Every Last Word

This download contains the booklet, "The Peace of the Cross," by Philip Graham Ryken.

We live in a world where sexuality is ruined by sin, its beauty obscured by our brokenness. We need a divine vision for the way love was meant to be, with a gospel that offers forgiveness for sin and grace to live in the way that God has made us to be. In the Song of Songs, we encounter a love story that is part of the greatest love story ever told. Philip Ryken walks through this biblical love poem verse by verse, reflecting on what the Bible says about God’s design for love, intimacy, and sexuality and offering insights into not only human relationships but also our relationship to God himself—learning more about the One who has loved us with an everlasting love.

Is the world turning its back on God? Western civilization is standing at a crossroads — a crossroads where God is beckoning His people to do as the prophet Jeremiah did. To stand up and speak the truth. To follow God, even if it hurts. To weep for the rudderless people you meet every day. To pray and influence our culture for Christ. In Jeremiah’s day, a time much like our own, public life was becoming dominated by pagan ideas and practices. Jeremiah showed courage and passion — even through his sufferings - to show us how to live for God in today’s difficult times. This is the story of his life and ministry: from it you will find down-to-earth help and fresh examples on how to live, think, and feel in a godless culture and encouragement to proclaim the truth of God’s word - regardless the cost.

 Dynasties, fractured kingdoms, prophecies of coming hardship -- the book of 1 Kings is a grand, sweeping narrative of the beginning of the downfall of God's people. Its size and scope may seem intimidating, but Phil Ryken shows us in this biblical, doctrinal, practical, and Christological commentary how this imposing book can be divided into three key sections. First, the stories of Solomon focus on the themes of money, sex, and power, inviting us to learn from Solomon's example. Will we use these things wisely for kingdom purposes, or foolishly abuse them for selfish gain? Then the middle of the story, on the divided kingdom, shows the destructive consequences of sin among the people of God, especially the sin of idolatry. The final section demonstrates the power of prayer to the true and living God, as exemplified in the life and ministry of God's prophet Elijah. Phil Ryken both brings out the key themes of these three sections and illustrates how they come together in their focus on the gospel of Jesus Christ, especially his kingly and prophetic offices. This is an excellent resource for those who want a devotional aid and will help Bible expositors reliably teach a redemptive-historical view of this important Old Testament book. As are all the books in the Reformed Expository Commentary series, this exposition of 1 Kings is accessible to both pastors and lay readers. Each volume in the series provides exposition that gives careful attention to the biblical text, is doctrinally Reformed, focuses on Christ through the lens of redemptive history, and applies the Bible to our contemporary setting.