Do we have the wrong map for the Christian life? Life's inconveniences, disappointments, and trials can leave us confused, cynical, and eventually bitter. But the apostle Paul traces out the path of dying and rising with Jesus—what Paul Miller calls the “J-Curve”—as the normal Christian life. The J-Curve maps the ups and downs of daily life onto the story of Jesus. It grounds our journeys not in some abstract idea but in union with Christ and his work of love. Understanding our lives in light of the J-Curve roots our hope, centers our love, and tethers our faith to Christ.

Circumstances... They are not all they're cracked up to be. For instance, Paul wrote his letter to the Philippians from a Roman prison cell, yet despite those dire circumstances, his major theme in the letter was joy How did Paul find joy in a Roman prison cell? He didn't! He took his joy in Christ into jail with him. Paul's circumstances did not dictate his attitude. In this letter, he demonstrated several life attitudes that were shocking in their audacity and counter intuitiveness: Rejoice in the Lord, always Living means living for Christ, and dying is even better Think of others as better than yourselves Whatever things were gain, count them as loss You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you! —ABOUT THE SERIES— The MacArthur Bible Study series is designed to help you study the Word of God with guidance from widely respected pastor and author John MacArthur. Each guide provides intriguing examinations of the whole of Scripture by examining its parts and incorporates: Extensive, but straight-forward commentary on the text. Detailed observations on overriding themes, timelines, history, and context. Word and phrase studies to help you unlock the broader meaning and apply it to your life. Probing, interactive questions with plenty of space to write down your response and thoughts.

One of the most comprehensive lectionary preaching resources available, the Lectionary Preaching Workbook is the one tool you will want to have close at hand to help you get the most out of every minute you spend preparing your Sunday sermon. This completely revised and updated volume provides you with a host of practical aids for effectively proclaiming God's Word. In addition to theological reflections on the three lessons for each Sunday, each chapter also explores a theme for the day (including a prayer and a suggested hymn) and outlines numerous preaching options. You'll also find a handy, easy-to-use Sermon Planner template to facilitate the process of building your sermon. Special features include: - an introduction to Matthew's gospel - overviews for each liturgical season that pinpoint preaching goals and possible sermon series -- and examine the season's customs, history, meaning, and message - a listing of applicable Revised Common, Roman Catholic, and Episcopal lectionary texts - commentary on each Sunday's Old Testament, New Testament, and Gospel lessons - theological reflections to help you explore the relationships among all the texts - a variety of preaching options, complete with suggested outlines - available in either paperback or 3-ring binder formats, with wide margins for convenient, easy use John R. Brokhoff, a celebrated preacher, teacher, and writer, is Professor Emeritus of Homiletics at Candler School of Theology, Emory University. He has also served as the pastor of Lutheran congregations in Virginia, Georgia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, and is a recipient of the George Washington medal from the Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The original author of the ever-popular CSS Lectionary Preaching Workbook series, Brokhoff has written over 30 other works, including three-volume series on Preaching The Parables and Preaching The Miracles for Cycles A, B, and C, also from CSS Publishing Company.