Kirjahaku

What are spiritual gifts?Storms has spent several decades teaching on the topic of the spiritual gifts and equipping believers in the faithful practice of God's gifts. Yet there remains a great deal of confusion about the nature of the gifts and how they best function in the body of Christ.In this comprehensive guide to the spiritual gifts, Storms addresses the many bizarre and misleading interpretations while confronting the tendency to downplay the urgency of spiritual gifts for Christian living and ministry. He explains how spiritual gifts--both the more miraculous and the everyday--are given to build up the body of Christ.God has graciously provided these "manifestations of the Spirit" so that believers might encourage, edify, strengthen, instruct, and console one another, all with a view to an ever-increasing, incremental transformation into the image of Jesus Christ. Throughout this guide, Sam Storms unpacks the glorious truth that there is a supernatural and divine energy or power that fills and indwells the body and soul of every Christian believer.Understanding Spiritual Gifts is useful as a reference to address common questions about the gifts, but it also serves as a training manual for using and exercising the gifts in ministry. It is perfect for any individual or group who wants to grow in their understanding of spiritual gifts for today.

A Comprehensive Theological Guide to the Practice and Power of PrayerIn Understanding Prayer, author, pastor, and scholar Sam Storms unpacks the meaning and power of prayer through a close reading of Scripture with special focus on the life and ministry of Jesus, the apostle Paul, and James. With scholarly wisdom and pastoral application, he addresses topics like persisting in prayer, praying for pleasure, and warfare prayer, exploring how prayer is a profoundly supernatural experience. He also addresses several controversial texts and challenging questions about prayer including:Does prayer really change anything?Why praying in Jesus's name is not a magical incantationThe most shocking prayer the apostle Paul never prayedHow we can ask God for wisdom to make sense of the seemingly senselessSuffering, healing, and the prayer of faithHow prayer brings us peace and imparts spiritual wisdomUnderstanding Prayer is an indispensable resource, serving as both a comprehensive analysis and a practical guide for those seeking God through prayer. It offers a journey into the heart of prayer, transforming it from a mere ritual to a deeply personal spiritual experience that develops and grows our knowledge, understanding, and hunger for God.

Step into a deeper understanding of worship with Understanding Worship by pastor and scholar Sam Storms. Storms challenges conventional perceptions of worship, encouraging readers to approach God with a heart ready to receive all his goodness as we find our delight and satisfaction in God's love.Through compelling biblical examples, Storms demonstrates how worship can lead to a profound experience of freedom and joy as you better understand:The demon-defeating, heart-healing power of praiseHow to worship without insulting GodThe contrast between new covenant and old covenant worshipThe place of money in worshipA Revelation vision of the throne of GodHow charismatic worship is similar and different from other types of worshipStorms includes several addendums and appendices as well that address tough topics like the wrath of God, the question of spontaneous baptism, and the question of whether Christians and Muslims worship the same God.

Your Gifts Reveal God's Presence and PowerThe apostle Paul wrote, "There are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. . . . To each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (1 Cor. 12:4,7). But what are these spiritual gifts? How do you know if you possess them? And, if you do, how do you use them?In The Beginner's Guide to Spiritual Gifts, Sam Storms will help you answer basic and foundational questions about the what, why, and how of the unique gifts God gives to each of His children. You will discover the purpose of spiritual gifts in the Church and learn how to identify your special mix of gifting. In addition, you will find out how the Holy Spirit uses the supernatural manifestation of gifts to demonstrate God's presence and power among His people.God has gifted you . . . now learn how to use His good gifts for His glory!

Created for the next generation of believers, the dynamic new Holy Spirit Essentials series introduces foundations of faith for living a Spirit-empowered life. Taken from the trusted teachings of leading Christian voices, these updated, concise, easy-to-read overviews include real-world applications, related Scriptures, and prayers. This vital installment introduces foundational beliefs and hands-on instruction on the topic of spiritual gifts. From the insightful teaching of renowned theologian and apologist Sam Storms, this quick-reference guide outlines the basics of the spiritual gifts, including how to· understand the purpose of spiritual gifts in the church· identify your own unique gifting· grow and move powerfully in your God-given gifts· explore nine extraordinary biblical giftsFull of biblical wisdom and everyday application, this is your go-to handbook on spiritual gifts--whether you're new to them or have been using them for years.

In his third book of daily meditations, Sam Storms urges readers to not just enter into God's Word but to take the next step toward knowing him and his Word better. And the book of Psalms, Storms believes, is a great place to start, because Psalms is so popular and so very relevant to our experiences today. In More Precious Than Gold, Storms combines years of life experience and his biblical and theological training to bring readers 50 brief, daily meditations that are both stylistically accessible and theologically substantive. Each meditation includes a historical or theological reflection on the psalm in context, a story that brings it alive, and creative tools to support the key idea. Storms also interweaves the words of such luminaries as Charles Spurgeon, Jonathan Edwards, and John Piper to help readers better understand the concepts that are featured throughout Psalms: worship, prayer, joy, forgiveness, steadfast love, mercy, sin's consequences, the law of the Lord, and our relationship with our enemies. Like the Psalter, Storms doesn't shy away from the tough issues. Instead, he encourages readers to experience through these daily meditations what he and generations of Christians have found to be true: that the whole of the Christian faith is about lifting God higher and magnifying his name-even during difficult times.

Paul's affection for the Corinthian church and his endurance through hardship for their joy testifies to his deep devotion to Christ. His example and instruction in this letter inspires us to find our joy in Jesus. In both volumes of A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ, Storms provides readers with fifty daily meditations on this great epistle that are both accessible and substantive. His analysis and application of the biblical text make these meditations suitable for private devotions or small group studies, or as a commentary for Bible study, Sunday School lessons, or sermon preparation.

Paul's affection for the Corinthian church and his endurance through hardship for their joy testifies to his deep devotion to Christ. Paul's example and instruction in this letter inspires us to find our joy in Jesus. In both volumes of A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ, Storms provides readers with fifty daily meditations on this great epistle that are both accessible and substantive. His analysis and application of the biblical text make these meditations suitable for private devotions or small group studies, or as a commentary for Bible study, Sunday School lessons, or sermon preparation.

Will there be sex in heaven?Are miraculous gifts for today?Does God ever change His mind? Such difficult questions often intrigue us, readily confuse us, and sometimes disturb us. Drawing on nearly 40 years of teaching and ministry experience, pastor-scholar Sam Storms answers 25 challenging questions Christians are often too afraid to ask, addressing thorny issues ranging from the eternal destiny of infants to the roles of demons and angels. The robust, thoughtful answers provided in this book offer a helpful alternative to relying on simplistic explanations, and will encourage you in the search for truth and clarity on such tough topics.

J. I. Packer is widely recognized as a pillar of 20th-century evangelicalism and has had a profound impact on millions of Christians living today. Now in his late eighties, Packer still exerts an enormous influence on pastors and laypeople around the world through his many books, articles, and recorded lectures—works that overflow with spiritual wisdom related to the Christian life. In this soul-stirring book, well-known pastor Sam Storms explores Packer’s legacy and profound insights into prayer, Bible study, the sovereignty of God, the Christian’s fight against sin, and more, offering readers the chance to learn from a true evangelical titan. The importance of Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck to Reformed theology is difficult to overstate. Bavinck's comprehensive four volume systematic theology, Reformed Dogmatics, is a modern classic that has influenced countless pastors and theologians over the past 100 years. In Bavinck on the Christian Life, scholar John Bolt brings the great Dutch theologian’s life and work to bear on following Jesus in the 21st century. By practically applying Bavinck's systematic works to the Christian life and looking at the life of the man himself, this book shows the direct connection between robust theology, practical holiness, and personal joy. John Owen is widely hailed as one of the greatest theologians of all time. His many works—especially those encouraging Christians in their struggle against sin—continue to speak powerfully to readers today, offering much-needed spiritual guidance for following Christ and resisting temptation day in and day out. Starting with an overview of Owen’s life, ministry, and historical context, Michael Haykin and Matthew Barrett introduce readers to the pillars of Owen’s spiritual life. From exploring his understanding of believers’ fellowship with the triune God to highlighting his teaching on justification, this study invites us to learn about the Christian life from the greatest of the English Puritans. Part of the Theologians on the Christian Life series.

Can Christians lose their salvation? This question has perplexed—and distressed—believers for centuries. When faced with our sin and shortcomings, sometimes we’re tempted to conclude that we’ve strayed too far and that God no longer loves us. In Kept for Jesus, pastor Sam Storms addresses common concerns that Christians have related to their eternal security, offering hope and assurance from the Bible. Examining every New Testament passage that speaks to this important issue, this book charts a biblical course between those who say that Christians can lose their salvation and those who carelessly declare, “Once saved, always saved.”

Understand How God Banishes Your Sin, So You Can Let It Go Too Every Christian has experienced days or even seasons of feeling extreme guilt over past or present sins, thinking that God is angry or disgusted with them—sometimes even wondering if they’re truly saved. This often happens when believers fixate on their sins while forgetting what Christ has already done on their behalf at the cross. Sam Storms explains it this way: “What consumes us is what we have done by sinning. What ought to consume us is grateful meditation on what God has done with our sinning.” In his latest book, Storms addresses this anxiety over sin by reminding believers of the good news of the gospel. Beginning with an explanation of the glory of penal substitution, he walks through 12 things God did with their sin, including forgiving it, passing over it, and casting it into the depths of the sea. He also explains 3 things God will never do with their sin, such as counting it against them. Walking through the Bible’s teaching, Storms helps believers find freedom, joy, and peace in knowing what God has done (and will never do) with their sin through the redemptive sacrifice of Jesus. Encourages Christians in Their Personal Life and Ministry: Helps the average believer who may feel unfit to serve God because of their sin Clarifies Crucial Biblical Topics: Explains the important difference between “eternal union” with God and “experiential communion” with him Written by Sam Storms: Author of more than 30 books, including Tough Topics; Kept for Jesus; and A Sincere and Pure Devotion to Christ

Study the book of Revelation anew with this intelligible and insightful amillenial commentary from Sam Storms, author of Kingdom Come. Revelation was written in such a way that it should be not only intelligible to any Christian who reads or hears its words, but also a blessing to the person who obeys and believes what it says. Simply put, contrary to popular opinion, and notwithstanding the often bizarre and mysterious images it conveys, God intends for Revelation to be understandable, edifying, and enjoyable! Scholarly but conversational in style, Storms has written for those who do not have a working knowledge of Greek but does not shy away from the numerous important technical and exegetical details that appear all through Revelation. He provides insight into both the nuances of the Greek text and the deep doctrinal issues in Revelation in such a way that the average Christian adult can grasp. Revelation is profoundly relevant to the issues we face in our society today and Storms keeps the welfare of the church in view, as he includes numerous applications for daily living and growth in your personal relationship with God. An excellent read for those looking to better grasp the blessings to be found in understanding this book.

A balanced, accessible commentary for Spirit-filled ChristiansThe Spirit who inspired the authors of the New Testament is at work today around the globe, as evidenced by the explosive growth of pentecostal, charismatic, and renewalist movements; the number of adherents is now estimated at more than half a billion.The Word and Spirit Commentary on the New Testament meets the need for a balanced, affordable, and accessible commentary series aimed at Christians who identify as Spirit-filled.Features include:· Written by pastorally sensitive biblical scholars from the Spirit-filled tradition· Paragraph-by-paragraph commentary· Images, illustrations, and sidebars on pentecostal/charismatic/revival history or insights· Engages biblical books in their ancient setting· Emphasizes how we listen alongside ancient audiences for the Spirit's voice in our time and contextsSeries volumes explore how God works in the biblical texts and how Christians can expect God to work today, even if in new or culturally surprising ways. Series editors are Holly Beers, Westmont College, and Craig S. Keener, Asbury Theological Seminary.In Romans, pastor, scholar, and speaker Sam Storms demonstrates the inseparable bond between Word and Spirit, awakening the pentecostal-charismatic world to the functional authority of the Bible and the evangelical world to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.

An in-depth look at the doctrine of divine election, with an attempt to clarify precisely what is at stake and correct misrepresentations of both points of view.

Jonathan Edwards's treatise Religious Affections is widely considered the most important and accurate analysis of religious experience ever written. Unfortunately, many well-intentioned readers sit down with Religious Affections, only to give up in frustration over Edwards's lofty style and complex argumentation. For this reason Sam Storms, one of evangelicalism's experts on Edwards, has attempted to bridge the gap between how Edwards said what he did in the eighteenth century and how he might say it today. In Signs of the Spirit he articulates the substance of Edwards's arguments in a more understandable way. The point is not to "dumb down" Jonathan Edwards but to make his work accessible to a wider audience. This volume serves those both in and outside the academic realm as valuable preparation for, or as a companion guide to, a reading of Edwards's Religious Affections.

God Delights in You God loves us. With all our faults and failures, with all the secret sins no one else knows about. In fact, He rejoices over us so much that He breaks out in inexpressible joy and song as He thinks about us. "The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing." --Zephaniah 3:17 That's how God feels about you He looks at you, He thinks of you...and He sings for joy In "The Singing God" Sam Storms explores God's immeasurable love for His children. You don't need to be different; you don't need to be better. You just need to know that God loves you just the way you are now...today. When you truly believe this, you will find the strength and incentive to fight sin, experience freedom from shame, and walk in the fullness of all that God desires for you.

What does the gift giver say about the gift He gave? This book will help you overcome the arguments, fears, and anxieties related to this gift. FEATURES AND BENEFITSShares the author's personal testimony and spiritual journey with speaking in tonguesExamines the history of this gift in the church for the past two thousand yearsInteracts with those who have denied that this gift is valid for today's churchSpeaks to the relationship between Spirit baptism, Spirit filling, and the gift of tonguesFew other issues have separated the church more than the issue of tongues. Sam Storms focuses on this controversial subject with his signature insights to theology and the gifts of the spirit. What does the gift giver say about the gift He gave? Storms seeks to bring balance to this subject in The Language of Heaven as he wrestles with this sensitive issue experientially as well as theologically. He ultimately provides a platform to allow God to speak for Himself as he addresses every text of Scripture on the subject and engages with every theological issue that speaking in tongues provokes. As a pastor, Storms knows the questions that the typical churchgoer is asking and provides clear and accessible answers to them all, including: Is the gift of tongues for every Christian or only some?How does the gift of tongues operate in the life of the believer individually in private practice?How does the gift of tongues operate in the corporate assembly of God's church?How is the Christian edified and strengthened by praying in tongues?How do I pray for the gift and prepare my heart to receive it?You can overcome the arguments, fears, and anxieties related to this spiritual gift. Remember, God gives only good gifts, and it is His intention that His church utilize all that He has provided so that we might experience all that He is.