Leonard Sweet

A better definition of God's kingdom changes everything about how we live today - no matter what the future holds. Welcome to a better way of looking at the end: as the culmination of God's grand story. Jesus' most important word in describing the end is the Greek word telos. Telos is the rhythm of human history; the presence of God; and the plot, purpose, and completion of the story. The end is the kingdom of God, and the kingdom is here and now. Sweet and Wilson show how many of the political problems plaguing modern Christianity are rooted in bad theology. God's kingdom is the present reality of the presence of God that gives us hope for today and tomorrow.

A better definition of God's kingdom changes everything about how we live today - no matter what the future holds. Welcome to a better way of looking at the end: as the culmination of God's grand story. Jesus' most important word in describing the end is the Greek word telos. Telos is the rhythm of human history; the presence of God; and the plot, purpose, and completion of the story. The end is the kingdom of God, and the kingdom is here and now. Sweet and Wilson show how many of the political problems plaguing modern Christianity are rooted in bad theology. God's kingdom is the present reality of the presence of God that gives us hope for today and tomorrow.

Introducing a new kind of Jesus biography: Transform the tired and familiar way you have read the Bible into an electrifying journey of rediscovering Christ. In this compelling work, authors Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola reclaim the entire Bible as a gripping narrative about Jesus Christ. Jesus says, “The Scriptures point to me!” (John 5:39 NLT). But what does that mean exactly? Virtually every other “Jesus biography” begins with the nativity account in Bethlehem. In this innovative book, Sweet and Viola begin before time, in the Triune God, and tell the complete interconnected story of Jesus from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus: A Theography is the first book ever written to combine historical Jesus studies with biblical theology, crafting together one breathtaking saga that tells the Jesus story in both Old and New Testaments. This groundbreaking book clearly demonstrates that every bit of Scripture is part of the same stunning drama - what the authors refer to as the theography of Jesus Christ. Leonard Sweet and Frank Viola (authors of Jesus Manifesto and Jesus Speaks) unfold the greatest story ever told in a fresh and invigorating way. Whether you are a seasoned Christian scholar, a new believer, or someone who is intrigued by Jesus, this book unveils the discoveries of a lifetime, transforming the tired and familiar way we have read the Bible into an electrifying journey of rediscovering Christ. Jesus: A Theography:Tells the complete and interconnected story of Jesus, from Genesis to RevelationCombines historical Jesus studies with biblical theologyProves that the main subject of the Old Testament is Jesus ChristSecond, standalone volume in the JESUS trilogyLeonard Sweet and Frank Viola set out on a journey of discovery with one goal: to help restore the sovereignty of Jesus Christ above all else. This led to their national bestseller, Jesus Manifesto. Two years later, they released Jesus: A Theography, beautifully establishing that all Scripture unveils a person—the Lord Jesus Christ. In 2016 they released the final volume in the trilogy: Jesus Speaks. All three volumes of the JESUS trilogy will lead the reader to a deeper understanding of Christ.

An ancient donkey and a strong-willed, good-hearted maid, both chosen to carry the Messiah in their own way, lead you through the Christmas story like you've never read it before. Meet Issy the she-donkey, Mary's beloved companion. Meet Mary of Nazareth, capable and trusting in the Most High despite a family that sometimes makes her life difficult. Meet fiery angels and a just young man named Joe who finds himself dropped in the most extraordinary of circumstances requiring all the faith he has. St. Is presents time-honored characters in all their humanness, a donkey that represents us all, our wanderings and our ponderings, and invites us to watch in wonder the workings of a God who transcends time and meets us all in the form of a baby born in Bethlehem." St. Is tells the story of Jesus' birth from the unique perspective of Issy, Mary's delightful and loyal donkey. Told with delight and whimsy, St. Is is Biblical truth wrapped in narrative brilliance. The first of a series of books, St. Is will stir your imagination and whet your appetite for more." Bryce Ashlin-Mayo, Lead Pastor of Westlife Church and author of Digital Mission: A Practical Guide for Ministry Online.

A spellbinding tale of magi, a madman, and a Messiah whose very life is sought. Join Issy the Donkey as she tells the timeless tale of Jesus, Mary, Joseph, and the wise men. Everything hinges on their escape to Egypt. Thankfully, Zebby the Noble Camel, small and faster than any camel should be, has joined the team. Just in time. This second installment of the story of Jesus in the St. Is series witnesses a loving, rambunctious, and inquisitive toddler on his way to becoming The Messiah, and the family called to care for him. It will leave you wanting to know more and love more.

Are you hungry to hear God’s voice, but don’t know how? Jesus Speaks teaches readers how to listen for the voice of Jesus and how you can grow in your ability to recognize and respond to his voice daily. While the Lord frequently speaks to us, we don’t really hear his voice until we recognize it. In Jesus Speaks, Sweet and Viola unpack the many ways the Lord speaks to his people today by exploring how the disciples interacted with the risen Jesus—from the Gospels to Revelation. They demystify the process in a warm, practical way, providing insights on how you can recognize the voice of Jesus in your own life. Separated into two sections, the first provides a big-picture look at how the resurrected Jesus spoke in the New Testament, while the second contains short, actionable chapters filled with scriptural quotes and references. Both sections work together to help you recognize and respond to the voice of Jesus in your everyday life. Readers will be able to:Gain a firm foundation in the scriptures, learning how Jesus spoke to his disciplesDispel myths and misinformation surrounding what it means to hear the voice of Jesus todayGrow the ability to recognize God’s voice and learn how to respondEssential for Christians seeking to improve their relationship with Jesus, Jesus Speaks is the long-awaited third volume in the JESUS trilogy: Jesus Manifesto; Jesus: A Theography; and Jesus Speaks.

Una burra anciana y una doncella de temperamento fuerte y buen coraz n, ambas elegidas para llevar al Mes as, cada uno a su manera, lo guiar n a trav s de la historia de Navidad como nunca antes la hab a le do. Conoce a Issy, la burra, querida compa era de Mar a. Conoce a Mar a de Nazaret, capaz y confiada en el Alt simo, a pesar de tener una familia que a veces le dificulta la vida. Conoce a los ngeles resplandecientes y a un joven justo llamado Jos , que se ve arrojado a las circunstancias m s extraordinarias, circunstancias que exigen de l toda la fe que tiene. Sta. Is presenta personajes consagrados con todas sus caracter sticas humanas; una burra que nos representa a todos, nuestras andanzas y reflexiones, y nos invita a contemplar con asombro la obra de un Dios que trasciende el tiempo y viene a nuestro encuentro en forma de uno beb nacido en Bel n. Sta. Is es la historia del nacimiento de Jes s, contada a trav s de la perspectiva nica de Issy, la burrita fiel y encantadora de Mar a. Elaborado con deleite y fantas a, Sta. Is es una verdad b blica envuelta en una narrativa ingeniosa. Siendo el primer libro de la serie, Sta. Is despierta la imaginaci n y abre el apetito por m s.- Bryce Ashlin-Mayo, pastor principal de la Iglesia Westlife y autor de La misi n digital: una gu a pr ctica para el ministerio en l nea.

Uma jumenta idosa e uma donzela de temperamento forte e bom cora o, ambas escolhidas para carregar o Messias, cada uma de modo pr prio, o guiam pela hist ria do Natal, como voc nunca leu antes. Conhe a Issy, a jumentinha, a amada companheira de Maria. Conhe a Maria de Nazar , capaz e confiante no Alt ssimo, apesar de uma fam lia que s vezes torna sua vida dif cil. Conhe a os anjos reluzentes e um jovem justo chamado Z , que se encontra atirado na mais extraordin ria das circunst ncias, circunst ncias essas que exigem dele toda a f que possui. Sta. Is apresenta personagens consagrados pelo tempo, com todas as suas caracter sticas humanas; uma jumenta que representa a todos n s, nossas perambula es e pondera es, e nos convida a assistir, maravilhados, a obra de um Deus que transcende o tempo e vem ao nosso encontro na forma de um beb nascido em Bel m. Sta. Is a hist ria do nascimento de Jesus, contada pela perspectiva singular de Issy, a fiel e encantadora jumentinha de Maria. Elaborada com deleite e capricho, Sta. Is verdade B blica embrulhada por uma narrativa engenhosa. Sendo o primeiro livro da s rie, Sta. Is provoca a imagina o e estimula o apetite para mais. - Bryce Ashlin-Mayo, Pastor L der da Igreja Westlife

The Bible is a frustrating book to many Christians. It's not uncommon to hear that it's difficult to understand. To complicate the matter, we live in a culture that dismisses the importance of God's word altogether and we are left to wonder if Scripture has lost its impact. At a time when the world needs the wisdom of God's word, many are skeptical as to why they should bother reading the Bible at all. Scott Womble brings hope to this bleak situation by showing how we can not only learn to read and interpret the Bible more skillfully, but also enjoy our time in study. In addition to discussing critical issues such as literary context, genre identification, and background study, Womble breaks new ground by encouraging us to both ""hear"" and ""see"" the text (semiotics). This incorporation of semiotics into the interpretive process helps us more fully interact with the word. While sound interpretation is of great importance, the end goal of Bible reading is application. For Womble, this is the crux of the matter. Scanning prominent theories of application and concluding with seven guidelines, this book is sure to help Jesus followers become more intentional doers of the word.

The Bible is a frustrating book to many Christians. It's not uncommon to hear that it's difficult to understand. To complicate the matter, we live in a culture that dismisses the importance of God's word altogether and we are left to wonder if Scripture has lost its impact. At a time when the world needs the wisdom of God's word, many are skeptical as to why they should bother reading the Bible at all. Scott Womble brings hope to this bleak situation by showing how we can not only learn to read and interpret the Bible more skillfully, but also enjoy our time in study. In addition to discussing critical issues such as literary context, genre identification, and background study, Womble breaks new ground by encouraging us to both ""hear"" and ""see"" the text (semiotics). This incorporation of semiotics into the interpretive process helps us more fully interact with the word. While sound interpretation is of great importance, the end goal of Bible reading is application. For Womble, this is the crux of the matter. Scanning prominent theories of application and concluding with seven guidelines, this book is sure to help Jesus followers become more intentional doers of the word.

Do you secretly think that the harder you work, the more God is pleased with you? You can live like that--for a while. But imagine what it might mean instead to unclench your teeth, loosen your grip, and actually experience God's pleasure in you--not just in everything you are doing for Him? The Well-Played Life is a journey of a life filled with richness, fruitfulness, and creativity of living in God's pleasure. Renowned author Leonard Sweet explores what it means to please God in the nitty-gritty of life; how that changes from the time we are 5 to the time we are 50; and how in every age of our lives, in everything we do, we can experience God's gift of play. The Well-Played Life faith formation away from "work at it" to "play at it" and enjoying (and being enjoyed by) God. Discover how a Sabbath way of Christian joy is not only possible but also how we were designed ... and a core part of God's design for humanity.

This book is for people who believe that the gospel is a message of peace and this gospel of peace is relevant for our time. Peacemaking is a core part of our Christian discipleship just as we learn how to pray, just as we learn how to love our neighbors, just as we learn how to feed the hungry. We can also learn how to be peacemakers. Sarpiya believes that peacemaking is central to the Christian faith and practice. This book will serve as a guide that will offer a scriptural guide with practical stories and applications. Readers will be challenged by Scripture to take the call to peacemaking into their communities. The fact that numerous peace treaties have collapsed serves to show how difficult it is to transcend cycles of violence and foster a sustained, durable peace. The one place that one could look to for answers about how to move toward peace is within faith communities, and sometimes not just one faith acting alone but working alongside other faiths, in concert with other faiths, taking an interreligious approach. The Highest of All Mountains shows how Sarpiya's Christian peacemaking backed by the interreligious approach brings the monotheistic faiths together, as they all agreed on one denominator to their faith's origin, Abraham.

This book is for people who believe that the gospel is a message of peace and this gospel of peace is relevant for our time. Peacemaking is a core part of our Christian discipleship just as we learn how to pray, just as we learn how to love our neighbors, just as we learn how to feed the hungry. We can also learn how to be peacemakers. Sarpiya believes that peacemaking is central to the Christian faith and practice. This book will serve as a guide that will offer a scriptural guide with practical stories and applications. Readers will be challenged by Scripture to take the call to peacemaking into their communities. The fact that numerous peace treaties have collapsed serves to show how difficult it is to transcend cycles of violence and foster a sustained, durable peace. The one place that one could look to for answers about how to move toward peace is within faith communities, and sometimes not just one faith acting alone but working alongside other faiths, in concert with other faiths, taking an interreligious approach. The Highest of All Mountains shows how Sarpiya's Christian peacemaking backed by the interreligious approach brings the monotheistic faiths together, as they all agreed on one denominator to their faith's origin, Abraham.

When is the last time you sat down for a meal, to break bread with other people, and experienced peace? Throughout the arc of the scriptural narrative the word ""shalom"" is used as a way to speak of the way of peace. This word shalom embodies the depiction of creation where all things would glorify to the Triune God as well as bear the image of the Triune God who seamlessly embraces love and belonging. What if the universal space at a table is where shalom is experienced relationally? What if the longing people have for love and belonging can be extended through hospitality at a table? Unification can happen when invitations are extended to come, participate, and communicate at the table as a reflection of the Imago Dei.

Our decisions determine our lives. Invest in a company that goes bankrupt and you lose your life savings. Say the wrong thing in an interview and you miss the job of the lifetime. Make no decisions and you miss every opportunity. In today's rapidly changing world, the cost of poor decisions (and no decisions) is higher than ever. In How to Make Good Decisions Wisely, author and scholar Alan Ehler lays out a clear approach to making big decisions based on the Bible and recent discoveries in neuroscience and decision science. He presents a simple, four-step process that can be followed to make any kind of decision, whether personal, professional, or relational. Making big decisions can rewrite lives, careers, families, churches, and businesses. A lot is at stake. Learn how to choose well.

Worship Leader magazine has named From Tablet to Table one of the five best books of 2015 What if the Bible were seen less as a tablet of ink than as a table of food? From Tablet to Table invites readers to explore the importance of The Table in biblical theology, and what it might mean for us to bring back the table to our homes, our churches, and our neighborhoods. The table pictures the grace of God's provision for all aspects of our lives, a place of safe gathering, of finding identity in shared stories, of imparting food and faith, of playing host and finding satisfaction as a guest. Sweet explores how our failure to understand and appreciate "the most sacred item of furniture in every home" has created such a deficit in our fast-food, take-what-you-like-smorgasbord, together-but-separate society.

Whether or not we are aware of it, everyone is being ""baptized."" While the church baptizes people in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, the culture in which we live is baptizing us into the trinitarian values of consumption, production, and acquisition. The respective baptism we choose to immerse ourselves in is consequential for the type of people we are becoming. Wade In the Water alerts us to the presence of these formative forces, so that we can choose the sacred ways that form us in the Jesus Way. ""In this thoughtful and powerful book, Eric Peterson pulls on the thread of Christian baptism, and by the time he is done the whole fabric of the Christian life has been gathered up. Read this book alone for encouragement, read it with others for strength, proclaim it from the pulpit for courage and guidance."" --Thomas G. Long, Professor, Candler School of Theology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia ""More than merely a quaint church photo op for babies and their parents, Peterson shows how baptism is the pattern for a way of life in the midst of an increasingly toxic culture. We find here a compelling demonstration of practical theology as related to the meaning and practice of baptism that is biblically engaged, historically informed, theologically insightful, and always pastorally wise."" -- Gordon S. Mikoski, Associate Professor, Director, Editor, Theology Today, Princeton Theological Seminary Eric E. Peterson is the founding pastor of Colbert Presbyterian Church in Eastern Washington where he has served since 1997. Eric is married to Elizabeth; together they are the grateful parents of six children.