The Upper Room: Jesus' Parting Promises for Troubled Hearts

The Upper Room: Jesus' Parting Promises
for Troubled Hearts
John MacArthur

This book is not only an historical account the night Jesus died, it's a book that will help you search your own heart.  In a borrowed or rented room atop some shops or large family dwelling in Jerusalem, the drama unfolded. The events and teaching recorded in John 13-16, commonly known as the Upper Room Discourse, reveal some of the most poignant and powerful promises for believers in all of Scripture.

 

Jesus and His disciples were standing on the precipice of the darkest night in the history of the world. The Lord of glory was about to be betrayed and murdered. The disciples would be scattered, and the boldest of them would deny even knowing Him. The Lord knew full well that He Himself would soon undergo an unimaginable deluge of woe. He would be spit on and mocked by evil men. He would bear the sins of the world. He would be cursed with the wrath of God for others' sins. He would feel as if His Father had utterly abandoned Him. Any other man in that situation would have been in such a state of uncontrollable agitation that he would never have been able to focus his attention on the needs of others - but Jesus was different. He wanted His followers to know the peace of the One who has overcome the world. During those final hours before Jesus' betrayal, He gave His disciples - and consequently, all believers throughout history - His parting promises, that is the inheritance of every believer in Christ. In The Upper Room, pastor John MacArthur takes us back to that night and the glorious hope we have in Christ. If you're interested in searching your heart to see if you are humble, loving, loyal, read the book. I highly recommend it.

Publisher: Kress Biblical Resources
Publication Date: 2014
ISBN: 1934952206
ISBN-13: 9781934952207
This book can be purchased at Grace to you or Christianbook.com

 Dr. John MacArthur is one of the best-known and most influential Bible teachers of our time. His distinctive verse-by-verse exposition is heard daily by millions of listeners on radio broadcast “Grace to You.” Since 1969 he has served as pastor and teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, CA. Dr. MacArthur is president of The Master’s College, and founder of The Master's Seminary, a frequent conference speaker, and a prolific author. He has written several best-selling works.
 

CRIES FROM THE CROSS

In Cries from the Cross, Erwin Lutzer examines the last words of Jesus, when He hung on the cross. In looking closely at these words, we can better grasp what the cross meant to Jesus, and to us. Rediscover the heavy weight of sin, His weakness, sorrow and compassion. The cross beckons to the hearts of those in need of grace. As you journey into the heart of Jesus, your own heart will be shaped to His.

 

 

There is so much to be gained in reading this book. If you want to truly understand what the Cross means to christianity, read this book.  It is an excellent explanation of why Jesus had to die the way He did, that we may know what it means to be saved. Erwin Lutzer explains the very heart of the Christian message.

Chapter Titles:
A cry of Pardon
A cry of Assurance
A cry of Compassion
A cry of Anguish
A cry of Suffering
A cry of Victory
A cry of Submission

Product Information
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Moody Publishers - 2002
ISBN: 0802413110
ISBN-13: 9780802413116

This book can be purchased at Amazon.com Here
 

Erwin Lutzer  is senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago since 1980. He is an award-winning author of more than 30 books. Dr. Lutzer is a renowned theologian and is a featured radio speaker on 3 radio programs heard worldwide. Erwin and his wife  have been married nearly 45 yrs and has 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren.

The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent - By Erwin Lutzer

http://www.christianbook.com/

Islam is on the rise all over the West, including America. In this compelling book, bestselling author Erwin Lutzer urges Christians to see this as both an opportunity to share the gospel and a reason for concern. We have now reached a tipping point--the spread of Islam is rapidly altering the way we live. These changes are cause for alarm, for they endanger our freedoms of speech and religion.

 

At the same time, this opens an incredible door of ministry for Christians, for Muslims normally do not have access to the gospel in their own lands.  In The Cross in the Shadow of the Crescent, readers will discover helpful answers to these questions and more:

•How does Islam's growing influence affect me personally?
•In what ways are our freedoms of speech and religion in danger?
•How can I extend Christ's love to Muslims around me?

This sensitive, responsible, and highly informative must-read will not only equip you to better relate to your Muslim friends, neighbors, and coworkers, but will also encourage you with the reminder that ultimately the enduring truth of the cross will prevail.

Publisher:  Harvest House Publishers
Date: 2013
ISBN-9780736951326

Erwin Lutzer  is senior Pastor of Moody Church in Chicago since 1980. He is an award-winning author of more than 30 books. His most recent releases include: Oprah, Miracles, and the New Earth, One minute after you die; and the Truth about Same-Sex marriage. Dr. Lutzer is a renowned theologian and is a featured radio speaker on 3 radio programs heard worldwide. Erwin and his wife  have been married nearly 45 yrs and has 3 grown children and 8 grandchildren.

Another Jesus Calling



Christianbooks.com

Author Warren B. Smith has written a must read book documenting his concerns about the popular Christian devotional book "Jesus Calling". The devotional book written by Sarah Young has sold millions of copies by it's publisher Thomas Nelson, yet what's been pointed out in Smith's book shows there are similar new age messages/teachings from a new age book from the 1930's called: "God Calling", which Sarah Young praised as an inspiration in her own book: Jesus Calling. Young's book: "Jesus Calling" is a collection of messages presented in the form of a daily devotional book. Smith shows the "Jesus" of Sarah Young's book is "Another Jesus" and not the Jesus of the Bible. 

Warren Smith warns most urgently about his concerns on pg. 43: "The very real danger of spiritual experences is that they can be used to introduce new truths and new revelations. This is what the New Age is founded on, and the experiential "truths" and "revelations" of the New Age have been in the process of "infecting" the church for many years now.  As these new truths and new revelations supplant God's Word, they definitely revolutionize man's thoughts of Jesus Christ---which opens the door to embracing "another Jesus."
 

 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom
 we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit,
 which ye have not received, or another gospel, which
 ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.  (2 Corinthians 11:4)

 

The author Warren Smith shows how Young's Devotional book contradicts Scripture as he cites various quotes from the Jesus Calling book.  Smith warns about the danger of contemplative prayer which is also promoted in Sarah Young's book and the concerns of elevating spiritual experiences over the Word of God.  This is a book that gives much needed discernment about this popular christian book. Recommended reading. This book can be ordered from Lighthouse Trails.

Warren B. Smith has a B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania; M.S.W. from Tulane University. Warren served as a social worker and directed several homeless programs in Northern California and served as a hospice social worker in New Orleans and in California. Because of his past involvement in the New Age movement, he has written extensively on the subject of spiritual deception.  He is a conference speaker in the U.S. and Canada.

 

 

 

Below is also a link to a companion booklet that covers recent problems with the Sarah Young book "Jesus Calling". This booklet from Lighthouse Trails - "Changing Jesus Calling - Damage Control for a False Christ" highlights further problematic issues with the publishing of Young's book and changes that have since occurred in it's text of the 10th Anniversary edition by the Thomas Nelson publisher while accountability issues are examined.   To order the Booklet click here: Changing Jesus Calling (This booklet outlines 5 problems with the book by Sarah Young - 'Jesus Calling'.

 

Out of Formation

Gary Gilley’s new book: Out of Formation deals with the Spiritual Formation Movement.  This movement is re-introducing ancient and mystical spiritual practices to the modern Church and Evangelicals are jumping on the bandwagon to be a part of this movement.  Popular Christian and Evangelical publishers have made it easy for Christians to access these Spiritual Formation practices, and have recently in the last decade produced volumes and series of books promoting it.  Current popular Evangelical  authors quote christian mystics in their books and recommend ancient practices as a fresh means of spiritual growth. (See pg 9)  

Gilley cautions Christians to be aware and concern about the drift away from proper biblical  discipleship which is given to us from the Bible on spiritual discipline and growing in Christ. Gilley cautions early in the book “It is absolutely essential to get this connection early in our study. Many if not most, of the disciplines and instructions found within spiritual formation are not drawn from Scripture; they are drawn from imaginations of men and women  passed along as tradition.”  (pg. 25).

 Pastor Gilley examines several ancient/ and mystical spiritual disciplines of the Spiritual Formation Movement such as:  Contemplative Prayer, Sacred Reading (Lectio Divina), Solitude and Silence, Journaling, spiritual mentoring, pilgrimage, Sabbath keeping, fasting and discernment and revelation to name a few, and explains  their history, origin, and details about the practices, and who in modern church life are supporting and promoting these ancient and mystical spiritual disciplines and building their ministries upon their uses. 

This book asks:  What can be learned from this renewed interest in spiritual formation, and what are the dangers?  The book is divided in two parts. 

Part One of this book has been written to interact with the history, teachings and dangers of the Spiritual Formation Movement. 

Part Two turns to the biblical alternatives for spiritual formation. It examines the means, or disciplines, which the Word of God clearly identify as ways God has designed for His people to be transformed into Christ-likeness, and to experience intimacy 


This book is well researched and is a  comprehensive study on the Spiritual Formation Movement. Serious and relevant questions are asked and answered in this book.  This is highly recommended reading. 

This book can be purchased at Amazon

Dr. Gary Gilley has been pastoring at Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois since 1975. He is author of 5 books. He also writes a newsletter Think on these Things which examines important theological issues and trends in the Church.  Pastor Gilley is a board member of Brazil Gospel Fellowship  Mission  and the Personal Freedom  Outreach, and serves on the board for New Tribes Mission.