“GOD WITH US: REFLECTIONS ON THE INCARNATION” BY CHARLES SPURGEON

Christmas is a time for beholding the glory of Christ. This collection of reflections by the great 19th century pastor and preacher, Charles Spurgeon, helps us do just that. In this book, Spurgeon unpacks the most wonderful and glorious of realities: that God has come to be with us. His meditations on the key scriptures of the Christmas story stir up the reader to sing and savor the glories of the Savior. Here’s an excerpt from the book:

“Glory to God in the highest.” The instructive lesson to be learned from this opening note of the angel’s song is that salvation is God’s highest glory. He is glorified in every dewdrop that twinkles in the morning sunshine. He is magnified in every wood flower that blossoms in the copse, although it is born to blush unseen of man, and may seem to waste its sweetness on the forest air. God is glorified in every bird that warbles on the trees, and in every lamb that skips in the meadows. Do not the fishes of the sea praise Him? From the tiny minnow to the huge leviathan, do not all creatures that swim in the waters laud and magnify His great Name? Do not all created things extol Him? Is there aught beneath the sky, save man, that doth not glorify God? Do not the stars exalt Him, when they flash His brightness in arrows of light piercing the midnight darkness? Do not the thunderpeals extol Him when they roll like drums in the march of the God of armies? Do not all things that He hath made, from the least even to the greatest, exalt Him?

But sing, sing, O universe, till thou hast exhausted thyself, yet thou canst not chant an anthem so sweet as the song of Incarnation!…There is more melody in Jesus in the manger than in the whole sublime oratorio of the Creation. There is more grandeur in the song that heralds the birth of the Babe in Bethlehem than there is in worlds on worlds rolling in silent grandeur around the throne of the Most High…The whole of God is glorified in Christ; and though some part of the Name of God is written in the material universe, it is best read in Him who was the Son of man, and also the Son of God.”

You can purchase a copy of the book here.

“PROPHET, PRIEST AND KING” BY RICHARD BELCHER JR.

Every month, we’ll supply you with a recommendation to add to your library. This is by no means mandatory, but in a world of information overload, it’s important to discern what is valuable, fruitful and helpful from what is either distracting, unhelpful or even worse, damaging to your soul. This month’s book of the month will help you to follow along in our current series in 1 Samuel as well as our upcoming Christmas series. Most importantly, this book will grow your affections for Christ as your understanding of the depth and breadth of His love is expanded by your understanding of His fulfillment of the roles of prophet, priest and king, Pick up the book today.

You can purchase a copy of the book here.

DEEPER: REAL CHANGE FOR REAL SINNERS BY DANE ORTLUND

This month’s book of the month part of a series of books from Union publishing.

In this book, Dane Ortlund points believers to Christ, making the case that sanctification does not happen by doing more or becoming better, but by going deeper into the wondrous gospel truths that washed over them when they were first united to him.

Deeper by Dane Ortlund is on sale right now. You can buy a copy here.

THE HOLINESS OF GOD BY R.C. SPROUL

This month’s book of the month is a time-tested classic that effectively teaches Christians about the holy character of the God we serve. Here’s the summary from Ligonier Ministries:

“Central to God’s character is the quality of holiness. Yet, even so, most people are hard-pressed to define what God’s holiness precisely is. Many preachers today avoid the topic altogether because people today don’t quite know what to do with words like “awe” or “fear.” Dr. R.C. Sproul, in this classic work, puts the holiness of God in its proper and central place in the Christian life. He paints an awe-inspiring vision of God that encourages Christian to become holy just as God is holy.”

Buy The Holiness of God by R.C. Sproul Here

Buy La Santidad de Dios by R.C. Sproul Here

ACCORDING TO PLAN BY GRAEME GOLDSWORTHY

EVANGELIO Y REINO POR GRAEME GOLDSWORTHY

Understanding the massive diversity and complexity of the Bible can make it a daunting project for anyone to tackle. Getting a grasp on the unity of the Bible, its central message from Genesis to Revelation, helps immensely in understanding the meaning of any one book or passage. That is the goal of the study of what is called “Biblical Theology” and what Graeme Goldsworthy has accomplished effectively in this introductory book. How do the Old and New Testament fit together? What is the point of biblical theology? What is the overall story of the Bible? What difference does it make? This introductory text answers these questions with an integrated theology of both Old and New Testaments that avoids unnecessary technicalities.

Purchase the English version here

Compra la versión en Español aquí

1 & 2 SAMUEL ESV JOURNAL

We’re already halfway through our Psalms summer sermon series. Following this series, we’ll head into the fall and winter of 2021 with the book of 1 Samuel. To help you follow along with this series and dig deep into God’s Word revealed through this wonderful Old Testament book, not only are we recommending the 1-2 Samuel ESV Journal for you, we are purchasing a journal for every adult in the church. These will be distributed during an upcoming Sunday service.

So, begin reading through 1 Samuel. Find a favorite pen to accompany this journal. And get ready to take sermon notes as God writes His truth on your heart.

TRUE FEELINGS BY CAROLYN MAHANEY AND NICOLE MAHANEY WHITACRE

The Psalms, according to John Calvin, are an “anatomy of all the parts of the soul”. They don’t shy away from human emotion and feelings, but rather give us a theological lens through which we can rightly understand the emotions we experience. This month’s book of the month will help you to press even further into this understanding. Written by two godly women, primarily toward women, our June book of the month has a decidedly feminine appeal. Nevertheless, whoever you are, God created you as an emotional being, so listen well to this summer sermon series and pick up this book and give it a read.

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE

PURCHASE THE AUDIOBOOK HERE

REJOICE AND TREMBLE: THE SURPRISING GOOD NEWS OF THE FEAR OF THE LORD

“Fear is one of the strongest human emotions—and one that often baffles Christians. In the Bible the picture can seem equally confusing: Is fear a good thing or a bad thing? And what does it mean to “fear the Lord”?

In Rejoice and Tremble, Michael Reeves clears the clouds of confusion and shows that the fear of the Lord is not a negative thing at all, but an intensely delighted wondering at God, our Creator and Redeemer.”

PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SPIRITUAL GIFTS BY SAM STORMS

Throughout the books of Acts, the presence, activity and empowering of the Holy Spirit has been a major theme. It’s a theme that didn’t cease, however, with the conclusion of the 28th chapter. The Spirit’s work in the early New Testament church set a paradigm, a model and an expectation for how the Church would be empowered by the Holy Spirit for the rest of history until Jesus returns.

But what does seeking His power and guidance look like? What gifts does He give and how do we faithfully walk in and pursue them? This month’s book of the month helpfully answers those questions and others. If you’re at all interested in growing and learning about the Biblical application of spiritual gifts, we’d highly recommend this book to you. Our prayer is that the Lord builds our church up into Christ as you grow in your understanding and application (Eph. 4:15).

Buy the book on Amazon here

SEEK FIRST - HOW THE KINGDOM OF GOD CHANGES EVERYTHING

Jeremy Treat, pastor at Reality Church in LA, offers what amounts to an outstanding introduction to the Gospel through the lens of the Kingdom of God in a way that’s understandable to Christians of all ages. A book recently read and highly recommended by both pastor Kyle and pastor Jeff, Seek First is a rare find among books that are published by young contemporary authors.

Treat opens the book with a strong statement: “The key to life is finding what matters most and building your life around it”. He concludes that the answer to what matters most is what Jesus talked the most about and instructed His followers to “seek first” - the Kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33). As we continue our Sunday preaching series in Acts, where we watch the Kingdom of God breaking into the world, Seek First is a great complement to aid your understand of what God’s Kingdom is and what it means to actually live seeking His kingdom in all of life.

YOU CAN PURCHASE THE BOOK HERE