Having begun my reading for 2017, I have come across two things that I recommend, challenge, dare, and desire you to read in 2017. In fact, these two things are a great way to start your reading for 2017. They were two of the first things I read this year and, providentially, they were a great way to start a new year of reading.

The first thing for you to read is Jonathan Edwards sermon on Hebrews 5:12 called Christian Knowledge. It 
was the very first thing outside of the Bible that I read this year and it is encouraging! In my first book of 2017, On Knowing Christ by Edwards, this sermon is the first one offered. You can find it online with a simple search or you can read it here.

The sermon Christian Knowledge has as its main proposition the following statement: “Every Christian should make a business of endeavoring to grow in knowledge in divinity.” The sermon proceeds to encourage Christians to do just that.

The second thing for you to read is another sermon that was also one of the first things I read this year. This time the preacher is John Flavel and the sermon is found in his collection of sermons entitled The Fountain of Life Opened Up. It is simply named Sermon 1. Again, you could do a search on the web, or you could read it here.

This sermon has as its main point that “there is no doctrine more excellent in itself or more necessary to be preached and, studied, than the doctrine of Jesus Christ, and him crucified.”

This is a great one-two punch to start the year out with, particularly a year in which you intend to do some reading (which I really hope you are intending!). Edwards encourages us to study doctrine and Flavel follows that up with a reminder that the most excellent doctrine, and the most needful doctrine, is the doctrine of Jesus Christ.

So, you’ve been challenged! Who is in?