In our reading today, Ephesians 4:17-21— Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness … More There is an escape from futility!
John Piper, in a sermon, “The Son of God at 12 Years Old” says of Luke 2:41-52- ….our text has important implications for understanding the divinity of Christ. It helps us understand what Paul meant when he said, “Though he was in the form of God, he did not count equality with God a thing … More The Son of God at 12 Years Old
In light of failed predictions of the end of the world and the rapture, many people just roll their eyes when they hear talk of “the coming of Christ” In Luke 2, we read of someone who had been eagerly waiting a lifetime to see Jesus. John Piper, in a sermon from Luke 2, “Preparing … More Are you eagerly waiting for Jesus’ coming?
For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, … More When the massive weather front of God’s love meets the massive weather front of God’s power
John Piper: For God’s Little People—Luke 2:1–5 Have you ever thought what an amazing thing it is that God ordained beforehand that the Messiah be born in Bethlehem (as the prophecy in Micah 5 shows); and that he so ordained things that when the time came, the Messiah’s mother and legal father were living in … More It is not our prosperity but our holiness that he seeks with all his heart.
John Piper asks us to: Picture in your mind a great, wise painter, painting on a huge canvas with many brushes, most of them very ordinary and messy. The painter is God, so you can’t picture him. He’s invisible. But he intends for his painting to be the visible display of his wisdom. He knows … More Painter? God …. Brushes? Us!
I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart! —Psalm 119:32 When God enlarges our heart, we get a NEW heart. John Piper helps us understand: But forgiveness and cleansing is not enough. I need to be new. I need to be transformed. I need life. I need a new way … More God gives us big, new hearts
As we read in 1 Kings about Solomon’s construction of the Temple, we need to be reminded that it was a shadow. John Piper comments on this in an introduction to a message, “Jesus: Mediator of a Better Covenant” The tabernacle and temple were a shadow; the official priesthood was a shadow; the animal sacrifices … More These shadows will fall away
From Mary’s Magnificat in Luke 1- for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation. He has shown strength with his arm; he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts; he has brought down the … More God loves to undertake for the underdog who calls on his mercy
“Which is his body, the fullness of him [i.e., Christ] who fills all in all.” Ephesians 1:23 John Piper helps us understand this passage in our read through the Bible plan today- So Christ fills all in all. Or as the present tense and the middle voice imply: Christ is now filling for himself all … More No place where HIS power does not hold sway
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 