Empowering the Church In his second epistle to the Corinthian Church, the apostle Paul empowered the church by affirming that God's strength and power is revealed and works in our weakness. The apostle empowered the church with God's strength after having confronted the immorality, doctrinal confusion and frequent disputes that had become commonplace among the Corinthian believers. Paul's message to this church was simple yet powerful: Consider the values of Christ's redemption and realign your thinking with God's instructions. Although this letter was written to admonish, instruct and encourage the early church, they are just as relevant to us today. This verse-by-verse devotional study, complete with engaging commentary and practical life applications, will challenge you to pursue a closer walk with Jesus Christ and grow in the faith.

This book argues that Paul, as God’s accountable steward, seeks not to dominate the Corinthians but to empower them to mature in their understanding and conduct themselves appropriately under the cruciform authority of Jesus Christ. It invites readers to revisit the merely negative notion of power in deconstructionist power discourses and reconsider the importance of good uses of power in building up a faith community.

Putting church leadership on an apostolic footing, Brian J. Dodd helps you to see the necessity of prayer, followership, partnership, servanthood and willingness to run against the current if you are to lead where God wants you to lead.

The Life Application Bible Commentary series is the only commentary to offer sermon and lesson applications alongside stirring commentary. This volume provides in-depth explanation, background, and application for every verse in the books of 1 & 2 Corinthians. Perfect for sermon preparation and lesson planning, this one-of-a-kind reference provides excellent quotes and a bibliography for additional commentary. Additional features include: Charts, diagrams, and maps on the same page as their related verses Quotes from various versions, such as the NIV, NRSV, and NLT Key information graphically highlighted

Encouraging the Believer Paul wrote this letter to the church in Philippi because he remembered them fondly and rejoiced in the relationship he had with them. He encouraged the Philippian Christians to follow Christ’s example, living out their salvation in unity, humility, and selfless service to others. He wanted them to understand the evil of the world in which they lived. He encouraged them to press onward toward the finishline forgetting that which remained behind.

A new commentary for today's world, The Story of God Bible Commentary explains and illuminates each passage of Scripture in light of the Bible's grand story. The first commentary series to do so, SGBC offers a clear and compelling exposition of biblical texts, guiding readers in how to creatively and faithfully live out the Bible in their own contexts. Its story-centric approach is idea for pastors, students, Sunday school teachers, and all who want to understand the Bible in today's world. SGBC is organized into three easy-to-use sections, designed to help readers live out God's story: Listen to the Story; Explain the Story; and Live the Story. Praise for SGBC: "The easy-to-use format and practical guidance brings God's grand story to modern-day life so anyone can understand how it applies today." -- Andy Stanley "Opens up the biblical story in ways that move us to act." -- Darrell L. Bock "It makes the text sing and helps us hear the story afresh." -- John Ortberg "This commentary breaks new ground." -- Craig L. Blomberg

Concerned that many Christians and churches live below their potential, David Palmer wrote this book to show how to be empowered under God's covering successfully. He provides an illustrated explanation of righteousness - one that takes right-standing out of the realm of 'theological' concept into a practical applicable hands-on understanding of our position in Christ and everyday living. He also gives a profound understanding of how Jesus-type leadership, faith, prophecy, intercession and gracious words provide a supernatural covering under which believers an grow in grace to their maximum potential without unnecessary hinderances. This book contains revelation vital to anyone wanting to live an empowered Christian life or desiring to provide leadership that facilitates the empowering of others.

The Teach the Text Commentary Series utilizes the best of biblical scholarship to provide the information a pastor needs to communicate the text effectively. The carefully selected preaching units and focused commentary allow pastors to quickly grasp the big idea and key themes of each passage of Scripture. Each unit of the commentary includes the big idea and key themes of the passage and sections dedicated to understanding, teaching, and illustrating the text.

Guiding the Believer Paul wrote the letter to the ephesians to Christians in Ephesus, a pagan and multicultural city, while imprisoned for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ephesians is one of the pristine jewels of Paul’s New Testament letters, overflowing with the greatness of salvation in Jesus Christ and its practical application in the relationships that surround the believer in an unbelieving world.

The social and religious phenomenon popularly known as the “prosperity gospel” has made huge inroads in sub-Saharan Africa and raises many questions surrounding Christian giving. In this book, Dr Habarurema applies biblical scholarship, historical enquiry and contemporaneous analysis to generosity and financial reward in 2 Corinthians 8–9, as well as to the prosperity gospel movement. With a clear focus on the concepts of divine charis and autarkeia, this study provides insight into the apostle Paul’s exhortations to care for the poor and vulnerable in society as a manifestation by the church of God’s compassion and grace. The author concludes with a series of hermeneutical and theological recommendations to promote a reading which is faithful to Paul’s thoughts in 2 Corinthians 8–9, fully integrated in Paul’s overall theology, and welcoming insights provided by Pentecostal hermeneutics.