sermon archive
recommended readings
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Have you ever been in a situation where, when you learned a little bit more about what some part of the Bible was saying, whether through a pastor, Biblical scholar, or devotional book, you realized you had previously misunderstood it? Although that might seem simple enough, people who have misunderstood the Bible and acted on those misunderstandings have had significant consequences through human history.
Harvest City Church is committed to discipling followers of Jesus as they foster a deeper, more personal relationship with King Jesus. While we believe this should happen first and foremost through God’s Word and revelation from Holy Spirit, we also recognize that we have been invited into God's story that stretches over thousands of years and many, many cultures. As a result, we encourage everyone to partake additional studying and reading from authors and theologians who have dedicated their lives studying, explaining and teaching specific books of the Bible, Biblical themes, languages and cultural contexts. Enjoy our exhaustive list of recommended books.​
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How to read the bible
Reading the Bible For a Change - Ray Lubeck
The Journey From Text to Translation: The Origin and Development of the Bible - Paul Wegner
Wisdom for Faithful Reading - John Walton
Biblical Theology In the Life of the Church - Michael Lawrence
Essential Bible Background - J. Carl Laney
The Literary Structure of the Old Testament - David Dorsey
Survey of the New Testament - Robert Grundy
Old Testament Ethics for the People of God - Christopher Wright
The Lost World of the Israelite Conquest - John Walton and J. Harvey Walton
How (Not) To Read the Bible - Dan Kimball
The Blue Parakeet - Scot McKnight
For the Love of God’s Word - Kostenberger Patterson
The Lost History of Christianity - George Lakoff and Mark Johnson
Covenant and God’s Purpose For the World - Thomas Schreiner
The Skeletons in God's Closet: The Mercy of Hell, the Surprise of Judgment, the Hope of Holy War - Joshua Butler
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knowing jesus
Knowing Jesus Through the Old Testament - Christopher Wright
Jesus Monotheism - Crispin Fletcher-Louis
Jesus + Nothing = Everything - Tullian Tchividjian
The Kingdom of God and the Glory Of The Cross - Patrick Schreiner
The New Creation and the Storyline Of Scripture - Frank Thielman
A New Vision for Israel: The Teaching of Jesus in National Context - Scot McKnight
God Looks Like Jesus: A Renewed Approach to Understanding God - Greg Boyd
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genesis
The Lost World of Genesis One - John Walton
The Lost World of Adam and Eve - John Walton
Reading Genesis Well: Navigating History, Poetry, Science, and Truth in Genesis 1-11 – John Collins
Adam as Israel: Genesis 1-3 as the Introduction to the Torah and Tanakh - Seth Postell
A Commentary on the Book of Genesis: From Adam to Noah - U. Cassuto From
Paradise to the Promised Land: An Introduction to the Main Themes of the Pentateuch - T. Desmon Alexander
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pentateuch​
The Pentateuch As Narrative - John Sailhamer
The Meaning of The Pentateuch - Jon Sailhamer
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prophets​
The Prophets - Abraham Heschel
The Gospel of Ruth - Carolyn James
gospels
Reading the Gospel Wisely - Jonathan Pennington
Interpreting the Synoptic Gospels - Scot McKnight
Stories With Intent: A Comprehensive Guide to the Parables of Jesus - Klyne Snodgrass
Short Stories By Jesus - Amy-Jill Levine
Historic Faith Commentary Series: Matthew – David Bercot
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sermon on the mount
The Sermon On the Mount and Human Flourishing - Jonathan Pennington
Sermon On the Mount - Scot McKnight
acts
The Acts of the Risen Lord Jesus - Alan Thompson
A Theology of Luke and Acts - Darrell Bock
The Challenge of Acts: Rediscovering What the Church Was and Is – N.T. Wright
epistles
Into the Heart of Romans - N.T Wright
Reading Romans Backwards - Scot McKnight
Historic Faith Commentary Series: Romans – David Bercot
The Letters to Philemon, the Colossians, and the Ephesians - Ben Witherington
studies on paul
Paul for Everyone: The Prison Letters - N.T Wright
Paul Behaving Badly - Randolph Richards and Brandon O’Brien
Paul: A Biography - N.T. Wright
revelation
The Book of Revelation - Richard Bauckham
Reading Revelation Responsibly - Michael Gorman
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identity
Living In Union with Christ - Grant Macaskill
Conformed To the Image of His Son - Haley Jacob
To Live Is Christ To Die Is Gain - Matt Chandler
Possessed By God: A New Testament Theology of Sanctification and Holiness - David Peterson
Bearing God’s Name - Carmen Imes
Changed Into His Likeness: A Biblical Theology of Personal Transformation - J. Gary Millar
holy spirit
Paul, The Spirit, and the People of God - Gordon Fee
Knowing the Holy Spirit Through the Old Testament - Christopher Wright
atonement
The Nature of the Atonement - James Beilby and Paul Eddy
Jesus and The Victory of God - N.T. Wright
Crucifixion of the Warrior God - Greg Boyd
A Community Called Atonement - Scot McKnight
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church, temple, & tabernacle​
A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs – David Bercot
Church History In Plain Language – Bruce Shelley
Letters to the Church - Francis Chan
Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church – N.T. Wright
God Dwells Among Us: Expanding Eden to the Ends of the Earth - G.K. Beale and Mitchell Kim
The Temple and the Church’s Mission: A Biblical Theology of the Dwelling Place of God - G.K. Beale
The Temple and the Tabernacle - J. Daniel Hays
Center Church - Timothy Keller
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hell
The Geography of Hell In the Teaching of Jesus - Kim Papaioannou
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prayer
Praying Like Monks, Living Like Fools - Tyler Staton
Praying the Bible - Donald Whitney
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spiritual disciplines
Practicing the Way - John Mark Comer
Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life - Donald Whitney
You Mean I Don’t Have to Tithe - David Croteau
Fasting for Spiritual Breakthrough - Elmer Towns
10 Second Rule by Clare - Graaf
The Liturgy of Creation - Michael LeFebvre
Water from a Deep Well - Gerald Sittser
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apologetics
Hidden Worldviews: Eight Cultural Stories That Shape Our Lives - Steve Wilkins and Mark Sanford
Making Sense of God - Timothy Keller
Cultural Engagement: A Crash Course on Contemporary Issues - Joshua Chatraw and Karen Prior
The Problem of God: Answering Skeptics Challenges to Christianity - Mark Clark
Theology in the Context of World Christianity - Timothy Tennent
Mere Christianity - C.S. Lewis
The Screwtape Letters - C.S. Lewis
Letters from a Skeptic: A Son Wrestles With His Father's Questions About Christianity - Greg Boyd
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Family & Marriage
God, Sex, and Your Marriage - Juli Slatery
Love & Respect - Emmerson Eggerichs
You and me Forever - Francis and Lisa Chan
Preparing for Marriage - Dennis Rainey
Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage - Preston Sprinkle
Men and Women in Christ - Andrew Bartlett
Habits of the Household:Practising the Story of God In Everyday Family Rhythms - Justin Earley
The Intentional Father: A Practical Guide to Raise Sons of Courage and Character - John Tyson
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leadership
The Emotionally Healthy Leader - Peter Scazzero
The Way of the Shepherd - Kevin Leman and Bill Pentak
Gospel Eldership - Robert Thune
The Council - Gary Hoag, Wesley Wilmber, and Gregory Henson
Timeless Leadership Principles: Building Champions for Life - Kim Kunau
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preaching
Biblical Preaching - Haddon Robinson
Preaching the Whole Councel of God - Julius Kim
The Beauty and Power of Biblical Exposition - Douglas ‘Donnell and Leland Ryken
Christ Centered Preaching - Brian Chapell​
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