Sermon: Worshipping Christ

Worshipping Christ from John Fender on Vimeo.

Christmas Sermon: Content in Jesus

Content in Jesus from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: Waiting on Jesus

Waiting on Jesus from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon on Psalm 124: Stirring our Affection for God

Psalm 124: Stirring our Affection for God from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: Our Sin in the Context of God's Providence

Sermon: Our Sin in the Context of God's Providence from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: The Keeper of Israel

Psalm 121, "The Keeper of Israel" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: Psalm 110, "King Jesus"

Sermon: Psalm 110, "King Jesus" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Psalm 100: The Biblical Rationale for Abundant Joy

Psalm 100, "The Biblical Rationale for Abundant Joy" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: Our Covenant Keeping God

Psalm 78, "Our Covenant Keeping God" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: The Church as Community

Psalm 90: The Church as Community from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: A Mighty Fortress

Based on Psalm 46

Psalm 46, "A Mighty Fortress" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: Can I call down curses on my enemies?

Psalm 35, "Can I call down curses on my enemies?" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Fall Festival Promotional Video for 2009

Fall Festival Promotional for 2009 from John Fender on Vimeo.

Psalm 32: A Call to Shout for Joy

A Call to Shout to Joy from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: The Psalm of the Crown

Psalm 24, "The Psalm of the Crown" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Psalm 23, "The Psalm of the Crook"

Psalm 23, "The Psalm of the Crook" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: Psalm 19, "The Skies and the Scriptures"

Psalm 19, "The Skies and the Scriptures" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Psalm 3, "The Dark Hour"

Psalm 3, "The Dark Hour" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon on Psalm 1: The Power of Delight

Psalm 1: The Power of Delight from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: The Progress of the Gospel

Based on Matthew 28:11-20

Matthew 28- The Progress of the Gospel from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: "O Death, Where is Your Sting?"

Sermon "O Death, Where is Your Sting?" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Fellowship Meal highlighting MOPS

Fellowship Meal promoting:

Mothers of Preschoolers

which will meet at First Pres. Pooler starting in September.

Sunday, August 30th

6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Annual Cookout at the Lightle Lodge

End of Summer Cookout

Lightle Lodge in Ellabell, GA

Saturday, Sept. 12

Starting at 2:00 pm

A few links:

Directions

Last years photos

Real People, Real Life- A Study on the Psalms

Promotional Video for the Fall Sermon Series on the Psalms

Real People, Real Struggles- Studying the Psalms from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: Post Tenebras Lux

Sermon based on Matthew 27:32-56

Post Tenebras Lux from John Fender on Vimeo.

Adult Class on Parenting

Adult Class on Parenting from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: The Humiliation of Jesus

Based on Matthew 27:1-2, 11-31

The Humiliation of Jesus from John Fender on Vimeo.

Video: Why John Calvin Matters.

This video is from the 700 Club. It was done in part because this is the 500th anniversery of John Calvin's birth.

Sermon: Suicide and the Gospel

Suicide and the Gospel from John Fender on Vimeo.

Pictures from the Brown Bag Mercy Event

Sermon: Jesus' Unjust Treatment, and Ours

Based on Matthew 26:57-68

Jesus' Unjust Treatment, and Ours from John Fender on Vimeo.

Topic: Suicide and the Gospel

Promotional video for Sunday, July 19, 2009

Suicide and the Gospel from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: The Battle on our Knees

Based on Matthew 26:36-56

Last Days of Jesus' First Coming, "The Battle on our knees" from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sunday School Class on Parenting

Starting Sunday, Aug. 9th, we will be hosting an Adult Sunday School Class using Tedd Tripp's book "Shepherding a Child's Heart."

Join us at 10 am for a great chance to benefit from this gospel-centered, Biblically-based book.

Topics include:

Getting to the Heart of Behavior

You're in Charge

Examining Goals

Biblical methods of Discipline

and more...

Sermon: Last Days of Jesus' First Coming "Peter's Denial"

From Matthew 26

Matthew 26 "Peter's Denial" from John Fender on Vimeo.

First Pres. Promo Video

First Presbyterian of Pooler Promo Video from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: Jesus' Provision for our Spiritual Growth

Last Days of Jesus' First Coming 3 from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: The Great Betrayal

Based on Matthew 26:14-25

Last Days of Jesus' First Coming 2: The Great Betrayal from John Fender on Vimeo.

Sermon: What do you really value?"

From the Series "Last Days of Jesus' First Coming" Part 1 based on Matthew 26:1-16

Last Days of Jesus' First Coming, Part 1: What do you really value? from John Fender on Vimeo.

To download an MP3, click here.

Pooler, GA MOPS Group

MOPS

Mothers of Preschoolers

will start meeting at First Pres. Pooler in September.

Summer Kickoff Cookout

Summer Kickoff Cookout Sunday, June 14th

6:00 pm

At the home of Marty and Cindy Daniel

Hamburgers and hotdogs provided. Please bring a salad, side dish or dessert.

Couponing 101

Couponing with Jenny Martin:

On Saturday June 20th at 9am First Presbyterian of Pooler will host an Extreme Couponing workshop lead by SouthernSavers.com frugal blogger Jenny Martin from Columbia, SC and former member of FPCP.

See the hallway board at Church or her website for more details.

Baby Shower for Elizabeth Brown

Baby Shower

Saturday, June 13

1:00 pm

At the home of Emily Dixon

168 Jamestown Dr., Rincon

660-4321

Elizabeth and Ryan are expecting a baby boy (Luke Michael Brown). They are registered at Babies-R-Us and Target

End Times 10, "Two Eternal Destinations"

Based on Matthew 25:46

End Times 10, "Two Eternal Destinies" from John Fender on Vimeo.

To download an MP3, click here.

Strengthening Your Marriage

Adult Sunday School Class

Strengthening Your Marriage

May 24: God's Purpose in Marriage

May 31: Marriage and Communication

June 7: Marriage and Conflict

June 14: Marriage and Careers

June 21: Marriage and Intimacy

June 28: Marriage and Money

July 5: Marraige and Roles Part 1

July 12: Marriage and Roles Part 2

July 19: Marriage and Children

July 26: Marriage and Divorce

August 2: Marriage and Counseling

Dates and topics are subject to change!

End Times 9, "The Judgment Day"

Based on Matthew 25:31-46

End Times 9 "The Judgment Day" from John Fender on Vimeo.

To download an MP3, click here.

Summer Sunday Schoool Series

Strengthening Your Marriage

Adult Sunday School Class

Taught by Rev. Fender

Sunday Mornings from 10:00 am - 10:45 am starting May 24th

Topics include:

Communication , Conflict, Careers, Intimacy, Money, and more...

Sermon: Investing in Heaven in Light of Jesus' Return"

Sermon by Rev. Fender on Matthew 25:14-30

End Times Part 8 "Investing in Heaven in Light of Christ's Return" from John Fender on Vimeo.

To download, click here.

Sermon: God at Work Cutting

Rev. Jon Beane on Acts 2:36-41

"God at Work Cutting" from John Fender on Vimeo.

To download this MP3, click here.

Meal for RUF at AASU

RUF at AASU

Fellowship Meal

Come support the ministry of Jon and Janelle Beane.

Sunday Night May 3rd at 6:00 pm

Suggested donations of $10.00 per person and $20.00 per family.

Sermon: End Times Part 7

End Times Part 7 "Preparing for Christ's Return" from John Fender on Vimeo. To download an MP3, click here.

New Assistant Pastor: Matt Fray

Meet Matt and Erin Fray

The Session of FPCP is excited to announce that Matt Fray has accepted the position of assistant pastor. This is the first Assistant Pastor in the Church's brief history. Matt will be serving the congregation in three main areas: Worship, Teaching and Administration. Lord willing, he will begin work in Pooler in August. He is pictured here with his wife Erin and their children, Lydia and Hudson.

Sermon: End Times Part 6

To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

Men's Event

Men's Fellowship Fire

When: April 17th at 6:30pm

(come as early as 4:30 pm if you desire to fish beforehand)

Where: In Pooler, behind Godley Park Subdivision (see directions below)

Come for fellowship, fire-pit grilling, and encouragement to fight as a mighty warrior for God!

Stay for fishing, recreation, and more fellowship! Bring camp chair if desired (stump chair provided).

Now, as for the directions, there are two ways to get here:

1. Take the Pooler Parkway to Benton Blvd and Turn onto Benton Blvd towards Home Depot, Walmart, and Colonial Village (used to be the Merrit at Godley). Once on Benton Blvd continue until Stop sign (Jimmy DeLoach Pkwy) and go straight, crossing Jimmy Deloach, until road comes to a "T" (Highlands Blvd). Turn Left onto Highlands Blvd and then turn right into Godley Park (Gated Community with brick entrance). Immediately turn right onto Godley Park Way at stop sign and then follow the signs.

2. Take I-95 N to exit 106 (Jimmy Deloach Pkwy) and turn left onto Jimmy Deloach Pkwy. Next, turn at first right which is Highlands Blvd Pay attention as soon as you turn onto Jimmy Deloach or you will miss it) and then continue down Highlands Blvd till Stop sign. Go straight at stop sign and then turn right into Godley Park (Gated Community with brick entrance). Immediately turn right onto Godley Park Way and then follow the signs.

2009 Egg Hunt Pictures

2009 Easter Egg Hunt

April 11, 2009

To see the rest of the photo album, click here.

Sermon: End Times Part 5

To download a video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

Easter Challenge Week 3 of 3

• Sermon: Follow this link to a sermon by Rev. George Robertson called "

• Action: Reach out to a person who has never been a part of Christ's Church and implore them to consider the marvelous possibility of walking with the One who died and was raised again.

• Focused Prayer time:

1. Do I understand the power of God to raise Jesus from the dead?
2. Do I understand that God makes that same power available to me? (Eph. 1:20)
3. Do I understand that God gives that power so that I might die to sins and live for righteousness?

Sermon: End Times Part 4

Based on Matthew 24:23-31, "How will we know when Jesus returns?" To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

Easter Challenge Week 2 of 3

• Sermon: Tim Keller on "How the Cross Changes Us" at http://www.2pcmedia.org/audion/2007-01-19_How_the_Cross_Changes_Us.mp3
• Action: Reach out to a person who is now separated from Jesus' Church and implore them to return baswed on what you have learned about the nature of the cross.
• Focused prayer topic:

1. What sins have kept you in bondage for years?
2. What sins do you secretly desire to not let go of?
3. How much greater is the joy of knowing Jesus than the empty promises of our sins?

Sermon: End Times Part 3

"What about the Tribulation?" based on Matthew 24: 15-22 To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

Easter Challenge Week 1

• Sermon: Follow this link to hear a sermon by John Piper on the "Importance of Knowing Our Sin"
• Action: Call or write a letter to someone whom you have sinned against, asking for their forgiveness.
• Focused Prayer Time:

1. We should inquire whether we are real Christians or not. This is a point of the greatest importance. If we are Christians indeed, all things shall go well with us, both in life, and at death, in time and eternity. But if we have only the name, however we may live in earthly pleasure, it will be awful dying. "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; but he that believeth not the Son, shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him," John 3:36. How many have been, and are still in the melancholy state of the foolish virgins, have the form of godliness, but know nothing of the power of it? We read of the hope of the hypocrite, which shall perish, Job 8:13. What will become of his hope and him, when God taketh away his soul? Job 27:8. As this is the case then, sure we should all be concerned to make a strict and solemn inquiry, what character we fall under, what state we are in. Would you know whether you are passed from death unto life, look back to the time when you think the change was made, and inquire into the circumstances attending it. What view had you of yourself, of sin, of Christ? Did you see your lost, miserable, and wretched condition, and were you made willing to renounce all that stood in competition with the Redeemer, and to receive him in all his Mediatorial characters? Many cannot remember when the change was made; therefore do you inquire what evidences you can produce of the grace of God in you. Do you have sin? Do you desire therefore above all things to be delivered from it? Is it your daily burden? And does heaven appear peculiarly amiable, because there sin will be no more? What is your faith? He that believeth shall be saved, Matt. 16:16. Is Christ the object of your faith; Christ, as he is represented in the gospel? Do you go to him for righteousness to justify you, his Spirit to sanctify you, and his whole salvation to be bestowed upon you? What is your humility? Do you appear vile in your own eyes? Are you filled with self-abhorrence? Do you see nothing in yourself, nothing in your services, and are you willing to receive salvation as the free gift of God, and to admire his rich distinguishing grace in the bestowment of it? Do you seek after a submission to the dispensations of his providence, not dictating to infinite Wisdom, or censuring his conduct, but thinking honorably of all his ways, and desiring to say always, Father, not my will, but thine be done? What is your hope? Does it lull you to security, and encourage you to take your ease, for all is well? Or does it put you upon duty, enliven you in it, reconcile you to afflictions, animate you with zeal, and put you upon seeking after purity of heart and life? What is your love? Can you say, Whom have I in heaven but thee, and there is none upon earth I desire besides thee? When Christ is present, do you rejoice? When he withdraws, are your souls grieved? When he is dishonored, do you mourn? Do you long after clearer views and fuller enjoyments of Christ? These and such like questions put to your soul, when inquiring into your state.

2. Another subject of inquiry is, whether we are growing or declining Christians. Inquire, Do you see more of the odiousness of sin? Do you grow more confirmed in this great truth, that you are nothing? Are your views clearer of your weakness and poverty, of the glory and suitableness of Christ, and of the excellency of the gospel? How are your corruptions? Are they as prevalent as usual? Are not your affections more mortified to the world? Does pride possess your breast as much as ever? Does passion still boil in you, and lead you aside as often as before? Are you as much entangled with lust, as easily conquered? Have you got no victories over sin, got no steps forward in your journey, added no cubits to your spiritual stature? Are you not in some measure more like your Lord? Have you more of his divine temper? Are you therefore more meek and lowly in heart; more patient and submissive to your Father’s pleasure, more active and diligent in promoting his glory, and more concerned to live usefully and profitably? In what condition is your faith? Does it grow stronger? Do you feel more of its purifying influences? Do you have Jesus and his people more than you did? Are you more afraid of offending your Redeemer, more desirous of honoring him, more humble under a sense of the little you do for him, and longing more after a better world, where you shall love and praise him forever? Finally, Are you become more spiritual, more heavenly in your temper, your duties, your conversation; more circumspect in your walk; and more concerned to fill up every relation and character in such a manner, as you may adorn the doctrine of God your Savior in all things? Thus inquire into these two important points, whether you are Christians, and what progress you have made; whether you have reason to say, Oh, that it was with me as in months past, and so to be humbled under a conviction of a decline; or whether you have reason to admire distinguishing grace, for any advances in holiness, any growth in experience?

Taken from Samuel Hayward's "Self-Examination"

2009 Spring Carnival

To view other photos from the carnival, click here.

Community Egg Hunt

Community

On the Saturday before Easter

April 11, 2009 at 10:00 am

This event is open to the public. Please invite others to come with you.

For more information, email us at fpcpooler@comcast.net

Sermon: Jon Beane on Acts 2

To listen to or download an MP3, click here.

The New Calvinism "Powerful" says Time

Check out this article from Time Magazine about the growing influence of Calvinism:


http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1884779_1884782_1884760,00.html

Sermon: End Times Part 2

"What Age do we live in now?" Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 24:1-14 To download this video, click here. To download the MP3, click here.

What is an Evangelical?

Check out this blog: http://theologica.blogspot.com/2009/03/what-is-evangelical.html

You will find a reference to a series of sermons by Dr. Martin Lloyd-Jones.

Sermon: End Times Part 1

Based on Matthew 24:1-3. "Why should we consider such a topic?" To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

New Sunday School Topic

On March 15th, we will start studying

Tim Keller's

Reasons for God

Visit the website to order the book:

http://www.thereasonforgod.com/

Mark Driscoll's Family Devotions

Mark Driscoll gives a realistic approach to doing family devotions at dinnertime:

Step 1. Eat dinner with your entire family regularly.
Step 2. Mom and Dad sit next to one another to lead the family discussion.
Step 3. Open the meal by asking if there is anyone or anything to pray for.
Step 4. Someone opens in prayer and covers any requests. This task should be rotated among family members so that different people take turns learning to pray aloud.
Step 5. Start eating and discuss how everyone’s day went.
Step 6. Have a Bible in front of the parents in a translation that is age-appropriate for the kids’ reading level. Have someone (parent or child) open the Bible, and assign a portion to read aloud while everyone is eating and listening.
Step 7. Parents should note key words and themes in the passage and explain them to the kids on an age-appropriate level.
Step 8. Ask questions about the passage. You may want to begin with having your children summarize what was read—retelling the story or passage outline. Then, ask the following questions: What does this passage teach us about God? What does it say about us or about how God sees us? What does it teach us about our relationships with others?
Step 9. Let the conversation happen naturally, listen carefully to the kids, let them answer the questions, and fill in whatever they miss or lovingly and gently correct whatever they get wrong so as to help them.
Step 10. If the Scriptures convict you of sin, repent as you need to your family, and share appropriately honest parts of your life story so the kids can see Jesus’ work in your life and your need for him too. This demonstrates gospel humility to them.
Step 11. At the end of dinner, ask the kids if they have any questions for you.
Step 12. If you miss a night, or if conversation gets off track, or if your family occasionally just wants to talk about something else, don’t stress—it’s inevitable.
[this was post first originated at Life Together and who adapted from “Family Dinner Bible Studies” by Mark Driscoll in Trial: 8 Witnesses from 1 & 2 Peter, a study guide. (Mars Hill Church, 2009), pages 69-70.] Thank you “Life Together - so that others may live”.

Sermon: Hypocrisy Part 3- Condemnation and Sorrow

Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 23:13-39 To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

Ordination Sermon "For Your Joy"

On the occassion of the Ordination and Installation of new officers. To download this sermon, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

Fellowship Meal this Sunday Night!

Sunday Night, March 1st

6:00 pm

$3.00 per person/ $6.00 per family

God Exalting Grammar

Sermon: Hypocrisy Part 2- Hypocrisy of Leadership

Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 23:1-12 To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

10 Reasons why you should come to the Spring Carnival

Spring Carnival

10 reasons to come at 10 am

on Saturday, March 21st

The Gospel in 6 Minutes

Sermon Excerpt on the Grace

Sermon Excerpt on the Great Commandments

Keller: Parable of the Two Sons

Tim Keller recently spoke at Christ Presbyterian in Nashville on the Parable of the Two Sons. Right click on the link and choose "Save target as".

Book of Judges Bible Study

New Bible Study Forming

The Book of Judges:

"Cycles of Grace, Longing for Leadership"

A six week study on the book of Judges.

Starting Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2009

6:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the Church

Childcare can be arranged.

The phrase, "every man did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25) not only summarizes the book of Judges, but also the culture we live in today. This study will help us understand two things: how to renew ourselves when we fall and what it looks like to follow God rather than the idols of our culture.

Spring Carnival

Spring Carnival

March 21, 2009

10:00 am - 11:30 am

Activities will include:

Cake Walk

Jump House

Play-doh station

Parachute

Face painting

Dunking Chair

and more!

Everyone is welcome to attend.

If you want to volunteer, or if you have questions about the event, please contact the church office at FPCPoffice@yahoo.com .

Sermon: Hypocrisy Part 1- Hypocrisy of Doctrine

To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

Slow Fade

Here is the video we watched during the Valentine's Party as a reminder of how we need to apply the gospel on a daily basis to fight against division in our marriages.

Valentine's Party Pictures

Feb. 6, 2009

The Valentines Party was great fun for those involved. It consisted of great food, a video reminding us of the real possibility of marriages slowing falling apart because of a series of small, yet dangerous choices, and then a game where spouses got to show how well they know each other.

Click here to see the video.

Here are a few pictures:

To see the rest of the pictures, go here.

We are now on Facebook

Visit and/or join our Facebook group!

Sermon: The Great Commandments

Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:34-40 To download the video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

2009 State of the Church Dinner

To view the rest of the photos from the dinner, click here.

Hall of Contemporary Reformers

Check out this website which features servants of God whom God has raised up to faithfully proclaim the gospel in our time, and whom the Lord is now using to preserve that silver thread of orthodoxy that has existed through the ages.

Hall of Contemporary Reformers

New Sermon Series: Hypocrisy

During the month of February, Pastor Fender will explore the issue of Hypocrisy based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 23.

Being Pro-Life Christians Under a Pro-Choice President

Check out this blog by Dr. John Piper concerning ways to honor a pro-choice president in light of 1 Peter 2:17.

Sermon: Skepticism about Eternity

Based on Jesus' teaching in Matthew 22:23-33 To download this video, click here. To download an MP3, click here.

Valentine's Party

Valentine's Party

Friday, Feb. 6th, 2009

6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

at the Church.

To sign up to attend and reserve childcare (if needed), then email fpcpooler@comcast.net.

Please bring your favorite dessert.

Monergism.com's Reformation Theology Reading Guide

Reformation Theology Reading Guide

In bringing you this list, it is our hope to bring honor to God by exalting Jesus Christ in providing the biblical and theological works (both contemporary and classic) that we believe best reflect the Scriptires' teaching on grace and the Christian life. Below I've put together this concise guide to Reformation Theology literature which hopefully will be beneficial to all who want to do some deeper investigation of where we are, where we’ve come from and where we are going. To get you started this succinct guide places emphasis on Reformed soteriology (e.g. the doctrine of salvation), the five solas and covenant theology. The following all deserve a permanent place on your bookshelf:

Our Top Recommendations:(click on the links below if you want to learn more about a particular book)
ESV Study Bible ESV Reformation Study Bible

The Institutes of Christian Religion by John Calvin

A New Systematic Theology of the Christian Faith 2nd Edition by Dr. Robert L. Reymond

Institutes of Elenctic Theology, 3 vol. set by Francis Turretin

A Body of Divinity by Thomas Watson

The Christian in Complete Armour by William Gurnall

The Glory of Christ by John Owen

The Holy Spirit by John Owen

Religious Affections by Jonathan Edwards

The Doctrine of God by John Frame

Basic Christianity
A Christian should always be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them. (1 Peter 3:15) Sinclair Ferguson in his excellent The Christian Life: A Doctrinal Introduction, is a great place to start learning how. Also, it is short, but I cannot recommend enough Walter Chantry's little book Today's Gospel: Authentic or Synthetic?. He refocuses our attention on the heart of the Gospel message. . With the new Christian or layperson in mind, David G. Hagopian offers us Back to Basics: Rediscovering the Richness of Reformed Faith. To get an overview of the unity of the whole Bible Vaughan Roberts has written two excellent little books called God's Big Picture Tracing the Story-line of the Bible. Another little book that will take you through an introduction to the Bible as the unfolding plan of God is Graeme Goldsworthy’s little gem According to Plan The Unfolding Revelation of God in the Bible. Outstanding as always, the late James Boice, works through the Five Solas in 'Whatever Happened to the Gospel of Grace: Recovering the Doctrines That Shook the World' - a must read (temporarily out of print).

Sola Scriptura: (Scripture Alone)
For in-depth studies it is perhaps best to begin with understanding the Scriptures themselves, for in them Christ has revealed Himself. We can only know God as He has made himself known to us. Scripture is our highest presupposition and rule all of our thought and enables us to destroy any false speculation raised up against the knowledge of God. Our ultimate and final authority for knowledge is the Word of God, hence the Protestant adage Sola Scriptura. ESV Study Bible is a must have addition to your every day studies. The notes are extremely informative and give emphasis to the unity of Scripture and the texts which affirm the central truths of the Christian Faith. We also highly recommend his little book entitled 'Knowing Scripture' which clearly shows us an exegetical approach to interpreting Scripture. Perhaps one of the best defenses of Sola Scriptura ever written is Disputations on Holy Scripture by William Whitaker. Also it has perplexed many throughout the centuries why if there is one truth, it is so difficult to determine it? How do we determine who is right? And why does God allow errors in His Church (though never in His Word)? These are exactly the questions that Dr. Samuel Bolton addresses in this rare book, The Arraignment of Error. James White’s 'Scripture Alone: Exploring The Bible's Accuracy, Authority, And Authenticity' is a shorter but also a very well crafted defense of the doctrine of Sola Scriptura.

Sola Gratia (Grace Alone)
Central to understanding the Bible and possibly the most neglected doctrine in evangelicalism is the doctrine of grace alone. This and Solus Christus (Christ Alone) give us the heartbeat of the Reformed faith. Luther, Calvin and the other Reformers understood this to be the pivotal doctrine of the Reformation. The term allows only grace to be the active power in justification and leaves nothing to the human will or to human works. Synergism (synergismus), or cooperation between man and God, is therefore effectively ruled out of the initial work of salvation. Even faith (fides) itself springs from the grace of Christ and cannot be considered as the result of human effort. These Reformers taught that sinners are not free to choose but are completely captive to their sin…nothing precedes the grace and work of the Holy Spirit. Reformation Scholar Michael Haykin says, "it is wrong to suppose that the doctrine of Justification by faith alone, that storm center of the Reformation, was the crucial question in the minds of such theologians as Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli, Martin Bucer, and John Calvin. This doctrine was important to the Reformers because it helped to express and to safeguard their answer to another, more vital, question, namely, whether sinners are wholly helpless in their sin, and whether God is to be thought of as saving them by free, unconditional, invincible grace, not only justifying them for Christ’s sake when they come to faith, but also raising them from the death of sin by His quickening Spirit in order to bring them to faith." With this very thing in mind, Martin Luther believed that his Bondage of the Will was his greatest work and best expressed the theology of the Reformation. You will chuckle at Luther's descriptions of his theological opponents but the arguments require some deep thinking. Jonathan Edward’s ‘Freedom of the Will’ is considered his greatest work but I would only recommend it to advanced students of the Word. R.C. Sproul’s 'Willing to Believe: The Controversy over Free Will' is a better introduction for lay readers. John Owen's book 'The Holy Spirit' is up there with some of the best books we have ever read on the sovereign work of the Spirit in salvation. We cannot stress how important the topics of free will, grace and the Holy Spirit is to recovering the gospel and facing up to the current crisis in evangelicalism.

Integral to this is its belief that "man's primary purpose is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever." As affirmed in the beginning of the 'The Westminster Confession of Faith’. Glorify God also means that we need to know him. I am always struck by the ease at which so many evangelicals say we don’t need to know theology, we just need Jesus. Well would you say the same thing about your wife or husband. I don’t really want to know about him/her, I just need him in a generic sense. Can we love those who we don’t want to know anything about? J.I. Packer really helps us here with his classic 'Knowing God' which, to my amazement, even some who reject the Reformed faith love. I would also heartily recommend the Puritan Thomas Watson’s 16th Century classic, ‘A Body of Divinity’.

Doctrines of Grace

To know the doctrine of Sola Gratia we we obviously cannot avoid drinking up the beautiful doctrines of grace which are mediated to us from Christ through the Holy Spirit.. The acrostic TULIP best express Reformed soteriology: These are, total depravity, unconditional election, definite (limited) atonement, irresistible grace, and perseverance of the saints. All Christians should get to know these because after you understand them you will realize that these truths really speak to the fact God saves sinners by the grace of Jesus Christ alone. We do not want anyone to simply embrace a system, but so that we glorify God in Jesus Christ by ascribing all to Him in our salvation. A good place to begin learning more about the doctrines of grace is ‘Putting Amazing Back into Grace’ by Michael Horton. We also can't emphasize enough how much practical help the book 'When Grace Comes Home: How the Doctrines of Grace Change Your Life’ by Terry Johnson is. Get this book if you want to know and understand the nitty gritty of how the doctrines of grace relate practically to everyday living. For those who want a great overview and prefer reading less, I highly recommend this great DVD of high production quality: ‘Amazing Grace: The History & Theology of CALVINISM’. For the most thoroughgoing exposition of the atonement make sure you get John Owen's classic, 'The Death of Death in the Death of Christ'. Particular redemption is brilliantly argued here.

The Sovereignty of God in Election and All Things
According to the Scriptures, God chose in Christ those whom He would redeem, before the foundation of the earth. (Jn. 17:9; 2 Tim. 1-9-10, Eph. 1:3-14; 2 Thess. 2:13-14; ) Elaborating on this there is some fine literature out there; A.W. Pink's 'The Sovereignty of God’ seems to stand the test of time and may be considered a classic. For a contemporary look at the doctrine of election we highly recommend Chosen For Life: The Case for Divine Election by Sam Storms which is really a helpful book on the topic. 'Still Sovereign: Contemporary Perspectives on Election, Foreknowledge, and Grace' brings together many of today’s best Reformed scholars and continues to affirm that salvation of the Lord alone. Many essays on various topics related to grace. Another excellent treatment is Gordon Clark’s ‘Predestination’ and the 'The Reign of Grace' by Abraham Booth (a Classic). Loraine Boettner’s 'Reformed Doctrine of Predestination' has been extremely helpful to many. Furthermore, I want to recommend one of today's clearest thinkers with regard to God's sovereignty and compatibilism: John Frame's 'The Doctrine of God'. The book is irenic toward its opponents but it utterly lays bare and demolishes arguments for libertarian free will theism.

The Covenant
The covenant is the theological framework of the unfolding redemptive work of God which best accounts for the biblical teachings on God's role and man's in salvation, divine sovereignty and human responsibility, the relationship between law and grace, and the unity of Scripture. One of the classic Christian books in history is called 'Economy of the Covenants Between God and Man' by Herman Witsius first published from Utrecht in 1677. The best introductory book on the topic is Covenant Theology: The Key of Theology in Reformed Thought and Tradition by Peter Golding. For a deeper understanding of this critical topic we also highly encourage you to buy God of Promise: Introducing Covenant Theology by Michael Horton - a extremely helpful book.

Justification

This has once again become a controversial topic. It is central to our faith so we need to be intimately familiar with it and our union with Christ. Perhaps the best writing on the subject is Everlasting Righteousness by Horatius Bonar. We are also very excited about a little relatively unknown book called Justification and Regeneration by Charles Leiter. For a very thorough investigation of the topic we believe Justification: Understanding the Classic Reformed Doctrine by J.V. Fesco covers the most ground.

Godly Life and Sanctification

Too many traditions go wrong in the area of growing in grace. To counter this we would like to recommend a tremendously helpful Gospel-centered, Christ exalting book ... perhaps one of the best books on sanctification ever published, The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification: Growing in Holiness by Living in Union with Christ by Walter Marshall. In this same vein take the time to read CJ Mahaney's The Cross-Centered Life. And of course, the all time classic, The Mortification of Sin by John Owen.