And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him. —Hebrews 11:6 ESV Here’s a sermon excerpt from John Piper: Let’s put them into our own words. God is pleased by us when two things about … More Piper: He is Real and He is a Rewarder
J.C. Ryle, at Grace Gems, comments on Luke 8: Faith in Christ’s love and power is the best remedy in time of trouble. We are told that when Jesus heard the tidings, that the ruler’s daughter was dead, He said to him, “Fear not, believe only, and she shall be made whole.” These words, no … More J.C. Ryle: Secret remedy in troubled times
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV John Piper, in a sermon from 2 Timothy 4, “I Have Kept the Faith” The faith that Paul has kept is not faith in himself, or in any mere man. It is faith in Christ … More Piper: Faith in Christ Jesus most fully explained as faith in his word.
And behold, some men were bringing on a bed a man who was paralyzed, and they were seeking to bring him in and lay him before Jesus, but finding no way to bring him in, because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and let him down with his bed through the … More Do you have the faith of a stretcher-carrier?
Coty Pinckney on Mark 10:13-16, “Childlike Faith, Childlike Giving” Jesus says, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it at all.” “Like a child.” What does He mean? Does He mean: (1) Children are perfect? If you believe that, I welcome you to … More Childlike Faith
J.C. Ryle comments on Matthew 8:5-13 We know little about the centurion described in these verses. His name, his nation, his past history, are all hidden from us. But one thing we know, and that is, that he believed. “Lord,” he says, “I’m not worthy for you to come under my roof. Just say the … More J.C. Ryle: This is better than all other gifts and knowledge…a rare and precious gift.
Dr. Kim Riddlebarger comments on Job 29, our Bible reading for today: Chapter 29 of Job is very poignant, given what Job once enjoyed in light of his current suffering. Job’s opening comments about the days in which he enjoyed God’s favor reiterate what was said of Job in the book’s prologue. “Job continued his … More Pain, Providence and Promises
“I am telling you before it comes to pass, so that when it does occur, you may believe that I am He.” John 13:19 John Piper, in a sermon, “The Sovereign Sacrifice: Foreknown, Foretold, for Faith” In other words, Jesus is saying, “If you are struggling to believe that I am the promised Messiah, that … More Jesus wants to help you believe
John Piper, on Hebrews 12 One more illustration: in Hebrews 12:12-13 the writer says, “Strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed.” He is talking in … More Piper: look at your life, think hard about what you are doing, and get ruthless about what stays and what goes.
John Piper, in a sermon on Hebrews 11:29-38, “Faith to Be Strong and Faith to Be Weak” God does not always work miracles and acts of providence for our deliverance from suffering; sometimes by faith God sustains his people through sufferings. That’s the point of verses 35b-38. Or another way to put it would be … More Piper: Having true faith in God is no guarantee of comfort and security in this life.
Knowing God through His Word ... Day by Day 