Speaker: Bill Forgeard
Passage: Colossians 2:16-23

We apologise that the recording was unsuccessful.

 Life is Not About Rules, Life is About Jesus: Download (87)

Speaker: Bill Forgeard
Passage: Colossians 1:21-23

 This is the Gospel: Download (80)

Speaker: Bill Forgeard

Passage: John 3:16

Believing in Jesus is not about printing your ticket to heaven and then waiting around until you get there. Believing in Jesus is a relationship with Jesus, an experience of eternal life that starts here and now!

 

 Believe in Me [38:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (73)

I love books, and reading is consistently one of the most encouraging elements of my spiritual life. But there are so many good books, and so little time!

I recently read a helpful blog on the topic, and as I wrote a comment in reply, I thought it would be worth sharing here also.

I try to think about 6 different categories of books:

1. Ministry (Books that equip me and encourage me as I serve in ministry) — currently I’m reading “Christ-Centred Preaching” by Bryan Chapel, and “Changing the World through Effective Youth Ministry” by Ken Moser.

2. Theology/Bible (commentaries, pressing theological issues from church, bible colleg  related) — currently Wayne Grudem’s “Systematic Theology”, John Stott’s BST Commentary on 2 Timothy, and “Jesus: A Biblical Defence of His Deity” by Josh McDowell.

3. Soul/Devotional (books to keep my love for Jesus healthy and vibrant) — currently “Knowing God” by J I Packer, “Humility” by CJ Mahaney and “Quiet Talks on Prayer” by SD Gordon.

4. Biography (These are usually some of the most encouraging and challenging books I read) — recently Vol 2 of John Piper’s short biography series, covering covering John Bunyan, William Cowper and David Brainerd.

5. Family (books on marriage/family/parenting) — I most recently read “Fatherhood” by Tony Payne, and “Married for God” by Christopher Ash.

6. Recreational (Novels etc — I usually only read these when I’m on holidays, or I get sucked in to them and they can be a distraction!) — I particularly love Patrick O’Brians Aubrey/Maturin novels.

Speaker: Bill Forgeard
Passage: Matthew 11

 

 Longing for Jesus [29:11m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (18)

Speaker: Bill Forgeard
Passage: Colossians 2:11-15

 

 Alive in Christ [27:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (30)

Speaker: Bill Forgeard

Colossians Series #8: Colossians 2:8-10

 

 Christ is All -- and All You Need [32:16m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (210)

Here’s a few books that I’ve read recently and can recommend. These are all available for between $5 and $12 (bargain!!) from Stef’s book stall on Sunday each week.

The Prodigal God, by Tim Keller

Finally read a Tim Keller book! I loved it, very engaging. His main point — there are two brothers in the parable, not just one. And thus, moralism is just as bad as the behaivour we normally call sin. Which means that both the ‘sinful’ person and the ‘moral’ person are both far from the Father, because neither is relying on his grace to meet their true need. I also loved the chapter on hope, where he looks at the biblical theme of exile and homecoming. This was the chapter where I most agreed with the comparisons I’ve heard between Tim Keller and CS Lewis.

Investigating Jesus, by John Dickson

Loved it. John Dickson looks at the way normal historians understand Jesus, and what they know about him.  As an old history undergrad, I really enjoy John Dickson’s ‘pure historian’ viewpoint, but the best thing is that it’s not at all dry or technical. He doesn’t make much comment, because the evidence speaks for itself. I reckon this would be a great gift for someone that you’ve talked to about Jesus, but is still a bit skeptical.

The Legacy of Soverign Joy, by John Piper

Encouraging, bite sized, theological biographies (This book features Augustine, Martin Luther and John Calvin). The chapter on Augustine made me very keen to read his ‘Confessions’. The chapter on Luther was really inspiring, heaps of stuff which spurred me on in ministry. I also liked the honest examination of their faults. These are not ‘neutral’ accounts of their lives, they are themed around Piper’s own theological passions. I quite enjoy this, because Piper’s aim is to encourage, not just to recount history. There are 5 books in this series.

Religion Saves, and Nine Other Misconceptions, by Mark Driscoll

I liked this book a lot. I was expecting ‘Mark Driscoll Lite’, based on the way it’s presented — but I don’t think such a thing exists! It seems at first like a random collection of interesting and controversial topics, but he is consistent as he contrasts a ‘religious’ approach to a grace/gospel approach on each issue. I loved the chapters on Grace and Faith/Works for the very practical and encouraging theology, the chapter on birth control was helpful stuff I haven’t seen explained as well elsewhere, and I always find his perspective on the emerging church helpful.

Speaker: Bill Forgeard
Passage: Colossians 2:6-7

Our churches mission statement is “Living for Jesus, by making, maturing and mobilising disciples of Christ. The first three words – “Living for Jesus” – may have slipped past you, but we’re going to look at them today.

***The introductory sections of this sermon were unfortunately not recorded. You can check the text summary to read this part of the talk***

 

 Standard Podcast [23:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (46)
 Ebook: Download (53)

Speaker: Bill Forgeard
Colossians Series #6: Colossians 2:1-5

Paul encourages every Christian to live a lifestyle of learning more about Jesus, so that we will not be unstable in our faith and vulnerable to going astray

 

 Learn More About Jesus [30:07m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (42)
 Learn More About Jesus: Download (29)