Tim Chester's Blog, page 12

Enjoying God: Experience the Power and Love of God in Everyday Life. Available from http://smarturl.it/enjoyinggod 

You can order Enjoying God: Experience the Power and Love of God in Everyday Life here. 

#enjoyinggod

Reforming Joy is out today in the United States from Crosssway. This was previously published in the UK and elsewhere under the title Rediscovering Joy.

The book offers a three-way conversation between 1st-century Galatia, 16th-century Europe and the 21st-century church with a focus on how the gospel joy rediscovered in the Reformation was rooted in the message of the New Testament and has power to change our lives today. (Although this has a similar title to my recent book Enjoying God, the content is very different.)

Reforming Joy is available here from amazon.com. Rediscovering Joy is available from amazon.co.uk.

Here’s what some kind people have said about it …

“We live in a world that tells us to look within ourselves to find joy and lasting happiness. Problem is, looking within leaves us empty handed, hopeless under the weight of our own unrighteousness. But Tim Chester has a message of remarkable hope. True joy is found in Christ and Christ alone. With help from the apostle Paul and the Protestant Reformers, Chester challenges the church today to return to the scriptures, for they are the swaddling clothes of Christ. There we will hear the call from Christ himself to put aside our worthless merit and trust in him alone for a righteousness he alone can provide. Only then will we rediscover joy that will not disappoint.”

—Matthew Barrett, Associate Professor of Christian Theology, Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary; Editor of The 5 Solas Series

“This concise and vigorous book commends gospel joy. It is also, fittingly, a joy to read. Each hard-hitting chapter engages our cultural moment, opens the biblical text, references Reformation wisdom, and points to God in Christ. This energetic manifesto will be of value for personal study, small-group discussion, and classroom reading at a beginning college level.”

—Robert W. Yarbrough, Professor of New Testament, Covenant Theological Seminary

“I am thrilled that Tim Chester has addressed this neglected fruit of the Spirit. When the Reformation happened, it was, among other things, a rediscovery of true Christian joy. This joy had suffused the Christian world of the New Testament, but throughout the medieval era had been largely forgotten as being central to the Christian life. Thus it is no wonder that when, in the eighteenth century, the Reformed author Andrew Fuller was seeking a revival amongst his fellow Baptists in England, he asked the ever-pertinent query: ‘Why is it that Christians in the present day come so far short of the primitive Christians in the possession of joy?’ He knew, as did the Reformers, and Paul before them all, that whenever a renewal or revival of the Christian faith takes place, joy will abound!”

—Michael A. G. Haykin, Professor of Church History and Biblical Spirituality, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; Director, The Andrew Fuller Center for Baptist Studies

“Charles Spurgeon once told his congregation, ‘It is a great privilege to meet a truly happy man, a graciously happy man.’ Let it never be said that Reformed and joy are uneasy coinhabitants in the heart of a Christian. Tim Chester’s work is a much-needed reminder for Reformed Christians that, because we have been saved by grace alone, we of all people have reason to live out our days with deep exuberance over such a great salvation. In this volume, you will meet some truly happy men from the past—happy because they recovered a glorious gospel, and happy because, in so doing, they restored to the church deep and lasting joy in Jesus. Read, remember, and rejoice! People of grace should be a graciously happy people.”

—Jeff Robinson Sr., Senior Editor, The Gospel Coalition; Pastor-Teacher, Christ Fellowship Church, Louisville, Kentucky

“Tim Chester has a well-earned reputation as a writer of clear, accessible, and helpful books for Christians. This is no exception. In a remarkably short space, he moves repeatedly from Luther to Galatia to Paul and to the present day, offering an account of numerous facets of the gospel, a plea for the Reformation understanding of faith and justification, and a vision of what the church is. And at every step of the way, he presses home the importance of joy as part of the content and the goal of the Christian life—though not joy as the world understands it, but that which comes from knowing and resting upon Christ. A great read!”

—Carl R. Trueman, Professor of Biblical and Religious Studies, Grove City College

“Tim Chester brings the core truths of the Reformation—‘by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone’—to life. This is not a dry tour of history (we’re invited to jump on a ‘time machine’), but rather an invitation to rediscover the joy that Paul unpacks in Galatians and that brought Luther to lead a gospel revolution 1,500 years later. If joy is not the first word that comes to your mind when you think about the Reformation, you need to read this book! You could read it in a day, but its impact will last much longer.”

—Jeremy McQuoid, Teaching Pastor, Deeside Christian Fellowship Church, Aberdeen, Scotland

SPONSORS

Support this site by using these links:

amazon.co.uk :: amazon.com

includes Tim Chester’s books

I was interviewed yesterday by Janet Parshall on Moody Radio, talking about my new book Enjoying God (out on Saturday). You can listen to the interview here under the heading ‘God in Everyday Life’.

You can order Enjoying God: Experience the Power and Love of God in Everyday Life here. 

#enjoyinggod

Here’s a video of the new setting of Isaiah 53 which I’ve written with Colin Webster and Phil Moore of Cornerstone Worship.

Here’s a PDF of the lead sheet.

Colin Webster, Phil Moore, Tim Chester © 2018 Colin Webster Songs, Phil Moore Songs, Tim Chester Songs, admin. by Song Solutions (www songsolutions.org).

Here’s another new song which was sung at this year’s Keswick Convention and which people have been asking for the lead sheet. I wrote the lyrics, and Colin Webster and Phil Moore of Cornerstone Worship wrote the music. It’s a setting of Isaiah 53.

Here’s a PDF of the lead sheet.

See Jesus stripped of majesty:

he hangs disfigured on a tree,

a man of grief, by men betrayed,

like one from whom we turn away.

Led like a lamb without a sound,

in mockery with violence crowned,

a sacrificial offering,

atoning for his people’s sin.

O what amazing love.

I bow before the cross,

my pride reduced to dust.

What amazing love,

it overwhelms my soul,

my broken life made whole.

2. See Jesus cold within the grave,

cut off from life, our lives to save.

We thought that God had punished him,

but he was pierced for Adam’s sin.

Though we like sheep have often strayed,

our waywardness on Christ was laid.

To heal our wounds, he drew our pain;

to bring us peace, he bore our shame.

O what amazing love …

3. See Jesus once again draw breath

and rise to claim the spoils of death.

He sees the light of life again

and hears his ransomed people sing.

O what amazing love:

forever I will praise

the glories of your grace.

What amazing love:

I offer up my life,

a grateful sacrifice

for your amazing love,

your amazing love.

Colin Webster, Phil Moore, Tim Chester © 2018 Colin Webster Songs, Phil Moore Songs, Tim Chester Songs, admin. by Song Solutions (www songsolutions.org).

Here’s a new song which was first sung at this year’s Keswick Convention, since when people have been asked for the lead sheet. I wrote the lyrics and Phil Moore of Cornerstone Worship wrote the music. It’s designed to be sung as we approach the reading and preaching of God’s word.

Here’s a PDF of the lead sheet.

When the word of God was first heard on earth

each hill and dale with love was drawn,

and the darkness fled, the chaos dispersed,

from the emptiness all life was born.

2. When the word of God to the prophets came

the Spirit breathed through every page,

so each word and phrase now carries Christ’s name,

and his glory shines from age to age.

Come, let us hear your precious voice

and send us our with hearts rejoicing.

All who have ears, come let us hear

how great, how great is our God.

3. When the Word of God in the cradle lay,

God’s love was clothed in human flesh.

The eternal Word through whom all was made

came into his world and took a breath.

4. When the Word of God made this world his home,

he calmed the storms and stilled the waves,

melted hearts that once had been made of stone,

spoke with words of life and emptied graves.

Come, let us hear …

5. As the word of God comes to us today,

may emptiness be turned to praise,

may our darkest fears be driven away,

as our glorious Saviour fills our gaze.

Come, let us hear …

Phil Moore & Tim Chester © 2018 Phil Moore Songs & Tim Chester Songs, admin. by Song Solutions (www songsolutions.org).

#EnjoyingGod is available from Sept 1 here: smarturl.it/enjoyinggod

I have a new book coming out at the beginning of September entitled Enjoying God: Experience the Power and Love of God in Everyday Life. This book is really important to me. I’ve now written over 40 books, but I believe this could prove one of the most significant.

Christians rightly talk a lot of about finding joy in Christ. When we face temptation or discouragement we tell one another that our joy should be in Christ. But what does that actually look like on a day to day basis in the rough and tumble of ordinary life? That’s what this book is about. I want Christians to enjoy God, but more than that, I want them to enjoy God when they’re washing the dishes or commuting to work.

At the heart of Enjoying God is the conviction that we need to think how each person of the Trinity is relating to us and how we should respond. To think about relating to God is too abstract. After all, what can we know of the divine essence of God, the God-ness of God? But God the Father, Son and Spirit each relate to us in a personal and intimate way – just as they have related to one another throughout eternity. What I try to do in the book is highlight the key ways in which the Father, Son and Spirit are each relating to us every day. So the book shows how we can experience the presence of the Triune God in the nitty-gritty of our lives. Essentially it’s an attempt to rework John Owen’s classic work Communion with God for 21st-century readers.

Enjoying God is available here from Amazon.

Here are some commendations …

Timothy Keller, Pastor Emeritus, Redeemer Presbyterian Church, New York City

Tim Chester’s books are always unusually accessible. He can distill great amounts of complex theological truth into short, digestible chapters. In this book, he brings this skill to bear on the subject of communion with God—perhaps the greatest privilege of a Christian. But it is one little understood, and even less is it actually enjoyed. I urge you to read this volume. It will make you hunger and thirst for fellowship with God.

 

Sinclair B. Ferguson, Chancellor’s Professor of Systematic Theology, Reformed Theological Seminary

From the authors of Scripture onwards, the Lord’s people have always known that the purpose of life is “to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever”. But each generation, in fact every Christian, needs to discover this anew. And the way is not an easy one. But it is the only path worth taking. In “Enjoying God”, Tim Chester shares his own experiences in walking along this gospel road and issues a warm invitation to join him. Accept it, and, with Tim Chester as your guide, you will never regret it.

 

D. A. Carson, Research Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and President of The Gospel Coalition

Winsome in its unpacking of theology and compelling in the sweep of its applications, “Enjoying God” is neither an essay on the Trinity nor a “how to” manual, but something close to both. It is among the best of the rising number of books that instruct Christians on how to cross the bridge from enjoying God on the Lord’s Day to enjoying God every day. Tim Chester is in no danger of making God little more than a useful utility to increase our pleasure; he is far too God-centred and gospel-centred for that. But if we desire to experience for ourselves a little more (one of Tim’s favourite words) of the truth that in God’s presence there are pleasures forever more, we shall be hard-pressed to find a better guide.

 

Michael Reeves, President and Professor of Theology, Union School of Theology

Rich in the gospel and superb in practical application, this touching book is straight up fuel for joy. Here is wisdom that should brighten your everyday with sheer enjoyment of God.

 

Andrea Trevenna, Associate Minister for Women, St Nicholas, Sevenoaks, UK; author of The Heart of Singleness

I absolutely loved this book. It has been a huge blessing, like cool refreshing water for my soul. I frequently found myself identifying with the sin, struggles and faulty thinking Tim Chester so vividly describes in various scenarios and illustrations, which also helped me see how my view of our triune God is often so flattened and limited. My heart was softened and warmed as Tim held up all that the Father, Son and Spirit have done, and continue to do, to enable us to truly experience and enjoy an intimate relationship with God and know his daily goodness, grace and love in the messy reality of our daily lives. I finished the book marvelling at our glorious God, feeling humbled, excited, encouraged and spurred on.

 

Agnes Brough, Associate Minister for Young People and Women, The Tron Church, Glasgow; Chair of the Scottish Women’s Bible Convention

I’m so often reassuring myself and others that feelings aren’t a good sign of my spiritual state that I forget to seek and enjoy communion with God. This book reminded me of all sorts of ways in which the Lord is offering me himself to enjoy.

 

Michael Horton, Westminster Seminary, California

We talk a lot about knowing and glorifying God, but what about enjoying him? And not just as an abstract Being, but as the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit—enjoying each Person in all of his difference as well as divine unity? And not just in happy times or at church, but in every circumstance of life? It just keeps getting better and better as you turn each page of “Enjoying God”. This book will lift you into the presence of the Source of all joy.

 

Jason Meyer, Pastor for Preaching and Vision, Bethlehem Baptist Church

The best books are biblical, practical, personal, pastoral, and worshipful. “Enjoying God” is one of those rare books that excels in each area. I commend it highly.

 

Michael Jensen, Rector, St. Mark’s Darling Point, Sydney; author of Is Forgiveness Really Free? and My God, My God

“Enjoying God” is gourmet food for the weary soul. Tim Chester shows us how we can really, expansively, and truly enjoy our communion with God—not by any weird spiritual techniques but by drilling down into our oneness with him. As we understand the three Persons of God more richly, we are invited into a more vivid and real experience of him. This is profound truth in simple and engaging writing.

 

SPONSORS

Support this site by using these links:

amazon.co.uk :: amazon.com

includes Tim Chester’s books

Everyday Church, the book I wrote with Steve Timmis, is now available in Spanish under the title Iglesias 24/7. It is available here from amazon.com and amazon.co.uk.

SPONSORS

Support this site by using these links:

amazon.co.uk :: amazon.com

includes Tim Chester’s books