What Every Christian Should Know

Robert Jeffress Dr.

Description

We live in a time when believing in anything or nothing is considered equally "truthful." Many people don't identify with a specific religion, preferring to think of themselves as "spiritual" to avoid seeming intolerant of other beliefs. This has led to some squishy ideas about right and wrong, as well as false teachings infiltrating our churches.More than ever, we must stand firm on the clear teaching of God's Word. In What Every Christian Should Know, Dr. Robert Jeffress equips you to understand ten core doctrines of Christianity so you can be confident that your faith is built on solid ground and stand strong against false teaching. Each chapter illuminates a core belief of the Christian faith, such as God's Word, the Trinity, angels and demons, sin, salvation, future things, and more. Nothing is more hopeful and beneficial in our trying times than good theology. With vivid illustrations, clear explanations, and practical applications for believers today, this book will help you ground your faith in capital T truth.

Sujets

• Philosophie et théologie
• Christian theology

Informations

• Publié par: Baker Publishing Group
• Date de parution: 03 janvier 2023
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781493439553
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 2 Mo

Extrait

Endorsements
Praise for 18 Minutes with Jesus
“A life-changing message in just eighteen minutes—what a concept. Dr. Robert Jeffress breaks open the ageless lessons of perhaps Christ’s greatest sermon. Dr. Jeffress is not someone who wastes words, and page after page of this book is packed full of powerful thoughts and revelations that will change your life.”
Jentezen Franklin, senior pastor of Free Chapel and New York Times bestselling author
“In this new volume from the prolific pen of Robert Jeffress, in his own unique convincing and convicting style, he reveals that this most famous of all sermons is not just an offering of lengthy, lofty platitudes but is most applicable for every aspect of our daily lives. While you may be able to read the Sermon on the Mount in eighteen minutes, it takes a lifetime to incarnate all its truths. Read it. . . and reap!”
O. S. Hawkins, PhD, former pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, and author of the bestselling Code series of devotionals
“In an ever-changing world and culture, Dr, Jeffress unpacks for us the never-changing words of Jesus. If you long to finish well, dive into these powerful truths.”
Sheila Walsh , cohost of Life Today and author of Holding On When You Want to Let Go
“This an important resource for anyone who is ready to have their perspective shifted and their heart challenged, and to experience the fullness of God’s kingdom at work in and through their life here on earth. Your spirit will come to a great understanding of how Jesus intended the Sermon on the Mount to impact your life. This book is not just another teaching but a radical invitation to step into all God has destined you to be.”
Debbie Lindell , lead pastor of James River Church and author of She Prays
Praise for Invincible
“Are you having difficulty believing you are a conqueror in Jesus Christ? In Invincible you will be encouraged to face the big mountains in your life and learn to live a life of boldness for God. You will benefit significantly from Dr. Jeffress’s biblical insights on how to overcome doubt, guilt, anxiety, discouragement, fear, bitterness, materialism, loneliness, lust, and grief that are ravishing your life.”
Jason Jimenez , founder of Stand Strong Ministries and bestselling author of Challenging Conversations
“There is often pressure in church to act as if you have it all together. ‘Don’t bring your doubt, anxiety, fear, or guilt in this place!’ Invincible pushes back against this kind of phony faith and gives us the freedom to acknowledge our struggles. With humor, compassion, and practical advice, Dr. Jeffress provides a way to overcome the mountains we all face and encourage one another on our faith journey. This book is for real people who want real change.”
Michael C. Sherrard , pastor and author of Why You Matter
Praise for Courageous
“With all the uncertainty in our world right now, this new book by my friend Robert Jeffress is a welcome encouragement for believers. His Bible-based tips on thriving during challenging times are not only practical and easy to understand but will help you to stand strong in your faith and live victoriously.”
Robert Morris , founding and lead senior pastor of Gateway Church and bestselling author of The Blessed Life, Frequency , and Beyond Blessed
“When it comes to living out biblical principles, we quickly discover we’re in an unfriendly culture. Ephesians 5:11 tells us to ‘Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness,’ so how then do we build bridges to skeptics and cynics? How do we win wicked people with antagonistic agendas to the side of our Savior? In his remarkable new book, Courageous , Dr. Jeffress shows us page-by-page how to live as winsome and effective ambassadors for Jesus Christ, all so that the perishing will come to salvation and God will receive the glory! I give this book a double thumbs-up!”
Joni Eareckson Tada , Joni and Friends International Disability Center
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
© 2023 by Robert Jeffress
Published by Baker Books
a division of Baker Publishing Group
PO Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287
www.bakerbooks.com
Ebook edition created 2023
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file at the Library of Congress, Washington, DC.
ISBN 978-1-4934-3955-3
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.
Scripture quotations labeled NIV are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
All italics in direct Scripture quotations are the author’s emphasis.
Published in association with Yates & Yates, www.yates2.com.
Baker Publishing Group publications use paper produced from sustainable forestry practices and post-consumer waste whenever possible.
Dedication
To the wonderful members of First Baptist Church of Dallas
Thank you for standing firm on the sure foundation of God’s Word for 155 years.
“The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isa. 40:8).
Contents
Cover
Endorsements 1
Half Title Page 3
Title Page 5
Copyright Page 6
Dedication 7
Acknowledgments 11
Introduction: Why Theology Matters 13
1. God’s Word 21
2. God the Father 45
3. God the Son 69
4. God the Holy Spirit 93
5. Angels and Demons 115
6. Humanity and Sin 137
7. Salvation 157
8. The Church 179
9. Future Things 201
10. Christlikeness 223
Conclusion: Solid Ground 245
Notes 255
About the Author 259
Back Ads 261
Back Cover 268
Acknowledgments
Our Christian faith rests on pillars that stand strong and immovable, even in our shifting world. I’m grateful not only for these pillars of faith but also for the “pillars” God has put in my own life—the men and women who consistently support, encourage, and strengthen me. I’m especially thankful for the talented team God provided for this book, including:
Brian Vos, Mark Rice, Lindsey Spoolstra, and the whole team at Baker Books, the best publishing partner I’ve ever worked with.
Randy Southern and Jennifer Stair, who were instrumental in crafting and polishing the message of this book.
Sealy Yates, my literary agent and longtime friend, who provides wise counsel and encouragement.
Carrilyn Baker, my extraordinary executive associate, who expertly oversees the work of our office with a joyful attitude, and Mary Shafer, who assists Carrilyn and me in innumerable ways.
Ben Lovvorn, executive pastor of First Baptist Dallas, and Nate Curtis, Patrick Heatherington, Ben Bugg, and the Pathway to Victory team, who extend the message of this book to millions of people around the world.
I’m deeply grateful for the support I receive from my wonderful daughters, Julia and Dorothy; my son-in-law, Ryan Sadler; and my beloved triplet grandchildren, Barrett, Blake, and Blair.
And at the very top of the list of people for whom I am most grateful is my wife, Amy. Thank you for your strong support and unconditional love.
Introduction
Why Theology Matters
Theology isn’t what you’d call an attention-grabbing word. If you’re like most people, you probably don’t lean in when you hear somebody mention it in conversation. And if you do respond to the word theology , you might do so in one of several ways.
Perhaps, like a lot of Christians, you respond with indifference. You treat theology the way you treat legal advice, plumbing issues, and auto repair: as something best left to professionals. If an emergency arises and you need a quick answer to a question about premillennialism, you figure you can talk to your pastor.
Maybe you react with annoyance. Theology seems like a needless complication of what should be a simple faith.
Perhaps you react with zealous intensity. You treat each tenet of Christian theology as a purity test, a way of determining who’s with you and who’s against you.
Or maybe you react with a sense of embarrassment. You avoid talking about theology because you’re afraid your faith will be exposed as shallow.
All of these, and more, are understandable and relatable reactions to the subject of theology. And this book aims to change every one of them.
In the pages that follow, you’ll learn ten core beliefs of Christianity. We can think of these ten principles as pillars, the support structures on which our faith is built. But these are no ordinary pillars. They stand strong and immovable, even when the ground under us starts to give way.
The House of Christianity
Let me illustrate what I mean by the pillars of Christianity. Imagine for a moment that Christianity is a massive house with many rooms and architectural features. Now picture in your mind’s eye that this house, like the Lincoln Memorial and other famous structures, is surrounded by magnificent, stately columns—or pillars.
In our imaginary house of Christianity, these ten pillars represent the core tenets of Christian theology. Together, they form the supports on which the entire house rests. Without these pillars, the house would collapse.
Within the boundaries of this house, God provides everything we need for spiritual nourishment and growth. We can find the fruit of the Spirit and a deeper understanding of God’s Word there.
Within the boundaries of this house, God offers shelter and protection. When difficulties arise, tragedy strikes, or doubts occur, we can take refuge and find comfort, healing, and reassurance.
Within the boundaries of this house, God surrounds us with allies. These people