Church of God in Christ Response Reading

After preaching on Ecclesiastes ii a few weeks agone, I had a few people ask me about what books I quoted from. Due to some good conversations over supplemental reading, I decided to write on 25 Books Every Christian Should Read.

Showtime, please know that the centre of all the pastors at Mountain Pleasant is for you lot to know, study and love the give-and-take of God in a higher place any other book. With that said, we practice believe that the Lord can use supplemental reading to assistance challenge and edify us. Besides, this is not an exhaustive list, knowing at that place are so many smashing writings that the Lord has used over the years. Even coming upwards with these 25, I consulted with our pastoral staff [and others] to meet if there were whatever they would add to this listing, considering I desired to take recommendations from all sorts of writers.

It'southward my prayer that all believers would claiming themselves in reading both the Scriptures and other readings that help us ameliorate empathise the Christian life and proper theology. If y'all e'er demand assistance finding a book on a particular subject, please practice not hesitate to contact any of our pastoral staff members.

With all of that said, here'due south a list of 25 books that every believer should read:

• Desiring God (John Piper) – 368 Pages

Desiring God has been one of the near influential books for me in my theology, ministry and walk with Christ. This book volition help you lot meliorate empathise that our satisfaction and longing should be in 1 matter: God. In a world where happiness can be plant in so many external things, Piper draws us toward the passions of God. John MacArthur says of Desiring God, "a must read for every Christian, and a banquet for the spiritually hungry." If you truly are wanting to learn more than from Scripture how your desires can exist the same every bit God'due south, and then I strongly recommend this volume.

• Knowing God (JI Packer) – 288 Pages

Do you take a desire to know more than almost God and His nature? If and so, I believe Knowing God will be a timeless piece of literature with how conspicuously information technology explains who God is. JI Packer is one of greatest theologians of the 20^th Century [and beyond] due to his clearly articulating the truth of God, so readers and listeners sympathise more about how crawly their God is. RC Sproul fifty-fifty says, "Knowing God is a masterpiece by a master theologian. It serves as a wake-up call for those who are asleep to the majesty of God." This book tin can claiming and edify any Christian at whatever stage of their walk with the Lord.

• Mere Christianity (CS Lewis) – 227 Pages

I've often said that Mere Christianity should be on the bookshelves of every believer because you never know when it could be used as an evangelism resource with an unbeliever. It's an easy read and can show how someone tin move from skepticism to truthful belief in Jesus Christ. Lewis explains the foundation of our organized religion while in the middle of living during WW2. Because this book is structured in such a way that information technology takes CS Lewis' broadcasts and puts them into a book that defends the faith, information technology is a great resources to walk through with a non-laic.

• The Dissipated God (Tim Keller) – 192 Pages

Tim Keller is one of the strongest Christian voices and apologists of our electric current twenty-four hour period. The Prodigal God, similar to Mere Christianity, has go a great resource to point not-believers to. Why? Tim Keller does an excellent job allowing u.s. to self-examine our belief of the story of the Dissipated Son, allowing us to encounter a clearer picture of the Prodigal God. Mark Dever adds, "This brief exposition is unsettling and surprisingly satisfying. Like seeing something as your own home, or your own self, with new eyes."

• Worship Matters (Bob Kauflin) – 304 Pages

Worship Matters is a great resource to empathize why everything we do as believers matters considering it's all about worship. Equally Bob Kauflin discusses a hard topic in our American churches, he explains that what we teach about worship and how nosotros lead in worship can exist just equally damaging to our organized religion as helpful. If our worship isn't based on revealing the nature of God, then information technology fuels the burn that worship is merely well-nigh self. Worship leaders, pastors, and every church member should read this book to help guide us in our worship. DA Carson even says, "Bob Kauflin is teaching a new generation to take corporate worship seriously in a fashion that is simultaneously biblically founded and addressing today'southward civilization." This book has been a "go to" for me anytime I'm trying to get a piddling deeper into the conversation of worship.

• The Holiness of God (RC Sproul) – 240 Pages

I'm not sure there'southward a theologian in our previous generation that I could mind to speak, read their books or hear them preach as consistently equally I could RC Sproul. The clarity with which he writes/speaks, including a depth in the knowledge of God, is extremely rare. In The Holiness of God, RC Sproul writes virtually how we should view our living God. Topics many Christian writers avert, Sproul hits caput on with fervency and vibrancy. The first time I read this book, I could non put it downward because information technology left me always wanting more than. Jerry Bridges says, "Every Christian who is serious well-nigh his or her growth needs to read The Holiness of God. I profited profoundly from this volume." Like-minded with Bridges, this is a must for all believers.

• The Attributes of God (AW Pink) – 127 Pages

This short book, along with Knowing God and The Holiness of God, is a bang-up book that explains thoroughly about the character of God. These biblical precepts in understanding our Creator allows us to non only know Him at a surface level, but know Him at a foundational level that changes everything nearly your view of God. You'll be encouraged past the depth and simplicity with which Pink writes, and you should walk away feeling you lot're changed by knowing God.

• The Gospel According to Jesus (John MacArthur) – 385 Pages

There are several John MacArthur books that could be added to this list equally he has written a number of marvelous books. The Gospel According to Jesus has get i of my favorite books due to the style it clearly articulates the gospel. As well many "church building goers" in American Christianity really practise non know what it ways to be saved. John MacArthur urges united states of america that Christian organized religion is much more than a one-time determination. If there's not fruit from the decision someone has made, are they truly a believer? This "piece of cake believes" has crept into our churches, and John MacArthur conspicuously explains that that's no gospel at all. Jesus must not only be our Savior, simply He must also exist our Lord. To larn more than virtually this topic, I believe The Gospel According to Jesus will help.

• Experiencing God (Henry Blackaby & Claude King) – 368 Pages

I get-go read Experiencing God and did the study when I was a teenager, and it actually opened my optics to truly trusting in the will that God had for my life. I've heard from endless numbers of people how this volume has been the nearly influential volume in their Christian walk, exterior of Scripture. Every bit you go through this book [and written report] equally a educatee of God's word, you'll be challenged not to have a surface level relationship with Christ, but ane that truly does depend on Him fully. Although this study has been around for a long fourth dimension, the truths taught in this book keep to help believers who are struggling to grow in their faith.

• Prayer (Tim Keller) – 336 Pages

Shortly after arriving at Mount Pleasant, Pastor Joey had recommended this book on Prayer to the pastoral staff and other leaders in the church. And allow me tell you lot … this has been the best book on prayer that I have read. Afterwards walking through some historical aspects on prayer, Tim Keller really does a groovy chore at challenging believers in their personal prayer life. Believers desire to make their prayer life more personal and powerful, and not redundant. Keller helps constitute a exercise that will help you experience more connected with the Lord through your prayer life. Allow the Lord to use this book to strengthen your prayer life.

• Pilgrim's Progress (John Bunyan) – 96 Pages

The Christian life is non meant to exist easy, but rather it's a difficult journey at times. The Pilgrim'due south Progress is a fictional book that really gives a keen representation of both the joy and struggles of a Christian life. Learning to get out sin behind, the main character turns to Jesus and desires to follow Jesus daily. You'll leave this volume desiring to exist faithful to the Lord in all things.

• The Toll of Discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer) – 320 Pages

Today'southward church often has a misunderstanding of what true discipleship and living for Jesus looks like. In this book we see how there'southward a cost to following Jesus in how nosotros alive our humanity and civic duty. Along the way, we may accept people disagree with how nosotros live considering it'due south non near condolement, just rather cede. If anyone understands the truthful cede in post-obit Jesus, it's Dietrich Bonhoeffer who left the comforts of America to render to Germany to button dorsum confronting the Nazi regime and Hitler. In my personal opinion, there's not a greater resource [outside of Scripture] that explains more clearly the truthful cede of post-obit Jesus.

• Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Donald Whitney) – 352 Pages

I had the privilege of reading Spiritual Disciplines my first semester of Seminary with Donald Whitney as my professor. More than any other supplemental resources, this volume has helped me clearly sympathise spiritual disciplines. This book will help guide you through many different disciplines; some that you may not have known were even a control from scripture. I truly believe this volition aid you lot grow in your organized religion and living out the gospel. Aslope of reading this, there's a great workbook that I strongly recommend going through.

• Confessions (Augustine) – 464 Pages

Written in the 4^th & 5^th Century, this could possibly be a little more hard of a read than others. Even though it may be a lilliputian more hard, I believe translators take done a proficient job at clearly interpreting it. Also, don't not read a book due to it being a little more hard of a read, because that'southward what nosotros practice sometimes with Scripture, and we should be challenged to read hard texts. In Confessions we meet an individual who struggles with surrendering over to Jesus, only when he does, it changes everything for him. This archetype has helped me become a clearer picture of redemption and turning away from sin. If yous truly take time to read and empathize this journey of Augustine of Hippo, y'all'll be thankful for the foundation he set for others in years to follow.

• Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (JI Packer) – 122 Pages

Evangelism has often become almost us convincing someone of a decision they must brand. If we truly believe in a sovereign God, we then realize we don't need to convince people of salvation but rather share the gospel and permit the Lord to do the work. JI Packer explains what faithful evangelism looks like while depending on the Father [and not self] to see the change in someone's life. This doesn't change whether nosotros do evangelism, but it allows the evangelist to just be true-blue and depend on God. If you're truly looking for a resource to challenge you lot in your evangelism, I would highly recommend Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God.

• The Insanity of God (Nik Ripken) – 384 Pages

The Insanity of God tells a story of a missionary couple who discovered that missions may non e'er be easy and glamorous, only totally worth it. They get through some of the nearly remarkable struggles you'll hear of, just in the terminate come across God's blessing and growth fifty-fifty from the difficult days. This will rip apart the eye of westernized Christianity and their mission causes. If yous're looking for a story to challenge you about your faithfulness in missions, please read this book. Yous will non be able to put it downwardly without weeping out to the Lord for forgiveness due to a lack of faith. Danny Aiken said of this volume, "It completely and utterly wrecked me. Half the time I found myself sitting in heartbreaking silence on the verge of tears, and the other one-half I found myself wanting to shout and trip the light fantastic toe over some of the stories." You'll affirm God'south faithfulness and goodness throughout the pages of this volume.

• Awe (Paul David Tripp) – 205 Pages

What truly captures your eye? What leads y'all in what you practise, say, and how you lot live? Is it the being in awe of God or the things of this world? Paul David Tripp in his book Awe pushes believers that their life should be seen in what they're gazing upon, and if it'south not God, then we're missing the mark. This book is an like shooting fish in a barrel read but will take you to depth of finding your complete satisfaction and joy in the Lord. Craig Groeschel says, "If you will read this book with a hungry and humble heart, God volition utilise it to deepen your passion for Christ as you rediscover just who God is and why we're invited to revel in his crawly glory." You should non be disappointed by this book.

• Lectures to My Students (Charles Spurgeon) – 443 Pages

If I could go dorsum in time and listen to whatsoever preacher [exterior of those in the bible] live, I would choose the "Prince of Preachers," Charles Spurgeon. In his teachings, preaching, and writings he clearly articulates the gospel. More than than any other pastor in the last few hundred years, Spurgeon was defended to making disciples of all nations. In this book, you'll discover a masterpiece of teachings that he taught to those whom he was discipling. These lectures are rich, inspiring, and challenging. I read this while in seminary and often point leaders and teachers in the church to this resource.

• Crazy Love (Francis Chan) – 224 Pages

I've had the privilege of leading four different groups through this book. In Crazy Beloved, Francis Chan challenges how believers live in response to the love that God has for the states. When people encounter the early on church, and live it out, it looks crazy. Every time I read this book it challenges me to think through how I'1000 finer living out the gospel. Am I simply comfortable with going through the routine or truly sacrificing for the good of those around me? If you read this be prepared to brand some life changes on how yous live for the glory of the Lord. Joni Eareckson Tada adds "In Crazy Love, Francis peels back what we think the Christian life is and guides united states down the path toward an uncommon intimacy with Jesus-an intimacy which can't help but change the world effectually united states!"

• Don't Waste product Your Life (John Piper) – 192 Pages

In 2003, John Piper spoke to fifty,000 college students preaching a message entitled Don't Waste Your Life. That sermon can also be seen in this volume format, explaining that we shouldn't be teaching our children and young people to chase after the "American Dream." We must stop wasting our lives on things that don't matter for eternity and start focusing our passion on living for Christ and His glory. This volume truly was an influential 1 early in my ministry building, because information technology challenges me not to get after success like I've heard for so long. There'south no incertitude that if you lot're a Christian, this book could help steer your heart toward the Lord.

• In the Grip of Grace (Max Lucado) – 233 Pages

One of the hardest concepts to understand is God's grace. The idea of understanding the grace of God is in that location is nothing that can split you from God if you're truly born-again. Max Lucado eloquently answers some of these difficult questions and doctrines in his book In the Grip of Grace. Many of these answers to life will often push button us to try harder, while Lucado describes a grace that self-propels you. If y'all're looking for a lite just compelling read on the grace of our Lord that volition deepen your agreement of His grace, you'll want to pick this book up quickly.

• Anybody is a Theologian (RC Sproul) – 357 Pages

We often must be reminded that anybody believes something about God. In believing something nigh God, you lot're a theologian. Although the word "theologian" tin be an intimidating word, we all must recognize that we all are theologians – skilful or bad. In his book Anybody'due south A Theologian, RC Sproul sets upward believers to have a expert foundation while moving into the topic of systematic theology. Sproul gives u.s. a launching pad into the earth of Systematic Theology, which we should embrace, not run away from.

• What is a Good for you Church Member? (Thabiti Anyabwile) – 128 Pages

We take seen a plethora of books written on what type of church y'all are or what it means to be a church, but few on what it looks similar to be a church member. By far, What is a Good for you Church Member is the best book I have seen or read on the responsibility and role as a church member. Far too often the church building is comprised up of members who experience as if the pastors/elders and deacons should do all the work. Thabiti Anyabwile explains biblically what the Bible instructs members of the church. I would dear if we got to a point where every fellow member of Mount Pleasant was given a copy of this when joining our church. John MacArthur says of this book, "In an era when Christians seem confused about what kind of community the church ought to be, here's a helpful handbook outlining the church'south true biblical priorities, especially as they apply to private church members."

• Taking God at His Word (Kevin DeYoung) – 144 Pages

Kevin DeYoung has go one of my favorite writers in contempo years due to clarity and sense of humor. In this short book we're challenged past asking if our lives truly prove we believe the word of God. It's piece of cake to say nosotros believe in Jesus, His word, and His teachings, but often our lives don't display that. This book volition help yous empathize what the Bible says about itself and encourage you to read, believe, and live what it truly says. David Platt says, "My trust in God's Discussion is greater, my submission to God'southward Word is deeper, and my love for God'due south Discussion is sweeter equally a consequence of reading this book." That's what I hope yous volition find by reading this book.

• Sky (Randy Alcorn) – 560 Pages

All believers probably have a want to know more virtually Sky. In this book, Randy Alcorn answers questions about Heaven yous have both thought and not idea near. This volume will assist united states not create a vision of heaven that comes from Hollywood, just one that is with real people and real bodies that we see in the pages of Scripture. If you have a want to know more than virtually the doctrine of Heaven, here's a great resource for you to start with. Joni Eareckson Tada says, "Randy does an awesome chore of answering people's toughest questions well-nigh what lies on the other side of death."

25 Other Books that Could've Fabricated This Listing:

• The Prayer That Turns the Earth Upside Down (Albert Mohler)
• The Knowledge of the Holy (AW Tozer)
• Ashamed of the Gospel (John MacArthur)
• Seeing with New Optics (David Powlison)
• Divided We Fall (Luder Whitlock Jr)
• Christ & Culture (DA Carson)
• For the Love of God (DA Carson)
• Gospel (JD Greear)
• Worship by the Book (DA Carson)
• The Reason for God (Tim Keller)
• Walking with God Through Hurting and Suffering (Tim Keller)
• Christ In the Passover (Ceil & Rosen Moishe)
• Style of the Master (Ray Comfort & Kirk Cameron)
• Explicit Gospel (Matt Chandler)
• Radical (David Platt)
• What is Reformed Theology (RC Sproul)
• The Lion, the Witch & The Wardrobe (CS Lewis)
• The Holy Spirit (Sinclair Ferguson)
• The Whole Christ (Sinclair Ferguson)
• Onward (Russell Moore)
• The Example for Christ (Lee Strobel)
• Authority (Martin Lloyd-Jones)
• How the Gospel Brings United states of america All The Way Home (Derek Thomas)
• Does God Care How We Worship? (Ligon Duncan)
• A Quest for Godliness (JI Packer)

What are other resources (and recommendations) Christian should have?

• Study Bible
  • ESV Report Bible
  • John MacArthur Study Bible
  • Reformation Study Bible
• Commentary
  • John MacArthur Commentary
  • Christ-centered Exposition
  • Andrew's Expositional Commentary
• Concordance
  • Strong's Concordance
• Systematic Theology Books
  • Systematic Theology (Wayne Grudem)
  • Christian Theology (Millard Erickson)
  • Theology for the Church (Danny Alike)
  • Systematic Theology (Robert Culver)
• Biblical Theology Books
  • Biblical Theology (Michael Lawrence)
  • Biblical Theology (Roark & Cline)
  • God's Glory in Salvation Through Judgment (James Hamilton)
  • Life's Big Questions (Vaughn Roberts)
  • Old Testament (Mark Dever)
  • New Testament (Mark Dever)
• Hermeneutics: Agreement Studying the Bible
  • Getting The Message (Daniel Doriani)
  • According to Programme (Graham Goldsworthy)
  • CrossTalk (Michael Emlet)
  • Gospel Centered Hermeneutics (Graham Goldsworthy)
  • How to Read the Bible Book past Book (Fee Stuart)
• Church History
  • Documents of the Christian Church (Bettenson & Maunder)
  • Church building History (Woodbridge & James)
  • The Story of Christianity (Gonzalez)
• Cults
  • The Kingdom of Cults (Walter Martin)
• Devotions
  • Utmost for His Highest (AW Tozer)
  • 365 Days with Spurgeon (Charles Spurgeon)
  • Daily Reflections from the Life of Christ (John MacArthur)

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Source: https://mpbclife.com/25-books-every-christian-should-read/

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