John Stott was a twentieth-century pastor-theologian widely hailed for his heart for missions and expository preaching. Even today, Stott’s legacy continues to influence churches around the world. As both a faithful preacher and a thoughtful writer, Stott profoundly shaped evangelicalism’s contemporary understanding of Christianity through an approach to the Christian life founded on the word, shaped by the cross, and characterized by the pursuit of Christlikeness in every area of life. Tim Chester invites a new generation of readers to experience the Christian life as John Stott envisioned it—not simply a theological puzzle to be solved, but the daily practice of humble service and compassion found in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Collection of Puritan prayers and meditations that will help personal and public prayer. This collection of eighty theologically rich and beautifully written prayers and meditations, adapted from Puritan prayers and prose, will enrich and deepen your prayer life. While retaining the dignity and beauty of the original language, Tim Chester has updated key words and phrases, making the book accessible to modern readers. Each prayer combines beautiful words with profound truths. Read during personal devotions or use to lead rich and deep corporate prayers to give weight and majesty to gathered times of worship. Includes rich and glorious prayers from John Owen, Thomas Watson, Anne Bradstreet, Richard Baxter, and more.
Delighting in the Trinity looks at the wonderful and fundamental truth that our God is three in one. “How can there be three Gods and yet only one God?” Have you ever groaned inwardly at a question like this? Many of us find the doctrine of the Trinity €“ that God is three persons sharing one nature €“ difficult to get our heads round, and frankly a bit embarrassing. What is more, we seem to get by without thinking about it too deeply. But in reality, the Trinity is at the heart of all that Christians believe. The nature of God as a Trinity gives shape to all Christian truth, and to the gospel that we believe and proclaim. And rather than be a source of embarrassment, properly understood, it should fill us with joy. This book aims to help you see how the Trinity is fantastically good news. Because the trinity means that God is not remote and uninvolved €“ quite the opposite. God sent His Son and His Spirit into our world to draw us into a wonderful relationship with Himself. This is the God who gives meaning and joy to our lives. And along the way we discover that the Trinity answers other big questions: How can we know God? What happened at the cross? What does it mean to be human? How can people live together with all their differences? What does mission look like in a fragmented world? Tim Chester will take us deeper into understanding the thrilling triune nature of God. In short accessible chapters he takes us through the Bible’s teaching on the Trinity; gives us an overview of the important arguments over the trinity that have taken place throughout Christian history; and lays out the practical implications for our Christian lives.
Many books on the practice of prayer seem to be informed more by the experiences of their authors than by Scripture. However, the Bible not only teaches us about prayer, it also gives us many examples of prayer. It is God's Word to us, and it teaches us how to respond to that Word. Tim Chester's insightful exposition of this central aspect of Christian living is driven by the conviction that we need to reform not only our thinking and behaviour in the light of God's Word, but also our praying. Drawing on a wide range of biblical texts, he explores the foundations and the practice of prayer, and shows that how we understand prayer is necessarily bound up with how we understand the gospel, and God himself.
Sometimes reading the Bible is a delight. But many other times it feels like hard work. Tim Chester reminds us that every time we read the Bible we don’t merely learn information about God—we hear his voice and encounter his presence. Including a study guide for group use, this book helps us approach reading the Bible with an eager anticipation, expecting to hear God’s voice and meet him in his Word.
Let the gospel and God's grace shape your attitude to church, Bible reading, prayer, suffering and how you live your life. 12 sessions for individuals, churches or small groups. What does Christian Discipleship look like in practice? This 12-session discipleship course, perfect for individuals or groups, looks at how the gospel and God's grace can shape our attitude towards church, Bible reading, prayer, suffering, how to use our money and many other aspects of life. Incorporating Bible study, clear explanations and thought-provoking discussion questions, these sessions can be completed in around an hour and are designed to be used flexibly in different contexts: individually, in small groups, or one-to-one. Includes plenty of material to engage mature Christians as well as new believers, and an emphasis on practical, real-life application to help people follow Jesus in every area of their lives. Makes a useful baptism or confirmation gift.
Meals have always been important across societies and cultures, a time for friends and families to come together. An important part of relationships, meals are vital to our social health. Author Tim Chester sums it up: "Food connects." Chester argues that meals are also deeply theological—an important part of Christian fellowship and mission. He observes that the book of Luke is full of stories of Jesus at meals. These accounts lay out biblical principles. Chester notes, "The meals of Jesus represent something bigger." Six chapters in A Meal with Jesus show how they enact grace, community, hope, mission, salvation, and promise. Moving from biblical times to the modern world, Chester applies biblical truth to challenge our contemporary understandings of hospitality. He urges sacrificial giving and loving around the table, helping readers consider how meals can be about serving others and sharing the grace of Christ.
Discover the key to enjoying God in every moment of every day We believe in God, we serve God, we trust God, but would we say that we experience God on a day to day basis? Do we really know him personally? What exactly does a relationship with God look like, and how is it even possible? In this seminal work by Tim Chester, we’ll see how the three persons of the Trinity relate to us in our day-to-day lives and how to respond. We’ll discover that as we interact more with God, and understand how awesome he is, we will experience the joy of being known by the creator of the universe. Every Christian will benefit from discovering the key to enjoying God in every moment of everyday.
Help them or tell them? Be like Jesus or talk about Jesus? Social action or gospel proclamation? It seems the two are often pitted against each other, as if they are mutually exclusive. But the New Testament paints a different picture where both aspects are valued. In this plea for a renewed understanding of the Christian calling, Chester argues that faithfulness to the gospel necessitates a commitment to evangelism and social involvement. To that end, he structures the book around three basic theses: 1.) evangelism and social action are distinct activities, 2.) proclamation is central, and 3.) evangelism and social action are inseparable. Responding to Christians in both camps, Chester helps people to talk the talk and walk the walk.
Hard work or delight? Which describes the way you engage with your Bible? Tim Chester shows us how the Bible is much, much more than a book full of information about God. Here we meet the God of the universe and allow ourselves to become transformed. Here we are involved in a relationship. The Bible is a personal letter, a battle cry, a love story. We can come to our Bibles expecting a response. Contents: Introduction God has spoken About his Son Through his Spirit A sufficient word A transforming word A relational word Notes for leaders
An expository guide to the book of 2 Samuel that can be used as a devotional, teaching or preaching resource 2 Samuel is a story of triumph and disaster, both personal and national. It is the account of the rise and fall and rise of a great king, David of Israel. But it is also the story of the God who rules his people, who forgives his people, and who promises to send the King whose greatest fall will bring our eternal rise. This accessible, absorbing expository guide opens up this book for new and mature Christians alike. It is less academic than a commentary, making it a great resource for personal devotion, as well as useful for leading small group studies or sermon preparation. There is an accompanying Good Book Guide available.
An inspiring Advent journey into the heart of the Gospel message as you prepare for Christmas. Everyone loves the Christmas story. But the story of the baby in the manger is the culmination of a thousand other stories. It is the focus of the story of the Bible and the story of human history. This book has 24 short meditative readings working through Bible stories from Genesis to Jesus. Each day includes ideas for reflection, prayer and application, designed to excite you about the gospel message in the run-up to Christmas Day. As you prepare for Christmas, get a fresh insight into the full script of the nativity, the story of our world, and the plotline for the rest of your life...
Church is not a meeting you attend or a place you enter," write pastors Tim Chester and Steve Timmis. "It's an identity that is ours in Christ. An identity that shapes the whole of life so that life and mission become 'total church.'" With that as their premise, they emphasize two overarching principles to govern the practice of church and mission: being gospel-centered and being community-centered. When these principles take precedence, say the authors, the truth of the Word is upheld, the mission of the gospel is carried out, and the priority of relationships is practiced in radical ways. The church becomes not just another commitment to juggle but a 24/7 lifestyle where programs, big events, and teaching from one person take a backseat to sharing lives, reaching out, and learning about God together. In Total Church, Chester and Timmis first outline the biblical case for making gospel and community central and then apply this dual focus to evangelism, social involvement, church planting, world missions, discipleship, pastoral care, spirituality, theology, apologetics, youth and children's work. As this insightful book calls the body of Christ to rethink its perspective and practice of church, it charts a middle path between the emerging church movement and conservative evangelicalism that all believers will find helpful.
It's about heart change, not behavior change. That's the conviction of Tim Chester as he seeks to help everyday Christians "connect the truth about God with our Monday-morning struggles." This interactive book, laid out in workbook fashion, is for newer Christians struggling with sin and for more mature Christians who have plateaued in their faith as they seek to find victory over sin in their lives. With a conviction that sanctification is God's work and the journey to holiness is joyful, Chester guides readers through a "change project"-beginning with the selection of one area of life they would like to modify. Each chapter includes a question (e.g., Why would you like to change? What truths do you need to turn to?) to guide readers as they deal with a specific sin or struggle, truths from God's word, and a reflection guide to help readers through their change project.
HOW DOES THE CHURCH REACH THE UNCHURCHED? We live in an increasingly post-Christian culture. More and more we find ourselves on the margins as less and less people have any intention of ever attending church. What used to work doesn’t work anymore and we need to adapt. Helping us to see the way forward, this book offers practical ideas and personal stories for engaging with Western society. Find out how to effectively reach people in the context of everyday life and take hold of the opportunity to develop missional communities focused on Jesus.
How does the eschatological future impinge on the present? Is the kingdom of God present outside the confession of Christ in movements towards social justice? Is Christian hope a stimulus to social involvement or an alternative? And how does the present impinge on the eschatological future? What is the relationship between our actions now and the new creation? Is there eschatological continuity between the two? J. rgen Moltmann, one of our most influential contemporary theologians, has had much to say both on eschatology and its relationship to mission. This book explores his thought along with evangelical responses to it. Eschatology has been central to evangelical debates about social involvement ever since the Laussanne Congress in 1974. The book examines how evangelicals themselves have related hope and mission. The book highlights the important contribution Moltmann has made while offering a critique of his thought from an evangelical perspective. In so doing, it touches on pertinent issues for evangelical missiology. The conclusion takes John Calvin as a starting point, proposing ean eschatology of the crossi which offers a critique of the over-realized eschatologies in liberation theology and triumphalistic forms of evangelicalism. iThis is a work of major importance, engaging with crucial themes and leading Christian thinkers. A must read for all reaective evangelicals. Tim Chesteris work is always good, but this is the best yet.i- Martyn Atkins Principal, Cliff College, Calver, UK Despite the attention of Moltmann and despite intra-evangelical debate on the nature of mission over the last three decades, the task of bringing Moltmann and evangelicalism into dialogue has remained on the table for some time. Tim Chester takes up the agenda. His combination of practical experience in mission and theological ability, equip him well for this task and the result is a study which brings academic reasoning to bear on Christian thought about eschatology and its vital connection with the missionary responsibility of the church. It rewards our careful attention.- Stephen Williams Professor of Systemic Theology at Union Theological College, Belfast iEschatology in relation to mission is often reduced to plans for Ohishingi the Great Commission as soon as possible, or to lurid end-time scenarios that feed our fantasy more than they fuel biblical mission. So it is refreshing to have this wide-ranging, in depth study of the theme that engages with one of the most well-known theologians of biblical hope, J, rgen Moltmann, alongside a number of renowned evangelical scholars, yet stays rooted in the text and vision of the Bible itself. This is searching theology in the service of biblical missiono as all theology ultimately should be.- Chris Wright International Director, Langham Partnership International
An inspiring collection of daily devotions and prayers from great Christian writers of the past, including Augustine, Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan, Catherine Parr and Martin Luther. The heart-warming words of these saints of old exalt the grace and glory of Christ's work, and will encourage and inspire readers as much today as they did when they were first written. Each daily reading has been selected, edited and introduced by Tim Chester to make these treasures accessible to every reader. They will help you reflect on Jesus in the run-up to Easter. Ideal to start at the beginning of Lent.
Do you say 'yes' to requests when really you mean to say 'no'? Do you feel permanently trapped by your 24/7 lifestyle? While offering practical help to busy Christians, Tim Chester also opts for root-and-branch treatment: you need to deal radically with the things that are driving you. If you're busy because of the following; 'I need to prove myself'; 'Otherwise things get out of control'; 'I like the pressure/money'; think again! At the root of our 'slavery' are serious misunderstandings, often reinforced by our culture. If we want to be free, then we need to counteract them with God's word. It's important to manage our time, but it's more important to manage our hearts. God has promised his rest to all who are weary and burdened (Matthew 11:28). It's up to us to accept it.
Expository guide to Revelation that can be read as a book; used as a devotional; and utilised in teaching and preaching Many Christians are confused by the book of Revelation. It moves from strange and disturbing images to warm and practical encouragement; from the fires of Hell to wonderful pictures of a glorious eternity. And yet the message of the final book of the Bible is both clear and simple. Despite everything that is going wrong with our world, God remains in control. And when we see history, our present, and our future from heaven's perspective, it will encourage us to trust God and remain faithful to the end. This accessible, absorbing expository guide opens up this book for new and mature Christians alike. It is more applied than a typical commentary, making it a great resource for personal devotion, as well as useful for leading small group studies or sermon preparation.
1 Samuel is the story of battles and murders, schemes and betrayals, and shepherds and giants. It is also the history of what happened when God gave his people the king they wanted, and then gave his people the king they needed. And through it all, it paints a wonderful picture of the ultimate King God has chosen for his people, his Son Jesus. With his trademark insight and clarity, Tim Chester unpacks this part of the Old Testament for small groups, enabling them to appreciate Jesus' rule for his people, and to see how to live as his subjects today.
What does a close, joyful relationship with Jesus look like? Many of us often think how wonderful it must have been to experience Jesus’ physical presence as he walked on earth, without realizing that we can experience the joy of his presence and companionship here and now. In Enjoying Jesus, Tim Chester looks at how Jesus acted and interacted with people in Luke’s Gospel. But he doesn’t leave it there. He looks at how Jesus relates to us in the same way now, by his Spirit. Readers will be helped to understand how they can enjoy a close relationship with Jesus in their everyday lives. This book is ideal for anyone wanting to deepen their relationship with Jesus, especially those who feel disconnected from God or those going through the motions of the Christian life without joy. It will also help new Christians who want to understand how Jesus is with them by his Spirit. Each chapter includes reflection questions and practical suggestions on how to experience a close, joyful relationship with Jesus. The accompanying discussion guide makes this a useful resource for small groups. This is the sequel to Tim Chester’s popular book Enjoying God.
Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are more than just water, bread, and wine. They are God’s promises to us in physical form. What is happening when someone passes through the waters of baptism? What’s the significance of eating bread and drinking wine together as a church on Sunday mornings? What’s the point of these physical substances? Tim Chester guides us through the Bible, explaining how the sacraments, embodying the promises of God in physical form, were given to us to strengthen our faith and shape our lives. The physical bread, wine, and water are a confirmation of our union with Christ. Chester aims to help us treasure baptism and Communion and approach them rightly, so we can receive the full benefit God intends them to physically bring us.
An inspiring Advent journey into the heart of the Gospel message as you prepare for Christmas. Christmas is meant to be full of joy and light; but all too often it is spoiled by grumbling and arguing. So this year, prepare to encounter Christ afresh in a way that will make you a bearer of peace and goodwill all season long. In these 24 short daily readings for Advent, Tim Chester peels back the layers on Philippians 2. Each day includes ideas for reflection, prayer and application, designed to excite you about the One True Gift-the Lord Jesus-in the run-up to Christmas Day. This collection of inspiring readings also comes with hymns, carols and prayers to help you prepare your heart for Christmas.
Tim Chester unpacks this gripping part of Israel's history, revealing the wonderful portrait of Jesus painted there. 1 Samuel is a book of barrenness and battles, kings and schemes, shepherds and giants. It recounts the history of Israel as it moved from no king, to the king it demanded, to the king God knew his people needed. But its greatest excitement lies not in the events and characters, but in the person they all point to. 1 Samuel presents us with a wonderful picture of Jesus. Seeing him in and through this Old Testament book enables us to see him with fresh colour and texture, and see afresh what it means for us to follow him today as our Ruler and Rescuer. 1 Samuel is a book about ancient times, that speaks directly into ours. Written for people of every age and stage, from new believers to pastors and teachers, 1 Samuel For You can be used to: * READ: As a guide to this wonderful letter, exciting and equipping you to live out the truth in your life. * FEED: As a daily devotional to help you grow in Christ as you read and meditate on this portion of God’s word. * LEAD: As notes to aid you in explaining, illustrating and applying 1 Samuel as you preach or lead a Bible study. Whoever you are, and however you use it, this is... 1 Samuel For You 1 Samuel For You can be used alongside Choose your king, Tim Chester's Bible study resource for small groups and individuals. Tim Chester is Director of the Porterbrook Seminary and a pastor in the Crowded House church network in Sheffield, England.
Have you lost your joy? Do you feel like you have to prove yourself? Does your Christian life feel routine and performance oriented, driven by duty and obligation? The letter of Galatians was written to Christians who had lost their joy— confronted with false messages about rules and regulations they needed to follow. Similar false messages provoked the start of the Protestant Reformation, and have continued to threaten the joy of Christians ever since. Exploring how the sixteenth-century Reformation was a return to the gospel joy originally preached to first-century Galatia, this book was written to help today’s Christians rediscover the path to true freedom and lasting joy in Jesus.
As Easter approaches, marvel at Jesus’ glory with these daily reflections on the transfiguration. This devotional looks at the transfiguration of Jesus in depth, giving readers a glorious lens through which to view Jesus during Lent and Easter. Tim Chester says in his introduction: “The transfiguration is a light that illuminates the meaning of the cross and resurrection. As we look deeper, we’ll discover that it’s not just Jesus who is transfigured. His promise is that we, too, can be transfigured by the light he brings to our lives.” As we see Jesus in all his glory, we will be reminded of how marvelous he is and how brilliant our future with him will be. We will be moved to worship Jesus with our whole lives, giving thanks for all that he is and all that he has done. Each of the 40 devotions includes prompts to reflect and pray.
Packed with diagrams, illustrations and timelines, this accessible overview unlocks the storyline of the whole Bible. Sometimes it’s hard to see the wood for the trees. Running through the many gripping and memorable stories the Bible contains is one big story of God’s plan for the world he made, and how he brought it about through Jesus Christ. Packed with diagrams, illustrations and timelines, this accessible Bible overview unlocks the storyline of the whole Bible €“ how God promised and then brought about the plan to save our fallen world. But this is no book of arid theological ideas. It is a story that will encourage effective, active Christian living in today's world. Looking at God's covenantal promises with Abraham, Moses and David, Tim Chester presents the 'big picture'‘ of the Bible and helps Christians understand the part in relation to the whole. From Creation to New Creation traces different elements of the promise and introduces: * A people: God's promise to save a people who will be His people * A land: God's promise to provide a place of blessing * A king: God's promise to re-establish his rule of freedom and peace * The nations: God's promise to bring his salvation to all the peoples of the world
By tracing the origins of mission right back to God's character, and then seeing how it unfolds throughout the storyline of the Bible, we begin to understand how important it is to him. As we see his heart for mission and the nations, we are challenged to discover God's plan for us too. Will this change our priorities as individuals and churches? Dare we see our place in God's plan and own the task of reaching the unreached? Contents 1 The Father's love 2 The Son's name 3 The Spirit's power 4 The Bible's story 5 The church's task 6 The cultural challenge 7 The global mandate Summary and leaders' notes This practical, thought-provoking and accessible resource is the latest in the popular IVP/Keswick Ministries series of study guides.
Pornography is everywhere, and many Christians have fallen prey to its snare. Tim Chester believes we can be captured by a better vision—a liberating confidence that God offers more than pornography does. Moving beyond pat answers or mere willpower, Chester offers spiritual, practical and corporate resources for living porn free.
Of course the Bible matters. It is God's word to us. It shows us how to please him. But how can we access its message? The author creates a sense of expectation so that reading the Bible becomes a Spirit-filled experience as we listen to the God of the universe speaking - amazingly - to us, to me, each day. The Bible is a living word where we encounter God. It is a personal word where we engage with God. It is a clear word - we can understand it, with the help of God's Holy Spirit. It is an intentional word, for God wants to achieve something through it in our lives. And it is a sufficient word, equipping us thoroughly for how we need to live. The Bible is a personal letter, medicine, a battle cry, a love story. And so, so much more. This book will enthuse you, even in those times when the experience of reading the Bible feels like hard work. The God of the universe is speaking to us intimately and personally - today. Contents: Introduction The God who speaks God spoke in the Bible God speaks in the Bible God speaks Jesus in the Bible The Bible is relational The Bible is intentional The Bible is enough The Bible is reliable The Bible is accessible Dying to read the Bible Why I love the Bible Hymn by Tim Chester
Shows how this foundational book foreshadows Christ, points to the new creation, and calls us to radical discipleship. Without Exodus, we have an impoverished understanding of the nature of God, the achievement of the cross, the triumph of the resurrection and the identity of God's people. With his trademark Christ-centred clarity, Tim Chester walks readers through Exodus, making its great themes thrillingly clear to those new to the book, and unearthing wonderful new surprises for those familiar with it. You can read through this book as a normal book... work through it as part of your daily Bible-reading routine using the questions for reflection at the end of each chapter... or use it to help you teach this book of the Bible, whether in small groups or from the pulpit.
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