A question was brought up at church during a Question/Answer session that I thought would be good to post a blog about. Someone asked Pastor John which books had he read (besides the Bible) that were most influential to him. I suppose John will want to post his own list of books at some later date when he returns from his sabbatical, but I thought I would post a list of books that were particularly influential to me. It is probably important to note first that I am not as well-read as Pastor John, so his list of books come from a greater pool of knowledge. Also, this list is not my attempt at the best books ever written (I'm sure others will have suggestions of books that were left off the list), only the books that have made the strongest impact on my life. With that said, here is my list of books (not in any particular order):
1. Disciplines of a Godly Man, R. Kent Hughes
This book was particularly influential during college in helping me understand biblically what it means to be a strong, godly man. It became even more important to me after I was able to sit under Kent Hughes' teaching during a class in seminary and to see that he not only wrote it, but lives it as well. I remember thinking after reading this book that there are a great many aspects about my life that need to change.
2. The Gospel according to the Apostles, John MacArthur (a.k.a. Faith Works)
This book was a bit less technical than its prequel (The Gospel according to Jesus). It was the book that really helped me get my arms around the whole "Lordship Salvation" issue. MacArthur does a great job proving from Scripture that a changed life is indicative of true saving faith.
3. Today's Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic, Walter Chantry
One of the greatest finds you can make is small books with huge impact. Today's Gospel is one such book. Using the story of the rich young ruler from the book of Mark, Chantry walks through a biblical presentation of the whole gospel. A great book to read along with this one is Will Metzger's, Tell the Truth.
4. Let the Nations Be Glad, John Piper
After reading this book, it's hard not to want to travel to the ends of the earth preaching the gospel of Christ. Piper's missiology is refreshingly God-centered. The book begins by hammering down this thought, "Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't."
5. Light from Old Times, J. C. Ryle
Ryle's account of the English Reformers who were burned at the stake by "Bloody Mary" is incredibly moving and inspiring. As you read through the lives of men like Hugh Latimer, John Hooper, Nicholas Ridley, and Thomas Cranmer, your heart will be set on fire because you will know the sacrifices men have made for the sake of the gospel.
6. Holiness, J. C. Ryle
Each chapter in this book cut like a knife into my heart. I felt like Isaiah when he saw the holiness of God in Isaiah 6, "Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts." Ryle helped me attain a glimpse of God's holiness and a greater awareness of the necessity of holy living for the believer.
7. When People Are Big and God Is Small, Ed Welch
I did not think I had a big problem with the fear of man before I read this book. After I read this book I realized how much of my life was governed by the way others viewed me. Welch confronted my pride like few other books have ever done and helped me see a problem in myself that I previously had not seen.
8. Brothers, We Are Not Professionals, John Piper
This book has been helpful in understanding the importance of biblical pastoral ministry. Since I have not finished it yet, I can't give a complete review. But Pastor John, Raymond Kim, and I have been going through it together and so far it has been a tremendous blessing. It is not only for pastors. Any believer would be helped by reading this book. The chapter on a biblical view towards baptism is especially good.
9. Lectures to My Students, Charles Spurgeon
If you are considering full-time ministry as a pastor or missionary, this book is required reading. Spurgeon deals with a number of issues regarding the heart of the man who is called by God for pastoral ministry. He will help you think through the decision-making process of going into ministry.
10. Can Man Live without God? Ravi Zacharias
This is a great book that takes on some of the philosophies of the world . . . and beats them to a pulp. It was a particularly great book for me since I minored in philosophy in college. It helped answer many questions I had about answers to critics of the Bible and it helps to show the utter meaninglessness of life without Creator God.
Honorable Mentions:
The Cross-Centered Life, C. J. Mahaney
Spiritual Leadership, J. Oswald Sanders
Fundamentals of the Faith, Grace Community Church
Desiring God, John Piper
The Minister as Shepherd, Charles Jefferson
Repentance and 20th Century Man, C. John Miller
The Gospel according to Jesus, John MacArthur
The Master's Plan for the Church, John MacArthur
Tell the Truth, Will Metzger
Not Even a Hint, Joshua Harris
Nine Marks of a Healthy Church, Mark Dever
The Pursuit of Holiness, Jerry Bridges
I'm sure there are more, but this is what I can think of off the top of my head. I'll have to peruse my shelves to see if I've forgotten any.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Monday, July 03, 2006
EV in the Community
The Argentina Mission team had an opportunity this past Sunday to go door to door in order to share the gospel with our neighbors in the local community. This was an important part of our missions training since this is what we will mostly be doing in Tucuman. Aside from the 100 degree weather, things were really amazing. The team came back with really encouraging testimonies as well as lessons learned and even funny experiences. All in all, it was a profitable time to practice much of what we have been covering in our team meetings - understanding the whole gospel and preaching it to others.
One reflection I had as I was knocking on doors was how sad it was that people refused to even listen to the gospel. Some simply said they weren't interested and closed their doors. Others gave a look of scorn as they informed me that they were of another faith. Others were polite but refused to listen nonetheless. I couldn't help but remember Jesus' lesson in Matthew 19:23. It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. In affluent San Diego, where the people are comfortably living their plush lives, it will be hard for people to respond to the gospel message. Who will recognize their desperate need for a Savior if they are enjoying everything their heart desires? Who needs Jesus when you have a home, a car (or two or three), cable TV, wireless internet, multiple bank accounts, and an IRA?
The hope that I carried with me as I talked to those in the neighborhood was that God is sovereign in evangelism! Without this truth, I might have given up and simply conceded that no one would listen. But the promise that kept resonating in my mind was that God might have other sheep in the community (John 10:16). Though house after house might close their doors to the message of the gospel, there might be one household who would be ready to hear the Word of truth, to trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior, and to live new lives as new creations for His glory.
I was so encouraged to find the team enthusiastic about the experience. We went out into the community tired and hot. We returned with our hearts strengthened and much more prepared to handle the barrios of Tucuman. Praise the Lord!
One reflection I had as I was knocking on doors was how sad it was that people refused to even listen to the gospel. Some simply said they weren't interested and closed their doors. Others gave a look of scorn as they informed me that they were of another faith. Others were polite but refused to listen nonetheless. I couldn't help but remember Jesus' lesson in Matthew 19:23. It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. In affluent San Diego, where the people are comfortably living their plush lives, it will be hard for people to respond to the gospel message. Who will recognize their desperate need for a Savior if they are enjoying everything their heart desires? Who needs Jesus when you have a home, a car (or two or three), cable TV, wireless internet, multiple bank accounts, and an IRA?
The hope that I carried with me as I talked to those in the neighborhood was that God is sovereign in evangelism! Without this truth, I might have given up and simply conceded that no one would listen. But the promise that kept resonating in my mind was that God might have other sheep in the community (John 10:16). Though house after house might close their doors to the message of the gospel, there might be one household who would be ready to hear the Word of truth, to trust in Christ as their Lord and Savior, and to live new lives as new creations for His glory.
I was so encouraged to find the team enthusiastic about the experience. We went out into the community tired and hot. We returned with our hearts strengthened and much more prepared to handle the barrios of Tucuman. Praise the Lord!
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