讀羅馬書引爆福音的大能提到「福音的大能」，我們大概會聯想到佈道會中一本正經的呼召，或者是千篇一律的得救見證。福音對我們而言，許多時候只限於教會之內的聚會和事工；至於福音的影響力，除了使個人心得安慰、靈魂得救之外，似乎再沒有其他想像空間了。在《福音的大能：與斯托得一起讀羅馬書》，斯托得為福音的大能，塗上醒目的色彩，勾出躍動的筆劃：恍如一個基督徒站在異國市集的正中央，力竭聲嘶，向不同種族、不同宗教的人，宣告救恩的好消息。而這好消息，讓市集裡勞碌的人尋獲豐盛的生命；讓躊躇滿志的老闆憐恤困乏的人。羅馬書三章24節說我們「藉著在基督耶穌裡的救贖，就白白地得稱為義」，「救贖」的原文是πολτρωσις。這個字原來的意思毫不神聖，反而充滿市井氣息，是指透過付清贖款，把一個之前被賣作奴隸的人買回來，然後釋放他，重獲自由。羅馬書就是這麼親切，在今天的世界，向各族、各方、各階層、各生活處境的人，發放福音的大能！｜作者簡介｜斯托得（John Stott，1921～2011），二十世紀福音派主要領袖，於二○○五年獲《時...

我們，渴望與誰一起成長？我們都會面對心中的軟弱與掙扎，在這樣的時刻，何等渴望能有一位引導者，如同電影《心靈捕手》的西恩教授，不畏懼於理解我們的內在，同時敞開心胸，陪同我們找尋、完成一生的呼召——而這，正是保羅在教牧書信中，所內蘊的教練式牧養胸懷。閱讀這些教牧書信，我們不僅能從保羅的牧養教導中受益；更能於字裡行間處處體會，保羅對提摩太和提多的深刻期許與呼籲。本書作者斯托得既熟悉現代社會的脈動，對聖經也有精準、深入而平衡的理解。其中提摩太更是他所鍾愛的聖經人物，也象徵著他在這現代世界中所尋找的、忠心而亟待培養的基督徒。因此，本書對於教牧書信的解讀，不僅承載著斯托得的精神，更見證出耶穌的生命，如何不斷在祂的門徒身上傳遞下去。在冷漠疏離的時代，保羅的教練式牧養能帶領我們重回真理、教導與友誼結合的關係，進一步喚醒我們沉睡的動能，按著神的偉大心意而活。我們或許自認膽怯，缺乏對這世界與他人的影響力，然而正如保羅告訴提摩太的：在神豐盛的恩典中，我們才得以剛強。如今，這也是神對你我的呼喚！

Faithful. Triune. Beyond comparison. Triumphant over all. These words barely begin to describe the God we serve, yet he invites us to have a relationship with him. What could be more important than knowing this all-surpassing God?These five easy-to-use Bible studies, based on J. I. Packer's bestselling classic Knowing God, explore the character and actions of God throughout Scripture. They encourage us to look for God every time we read the Bible and to de...

We are surrounded by a society that idealizes quick results and stimulating experiences. The Christian life, however, calls us to be not tourists but pilgrims—disciples committed to a long journey of faith.These six studies, based on Eugene Peterson's bestselling A Long Obedience in the Same Direction, provide an accessible guide for growing in perseverance. Find encouragement in the Psalms to press on with qualities such as hope, repentance, patience, and...

In the busyness and challenges of daily life, it's easy to put showing gratitude low on our priority list. Yet Scripture continually reveals how important gratitude is for God's people—in good times and bad.In this eight-session LifeGuide® Bible study, Dale and Sandy Larsen help us explore how giving thanks reminds us of what God has done, reorients us around God's grace, and helps us enjoy good gifts instead of taking them for granted. Drawing from both theOld and...

Good Shepherd. Branch. Bridegroom. Cornerstone. There are many images of Christ in Scripture. Some of these word-portraits are easier for us to grasp than others, but each reveals an important aspect of who Christ is.By helping us understand the different images, these ten session LifeGuide® Bible Study by Dale and Sandy Larsen lead us to know and respond to the reality behind the images--Christ himself--in new and deeper ways.This LifeGuide Bible Study in IVP Connect's rev...

IVP Readers' Choice AwardPaul's letter to the Romans has for two thousand years been a touchstone for all who want to understand the power of the gospel and the righteousness of God revealed from heaven. The truth in Romanstransforms our thinking and convicts our hearts as we discover the power of the gospel for every area of our life and our world.In this volume, the first half of John Stott's The Message of Romans is offered in brief readings sui...

Study Scripture with John StottThe beatitudes reveal to us eight qualities that bring God's blessing: meekness and mercy, poorness in spirit and purity of heart, mourning and hunger, peacemaking and persecution. Jesus highlighted these to offer both encouragement and instruction on living distinctly as his followers in a world with values much different from God's. As we study these qualities and integrate them into our lives, we will receive the blessing Jesus pro...

A deep look at Scripture—God's very words—is never wasted. In fact, not only is it never wasted; it's richly rewarded. The more deeply we dive into the riches of the Bible, the more deeply we can experience and serve God, the giver of all truth, wisdom, love and understanding.The new LifeGuide® in Depth Bible Studies help you do just that, taking you further into themes and books of Scripture than you might have gone before. As you see new connections between the Old and New Testament, gai...

God Has a Purpose for You as You Grow OlderYou can't change the fact that you are getting older, and, indeed, you may not want to! Age brings many gifts and opportunities for continued growth. In this nine-session LifeGuide® Bible Study, Dale and Sandy Larsen help you discover the Bible's perspective on aging. Through studying passages from books of the Bible including James, Job, Philippians, Psalms, and more, you'll discover how God can effectively and powerfully...

Paul's letter to the Romans has for two thousand years been a touchstone for all who want to understand the power of the gospel and the righteousness of God revealed from heaven. The truth in Romans transforms our thinking and convicts our heartsas we discover the power of the gospel for every area of our life and our world.In this volume, the second half of John Stott's The Message of Romans is offered in brief readings suitable for daily use which take us passage by pass...

How do you picture the Holy Spirit?Our imagination is likely to run to something like a vague fuzzy cloud. Or perhaps we think of an invisible, impersonal force. No wonder the Holy Spirit is often called "it." While Christians affirm that the Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, we struggle to think of him as a person at all.The Bible is clear that the Holy Spirit is a person. But how can human beings understand who he is? Scripture helps us by giving us strong word p...