This book arises out of contemporary questions regarding the nature and formation of the church amidst an economically divided society. Looking to Augustine of Hippo for guidance, Jonathan D. Ryan argues that the movement from private self-interest toward common love of God and neighbor is fundamental to the church's formation and identity amidst contemporary contexts of economic inequality. Ryan demonstrates the centrality of this theme in Augustine's Sermons and his monastic instruction (principally the Rule), illustrating how it shapes his pastoral guidance on matters pertinent to economic division, including use of material resources, and attitudes toward rich and poor. By reading Augustine's Sermons alongside his monastic instruction, this volume allows for a closer understanding of how Augustine's vision of a common life is reflected in his pastoral guidance to the wider congregation. The book's concluding reflections consider what the church in our time might learn from these aspects of Augustine's teaching regarding the formation of a common life, as members are drawn together in love of God and neighbour.

John Piper's bestselling book on missions draws on key biblical texts to demonstrate that worship is the ultimate goal of the church and that proper worship fuels missionary outreach. Piper offers a biblical defense of God's supremacy in all things, providing readers with a sound theological foundation for missions. This 30th anniversary edition of a contemporary classic, now in paperback, incorporates insights from the author's refined thinking over the past 10 years. Used extensively as a textbook for missions courses and a resource for ministries, Let the Nations Be Glad! provides a passionate plea for God-centeredness in the whole enterprise of world evangelization and explores the role of prayer and spiritual warfare. The book is essential reading for those involved in or preparing for missions work. It also offers enlightenment for students, pastors, youth workers, campus ministers, and all who want to connect their labors to God's global purposes.

The various kinds and conditions of love are a common theme for Kierkegaard, beginning with his early Either/Or, through "The Diary of the Seducer" and Judge William's eulogy on married love, to his last work, on the changelessness of God's love. Works of Love, the midpoint in the series, is also the monumental high point, because of its penetrating, illuminating analysis of the forms and sources of love. Love as feeling and mood is distinguished from works of love, love of the lovable from love of the unlovely, preferential love from love as the royal law, love as mutual egotism from triangular love, and erotic love from self-giving love. This work is marked by Kierkegaard's Socratic awareness of the reader, both as the center of awakened understanding and as the initiator of action. Written to be read aloud, the book conveys a keenness of thought and an insightful, poetic imagination that make such an attentive approach richly rewarding. Works of Love not only serves as an excellent place to begin exploring the writings of Kierkegaard, but also rewards many rereadings.

What do you want out of life? What are you pursuing? Happiness? Money? Fame? Fortune? Pleasure? Security? The ultimate prize is none of these but is actually something much higher and better: Christlikeness. It sounds formidable, but ask yourself one question: Dont you want to be like Christ? If you answered YES! then this book is for you! Have you ever asked yourself, How can I be more like Jesus? How can I stop sinning? How can I live consistently in a way that pleases God? Have you ever wondered what the scripture means, Without holiness no man will see the Lord? Does it distress you that many believers seem to disregard holiness because they think that they are not under the law? Have you ever thought about what it means to be under the law and under grace? Are you concerned that our nation has cast God aside and is pursuing a secularist agenda? How can that be reversed? Like Christ By Grace: Pursuing the Prize of Christlikeness By Gods Grace will give you the answers you seek. Jesus Christ supplies everything you need to be like Him. The book you hold in your hands is a message of encouragement and hope, as well as a challenging call to Christlikeness. No matter how many times you have fallen and no matter how miserably you may have failed, God is on your side. God is for you. Hes not about to give up on you. You can be like Christ by grace!