innermess.com

Download the Free Inner Mess Study Guide for Groups & Individuals (37 pages)

These books offer various biblical perspectives on dealing with your flesh/Inner Mess and on living a whole, holy lifestyle. They come at the topic from different angles, and I might not agree with everything they say, but these books will give you a great foundation for a life that is free, whole, holy, and joyful. Some are classics, others are new. Most of them are meaty; I hope they give you a better grasp on Christ’s power to corral your Inner Mess.

I’ve put an asterisk (*) by my top picks to get you started…
 

• *Barber, Wayne A. Living Grace: Letting Jesus Be Jesus In You. Nashville: B&H Publishing Group, 2005.
• Baxter, J. Sidlow. His Deeper Work in Us: An Inquiry into New Testament Teaching on the Subject of Christian Holiness. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1974.
• Bridges, Jerry. The Discipline of Grace: God’s Role and Our Role in the Pursuit of Holiness. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 1994.
• ---. The Pursuit of Holiness. Colorado Springs: NavPress, 2006.
• Chambers, Oswald. My Utmost For His Highest. Barbour Publishing, 2000.
• Evans, Tony. Free At Last: Experiencing Your True Freedom Through Your Identity in Christ. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 2005.
• Gillham, William and Preston H. Gillham. Lifetime Guarantee. Eugene, OR: Harvest House, 1993.
• Kendall, R.T. How to Forgive Ourselves Totally: Begin Again by Breaking Free from Past Mistakes. Lake Mary, FL: Charisma House, 2007.
• Ironside, H. A. Holiness: the False and the True. New York: Loizeaux Brothers, 1912.
• Lundgaard, Kris. The Enemy Within: Straight Talk about the Power and Defeat of Sin. Phillipsburg, NJ: P & R Publishing, 1998.
• *Lutzer, Erwin W. After You’ve Blown It: Reconnecting with God and Others. Portland: Multnomah, 2004.
• ---. Winning the Inner War: How to Say No to a Stubborn Habit. Wheaton: Victor Books, 2002.
• Mahaney, C.J. Living the Cross-Centered Life. Portland: Multnomah, 2006.
• McGrath, Alister E. The Journey. New York: Doubleday, 1999.
• Meyer, F. B. Fit for the Master’s Use. Costa Mesa: Calvary Chapel Books, 2002.
• ---. Abide in Christ. New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House Publishers, n.d.
• Murray, Andrew. The Secret of Spiritual Strength. New Kensington, PA: Whittaker House Publishers, 1997.
• Nee, Watchman. Sit, Walk, Stand. Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1977.
• ---. The Normal Christian Life. Wheaton: Tyndale House, 2007.
• Packer, J.I. Knowing God: Twentieth Anniversary Edition. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-varsity Press, 1993.
• Peterson, Eugene. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction: Twentieth Anniversary Edition. Downers Grove, IL: Inter-varsity Press, 2000.
• Pink, Arthur W. Life of Faith: What Has Gone Done For You? Fearn, Scotland: Christian Focus Publications, (reprint) 1998.
• Ryle, J.C. Holiness: Its Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 2007.
• *Schaeffer, Francis. True Spirituality. Wheaton: Tyndale House, 1972.
• Simpson, A. B. Christ in You: The Christ-Life and the Self-Life. Camp Hill: Christian Publications Inc, 1977.
• Smalley, Gary. Change Your Heart, Change Your Life. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2007.
• Spurgeon, Charles H. A Passion for Holiness in A Believer’s Life. Greenville: Emerald Books, 1966.
• Taylor, Howard, Dr. and Mrs. Hudson Taylor's Spiritual Secret. London: China Inland Mission, 1935.
• *Thomas, W. H. Griffith. Christianity is Christ. London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1916.
• Thomas, Major W. Ian. The Saving Life of Christ. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1988.
• *Tozer, A.W. The Knowledge of the Holy. San Francisco: Harper, 1978.
• ---. Man: The Dwelling Place of God. Harrisburg: Christian Publications, Inc., 1966.
• Trumbull, Charles. Victory in Christ. Portland: Multnomah, (reprint) 2004.
• Wilkinson, Bruce. Secrets of the Vine. Portland: Multnomah, 2006.

Online Resources & Links

• Charles Spurgeon, “The Carnal Mind Enmity Against God,” a classic sermon. 
• Watchman Nee, The Normal Christian Life, a classic book. This link takes you to the discussion of Romans 7.
• S. Lewis Johnson, The Believer’s Chapel Online Teaching. The audio messages of the late S. Lewis Johnson, one of my most wonderful professors of theology while I was at Trinity. Start with the link to sermon #14, “Life in the Spirit.”
• Then go to this page and listen to S. Lewis Johnson’s sermons on Romans, #23 through #26.
• “The Quotable Christian” quotes on Sanctification. Some pithy sayings from some very wise authors.
• "Legalism", a sermon by one of my all-time favorite pastors, the late Ray Stedman.
• The Continuing Struggle, another sermon by Ray Stedman.
• Sanctification, What Is It? Posted on my blog, Maxgrace.com. You can also check the categories menu for “sanctification” or “Inner Mess” for more info. You’ll discover some backstory about the book.
• Celebrate Recovery. A nationwide ministry focusing on “freedom from your hurts, hang-ups, and habits.” Find a group near you.