Proverbs 15:8, The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. John Piper, in a sermon, “The Pleasure of God in the Prayers of the Upright” My hope is that the effect of this message will not only be that you feel encouraged to … More Prayer Pleases God!
Since we have just finished reading Ezra and Nehemiah, this article will bless you- John Piper, at Desiring God Blog: Here’s another reason I am joyfully committed to expository exultation, that is, preaching. Look at this amazing statement of what biblical exposition is like when it’s done well—in the power of God’s Spirit and riveted … More God’s Word, Good Exposition, Great Joy, Much Strength
2 Timothy 3:16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. John Piper, in a sermon, “All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God and Profitable” That is a remarkable … More How does the Bible equip us for “every good work”?
John Piper asks: Now how does Jesus’ parable in Luke 18:1–8 encourage us to keep on praying earnestly when prayer week is over? A widow comes to an unjust judge and pleads for help. She is being oppressed unjustly and wants him to use his authority to seek her relief. That’s us, the widow. Weak, … More Wearing out the Judge?
The Setting of Nehemiah’s Covenant Reaffirmation About 445 BC Nehemiah had brought a group of Israelites from captivity in Persia back to Jerusalem, and with them had rebuilt the walls of the city in spite of tremendous opposition from surrounding peoples. The wall is completed at the end of chapter 6. Chapter 7 gives the … More Nehemiah 9: Inexhaustible Grace
John Piper, in the introduction to the sermon, “Is the Kingdom Present or Future?” Luke 17:20-21 Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, he answered them, “The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed; nor will they say, ‘Lo, here it is!’ or ‘There!’ for behold, … More The kingdom of God: a future reality to be hoped for or a present reality to experience now?
John Piper, in a sermon, “Wonderful Things From Your Word” Consider 2 Timothy 2:7. The NASB has “Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.” Literally it is, “Think about (noei) what I say.” Does this mean that understanding Paul’s teaching is simply a human, natural enterprise of thinking? No. The … More But don’t replace thinking with praying. Think and pray. Pray and think.
Proverbs 11:1 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight. John Piper, in a 1987 sermon, “The Pleasure of God in Public Justice” The implications here are very far-reaching. But let’s get the specific picture clear in our minds. Suppose you were a merchant in the Old … More False Balances
2 Timothy 1:8 Do not be ashamed then of testifying to our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but take your share of suffering for the gospel in the power of God. John Piper, in a sermon, “Battling the Unbelief of Misplaced Shame” What this text says is that if you feel shame for testifying … More Battling the Unbelief of Misplaced Shame
John Piper, in a sermon, “Preparing to Receive Christ: Hearing Moses and the Prophets”, comments on the Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16: So the rich man in the parable is one of those who presumed to say, “I am secure as a child of Abraham.” But he bore no fruit that befits repentance, … More Cheap grace, true faith and eternal destiny
