First Ministry

The First Will Be Last: A Biblical Perspective on Narcissism is just what the title says - an A-Z look at the Biblical perspective on these toxic people; including who they are, how they got that way, and how to deal with them. From key words to Biblical case studies, it will unlock a new perspective and provide a framework in your search for truth.

Many Christians mistakenly believe that their only choice is either to reconcile themselves to a fundamentalist reading of scripture (a "literal-factual" approach) or to simply reject the Bible as something that could bring meaning and value into their lives. In Reading the Bible Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg shows how instead we can freshly appreciate all the essential elements of the Old and New Testaments - from Genesis to Revelation - in a way that can open up a new world of intelligent faith.

Once in a generation, a historian will redefine his field, producing a book that demands to be read or heard - a product of electrifying scholarship conveyed with commanding skill. Diarmaid MacCulloch's Christianity is such a book. Breathtaking in ambition, it ranges back to the origins of the Hebrew Bible and covers the world, following the three main strands of the Christian faith.

In an age of distraction, everyone is looking for something that gives purpose and perspective on life. Jesus says it's the kingdom of God. But the kingdom is not just another religious idea. Rather, God's loving reign brings clarity and coherence to all of life - identity, work, play, relationships, justice, character - in a way that is profound and practical. Seek First brings theology to the streets, giving a vision for the kingdom that will truly change your life.

In this book, Justin Martyr boldly defends the Christian faith before the Roman government. He addresses the core beliefs of the early church and refutes the lies spread abroad about them. A truly inspirational piece of literature that should not disappoint the hungry soul looking for pure doctrine and teaching. He truly was a man of God that held great understanding of godly virtue and wisdom. May you be abundantly blessed as you partake in this book!

Of the many recent books on the historical Jesus, none has explored what the latest biblical scholarship means for personal faith. Now, in Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time, Marcus Borg addresses the yearnings of those who want a fully contemporary faith that welcomes rather than oppresses our critical intelligence and openness to the best of historical scholarship. Borg shows how a rigorous examination of historical findings can lead to a new faith in Christ, one that is critical and, at the same time, sustaining.

In the book of 1 Corinthians, Paul addresses 11 problems, in two categories. In the Life-Study of 1 Corinthians, Witness Lee helps us see that Christ is the unique factor to solve the first six problems, and that the church is the unique factor to solve the final five problems.

A gospel, as ancient and authentic as any of the gospels that the Christian bible contains, was buried deep in the Egyptian desert after an edict was sent out in the 4th century to have all copies of it destroyed. Fortunately, some rebel monks were wise enough to refuse - and thanks to their disobedience and spiritual bravery, we have several manuscripts of the only gospel that was written in the name of a woman: The Gospel of Mary Magdalene.

The First and Second Books of Adam and Eve make up an apocryphal story, written in a midrash style, detailing the time from the planting of the Garden of Eden and creation of Adam to the time of Enoch. For those interested in angels and demons and the dialogue and tactics of Satan in his quest to destroy mankind, this book will be of special value. For serious students of religion and religious history, this book is a must-have.

Rev. Dr. Stephen De Young, creator of the popular The Whole Counsel of God blog and podcast, traces the lineage of Orthodox Christianity back to the faith and witness of the apostles, which was rooted in a first-century Jewish worldview. The Religion of the Apostles presents the Orthodox Christian Church of today as a continuation of the religious life of the apostles, which in turn was a continuation of the life of the people of God since the beginning of creation.

From the Encyclopedia Britannica: 1 John - The First Letter of John was apparently addressed to a group of churches where “false prophets", denounced as antichrist, denied the incarnation of Jesus and caused a secession so substantial that the orthodox remnant was sadly depleted. The faithful were deeply disturbed that the heresy found favour among pagans, and they apparently felt inferior because those who had left their midst claimed to have profound mystical experiences. The heretics asserted that they possessed perfection, were “born of God”, and were without sin.

In The First Christmas, two of today's top Jesus scholars, Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan, join forces to show how history has biased our reading of the nativity story as it appears in the gospels of Matthew and Luke. Borg and Crossan help us to see this well-known narrative afresh by answering the question, "What do these stories mean?" in the context of both the first century and the 21st century. They successfully show that the Christmas story, read in its original context, is far richer and more challenging than people imagine.

The First Epistle to the Corinthians claims no author except "the Church of God which sojourns at Rome", but the early church unanimously attributed it to Clement of Rome. This letter had a profound impact on the early church and was commonly read aloud to congregations even through the fourth century - a fact that demonstrates the letter's importance to the early believers and the endurance of the call to repentance found within its pages.

Moses is renowned as a great lawgiver, prophet, friend of God, and deliverer of his people. The events of his life, spanning four books of the Bible, resound throughout Scripture. In this epic undertaking, James M. Boice delves into the narrative to uncover its rich meaning and gospel application to our lives today. We can learn a lot from Moses about faithfulness, prayerfulness, meekness, and good leadership; we can even learn from his sins and failure! But Boice shows how we can also look beyond Moses and the Israelites to the awesome power of God.

This is a heartfelt book. I accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord in 1977. I answered Jesus’ call to ministry in 1980. So, I have been in ministry for many years. And being in ministry I am familiar with the unique issues people go through who serve the Lord. I have been the pastor of two churches during this time. I pastored in a denomination and a nondenominational church. The church I have served in since 1993 is a church the Lord used me to plant. For the first 17 years or so, I was bi-vocational; the Lord provided for my family and I through various jobs and eventually in a ...

"I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents..." So begins the first book in the Book of Mormon. In this brief theological introduction, philosopher and theologian Joseph M. Spencer investigates the central themes and purposes of a book he calls a "theological masterpiece". What was Nephi trying to accomplish with his writings? How can readers/listeners today make better sense of Nephi's words? What can an ancient seer offer readers/listeners in the 21st century? Spencer introduces a Nephi for our moment, a complex prophet with an urgent message for a world in turmoil.

A simple and sustainable path to a deep and satisfying walk with Christ. What if it were possible, Pastor Stovall Weems asks, to boil it all down to one practical, uncomplicated principle that would yield the vibrant, purposeful spiritual life so many are looking for? What if, in our relationship with God, we had one simple and sustainable touch point to experience a deep and satisfying walk with Christ? In The God-First Life, Weems shows that true success in our walk with God and in life in general is not an issue of need, but an issue of order.

We all want to live simpler lives and to put Jesus first – and we struggle with both. While we are busy strategizing new ways to streamline our calendars and clean out our closets of the clutter, what really needs attention is what will give us long-term clarity and peace — the priority order of Jesus over everything in our lives. In Jesus Over Everything, Lisa shares eight statements of choice to help us grow in our understanding of what it means to put Jesus first amid the craziness of our days.

Ever wondered if there were more writings from the first few centuries by Christians? Well the answer is - yes! There is much that the early Christians left us and they are available in this day and time. The New Testament is our rock to stand upon, but there are other works that we can glean from that are filled with godly wisdom and virtue. The 1st Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians is just that kind of work that can further your walk with Christ in this present day.

From a Biblical perspective of our human nature, we are "spirit and soul and body" (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Understanding each dimension of our being and how each is to relate to the others, according to God's created order, is a strategic key of the Kingdom of God. Come take hold of this key that will revolutionize and revitalize your spiritual journey! Our human spirit should abide in deep communion with God’s Holy Spirit. Then our human spirit—infused and led by the Holy Spirit—should direct the mind, will, and emotions of our human soul, which should manifest in the health and well...