's Best of 2001
Jim Cymbala, pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle, must be one fantastic sermon-giver. He's got it all: great storytelling skills, the willingness to be humble and vulnerable as he admits his owns frailties, an excellent command of Bible passages, and the ability to weave it all together into a spiritual shawl that warms the soul long after the words have ended. In Fresh Power, Cymbala once again draws upon his life and the lives of his church members to bring forth a new lesson. This time Cymbala speaks to how Christians can embrace the biblical meaning of "Holy Spirit" and follow the words of the scripture to revitalize their faith as well as their church.
From Publishers Weekly
This third book in Cymbala's bestselling trilogy (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and Fresh Faith) explores the third person in the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. Like its award-winning predecessors, it combines unforgettable anecdotes culled from Cymbala's ministry as pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle with deep theological and biblical truths, many of which are not easy to hear. It is clearly the edgiest, most cutting book of the series, with Cymbala's passionate voice urging Christians to abandon their comfort zones in favor of the unpredictable leadings of the Spirit. He criticizes churchgoers who neglect the power of the Spirit, chastising, for example, Christians who are so fixated on end-time prophecies that they neglect God's work in the here and now. His harshest words are reserved for the "the disastrous 'church-growth' movement," which, he says, has convinced Christians everywhere that worship must be entertaining and inoffensive. Cymbala utilizes the Book of Acts to explore the early Church's practice of complete dependence upon the Spirit, citing not just the famous Pentecost scene of Acts 2 but also many other examples of transformation throughout the book (particularly Peter's metamorphosis from a fair-weather friend of Jesus into a committed, Spirit-led apostle). Some readers may be made uneasy by Cymbala's hard-hitting, take-no-prisoners approach, but others will cheer his prophetic call to reformationDand, more importantly, be changed by it. (Feb.) Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Book Description
The sequel to Cymbalas best-selling Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and Fresh Faith reveals what it means to be constantly transformed by the Holy Spirit. Dramatic stories from the Bible and the life of the Brooklyn Tabernacle fill each page. This softcover edition includes a study guide.
Fresh Power FROM THE PUBLISHER
Amazing things happen when ordinary men and women are led and filled by the Spirit of God. Yet how many of us today can make the same claim as Paul? We're good at teaching straight from the Scriptures, but too many hearts and lives remain unchanged. We need more than sound doctrine--we need the power of God.
With passion and conviction, Pastor Jim Cymbala of The Brooklyn Tabernacle reminds us that in this sin-torn, heart-broken culture, we cannot do without the Holy Spirit. And we can't afford to presume his presence. We need to seek him with the same fervor as the early believers.
Most of us are aware of excesses attributed to the Holy Spirit, from emotional fanaticism to outright charlatanism. But in the midst of the counterfeits, the Spirit remains real and available. He can't be manipulated by any person or defined by any movement. Instead, the Holy Spirit longs to reveal the mind of God to us and to release heaven's limitless resources to meet the desperate needs in this world today.
Discover what happens when the Holy Spirit moves in power. Jim Cymbala shares with you the witness of Scripture and the stories of men and women whose lives have been transformed. From the healing of the lame man in the book of Acts to the stirring conversion of serial killer David Berkowitz, better known as "Son of Sam," you'll see how the Spirit accomplishes what no human wisdom or power can produce.
Fresh Power will expand your vision for what God can and will do, and inspire you to pray like never before for the power of the Spirit in your church--and in you.
SYNOPSIS
The sequel to Cymbala's best-selling Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and Fresh Faith volumes, this book is a study of what it means for individuals and for the church to be constantly infilled by the Holy Spirit.
FROM THE CRITICS
Publishers Weekly
This third book in Cymbala's bestselling trilogy (Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire and Fresh Faith) explores the third person in the Trinity: the Holy Spirit. Like its award-winning predecessors, it combines unforgettable anecdotes culled from Cymbala's ministry as pastor of the Brooklyn Tabernacle with deep theological and biblical truths, many of which are not easy to hear. It is clearly the edgiest, most cutting book of the series, with Cymbala's passionate voice urging Christians to abandon their comfort zones in favor of the unpredictable leadings of the Spirit. He criticizes churchgoers who neglect the power of the Spirit, chastising, for example, Christians who are so fixated on end-time prophecies that they neglect God's work in the here and now. His harshest words are reserved for the "the disastrous `church-growth' movement," which, he says, has convinced Christians everywhere that worship must be entertaining and inoffensive. Cymbala utilizes the Book of Acts to explore the early Church's practice of complete dependence upon the Spirit, citing not just the famous Pentecost scene of Acts 2 but also many other examples of transformation throughout the book (particularly Peter's metamorphosis from a fair-weather friend of Jesus into a committed, Spirit-led apostle). Some readers may be made uneasy by Cymbala's hard-hitting, take-no-prisoners approach, but others will cheer his prophetic call to reformationDand, more importantly, be changed by it. (Feb.) Copyright 2000 Cahners Business Information.
Art & Photography
Book Info
