Ajith Fernando - Böcker

The NIV Application Commentary helps you communicate and apply biblical text effectively in today's context.To bring the ancient messages of the Bible into today's world, each passage is treated in three sections:Original Meaning. Concise exegesis to help readers understand the original meaning of the biblical text in its historical, literary, and cultural context.Bridging Contexts. A bridge between the world of the Bible and the world of today, built by discerning what is timeless in the timely pages of the Bible.Contemporary Significance. This section identifies comparable situations to those faced in the Bible and explores relevant application of the biblical messages. The author alerts the readers of problems they may encounter when seeking to apply the passage and helps them think through the issues involved.This unique, award-winning commentary is the ideal resource for today's preachers, teachers, and serious students of the Bible, giving them the tools, ideas, and insights they need to communicate God's Word with the same powerful impact it had when it was first written.Volumes and authors in The NIV Application Commentary, New Testament Set: Matthew - Revelation, 20-Volume Collection include:Matthew by Michael J. WilkinsMark by David E. GarlandLuke by Darrell L. BockJohn by Gary M. BurgeActs by Ajith FernandoRomans by Douglas J. Moo1 Corinthians by Craig L. Blomberg2 Corinthians by Scott J. HafemannGalatians by Scot McKnightEphesians by Klyne SnodgrassPhilippians by Frank ThielmanColossians, Philemon by David E. Garland1 and 2 Thessalonians by Michael W. Holmes1 and 2 Timothy, Titus by Walter L. LiefeldHebrews by George H. GuthrieJames by David P. Nystrom1 Peter by Scot McKnight2 Peter, Jude by Douglas J. MooLetters of John by Gary M. BurgeRevelation by Craig S. KeenerThis set features newly designed covers for the volumes, updated from their original editions.

A series of Bible study guides following the format and content of the NIV Application Commentaries Series. Each study looks at the original meaning, bridging contexts, and contemporary significance of the text, and offers small group participants a better understanding and relevant application of the biblical material to their daily lives.

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul places love at the very center of what it means to embrace life in Christ. All other spiritual gifts are worth nothing in comparison. But the love explained in those verses is nothing short of radical.  Fernando’s pastoral work—in the midst of the cultural and ethnic tensions of Sri Lanka—often brought up a very real and honest question: “Can the biblical teaching about love actually be practiced?” The answer he discovered is a resounding “yes.” The radical love of God is not only real, but it is the key to experiencing joy in the pain and suffering of this world. Believers must look to the Scriptures for God’s teaching on the true nature of love, its divine origins, and its power for those who trust in Christ. This book offers reflections on the Bible’s consistent teaching on love and shares real-life experiences of learning to love in difficult situations.

The book of Deuteronomy is a call to obedience—the proper response to God’s faithfulness and love. Consisting primarily of speeches that Moses gave to the Israelites shortly before they entered the Promised Land, Moses’ words proclaimed God’s covenant faithfulness in hopes of motivating the Israelites to obey God despite the coming temptation to conform to the Canaanite culture.The challenges they faced then are remarkably parallel to those facing Christians today as we grapple with the issue of obedience in a world that offers other attractive ways of life. We wonder: How can we be faithful to God? And how do we help our children and the people we lead to be faithful? This book tells us how Moses tackled these challenges and, as Paul confirms in the New Testament, Deuteronomy serves “as an example…written down for our instruction” (1 Cor. 10:11).Ajith Fernando unpacks the relevance of Deuteronomy and captivates us with rich anecdotes from his thirty-five years of ministry to first-generation Christians in Sri Lanka. He offers concrete examples of how the truths contained in Deuteronomy can be applied, and he teaches us that obedience is the necessary response to the God who loves and saves us.Part of the Preaching the Word series.

Anyone involved in Christian ministry knows how challenging it is to balance ministry and family responsibilities. Many demands pull leaders in different directions—making it easy to neglect one or the other, often without even realizing it. Writing from decades of counseling and personal ministry experience, Ajith Fernando points Christian leaders back to the most important aspect of their lives: their relationship with God. He then offers practical guidance for responding to real-life situations in the home, including disciplining children, dealing with disappointment, loving one’s spouse, and pursuing joy. This book presents Christian leaders with a healthy and God-centered understanding of family that leads to a flourishing home. Author has decades of ministry experience counseling families and married couplesWritten with concrete examples of what a home looks like when it is guided by a commitment to GodOffers help for common struggles ministry leaders face related to balancing ministry responsibilities and family life

Our multicultural world needs countercultural disciplers.People from all over the world are coming to Christ from a variety of backgrounds. This requires more people who are willing to commit to the effort and sacrifice it takes to invest in new believers.Rooted in over four decades of multicultural discipleship experience, Ajith Fernando offers biblical principles for discipling and presents examples showing how they apply to daily life and ministry. He addresses key cultural challenges, such as the value of honor and shame, honoring family commitments, and dealing with persecution, and helps us think realistically about the cost and commitment required for productive cross-cultural ministry. This practical guide to discipleship will help us help others grow into mature and godly followers of Christ.

How to Remain Joyful about Ministry Despite Inevitable ChallengesLife in ministry is not detached from disappointment. Threats to one’s integrity, harmful expectations from celebrity culture, and the tendency toward loneliness, insecurity, and pain can put a strain on ministry leaders. How can they remain faithful to their work for Christ’s kingdom without letting bitterness seep in?  Joyful Perseverance encourages ministry leaders to rely on God’s grace to find joy, energy, and the freshness to serve well, despite inevitable disappointments. It offers practical ways to combat the negative effects of ministry such as embracing God’s joy-giving presence, guarding one’s integrity, leaning into one’s God-given identity, groaning with God, settling sin issues through repentance and forgiveness, cultivating friends, and more. By adopting a life of thanksgiving, readers will experience abundant joy, resulting in an ongoing passion for ministry. Written to Pastors, Elders, and Ministry Leaders: Intended to help people joyfully stay in their ministry role despite discouragement and struggleEmpathetic: Written by veteran ministry leader Ajith Fernando, this book addresses the inevitable difficulties presented to ministry leaders Concise: This short format makes this book practical and accessible for busy leadersForeword by Thomas R. Schreiner

Author Ajith Fernando believes that much ministry failure results from neglect of the basics of the faith. Too often today's church is riveted on ministry technique to the neglect of leadership lifestyle.In this book, Fernando identifies the foundational elements that allow you to be both effective and joyful in your service. He shows from Jesus' own ministry that relating to the people you minister to, retreating from busyness to prayer, being affirmed and empowered by God, discipling younger leaders, and gaining strength from God's Word must be at the heart of your ministry.Rich in Scripture and full of stories from Fernando's own years of ministry, this book will help men and women commit themselves afresh to those vital basics of ministry that make for long-term service that is both fruitful and joyful.

This is an unusual book, gathering wisdom on leadership from around the world, across a century. The material has been curated for its quality, and its reach. It will stretch the minds of younger leaders to help them see what they could do; and help them to think in new categories. The material is profound, but all lucidly expressed. It would be as accessible to an undergraduate student as to a pastor or business leader. The Appendix on good governance comes at a time when sad stories of poor governance have had detrimental effects on the ministries or publishing houses they are meant to have protected. This is unique to our knowledge. We trust it will enable trustees and board members to better understand their roles, and to be able to call out bad practice.