Letters To A Troubled Church

Your faith is challenged daily. We live in a society that has few absolutes, where “truth” is defined by personal philosophies. It’s really not so different from the culture of Corinth during the apostle Paul’s ministry. Believers were struggling with the “gray areas” of life, so Paul wrote letters—1 and 2 Corinthians—to remind them of what God intended as black-and-white. In Letters to a Troubled Church, Bible teacher Ray Stedman uses Paul’s epistles to guide us through difficult matters.

Discipleship is one of the main elements of Jesus' ministry. While the Lord spent a lot of time teaching, preaching, healing the sick, and casting out demons, Jesus made sure to set aside time to disciple the twelve men whom He had chosen to closely work with Him in His ministry. This is one of Paul's most spirited letters -- harsh in some spots. It is probably Paul's most important letter for understanding what a healthy church should look like. More than anywhere else in Paul's letters, you'll find instruction on church unity, balanced worship, church discipline, the resurrection, and Christ's coming, and marriage. The Letter contains numerous notable verses. Here's just a sampling: "We have the mind of Christ." (2:16) "I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some." (9:22) "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man...." (10:13) "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ." (11:1) "The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread...." (11:23-26) "Now to each one, the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good." (12:7) "Love is patient, love is kind...." (13:4-8)

What does God want for His Church? For your church? Building on each of the nine chapters of his latest book, Letters to the Church, Francis Chan urges Christ-followers to ask honest questions about the structure and values of our churches; study God’s commands for the body of Christ; pray in expectation of the Spirit’s power; and get excited about doing whatever it takes to be the Church God desires. Journey with those around you—in your community, your church, or your small group—and take intentional steps toward living out the biblical principles that fueled a world-changing movement. Don’t settle for just going to church. Be the Church. With the Letters to the Church Study Guide, be challenged and guided to passionately pursue Christ and His magnificent, beautiful vision for His Bride. Designed to be used with the Letters to the Church Video Series (available separately).

Love Letters to the Church is a clarion cry from a loving God to the body of Christ, to KNOW HIM, not just know about Him. He longs to draw us with cords of love into the intimate closeness that can come only from knowing His heart. A person could spend his whole life in church doing all the things he feels a Christian should do and never really come to know the God of his salvation. Yes, we can repeat the sinner's prayer, but "getting saved" and becoming a believer is not just about getting fire insurance to keep us out of hell. True Christianity is all about a personal relationship with the living God, through the Lord Jesus Christ, and by the power of the Holy Spirit. As you feel God's heartstrings drawing you to a closer and more passionate walk, may you also hear Him calling you to be part of His end-time army, and ultimately, His victorious church. You will be telling the Good News of Jesus, healing the sick, setting the captives free, and preparing a people for Christ's return. The time is too short; we must be ready. Occupy! Occupy! Occupy!

This landmark missive from one of the greatest activists in history calls for direct, non-violent resistance in the fight against racism, and reflects on the healing power of love.

A profound exploration of how to hold on to hope when our unchanging faith collides with a changing culture, from two respected Christian storytellers and thought leaders. “Offers neither spin control nor image maintenance for the evangelical tribe, but genuine hope.”—Russell Moore, president of ERLC As the pressures of health warnings, economic turmoil, and partisan politics continue to rise, the influence of gospel-focused Christians seems to be waning. In the public square and popular opinion, we are losing our voice right when it’s needed most for Christ’s glory and the common good. But there’s another story unfolding too—if you know where to look. In Gospelbound, Collin Hansen and Sarah Eekhoff Zylstra counter these growing fears with a robust message of resolute hope for anyone hungry for good news. Join them in exploring profound stories of Christians who are quietly changing the world in the name of Jesus—from the wild world of digital media to the stories of ancient saints and unsung contemporary activists on the frontiers of justice and mercy. Discover how, in these dark times, the light of Jesus shines even brighter. You haven’t heard the whole story. And that’s good news.

Sometimes, churches need a little help. These days, some don't know who they are and don't know what they're supposed to be doing. Churches today are trying anything and everything to be effective, but are bewildered by worship styles, spectator syndrome, and consumerism. In the meantime, people are hungry for a relationship with a God who has substance--a God with character and integrity, and a God of grace. And they're having trouble finding such a God in churches today. Seven Letters to Seven Churches is written to challenge the church to be what God created us to be and then do what God created us to do: join Him in His mission to save the world.