Showing results by narrator "Jonathan St. John" in All Categories

Although believers have a right to every spiritual comfort in Christ, remaining sin and temptation often hinder them from enjoying these blessings. John Owen recognizes that faith is the root on which all genuine comforts grow, and these comforts are ordinarily shared by believers in proportion to the evidences of true faith in their lives. Owen investigates the proper operations of faith that demonstrate its genuineness, encouraging us to cling fast to Christ, pursue holiness, commune with God through worship, and bring our souls into a special state of repentance.

Who were the Puritans, and why are they important? What can we learn from them today? The Puritan movement began in England during the sixteenth century and continued all the way into the early eighteenth century. Although the Church of England was formed as a result of the Reformation, the Puritans believed it needed much more reform.

Is it ok to be gay and Christian? Does the Bible really say that homosexuality is wrong? Is sexual orientation fundamental to identity? Author and speaker Sam Allberry has expanded and restructured his best-selling book, which draws on his own experience as a believer who experiences same-sex attraction. As well as exploring Bible passages that talk directly about homosexuality, this new edition frames the whole discussion with Jesus’ general teaching on sex and marriage, as well as what Jesus teaches about finding ultimate satisfaction and happiness.

We long to be strong, sorted and secure. And we want this for our families too. Naturally. But what if strength, as we understand it, isn’t part of God’s plan? What if weakness is his way? This honest yet hope-filled book will transform your thinking and reassure your heart: weakness is not just okay; it is God’s way.

Learning to wait, learning to have patience, and learning to trust are all skills known to be exceedingly valuable and helpful in every aspect of life, yet they are also well known for being some of the most difficult traits to practice and even harder to master. Waiting on God discusses the importance of these practices to develop a healthy and fruitful spiritual life and relationship with God. Divided into 31 chapters, this resource is perfect for a month of dedicated, daily improvement in praying to and waiting on a loving God who fulfills every promise.

'The Wholesome Doctrine of the Gospel' familiarizes listeners with one of England's most influential theologians, William Perkins. In the opening biographical sketch, Andrew S. Ballitch and J. Stephen Yuille give an overview of Pekins's life, theology, and piety. Then, in thirty-two excerpts, listeners learn about the relationship between faith and love from Perkins himself as he explains the foundational 'grounds of doctrine to be believed and grounds of doctrine to be practiced.' R

Vacations often give us an opportunity to rest and reflect. However, when our normal routines are suspended, it can be hard to spend time with God. These 30 devotions have been specifically designed to help you to rest in the Lord’s goodness and glory during your time away so that you can return home feeling refreshed spiritually as well as physically. You can pick and choose which devotions to listen to depending on the type of vacation you are on, and there are optional family activities linked to each devotion, giving other family members an opportunity to reflect alongside you.

To some degree, everyone experiences fear. It impacts the decisions we make and leaves us feeling helpless. John Flavel begins this book by examining various fears and discussing general ways God governs it in this world. He then turns to sinful fear in particular, explaining its causes and disastrous effects. His longest chapter discusses rules for dealing with sinful fear, showing how a proper fear of God is the ultimate remedy for all other fears.

What do George Whitefield, Elisabeth Elliot, and J. Gresham Machen have in common? They were all Evangelical Heroes. In Evangelical Heroes, Joel Beeke and Douglas Bond present thirty biographical sketches of faithful evangelical leaders from the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries.

A comprehensive explanation of Martin Luther’s most crucial and controversial beliefs on salvation, The Bondage of the Will is a critical resource in understanding the theology of free will and the gift of faith. Facing criticism even from others who had disagreements with the Catholic church, Luther’s strong and absolute beliefs on the gift of salvation were truly revolutionary. This work contains the full amount of research, discussion, and debate on Luther’s ideas on free will as it pertains to individual Christians and to their understanding of God.

An Honest, Well-Experienced Heart introduces us to the life and writings of Puritan preacher and author John Flavel (1627-1691). In his brief introductory biography, Adam Embry discusses Flavel's background, ministry, and theology of keeping the heart, which, for Flavel, is the great business of a Christian's life. Centuries ago, Flavel wrote, Above all other studies in the world, study your own hearts. Embry guides us through forty-two short passages from Flavel's writings that acquaint us with this dedicated Puritan minister's piety.

This unique collection includes four sermons by C.H. Spurgeon on Jesus and Christmas. The reading provides a beautiful and thoughtful devotional narrative for each week of Advent. All delivered originally in December by Spurgeon at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, the message and hope of Christmas shines clear and strong throughout each sermon. Dive into the rich fullness of the gospel and of Christ’s love for His children as eloquently expressed by the "Prince of Preachers."

Leland Ryken provides a clear pathway to understanding the "Great Works" through this engaging series of short guidebooks. Beginning with "why the classics matter" and "the nature and function of literature," listeners will find a helpful path to understanding and analyzing influential works in the Western canon. This volume leads listeners through John Bunyan’s classic Christian allegory, The Pilgrim’s Progress, offering insights into the nature of faith, the reality of temptation, and the glory of salvation.

Encounter Jesus in the pages of Scripture with these easy-to-use 10-minute daily devotions for families.

What do George Whitefield, Elisabeth Elliot, and J. Gresham Machen have in common? They were all Evangelical Heroes. In Evangelical Heroes, Joel Beeke and Douglas Bond present thirty biographical sketches of faithful evangelical leaders from the eighteenth, nineteenth, and twentieth centuries. From George Whitfield to Charles Spurgeon to R.C. Sproul, these men and women held firm to the authority of Scripture and the reality of Christ's death and resurrection in the face of rising liberalism in the Church.

In John 17, Jesus prayed for the unity of the church. Yet today, we tend to accept disunity as inevitable. In this book, Anthony Burgess calls us to addresses the spiritual and visible unity that Jesus desires for His people.

This book has been written to help heartbroken parents know and feel the nearness and tenderness of God when they are facing the loss of a child. It takes long, satisfying looks at truths and stories from the Bible, helping you to know and be comforted by God the Father as he walks with you through your darkest seasons.

From the psalmist's assertion that no one in heaven or earth is like God, George Swinnock derives his principal doctrine namely, God is incomparable. Throughout The Blessed and Boundless God, he proves his doctrine by demonstrating God's incomparableness in His being, attributes, works, and words. Swinnock is a pastor-theologian who views theology as the means by which we grow in acquaintance with God and, consequently, in godliness.

In this compelling book, William Perkins explains how to find true satisfaction: by resting in Christ’s sufficiency. With his trademark precision, Perkins reminds us of Christ's infinite worth as our only redeemer in twenty-seven short chapters. This message tears down all illusions of self-sufficiency, directing us to rest the riches of God’s grace in Jesus!

We may know some Bible stories, or maybe we've even read large portions for ourselves. But what it's really all about? How do all the different pieces fit together? In The 30-Minute Bible, experienced Bible teachers Craig Bartholomew and Paige Vanosky present the story of Scripture in 30 chapters, each designed to take about half an hour.