Books

The books listed below are ones that I have written. All of them have been published by my publishing company, Gospel Armory. You can click on the links to get more information. The newest books are listed first.

(In addition to these books, check out the Plain Bible Study Guides.)

The Root of the Problem (cover)The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome (Second Edition)

Jesus Christ came to set us free from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:3-6; John 8:34-36). But how can we successfully remove sin from our lives? We first need to understand the reasons why we sin so we can learn how to find the way of escape. This book examines eighteen reasons why we sin and discusses how we can overcome temptation and find the way of escape that God has promised. This second edition is updated and expanded to include discussion questions and additional articles to supplement the material.

Social Issues (cover)Social Issues: Learning about and Dealing with the Problems of the Present Age

Ever since the fall in the Garden of Eden, sin and temptation have plagued mankind. As long as the world stands, evil forces and destructive influences will surround us. We continue to deal with problems related to sin and temptation – both individually and collectively – but the specific issues that rise to prominence will vary from generation to generation. This material addresses some of the chief issues facing our present age – abortion, racism, drug abuse, social media, materialism, and more – by presenting explanations, statistics, and Bible principles. There are also questions at the end of each lesson in order to aid in both personal and group Bible studies.

Now Concerning the Collection (cover)Now Concerning the Collection: A Study of Giving (Second Edition)

The topic of giving can be a difficult and awkward subject to discuss from the pulpit. Yet it is vitally important to the function of the local church and the duty of the disciples who make up each congregation. This material presents a thorough examination of the New Testament teachings about giving. It is meant to encourage Christians to faithfully follow the Lord’s plan for the church’s work and motivate each one of us to strive to improve our own giving. This expanded edition also includes other related articles dealing with money in general, church membership, tithing, modern methods of giving, and more.

Regular Christians (cover)Regular Christians: The Importance of Each Member in the Body of Christ

When we think of great examples of faith in the early church, we may think of men like the apostle Paul or the apostle John. But what about people like Dorcas, Tychicus, and Antipas? They were “regular” Christians who serve as examples for “regular” Christians like us today. Their examples remind us that each member of the body of Christ – including you – is important and capable of making significant contributions to the Lord’s work.

Identifying the Lord's Church (cover)Identifying the Lord’s Church

Jesus told His disciples that He would build His church. Yet there are a countless number of churches that exist in the world today. How can we find the one that Jesus built? This book has been written to help you identify the Lord’s church today. In order to do this, we will consider four questions. By answering these four questions, you will be in a position to be able to identify – and become a part of – the Lord’s church today.

Great Days in History (cover)Great Days in History: The Unfolding of the Scheme of Redemption

God’s plan from before the foundation of the world has been to save man from his sin so that we could be with Him for eternity. The Bible shows us how God’s plan has been unfolding from the beginning and what is yet to come. This book traces this plan – the scheme of redemption – by focusing on eight pivotal days in the history of mankind to show how God has made salvation available to all.

The Way (cover)The Way: What It Means to Be a Disciple of Jesus

Several times in the book of Acts, Jesus’ disciples were identified as “The Way.” A way denotes that we are going in a certain direction toward some destination. This is the essence of discipleship – following Jesus wherever He leads. This short book examines what it means for us to be disciples of Jesus by looking at what the New Testament says about “The Way.”

The Real Pharisees (cover)The Real Pharisees

It is common to hear the label of “Pharisee” used in a derogatory way against those who emphasize Bible authority, encourage careful obedience to the Lord’s instructions, and refuse to extend fellowship beyond the Scriptural limits. However, before we draw parallels between people today and the Pharisees in Jesus’ day, we need to understand the reasons why the Pharisees were wrong. By doing this, we can see who the real Pharisees are today. They are probably not who we would expect.

Sermon on the Mount (cover)Sermon on the Mount: Instructions for Life

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave instructions for the life of a disciple. As people came to follow Him, He wanted them to be sure they understood what it meant to be His disciple. So He provided them with instructions showing the type of life they would be called to live. This material breaks down Jesus’ sermon into 13 lessons with questions at the end of each one, making it helpful for both personal and group Bible studies.

Basic Bible Truths (cover)Basic Bible Truths: Laying a Foundation for a Lifetime of Spiritual Growth and Service

This book addresses some fundamental topics from the word of God in order to lay a foundation for further study and growth for the reader. Topics include the church, the plan of salvation, Bible authority, worship, godly living, and more. These lessons are for non-Christians, new Christians, and also for more mature Christians who are seeking to teach these basic Bible truths to others.

The Psalm of the Word (cover)The Psalm of the Word: A Study of Psalm 119

With its 176 verses, Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is divided up into twenty-two stanzas of eight verses each. The entire psalm is dedicated to a single theme – the word of God. This study breaks down this psalm and discusses one stanza per chapter. Although the twenty-two stanzas each focus on the same theme (God’s word), the depth of the subject means that each stanza is unique, focusing on different aspects of God’s word – what it is, what it does for us, and what it requires of us. These lessons are designed to help the reader come to a better understanding of God’s word and develop a greater appreciation of the truth that has been revealed in Scripture.

Plain Bible Teaching: The First Ten YearsPlain Bible Teaching (cover)

Since August 2005, Plain Bible Teaching has been an online resource that has been freely providing articles on a wide range of Bible topics. The aim of the site has always been to live up to the name and produce material that accurately reflects the word of God while explaining it in a way that makes it easily understandable to all. This volume is a collection of articles from the first ten years of Plain Bible Teaching. Articles were not chosen based on topic, length, or popularity. Instead, this book contains fifty articles that best reflect Plain Bible Teaching as a whole.

Do It Yourself Sermon Outlines (Volume 3)Do It Yourself Sermon Outlines: Volume 3

This book contains 100 condensed sermon outlines and is meant to be a source of ideas for those who preach sermons, present short talks, write articles, etc. These outlines do not contain every point, Scripture reference, or example that may be used in a sermon. Instead they list the major points along with just enough information to explain the point without getting into too much detail.

Take CourageTake Courage: Eight Lessons from Men of Faith

We live in difficult times. It can be tempting for Christians to compromise their principles and abandon their faith. Yet, as Jesus told His apostles, we must take courage (John 16:33). To help us see how we can take courage today, this book contains eight lessons from men of faith so we can learn from their examples.

Making Wise InvestmentsMaking Wise Investments: How to Gain an Everlasting Reward

The Bible speaks of investments we are to make that are of a spiritual nature. While financial investments have their place, these spiritual investments are far more valuable and important than those that pertain to this life. This book includes seven lessons about how to make wise investments in our spiritual lives.

Bringing Up Children in the LordBringing Up Children in the Lord

The topic of parenting is vital – not only for the Lord’s church, but for society as a whole. Children are the future; therefore, it is important that parents take their responsibility seriously to bring up their children in the right way. This book contains a six-lesson study on the topic of parenting.

Do It Yourself Sermon Outlines: Volume 2Do It Yourself Sermon Outlines: Volume 2

This book contains 100 condensed sermon outlines and is meant to be a source of ideas for those who preach sermons, present short talks, write articles, etc. These outlines do not contain every point, Scripture reference, or example that may be used in a sermon. Instead they list the major points along with just enough information to explain the point without getting into too much detail.

Daily Notes & ObservationsDaily Notes & Observations

This book contains 365 Scripture-based articles on a wide range of topics, taken from every area of the word of God. These articles, as well as the Bible reading plans and spaces for your notes, are presented to you in order to encourage a regular habit of studying and meditating upon the Scriptures.

My Son, Hear My Words: Notes on ProverbsMy Son, Hear My Words: Notes on Proverbs

This book arranges the verses in Proverbs by topic and then provides commentary on the text. The commentary in this book will be a valuable reference tool as you seek to learn and apply the teachings in the book of Proverbs. Its topical arrangement also makes it useful for personal and group Bible studies.

Vanity of Vanities: Notes on EcclesiastesVanity of Vanities: Notes on Ecclesiastes

‘Vanity of vanities,’ says the Preacher, ‘Vanity of vanities! All is vanity’” (Ecclesiastes 1:2). This is the conclusion that many eventually reach when they consider their earthly existence. It is where Solomon begins this book before explaining his experiences as he searched for the purpose of life under the sun. At the end we find the conclusion – man’s purpose in life – “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This book is a verse-by-verse commentary based upon the New American Standard version of the book of Ecclesiastes. It is a handy reference tool to aid you in your study of the text.

Civil Government: What the Bible Says About Its Origin, History, Nature, and RoleCivil Government: What the Bible Says About Its Origin, History, Nature, and Role

This material focuses on what the Scriptures teach about the origin, history, nature, and role of civil government, so that we as God’s people might heed the instructions and warnings contained in His word. The point of this is not to argue for or against any particular candidate or political party, but for Christians to remember to be loyal to God first and to be reluctant to call for government to expand its powers beyond the role which God ordained for it.

Do It Yourself Sermon Outlines: Volume 1Do It Yourself Sermon Outlines: Volume 1

This book contains 100 condensed sermon outlines and is meant to be a source of ideas for those who preach sermons, present short talks, write articles, etc. These outlines do not contain every point, Scripture reference, or example that may be used in a sermon. Instead they list the major points along with just enough information to explain the point without getting into too much detail.

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can OvercomeThe Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

Christ came to set us free from the bondage of sin (Romans 6:3-6). Yet many Christians are content to remain enslaved to it. They have been convinced that we can never defeat sin; therefore, they have resigned themselves to the belief that they will always struggle with it. Yet the Bible does not present the removal of sin from one’s life as an unattainable ideal but as a realistic goal. Paul says there is a way of escape for every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13). Peter speaks of what one needs to do so that he will never stumble (2 Peter 1:10). John writes so that wemay not sin (1 John 2:1). Jesus told the woman allegedly caught in adultery, “Go. From now on sin no more” (John 8:11). But how can we successfully remove sin from our lives? We first need to understand the reasonswhy we sin so we can learn how to find the way of escape.