A Call Back to God

Some help understanding Zephaniah, from John Piper’s sermon, “The Lord Will Rejoice Over You” (Tagline: “Every staff on which we try to lean in our pride will snap and pierce us through. One refuge will be secure: God.”) According to Zephaniah 1:1, the prophet Zephaniah delivered the Word of the Lord during the reign of … More A Call Back to God

Purposes in suffering

John Piper, in a sermon on Job 38-42 What we have seen so far, then, is that Job’s suffering has a twofold explanation: its purpose at the outset was to demonstrate God’s value and glory, and its ongoing purpose was to refine Job’s righteousness. His suffering is not punishment. It is not a sign of … More Purposes in suffering

Our thirst for God can be quenched because Jesus was thirsty for us.

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), “I thirst.”  A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished,” and he … More Our thirst for God can be quenched because Jesus was thirsty for us.

Hail th’incarnate Deity

Christ, by highest Heav’n adored; Christ the everlasting Lord; Late in time, behold Him come, Offspring of a virgin’s womb. Veiled in flesh the Godhead see; Hail th’incarnate Deity, Pleased with us in flesh to dwell, Jesus our Emmanuel. Hark! the herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!” As we hear Christmas carols this … More Hail th’incarnate Deity

King of kings

At this time of year, we celebrate the birth of our Savior and sing of the “newborn King”  and J. C. Ryle, as quoted at Grace Gems, connects Jesus’ kingly birth with his kingly death: how our Lord was crucified as a KING. The title placed over our Lord’s head made this plain and unmistakable. … More King of kings