Everywhere the church is rediscovering Jesus' call to live under God's rule. What the world needs, however, is not just greater kingdom awareness but more kingdom action. How can the church stabilize families, revitalize, neighborhoods, create just societies and a peaceful world? How can we hasten the day when the kingdoms of this world will become the kingdom of our Lord?

Jesus taught us to pray for God's kingdom to come. But do we understand what we are praying for and what the kingdom of God really looks like? Using the analogy of God as the director of the greatest show on earth, Richard Porter shows how the kingdom of God is the overarching story line throughout the Bible. Each scene, from the people of Israel to Jesus and the early church, reveals kingdom truths that impact the church today. As the story unfolds, you can understand why Jesus proclaimed the message of the kingdom. It is indeed good news for our towns, our cities, our homes and families. Content Benefits: This book explores the central theme of the kingdom of God throughout the Bible and will encourage you to proclaim this good news to the world today. Analogy of God as the director of the greatest show on earth creates an accessible way into the subject Biblical teaching on the kingdom of God Includes personal stories from the author making this an accessible rather than academic read Will encourage you to fall more in love with God and proclaim the gospel Encourages us to live out the kingdom of God today Suitable for anyone who wants to understand the Lord's prayer 'Your kingdom come' Helpful for anyone who wants to preach about the kingdom of God Ideal for anyone who loves to see how themes develop through the Bible Perfect for anyone who wants to understand the Old Testament better

Howard A. Snyder probes the relationship between the kingdom of God and our daily experience of the church.

The promises of God formed the basis of John Wesley's optimism of grace. Wesley believed God not only could but in fact would fulfill all his promises to bring salvation to the nations; to make new heavens and a new earth; to liberate the whole creation from its bondage to decay (Rom. 8:21). This collection of essays by respected Wesleyan theologian Howard A. Snyder reflects the spirit of Wesley's optimism of grace. The first half of this collection offers an overview of Wesley's theology and practice, particularly with regard to gospel, mission, and culture. Part Two examines the inter-dynamic between church renewal and global mission. The collection also includes Wesleyan appraisals of Clark Pinnock's theology and the ecclesiology of Karl Barth. Howard A. Snyder serves as distinguished professor and chair of Wesley Studies at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Previously he was professor of history and theology of mission in the E. Stanley Jones School of World Mission and Evangelism at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky from 1996 to 2006. He has also taught at United Theological Seminary, Dayton, Ohio, and pastored in Chicago and Detroit. He has written numerous books, including " The Problem with Wineskins " (IVP), " The Radical Wesley " (IVP) and, most recently " Populist Saints: B. T. and Ellen Roberts and the Birth of Free Methodism " (Eerdmans). "

SEEK FIRST THE KINGDOM God is up to something! And his plans are far greater than we might imagine. Christianity is not merely about isolated individuals going to heaven. It's about God transforming the entire world and making things right. Sicknesses will be healed, sins will be forgiven, injustice will be eradicated, and all creation will be r...

The Bible promises the renewal of all creation--a new heaven and earth--based on the incarnation, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For centuries this promise has been sidelined or misunderstood because of the church's failure to grasp the full meaning of biblical teachings on creation and new creation. The Bible tells the story of the broken and restored relationship between God, people, and land, not just God and people. This is the full gospel, and it has the power to heal the church's long theological divorce between earth and heaven. Jesus' resurrection in the power of the Holy Spirit is the key, and the church as Christ's body is the primary means by which God is reconciling all things through Jesus Christ. Jesus' ultimate healing of all creation is the great hope and promise of the gospel, and he calls the church to be his healing community now through evangelism, discipleship, and prophetic mission.

Using the genetic code as a model, this provocative book will provide you with theological analysis, biblical principles, and practical applications for understanding the structure and mission of today's church and how it can transform the world