Cultivating Biblical Godliness

Many churches have an official process to join their membership. Is this really a biblical practice? The authors show that the Bible assumes the necessity of formal church membership so that we can fulfill the commands and apply the promises given to the church. Clearly and carefully, and answering contemporary objections along the way, the authors make the biblical case that God desires the members of His heavenly kingdom to join with the earthly society that reflects it Christ's body, the church. RYAN M. MCGRAW is pastor of First Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, California; research associate, University of the Free State; and adjunct professor of systematic theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. RYAN SPECK received his MDiv from Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. He is pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church (PCA) in Columbia, Missouri. He is blessed to be married to Carolina and to be the father of five daughters.

We all worry. Although many of our worries are never realized, we continue to live with daily anxiety, constantly fearing the present and the future "€" things that are or things that never will be. In How Can I Stop Worrying?, Gerald M. Bilkes examines God's gracious path for trading anxiety for a deep peace through Jesus Christ that can fortify and guard us, regardless of our circumstances, in a way that brings glory to God.

What is a Christian? This is a truly vital question because never-ending happiness or everlasting horror hinges upon understanding the correct, biblical answer to it. Yet few questions have provoked so much confusion. Ryan McGraw lays out what it means to be a Christian in terms of what one believes, what one experiences, and what one does a full-orbed Christianity of head, heart, and hands. If you are investigating what it means to follow Jesus Christ, if you are wrestling with the question of whether you are truly saved, if you desire to grow as a Christian by getting back to the basics, or if you are seeking to help others, here are simple and clear answers from the Holy Scriptures. Ryan McGraw is pastor of First orthodox Presbyterian Church in Sunnyvale, California; research associate, University of the Free State; adjunct professor of systematic theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary. What is a Christian? This is a truly vital question because never-ending happiness or everlasting horror hinges upon understanding the correct, biblical answer to it. Yet few questions have provoked so much confusion. Ryan McGraw lays out what it means to be a Christian in terms of what one believes, what one experiences, and what one does a full-orbed Christianity of head, heart, and hands. If you are investigating what it means to follow Jesus Christ, if you are wrestling with the question of whether you are truly saved, if you desire to grow as a Christian by getting back to the basics, or if you are seeking to help others, here are simple and clear answers from the Holy Scriptures.

Is Lord's Day observance simply a quaint tradition that was nice for previous generations but really isn't relevant for Christians today? Isn't the Sabbath just part of the Old Testament law that New Testament believers don't need to be concerned about? In this pamphlet, author Joseph Pipa carefully guides you through the Scriptures, answering frequently asked questions about the Lord's Day along the way, and helps you to see that the Lord's Day is for you not as a burden, but as a blessing that will lead you to delight in God as you are freed from work and worldly pleasures to worship Him.

What does God say about our money? Every true believer lives for the glory of God in every aspect of his life. A Christian's finances are no exception. "So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver."—2 Corinthians 9:7 NKJV In this short booklet, Dr. Joseph Pipa cuts through the noise of financial gurus and "prosperity gospel" teachers to provide biblical and practical advice on how to glorify God in your finances. Dr. Pipa establishes a theology of tithing from the Old and New Testaments, reminding us that stewardship is a matter of worship unto God. Dive in to learn how growing in generosity is an integral part of life in the church that benefits those who give and those who receive. This booklet is a part of the "Cultivating Biblical Godliness" series, which answers questions Christians have about everyday faithfulness in life and practice.

Prayer meetings are a vital aspect to the life and ministry of the church. But experience shows that taking prayer requests and conducting Bible study often crowd out time for actual prayer. In this booklet, Ryan McGraw highlights common pitfalls experienced in prayer meetings and offers practical remedies. By giving careful attention to the relationship between participants and the best manner of using our time, our prayer meetings can be better suited to glorify God, advance the gospel, and edify the saints.

In How Can I Overcome Lust?, Ryan M. McGraw highlights the seriousness of sexual lust and gives readers hope for overcoming it. He considers the foundational principles of overcoming lust in general, identifies the nature of sexual lust in particular, and applies biblical principles for finding a path through it. As McGraw shows, overcoming sexual lust is made possible by union with Christ as the Spirit makes us like Him through God-given means. He also encourages us to meditate on appropriate truths of Scripture so that our affections can be reordered in a God-honoring way.

'Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend,' Proverbs 27:17 tells us. God uses Christian friendships to help His children grow in grace and stay true to Christ. But our twenty-first-century Western culture values individualism, busyness, and selfishness qualities that do not encourage deep, long-lasting, satisfying friendships. The authors guide us through a practical survey of biblical and historical friendships, drawing principles from them that will aid us in forming our own biblical friendships that will sharpen us for our Christian journey in a world that is no friend to grace. Michael A. G. Haykin is professor of church history and biblical spirituality as The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend," Proverbs 27:17 tells us. God uses Christian friendships to help His children grow in grace and stay true to Christ. But our twenty-first-century Western culture values individualism, busyness, and selfishness qualities that do not encourage deep, long-lasting, satisfying friendships. The authors guide us through a practical survey of biblical and historical friendships, drawing principles from them that will aid us in forming our own biblical friendships that will sharpen us for our Christian journey in a world that is no friend to grace.

How should we as parents view our children in the church as we are tasked with bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord? How should we as congregants view the children in our churches, whom we have a solemn responsibility to evangelize and instruct? In this booklet Joel R. Beeke discusses theological and practical foundations for raising and nurturing children in light of the covenant of grace.

This audiobook teaches readers why infant baptism is an essential practice for the Church. Ultimately, Reformed churches baptize infants because this practice heralds God's glorious covenant promises. This visible proclamation of God's word is a God-given means to cultivate biblical godliness in the Church, in parenting, and in the lives of our children. Ryan M. McGraw takes us beyond the question of whether infant baptism is right and shows us what difference it actually makes.

Hebrews 3:1 and 12:3 tell us that the most effective means for enduring affliction is to consider Christ, the fountainhead of all vital Christianity. But how, you ask, and in what ways must I consider Him? In this booklet, Joel R. Beeke shows how our consideration of the passion, power, presence, patience and perseverance, prayers, plenitude, preciousness, promises, purposes, and plan of Christ provide strength for living through and profiting from the deepest sorrows of this world. Seek grace to live Christianly today in and through your afflictions, and you will soon discover with the apostle, "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" (Phil. 1:21).

Are you dying? If not, then you have not yet begun to live. The Bible teaches us that when God forgives a person by the death of Jesus Christ, He starts a process in him of dying daily putting his sinful habits to death as he lives in union with Christ. Though being born again brings fundamental changes in a person's soul, every Christian has sin remaining in him. Pastor Geoffrey Thomas explains how Christians can fight and conquer sin in their lives by the grace of Christ so that they grow to be more like Jesus, living wholeheartedly for the Lord one day at a time.

Spiritual growth is a necessary part of the Christian's life, but a failure to practice biblical meditation hinders such growth. Today, many believers misunderstand this core Christian discipline because they associate it with New Age spirituality and false religions. During the Puritan age, however, many ministers preached and wrote about meditation, and in this pamphlet, Joel R. Beeke guides us through their instruction on this subject.

Sometimes the many tasks of homemaking and motherhood seem unending, and many moms wonder if they will ever feel productive. Author Esther Engelsma says moms can feel productive if they change the way they think about their work. She helps readers understand that God's goal for moms is not centered on getting things done. Rather, God wants them to use time well, grow in sanctification, and glorify Him. With a warm, friendly style, the author shares from Scripture and practical experience the freeing truth of God's purpose for moms and their valuable kingdom work. Esther Engelsma lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, with her husband and daughter. She also serves her church as an administrative assistant.

Hospitality, or showing love to strangers, is a Christian duty (Rom. 12:13). It does not require fine china, multiple courses, or perfectly clean and decorated homes. It requires that we share our time, homes, meals, and fellowship with others-and if we understand salvation as God showing hospitality to former enemies, we will want to do so. Thinking through the practical issues of inviting people into our homes can make practicing it easier. This booklet presents seven ways that can help us think practically about how to follow our Lord's command in this area. Rebecca VanDoodewaard is a wife, mother, and author of several books. She and her husband lived many places before moving to Grand Rapids.

Prayer is a crucial part of the Christian life, and believers must give it careful attention and cultivation. As they pray, Christians exercise their faith in repentance, in submission to God's will, and in praise to God. Believers in Christ, then, must grow in their prayer life in their communion with God. In this pamphlet, Joel R. Beeke gives readers helpful, practical ways to improve their prayer lives by first disciplining themselves, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, and by then taking hold of God. Learn what a blessing it is to pray! Joel R. Beeke is president and professor of systematic theology and homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Prayer is a crucial part of the Christian life, and believers must give it careful attention and cultivation. As they pray, Christians exercise their faith in repentance, in submission to God's will, and in praise to God. Believers in Christ, then, must grow in their prayer life in their communion with God. In this pamphlet, Joel R. Beeke gives readers helpful, practical ways to improve their prayer lives by first disciplining themselves, in dependence on the Holy Spirit, and by then taking hold of God. Learn what a blessing it is to pray!

God's Word teaches us that Jesus Christ was ordained by God and anointed by the Spirit for His work as prophet, priest, and king of His children. Those who are in union with Him share His offices in a limited but important way. In this booklet, Joel Beeke explains how husbands and fathers should lead their families as prophets, priests, and kings. Filled with biblical wisdom and practical application, How Should Men Lead Their Families? is a helpful guide for men who desire to bear the image of the Father of glory and of the heavenly Husband as they lead, teach, love, evangelize, protect, and rule over their wives and children. Joel R. Beeke is president of Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary and a pastor of the Heritage Netherlands Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan. God's Word teaches us that Jesus Christ was ordained by God and anointed by the Spirit for His work as prophet, priest, and king of His children. Those who are in union with Him share His offices in a limited but important way. In this booklet, Joel Beeke explains how husbands and fathers should lead their families as prophets, priests, and kings. Filled with biblical wisdom and practical application, How Should Men Lead Their Families? is a helpful guide for men who desire to bear the image of the Father of glory and of the heavenly Husband as they lead, teach, love, evangelize, protect, and rule over their wives and children.

How has God provided for single Christians? Statistics show that life as a single person has become a common experience. For many in the church, singleness is the new normal. Between loneliness, sexual temptation, and self-pity, Christians often forget that God does not view them as second-class. In this short booklet, Joel Beeke and Paul Smalley remind single Christians that they can experience rich and satisfying lives when they understand that Christ, not marriage, completes them. Pastoral and practical, their biblical wisdom shows singles in the church how they can see their singleness as God's gift for them as a means to glorify and enjoy Him forever. Singles and married couples alike can learn from this resource as they strive together to grow in godliness. This booklet is a part of the "Cultivating Biblical Godliness" series, which answers questions Christians have about everyday faithfulness in life and practice.

God has blessed Joel and Mary Beeke with a wonderful marriage. God has also given them the opportunity to counsel many people in troubled marriages as well as to provide premarital counseling to scores of engaged couples. In How Can We Build a Godly Marriage?, the Beekes share ten principles they emphasize in their counseling. Perhaps you and your spouse are due for a checkup in your relationship. If so, carefully consider the important marks of a God-glorifying marriage found in this booklet. Strive to put these things into practice, and your marriage will be better for it! JOEL R. BEEKE is President and Professor of Systematic Theology and Homiletics at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. He has been married to his wife MARY BEEKE since 1989. They are blessed with three children and two grandchildren, and serve as a pastor and pastor s wife of the Heritage Reformed Congregation in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

In Ephesians 5:16, the apostle Paul instructs Christians to redeem 'the time, because the days are evil.' Author Ryan McGraw says that 'how you use your time measures the quality of your life.' But how can you manage your time in order to serve the Lord and the church well? In this pamphlet, you will learn what the Bible has to say about the gospel foundation for time management and how to apply its instruction so that you redeem the time in a God-honoring way. Ryan M. McGraw is professor of systematic theology, Greenville Presbyterian Theological Seminary