The Formation of Desiring God

Desiring God, largely the ministry of John Piper, has had a huge impact on me, shaping many aspects of my theology, and pushing me further in my love for Christ daily. I’ve ready most of Piper’s books (hard to keep up), and I regularly listen to his podcast sermons (link to iTunes). I highly encourage both of these mediums for people wanting to grow in their walk.

I also found this video on The Resurgence interesting. Pastor Tim Smith, a worship pastor at Mars Hill Church in Seattle, sat down with Jon Bloom, the director of Desiring God, to talk about how the ministry started, how it has grown, and how they have worked to keep up with the work God is doing through them. Great stuff.

Tim Smith and Jon Bloom from The Resurgence on Vimeo.

Great John Piper Quotes

I love listening to John Piper. I’ve yet to see anyone else with his ability to explain scripture in a way that combines an authority of proclamation with a humble spirit the way he does. He’s also hysterical…many times without meaning to be, which makes it even better.

Recently, I came across these 2 list of Piper’s “witticisms.” Great stuff. You can check out part 1 and part 2, but here’s a taste:

• I would have a heart attack at the movies – just the trailers!
• You club people to death with the Log hanging out of your eye.
• I’m so thankful that Paul has memory lapses . . very comforting, Paul.
• Happy checks! That’s all! Keep your burden checks!
• If you don’t like being a sheep, get over it.
• I came to Christ when I was 6; I’m 64. I’m not optimistic about getting out of sin.
• I don’t want to live in this body for the rest of eternity. I can’t see. My wife thinks I can’t hear. I can hear, but my wife thinks I can’t. It’s the fan! It’s the fan!
• You don’t need to work to make Christianity controversial. Just read sentences from the Bible.
• He’s got about 120 people after 3 years of ministry and he’s the Son of God. That’s not a very impressive church plant.
• One of the curses of our modern day is that everything John Piper says is immortalized on the web.
• The problem is, it doesn’t do any good to nudge a corpse. If you do that, you can get a corpse to church, but you can’t make it alive.
• If you don’t have a bible, don’t be ashamed . . this Sunday.
• Do you want to go home right now and watch TV? Don’t say it out loud if you do! You will be so embarrassed. Because I will say bad things about you.

John Piper Sermon Jam – Treasuring Him

Another amazing video from the guys over at Desiring God.

A m a z i n g.

Spreading A Passion for God on Twitter

John Piper is on Twitter (…but obviously not during church).

I find Twitter to be a kind of taunt: “Okay, truth-lover, see what you can do with 140 characters! You say your mission is to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things! Well, this is one of those ‘all things.’ Can you magnify Christ with this thimble-full of letters?”

To which I respond:

The sovereign Lord of the earth and sky
Puts camels through a needle’s eye.
And if his wisdom see it mete,
He will put worlds inside a tweet.

So I am not inclined to tweet that at 10AM the cat pulled the curtains down. But it might remind me that the Lion of Judah will roll up the heavens like a garment, and blow out the sun like a candle, because he just turned the light on. That tweet might distract someone from pornography and make them look up.

I’ve been tweeting anonymously for a month mainly to test its spiritual and family effects on me. In spite of all the dangers, it seems like a risk worth taking. “All things were created through Christ and for Christ” (Colossians 1:16). The world does not know it, but that is why Twitter exists and that’s why I Tweet.

Read the rest of Piper’s take on Twitter.

Don’t Tweet During Worship

John Piper:

Josh Harris has done us a good service. He explains why many of us think it’s a bad idea to “tweet” while participating in corporate worship. That is, we think you should use Twitter before and after corporate worship to say what you take in and take out. But when you are in corporate worship, Worship! There is a difference between communion with God and commenting on communion with God.

Don’t tweet while having sex. Don’t tweet while praying with the dying. Don’t tweet when your wife is telling you about the kids. There’s a season for everything. Multitasking only makes sense when none of the tasks requires heart-engaged, loving attention.

There is an assumption that Josh and I share, which is not understood or embraced by all. Preaching and hearing preaching are worship. Preaching is expository exultation. The preacher is explaining the Bible and applying the Bible and EXULTING over the truth in the Bible. The listener is understanding, and applying, and joining in the exultation. Hearing preaching is heart-felt engagement in the exposition and exultation of the Word of God.

Also read Joshua Harris’ 6 points about not twittering during church.

Piper on Paraphrase Bible "Translations"

John Piper day here. In his “Ask Pastor John” segment, he discusses his feelings on paraphrase “translations” of the bible, such as Eugene Peterson’s “The Message.” Good distinctions between philosophies of translation.

My takeaway – paraphrases are great tools to have when they call themselves paraphrases, but very dangerous when they claim to be God’s Word.

By John Piper. © Desiring God. Website: desiringGod.org

Piper on Driscoll, MacArthur, and Vulgarity in the Pulpit

John Piper briefly addressed the Driscoll/MacArthur controversy in a Q&A at the Basics Conference 2009 held at Parkside Baptist Church in Cleveland, OH.

He states at the end that we should “look for more” on the internet soon, which I assume means he’ll be posting something on the DesiringGod blog sometime in the near future.

I really appreciate his approach to this. He doesn’t let Driscoll off the hook for things that need to be addressed, but he doesn’t go too far with it. At the same time, he doesn’t attack MacArthur for his stand, either. It’s a fine line, but I think Piper does a great job. Can’t wait to hear more from him.

You can listen to the audio here.

HT : Jonathan

NO, Mr. President.

Who is Your Paper Pastor?

In an age where we can listen live to a conference happening in Chicago (GCNC09) from anywhere in the world, it’s amazing to have access to hear the wisdom of brilliant, godly men like Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, and John Piper. There is a danger, of course, of using this access to compare your own pastor to these men and feel like he’s less because he’s not them. With that in mind, I found this article by Dan Phillips over at The Pyromaniacs very helpful and convicting.

A sample:

[H]ow many pastors know that there are people in their flocks, thinking, “John Piper would never say it that way. Dave Hunt says that what he just preached is heresy. John MacArthur isn’t like that. Mahaney says that… Mohler says that… Lloyd-Jones said….”

So, because it’s awkward for your pastor to say it to you — and because I’ve no church who’d suspect I’m talking to them, at the moment — I’ll just tell you plain:

Brother, sister: John Piper isn’t your pastor. John MacArthur knows nothing about you. Dave Hunt never got on his knees and prayed for you. Lloyd-Jones won’t come to your house when you’re recovering from surgery, or one of your children shatters your heart, or your marriage is shaking and rocking and barely hanging on. Charles Spurgeon won’t weep with you as you weep.

You could buy or not buy _____’s next book, and he’d never know it. But if you’re in a manageable-size church with a caring pastor and you’re suddenly gone next Sunday, he’ll be concerned. He may call. He may ask if everything’s okay.

God gave you the pastor He gave you.

Read the entire article. It’s worth it.

Who is Your Paper Pastor?

In an age where we can listen live to a conference happening in Chicago (GCNC09) from anywhere in the world, it’s amazing to have access to hear the wisdom of brilliant, godly men like Tim Keller, D.A. Carson, and John Piper. There is a danger, of course, of using this access to compare your own pastor to these men and feel like he’s less because he’s not them. With that in mind, I found this article by Dan Phillips over at The Pyromaniacs very helpful and convicting.

A sample:

[H]ow many pastors know that there are people in their flocks, thinking, “John Piper would never say it that way. Dave Hunt says that what he just preached is heresy. John MacArthur isn’t like that. Mahaney says that… Mohler says that… Lloyd-Jones said….”

So, because it’s awkward for your pastor to say it to you — and because I’ve no church who’d suspect I’m talking to them, at the moment — I’ll just tell you plain:

Brother, sister: John Piper isn’t your pastor. John MacArthur knows nothing about you. Dave Hunt never got on his knees and prayed for you. Lloyd-Jones won’t come to your house when you’re recovering from surgery, or one of your children shatters your heart, or your marriage is shaking and rocking and barely hanging on. Charles Spurgeon won’t weep with you as you weep.

You could buy or not buy _____’s next book, and he’d never know it. But if you’re in a manageable-size church with a caring pastor and you’re suddenly gone next Sunday, he’ll be concerned. He may call. He may ask if everything’s okay.

God gave you the pastor He gave you.

Read the entire article. It’s worth it.

Unity Amid Differences

There has been a lot of drama created the past couple days from John MacArthur’s posts (see part 1 and part 2) about some preachers’ handling of sex and The Song of Solomon (which has basically turned into a Driscoll v. MacArthur argument on some blogs). In light of that, I found this post by John Piper helpful. He’s talking specifically about the leadership within his church, but I think it’s applicable in a broader context.

Six Biblical Guidelines for Loving Each Other Amid Differences

1. Let’s avoid gossiping.

The New Testament warns against gossiping. The Greek word translated “gossip” means whisper or whisperer. In other words, the focus is not on the falsehood of the word but on the fact that it needs to be surreptitious. It is not open and candid and forthright. It has darkness about it. It does not operate in the light of love. It is not aiming at healing. It strokes the ego’s desire to be seen as right without playing by the rules of love.

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find…that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. (2 Corinthians 12:20)

2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.

The church in Corinth was deeply flawed. But Paul found reason to thank God for them because of “the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4). The most flawed pastor on this staff—and we are all flawed—is a work of grace. It honors Christ, and keeps criticism in perspective, to see it and say it often.

3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.

The point is not that we will always agree on everything, especially the practical application of shared principles. Paul’s word in Romans 12:18 is, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” It may not be possible, but we should try.

4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.

When Paul deals with disagreement in Romans 14, one of the things he appeals to is that those with opposite practical convictions have identical heart-motives. “The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God” (Romans 14:6). Christ-honoring passions, Paul says, can unite us in spite of differences of application.

5. Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” (Psalm 40:16)

To mention a few things we hold in common: the Elder Affirmation of Faith, the sovereignty of God, the supremacy of his glory in all things, the majesty and meekness of Christ, the all-sufficiency of his saving work, the precious and very great promises summed up in Romans 8:28 and 8:32, the value and sweetness of the Bible, the power and patience of the Holy Spirit in transforming us, the hope of glory, a profound biblical vision of manhood and womanhood, a common global mission to see the nations know Christ…

6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you…. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. (Ephesians 4:32-5:2)

“The one who is forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47). In other words, think more of your own sins and how amazing it is that God saved you than you do about the other person’s flaws.

What is the Gospel? – John Piper

John Piper talks to The Gospel Coalition about the 6 main points of the gospel.

1. It was planned from eternity.
2. It is an event in history – Christ died.
3. It is an achievement through the historical event – sins were paid for and righteousness was completed.
4. It is extended to the world as an offer that is FREE.
5. The achievement is personally applied to me.
6. Through this application, I am brought to God.

Unity Amid Differences

There has been a lot of drama created the past couple days from John MacArthur’s posts (see part 1 and part 2) about some preachers’ handling of sex and The Song of Solomon (which has basically turned into a Driscoll v. MacArthur argument on some blogs). In light of that, I found this post by John Piper helpful. He’s talking specifically about the leadership within his church, but I think it’s applicable in a broader context.

Six Biblical Guidelines for Loving Each Other Amid Differences

1. Let’s avoid gossiping.

The New Testament warns against gossiping. The Greek word translated “gossip” means whisper or whisperer. In other words, the focus is not on the falsehood of the word but on the fact that it needs to be surreptitious. It is not open and candid and forthright. It has darkness about it. It does not operate in the light of love. It is not aiming at healing. It strokes the ego’s desire to be seen as right without playing by the rules of love.

For I fear that perhaps when I come I may find…that perhaps there may be quarreling, jealousy, anger, hostility, slander, gossip, conceit, and disorder. (2 Corinthians 12:20)

2. Let’s identify evidences of grace in each other and speak them to each other and about each other.

The church in Corinth was deeply flawed. But Paul found reason to thank God for them because of “the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 1:4). The most flawed pastor on this staff—and we are all flawed—is a work of grace. It honors Christ, and keeps criticism in perspective, to see it and say it often.

3. Let’s speak criticism directly to each other if we feel the need to speak to others about it.

The point is not that we will always agree on everything, especially the practical application of shared principles. Paul’s word in Romans 12:18 is, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” It may not be possible, but we should try.

4. Let’s look for, and assume, the best motive in the other’s viewpoint, especially when we disagree.

When Paul deals with disagreement in Romans 14, one of the things he appeals to is that those with opposite practical convictions have identical heart-motives. “The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since he gives thanks to God, while the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord and gives thanks to God” (Romans 14:6). Christ-honoring passions, Paul says, can unite us in spite of differences of application.

5. Think often of the magnificent things we hold in common.

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation say continually, “Great is the Lord!” (Psalm 40:16)

To mention a few things we hold in common: the Elder Affirmation of Faith, the sovereignty of God, the supremacy of his glory in all things, the majesty and meekness of Christ, the all-sufficiency of his saving work, the precious and very great promises summed up in Romans 8:28 and 8:32, the value and sweetness of the Bible, the power and patience of the Holy Spirit in transforming us, the hope of glory, a profound biblical vision of manhood and womanhood, a common global mission to see the nations know Christ…

6. Let’s be more amazed that we are forgiven than that we are right. And in that way, let’s shape our relationships by the gospel.

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you…. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us. (Ephesians 4:32-5:2)

“The one who is forgiven little loves little” (Luke 7:47). In other words, think more of your own sins and how amazing it is that God saved you than you do about the other person’s flaws.

What is the Gospel? – John Piper

John Piper talks to The Gospel Coalition about the 6 main points of the gospel.

1. It was planned from eternity.
2. It is an event in history – Christ died.
3. It is an achievement through the historical event – sins were paid for and righteousness was completed.
4. It is extended to the world as an offer that is FREE.
5. The achievement is personally applied to me.
6. Through this application, I am brought to God.

A Conversation with Death

John Piper:

CHRISTIAN:

Hello, Death, my old enemy. My old slave-master. Have you come to talk to me again? To frighten me?

I am not the person you think I am. I am not the one you used to talk to. Something has happened. Let me ask you a question, Death.

Where is your sting?

DEATH, sneeringly:

My sting is your sin.

CHRISTIAN:

I know that, Death. But that’s not what I asked you. I asked, where is your sting? I know what it is. But tell me where it is.

Why are you fidgeting, Death? Why are you looking away? Why are you turning to go? Wait, Death, you have not answered my question. Where is your sting?

Where is, my sin?

What? You have no answer? But, Death, why do you have no answer? How will you terrify me, if you have no answer?

O Death, I will tell you the answer. Where is your sting? Where is my sin? It is hanging on that tree. God made Christ to be sin—my sin. When he died, the penalty of my sin was paid. The power of it was broken. I bear it no more.

Farewell, Death. You need not show up here again to frighten me. God will tell you when to come next time. And when you come, you will be his servant. For me, you will have no sting.

O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57)