Tim Chester – författare

Many books on the practice of prayer seem to be informed more by the experiences of their authors than by Scripture. However, the Bible not only teaches us about prayer, it also gives us many examples of prayer. It is God's Word to us, and it teaches us how to respond to that Word.Tim Chester's insightful exposition of this central aspect of Christian living is driven by the conviction that we need to reform not only our thinking and behaviour in the light of God's Word, but also our praying.Drawing on a wide range of biblical texts, he explores the foundations and the practice of prayer, and shows that how we understand prayer is necessarily bound up with how we understand the gospel, and God himself.

The meals of Jesus represent something bigger. They represent a new world, a new kingdom, a new outlook.Tim Chester brings to light God’s purposes in the seemingly ordinary act of sharing a meal—how this everyday experience is really an opportunity for grace, community, and mission. Chester challenges contemporary understandings of hospitality as he urges us to evaluate why and who we invite to our table. Learn how you can foster grace and bless others through the rich fare being served in A Meal with Jesus.

"Reading this book was a profoundly moving experience.”—Derek W. H. Thomas, Senior Minister, First Presbyterian Church, Columbia, South Carolina; author, Let’s Study Revelation and Let’s Study GalatiansJohn Stott was a twentieth-century pastor-theologian widely hailed for his heart for missions and expository preaching. Even today, Stott’s legacy continues to influence churches around the world. As both a faithful preacher and a thoughtful writer, Stott profoundly shaped evangelicalism’s contemporary understanding of Christianity through an approach to the Christian life founded on the word, shaped by the cross, and characterized by the pursuit of Christlikeness in every area of life. Tim Chester invites a new generation of readers to experience the Christian life as John Stott envisioned it—not simply a theological puzzle to be solved, but the daily practice of humble service and compassion found in the gospel of Jesus Christ. Systematizes what John Stott taught about the Christian lifeExplores the enduring influence John Stott has had on the church Highlights the importance of rigorous Christian thinking and the development of the mindPart of the Theologians on the Christian Life series

"God has given no pledge that he will not redeem and encouraged no hope that he will not fulfill."—Charles SpurgeonFor over 150 years, Charles Spurgeon’s classic daily devotional on God’s promises has comforted the hearts of God’s people. For each day of the year, Spurgeon reflects on a specific promise of God from Scripture that strengthened his heart in times of severe depression and suffering. Each daily meditation testifies to the goodness, faithfulness, and power of God.In this volume, Tim Chester helps Spurgeon speak to a new generation, updating archaic words, shortening sentences, and streamlining sentence structure—all without losing Spurgeon’s passionate and pastoral voice. These devotional readings will inspire you with fresh faith in the promise-making and promise-keeping God of the Bible. Includes 366 brief reflections on specific promises of God from ScriptureWritten by famous preacher and writer Charles SpurgeonUpdates archaic words, sentence length, and word order while maintaining the original content, structure, and voice

Baptism and the Lord’s Supper are more than just water, bread, and wine. They are God’s promises to us in physical form.What is happening when someone passes through the waters of baptism? What’s the significance of eating bread and drinking wine together as a church on Sunday mornings? What’s the point of these physical substances?Tim Chester guides us through the Bible, explaining how the sacraments, embodying the promises of God in physical form, were given to us to strengthen our faith and shape our lives. The physical bread, wine, and water are a confirmation of our union with Christ. Chester aims to help us treasure baptism and Communion and approach them rightly, so we can receive the full benefit God intends them to physically bring us. Explains how baptism and Communion nurture our faith by physically confirming God’s promises to usLooks beyond the usual debates to explore how the sacraments are intended to shape Christians’ livesExplains how baptism and Communion relate to God’s covenants throughout the BibleEmpowers churches to explain the meaning of baptism and communion to their membersMakes a clear and compelling case against both the traditional Roman Catholic position on baptism and Communion and the common evangelical viewpoint todayForeword written by theologian Sinclair B. Ferguson

90–day undated devotional of readings from classic authors throughout church history –  Gregory the Great, Richard Sibbes, Hudson Taylor, Charles SpurgeonThe Song of Songs paints in our imaginations a physical place where we may spend time with Christ and enjoy his love. The language of human love is intended to evoke an experience of divine love and inspire in us a response of love. It channels our desires to their true end, our Creator and Redeemer.In this 90–day undated devotional Tim Chester has curated a selection of writings from classic authors such as Gregory the Great, Richard Sibbes, Hudson Taylor, Charles Spurgeon, and many others,that will help readers to know Christ’s love better. Spend 90 days in the company of these heroes of the faith and pin your affection on the one who is their Bridegroom and yours. There is commentary on each verse of the Song, with perspectives from a couple of different authors on some verses. Chester has included a thought–provoking question with each reading to help you apply it to your own heart.

Rediscover Christmas with the Wisdom of the Church FathersStep into the wonder of Advent with The Advent of Life: Approaching Christmas with the Church Fathers, edited by Tim Chester. This beautifully crafted devotional invites you to journey through the season of Advent guided by the voices of early Christian leaders – those who shaped the foundations of our faith and continue to inspire believers today.Drawing from the profound writings of the second to fifth centuries, Chester presents daily readings that illuminate the mystery and majesty of Christ’s incarnation. Each reflection features a carefully selected passage from a Church Father – such as Augustine, Athanasius, Gregory of Nazianzus, and others – paired with insightful commentary and practical prayers. These ancient voices speak with clarity and warmth, offering fresh perspectives that challenge modern assumptions and rekindle your awe for the miracle of Christmas.Whether you are seeking to deepen your understanding of Christian doctrine or simply longing for a more Christ-centred Advent, this book provides a rich tapestry of wisdom, worship, and wonder. The readings are concise enough to fit into even the busiest holiday schedule, yet substantial enough to nourish your soul and refocus your heart on the true meaning of Christmas.Let The Advent of Life help you pause, reflect, and rejoice in the glory of the Word made flesh. Experience the season as the Church Fathers did, anchored in truth, overflowing with hope, and centred on Christ.Perfect for personal devotion, family readings, or small group study, this book is your invitation to approach Christmas with renewed faith and joy.

The psalms help us to find refuge in God in the midst of trouble, and model how we can respond to the ups and downs of life in the context of our covenant relationship with him.Showing not only how each psalm might be read or preached, but also how it could be prayed, sung or used in pastoral and self-care, Tim Chester invites us to engage deeply with this poetic Scripture and learn how we can find the voice of Christ at the centre of it.About the Hodder Bible CommentaryThe Hodder Bible Commentary is a comprehensive 50-volume Bible commentary series. Doctrinally sensitive and globally aware, its goal is to encourage a deepened knowledge and understanding of Scripture.Accessible and insightful expository commentary explores the timeless message of the Bible and applies it to the challenges of today's world. Written by a range of authors and supported by consultant editors from around the world, it represents a diversity of church and cultural contexts.With the full text of the NIV Bible interspersed with the commentary for easy reference, this series is ideal for preaching, teaching and personal study.

Who is this ascended Jesus? He is King, Priest and man and is still at work. Ultimately he is humanity in the presence of God. Here we discover how we are a part of the Ascension. With the Spirit’s enlightening we can begin to understand the Ascension. Tim Chester introduces us to this important doctrine.

If you're easily distracted when praying, you're not alone. In fact, if you struggle to pray in the first place, that's not unusual either. Tim Chester tells us how we can be great pray-ers. And he admits that that's a really bold claim.'The secret of great praying has nothing to do with human effort or skill,' he explains. 'Lots of people would like to think that it does because they want to make prayer an achievement.' But the secret of great praying is ...Knowing three things about God:* That God the Father loves to hear us pray* That God the Son makes every prayer pleasing to God* That God the Holy Spirit helps us as we prayTim looks at: why prayer is easy (how we pray), why prayer is difficult (why we pray) and the arguments and priorities of prayer (what we pray). Prayer is a child asking her father for help. And that's not beyond any one of us.

The Father delights in his Son.This is the starting point of mission, its very core.'Mission' means 'sending', but for centuries this was only used to describe what God did, sending his Son and his Spirit into the world. World mission exists because the Father wants people to delight in his Son, and the Son wants people to delight in the Father.Tim Chester introduces us to a cascade of love, flowing from the Father to the Son through the Spirit. And that love overflows and, through us, keeps on flowing to our Christian community, and beyond us to a very needy world.Mission matters. This book is for ordinary individuals willing to step out and become part of the most amazing, exciting venture in the history of the world, understanding its rich biblical context.This title is brought to you by Keswick Ministries as part of their wide range of resources.

The title, Rediscovering Joy, derives from Galatians 4:15 (NLT). The Galatians had lost the joy of God’s blessing because they had departed from the truths of the gospel. The Reformation - and the book - is an invitation to rediscover the joy of the gospel. Despite the common claim that the Reformation is either out-dated or divisive, its rediscovery of the apostolic message was a rediscovery of joy - a message that is as relevant today as it was 500 years ago and 2,000 years ago.The book has a strong focus on biblical exposition and pastoral application.

Of course the Bible matters. It is God’s word to us. But how do we engage with its message?Tim Chester creates a sense of expectation, causing our reading of the Bible to become a living experience in which we encounter God. Amazingly, this God of the universe speaks to us each day!Here is a personal, clear, intentional and sufficient message for our lives. The Bible is truly unique; it speaks into a myriad of situations and brings us back to the deep joy of the gospel.‘Will enrich your encounter with God as you engage with his word.’ Elaine Duncan‘This is more than useful; it’s inspiring.’ Julian Hardyman‘Tim Chester is one of the clearest, most useful and reliable Christian writers in the UK today . . . He comes alongside the reader to instruct and to apply his teaching to life in the modern world.’ Peter Lewis‘Inspirational, profound, realistic . . . If you can buy only one book on the Bible, buy this one.’ Tricia Marnham‘Buy, read, recommend, lend, give away!’ James Robson

What has God said? How has he said it? And how does it apply to our lives today?This accessible book is for everyone who wants to grow in their faith as they hear God speak.Each section starts with an introduction to the topic and then moves to a Bible passage. We focus on the theme, go deeper and explore 'living out' the word. Useful prayer prompts also help to make the message deep, real and personal.Here is sure-footed Bible teaching to warm your heart and feed your mind.'Biblical, practical, devotional and thoughtful. An excellent resource for group or personal study to strengthen our convictions about the truth of the Bible, and enable us to discover its riches for ourselves.'John Risbridger, Chair of Keswick Ministries, Minister and Team Leader, Above Bar Church, Southampton'In a word-based faith, words count. Faith comes by hearing God's word and it flourishes when that word is applied. Here is a workable, practical guide that will help you to study the Bible by yourself or with others. Used well, it will help you grow in your faith.'Ian Coffey, speaker, author and Vice-Principal, Moorlands College, Dorset

By tracing the origins of mission right back to God's character, and then seeing how it unfolds throughout the storyline of the Bible, we begin to understand how important it is to him. As we see his heart for mission and the nations, we are challenged to discover God's plan for us too. Will this change our priorities as individuals and churches? Dare we see our place in God's plan and own the task of reaching the unreached?This practical, thought-provoking and accessible resource is the latest in the popular IVP/Keswick Ministries series of study guides.

Scripture has brought us light in darkness, strength in weakness, comfort in sadness. It isn't difficult to endorse the Psalmist's experience that the words of God are 'more precious than gold... sweeter than honey'.So it's distressing to watch the Bible being dislodged from its position of authority, not only in our nation but also in the church.Here we focus on the urgent need to continue in, respond to, interpret and expound God's Word.

The church lies at the centre of God's purpose. Christ gave himself 'to purify for himself a people that are his own'.But when we think about church, there's the tension between the ideal and the reality. The former is beautiful: God's special treasure, the covenant community, a haven of love and peace. The latter? A motley rabble needing constant rebuke and exhortation.Here we focus on the ideal, on what God intends his church to be, while all the time keeping in view the reality, so that we can grasp the changes that need to be made.