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 Piper: A Hurricane of Confidence
The Father of the Bride Exposes the Master of Deceit (2 Cor. 11:1-15) A paraphrase by Bob Deffinbaugh at Bible.org Reluctantly, I am going to attempt to commend myself, following the same approach as those who oppose me when they commend themselves. I know this is foolishness, and I regret having to do it, but … More The Father of the Bride Exposes the Master of Deceit
2 Corinthians 9:6-8 The point is this: whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows bountifully [4] will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that … More The connection between KNOWING God and giving cheerfully…
John Piper comments: [1 Corinthians 7] Verse 19 says literally, “Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God (is everything).” That was about the most offensive thing Paul could say to a Jew: Circumcision is nothing. And if we understand its broad cultural application, it offends all of us. But … More Piper: Paul is a very unfashionable thinker
Today, April 1, we start our reading of 1 Corinthians. In Chapter 1, verse 17, Paul says, “For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.” John Piper’s sermon titled, “Christ Did Not Send … More Paul: Christ Did Not Send Me to Baptize
Romans 8 is such a beautiful, wonderful passage of promise and hope. It was hard to know what part to highlight on our read-through-the-Bible plan. Here are John Piper’s comments: Verse 35 says that there will be tribulation and distress and persecution and sword. Verse 36 says that Christians are being killed all day long, … More John Piper on Romans 8: The Solid Logic of Heaven
John Piper in a sermon, “No Condemnation in Christ Jesus, Part 1:” The Essence of Christianity The essence of Christianity is that God is the supreme value in the universe, that we do not honor him as supremely valuable, that we are therefore guilty of sin and under his omnipotent wrath, and he alone can … More John Piper: This is what we lay down our lives to communicate to the nations and the neighborhoods: No condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
Today, we come to Romans 7 in our read-through-the-Bible plan. We come to an important question, which can have some very practical consequences in our lives. Is Paul writing this description of his life and experience before he became a Christian? Or does it describe his present struggles as a Christian? You could find advocates of … More John Piper: God give us the honesty and candor and humility of the apostle Paul.
In a sermon on Romans 6:1-14, “Are We to Continue in Sin That Grace Might Increase?” Dr. John Piper said, He [Paul] plays his own worst adversary in Romans 6:1. He has just said in Romans 5:20, “Where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” Now he asks, “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in … More Is grace too radical in Romans?
Bob Deffinbaugh comments on the ending of the book of Acts: One final word about the supposedly “sudden and abrupt” ending of the Book of Acts. Many have noted the unusual ending of Acts. Some have explained this ending by suggesting that Luke intended to write yet another volume. I think that the ending of … More Deffinbaugh: Gospel-centered ending to Acts
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