Top Ten Books of 2012. . . # 5 William Greenhill, Stop Loving the World

-

Moving along to the fifth best book that I read in 2012 is one that is short (73 pgs.) but packs an incredible wallop.  I am certain that the title probably stimulates a strong response that is either positive or negative.  It also is curious to note that this is a single sermon that Greenhill preached to his church.  Speaking of long sermons, this is one.  I doubt Joel Osteen will be preaching anything remotely related to this theme in 2013.  However, we who serve as pastors owe it to ourselves and to those who hear us to preach this kind of content.  I am reminded of what Paul wrote to Timothy (1 Tim. 4:16) and it is sharpened by the Amplified Version:

Look well to yourself (to your own personality), and to [your] teaching; persevere in these things—hold to them; for by doing so you will save both yourself and those who hear you. 



Author:  William Greenhill
Title:  Stop Loving theWorld
Publisher:  Reformation Heritage Books, 2011.


I have been greatly blessed by reading the works of the Puritans over the last several years.  I have written extensively about their impact at other times on the Barnabas Blog.  Comparing their works to the majority of material of today’s Christian “literature” is about like comparing the Gulf of Mexico to a mud-puddle!  They have added great encouragement to me in my devotional life, prayer life, and elements of preaching. 

In Chapter 2, Greenhill (1598-1674) gives us the reasons that we ought not to love the world:

·         We have a higher calling.
·         It is unreasonable.
·         It is scandalous.
·         It is idolatrous.
·         It is dangerous.
·         It deals with the impossible.
·         It makes God our enemy.
·         It is a waste of time.
·         It is debases our understanding.
·         It is utterly destructive.
·         It is hostile to godliness.
·         It is the devil’s trap.
·         It leads to apostasy.

Under each of these points, Greenhill elaborates with much wisdom and Scriptural reasoning. 

The last chapter has much instruction in it concerning not loving the world.  Greenhill provides some directions for getting our hearts off of the world:

·         Be convinced of its evil.
·         Mortify your lusts.
·         Look to things eternal.
·         Diligently guard your heart.
·         Submit to God’s will.
·         Look to Christ.
·         Love God more.

Again, as with the points above, Greenhill lists some strong commentary for each point.  This is a book that everyone should read especially those who preach weekly.  I would recommend that you add this book to your list to read in 2013. 

Thanks for reading. . .

(Preview of the first 26 pgs.)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Characters from Pilgrim's Progress -- Evangelist

-
Image
Returning to John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress , I want to look at another one of his characters.  This book over the years has been one I return to regularly and read various scenes from because even though it was written in 1678 still has a profound grip on presenting human behavior in an incredible way.  It was recommended to me by Brother Harrell in Bridge City a number of years ago.  It is rare to dig into this allegory about a man on a path toward the Celestial City and not come away with some spiritual benefit. The next character to assess is a man named Evangelist.  This character shows us the impact that a godly pastor/preacher/teacher can have on one traveling the Christian path.  It is compelling how that Bunyan begins the book by telling us that it is a story of a man who is walking through the wilderness of this world.  If ever there were a phrase that could sum up what we are doing as we walk out the Christian life, it would certainly have to be admitted that we are
Read more

OSTINATO RIGORE

-
Image
Leonardo da Vinci was a man who marked the world far beyond his lifetime.  He made some valuable contributions to the hometown he grew up in.  But it was his drawings that would outlive him.  The principle behind electric doors that are present at department stores was one of his ideas.  The principle behind the lamps and bulbs that have the ability to operate with varying degrees of power was another of his ideas.  I am certain that most people are familiar with his drawings of what he called “flying machines.”  These drawings would be proven true later on as the field of physics and the study of aerodynamics developed.  While some would categorize da Vinci as a genius, from various biographies it is clear that da Vinci had a gifted mind but it was not what many would classify today as an exceptional one.  So what was it that separated da Vinci from the rest of his fellows both in his time capsule and those beyond it?  It was a principle that is noted very early on in the journ
Read more

Characters from Pilgrim's Progress -- Valiant for Truth

-
Image
There are aspects of John Bunyan’s famous allegory Pilgrim’s Progress that have more details as you read on through the second portion of it concerning Christian’s wife and children who flee from the City of Destruction.  As their story unfolds, we read about some events that Christian went through but is not as detailed in the first half of the story as he is relating a first person account.  The story told by one of those characters in the second half is who I want us to visit with now.  The character is Valiant for Truth.  What a powerful name that Bunyan picks out for this young man, this young soldier, this young minister.  Bunyan is playing off Jeremiah 9:3 where the weeping prophet notes that there are some who aren’t valiant for the truth.  One of the chief characteristics of John Bunyan is pointed out by Charles Spurgeon and it is observed very clearly in this segment of the allegory.  Spurgeon noted that in reading all of Bunyan’s works and actually having read Pilgrim’s P
Read more