Outdoing Jesus
Outdoing Jesus

Author: Doug Pagitt

Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing

Published: 2019-08-20

Total Pages: 153

ISBN-13: 1467456977

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Is it sacrilegious to claim that ordinary people can do greater works than Jesus? “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these” (John 14:12). Taking these words of Jesus seriously, Outdoing Jesus shows how the seven actions of Jesus that the Gospel of John singles out as special “signs” challenge us to live into a greater future. When Jesus asserts that his followers “will do even greater things than these,” he is calling for us to extend his miracles for the benefit of all of humanity. Only a master teacher wants students to do greater than their master! Doug Pagitt uses the works and teachings of Jesus as lenses through which we see what the kingdom of God would look like if it were “at hand.” We see how developments in humanities, medicine, science, technology, philanthropy, structural design, and social justice are bringing about the agenda of God for the world; and how we can participate. Outdoing Jesus is not only insightful biblical theology but a robust call to dare great things in pursuit of human flourishing.

Breaking Busy
Breaking Busy

Author: Alli Worthington

Publisher: Zondervan

Published: 2016-01-26

Total Pages: 224

ISBN-13: 0310342244

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Have you ever felt like a fraud or failure as you struggle to find balance in life? Do you find yourself juggling everything in mediocrity and feeling like you're succeeding at very little? In her no-nonsense style, Alli Worthington--popular podcaster and author of The Year of Living Happy--tackles the big questions about finding happiness and one's God-given purpose. Have you ever felt like a fraud or failure as you struggle to find balance in life? Do you find yourself juggling everything in mediocrity and feeling like you're succeeding at very little? In her no-nonsense way, Alli Worthington tackles the big questions about finding happiness and one's God-given purpose. Breaking Busy marries popular secular research with solid biblical principles, instilling confidence that you, too, can move from crazy busy to confident calm. With refreshing candor, uproarious true stories, and a Christian worldview, Alli delivers truths that dismantle common happiness myths. Then she empowers you to get unstuck, to let go of the good to make way for the great, to know yourself and your Creator, and ultimately to find peace and purpose in this world of crazy. You will: Learn how to stop chasing what leaves you empty and start doing what you were created to do. Identify the common lies you believe and how to strip their power from your life. Recognize how what you say no to determines what you can say yes to. With relatable anecdotes, Alli models real-life guidance on boundaries, relationships, and self-care, humbly examining her own mistakes and walking through how she learned from her missteps and found peace in a world of busyness. If you long to find real connection with both your loved ones and your Creator, Alli Worthington deftly balances intelligent humility and heartwarming humor to help you rediscover your path.

Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Lectionary Preaching Workbook

Author: John R. Brokhoff

Publisher: CSS Publishing

Published: 2004

Total Pages: 334

ISBN-13: 0788023268

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One of the most comprehensive lectionary preaching resources available, the Lectionary Preaching Workbook is the one tool you will want to have close at hand to help you get the most out of every minute you spend preparing your Sunday sermon. This completely revised and updated volume provides you with a host of practical aids for effectively proclaiming God's Word. In addition to theological reflections on the three lessons for each Sunday, each chapter also explores a theme for the day (including a prayer and a suggested hymn) and outlines numerous preaching options. You'll also find a handy, easy-to-use Sermon Planner template to facilitate the process of building your sermon. Special features include: - an introduction to Matthew's gospel - overviews for each liturgical season that pinpoint preaching goals and possible sermon series -- and examine the season's customs, history, meaning, and message - a listing of applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts - commentary on each Sunday's Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons - theological reflections to help you explore the relationships among all the texts - a variety of preaching options, complete with suggested outlines - available in either paperback or 3-ring binder formats, with wide margins for convenient, easy use John R. Brokhoff, a celebrated preacher, teacher, and writer, is Professor Emeritus of Homiletics at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He has also served as the pastor of Lutheran congregations in Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, and is a recipient of the George Washington medal from the Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The original author of the ever-popular CSS Lectionary Preaching Workbook series, Brokhoff has written over 30 other works, including three-volume series on Preaching The Parables and Preaching The Miracles for Cycles A, B, and C, also from CSS Publishing Company.

Black Lives Matter to Jesus
Black Lives Matter to Jesus

Author: Marcus Jerkins

Publisher: Fortress Press

Published: 2021-10-12

Total Pages: 252

ISBN-13: 1506474632

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The third evangelist makes Black-skinned people central to his claim in Luke and Acts that the gospel of Jesus is restoring the children of God. Within Luke's literary environment, the identity of the children of God was linked to national/ethnic identity. Many Jewish texts argued for the Jews' position as God's children because they are bound to God by covenant; they are God's firstborn. But there is also a more general sense within this tradition that all human beings are made in the image of God and are, thus, the children of God through Adam. In the Gospel, Luke asserts that all nations and all ethnicities, including Israel, have questionable filial status vis-ˆ-vis God. Both Israel and the nations are restored in status as God's children through Jesus, the Son of God. In Acts, Luke explores the initial return of Israel and all ethnicities to God through the witness of the church empowered by the Spirit. To epitomize the return of all nations to God, Luke narrates the salvation of Black-skinned Africans. These Black lives are emphasized to signify that their representation in the church demonstrates the universal extent to which the salvation of Jesus Christ will reach. Their presence in the church is also meant to dignify their Black skin against an aesthetic bias that was prevalent in Greco-Roman views at that moment. This subversion of ethnographic bias helped Luke's audience sustain a gospel-centered critique against the devaluation of Black life.

Dressed from the Inside Out: Equipped to Live Victoriously and Advance the Kingdom of God
Dressed from the Inside Out: Equipped to Live Victoriously and Advance the Kingdom of God

Author: Christine A. Evans

Publisher: eBooks2go, Inc.

Published: 2014-05-08

Total Pages: 107

ISBN-13: 0991528336

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Dressed from the Inside Out is for anyone who desires a deeper relationship with God, and who desires to participate in carrying out God’s plans. Along with real-life illustrations, Christine includes prayers and scriptures that will reassure you of God’s promises and empower you to reach a level where the enemy loses his power over your life. This is the time for the body of Christ to come together as an unstoppable force to overthrow all plots and plans that have been put into place by the powers of darkness. God has so many things for his children to accomplish; however, we are often faced with challenges that attempt to rob us of our God-given authority and identity. If believers cannot live victoriously themselves, they will be ineffective with impacting others. In this powerful book, Christine Evans shares revelation that will allow you to enter a realm where: • Your true identity as a believer is discovered and your authority is unleashed • Feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and uncertainty, become ineffective or nonexistent. • Flowing in the gifts of The Spirit enables you to actively participate in advancing the Kingdom of God.