“When I am weak, then I am strong.” Do we really believe these words penned by the apostle Paul? If so, why do we often rely on our own wits, strength, and resources when the power that God holds is so much greater? Does God’s power matter if He’s already given us talent and ability? Author Dan Schaeffer explores these questions and helps us grasp the biblical truth that God longs to use our limitations to display His greatness. The Power of Weakness invites you to trust God with your abilities and inabilities and find relief from the wearying pursuit of success.

An intriguing new interpretation of the paradox at the heart of Paul's understanding of his ministry.

Offers an alternative paradigm for psychology, one that reflects Levinas's criticism of a self-centered notion of identity. Reveals the secret of an "authentic" altruism through a phenomenology of both power and weakness, and of the paradoxes of the weakness of power and the power of weakness.

Envisioning cruciform community built on resurrection hope After Paul’s encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, he turned from coercion and violence to a ministry centered on the hope of Christ’s resurrection. In earthly terms, Paul had traded power for weakness. But—as he explained in his subsequent letters—this “weakness” was actually the key to flourishing community that is able to experience God’s transformation, restoration, and healing. What would it mean for pastors today to take seriously Paul’s exhortation in 1 Corinthians 11:1 to “imitate me as I imitate Christ” and lead their congregations in this way? Instead of drawing leadership principles and practices from the worlds of business, education, and politics—which tend to orient churches around institutional power and image maintenance—Timothy Gombis follows Paul in resisting the influence of the “present evil age” by making cruciformity the operating principle of the church. Gombis guides the reader through practices and patterns that can lead a congregation past a focus on individual salvation, toward becoming instead a site of resurrection power on earth.

Telling real-life stories of despair, hope and lasting change, Andrew Comiskey lays out the foundations for healing from relational and sexual sin. With chapters focusing on particular areas of vulnerability for men and women, on the battle over homosexuality in church and culture, and on the essential role of the church in ongoing healing, Strength in Weakness makes clear the way to the cross--God's sufficient answer to our deepest needs.

Most people think of weakness as purely negative, but true Christianity embraces weakness as a way of life. In this collection of meditations on 2 Corinthians, renowned Bible scholar and theologian J. I. Packer reflects on the central importance of weakness for the Christian life. He exhorts readers to look to Christ for strength, affirmation, and contentment in the midst of their own sin and frailty. Now in his mid-eighties, Packer mediates on the truths of Scripture with pastoral warmth and exegetical care, drawing on lessons learned from the experience of growing older and coming face-to-face with his own mortality. Overflowing with wisdom gleaned from a life of obedience to Christ and dependence on his Word, this encouraging book ultimately directs readers to the God who promises to be ever-present and all-sufficient.

God never meant heaven to be a vague hope, but the passion and purpose of your present life. He wants to prepare you for the better country! In these pages you will discover the thing you've always wanted; the world you've longed for; the life you were meant to live; the goal you were meant to pursue. "One of the most important reasons for writing this book, to me, was to help Christians who have bought into the 'you only go around once' idea that this life is our only chance to accomplish anything significant," author Dan Schaeffer explains. You'll explore topics such as: Misconceptions about heaven What the new heavens and new earth will be like What happens when you die What life in heaven will be like How to prepare for your future in heaven Many Christians view this life as their only chance to fulfill their ambitions, to be "all they can be." A healthy understanding of what the Bible teaches about heaven enables you to let go of many earthly ambitions and the regrets that often accompany them.