Brent A. Strawn, Beth LaNeel Tanner, Roger E. Van Harn, Raymond C. Van Leeuwen, J. Ross Wagner, Gerald H. Wilson, John Witvliet, Christine Roy Yoder.




It’s OK to Be Not OK


Book Description

How often have you seen a friend and been greeted with “How are you?” Almost always our automatic response is “Fine thank you” regardless of whether it’s true. We proclaim in church services that “God is good all the time . . . All the time God is good,” but there are often times when we feel that life is just unfair and ask God, “Why?” The uplifting songs and victorious testimonies of our church gatherings are frequently difficult to identify within the midst of the suffering and hardship of people’s daily lives, yet there is all too often no room for our “not-OK” experiences in our Christian communities. This is especially true for pastors and leaders who are required to always be strong and OK all the time. But the songs of lament in the Psalms paint a very different picture of understanding life and how human beings express themselves to God. Dr Rico Villanueva uses these Scriptures to teach us that in the presence of God, there is room to be “not-OK” and that our negative experiences don’t have to be ignored. This book challenges us to confront our struggles and questions instead of denying them. Most importantly, the author invites us to bring all of ourselves into the presence of God and the community of faith. For it is through our experiences and sharing them with God and his church that we grow in intimacy with God and our relationships with one another.




Spiritual Depression


Book Description

Spiritual Depression is one of the great classics of the modern Church and tackles the big question: If Christianity is such "good news" why are its followers often unhappy? Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones was possibly the greatest Christian preacher and teacher of the twentieth century. A medical doctor by training, Spiritual Depression draws together his professional understanding of the mind with a profound understanding of Christian teaching and the Bible. Spiritual Depression diagnoses the causes of the ill feeling that many Christians experience. It prescribes the practical care that is needed to lift people's spirits and bring them freedom, power and joy. Spiritual health is possible and this book explains how everyone can grasp it for themselves.




Let It Go


Book Description

Shares uplifting advice about the virtues of forgiveness, offering strategic and biblically based advice on how to achieve peace and personal fulfillment by letting go of past wrongs.