I first heard Sinclair Ferguson speak at a Faith and Life Conference at All Saints Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA.
A few years later I was at a Ligonier Conference in Orlando and listened to him present deep truths from the Gospel of John that were all the more compelling as they came wrapped in the sound of his rich Scottish accent. Because his teaching always challenged and enlarged my heart and mind, I was anxious to read his new book:
In Christ Alone.
I had a sense as I moved from chapter to chapter that I was reading something "greater than" other books that I have delighted in. Early on, my mind stopped referencing my fondness for Sinclair Ferguson because I became enthralled with the glory and supremacy of Christ. I found myself intending to stop at the end of one chapter only to be grabbed by the title of the next and reading on. It was thrilling to see how many ways and through how many topics he remained commitedly Christocentric. I know that this will be a book that I will return to again and again. It is such a gift of concise, enriching Jesus exalting teaching.
Some of the questions dealt with are:
- What does it mean to abide in Christ?
- What is a legitimate prayer?
- Why did Jesus weep at Lazarus’ tomb?
- How well do you play second fiddle?
- What does it mean to come to Christ for rest?
- What does contentment look like and why does it have to be learned?
- What can we know about our enemy the Devil?
- What am I to think in light of struggles and suffering?
- How am I to exercise the liberty that I have in Christ?
Having just completed a study of Hebrews, I was especially interested in the chapters that unpacked the meanings of that book.
Ferguson asks a question that he called a touchstone of truth so that a reader could discern the influence that a particular teaching was having on them. "Is this teaching by which I am being influenced leading me to love and trust Jesus more? Or less? (p. 67)
I can say with deep appreciation and joy–this book certainly led me into a deeper love of my Savior Jesus!