Afflictions 101

"I believe in homiletics. But not much.

A thousand sorrows teaches a man to preach."

- John Piper

Weighty Wisdom

"Probably all the failures of my life 

can be laid at the feet

 of my failure to be happy in God."

- Dr. John Piper

The Infinite Joy of God

___________________________

"He is… the holiest and happiest being,
not only that is, but that can be conceived."

“You cannot conceive of a greater happiness than omnipotent power engaged in the omnipotent enjoyment of infinite glory.”

- John Piper, Why Expositional Preaching is Particularly Glorifying to God

____________________________

Suffering Brings Seeing

Taming Tigers...

Yesterday during our family's trip to the zoo we encountered this rather large tiger.

My five year old daughter was quite nervous and would not stand next to the glass by herself. It occurred to me that although we were only a few feet from the massive animal, I was completely unconcerned for our safety. This was obviously because of the secure facility which housed the great beast.

I could not help but ponder the parallel; our lives are lived in close proximity to the treacherous enemy of our souls. 1Peter 5:8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

Our God is our shield, our defender, and our fortress. Though daily we walk in the midst of predators we need not tremble for them. Romans 8:31b If God is for us, who can be against us?

Psalm 23:4-5 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.

Certainly this life affords us various experiences of suffering and trials. This is why the Psalmist uses the phrase, "the valley of the shadow of death." What a solid foundation we have in God's sovereignty over suffering. We can say with the Psalmist, "I will fear no evil, for you are with me." If He is with us, what have we to fear? There will be troubles, there will be trials, there will be dining in the presence of enemies... But He is with us. And our God is the One who can make ALL things, including suffering and tragedies, work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purposes (Romans 8:28).

I love how John Piper puts it in his poem about Job:

The Misery of Job and the Mercy of God
(Part 4)

I have some friends who thought they knew
The mind of God, and that their view
Of tenderness exhausted God's,
And that severity and rods
Could only be explained with blame,
To vindicate his holy name."
"So you think it was God who made
You sick?" "I think God never laid
Aside the reins that lie against
The neck of Satan, nor unfenced
His pen to run at liberty,
But only by the Lord's decree."
...

That he might kindly show to me
What I would be when only he
Remains in my calamity.
Unkindly he has kindly shown
That he was not my hope alone."
...

And finally, my servant, Job,
Can you draw down and then disrobe
Leviathan, the king of all
The sons of pride, and in his fall
Strip off his camouflage of strength,
And make him, over all the length
Of earth and heav'n, to serve the plan
Of humble righteousness? I can.
I make Leviathan my rod.
Belovèd Job, behold your God!"

Don't Waste Your Life Sentence

Was Jesus' message different than Paul's?

T4G 2010 -- Session 6 -- John Piper from Together for the Gospel (T4G) on Vimeo.

"Be Killing Sin or Sin Will Be Killing You"

Piper, while recently at Driscoll's church, delivered this message on the text of Romans 8:13.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
- Romans 8:13

Man Pool vs. God Pool

HT:DG

Urgency & Happiness

____________________

"It is not as urgent 
as you think it is, 
God is urgent."

- John Piper
____________________

"Man was designed by God 
for exceeding inexpressibly 
great happiness."

- Jonathan Edwards
____________________

HT:DG

Piper on Lewis

Piper just gave his biographical message on C.S. Lewis:
Lessons from an Inconsolable Soul



This is, in my opinion, the best of all of Piper's biographies.

A Sweet & Bitter Providence

Following Jesus

Can there be any other Christianity?
Can there be any other way?
To live and to die serving the lost among humanity
Or to simply exist for one more day

Can there be another way to follow Him?
Or is giving it all the only way?
You could choose temporal peace and security in which to wallow
But He has said, It is good that the servant, his master would follow

He has said, "Go"
And yet we still remain
He has said take up your cross
Disobeying His voice will prove quite insane

Would you, who say you follow Him
Rather ignore His command and stay
Exchanging His magnificent light for pleasures that at best are dim
Or would you give your everything for an opportunity to obey?

- A. B. Seal

Abominating the Prosperity Message

My Favorite Book Available For Free!

Desiring God is the free audio book during the month of November from ChristianAudio.com.

Download it for free!

I am a little excited about this audio book being available for free because it happens to be my all time favorite book aside from the Bible. If you are one of those who have not yet been privileged to read this life changing book, check out a few reviews from amazon.com.

Piper's Call to the Ministry

Justin Taylor recently posted on Piper's call to the ministry. It's an inspiring account that is well worth reading.

HT: JT

Piper: Jesus Christ as Denouement in the Theater of God

HT:DG

Piper on the New Calvinists

This video is from the recent Religious Newswriters Association meeting in Minneapolis. Speaking on behalf of the New Calvinists were John Piper, Collin Hansen, and Carolyn James.



More audio and video from this meeting is available here.

HT: Desiring God

Shane and Shane: Embracing Accusation

Wait until the refrain:

You Must Suffer...

"The purpose of God in creating the Universe is to display the greatness of the glory of His grace supremely in the suffering of His Son. That's yesterday. Today the summons; Will you join the Son in displaying the supreme satisfaction of the glory of grace in joining Him on the Calvary road of suffering because there is no other way the world is going to see the supreme glory of Christ today. Except that we break free from the disney land of America and begin to live lifestyles of missionary sacrifice that looks like our treasure is in heaven and not on the Earth. It's the only way."
- Piper


The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs--heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
- Romans 8:16-18