"In The Gospel of John Set Free, Father George Smiga has written a must-read book for all preachers that alerts them to the anti-Jewish sentiment so commonly - and dangerously - misread into the Gospel of John as it appears in the Roman Catholic Lectionary. Excerpts from the Lectionary are followed by Fr. Smiga's explication of the text and context - and where the preacher needs to step carefully." "Rabbi Leon Klenicki and Father Dennis McManus collaborated in providing valuable Rabbinic comments and historical notes to compliment Fr. Smiga's text. For easy reference, these are keyed to relevant verse numbers in John's gospel. The result is a resource that clarifies the fourth gospel for both the preacher and the listener alike."--BOOK JACKET.

"He who has ears let him hear." Jesus said those words many times. What did he mean? He also declared, "The truth will set you free." Which truth? Free from what? This book will tell you in no uncertain terms, a message to be stapled on the world's bulletin board for any who pass by, and in particular for those who have the "right ears." It is a thorough explanation of the astonishing freedom won by Christ for his elect and the devastating implications this has for all world religion and philosophy, especially Christianity. It will shatter the myths underpinning many long cherished beliefs and rock the Church to its foundations. Along with many other surprises you will discover that the word "church" is not even in the Bible! This investigation covers most aspects of the Church with special reference to its origin in early times: fathers, councils, creeds, buildings, names and titles, saints, priesthood and clergy, celibacy, ordination, confirmation, sacraments, tithes, sabbaths, festivals, gospels and media, assurance, second-coming and ecumenical beliefs. All these are weighed against Scripture, namely the teachings of Christ, the apostles and prophets, and found to be either non-existent, obsolete, not the same thing or quite the opposite! However, these concepts did not materialize from nothing; all came from someone, somewhere. The revelation of each source will be quite a shock for readers who thought they had a handle on the facts. Well-documented and researched but written in dynamic style, this presentation is often moving and alarming. This is the truth which sets free.

The Spirit Sets Free reflects on the Spirit setting free from within as a basis for the spontaneous enthusiasm of hope and joy, expressed in general liveliness, music and dance. This poses the challenge of laying the foundation of moral integrity as the second stage of African renaissance. The commitment to this challenge of moral integrity makes African spirituality a prophetic spirituality in the service of universal hope and joy. These cultural and spiritual missions involve both opportunity and responsibility with wide-ranging implications for individuals and groups of peoples of African heritage. The reflections suggest how individuals or peoples of African heritage could convert this challenge of moral rebirth into the opportunity for true freedom from within, as basis of hope and joy.

Are you confident in your faith that Jesus is the Son of God? Or do you want to know Him even more? Do you want to discover new things, unveil mysteries, and deepen your understanding of your Savior? How did Jesus of Nazareth change the lives of the people He encountered and impact mankind, generation after generation, unlike no other person in history? Why did four fishermen lay down their nets and leave everything to follow Him? Why did Matthew change from a tax collector hated by Jewish society to a faithful disciple who targeted his Gospel for the Jews? How did John change from a disciple who desired greatness to a man who wouldn't write his own name in his Gospel? What was it like to hear Jesus teach or to recognize Jesus' voice? How would you have handled the night of terror in the garden, His arrest, trial, and then crucifixion? To answer these questions, Jesus Lives spans the life of Christ from the beginning (John 1:2) to His birth, through His life on earth as Rabbi, Miracle Worker, Storyteller, Jewish Messiah, and Passover Lamb, and that He is our Covenant Partner and Coming King, and much more. This study is for you to have a fresh revelation of Jesus, to get your identity through Christ, to develop intimacy with God, and to worship Him passionately! Join the adventure of Jesus Lives! This 10-week in-depth, interactive study includes daily assignments and 11 weekly video sessions, portions of which were taped in Israel and Egypt, the two countries where Jesus lived. Shirley Mitchell has a passion for people to be transformed by knowing God through His Word. She has served God as a women's ministry leader and a Bible study leader in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Gospel of John was beloved by the early church for its spiritual insight and clear declaration of Jesus' divinity. In addition to the homilies of John Chrysostom, readers of this ACCS volume will find selections from Origen, Cyril of Alexandria, and Augustine, supplemented with homiletic material, liturgical selections, and doctrinal material from scores of other church fathers.

The theme of the New Exodus (NE) in John's Gospel has been largely unexplored in recent scholarship. Now, however, by careful intertextual exegesis of John 5-10, Paul Coxon has compellingly argued that not only is the NE key to interpreting the Fourth Gospel, but also to unlocking the mysteries of the Johannine "puzzle" itself. Anyone who is interested in searching the riches of this marvelous Gospel will want to explore the NE in John in these pages.

Lindell shares his journey to discovering the truth of God's amazing gift of grace and how it revolutionized his life. He takes you on a life-changing adventure through the Book of Romans, uncovering the transforming truth that is often unexplained. -- adapted from jacket

Written BY Preachers and Teachers FOR Preachers and Teachers Combining fresh insights with readable exposition and relatable examples, The Preacher's Commentary will help you minister to others and see their lives transformed through the power of God's Word. Whether preacher, teacher, or Bible study leader--if you're a communicator, The Preacher's Commentary will help you share God's Word more effectively with others. This volume combining commentary on 1, 2 & 3 John and Revelation is designed to enrich your own experience of the biblical text in preparation for your own communication. Each volume is written by one of today's top scholars, and includes: Innovative ideas for preaching and teaching God's Word Vibrant paragraph-by-paragraph exposition Impelling real-life illustrations Insightful and relevant contemporary application An introduction, which reveals the author's approach A full outline of the biblical book being covered Scripture passages (using the New King James Version) and explanations The Preacher's Commentary offers pastors, teachers, and Bible study leaders clear and compelling insights into the Bible that will equip them to understand, apply, and teach the truth in God's Word.

Inspired by the heritage of African-American churches, Mark Ellingsen has created innovative, visionary sermons on Old Testament texts from the Revised Common Lectionary. His messages reflect his unique vantage point as a Lutheran of Norwegian heritage teaching at a historically black seminary, and they are a model for anyone who wants to learn how to relate the Bible to the cutting-edge social issues of our day. Ellingsen suggests that many American Christians have abdicated their responsibility to advocate justice in our society or to talk about what the gospel can do in our lives and society as a whole from Monday through Saturday. Ellingsen believes these Old Testament texts are relevant to our contemporary lives. An all-too-common view of many Christians is look to the New Testament to find the liberating word of God, while viewing the Old Testament as being about the law and the confining demands of tradition. But Ellingsen says that the history of Christianity proves this is not true. He observes that Martin Luther was primarily an Old Testament scholar, and that African-American churches have based many of their traditions of liberation on Old Testament stories and prophetic traditions. Mark Ellingsen's offering of sermons based on Old Testament texts reflects his usual thorough biblical scholarship and his readable, down-to-earth style that consistently render his material useful to both scholars and those seeking the inspiration of a faithful Christian. Richard H. Stough, Publisher King Publications Mark Ellingsen has had a rich and varied career as a parish pastor and a seminary professor. In addition to serving several Lutheran congregations in Pennsylvania and North Carolina, he has held teaching positions at Luther-Northwestern Seminary and the Institute for Ecumenical Research in Strasbourg, France. Ellingsen currently is on the faculty of the Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, the largest historic African-American seminary in the United States. A regular contributor to several homiletics periodicals, Ellingsen is also the author of ten books, some of which have been used as homiletics texts in many American and Canadian seminaries.

Written by one of the best known and most respected evangelical biblical scholars of all time, "Paul" explores the primary themes in Paul's thought as they developed in the historical context of his life and travels.