In an era where the definition and function of the church have been distorted by extreme pragmatism, John MacArthur is a beacon of timeless wisdom, offering answers rooted in Scripture. Amidst the cacophony of modern church culture, replete with noise, fog machines, and strobe lights, Pastor John beckons us back to the simplicity of the ordinary church. Cutting through the distractions, he invites us to walk the old paths, where the timeless truths of Scripture guide us in discerning what truly constitutes a faithful congregation-an "ordinary" church-amid the challenges of a sin-perverted world. Prepare to embark on a journey that transcends the superficial and leads us to the heart of genuine, enduring fellowship.

In an era where the definition and function of the church have been distorted by extreme pragmatism, John MacArthur is a beacon of timeless wisdom, offering answers rooted in Scripture. Amidst the cacophony of modern church culture, replete with noise, fog machines, and strobe lights, Pastor John beckons us back to the simplicity of the ordinary church. Cutting through the distractions, he invites us to walk the old paths, where the timeless truths of Scripture guide us in discerning what truly constitutes a faithful congregation-an "ordinary" church-amid the challenges of a sin-perverted world. Prepare to embark on a journey that transcends the superficial and leads us to the heart of genuine, enduring fellowship.This CLS edition includes the full text of The Ordinary Church by John MacArthur, plus chapters on what to look for in a church and why church membership matters.

Most of the women we encounter in the pages of the Bible would be considered "unremarkable" today. They were common, ordinary, and in some cases had a shockingly low position in their society. For instance, the unnamed Samaritan Woman whom Jesus met at a well was clearly looked down upon by her fellow townspeople. Anna, who encountered the infant Jesus at the temple, was an obscure and elderly widow. Rahab was prostitute. Even Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a young girl of no distinction, living in an obscure town in a barren district of Galilee.

Only Eve is the true exception, who began life as someone quite extraordinary—and even after sin entered into the picture, she became a representation of the truth that God can redeem those who fall and make them "extraordinary" again. In fact, this what the Lord in the lives of all the women in the Bible whom we might consider unremarkable. They became extraordinary because the one true God whom they served is great, mighty, glorious, and awesome and refined them like silver and gold.

The women in Scripture thus serve as a reminder of both our fallenness and our potential. They are never relegated to the background in the social and religious life of Israel and the New Testament church. Rather, we see them partaking in the feasts and public worship in Israel, sharing teaching responsibilities and authority over their children, administering many of the affairs of their households, and owning land. All of this stands in sharp contrast to the way other ancient cultures routinely degraded and debased women. Yet God held women—and all people—in high esteem and had great plans for them.

The Twelve Extraordinary Men Workbook is completely revised and updated. Each lesson includes:

• A chapter-by-chapter exploration of the key themes in the book
• Selected passages of Scripture with accompanying study questions
• Insights from church tradition and biblical scholars on the lives of each woman
• Reflections from John MacArthur on what each woman can teach us today

LESSONS

Lesson 1—Eve: Mother of All Living

Lesson 2—Sarah: Hoping Against Hope

Lesson 3—Rahab: A Horrible Life Redeemed

Lesson 4—Ruth: Loyalty and Love

Lesson 5—Hannah: A Portrait of Feminine Grace

Lesson 6—Mary: Blessed Among Women

Lesson 7—Anna: The Faithful Witness

Lesson 8—The Samaritan Woman: Finding the Water of Life

Lesson 9—Martha and Mary: Working and Worshiping

Lesson 10—Mary Magdalene: Delivered from the Darkness

Lesson 11—Lydia: A Hospitable Heart Opened

The twelve men whom Jesus called to be His disciples weren’t saints, scholars, or religious sages. In fact, among the group were a handful of uneducated fishermen, a hated tax collector, and a political zealot. Perhaps it is because of this mix in personalities that we find the twelve disciples so fascinating. After all, they represent personality types that we encounter today. They are approachable and real.

What's more, the Bible doesn't try to hide their faults and foibles. The impulsivity of Peter. The ambition and aggressiveness of James and John. The doubt of Thomas. These men are like people we meet in our modern age with the same qualities! They are relatable to us. We understand why they stumbled at times—and are inspired when we find them "getting it right."

Eleven of these men would take up Jesus' great commission to preach the gospel to the world. They devoted their lives to this passion and triumphed against overwhelming opposition. Despite their shortcomings, they are fitting role models, revealing what Jesus can do with a life completely surrendered to Him. Getting to know these men who were close to Christ will help us to better know Christ ourselves.

The Twelve Ordinary Men Workbook has been completely revised and updated. Each lesson includes:

• A chapter-by-chapter exploration of the key themes in the book
• Selected passages of Scripture with accompanying study questions
• Insights from church tradition and biblical scholars on the lives of each disciple
• Reflections from John MacArthur on what each disciple can teach us today

LESSONS

Lesson 1—Common Men with an Uncommon Calling

Lesson 2—Peter: The Apostle with the Foot-Shaped Mouth

Lesson 3—Andrew: The Apostle of Small Things

Lesson 4—James: The Apostle of Passion

Lesson 5—John: The Apostle of Love

Lesson 6—Philip: The Bean Counter

Lesson 7—Nathanael: The Guileless One

Lesson 8—Matthew and Thomas: The Tax Collector and the Twin

Lesson 9—James (the Less), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James): The Not-So-Well-Known Trio

Lesson 10—Judas: The Traitor

With new chapters on hermeneutics, mental illness, complementarianism, and more, these essays, edited by John MacArthur and Abner Chou, guide readers in cultivating a biblical worldview on a wide range of issues.

Our pictures of heaven range from comical to curious, mystical to fictitious, with bits of biblical truth thrown in. But if heaven is our future, and we are to be living with an eternal mindset in the present, a Hollywood scriptwriter's interpretation of the afterlife just won't suffice. Quite simple, we need to know more about what lies ahead for the sake of what lies in front of us today.

In this book, pastor John MacArthur takes us through the pages of Scripture, exploring the wonders of heaven and the truth about angels and eternal life while addressing current debates and issues. Come along with this bestselling author for an in-depth look at every Christian's future--heaven, our eternal home.

In the late 1800s, Charles Spurgeon warned that the church was drifting away from the purity of the gospel, candy-coating God's Word rather than boldly proclaiming the truths of Scripture. Over one hundred years later, John MacArthur, troubled by the seeker-sensitive movement and an emphasis on pragmatism within the church, is sounding the same alarm.

Issuing a warning against preaching and teaching a shallow gospel that neither offends nor convicts anyone, MacArthur calls us back to a firm and humble reliance on the power and sovereignty of God for salvation and to resist compromising our proclamation of God's Word.