Ray Ortlund

A Collection of Sermons on Christian Leadership from Theologian Francis A. Schaeffer Christians serving the Lord can fall into two traps: depending too heavily on their own power or underestimating their God-given purpose. In this collection of classic sermons, renowned theologian and philosopher Francis A. Schaeffer teaches believers how to rely on the Holy Spirit—not personal effort or status—in matters of service and leadership. This short book includes an excerpt from Schaeffer’s sermon, “The Lord’s Work in the Lord’s Way,” plus 2 sermons from the book No Little People. Covering topics including humility and servanthood, Christian office, spiritual battles, and trusting God’s methods, Schaeffer encourages pastors, students, and church members to live as consecrated people, working humbly for God’s approval instead of human praise. Classic Yet Timely Messages: Powerfully addresses common issues for the church, including spiritual pride, humanism, and how to live as consecrated people Perfect Gift for Students and Pastors: Motivates those serving in ministry to keep a Christ-centered perspective Accessible Introduction to the Thought of Francis Schaeffer: With a foreword by Ray Ortlund Jr., this inspiring collection introduces modern audiences to Schaeffer’s work

How does the church portray the beauty of Christ?The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty―beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today.In this timely book, Pastor Ray Ortlund makes the case that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. In too many of our churches, it is the beauty of a gospel culture that is the missing piece of the puzzle. But when the gospel is allowed to exert its full power, a church becomes radiant with the glory of Christ.

ECPA Christian Book Award Finalist Your Battle against Porn Isn’t about Porn. It’s about Hope. Pornography may seem inescapable, but God can free us from its destructive power. The gospel replaces the dehumanizing lies of pornography with this surprising truth: God created us as royalty. How then can we reclaim our God-given identity to take a stand against—and ultimately starve—the predatory porn industry? In The Death of Porn, Ray Ortlund writes six personal letters, as from a father to his son. Ideal for individuals and small groups, it will give hope to men who have been misled by porn into devaluing themselves and others. Through Scripture and personal stories, Ortlund assures readers that God loves them the most tenderly in their moments of deepest shame. The Death of Porn inspires men to come together in new ways to fight the injustice of porn and build a world of nobility for every man and woman—for the sake of future generations.

God calls us to be devoted to one another in love (Romans 12:10). What does this look like for us today? How can we be the kind of church member who makes a real difference?This engaging book by Tony Merida explores what church is, why being part of it is exciting, and why it's worthy of our love and commitment. He sets out eight privileges and responsibilities of a church member: to belong, to welcome, to gather, to care, to serve, to honor, to witness and to send.As we see how wonderful it is to belong to God's family and be a part of his amazing witness to both the earthly and the heavenly realms, we'll grow in our love for and commitment to our local church.This is a great book for every churchgoer to read, whether they're new or have been attending for some time but need re-energizing with God's vision for the local church.With discussion guides at the end of each chapter and video introductions, Love Your Church is also a great resource for small groups.

The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty�beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today.

How does the church portray the beauty of Christ?The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty―beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today.In this timely book, Pastor Ray Ortlund makes the case that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. In too many of our churches, it is the beauty of a gospel culture that is the missing piece of the puzzle. But when the gospel is allowed to exert its full power, a church becomes radiant with the glory of Christ.

How does the church portray the beauty of Christ?The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty―beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today.In this timely book, Pastor Ray Ortlund makes the case that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. In too many of our churches, it is the beauty of a gospel culture that is the missing piece of the puzzle. But when the gospel is allowed to exert its full power, a church becomes radiant with the glory of Christ.

Most pastors know when they enter the ministry that they will spend time helping others through times of suffering. What they usually do not realize, though, is that they too will suffer. Caught off guard, many of them end up deeply hurt and quit the ministry, deciding that perhaps they misunderstood God's call on their lives or that they simply do not have what it takes. But church history is filled with compelling stories of men who were profoundly afflicted while they carried out their ministry and yet persevered faithfully until death.Now the editors of The Gospel Coalition have collected inspiring stories of twelve faithful men who endured great suffering for the cause of Christ. The stories of the apostle Paul, John Calvin, Charles Spurgeon, John Bunyan, Wang Mindao, and others show that suffering in the context of ministry is expected--and it's never wasted. Pastors and ministry leaders, as well as those who support them, will find in this collection encouragement to run the race with endurance.

Marriage reveals something of eternal significance. From the beginning, God designed marriage to convey a greater reality—the passionate, unfailing, redeeming love of God for sinners, the eternal romance between Christ and his bride. In this volume, Ray Ortlund traces marriage throughout Scripture—from the first marriage in the garden of Eden to the ultimate marriage in the book of Revelation—laying out a transcendent vision of marriage that dignifies our own imperfect unions as a display of the gospel. This book offers insight and hope to every married person today.

How does the church portray the beauty of Christ? The gospel is a theological message. But this message also creates human beauty—beautiful relationships in our churches, making the glory of Christ visible in the world today. In this timely book, Pastor Ray Ortlund makes the case that gospel doctrine creates a gospel culture. In too many of our churches, it is the beauty of a gospel culture that is the missing piece of the puzzle. But when the gospel is allowed to exert its full power, a church becomes radiant with the glory of Christ. Part of the 9Marks: Building Healthy Churches series.

Romans eight is a favourite of many Christians for it contains verse after verse of pure spiritual gold. It opens up to us peace with God, the ministries of the Spirit, the urgency of personal reformation, the glory of our eternal inheritance, the power of God's goodness at work in our daily lives and the invincibility of his loving intentions toward us. In this thoughtful and perceptive book, Ray Ortlund delves deeply into Romans 8. Our appreciation and understanding of the chapter will be thoroughly revitalised.

Isaiah is widely considered the deepest, richest, and most theologically significant book in the Old Testament. It is, without question, a profound statement by God about his own sovereignty and majesty spoken through his chosen spokesman, the prophet Isaiah. In this accessible commentary on the book of Isaiah, Raymond C. Ortlund Jr. argues that Isaiah imparts a single vision of God throughout all sixty-six chapters. It is a unified, woven whole that ultimately shows that God saves sinners. He saves them from their own self-invented salvations, so that they can walk in the light of his love. Ultimately, the message of Isaiah offers us a God-centered confidence that enables us to face anything while challenging us to trust God in new ways. Part of the Preaching the Word series.

How exactly does one become wise? With the overwhelming flood of information and opinion in our times—much of it a mixture of spin, sound bites, and trivialities—it is crucial we turn back to the Bible and pay close attention to the deep insights that have stood the test of time. Proverbs 1:20 tells us that “Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice.” The wisdom of God does not stand aloof, but instead graciously moves toward us, into the world where we live and struggle day by day—offering us her very best, if we will only listen. Pastor and teacher Ray Ortlund unpacks the book of Proverbs in twenty-one straightforward sermons, providing a biblical worldview on everything from money, sex, and power to that of the daily routines of an average life. Drawing relevant parallels from ancient culture to present day, he helps us understand how the book of Proverbs is practical help for ordinary people going through everyday life. Most importantly, Ortlund shows how the Proverbs point to Jesus and his counsel for the perplexed, his strength for the defeated, his warning to the proud, his mercy for the broken. With careful treatment of the Scriptures and uncomplicated language, Proverbs: Wisdom that Works bridges the gap between real-life experience and the scholarly depth of many commentaries. Part of the Preaching the Word series.

Do you ever feel like your desire for God is waning? Are you numb to the routine of church? What does it mean to be truly awakened to the wonder of the gospel?Jared Wilson contends that we must be regularly engaged and engaging others with the good news of the sacrificing, dying, rising, exalted person of Jesus Christ. Wilson reminds us of the death-proof, fail-proof King of kings who is before all things and in all things and holding all things together, and of the Spirit’s power to quicken our hearts and captivate our imaginations. The message of Gospel Wakefulness will make numbness the exception (rather than the norm) and reawaken us to the multifaceted brilliance of the gospel.

What is the secret of a vital, growing church? The answer Dr. Ortlund suggests in this book is deceptively simple - and life-changing. In thirty years of working with churches big and small, he has come to believe that the church comes closest to being what God intended when it structures itself around three priorities: Priority One: Christ Priority Two: The Body of Christ Priority Three: The World And he draws on wide reading, extensive Bible Study, and years of personal experience to show 'how' rediscovering and using these three priorities can make a tangible difference in the life of any church. 'Three Priorities for a Strong and Local Church' is a must reading for ministers, but also for church staffers, vestry, elders, counselors, teachers, small-group leaders - anyone who cares deeply about the church of Jesus Christ and what it can be.

The biblical theme of spiritual adultury stands in all its bluntness for a deeply offensive sin - the unfaithfulness of God's covenant people in departing from Yahweh, their husband, and going after false gods. Dr Ortlund begins by showing how the Genesis version of human marriage provides the logic and coherent network of meanings for the story of Israel's relationship with Yaweh. He traces the theme of marital unfaithfulness, first through the historical books of the Old Testament and then through the prophets, particularly Hosea, Jeremiah and Ezekiel. Turning to the New Testament, he shows how the sad story of Israel's harlotry is transcended by the vision of ultimate reality in Christ and his church, the Bridegroom and the Bride. This beautifully written book is marked by careful exegesis and deep sensitivity. It is a rare thing - a work of scholarship which calls the reader to love God with an ardour that suffuses all of life

Revival yearnings are widespread in the church today, but Raymond Ortlund Jr. believes that we still need to give more attention to the Bible itself in the matter of authentic revival. One reason for this is that we need the discernment which only the Bible can give, to enable us to tell the difference between what's valuable and what's cheap. Otherwise we may squander our heavenly Father's good gifts. Another reason is that our expectations of God may be too small, our desires too shallow. The biblical vision of our God is breathtaking. We need to enlarge and deepen our grasp of what God can do - and what we must do. Dr Ortlund's ultimate aim is to persuade us that revival is a valid biblical expectation, and so to motivate us to pray that God will rend the heavens and come down in our generation. Above all, he wants us to be encouraged in God: we need never give up or give in, because he remains committed to the glory of his own holy name in this world.