Our culture holds the megaphone when it comes to talking about sex today. Yet the church has maintained a reputation for keeping quiet, hesitant to teach people about this sacred aspect of life. The Song of Solomon, however, holds nothing back as it sings loudly about the holy practice of sexuality and pushes us into the conversation with godly theology.

While this biblical text has been subject to a broader range of interpretation probably than any other book in the Bible, Wisdom Literature expert Doug O'Donnell offers this comprehensible guide to help uncoil its complexities and...

What does it look like to "walk in the light, as he is in the light," to truly live as a follower of Christ? This all-important question finds its answer in three letters from the apostle John. Marked by their sermonic tone, devotional fervor, and emphasis on obedience to God's commands, 1, 2, and 3 John lovingly teach us how to follow Jesus in open devotion to God.

Professor of preaching David L. Allen guides us through 1-3 John with skill and wisdom, offering helpful insights into the Christian life as well as important themes such as:

• The divinity of Christ
...

Few Christians would dispute that the book of Romans is one of the most powerful and inuential books ever written. After all, Paul's epistle has been the written force behind some of the most significant conversions of church history: St. Augustine was convicted of his sin after reading some verses from the thirteenth chapter; Martin Luther recovered the doctrine of salvation by faith from his study of Romans 1:17; John Wesley felt his heart "strangely warmed" and transformed while listening to the reading of Luther's preface to the book of Romans; and John Bunyan was so inspired as he...

The book of Numbers tells the story of Israel's experience, ranging from their exodus out of Egypt to their entrance into the Promised Land. The lives of two generations are recorded: the first lacking in faith and receiving their just punishment from God, and the second believing the Word of God and so entering into their inheritance as his children.

Like those generations of Israelites, Christians today are also on a journey between events of deepest significance--from the work of Christ that provides our exodus from bondage to sin and death to Jesus' second coming that ushers his...

During Paul's ministry, Corinth was a newly rebuilt, bustling, important city in the Roman Empire. It was a place full of pride, individualism, wealth, and religious pluralism. No wonder its inhabitants held little regard for Paul's message

Sound familiar? Our contemporary culture has much in common with ancient Corinth. The relevance of this book to churches today is astounding. Paul delivers powerful theology that turns the values of the ancient Roman world upside-down--the grace of God, the centrality of the cross, and God's power made perfect in weakness. He challenges us to...

The book of Genesis contains some of the most beautiful and well-known stories in the Bible: the garden, the flood, the tower of Babel, and the lives of the patriarchs. But these are more than just good stories. They lay the groundwork for God's relationship with humanity and for his plan for our salvation, making Genesis foundational to understanding everything else that happens in the Bible. Genesis reveals much about human nature and the nature of God. From the actions of the first man and woman, we see where our rebellious, sinful nature originates. And through the whole book we see...

What do you do when you've made a mess of things? Where do you go when you've blown it badly? How does the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ empower us to combat things like hypocrisy, pride, people-pleasing, and apostasy? Paul's letter to the Galatians tells us what we need to know in these situations as he teaches us how to rely upon costly grace.

In this fresh and engaging commentary, pastor Todd Wilson invites us to look beneath the surface of controversy in Galatia to the even more fundamental issue at stake: gospel-rooted living. Combining scholarly depth with practical...

The Apostle Paul's Letter to the Ephesians is one of the most dynamic portions of all of Scripture. Called by one commentator "the crown and climax of Pauline theology," it issues a clarion call to all who follow the Master. With its dual focus on Christ and the Church, as well as its careful presentation of doctrine and duty, Ephesians points the way to true Christian living and victory in a sin-embattled world.

In this helpful volume, Pastor Hughes provides an engaging treatment of the major themes of Ephesians:

• The celebration of full redemption
• The mystery...

Paul's epistles to the churches of Philippi and Colossae, and to Philemon stand together as some of the most profound illustrations of the unifying power of the gospel in all of Scripture. Highlighting the reconciliation that Christians enjoy in and through Jesus, Paul's lofty words and impassioned exhortations spur us to embrace one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.

These books also cover important topics such as:

• Joy for the Christian life
• The priority of the gospel
• Finding true contentment in Christ
• Safeguards against...

Life can be hard, and sometimes it seems like God doesn't even care. When faced with difficult trials, many people have resonated with the book of Job--the story of a man who lost nearly everything, seemingly abandoned by God.

In this thorough and accessible commentary, Christopher Ash helps us glean encouragement from God's Word by directing our attention to the final explanation and ultimate resolution of Job's story: the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Intended to equip pastors to preach Job's important message, this commentary highlights God's grace and wisdom in...