Podcasts by Ask Pastor John

Ask Pastor John

John Piper answering tough theological and pastoral questions.

Further podcasts by Desiring God

Podcast on the topic Christentum

All episodes

Ask Pastor John
How John Piper Marks Up His Books from 2023-12-11T11:00

Pastor John never reads a book — even novels — without a pencil in hand. What does he do with it, and why won’t he use a pen?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Make Your Life Count: Twelve Rules for Teens from 2023-12-07T11:00

How can teens make their lives count? From dating wisely to failing well, Pastor John offers twelve rules for teenage followers of Christ.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Go to the Ant from 2023-12-04T11:00

We know God inspired the Bible, but we sometimes forget that he also spoke creation into existence. How might we begin to learn from both of God’s books?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Study the Bible on a Topic from 2023-11-30T11:00

How can normal Christians learn to study the Bible on a topic? Pastor John models his own approach as he prepares answers for ‘Ask Pastor John.’Listen

Ask Pastor John
Learning for Those Who Don’t Love Learning from 2023-11-27T11:00

The apostle Peter calls Christians to grow in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. But how might we grow in knowledge if we don’t enjoy the process of learning?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Thanksgiving Shapes Your Life Story from 2023-11-23T11:00

At the heart of our unbelief lies not only our refusal to glorify God, but our refusal to thank him. Apart from grace, we take the gifts and ignore the Giver.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does Learning Deepen Joy? from 2023-11-20T11:00

What role should emotions play in Christian education? If we take our cue from Scripture, appropriate feelings will be central, not peripheral, to all our learning.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Learning in a World Blind to God from 2023-11-16T11:00

God communicates through not just his word, but also his world. Christian learning presses deeply into the Bible, but the stars have something to say as well.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Lead Teens Deeper into Their Bibles from 2023-11-13T11:00

How can youth leaders lead teens deeper into their Bibles? By teaching with an eye on language, a heart for reality, and a knack for question-asking.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Return to Normal Life After Tragedy? from 2023-11-09T11:00

Seasons of affliction, however painful or even deadening they may feel, do not last forever. God will restore the souls he has saved. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Hoping in God When Our Heroes Die from 2023-11-06T11:00

Godly pastors and leaders are a tremendous gift to Christ’s church. So, how do we keep hoping in God when our spiritual heroes die? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Kill My Selfishness? from 2023-11-02T10:00

If you want to kill your selfishness, focus on more than your selfishness. Fill your soul to overflowing with Christ. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Do We Celebrate on Reformation Day? from 2023-10-30T10:00

Over five hundred years after Luther’s Ninety-Five Theses, what do we celebrate on Reformation Day? Pastor John traces five of the Reformation’s greatest recoveries.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is My Painting Hobby a Wartime Waste? from 2023-10-26T10:00

When do our hobbies glorify God, and when do they become a wartime waste? Pastor John offers three guiding questions to ask of any hobby.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Consult with Dead Ancestors? from 2023-10-23T10:00

What do the Scriptures say about communicating with dead ancestors? Pastor John explains four truths about God and the sufficiency of his revelation.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can Pro-Life Advocates Lie to Save Lives? from 2023-10-19T10:00

With so much at stake in the fight against abortion, can pro-life advocates use doctrinal falsehoods to persuade parents to keep their babies?Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper on ChatGPT from 2023-10-16T10:00

Intelligence without affection is barren, mechanical — even artificial. Pastor John reflects on his ministry in the light of developing AI technologies.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful to Be Unhappy? from 2023-10-12T10:00

Given Paul’s command to “rejoice always,” do we sin when we lack joy? Pastor John offers a simple answer with three crucial qualifications.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Joy a Choice or a Feeling? from 2023-10-09T10:00

Genuine joy in God is far deeper than a choice we make. Even so, our actions can help or hinder the spontaneous experience of joy. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Old Testament Promises Are for Me? from 2023-10-05T10:00

Can new-covenant Christians claim old-covenant promises? As long as we keep some key distinctions in mind, we not only can, but should.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Evidence for the Cross and Resurrection from 2023-10-02T10:00

God has not left us without evidence for the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. But evidence alone will never open the eyes of the blind.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Love Us Simply for His Glory? from 2023-09-28T10:00

God-centered theology can raise all kinds of questions about God’s love for us. Pastor John asks and answers nine of them. Listen

Ask Pastor John
If Sin’s Penalty Is Eternal, Why Isn’t Jesus Still Suffering? from 2023-09-25T10:00

If the penalty for sin is eternal punishment, how could Jesus’s finite sufferings pay the price of our redemption?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Six Reasons Jesus Left Earth After Easter from 2023-09-21T10:00

Why did Jesus leave earth after his resurrection? Pastor John gives six reasons for Jesus’s ascension to the Father’s right hand. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Even If Our Faith Is False, Aren’t Christians Happier People? from 2023-09-18T10:00

If Christ has not been raised, Paul says, then Christians are “of all people most to be pitied.” But why should we be pitied when we live with such joy?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does Piper Mean by ‘Satisfied’? from 2023-09-14T10:00

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” What does Pastor John mean when he talks about “satisfaction in God”? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Christ, Our Sabbath Rest at Work from 2023-09-11T10:00

Christ is our rest on Monday as well as Sunday. But how do we experience the peaceful rest of Jesus in the midst of our labors? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Become a Humbler Calvinist? from 2023-09-07T10:00

The doctrines of grace are designed to destroy human boasting. So, what can we do if we find our theology becoming a platform for pride?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will We Work in Eternity? from 2023-09-04T10:00

At least six biblical pointers give us reason to expect some kind of work in the age to come. But whatever eternity holds, it will be a future beyond disappointment.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Ten Authors for Your Soul from 2023-08-31T10:00

Rich doctrine makes the heart sing. So, where might Christians start if they want to read time-tested, soul-deepening books?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why John Piper Reads Books from 2023-08-28T10:00

With so many demands on our time, why should we carve out precious minutes for books? Pastor John gives seven reasons he loves to read.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Don’t Feel God’s Love — What Can I Do? from 2023-08-24T10:00

When life is hard and heaven seems silent, how can God’s people still feel his love? Pastor John offers six reminders for those in spiritual darkness.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Ten Reasons You Need Unconditional Election from 2023-08-21T10:00

How important is unconditional election for the Christian life? Pastor John offers ten reasons why Christians need this crucial doctrine.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Ten Criticisms of John Piper’s Preaching from 2023-08-17T10:00

Anyone who preaches for long will find his preaching criticized — sometimes unfairly, but often wisely. Pastor John shares ten criticisms that have shaped him.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Christians Really Suffer in America? from 2023-08-14T10:00

If Jesus and his apostles promised that faithful Christians would suffer, how can comfortable disciples make sense of their experience?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Explain Christian Joy to Unbelievers? from 2023-08-10T10:00

The Bible rings with the language of pleasure and joy in God. But how can we explain that pleasure and joy in ways non-Christian loved ones may understand?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does God Choose the Foolish? from 2023-08-07T10:00

World evangelization would spread more quickly, it may seem, if God had chosen the wise and powerful. So, why did he choose the foolish and weak instead?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Resisting the Inner Skeptic in Our Bible Reading from 2023-08-03T10:00

When doubts disrupt our Bible reading, how can we resist the inner skeptic? Pastor John offers six ways to fight for faith in daily devotions.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can I Still Have Joy in Seasons of Doubt? from 2023-07-31T10:00

Seasons of doubt may afflict our minds and shake our hearts, but they need not take our joy. Beneath the waves of doubt, joy’s deep waters can still remain calm.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does God’s Joy Become My Joy? from 2023-07-27T10:00

The New Testament seems to connect the person of the Holy Spirit with the joy we experience as believers. But how do the two relate to each other?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Fifty Years of Theological Battles from 2023-07-24T10:00

If you want to prepare for the unknown controversies of tomorrow, know your Bible deeply, thoroughly, confidently, joyfully.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does It Mean to Be Spiritual? from 2023-07-20T10:00

Some Christians identify spirituality with gifts like speaking in tongues and healing. Does that view match the Bible’s own description of truly spiritual people?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Are We Being Saved Right Now? from 2023-07-17T10:00

If we are in Christ, then God has saved us from our sins in the past, and he will save us from his wrath in the future. But in what sense is he saving us right now?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Encourage Without Flattering? from 2023-07-13T10:00

How can we celebrate the good we see without succumbing to flattery? Pastor John traces a key distinction between godly and ungodly praise.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Do We Give to God? from 2023-07-10T10:00

God is self-existent and self-sufficient, far beyond any need or lack. So, what can we give to God when we gather for corporate worship?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does It Mean to Serve God? from 2023-07-06T10:00

The command to “serve the Lord” appears all through Scripture — but Scripture also assures us that God has no needs. So, how do we serve an all-sufficient God?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Learning to Forgive Family from 2023-07-03T10:00

For some, forgiving family from the heart may be one of the hardest steps of obedience. Pastor John offers five ways forward when forgiveness feels impossible.Listen

Ask Pastor John
On Sibling Rivalries from 2023-06-29T10:00

Sibling rivalries have fractured families since Cain and Abel. So, how does God work redemptively between siblings, and how might parents do their part to promote peace?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Manhood and Womanhood in Parachurch Ministry from 2023-06-26T10:00

Increasingly, parachurch ministries are allowing women to occupy positions of spiritual authority once reserved for men. Do they have biblical warrant to do so?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Will We Remember in the New Creation? from 2023-06-22T10:00

In Isaiah, God promises that “the former things shall not be remembered” in the new creation. Will we really have no memory of this age in the age to come?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Better Than Scrolling Your Phone in the Morning from 2023-06-19T10:00

Why do so many of us reach instinctively for our phones in the morning? Pastor John identifies six temptations and points to a better way to begin our day.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Dangers in Exposing Cultural Sins from 2023-06-15T10:00

How can a preacher faithfully call out a culture’s sins while still sounding the dominant note of amazement at the glories of God in Christ?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Sick Love of Controversy from 2023-06-12T10:00

How can we recognize what Paul calls “an unhealthy craving for controversy” in ourselves and others? Pastor John identifies six traits of a controversy-loving spirit.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much Should Pastors Make? from 2023-06-08T10:00

“The laborer deserves his wages” — including those who labor in preaching and teaching. But how might a church decide what a pastor’s wages should be?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can Single Men Pastor? from 2023-06-05T10:00

In Paul’s elder qualifications, he seems to assume that pastors will be married. So how should churches assess the qualification of a single man who wants to pastor?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do We Pray for Our President? from 2023-06-01T10:00

Why does Paul call Christians to pray for kings and other political rulers — and what specifically might we ask God to do in them and through them?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Hope for the Fragile and Fragmented from 2023-05-29T10:00

In a world filled with wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes and famines, a right understanding of the end times can bring stability to anxious minds.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Joy of Jesus’s Return from 2023-05-26T10:00

When Jesus returns, he will magnify the radiance of his glory by multiplying our own joy in that glory. We will happily marvel, and he will forever shine.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why God Wills Suffering for the Children He Loves from 2023-05-24T10:00

If we’re going to rejoice in even the worst circumstances, then we need clear and strong reasons for why God wills suffering for the children he loves.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Upcoming Changes to APJ from 2023-05-23T10:00

Tony Reinke shares two upcoming changes to ‘Ask Pastor John’ in light of a brand-new John Piper sermon podcast called ‘Light + Truth.’ Listen

Ask Pastor John
Go to Work, Go to Church — Christ Is Coming Back! from 2023-05-22T10:00

Throughout the New Testament, Jesus and the apostles draw some profound connections between the glorious second coming and our ordinary everyday lives.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Death Can Only Make Me Better: Remembering Tim Keller (1950–2023) from 2023-05-19T17:15

On May 19, 2023, Tim Keller entered the reward of his Master. In this special episode of Ask Pastor John, Tony Reinke shares a sermon clip from Dr. Keller on the joy of God in the face of cancer. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Popular Blunders About Christ’s Return from 2023-05-19T10:00

Discussions of the second coming often spiral into speculation — or misconception. Pastor John explains five mistaken beliefs about Christ’s return.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Five Ways to Find Wisdom from 2023-05-17T10:00

In the midst of a busy life, how can we find the time to read great Christian books? We might begin by setting aside just fifteen minutes a day.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Nicotine, Amphetamines, and Holy Concentration from 2023-05-15T10:00

God does not give us a list of foods and drinks we can and cannot consume. Instead, he gives us his words and his Spirit to shape how we see all of life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
A Beautiful Savior for the Unattractive from 2023-05-12T10:00

If we are going to find lasting satisfaction in the beauty of Christ, despite the pain of rejection, four massive changes need to happen in our hearts.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Hardest Act in Parenting Teens from 2023-05-10T10:00

Headship calls a man to put away his anger and initiate reconciliation — no matter how much of the fault lies with his wife or with his children.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Path from Orthodoxy to Demon Theology from 2023-05-08T10:00

The movement from orthodoxy to demon theology happens sometimes slowly and sometimes suddenly — but always because love for Christ has grown cold.Listen

Ask Pastor John
‘Nothing Is to Be Rejected’ — Including Pot? from 2023-05-05T10:00

“Nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving,” Paul says. So can Christians enjoy pot if they thank God for it? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Makes You Happiest? from 2023-05-03T10:00

What is the deepest source of your joy — what God gives to you, or who God is for you?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Can I Be Saved If I Never Evangelize? from 2023-05-01T10:00

Will a professing Christian go to hell if he never shares the gospel? Pastor John gets to the heart and offers practical suggestions for growing in evangelism.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Men Still Pray with Lifted Hands? from 2023-04-28T10:00

Paul desired that “in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands.” Should men in the church today still lift their hands when they pray?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Our Joyful Duty from 2023-04-26T10:00

At the core of Christian Hedonism is the glorious reality that the duty God requires of us is the path to our greatest joy. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Caring for Families with Cross-Dressing Children from 2023-04-24T10:00

Should parents allow children to cross-dress? Pastor John explains why this cuts across the grain of God-created reality and how to offer counsel to Christian parents.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should the World Like Us or Hate Us? from 2023-04-21T10:00

Jesus promised that his followers would be “hated by all,” but Paul said pastors must be “well thought of by outsiders.” So should the world like us or hate us?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did Jesus Use Spit and Mud to Heal? from 2023-04-19T10:00

Jesus could have healed the man born blind with a simple command; instead, he used spit and mud. Why?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Does My Sexual Past Disqualify Me from Pastoring? from 2023-04-17T10:00

If a man has a history of fornication, is he disqualified from the office of pastor — or can he still be considered “the husband of one wife”?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Overcoming Fear from 2023-04-14T10:00

If God has really given us “a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control,” then why do we still struggle with fear and anxiety?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Gospel’s War Against Our Fears and Insecurities from 2023-04-12T10:00

In the face of every fear and insecurity, the gospel says, “In Christ, God is for you — always and forever, with all of his heart and soul. So what can man do to you?”Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Despise the Vile — or Love Them? from 2023-04-10T10:00

In Psalm 15, David tells us to despise the vile; in Matthew 5, Jesus tells us to love them. How can we do both?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
If God Desires All to Be Saved, Why Aren’t They? from 2023-04-07T10:00

God “desires all people to be saved,” Paul tells us — but clearly not all people are saved. Does this mean God cannot do what he wants to do?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Christ’s Plan for the Globe — and You from 2023-04-05T10:00

Christ’s global purpose to ransom people from every tribe and tongue can be summed up in his words, “I have other sheep. I must bring them also.”Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Work a Blessing or a Curse? from 2023-04-03T10:00

God gave work as a blessing in the beginning, but we live now on the other side of the fall. So is our work today a blessing or a curse?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Best Commentaries on the Whole Bible from 2023-03-31T10:00

Alongside his personal study of Scripture, what whole-Bible commentaries has Pastor John found most helpful over the years? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Find My Identity? from 2023-03-29T10:00

If you want to settle the question of personal identity, don’t ask “Who am I?” Ask, “Whose am I?”

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Can Satan Put Thoughts into Our Heads? from 2023-03-27T10:00

We know the devil can tempt us and attack us and try to deceive us, but can he put thoughts into our heads?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Does God Read Every Thought? from 2023-03-24T10:00

At every moment, God knows the thoughts and intentions of every human heart. Pastor John explores six vast implications of this foundational truth.Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Conversion Story from 2023-03-22T10:00

The book of Romans interprets life — and it also transforms life. Pastor John shares how Romans has shaped him, from conversion to the pastorate.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Glorify God in Business Success from 2023-03-20T10:00

How can a Christian business leader speak about his success in a way that makes God, not him, look great?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Is Venting the Same as Complaining? from 2023-03-17T10:00

Is there really a difference between complaining about our problems and venting about them — or are we just kidding ourselves? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Christian Hedonism in Two Minutes from 2023-03-15T10:00

What is the simplest, shortest definition of Christian Hedonism? Pastor John explains in two minutes why pursuing joy in God is essential to the Christian life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does Childbirth Save Women? from 2023-03-13T10:00

Women, Paul says, “will be saved through childbearing.” How does childbirth save women — and what about women who never have children of their own?Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Stuck in Sexual Sin — Should I Excommunicate Myself? from 2023-03-10T11:00

Those who play the victim to their sexual lusts act like slaves, like dogs eating their vomit, like washed pigs rolling in mud. But in Christ, they don’t have to stay that way.Listen

Ask Pastor John
1 Percent of a Book Can Change Your Life from 2023-03-08T11:00

Even if you remember only one sentence of a book, that one sentence can create an immeasurable moment, a flash of insight that shapes you forever.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is ‘De-Gendering’ a Sin? from 2023-03-06T11:00

What might Scripture say to a woman who desperately wants to become a man? Pastor John offers six reasons why attempting to “de-gender” is a tragic act of sin.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Christians Obligated to Vote? from 2023-03-03T11:00

Are Christians who have the opportunity to vote obligated to do so — or can we abstain from the whole process for righteous reasons? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Christians Don’t Need Holy Shrines from 2023-03-01T11:00

Seven times in the book of Hebrews, the author captures the heart of Christianity in a simple, wonderful command: draw near.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Angels Carry Our Prayers to God? from 2023-02-27T11:00

No angel, no saint, and not even Mary herself can improve the access to God we already have through Christ and his finished work. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Was Paul Really the World’s Worst Sinner? from 2023-02-24T11:00

In 1 Timothy 1:15, the apostle Paul claims to have been “the foremost” of sinners. Is Paul speaking in hyperbole here, or was he really the world’s worst sinner?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Overcoming Fear and Passivity in Evangelism from 2023-02-22T11:00

How can we become bolder in evangelism? Pastor John shares a story of his stumbling attempts to love a neighbor, and God’s patient persistence through it all.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Was God at Work in My Pre-Conversion Life? from 2023-02-20T11:00

When we look with eyes of faith on our pre-conversion life, we find abundant reason to thank God for his mercy, and abundant reason to give others hope.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Could God Be Jealous? from 2023-02-17T11:00

The jealousy of God shows his zeal for his own worth — and it also shows his zeal for our deepest joy.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
The God-Centeredness of God Unlocks the Gospel from 2023-02-15T11:00

The biblical mindset puts God and his glory, not man and his desires, at the center of the universe. And grasping this blazing center unlocks the greatness of the gospel.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Shipwrecked My Faith — Am I Doomed? from 2023-02-13T11:00

Is there any hope for the recovery of a shipwrecked faith? Pastor John offers four reasons shipwreck need not be final. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Sinners or Saints — How Should We Speak of Christians? from 2023-02-10T11:00

Should we speak of Christians as saints or sinners? Pastor John explores why Paul addresses Christians as saints dozens of times — and as sinners almost never.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why We Share the Gospel from 2023-02-08T11:00

What drove the apostle Paul to win people to Christ? He longed to taste the joy of the gospel not only in his own heart, but in the hearts of countless others.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Preaching the Gospel of the Happy God from 2023-02-06T11:00

Sound preaching comes from those who live in the presence of God-centered glory and long to echo his infinite worth. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can I Really Trust My Interpretation of the Bible? from 2023-02-03T11:00

“The law is good, if one uses it lawfully,” Paul says. But how can we tell if we are using the law in the way that God intends? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Keep Your Eyes on Christ from 2023-02-01T11:00

How can we guard against drifting in the Christian life? By looking and looking and looking at Jesus.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Can I Have a Good Conscience? from 2023-01-30T11:00

You do not need to walk in sinless perfection in order to have a good conscience. You just need to walk in the light. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Paul Oppose Fiction? from 2023-01-27T11:00

The apostle Paul strongly warned Timothy and Titus against the “myths” of his day. What might he have to say about the fictional stories in our own day?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Turn Down the Noise and Listen to Jesus from 2023-01-25T11:00

If we’re going to listen to Jesus and not drift away from him, we likely will need to turn down the noises that capture so much of our attention.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Where Do You Draw Lines for Ministry Partnerships? from 2023-01-23T11:00

Where should pastors and other Christians draw lines for ministry partnerships? Pastor John shares the degree of unity he has pursued in six ministry settings.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Were Abortions Induced on Old Testament Adulteresses? from 2023-01-20T11:00

Does Numbers 5:22 suggest that women guilty of adultery were punished with miscarriage? And if so, how does this passage speak to the pro-life position?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Fight for Delight by Planning Your Devotions from 2023-01-18T11:00

If we don’t have a plan for when, where, and how we will read the Bible, our devotions will probably fall before the demands of the day.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Eight Counsels for Those Thinking of Quitting from 2023-01-16T11:00

Every pastor receives criticism. But at what point might criticism become so serious or sustained that a pastor should consider stepping down?Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Does Despondency Become Sin? from 2023-01-13T11:00

Everyone passes through seasons of despondency — seasons when the soul is troubled and hope feels thin. But when does despondency become sin?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Push Truth from My Head to My Heart? from 2023-01-11T11:00

How can we push the truth of the Bible from our heads to our hearts, so that our times of daily Bible reading become times of daily worship?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Getting the Tone Right on Sunday Morning from 2023-01-09T11:00

Given the pain of this world, the joy of salvation, and the glory of God, what kind of tone should a pastor seek to set on Sunday morning?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Intermittent Fasting Sacrilegious? from 2023-01-06T11:00

Some people find intermittent fasting helpful for losing weight. But is fasting for merely physical purposes a sacrilegious use of a spiritual gift?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Bible’s Main Road Out of Discouragement from 2023-01-04T11:00

The psalmists show that darkness and discouragement are part of the normal Christian life. And they also show a crucial strategy for finding the light again.Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Favorite Things from 2023-01-02T11:00

Pastor John, like the rest of us, has his likes and dislikes. From movies and soft drinks to breakfasts and songs, here are twelve of his favorite things.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can I Be a Nurse for a ‘Gender-Reassignment’ Surgery? from 2022-12-30T11:00

If a hospital asks a Christian nurse to participate in a “gender-reassignment” surgery, should she agree — or should she take her nursing skills elsewhere?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Beat a Path to the Word in 2023 from 2022-12-28T11:00

Strong Christians read the Bible, memorize the Bible, meditate on the Bible, and live on the Bible. They make intentional plans for the word to be their daily bread.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Put Away My Desire for Praise? from 2022-12-26T11:00

A desire to do good can easily become a desire to look good. So how do we put away our hunger to be praised by other people?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Christmas We Needed from 2022-12-23T11:00

The best gift anyone can receive at Christmas is deliverance from our two greatest enemies: sin and Satan.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What Makes for a Good Musical Worship Experience? from 2022-12-21T11:00

A good musical worship experience involves head and heart, truth and affections. It will lead people to know their God and to embrace him with joy.Listen

Ask Pastor John
‘Though He Slay Me’ — Why the Silence on This Verse? from 2022-12-19T11:00

“Though he slay me, I will hope in him.” Why has Pastor John barely mentioned these remarkable words of Job throughout his decades of preaching and teaching?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Still Save the Lost Through Visions? from 2022-12-16T11:00

Does God save the lost through visions today — or does someone need to hear the gospel to be saved?

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Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s 2022 Year-in-Review from 2022-12-14T11:00

Pastor John discusses personal and ministry highlights from 2022, including podcasts, books, global outreach, and a new goal for ‘Look at the Book.’Listen

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Good and Bad People-Pleasing from 2022-12-12T11:00

How can we find freedom from living for the opinions of people? Pray for and pursue a big vision of God. Find a firm identity in Christ. Look to your eternal reward.Listen

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How Can I Cast My Cares on God? from 2022-12-09T11:00

Casting your cares onto God begins with believing that he really is the infinitely powerful, all-wise, always-good God he reveals himself to be.Listen

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Satan Cannot Scare You into Hell from 2022-12-07T11:00

Satan may oppress you, attack you, and rage against you. But if you are in Christ, he holds no power to finally destroy you.Listen

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Build Structures to Serve Your Calling from 2022-12-05T11:00

How can leaders prevent the pressures of running an organization from squeezing out opportunities for face-to-face work and ministry? Listen

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How Can Satan Harm Christians? from 2022-12-02T11:00

Scripture is clear that Satan is not ultimately sovereign — God is. But under that sovereignty, in what ways can Satan still harm God’s people?Listen

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Amusing Ourselves from Death from 2022-11-30T11:00

Outside of Christ, the fear of death is a slave master that holds everyone in bondage — even those who seem unaware of their chains. Listen

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Give Young Christians a Chance to Lead from 2022-11-28T11:00

Our churches grow in wisdom and maturity when the young honor the old, the old listen to the young, and all clothe themselves with humility.Listen

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Should We Seek to Suffer? from 2022-11-25T11:00

Suffering may be the price of Christian love, but it is not the aim of Christian love. Our aim is to do as much good as we can on the lowly path of service.Listen

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Pray Your Way into Thanksgiving from 2022-11-23T11:00

How can we aim to be done with anxiety and enjoy peace in any circumstance? By bringing every circumstance to God in prayer.Listen

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How Does Baptism Save Us? from 2022-11-21T11:00

If God saves his people through faith alone apart from works, why does Peter say that baptism now saves us?

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Do Unbelievers Get a Second Chance After Death? from 2022-11-18T11:00

In 1 Peter 3:19, we read that Christ “went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison, because they formerly did not obey.” What might Peter mean?Listen

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How Do I Pray from the Misery of My Sin? from 2022-11-16T11:00

There is no distress that puts you beyond the good news that God brings — not even the distress caused by your own sin. Listen

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Let the Nations Be Glad! — Thirty Years Later from 2022-11-14T11:00

Thirty years after ‘Let the Nations Be Glad!’ was published, Pastor John reflects on the book’s beginnings and its lasting legacy. Listen

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What If I Don’t Have a Spiritual Gift? from 2022-11-11T11:00

Paul and Peter charge Christians to use our spiritual gifts for the good of the church. But what if we don’t seem to have any spiritual gifts?Listen

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What Makes My Gift a Spiritual Gift? from 2022-11-09T11:00

If God has given helpful skills to both believers and unbelievers, what makes the difference between a merely natural ability and a spiritual gift?Listen

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What Makes My Life Christian? from 2022-11-07T11:00

How can Christians live so that, at bottom, we can say with Paul, “It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me”? Listen

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Should I Charge Other Christians for My Expertise? from 2022-11-04T10:00

Christ bids his people both to wisely get and freely give, and he supplies us with the grace we need to discern when to do what with our talents.Listen

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Christ’s Death Was No Accident from 2022-11-02T10:00

The death of Christ was no accident. He came to be crucified, that he might hang the sins and sufferings of those he loves with him there.Listen

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How Does Love Cover a Multitude of Sins? from 2022-10-31T10:00

Christian love labors to overlook the sins of others, just as Christ went to the cross to forgive us, not to shame us. Listen

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Christian Unity in Three Steps from 2022-10-28T10:00

Real differences exist between real Christians. But where we lack unity of conviction, we can share unity of humble, sacrificial disposition.Listen

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Step One in Preparing to Suffer from 2022-10-26T10:00

We ready ourselves to suffer well when we look our life dead in the eye and say with Paul, “I count it all as loss compared to Christ.”Listen

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Is Suffering a Paradox for Christian Hedonists? from 2022-10-24T10:00

When Christ died, so did our sin-loving selves. Now, God sends suffering to weed out the sin that lingers and stunts our joy in Christ.Listen

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How Much Speculation Should We Bring into Sermons? from 2022-10-21T10:00

Preachers are emissaries of God’s revealed truth. So how should we talk about parts of the text we don’t understand? Listen

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The Relational Pain of Ministry from 2022-10-19T10:00

Christian ministry is relationally painful. Friends in the ministry can leave and never return, as even the apostle Paul experienced near the end of his life.Listen

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How Do People Shipwreck Their Faith? from 2022-10-17T10:00

Jesus, Paul, Peter, and the author of Hebrews all describe people who begin well in the Christian life before eventually making shipwreck of their faith.Listen

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How Can I Learn to Receive Criticism? from 2022-10-14T10:00

No one likes to receive criticism, even when it’s well-intended. How can we learn to control our emotional responses and remain grounded in the love of Christ?Listen

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Becoming Unshakable in a World of Pain from 2022-10-12T10:00

We all face crises, and without grace, we find our world collapsing in the midst of them. But there is strong and stable hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ.Listen

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Is Any Part of Life Morally Neutral? from 2022-10-10T10:00

Scripture calls us to do everything for the glory of God. Does that mean no action we take is morally neutral?

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Will My Spouse Be My Best Friend in Heaven? from 2022-10-07T10:00

What will the relationship between husband and wife be like in the age to come? Pastor John explains how the best parts of marriage point ahead to eternal joy.Listen

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How Do I Persist in Prayer? from 2022-10-05T10:00

How can Christians always pray and not lose heart? In part, by remembering the generous heart of God and his delight to hear his people.Listen

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How Do I Pray for My Husband’s Salvation? from 2022-10-03T10:00

How can a wife go on praying for her unbelieving husband after years, or even decades, of no evident change?

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Ask Pastor John
How Do I See the Glory of Christ? from 2022-09-30T10:00

How can we see the glory of Christ? Renounce the praise of man. Devote yourself to Scripture. Turn to Christ through his word. Keep praying for sight.Listen

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What’s the Real Problem with Fearing Man? from 2022-09-28T10:00

Why is the fear of man such a big problem? Because those who fear men cast their vote against the trustworthiness of God. Listen

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How to Live Fearlessly from 2022-09-26T10:00

How can Christians live fearlessly? Replace the fear of man with the fear of God. Fear man — live fearfully. Fear God — live fearlessly.Listen

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I Want to Be Baptized — My Husband Opposes It from 2022-09-23T10:00

Godly submission does not require that a woman do everything her husband says. Before she is a wife who submits to her husband, she is a Christian who submits to Christ.Listen

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Am I Called to Ministry? Five Tests from 2022-09-21T10:00

How do we know if we are able to bear the heavy calling of being the aroma of life to some and the aroma of death to others?Listen

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What Should We Think of Flashy Pastors? from 2022-09-19T10:00

Pastors who flaunt their riches will not draw anyone to the hope of the gospel. They will draw men and women to the hope of luxury. Listen

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Who’s More Sinful: Men or Women? from 2022-09-16T10:00

Men and women may face temptations peculiar to their sex, but we both share a deep, common depravity and a profound need for mercy. Listen

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The Godly Woman’s Charm from 2022-09-14T10:00

Hope in God clothes a woman with a beauty that will never fade, never perish, and never cease to be precious in God’s sight.Listen

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How Much Jewelry Is Too Much Jewelry? from 2022-09-12T10:00

How might we as parents teach our daughters, even at young ages, how to express their femininity without flaunting their body? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Call Us to Submit to Everyone? from 2022-09-09T10:00

God calls church members to submit to their pastors, wives to their husbands, employees to their bosses. But is there also a sense in which God calls us to submit to everyone?Listen

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Who Are My Enemies? from 2022-09-07T10:00

“Love your enemies,” Jesus says. But who are our enemies? The answer is broader than we might imagine.

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My Husband Left Me — How Do I Respond? from 2022-09-05T10:00

In the wake of great betrayal, how do we respond with love and forgiveness without minimizing the evil of the sin?

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How Do I Address My Spouse’s Ongoing Sin? from 2022-09-02T10:00

Peter tells wives to win their husbands “without a word.” Does that mean a wife should never confront her husband over a pattern of habitual sin?Listen

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Overcoming Anger in the Home from 2022-08-31T10:00

How can a father governed by anger begin to recover kindness and tenderheartedness? By freshly embracing God the Father’s forgiveness through Christ.Listen

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Can I Be Angry with God and Be Holy? from 2022-08-29T10:00

Is heartfelt anger toward God ever righteous, or even morally neutral — or is such anger always sinful?

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Ask Pastor John
Is Double Predestination Biblical? from 2022-08-26T10:00

Does the Bible teach that God has predestined some to disobedience and destruction, just as he has predestined some to salvation? Listen

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The Two Greatest Questions in the Universe from 2022-08-24T10:00

What are the two greatest questions in the universe? Pastor John explains by looking at 1 Peter 2:11–12.

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How Do Passions Wage War Against the Soul? from 2022-08-22T10:00

When do innocent desires of the flesh become threats to the soul? When they cross over from serving God’s will to serving our rebellious self.Listen

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What’s the Difference Between Faith and Hope? from 2022-08-19T10:00

The biblical authors often intertwine faith and hope, yet they also distinguish them. So what is the difference between these two gifts of the Spirit?Listen

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Why Do So Many Reject Jesus? from 2022-08-17T10:00

When the light of Christ shines upon the darkness of our sin, we either run to Christ as the only covering for our shame, or we run further into darkness.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Who Will Judge the World? from 2022-08-15T10:00

Scripture speaks of the Father judging the world, the Son judging the world, and sometimes even the word of Christ judging the world. So, in the end, who will judge?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Are We Born Again? from 2022-08-12T10:00

The new birth is a sovereign work of the Spirit, but it is a work bound to the word. The Spirit of God works through the word of God to glorify the Son of God.Listen

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How Money Fears Kill Our Worship from 2022-08-10T10:00

When we trust God with our money, we not only enjoy freedom from worry, but we magnify the shepherd, Father, and King who provides for us.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Makes Christian Love Different? from 2022-08-08T10:00

What makes Christian love different from non-Christian love? It is rooted in the cross of Christ, sustained by the Holy Spirit, and aimed at the glory of God.Listen

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What Does It Mean to Be ‘Overly Righteous’? from 2022-08-05T10:00

Ecclesiastes tells us not to be “overly righteous,” but Jesus calls us to a righteousness that exceeds even that of the Pharisees. How can we put these two texts together?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Gospel Drift — and How to Avoid It from 2022-08-03T10:00

You don’t have to commit great sins in order to fall away from Jesus. You just have to neglect your great salvation. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did Jesus Need to Suffer and Die Publicly? from 2022-08-01T10:00

Did Jesus have to die a public, agonizing death, or could he have saved us by living sinlessly and dying in obscurity? Listen

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Does God Ever Tempt Us to Sin? from 2022-07-29T10:00

God clearly tests his people, but does he ever tempt them to sin? Pastor John explores the distinction between tests and temptations in James 1.Listen

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Trembling Before God on Sunday from 2022-07-27T10:00

Hundreds of times, God tells us to “fear not.” So why does he also call us to work out our salvation “with fear and trembling”? Listen

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Is My Humorous Personality a Liability? from 2022-07-25T10:00

Sober-mindedness keeps us from the silliness that is allergic to serious moments, but it also keeps us from the somberness that doesn’t know how to be joyful.Listen

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Are Eternal Rewards and Inheritance the Same? from 2022-07-22T10:00

Peter assures us of an inheritance kept safe in heaven; Jesus calls us to lay up treasures in heaven. Are eternal inheritance and rewards the same?Listen

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Fighting for Faith in the Entertainment Age from 2022-07-20T10:00

In an age inundated with entertainment, how do Christians stay awake to the glory of Christ and help others do the same? Listen

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Should Non-Christians Pray for Faith? from 2022-07-18T10:00

Saving faith is the gift of God, who opens blind eyes and raises dead hearts. So what can unbelievers do when they find themselves unable to believe on their own?Listen

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How Do I Prioritize My Busy Life? from 2022-07-15T10:00

Sometimes, busyness and stress are reasons to realign our priorities. Other times, they are invitations to pray that God would empower us to do the seemingly impossible.Listen

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Learning to Follow God’s Will from 2022-07-13T10:00

God doesn’t give us a blueprint for our futures, but he does give us biblical trajectories by which we can discern his will and follow it with confidence.Listen

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The Key to Knowing God’s Will from 2022-07-11T10:00

How do “spiritual wisdom and understanding” fill us with the knowledge of God’s will for our daily lives? Pastor John explains from Colossians 1:9.Listen

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Does God Send ‘Strong Delusions’ into the World? from 2022-07-08T10:00

In our sin, we refuse to hear the truth, receive the truth, believe the truth — until God intervenes to give us a deep and abiding love for the truth.Listen

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God’s School of Prayer from 2022-07-06T10:00

When God puts us in the flames of suffering, he often intends to rescue us from self-sufficient comfort and awaken in us desperate, earnest prayer.Listen

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Politics, Patriotism, and the Pulpit from 2022-07-04T10:00

We need pastors who will regularly remind us that our greatest allegiance is not to any political party, ethnicity, or nation, but to King Jesus.Listen

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Who Is the Man of Lawlessness? from 2022-07-01T10:00

Paul teaches that Jesus will not return until “the man of lawlessness is revealed.” Who is this man of lawlessness?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Roe v. Wade Has Ended — Our Pro-Life Work Has Not from 2022-06-30T10:00

The Christian pro-life cause goes far deeper than legislation. We aim not only to change laws and behavior, but to change hearts and eternities.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Sustain Your Prayer Life with Sleep from 2022-06-29T10:00

Satan will try to put us to sleep in prayer. And he does so, most commonly, by tricking us into staying up too late the night before. Listen

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Is God Present or Absent in Hell? from 2022-06-27T10:00

Is God present in hell, as John seems to say in Revelation 14:10 — or is he absent, as Paul seems to say in 2 Thessalonians 1:9? Listen

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What’s the Center of Our Holiness? from 2022-06-24T10:00

Scripture describes the process of sanctification in many different ways. How can we weave the various strands together into one coherent picture?Listen

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God’s Love and My Sickness from 2022-06-22T10:00

Because Jesus loved Lazarus, the Gospel of John tells us, he did not come to him right away, but lingered and let him die. How is that love?Listen

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Crucial Texts for Our Hardest Battles from 2022-06-20T10:00

When temptation strikes, we need more than a vague sense of God’s goodness — we need specific promises. Pastor John shares his favorite passages for fighting sin.Listen

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Is God More Honored or Dishonored in the World? from 2022-06-17T10:00

If God aims to be glorified in this world, why is human history and the daily news filled with so much that dishonors him? Listen

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The Pervasive Problem of Loving Money from 2022-06-15T10:00

The love of money often lives where others least suspect, like in the hearts of Pharisees, miracle workers, and those who seem most moral.Listen

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How Do I ‘Wrestle’ in Prayer? from 2022-06-13T10:00

Paul speaks of wrestling in prayer, and many of us use his phrase. But what might our prayer lives actually feel like if we wrestled like the apostle?Listen

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Counsel for Wives with Harsh Husbands from 2022-06-10T10:00

“Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them,” Paul writes. But what can a wife do if she finds herself with a harsh man? Listen

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Eight Essentials for Christian Living from 2022-06-08T10:00

How does God bring us from the grace of new birth to the glory of heaven? Pastor John explains eight essentials for Christian living from 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12.Listen

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Did Jesus Tell Us to Give to Every Panhandler? from 2022-06-06T10:00

Jesus tells us to give to those who ask, but Paul warns the church against giving to the lazy. How might we apply these teachings when we meet a panhandler?Listen

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Did Jesus Disregard the Sacrificial System? from 2022-06-03T10:00

If there is no forgiveness without shed blood, how could Jesus forgive sins apart from the sacrificial system and prior to his own death?Listen

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Prayer in the Age of Global Hate from 2022-06-01T10:00

In an age of hate, Christians testify to God’s grace by praying for all kinds of people: high and low, white and black, Democrat and Republican, friend and enemy.Listen

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How Will I Find My Ministry Calling? from 2022-05-30T10:00

When God grants us a ministry, does his leading come to us through internal impulses, external affirmation, or some combination of the two?Listen

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Should We Pray for Unbelievers or for Evangelists? from 2022-05-27T10:00

Does Scripture ever command us to pray for unbelievers, or does it only command us to pray for the evangelists who speak to them? Listen

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The Easiest Step of Love from 2022-05-25T10:00

Prayer is the easiest step of love, and it is also the most powerful. God can do far more for others in response to our prayers than we could ever do on our own.Listen

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Have I Sinned If I Fall Short of Excellence at Work? from 2022-05-23T10:00

God is honored when we do our jobs with technical excellence, and he is also honored when we give ourselves to the kinds of excellence that cannot be measured.Listen

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How Do I Not Provoke My Children? from 2022-05-20T10:00

How can we require obedience of our children without provoking and discouraging them? Pastor John offers eight pitfalls for fathers. Listen

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Do Answered Prayers Depend on My Holiness? from 2022-05-18T10:00

Throughout Scripture, God warns that he will not hear the prayers of the disobedient. So do answered prayers depend on our holiness? Listen

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For Christians Whose Testimony Seems Boring from 2022-05-16T10:00

We will never plumb the depths of sin and grace merely from past experience. Only God’s word can tell us how lost and dead we were, and how found and alive we are.Listen

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Would You Have Supported Prohibition in 1913? from 2022-05-13T10:00

In the early twentieth century, many Christian leaders lent their approval to the cause of Prohibition. Would Pastor John have done the same if he lived back then?Listen

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How Greatly Am I Loved? from 2022-05-11T10:00

In Christ, God has chosen us from eternity, and called us in time, so that we would boast no longer in ourselves, but only in him and his great love.Listen

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How Do I Make Christian Hedonism My Own? from 2022-05-09T10:00

Some teachers influence us so deeply that we find ourselves imitating them without trying. So how can we move past imitation to make biblical truth our own?Listen

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Why Dead Men Must Die from 2022-05-06T10:00

Paul says we all were dead apart from Christ, but he also says we died when we were united to Christ. In what sense, then, do dead men die?Listen

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God Saves to Make Much of Himself — Doesn’t That Lessen His Love? from 2022-05-04T10:00

Nothing but God can forever satisfy hearts that are made for God. And so, in great mercy, God loves us in a way that makes much of himself.Listen

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Should Gospel Disagreements End a Friendship? from 2022-05-02T10:00

Christians can disagree over many doctrines and stay friends. But what should we do when a friend rejects a doctrine central to the gospel?Listen

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My Spouse Died Prematurely — Was It My Fault? from 2022-04-29T10:00

How might Christians process feelings of guilt over the death of a loved one? Pastor John offers counsel to a new widow struggling not to blame herself.Listen

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How God Makes Much of You from 2022-04-27T10:00

In Christ, God makes more of us than we could ever imagine. And he will go on doing so forever.

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Does Faith Cause Regeneration? from 2022-04-25T10:00

Does faith bring about the new birth, or does the new birth bring about faith? Pastor John offers three reasons why getting the order right matters.Listen

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Does God Delight in Justification or Holiness? from 2022-04-22T10:00

Does God delight in his people based on Christ’s work alone, or does his delight also depend on our own holiness?

Listen
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Why God Makes Much of You from 2022-04-20T10:00

When God makes much of us, he does it for his sake, not ours. And that makes his love far greater than we could have imagined. Listen

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Shame: Its Uses and Abuses from 2022-04-18T10:00

Some shame condemns and destroys, and some shame heals and restores. So how can we tell the difference between misplaced and well-placed shame?Listen

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What Are Church Traditions? from 2022-04-15T10:00

In his letters, Paul speaks not only of teachings he delivered to the churches, but also of traditions he passed on. What kind of traditions does he have in mind?Listen

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The Heart of Fake Happiness from 2022-04-13T10:00

Many nominal Christians go to church, believe God loves them, and yet are on their way to hell. So what marks the born again from those who only think they are?Listen

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Should Pro-Lifers Embrace Embryo Adoption? from 2022-04-11T10:00

In America, there are hundreds of thousands of frozen embryos, left over from in vitro fertilization. How might Christians weigh the decision to adopt one of them?Listen

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Does Romans 7 Describe a Christian? from 2022-04-08T10:00

What kind of person does Romans 7:14–25 describe? Pastor John offers nine reasons to read Paul’s description as part of the Christian experience.Listen

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What’s Lost When We Only Pray Alone? from 2022-04-06T10:00

The church of Acts often gathered together to praise God and intercede for his people. So what might we lose if we pray only by ourselves?Listen

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Should We Dramatize Jesus’s Life for Television? from 2022-04-04T10:00

God gave us a book about Jesus, not a video. So how might Christians think about dramatic portrayals of Jesus’s life in television or movies?Listen

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Do Christians Still Have Evil Desires? from 2022-04-01T10:00

If God’s wrath comes against evil desires, and not only evil behaviors, why will his wrath not come against Christians, who still battle evil desires?Listen

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How Fleeting Pleasures Sidetrack Our Love from 2022-03-30T10:00

A lack of love for other people doesn’t show that we’re trying too hard to please ourselves — it shows that we’re far too easily pleased.Listen

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I’m Too Distracted with Life to Meditate on Christ from 2022-03-28T10:00

How can we turn our attention away from regrets, dreams, and other consuming thoughts so that we can set our minds on things that are above?Listen

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On Permanent Birth Control from 2022-03-25T10:00

If two spouses agree that they do not want to have more children, would it be sinful to pursue permanent forms of birth control? Listen

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How Does God Lead Us in Daily Decisions? from 2022-03-23T10:00

How do I follow God’s lead in my daily decisions? I know he’s my shepherd, and that he’s leading me, but how do I know if I am following him?Listen

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In Our Racial Differences, How Is Christ ‘All’ and ‘in All’? from 2022-03-21T10:00

To be a Christian is not only to trust Christ and treasure Christ, but to be indwelt by Christ. And that new identity transforms all our relationships.Listen

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What Should We Make of Healing Ministries? from 2022-03-18T10:00

God still answers prayers for physical healing today. But how should Christians evaluate the claims of so-called healing ministries? Listen

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When Will Christ Heal My Body? from 2022-03-16T10:00

We know that Jesus has purchased both our forgiveness and our physical healing at the cross. But what kind of healing can we expect in this life?Listen

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All My Sins Were Canceled — So Why Continue to Confess? from 2022-03-14T10:00

If all our sins are forgiven — past, present, and future — does ongoing confession show that we doubt Christ’s finished work?Listen

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My Flesh Was Crucified — So Why Do I Still Sin? from 2022-03-11T11:00

If our sinful flesh was crucified with Christ when we first believed, why do we keep sinning like we do?

Listen
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How Do I Know If My Good Deeds Are Worthless? from 2022-03-09T11:00

How do we make sure the good we do is not done in vain? Listen to Pastor John’s answer more than thirty years ago, just weeks after becoming a pastor.Listen

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If God Is Sovereign, Why Is His World Full of Suffering? from 2022-03-07T11:00

When we look around at our world of horrific suffering, how can we keep believing in an all-good, all-wise, totally sovereign God? Listen

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Is There a Place for Asceticism in the Christian Life? from 2022-03-04T11:00

Some self-denial exalts self and feeds sin, and some self-denial exalts Christ and kills sin. So how can we practice the right kind? Listen

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How Do I Handle My Disordered Desires? from 2022-03-02T11:00

Every Christian battles excessive and distorted desires. And in Christ, God gives every Christian daily forgiveness, hope, and strength to keep fighting.Listen

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How Did the Cross Disarm the Devil? from 2022-02-28T11:00

At the cross, Paul says, God “disarmed the rulers and authorities.” So what weapons are no longer in Satan’s hands?Listen

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How Can I Avoid Worldly Thinking in My Studies? from 2022-02-25T11:00

How can Christians pursue education without being taken captive by worldly thinking? Pastor John reflects on Paul’s warning against “philosophy” in Colossians 2:8.Listen

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God’s Providence in the Ministry of Crossway Books from 2022-02-23T11:00

In 1938, a small publishing ministry began distributing gospel tracts. Today, that ministry has spread millions of tracts, books, and Bibles all over the world.Listen

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How Did God Reconcile ‘All Things’ to Himself? from 2022-02-21T11:00

Paul says that God has reconciled to himself “all things” in heaven and on earth. Does that mean even unbelievers and demons will be saved in the end?Listen

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Are Divisions in the Church Necessary? from 2022-02-18T11:00

How should Christians respond to divisions in the church? Don’t make light of them, for they are tragic. And don’t make death of them, for they are predicted.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Singing Sends Lovers of Christ to the Nations from 2022-02-16T11:00

Under God, musical worship can mobilize the church to finish the Great Commission. The gladness of Godward singing sends lovers of Christ to the nations.Listen

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Can We Speak with Angels? from 2022-02-14T11:00

Scripture includes stories of angels talking with humans through dreams and visions. So should Christians expect, and even pursue, conversations with angels today?Listen

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What Does It Mean to Cry, ‘Abba, Father’? from 2022-02-11T11:00

When God puts the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, giving us a spiritual sight of his fatherly care in Christ, we can’t help but cry, “Abba! Father!”Listen

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Escaping the Love of Comfort and Safety from 2022-02-09T11:00

The freest people in this world are those most in love with the next. If our hope is safe in heaven, we can afford to take risks on earth.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Has the Gospel Already Reached the Entire World? from 2022-02-07T11:00

Colossians 1:23 says the gospel “has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven.” Does that mean the gospel has already reached the entire world?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is My Salvation an Event or a Process? from 2022-02-04T11:00

If our final salvation rests on the condition that we persevere in faith, how can we know that we really will make it to heaven? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Embracing Unpopular Truth in an Age of Political Correctness from 2022-02-02T11:00

Unless we become mature in our thinking, we will regularly be blown about by the winds of subtle, clever, politically correct language.Listen

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Why Did God Make Eve from Part of Adam? from 2022-01-31T11:00

In creation, God made Adam and all the animals from the ground. So why, when God made Eve, did he take a rib from Adam’s side? Listen

Ask Pastor John
If Every Gift Comes from God, Why Thank Anyone Else? from 2022-01-28T11:00

All good gifts are from God, through God, and to God. But in his providence, those gifts often come to us through others, who rightly deserve our thanks.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The God Who Dwarfs Big Tech from 2022-01-26T11:00

Pastor John commends Tony Reinke’s new book — a panoramic, penetrating theology of technology, tethered to God’s infallible Scriptures.Listen

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Is Technology Holy or Worldly? from 2022-01-25T11:00

How can Christians live faithfully in the day of Big Tech? In ‘God, Technology, and the Christian Life,’ Tony Reinke explores God’s relationship to the innovations of our age.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Bathsheba Sin with David? from 2022-01-24T11:00

Does the story of David and Bathsheba suggest that Bathsheba was a willing partner in his adultery, or that David took her against her will?Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Enjoy Being Alone — Is That Unloving? from 2022-01-21T11:00

God made some Christians to enjoy spending a lot of time alone. But what makes the difference between a Christian loner and a self-centered loner?Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Life Shrinks to the Size of Our Problems from 2022-01-19T11:00

The God of the universe cares about every problem you have, no matter how small. And he wants to draw you up into purposes far greater than your problems.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How the Lottery Preys on the Poor from 2022-01-17T11:00

Pull-tabs and scratch games incentivize risky, destructive behaviors, especially among those who can least afford to play. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Have Multiple Disabilities — How Do I Not Waste My Life? from 2022-01-14T11:00

What might it look like for a Christian with significant disabilities to live a productive, spiritually fruitful, God-glorifying life? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Become a Preacher? from 2022-01-12T11:00

Should I become a preacher? Pastor John’s own road to the pastorate shows that God often makes preachers in unexpected ways.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Leave an Inheritance for My Children? from 2022-01-10T11:00

If Scripture doesn’t obligate parents to leave a financial inheritance to their children, how might Christians decide what to do with their money?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does God Hide Himself from Christians? from 2022-01-07T11:00

God will never leave or forsake his children. But for our lasting good, he may sometimes hide his face and allow us to walk through seasons of darkness.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Let God’s Word Dwell in You Richly This Year from 2022-01-05T11:00

When we memorize and meditate on God’s word, we create a deep, transforming connection between the Bible, our minds, and our hearts. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is an Idol? from 2022-01-03T11:00

The Bible describes idols as actual objects people worship, but today many use the language of “idolatry” more broadly. So what is an idol?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Sanctification the Pursuit of Perfection? from 2021-12-31T11:00

In our pursuit to be holy as God is holy, how do we move past our failures to obey without feeling condemned in the process?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Desiring God Wants to Be Known For from 2021-12-29T11:00

The ministry of Desiring God is fueled by the prayers and financial gifts of God’s people. If you have been blessed by our resources in 2021, would you consider becoming a monthly partner? https://...

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Ask Pastor John
End-of-Life Medical Intervention — or Not? from 2021-12-27T11:00

God may use medicine to lengthen our lives, but he will always use habits of grace, like prayer and Bible reading, to sustain our faith in suffering.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is Christmas Precious to You? from 2021-12-24T11:00

We miss the miracle of what Christmas is if we forget why Christmas happened: God the Son became man — to die in our place. Listen

Ask Pastor John
History Ended at Christmas from 2021-12-22T11:00

Christmas is not just another bend in the river of redemptive history. Christmas marks the end of the river and the arrival of the ocean.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do the Non-Elect Have a Chance to Repent? from 2021-12-20T11:00

The Bible teaches both the absolute sovereignty of God and the genuine accountability of man. And nowhere are they considered contradictory.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Normal to Have a Divided Heart? from 2021-12-17T11:00

No Christian consistently longs for God, which is one reason God gives us prayers like Psalm 86:11: “Unite my heart to fear your name.”Listen

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The God Who Brings Us into Everlasting Pleasure from 2021-12-15T11:00

Those who live for joy in God now will possess joy in God forever. And until then, God pledges his protection over body and soul, through life and death.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can We Really Give God More or Less Glory? from 2021-12-13T11:00

Christians sometimes talk about giving God “some” glory, “more” glory, or “most” glory, but are those really biblical categories? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How ‘Progressive’ Can a Christian Get? from 2021-12-10T11:00

None of us has an infallible understanding of the Bible, but at what point does open contradiction of Scripture call into question someone’s profession of faith?Listen

Ask Pastor John
God’s Plan When Our Plans Fail from 2021-12-08T11:00

God, in his grace, does not keep us from trouble and pain. But he does order and measure our trouble and pain — and then uphold us through it all.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Resist a Critical Spirit? from 2021-12-06T11:00

A love for excellence can easily grow into a hypercritical spirit. How can we resist the tendency to focus mostly on the failures of others?Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Ministry in One Bible Text from 2021-12-03T11:00

John Piper’s ministry has been marked by rigorous attention to God’s word paired with deep delight in God’s word — a double emphasis captured in Psalm 119:97.Listen

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The God Who Turns Hearts to God from 2021-12-01T11:00

The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel shows that God rules over fire and rain, bulls and rocks — and even over every human heart. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Righteous Anger Kill Our Joy? from 2021-11-29T11:00

If we allow anger to come quickly and stay long, it will eventually consume love, consume gratitude, consume mercy, and consume true perceptions of reality.Listen

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How Do I Write a Personal Mission Statement? from 2021-11-26T11:00

God has reasons for everything he does — and an ultimate purpose driving it all. Personal mission statements help us align all of life with that great purpose.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Glorious Duty of Thanksgiving from 2021-11-24T11:00

Gratitude is a duty — we ought to thank God for the grace he has given. But genuine Christian gratitude is far more than mere duty. Listen

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How Can I Serve My Disabled Friends? from 2021-11-22T11:00

Jesus healed people with deep, lifelong disabilities. So should we pray that he would heal loved ones with disabilities like Down syndrome or cerebral palsy?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Violent Crime Under God’s Providence? from 2021-11-19T11:00

When we don’t understand God and his ways, we can still rest here: God is always totally sovereign, and God is always infinitely good. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Only Jesus Knows the Full Force of Temptation from 2021-11-17T11:00

Jesus never lied, stole, coveted, grumbled, lusted, or sinned in any other way. And that means Jesus alone knows the full force of temptation.Listen

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Parenting Young Children Through Life’s Pains from 2021-11-15T11:00

When suffering overshadows the life of a family, how can parents help their children embrace God’s all-good, all-wise, all-governing providence?Listen

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Is Complementarity Merely Functional? from 2021-11-12T11:00

Are God’s callings for men and women merely functional and practical, or do they flow from something deeper in his design? Listen

Ask Pastor John
One Day Tolerance Will End from 2021-11-10T11:00

We live in the day of salvation, the day of patience, the day of tolerance. But when Jesus returns, that day will end forever. Listen

Ask Pastor John
On Cigarettes, Vaping, and Nicotine from 2021-11-08T11:00

Despite the warnings, cigarette smoking and other forms of nicotine use persist. How concerned should parents be about whether their teens smoke, chew, or vape?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Command Our Praise for His Sake or Ours? from 2021-11-05T10:00

Pleasure in God is not complete unless it overflows in praise to God. And praise to God is not sincere unless it overflows from pleasure in God.Listen

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How to Find More Joy in God from 2021-11-03T10:00

Joy in God was never meant to be a solitary pursuit. Joy sends us out to serve — and serving fills us up with joy.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Why Did God Make Me Unattractive? from 2021-11-01T10:00

Few of us feel as attractive as we would like, and some of us feel downright ugly. Why does God allow such unattractiveness in a world that prizes physical beauty?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Church’s Calling in an Age of Recreational Pot from 2021-10-29T10:00

Fifteen states have now legalized the recreational use of marijuana. What message might God be sending to the church in an age of legal pot?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Finding a Life of Gospel Boldness from 2021-10-27T10:00

The boldest people in the world are those who can look into the face of God, in all of his holiness and power, and know that he is for them in Christ.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do You Find Meaning in the Bible’s Narratives? from 2021-10-25T10:00

Whether Old Testament or New Testament, stories fill the pages of Scripture. How can we begin to discover God’s meaning in the Bible’s narratives?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Stress Making Me More Holy or More Sinful? from 2021-10-22T10:00

Life’s pressures have a way of exposing hidden sins and introducing new temptations. So how do we know if pressure is making us more holy or more sinful?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Would I Trust Jesus More If I Had Seen Him? from 2021-10-20T10:00

Many wish they could have seen Jesus in person as he walked on the earth. But to have the four Gospels is even better than being there.Listen

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Reckoning with the Message of Job from 2021-10-18T10:00

Until we begin to grasp the infinite worth of God, and the horrific evil of sin, much of the Bible will make no sense — including a book like Job.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We ‘Dwell in the Shelter of the Most High’? from 2021-10-15T10:00

Psalm 91 offers spectacular promises for the one who “dwells in the shelter of the Most High.” What does dwelling in the shelter of God mean for us today?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Five Ways Pastors Fail from 2021-10-13T10:00

Countless pastors carry out their ministries faithfully — and some abuse their position and cause many to stumble. What does God have to say to hypocritical pastors?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Non-Christian Marriages Valid in God’s Eyes? from 2021-10-11T10:00

God made marriage to picture the relationship of Christ and his church. Does it follow that a marriage between an unbelieving man and woman is illegitimate?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Has God Abandoned Me? from 2021-10-08T10:00

God has promised never to leave us or forsake his people. So how do we respond when it feels like he has?

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Ask Pastor John
Parenting Through a Family Crisis from 2021-10-06T10:00

If we’re going to parent well through family troubles, we need to know, first, that our own sin is our worst problem, and second, that Jesus’s blood covers it all.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Ingredients for a Theology of Feasting from 2021-10-04T10:00

The Bible talks a lot about feasting — far more than about fasting, in fact. So what is feasting, and how might we enjoy it in our Christian lives?Listen

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How Do We Prepare for the Second Coming? from 2021-10-01T10:00

We know from the New Testament that Jesus will return in power and glory. What can we do to prepare ourselves for that long-expected day?Listen

Ask Pastor John
You Don’t Need More Self-Love from 2021-09-29T10:00

Jesus’s command to love our neighbors as we love ourselves isn’t a call to raise our self-esteem. It’s a charge to seek others’ good in the same way we seek our own.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Couples Use Role-Play in the Bedroom? from 2021-09-27T10:00

When the glory of God grows dim in our eyes, bodily appetites become gods. When we lose sight of a big purpose for our lives, sexual urges become too big.Listen

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My Boyfriend Is Spiritually Lethargic — Should I Still Marry Him? from 2021-09-24T10:00

At what point should a Christian woman keep encouraging her spiritually lethargic boyfriend — and at what point should she call it off?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Love Me? from 2021-09-22T10:00

When do we experience the love of God most deeply? Not when we get whatever we want, but when he does whatever it takes to satisfy us in himself.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Stop Rooting My Joy in My Circumstances? from 2021-09-20T10:00

We seem hardwired to be happiest when life goes well, and saddest when life goes poorly. How can we root our joy in Jesus instead of circumstances?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Rich Christians Downgrade Their Lifestyle? from 2021-09-17T10:00

Jesus and the apostles regularly warn against the dangers of wealth. So, should rich Christians take steps to downgrade their lifestyle?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Prayers That Work from 2021-09-15T10:00

Jesus promises spectacular responses to our prayers, but only if our desires are shaped by his word abiding within us. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Discern False Teachers? from 2021-09-13T10:00

The Bible repeatedly warns us against false teachers. But how can we actually identify them, especially if their ministry is mainly online?Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s 9/11 Radio Interview from 2021-09-11T10:00

On the morning after September 11, 2001, a radio station interviewed Pastor John about the day’s stunning and tragic attack. Listen to the 47-minute recording.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does It Mean to Be Blessed? from 2021-09-10T10:00

The New Testament never pairs the blessing of God with material prosperity in this age. So, what does it really mean to be blessed? Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Power of Your Personal Testimony from 2021-09-08T10:00

Don’t be intimidated when people far smarter than you level arguments against Jesus. Your personal testimony has power to trump the most sophisticated arguments.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Will Love Grow Cold in the End Times? from 2021-09-06T10:00

At the end of this age, “the love of many will grow cold.” What will such coldness look like — and how can we guard ourselves against it?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Christ Already Return? from 2021-09-03T10:00

Does Revelation suggest that Jesus already returned when Jerusalem was destroyed in AD 70 — and therefore that we should not wait for another coming?Listen

Ask Pastor John
We Become Like the Videos We Behold from 2021-09-01T10:00

For better or worse, we become what we behold. How should this truth affect our media consumption in the digital age? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Difference Between Sloth and Rest? from 2021-08-30T10:00

Both the sluggard and the diligent might take a nap on their day off. So, what distinguishes the laziness of the sluggard from the rest of the diligent?Listen

Ask Pastor John
God Never Runs Out from 2021-08-27T10:00

Everything in this world eventually runs out: money runs out, health runs out, pleasure runs out, time runs out. But God never runs out.Listen

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How Can I Make Daily Bible Reading Authentic? from 2021-08-25T10:00

How can we prevent Bible reading from becoming a lifeless routine? Pastor John offers three principles for authentic daily devotions. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Honor My Parents If I Don’t Respect Them? from 2021-08-23T10:00

God calls his people to show honor to everyone — but not for the same reasons, and not in the same ways.

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Ask Pastor John
Does Christ Rule the Nations Now? from 2021-08-20T10:00

If Christ has all authority in heaven and on earth, does he rule over the nations now? Or is he waiting to exercise his rule until his second coming?Listen

Ask Pastor John
You Don’t Know God If You Don’t Love Christ from 2021-08-18T10:00

If you want to know whether others love God, ask if they love the Jesus of Scripture. Love for Jesus is the litmus test of love for God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Death Past, Present, or Future? from 2021-08-16T10:00

According to Paul, Christians have died, will die, and die every day. What do these different deaths mean, and how else does Scripture speak of our dying?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Six Dangers of Podcasts from 2021-08-13T10:00

Podcasts, including Christian podcasts, have great potential for both good and evil. Pastor John explains six dangers to beware of as you listen.Listen

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Living the Mystery of Joy in Suffering from 2021-08-11T10:00

Christians are sorrowful, yet always rejoicing: sorrowful because of the ugliness and horrors of sin, and rejoicing because of the infinite worth of Jesus.Listen

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If All My Sins Are Forgiven, Why Pursue Holiness? from 2021-08-09T10:00

If Christ already paid for all our sins — past, present, and future — then why do we need to work so hard to put sin to death and grow in holiness?Listen

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Is Sex During Menstruation Sinful? from 2021-08-06T10:00

The Old Testament prohibited a husband and wife from having sex during menstruation. Is that command still in force today? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Controversy Is Essential — and Deadly from 2021-08-04T10:00

Controversy is essential — and deadly. Slowly, we can begin to care more about defending the truth than enjoying the truth. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Pray in the Spirit? from 2021-08-02T10:00

What do Paul and Jude mean when they command Christians to pray “in the Spirit” — and what would it mean to pray “out of the Spirit”? Listen

Ask Pastor John
If We Read Our Bibles, Why Do We Need Sermons? from 2021-07-30T10:00

The Bible is perfect; preachers are not. So, why listen to the sermons of fallible men when we can read God’s infallible word for ourselves?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Argue Like a Calvinist from 2021-07-28T10:00

John Newton cherished the doctrines of grace. And he knew that the best way to commend them was with a spirit of graciousness. Listen

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Doing Math to the Glory of God from 2021-07-26T10:00

Why learn math — especially if studying math feels agonizing? Pastor John addresses an 8-year-old boy struggling to persevere in school.Listen

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Can I Marry a Woman Half My Age? from 2021-07-23T10:00

The Bible doesn’t say how old Christians should be when they marry — or how close in age. So, can a Christian marry someone significantly younger?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Strong Murder the Weak Every Day in America from 2021-07-21T10:00

Killing an unborn child is illegal if the mother wants the baby — but legal if she doesn’t. The rights of the weak rest in the hands of the strong.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much Media Is Too Much Media? from 2021-07-19T10:00

In a media-saturated age, obedience to Jesus requires intentional detachment from the patterns of the world — especially its patterns of entertainment.Listen

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Will I Suffer More If I Follow Jesus? from 2021-07-16T10:00

Those who follow Jesus may suffer more in this life than those who don’t. But from the standpoint of eternity, they will suffer infinitely less.Listen

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The Supremacy of God in Preaching: Conclusion from 2021-07-15T10:00

People are starving for the grandeur of God. Christian preachers, more than all others, should know this truth — and shape every sermon accordingly.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Faith Won’t Survive Without Friends from 2021-07-14T10:00

We all need people who will remind us that Christ is far better than sin, and that unrepentant sin destroys. Without friends, our faith won’t survive.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does the Bible Say I Am Unique? from 2021-07-12T10:00

God made everybody, knitting each of us intricately in our mother’s womb. Does that mean we are each unique, unlike any other person God created?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will God Really Praise Us? from 2021-07-09T10:00

If God deserves all glory and praise, what does Scripture mean when it mentions God’s glorifying and praising us?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Why Comfortable Christians Go Prayerless from 2021-07-07T10:00

Until we come awake to the great spiritual war that surrounds us, we will never truly know the privilege and power of prayer.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Angels Walk Among Us Today? from 2021-07-05T10:00

Hebrews tells us that, by showing hospitality to strangers, “some have entertained angels unawares.” Does this suggest that angels walk among us in human form?Listen

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On Codependent Dating Relationships from 2021-07-02T10:00

God made us to need other people — but not to be codependent on them. So, how can we tell the difference between healthy need and disordered neediness?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Would God Create a Baby to Live for Two Minutes? from 2021-06-30T10:00

With eternity in view, any span of life is a vapor. However long we live, our time here is preparation for the endless days of heaven. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Watch for Signs from God? from 2021-06-28T10:00

Some Christians seem to be always on the lookout for signs from God in creation or circumstances. Does the Bible encourage us in that search?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Christians Visit Cemeteries? from 2021-06-25T10:00

Should Christians make a habit of visiting loved ones’ graves? And if we do visit, how can we honor Christ in the cemetery? Listen

Ask Pastor John
One Surprising Reason for Pain from 2021-06-23T10:00

Many wonder how a good God could govern a world filled with pain. But sometimes, pain becomes the very means God uses to awaken us to his goodness.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Who Is the Disciple Jesus Loved? from 2021-06-21T10:00

The Gospel of John speaks of a “disciple whom Jesus loved” five times. Who was this beloved disciple, and why does he single himself out like this?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Plans for 2021 and Beyond from 2021-06-18T10:00

After a year unlike any other, Pastor John looks ahead to new books and renewed ambitions to spread Christian Hedonism farther across the globe.Listen

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How Not to Correct a Fellow Christian from 2021-06-16T10:00

How can Christians challenge and correct one another in a way that honors Christ and acknowledges our common neediness before him? Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Disabled Wife and the Proverbs 31 Woman from 2021-06-14T10:00

God expects faithfulness of all his people. But faithfulness for one Christian may look far different than faithfulness for another Christian.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Our Enemies Spiritual, Human, or Both? from 2021-06-11T10:00

Paul tells us that we do not wrestle against flesh and blood. But Paul himself had many human enemies. So, are our enemies spiritual, human, or both?Listen

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To Be Loved Infinitely from 2021-06-09T10:00

The essence of God’s love is not that he makes much of us, but that he frees us, at great cost to himself, to enjoy making much of him forever.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Serve Dying Unbelievers? from 2021-06-07T10:00

Many medical professionals regularly find themselves around people only hours or minutes from hell. How would love call us to act in those moments?Listen

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Should Christian Jurors Show Mercy to the Guilty? from 2021-06-04T10:00

Christians display the character of God through both mercy and justice. But how do we know when to show mercy and when to give justice?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do You Want to Be Loved by God? from 2021-06-02T10:00

Almost everyone wants to be loved by God. But our reasons for wanting God’s love may reveal whether we truly know him or not.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful to Pray for a Larger Income? from 2021-05-31T10:00

When God restored Job’s fortunes, he also doubled his wealth. Should Christians pray for God to do the same for us today? Listen

Ask Pastor John
A Better Promise for Serial Daters from 2021-05-28T10:00

Serial dating, if left unconquered, often turns into serial marriage. So, what hope does Jesus offer to those addicted to the pleasures of a new relationship?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Flee to Christ in Fear from 2021-05-26T10:00

God commands us both to fear him and to flee to him for refuge. How can we possibly do one without contradicting the other? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Where Is Providence in the Vanity of Ecclesiastes? from 2021-05-24T10:00

The book of Ecclesiastes tells us that “all is vanity.” But if God providentially guides all things, then doesn’t he give meaning to everything in this world?Listen

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What Is a Baptist? from 2021-05-21T10:00

As with other Protestants, many Baptists trace their lineage to the Reformation. But what makes Baptists unique among the heirs of the Reformation?Listen

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The Key to Killing Lust from 2021-05-19T10:00

Strategies are important in our battle against lust. But nothing arrests our souls with the urgency of purity like the supremacy of Jesus Christ.Listen

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What Does the Bible Say About Purgatory? from 2021-05-17T10:00

What is purgatory, and why have thoughtful Christians like C.S. Lewis believed in it? Does this belief in afterlife cleansing find support in Scripture?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Love Neighbors Who Ignore Me? from 2021-05-14T10:00

Jesus commands us to love our neighbors. But how can we love them if they don’t want our help, or if they even actively ignore us? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Reckoning with Personal Failure from 2021-05-12T10:00

Christians are new creations in Christ — yet we still feel the familiar pull of the old self. How do we reckon with the persistence of indwelling sin?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Have Africans Suffered So Much? from 2021-05-10T10:00

Some parts of the world seem to endure far more sorrow than other parts. Does God favor some places and peoples more than others? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is My Repentance Real If I Keep Committing the Same Sin? from 2021-05-07T10:00

Some of us find ourselves confessing the same sins over and over. How do we know our repentance is real if we repeatedly lose the same battles?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Churches Sabotage the Love of God from 2021-05-05T10:00

If we try to make much of the love of God by downplaying the wrath of God, we destroy the love of God.

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Ask Pastor John
How Can I Protect My Child from State Indoctrination? from 2021-05-03T10:00

The primary responsibility for a child’s education belongs to parents, not to the state. So, what can parents do when the state tries to take control?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did the First Humans Live for So Long? from 2021-04-30T10:00

The book of Genesis records life spans in the hundreds of years. Why did the first humans live for so long — and why are our life spans today so short?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Have You Processed the Sin of Ravi Zacharias? from 2021-04-29T10:00

How might Christians process the failures of once-beloved figures like Ravi Zacharias? Pastor John draws out lessons from the ministries of fallen leaders.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s Stopping You from Coming to Christ? from 2021-04-28T10:00

Some wait to come to Christ because they feel powerless to live the Christian life. But that power becomes ours only by coming to Christ.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Are Angels Doing Today? from 2021-04-26T10:00

Angels appear all over Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation. But why did God create angels in the first place — and what are they doing today?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Should We Respond to Christian Conspiracy Theories? from 2021-04-23T10:00

Conspiracy theories — Christian or otherwise — are nothing new. But how can we talk to friends who find themselves gripped by them? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What ‘No Condemnation’ Does to a Heart from 2021-04-21T10:00

“No condemnation” means that you are finally free: free to love, free to serve, free to forgive, and even free to die for the good of others.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Abraham Laugh at God’s Promise? from 2021-04-19T10:00

Paul looks back to Abraham and celebrates his unwavering faith. But is Abraham’s laughter at God’s promise in Genesis 17 really a faithful response?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Makes Women the ‘Weaker Vessel’? from 2021-04-16T10:00

The differences between male and female are not obstacles to overcome or facts to ignore. They are distinct glories that God calls “very good.”Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Problem with Asking, ‘What’s Wrong with It?’ from 2021-04-14T10:00

If we want to follow Jesus, we will need to give up more than just sins. We will also need to give up everything that dulls our hearts for him.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Hope for Children from Dysfunctional Families from 2021-04-12T10:00

How can children who come from dysfunctional or abusive families begin to embrace the perfect fatherhood of God?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Does Chronic Pain Glorify God? from 2021-04-09T10:00

Why might God allow his children to endure years, or even decades, of unremitting suffering? How does such chronic pain bring him glory?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Escape the World’s Infatuation with Sex from 2021-04-07T10:00

The deepest cure for lust never comes from strategies or accountability. The deepest cure comes from seeing the soul-staggering grandeur of God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Will Heaven Change Our Joy? from 2021-04-05T10:00

Joy isn’t just a nice byproduct of the Christian life, but an essential part of it. From propitiation to glorification, joy animates our life in Christ.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does Easter Change Us? from 2021-04-02T10:00

Christ’s resurrection secures our future hope that we too will rise one day. In the meantime, it also grants us spiritual power for everyday life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What You Need More Than Self-Confidence from 2021-03-31T10:00

Everything good in the Christian life grows in the soil of rich, deep, and happy humility.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What Didn’t Christ Accomplish? from 2021-03-29T10:00

The cross of Christ accomplished everything we need to glorify God by being eternally happy in him. But is there anything the cross didn’t accomplish?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Serve the Dying? from 2021-03-26T10:00

When you have the privilege of caring for dying people, how can you minister to their souls in addition to meeting their physical needs?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Gospel For? from 2021-03-24T10:00

Forgiveness, justification, adoption, and eternal life are all a means to something even greater: enjoying God himself. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Fight Sin Without Losing Sight of Christ? from 2021-03-22T10:00

Christians rest on Jesus not only for justification, but also for sanctification. Both are blood bought. Both are certain. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Feel Called to Missions — Should I Date Someone Who Doesn’t? from 2021-03-19T10:00

If I feel called to missions, should I be open to dating a Christian who doesn’t share the same calling?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Finding Hope in God’s Unfolding Plan from 2021-03-17T10:00

God determines the direction of history down to the smallest detail. But what is his ultimate goal in all his providence? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Who Is God? from 2021-03-15T10:00

God is the most important and most valuable reality in the entire universe. Who has he revealed himself to be?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Can We Know God? from 2021-03-12T11:00

Before we can ask who God is, we need to know where to find the answer. Where can we go to learn the truth about who God reveals himself to be?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Courage We Need for Mission from 2021-03-10T11:00

God’s providence isn’t an obstacle to evangelism and missions. It is, instead, our only hope to see the good news of the gospel reach all nations.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do We Dishonor God by Neglecting His Gifts? from 2021-03-08T11:00

We dishonor God when we love the gifts more than the Giver. But we also dishonor him when we forget all the gifts he has given. Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Big Book on the Providence of God from 2021-03-06T10:00

John Piper’s newest book, ‘Providence,’ celebrates the all-embracing, all-pervasive, invincible providence of God.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Why Did Jesus Choose Judas? from 2021-03-05T11:00

If Jesus knew that Judas would betray him in the end, why did Jesus choose Judas as a disciple to begin with?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Finding the Confidence to Pray from 2021-03-03T11:00

The doctrine of God’s all-governing providence is not a problem for our prayers. It is our only hope for our prayers coming to pass. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Likely Going to Prison — Now What? from 2021-03-01T11:00

Where is God when I face life-changing consequences for my sin? Can he really work for my good, even in a punishment as severe as prison?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Ever Pursue My Dreams? from 2021-02-26T11:00

Can we pursue our own dreams while also obeying God? Or do we need to give up our dreams in order to follow what Jesus is really calling us to?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Protected from False Teaching from 2021-02-24T11:00

Joyful faith in the all-governing providence of God immunizes us against false teaching that exalts man and detracts from the glory due to God alone.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Who Wrote the Bible? from 2021-02-22T11:00

The question “Who wrote the Bible?” has a double answer: God and man. Humans held the quill, but God ultimately inspired their words. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Meaning of Life? from 2021-02-19T11:00

When life just doesn’t seem to make sense, or even when it seems void of any meaning at all, what can help us to know our purpose again?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Sustained Through the Hardest Suffering from 2021-02-17T11:00

God’s providence not only governs all things, but it gives us hope in our suffering. We can trust that our all-good God will turn every sorrow to joy.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is Baptism Important? from 2021-02-15T11:00

Jesus commands the church not only to make disciples, but also to baptize them. But why is baptism so important?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
My Teen Is Sexually Active — What Can I Do? from 2021-02-12T11:00

What can Christian parents do if they discover that one of their children is living in serious sexual sin? Pastor John offers counsel on where to begin.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Root of Beautiful Patience from 2021-02-10T11:00

God’s all-pervasive providence is the key that unlocks enduring patience. He is always working more good than we can ever see. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do My Sins Hinder My Prayers? from 2021-02-08T11:00

Peter tells us that a husband’s prayers are hindered if he dishonors his wife. Is this just a marriage principle, or does sin always obstruct our prayers?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is My Happiness Moral or Not? from 2021-02-05T11:00

Does the presence or absence of happiness say anything about us morally, or is happiness simply a nonmoral state of affairs?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Escaping the Fog of Triviality from 2021-02-03T11:00

In a culture filled with silliness and superficiality, seeing and savoring the providence of God protects our hearts from trifling with divine things.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Has Porn Already Broken My Future Marriage? from 2021-02-01T11:00

Pornography distorts our souls. But with the transformation of the Holy Spirit and a hard, honest fight, there is still hope for godly intimacy in marriage.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Before You Tweet Criticism: Six Considerations from 2021-01-29T11:00

Social media feeds are often infernos of insults and anger. How can Christians engage online in ways that make much of Christ? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Everything Made Meaningful from 2021-01-27T11:00

Even the tiniest details of history move forward under the providential care of our sovereign, all-good God. Nothing is random. Nothing is meaningless.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did God Create Us? from 2021-01-25T11:00

If God doesn’t need anything in this world in order to be who he is, then why did he create the world at all?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Am I Too Hard on Myself? from 2021-01-22T11:00

God has given us a high and holy calling in Christ. But can a Christian ever be too hard on himself as he strives to live up to that calling?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Trembling at Sin, Marveling at Grace from 2021-01-20T11:00

Seeing and savoring God’s providence in our redemption fills us with wonder and trembling joy. We owe everything to his grace. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Martin Luther King and His Partner in the Cause from 2021-01-18T11:00

Christian citizenship expands far beyond the country on our passport. We share a citizenship with those from every nation who call upon the name of Jesus.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is an Audio Bible Sufficient for Devotions? from 2021-01-15T11:00

Is listening to the Bible just as good as reading it? Or do we risk missing something if our Bible intake comes mainly through listening?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Confronting Lukewarm Worship from 2021-01-13T11:00

When we see and savor the providence of God, lukewarm worship gives way to wonder, awe, and holy reverence before our majestic God. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Bear with Immature Christians? from 2021-01-11T11:00

Faithful pastors long to see their churches grow up in faith, hope, and love. So, how does a pastor bear with those who seem to be going backward?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Often Should I Question My Salvation? from 2021-01-08T11:00

The Bible instructs believers to examine themselves, but does it tell us to what extent or how often we should question our salvation? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Difference Does Providence Make? from 2021-01-06T11:00

What difference does seeing and savoring the providence of God make? Pastor John explains why providence overflows with practical implications.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can I Take a Vaccine Made from Aborted Babies? from 2021-01-04T11:00

Several vaccines in current use are developed from the cells of aborted babies. Can Christians use these vaccines in good conscience? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Become Passionate About Bible Reading? from 2021-01-01T11:00

Regular, disciplined Bible intake is not optional for God’s people. It is God’s plan for preserving us and bringing us safely to glory.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Eight Years of APJ, and What’s Ahead from 2020-12-30T11:00

At the end of another year, Pastor John reflects on 2020, the world of Ephesians, and the need for a new tidal wave of God-centered teaching.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Talk More About ‘Following Jesus’? from 2020-12-28T11:00

In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly tells people to follow him. But why doesn’t that call ring out in the rest of the New Testament? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Christmas Too Pagan for Christians? from 2020-12-25T11:00

Christmas offers an opportunity to look upon the incarnation with fresh amazement. But does the timing of our celebration just reflect pagan tradition?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did Christ Need a Body? from 2020-12-23T11:00

In the person of Jesus Christ, we encounter incarnate Deity. But why did he have to take on flesh that first Christmas? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do We Have the Exact Words of Christ, or a Paraphrase? from 2020-12-21T11:00

Do the Gospels give us the exact words that Jesus spoke, or do they give us a paraphrase that captures his meaning?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Joy Come After Suffering, Or in It? from 2020-12-18T11:00

Faith does not shield us from waves of sorrow. But it does plant our feet on a rock of immovable joy. And when the waves leave, the rock remains.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Sweetness of Christ in 2020 from 2020-12-16T11:00

As 2020 draws to a close, Pastor John describes the one reality that shaped everything else for him: the experience of sweeter fellowship with God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Happens to Non-Christians Who Take the Lord’s Supper? from 2020-12-14T11:00

What happens when unbelievers eat the Lord’s Supper — either because they think they are believers or because the church has welcomed them to participate?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Christian Marries Non-Christian — How Does a Church Respond? from 2020-12-11T11:00

How should pastors respond to a Christian who marries a non-Christian? And what might repentance look like in such a situation? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Fight Sin Like a Victor, Not a Victim from 2020-12-09T11:00

When Christ gives you new life by the Spirit, you are no longer a victim under sin’s power, but a victor who has the strength to triumph.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Battle Imposter Syndrome? from 2020-12-07T11:00

Imposter syndrome can make us feel like frauds in the workplace — like we are never good enough and always about to be exposed. How can we respond?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Jesus Say We Are gods? from 2020-12-04T11:00

In John 10, Jesus quotes from Psalm 82, saying, “You are gods.” Does this mean human beings are gods, or is something else going on? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s Keeping Me from Seeing Jesus? from 2020-12-02T11:00

By nature, we all want to be made much of. Until that craving for praise is laid to rest, we’ll never know the joy of making much of Jesus.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can I ‘Name It and Claim It’? from 2020-11-30T11:00

God can do far, far more than we can think to ask. But that doesn’t mean whatever we wish lines up with his sovereign plans to bring us good.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Critical Race Theory, Part 2: The Root Problem from 2020-11-24T11:00

How should Christians respond to critical race theory? In a special episode, Pastor John explains the theory’s goals, assumptions, and root problem.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Critical Race Theory, Part 1: The Relationships from 2020-11-23T11:00

Critical race theory is a divisive topic among many Christians today. In a special episode, Pastor John explains why we should be careful in how we talk to each other about it.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Ten Effects of Seeing and Savoring the Providence of God from 2020-11-20T11:00

When we see and savor the all-embracing, all-pervasive providence of God, we cannot help but show the worth of his providence in all of life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Have You Seen the Providence of God? from 2020-11-18T11:00

Immersing ourselves in the ocean of God’s providence helps us to know him, fear him, trust him, and love him as we ought. Listen

Ask Pastor John
God’s Providence in 2020 from 2020-11-16T11:00

In January 2021, John Piper releases his newest book: a 750-page study of the all-embracing, all-pervasive providence of God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Regret Making Me? from 2020-11-13T11:00

We know that God is committed to saving his people. But does he ever become so frustrated with us that he regrets having made us in the first place?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Makes Us Want to Move and Travel? from 2020-11-11T11:00

Our cravings can take us to new spouses, new jobs, or even new cities or countries. But there is only one place we’ll find the satisfaction we seek.Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Wife Is More Spiritual — How Do I Lead Her? from 2020-11-09T11:00

As a husband, I know that God calls me to lead my family. But what if my wife is more capable and more spiritually mature than I am? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Am I Completely Surrendered to Christ? from 2020-11-06T11:00

Jesus calls us to renounce all we have to follow him. But how can we gauge if we are fully and completely committed to him? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Grow in Obeying God? from 2020-11-04T11:00

Unless God enables our obedience, we work and serve in vain. All true obedience flows from the strength he supplies. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Sought a Prostitute — Am I Doomed? from 2020-11-02T11:00

Proverbs says that no one who visits the “forbidden woman” will return to the paths of life. So, is a man who seeks a prostitute doomed?Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Does God Harden a Sinner’s Heart? from 2020-10-30T10:00

Does God harden sinners’ hearts only in response to their persistent sin, or is their sin a result of his prior hardening? Listen

Ask Pastor John
God’s Good Design in Our Suffering from 2020-10-28T10:00

In this life, we will have trouble. But every trial paves the way to an inheritance with Christ that will satisfy us forever.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do My Past Sins Work Toward My Future Good? from 2020-10-26T10:00

We know that God works all things together for the good of his people. But does “all things” include even our sins?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Raise Kids Who Are Not Naive or Cynical? from 2020-10-23T10:00

As Christians, we aspire to live out the paradox of brokenhearted boldness. But how do we teach and model this attitude for our kids? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Did God Call Me to Himself? from 2020-10-21T10:00

From our perspective, coming to Jesus Christ feels like placing our faith in him. But God himself enabled and awakened that faith in us.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Obsessed with My Appearance — How Can I Stop? from 2020-10-19T10:00

We know outward beauty is insignificant compared to inward beauty. But what should we do if we still feel insecure about our looks? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Our Standards for Sexual Purity Too High for Pastors? from 2020-10-16T10:00

Is faultless chastity an appropriate standard for pastors, or are our expectations simply too high?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
My Suffering Feels Meaningless — What Can I Do? from 2020-10-14T10:00

Sometimes pain seems meaningless, but in Christ, every millisecond of your suffering is producing for you an eternal weight of glory. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Love God More Than My Boyfriend? from 2020-10-12T10:00

As a couple’s affection for one another deepens, how can they make sure they are loving God more than each other?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Is My Suffering a Correction for Sin? from 2020-10-09T10:00

When trials come, how can I know whether God is calling me to patiently endure, or whether he wants me to repent of a specific sin? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Get Tricked into Sinning? from 2020-10-07T10:00

When we obey sin, we obey a liar, a deceiver, a murderer. Sin is a slave master who tricks his subjects into eternal death. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did Demons Ask Jesus for Pigs? from 2020-10-05T10:00

When Jesus comes, he brings deliverance, freedom, grace, and power. But some people prefer what life is like without him. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do I Need to Read the Bible When We Have Bible Teachers Online? from 2020-10-02T10:00

Today more than ever, Christians have access to a wealth of faithful Bible teaching online. So, why do we need to read the Bible for ourselves?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Dismiss the Devil with a Song from 2020-09-30T10:00

Singing together is not merely the prelude to the sermon. When God’s people sing from the heart, more happens than we imagine. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Enjoying God the Same as Glorifying God? from 2020-09-28T10:00

“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.” Does that mean enjoying God and glorifying God are the same thing? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is the Bible So Violent? from 2020-09-25T10:00

The Bible depicts more violence than our modern sensibilities often want to admit. How do we handle these parts of Scripture when we come across them?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Overcome My Fear of the Future? from 2020-09-23T10:00

In this life, we will have trouble. In this world, we will have reasons to fear. But in Christ, our God is with us through it all. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does It Matter That Christ Was ‘Begotten, Not Made’? from 2020-09-21T10:00

The Nicene Creed speaks of Jesus as “begotten, not made.” What does that mean, and why does it matter?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Money Motivates Me to Work Hard — Is That Okay? from 2020-09-18T10:00

How can we tell if our desire for money is a good, God-given desire, instead of a love for Mammon? Pastor John offers seven ways to discern the difference.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Tell If I Am Lukewarm? from 2020-09-16T10:00

How can we tell if we are spiritually lukewarm, like the Christians in Laodicea? We can look at our private prayer life. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Do You Love Most About God? from 2020-09-14T10:00

Unless the Bible informs what we love most about God, we risk imagining a god in our own likeness, rather than treasuring him for who he really is.Listen

Ask Pastor John
‘Always Learning but Never Arriving’ — Is That Me? from 2020-09-11T10:00

Paul warns us about some who are “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.” What kind of person does he have in mind?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is God Accomplishing in My Suffering? from 2020-09-09T10:00

Suffering often feels meaningless in the moment. So how can Christians learn not only to endure trials, but to rejoice in the midst of them?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Do My Entertainment Habits Reveal About My Soul? from 2020-09-07T10:00

If we cope with stress by watching movies, posting on social media, or consuming other forms of entertainment, what does that say about our souls?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Every Sin Cost Me an Eternal Reward? from 2020-09-04T10:00

God promises eternal rewards for his people’s present obedience. But does every sin cost us one of those rewards?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
I Feel Unappreciated — How Should I Respond? from 2020-09-02T10:00

Ingratitude can make us feel unwanted and unnoticed. But our Father in heaven sees in secret, and he will more than make up for every thankless deed.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is My Career in Marketing Vain? from 2020-08-31T10:00

Some marketing succeeds by cultivating consumerism in the human heart. Can a Christian glorify God in that kind of job? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Recover from an Unbearable Tragedy? from 2020-08-28T10:00

Some tragedies make life feel barely worth living anymore. So is there any hope that we could one day be happy and at peace again? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does My Stealing Say About My Soul? from 2020-08-26T10:00

Whether we steal time, money, glances, or anything else, our impulse to take what is not rightfully ours reveals a lot about our view of God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will the New Creation Look Like This One? from 2020-08-24T10:00

The new creation will probably seem familiar to us. But there will also be new dimensions of life and joy we can’t even begin to fathom.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Angry Prayer Okay? from 2020-08-21T10:00

We have nothing to hide from God since he already knows our hearts. But that doesn’t mean we can do or say whatever we want in prayer. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Did John Piper Become a Calvinist? from 2020-08-19T10:00

When John Piper entered seminary in 1968, he believed in the self-determining will of man. But then he encountered Philippians 2 and Romans 9.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Should I Follow My Heart? from 2020-08-17T10:00

If a Christian desires God above all, then shouldn’t he follow his heart? Or are our hearts so deceitful that we can never trust them at all?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Ten Reasons to Read the Bible Every Day from 2020-08-14T10:00

If we are going to grow up into maturity in Christ, we need to feast on Scripture — and not just here and there, but every day. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does Christ Change How I Work? from 2020-08-12T10:00

When you come to know Jesus Christ, something about everything in your life changes — including how you approach your vocation. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Lead Someone to Christ? from 2020-08-10T10:00

To lead someone to Christ is a spectacular gift from God. But what should you actually say and do in the moment?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Do We Need Extrabiblical Texts to Understand the Bible? from 2020-08-07T10:00

Extrabiblical sources can help fill in some details of our Bible study, but all the gold we need to mine for life and godliness is in our English Bibles.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did God Save Me to Call Attention to Himself? from 2020-08-05T10:00

Over and over in the Bible, God says that he saves us in order to draw attention to himself. Why did God design salvation that way? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Christian Couples Required to Have Kids? from 2020-08-03T10:00

The Bible is clear that children are a gift from God. So is there any room for a Christian couple to decide not to have any?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can a Christian Hedonist Get Depressed? from 2020-07-31T10:00

If we glorify God by enjoying him, how do we think about seasons of darkness in the Christian life, when joy seems far away?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Wait for God? from 2020-07-29T10:00

God works for those who wait for him. But what does it mean to wait for God?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
John Piper Interviews J.I. Packer from 2020-07-28T10:00

In a 72-minute interview, John Piper and J.I. Packer discuss the Puritans, theology, the Christian life, and our heavenly hope. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Glorify God in My Daily Life? from 2020-07-27T10:00

God created us to glorify him by enjoying him forever. But how do we fulfill that purpose in the little things, in the small moments, in the day to day?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Am I Wasting My Life in a Secular Job? from 2020-07-24T10:00

Our vocation doesn’t automatically determine our fruitfulness for Jesus. God uses all kinds of people in all kinds of places to accomplish his purposes.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does God Become Totally for Me? from 2020-07-22T10:00

God won’t settle for anything less than perfection from us. Either we depend on Christ’s perfection in our place, or we keep the entire law.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Wage War on My Self-Pity? from 2020-07-20T10:00

At the cross, Christ canceled all our sins through his blood. Now, by the Spirit, we work to conquer every canceled sin. Listen

Ask Pastor John
A Seriously Happy Puritan: Praising God for J.I. Packer from 2020-07-19T04:13

On the morning of July 17, J.I. Packer passed into glory. Pastor John shares a tribute to the man he looked up to as a father in the faith.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Seven Lessons for Productivity from 2020-07-17T10:00

After fifteen hundred episodes of the Ask Pastor John podcast, Pastor John shares seven lessons that have inspired him to labor faithfully over decades.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does Freedom from the Love of Money Look Like? from 2020-07-15T10:00

Our hearts were never meant to find their meaning in money. God made us for something far more valuable.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Can I Disagree with My Husband and Still Submit? from 2020-07-13T10:00

How can a wife disagree with her husband about a decision while still submitting to his leadership in the home?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Do I Know If I’m Doing Enough for God? from 2020-07-10T10:00

Before you get overwhelmed by all of the Bible’s commands, remember your right standing with God and focus first on the anchors of faithful obedience.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do I Need to Be Saved? from 2020-07-08T10:00

At the cross, God not only clears a path for sinners to himself. He also vindicates his righteousness after passing over centuries of sin.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does ‘Atonement’ Disappear in the New Testament? from 2020-07-06T10:00

The word “atonement” appears all over the ESV’s translation of the Old Testament, but never in the New. Didn’t Jesus make atonement for our sins?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much Patriotism Is Too Much Patriotism? from 2020-07-03T10:00

If Christians are first and foremost citizens of heaven, then is it ever appropriate to show patriotism for a homeland? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Be Free from Materialism? from 2020-07-01T10:00

For many Western Christians, materialism has transformed our wants into needs and distorted our view of biblical Christianity. How can we be free?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Moses Think Sinners Could Keep the Law? from 2020-06-29T10:00

The Mosaic law requires obedience over and over again. Does that mean old-covenant believers earned their way to a right standing with God?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do I Need to Understand the Trinity to Be Saved? from 2020-06-26T10:00

What does someone need to know about the Trinity in order to have saving faith in Jesus?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Do I Find Freedom from Worry? from 2020-06-24T10:00

In the moment when troubles come or worries rise, we need the precious truth of specific promises from God’s word.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Would God Have Been More Loving Not to Create Anyone? from 2020-06-22T10:00

If God knew before he created the world that millions of people would suffer eternally in hell, would he have been more loving not to create at all?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Which Characters in Job Can We Trust? from 2020-06-19T10:00

Job is a famously difficult book to understand and apply. But God has not left us without interpretive guides to help us discern the book’s message.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Update from John Piper and How You Can Help Us from 2020-06-18T10:00

Hear from Pastor John on his latest ministry projects, and learn how you can partner with us to spread joy in Jesus Christ for years to come.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Do You See When You Look at the Sky? from 2020-06-17T10:00

All creation rings with its Maker’s praise. If we pause to look and listen, God can show us glory in all that he has made. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does Christ Want Some Not to Believe? from 2020-06-15T10:00

If God desires all people to be saved, why did Jesus sometimes speak in a way that kept people from believing?

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Ask Pastor John
How Should Christians Respond to Climate Change? from 2020-06-12T10:00

Climate-change activists warn of dire consequences if nations and individuals refuse to care for the environment. How should Christians respond?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Must Our Bodies Get Resurrected? from 2020-06-10T10:00

Our resurrection bodies will allow us not only to experience life without disease and decay, but also to enjoy God in the bliss he intended.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does the Law Aggravate Our Sin Nature? from 2020-06-08T10:00

The Mosaic law raises countless questions for Christians. But how might we begin to understand the function of the law in redemptive history?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Are the Keys of the Kingdom of Heaven? from 2020-06-05T10:00

Jesus gave his disciples the keys to the kingdom of heaven so that they could loose and bind. What does that mean for Christians today?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Do You Say to Evangelicals Who Affirm So-Called ‘Same-Sex Marriage’? from 2020-06-03T10:00

When someone close to you affirms so-called “same-sex marriage,” how do you respond in both faithfulness to Scripture and love for that person?Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Pastors Don’t Preach Against Sin — Is That Okay? from 2020-06-01T10:00

Addressing sin and repentance may sound harsh to some, but genuine biblical preaching names and denounces specific sins. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does John Piper Deny Personal Assurance? from 2020-05-29T10:00

God gives believers warnings not to strip us of our assurance, but to keep us clinging to Christ and killing sin by the Spirit. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Are God’s Purposes in a Recession? from 2020-05-27T10:00

God has thousands of purposes in all that he does — including recessions. What does Scripture tell us about God’s designs in our financial uncertainty?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much Joy Did the Curse Cost Me? from 2020-05-25T10:00

Because of the fall, we are by nature dead to joy in God. Because of the cross, we can experience more joy in God than we ever could have had in Eden.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do My Sins Ruin God’s Plan for My Life? from 2020-05-22T10:00

Some sins unalterably change the course of our lives, leaving us to live with the consequences. Do these sins sabotage God’s best plan for us?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The God over Viruses from 2020-05-20T10:00

If we say God is sovereign, does that mean he’s in charge of everything — even down to the tiniest molecule?

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Ask Pastor John
Does Christ Govern Every Storm? from 2020-05-18T10:00

Jesus stilled a storm for his disciples two thousand years ago, but does that necessarily mean he controls every single storm today? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Am I Living by Faith or Unbelief? from 2020-05-15T10:00

The Bible calls us to walk by faith, but how can we actually know if we are living by faith instead of unbelief?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Could a Recession Serve Our Joy? from 2020-05-13T10:00

Sometimes it takes a recession to dig up the roots of our lives and replant them in soil that causes us to bear the fruit of generosity.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is Hyper-Calvinism? from 2020-05-11T10:00

Doctrinal systems can help us summarize the Bible’s teaching, but they are never a substitute for Scripture itself.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Comfort If the Coronavirus Is Judgment? from 2020-05-11T00:00

Even in the most bitter providences, Christians have comfort to offer. The gospel is best news in the world for the hardest moments in the world.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is Grace? from 2020-05-08T10:00

We often define “grace” as “undeserved favor.” But the grace of God has another meaning in the Bible that is filled with encouragement and comfort.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Receive Christ? from 2020-05-06T10:00

The help Jesus offers isn’t a commodity you can buy with money or morality. To have the Son, you must receive him by faith. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is the Calvinist-Arminian Debate Really Important? from 2020-05-04T10:00

Are Calvinism and Arminianism just points of debate for theologians, or do they actually have real-life implications on our relationship with God?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Should We Dress for Church? from 2020-05-01T10:00

How we dress for church will depend on our vision of God, our understanding of God’s people, and our grasp of what is at stake when we gather.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Are the Spiritual Dangers of Technology? from 2020-04-29T10:00

Technology can make our lives easier and more efficient than ever. But it can also slowly numb our affections to the things that matter most.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is the Christian’s Heart Deceitfully Wicked? from 2020-04-27T10:00

Is the Christian heart still wicked and deceitful? Or does God give us a completely new heart at the new birth?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What Sins Disqualify a Pastor for Life? from 2020-04-24T10:00

Should churches ever consider calling a pastor who has committed adultery in the past? And if so, how should they evaluate his repentance?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Sovereign Comfort for Uncertain Times from 2020-04-22T10:00

When crisis hits, Jesus Christ remains on his throne. He reigns supreme, and he will never leave nor forsake his people. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do We Confess If Our Sins Are Already Forgiven? from 2020-04-20T10:00

If Christians are already fully forgiven, justified, and united with Christ, then why do we need to continually confess our sins to God?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is God Humble? from 2020-04-17T10:00

As we seek to put away pride and become more humble, is there any humility in God for us to imitate? Or is humility fitting only for creatures?Listen

Ask Pastor John
More Precious Than Praise and Possessions from 2020-04-15T10:00

How we handle our possessions in this world and the praise of man not only shapes our lives now, but determines our fate for eternity. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Fighting Loneliness in the Coronavirus Outbreak from 2020-04-14T18:00

God created us to live in community, not to self-isolate. But when we do experience loneliness, to what promises can we turn?Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Afraid of Surrendering to Christ — What Can I Do? from 2020-04-13T10:00

The life Jesus promises when you follow him far surpasses anything you might have to give up. There is no greater joy than in walking with him.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do We Celebrate Easter? from 2020-04-10T10:00

If Jesus remained in the grave, then his followers have no hope. But Jesus didn’t stay dead. Christ is risen.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Why the Sovereignty of God Is Good News from 2020-04-09T10:00

The doctrine of God’s sovereignty does not sit on the periphery of theology. Without the sovereignty of God, we have no gospel. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Coronavirus and Christ (Audiobook) from 2020-04-08T10:00

What is God doing through the coronavirus pandemic? He is not silent about what he is doing in the world. He has given us the Scriptures. In this special edition of APJ, Pastor John narrates his fi...

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Ask Pastor John
How Do I Know If the Holy Spirit Is in Me? from 2020-04-06T10:00

Whether you became a Christian at age 5 or 85, God worked in you, by his Holy Spirit, to open your eyes to the wonder and beauty of Jesus Christ.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It a Sin to Back Out of a Commitment? from 2020-04-03T10:00

Honesty, integrity, and reliability should characterize every Christian. Since God delights in truth, so should his people. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Plan for Something Greater Than Retirement from 2020-04-01T10:00

Retirement is not the last chapter of life — eternity is the last chapter. And the hope of being with Jesus forever should shape our final years on earth.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Talk to Children About the Coronavirus from 2020-03-31T18:00

Little hearts need the hope and security of a big God. What can parents tell kids and teens in the middle of a pandemic? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Public, Private, Online, Homeschool? from 2020-03-30T10:00

When Christian parents have a number of educational options for their children, what biblical principles help us decide what’s best? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s Next for an Aging Pastor? from 2020-03-27T10:00

God never wastes his children. If you devote yourself to serving the Lord, he will never leave you without significant opportunities for good works.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Fight My Coronavirus Fears? from 2020-03-26T18:00

The coronavirus is a wake-up call for everyone. Have we built our lives on a fragile foundation, or do we have true, unshakable hope in Jesus Christ?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Grace for Our Hardest Moments from 2020-03-25T10:00

Jesus may not give us everything we want, or even everything we think we need. But he will give us everything we truly need — all the way to the end.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are IVF Babies Knit Together by God Too? from 2020-03-23T10:00

No technology can ever thwart God’s sovereignty. His oversight extends even to those advancements that seem to take his place. Listen

Ask Pastor John
A Word to Men Who Demean Their Wives from 2020-03-20T10:00

God calls husbands to provide and protect, not demean and belittle. Husbands must lead, but always with gentleness and grace, especially in the home.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Jesus Didn’t Die for Our Present Prosperity from 2020-03-18T10:00

Jesus doesn’t want disciples who seek him merely for what he can provide. He wants disciples who treasure him for who he is.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Jesus Came to Bring Violence — but What Does That Mean for Us? from 2020-03-16T10:00

Jesus told his disciples, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” What kind of sword does the Prince of Peace bring? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Take Risks Without Being Unwise? from 2020-03-13T10:00

Jesus calls us away from self-protection and toward taking risks of love. To follow a sacrificial Savior is to give and sacrifice with him.Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Death-Row Plea from 2020-03-11T10:00

Jesus does not discriminate. He offers the bread of life to anyone who calls on his name — even to those who have committed unspeakable crimes.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Am I Mainly the Product of My Background? from 2020-03-09T10:00

Are we free to be who we want to be, or are we instead the products of our backgrounds and environments?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
If God Is Sovereign, Are My Prayers Pointless? from 2020-03-06T11:00

If all of God’s plans stand, and all of his purposes come to pass, is praying for what we want pointless?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Will Suffering Weaken My Ministry? from 2020-03-04T11:00

Suffering is not a hindrance to the spread of the gospel. Suffering is, very often, God’s means of spreading the gospel where it has never gone before.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Care for My Depressed Wife? from 2020-03-02T11:00

How can a husband cultivate an atmosphere of holy joy at home if his wife struggles with chronic sadness or depression? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can Couples Heal After Adultery? from 2020-02-28T11:00

After adultery, couples may feel like their marriage is ruined beyond repair. What biblical realities can help them begin to find healing?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Make Sense of the Coronavirus? from 2020-02-28T06:08

How can Christians make sense of the coronavirus, which has infected and killed so many people all throughout the world? Pastor John offers four biblical realities.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Jumpstart My Prayer Life? from 2020-02-26T11:00

Prayer offers us a lifeline to our Lord, a vital connection we need every day. But unless we plan ahead, we will be prone to wander. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much Victory Can I Expect over Sinful Desires? from 2020-02-24T11:00

The new birth brings an awakening of delight in Christ and increasing victory over sin. But how much delight and victory should Christians expect?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Bless My Children Before Bed? from 2020-02-21T11:00

If you want to raise your children to know and love Jesus, then a regular rhythm of blessing may prove to be a helpful habit of grace. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is My Theology Not Changing My Life? from 2020-02-19T11:00

If I believe all the right things, then why does my growth in holiness seem so tedious and slow?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Should Christians Attend Alcoholics Anonymous? from 2020-02-17T11:00

Alcoholics Anonymous, and programs like it, seem to genuinely help hurting people. But what do such programs miss that Christians can’t overlook?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can We Love Both God and Pleasure? from 2020-02-14T11:00

If the Bible says that loving pleasure is a sign of ungodliness, then can we really make joy and pleasure essential to our pursuit of God?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Let Go of Anger over Past Wrongs? from 2020-02-12T11:00

How do we lay down our anger, our bitterness, our grudges against those who have wronged us and gotten away with it? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Would God Be Just as Glorified If We Were His Slaves? from 2020-02-10T11:00

God gets maximum glory from his people, not when we work for him out of begrudging duty, but when we run to him out of sheer delight. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Find a Good Church? from 2020-02-07T11:00

If you live near a number of gospel-preaching churches, how do you decide which body is best for you to join? Pastor John suggests nine steps.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Grow in Wisdom? from 2020-02-05T11:00

How do I become a sage who overflows with godly wisdom? Pastor John recommends a path too few of us choose to tread. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should My Husband Pray with Me More? from 2020-02-03T11:00

We all need private, regular communion with God. But the Bible presents a vision for prayer that reaches well beyond our personal quiet times.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Call Female Leaders ‘Pastors’? from 2020-01-31T11:00

The New Testament doesn’t apply the term “pastor” to any leader in the church, but only to qualified men who oversee and teach the flock.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Who Is Yahweh? from 2020-01-29T11:00

The God of our Bibles is more glorious than we can even begin to imagine. And it all begins with this fact: God absolutely and simply is.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is John Piper Popular Because He Makes Christianity Look Intelligent? from 2020-01-27T11:00

What happens when a preacher saturates himself with the Scriptures, walks into a pulpit, and overflows with a God-entranced vision of all things?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did My Dad Die Because I Lacked Faith? from 2020-01-24T11:00

James tells us that we have not because we ask not. But do we still lack sometimes because we don’t ask with enough faith? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Something Evil Only If It Harms Others? from 2020-01-22T11:00

Evil goes beyond the harm we commit against other humans. Evil is preferring anything above God, even if we harm no one in the process.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the State of Race Relations in the Church? from 2020-01-20T11:00

Our perceptions of race relations in the church are of some importance. God’s vision for where race relations are heading is of infinite importance.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is a Similar Sense of Calling Required for Marriage? from 2020-01-17T11:00

Most fundamentally, marriage is not a convenient matchup of vocations, but a covenant that displays the love Jesus has for his church. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Should I Parent My Non-Christian Teen? from 2020-01-15T11:00

Should parents require non-Christian teens to attend church with them? And if so, how do they avoid creating hypocrites of their kids? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Hell and the Cross Overkill for Sin? from 2020-01-13T11:00

The cross will seem like an overreaction as long as man is big and God is small. The essence of sin is not harm done to man, but indignities done to God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Respond to Claims That Christianity Is Dangerous? from 2020-01-10T11:00

How should Christians live in a culture that increasingly views our faith as bigoted, immoral, and even dangerous?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What Every Marriage Needs Most from 2020-01-08T11:00

What our marriages need most is probably not new and novel counsel from the latest book or seminar, but this one piece of timeless, biblical truth.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Respond to Sexual Dreams? from 2020-01-06T11:00

What do sexually illicit dreams reveal about our souls? Pastor John offers biblical principles for understanding dreams and practical ways to overcome them.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Should I Expect My First Time Through the Bible? from 2020-01-03T11:00

What can you expect when you set out on a journey through the entire Bible? Pastor John offers three cautions and nine life-transforming hopes for every Bible reader.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Personal Resolutions Effective or Futile? from 2020-01-01T11:00

Are New Year’s resolutions helpful, are they harmful, or are they just a setup for eventual failure?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
I Have a New Journaling Bible — How Should I Mark It Up? from 2019-12-30T11:00

Journaling Bibles can be a great way to go deeper in God’s word, but many feel paralyzed, not knowing what to write (or not).Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Concerned Should Christians Be with Consumerism? from 2019-12-27T11:00

In our good concern for what and how we consume, how do Christians keep from being consumed by ethical consumerism?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Was Christ Born into This World? from 2019-12-25T11:00

The wonder and glory of Christmas will never dry up because the manger lets loose waterfalls of mercy that will flow forever.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Use Christmas Dinner for Evangelism? from 2019-12-23T11:00

As we gather around the dinner table this Christmas, how might we share the gospel with family who don’t understand the meaning of Jesus’s birth?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does the Bible Forbid My Nativity Set? from 2019-12-20T11:00

The second commandment forbids using an image or likeness of God in worship. Does that mean we should take down our nativity sets? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Banish Low Thoughts of Christ? from 2019-12-18T11:00

The Christ who took on flesh and dwelt among us never had a beginning. He existed eternally before, and will be forever after. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Battle Subtle Temptations to Lust? from 2019-12-16T11:00

Victory over pornography use is no small thing, but that doesn’t mean our battle is over. God lays claim to every impulse in our hearts, however small.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will All Nations Be Reached Before Christ Returns? from 2019-12-13T11:00

Did the biblical writers expect Jesus to return at any moment, or were they waiting for certain events to take place before the end would come?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Deepest Desire of My Heart? from 2019-12-11T11:00

The greatest ache of the human heart is not to have wealth, comfort, or power, but to see and savor the glory of God in the face of Christ.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Christmas Create Racial Tensions? from 2019-12-11T01:10

Why was Jesus born a Jew? The incarnation undercuts all ethnic boasting and throws people from every tribe, tongue, and nation on the mercy of a Jewish man from Nazareth.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Not Good at My Job — Is the Lord Telling Me to Quit? from 2019-12-09T11:00

If we don’t see much success in a career we thought God called us to, did we misread his call?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Can I Revitalize My Church from the Pulpit? from 2019-12-06T11:00

Whether a church is healthy or needs revitalization, every local congregation needs a consistent window to the greatness and glory of God from the pulpit.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Happens When We Sing Together from 2019-12-04T11:00

Singing together is never just a formality in a church service. God uses truth in song to sustain, encourage, and recharge his people. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do I Still Struggle with My Pre-Conversion Sins? from 2019-12-02T11:00

Every believer is already new in Christ, and yet vestiges of our old selves remain. We must fight every day to become who we already are.Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Life Is Endless Drudgery — How Do I Find Joy in Christ? from 2019-11-29T11:00

The burdens and drudgery of life may feel like walls keeping you from joy. But inside these walls, God Almighty is working for your everlasting good.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Feast to the Glory of God? from 2019-11-27T11:00

If God made everything good, then do we honor him just by using what he has made? Pastor John explains the essential steps to God-honoring feasting.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Should I Handle My Regrets? from 2019-11-25T11:00

Every single one of us can look over our lives and find failures we regret. How do we deal with remorse in light of God’s mercy? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful to Watch Sin on a Screen? from 2019-11-22T11:00

Our culture saturates itself with entertainment that hardly gives a passing thought to God. Should Christians consume such media? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is the God-Centeredness of God Precious? from 2019-11-20T11:00

When you discover that God is not only perfectly glorious, but that everything he does is for his glory, your life may get flipped upside down.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Stay Attracted to My Aging Spouse? from 2019-11-18T11:00

Sexual desire doesn’t begin and end with physical attraction. God made us to cherish inner beauty and glory, not just looks that pass with age.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will We Pray in Heaven? from 2019-11-15T11:00

If heaven is a world of love, with no grief or pain or loss, then will we have any need to pray to God once we are there? Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Key to Our Victory over Sin from 2019-11-13T11:00

Only the grace of supernatural delight can empower us to resist the allure of sin’s constant temptations.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
I Feel No Sexual Attraction — Should I Still Pursue Marriage? from 2019-11-11T01:02

If someone’s sexual desires are low to the point of indifference, should he or she still be open to marriage down the road? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does the Bible Stress the Power of Jesus’s Name? from 2019-11-08T01:02

The Bible stresses repeatedly the power and greatness of Jesus’s name. But why does it emphasize his name, and not just his person? Listen

Ask Pastor John
‘I Don’t Believe in Christ — Why Is Faith So Hard?’ from 2019-11-06T01:02

If Jesus promises that his yoke is easy and his burden light, then why do some people struggle so much to put their faith in him? Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Has My Career Become My Idol? from 2019-11-04T01:02

If God created us for good works and wants us to labor diligently, then how do we determine when our career has become an idol? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Advice for Christians Who Work Sundays from 2019-11-01T01:02

If your job requires you to work on Sundays, how do you honor the Lord’s Day? Pastor John offers three pieces of counsel. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Did the Reformation Give Us? from 2019-10-30T01:02

Every Protestant owes a debt of gratitude to the Reformers, especially for one of their most precious gifts to us: expository exultation.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Stop Reading Dead White Guys? from 2019-10-28T01:02

Christians should judge a book not by the color of its author or the number of its century, but by the God-exalting or God-ignoring content of its pages.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Anyone Say, ‘I Am of Calvin’? from 2019-10-25T01:02

As we sit under preaching in our churches, what matters most is not how eloquent the teacher is, but how much truth shines forth in his content.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Makes a Sermon Good? from 2019-10-23T01:02

Sermons are more than a transfer of facts and stories. They are a part of worship that God uses to work miracles in both the preacher and the people.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Stay-at-Home Moms Take a Day Off? from 2019-10-21T01:02

With all the demands on our time, how can young families pace themselves to run the marathon of life without burning out halfway through?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are God’s Providence and God’s Sovereignty the Same? from 2019-10-18T01:02

God’s sovereignty is his right and power to do whatever he pleases. God’s providence is his wise and purposeful sovereignty.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When to Stop Listening to This Podcast from 2019-10-16T01:02

If God has given you elders in your local church and brothers and sisters in Christ, then why should you bother seeking wisdom from this podcast?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Follow God’s Will in the Face of Two Good Options? from 2019-10-14T01:02

God may not reveal every detail we want to know about our future, but he does promise to walk with us and direct our steps. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does the Bible Say About ‘National Coming Out Day’? from 2019-10-11T01:02

Our culture may celebrate sin and stifle truth, but that doesn’t mean we should lose hope. God can still grant an awakening.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Respond When a Pastor Leaves the Faith? from 2019-10-09T01:02

If we believe in the sovereignty of God, then how do we explain friends or prominent leaders who turn their backs on Jesus? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much ‘Lover’ Language Should We Use in Worship Songs? from 2019-10-07T01:02

Our song choices influence our churches nearly as much as our sermons. If we don’t choose our music with care, we aren’t shepherding well.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Call Out False Teachers or Ignore Them? from 2019-10-04T01:02

False teachers threaten churches all over the world. Every Christian, and especially pastors, should know how to respond to their danger.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Submit to My Unbelieving Husband? from 2019-10-02T01:02

A wife’s submission to her husband is qualified submission. She follows Jesus first, and then does whatever she can to honor her husband’s leadership.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Everyone Punished the Same in Hell? from 2019-09-30T01:02

The Bible describes degrees of happiness for the saints in heaven. Does that mean there are degrees of despair in hell? Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Most Bizarre Moment in Preaching from 2019-09-27T01:02

If John Piper wants Christians to find their ultimate happiness and joy in God, why hasn’t he ever told a joke from the pulpit? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Who Is John Piper? from 2019-09-25T01:02

We make plans and prepare for what’s ahead, but only God orders our steps. Pastor John shares his path toward a lifetime of fruitful ministry.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? from 2019-09-23T01:02

The Bible commands us to be baptized, but what does the water actually do? Does it save us, like 1 Peter 3:21 appears to say?Listen

Ask Pastor John
We’re Back! — Update from John Piper from 2019-09-20T01:02

Pastor John recently finished a book on the providence of God — the purposeful sovereignty of a heavenly Father who loves and cares for his children.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Live Like a Son Rather Than a Slave? from 2019-07-17T01:02

God has called us sons and daughters, but his people sometimes talk as if we were still slaves. What does it mean to talk like children of God?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does ‘Christ Live in Me’ (Galatians 2:20)? from 2019-07-15T01:02

When we are saved, we’re united to Christ by the Spirit. Our old self — our unbelieving, rebellious, sin-loving self — dies, and we live by the Spirit.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Jesus Teach Us to Sell All Our Possessions? from 2019-07-12T01:02

Jesus said, “Sell your possessions, and give to the needy.” Are we disobeying Jesus if we don’t literally give away all that we have? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Forgive My Parents for Childhood Abuse? from 2019-07-10T01:02

How can we forgive others who have hurt us deeply? Pastor John gives three practical suggestions for pursuing forgiveness. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Terrified of Giving Birth — Should I Still Pursue Marriage? from 2019-07-08T01:02

The fall has made childbirth painful and dangerous. But in Christ, the deepest dangers of the curse have been removed. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Survive This Midlife Crisis? from 2019-07-05T01:02

God keeps his children through midlife crises by empowering them to keep fighting to be kept.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Is God Just as Sovereign over Damnation as Salvation? from 2019-07-03T01:02

What role does God play in the redemption and damnation of sinners? Is he just as sovereign over both?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What Is a Father’s Role in Caring for an Infant? from 2019-07-01T01:02

A godly father will want to show God the Father to his children. He will want to model for them the heart of Jesus.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Would God Be Less Glorious If He Never Created? from 2019-06-28T01:02

If God created the world to display the fullness of his attributes, would he have been less glorious without creation? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is God Angry at Me When I Sin? from 2019-06-26T01:02

We go from a rebel against the King to a child of the King. God’s attitude toward us completely changes. But does he still get angry at us when we sin?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Heart of the Calvinist-Arminian Divide from 2019-06-24T01:02

Both Calvinists and Arminians see grace as powerful and necessary, but not in the same way. Pastor John gets at the heart of the theological divide.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Baptism of the Holy Spirit? from 2019-06-21T01:02

If you are a Christian, then you have the Holy Spirit. But is this the same as being baptized in the Holy Spirit? Pastor John explains the difference.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Trust God with the Eternal Destiny of My Child? from 2019-06-19T01:02

We know God will accomplish his purposes for good, but he doesn’t promise our children’s eternal good. How can we be satisfied in God with this unknown?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Ever Soften a Heart He Has Hardened? from 2019-06-17T01:02

When we think God has hardened someone’s heart, we should not assume that the hardening is permanent. God can and does break in and save.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Should a Husband Treat His Quarrelsome Wife? from 2019-06-14T01:02

“Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.” What are readers of Scripture supposed to learn from a proverb like this?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should My Boyfriend and I Travel Alone? from 2019-06-12T01:02

Is it wise for a girlfriend and boyfriend to travel together and stay in the same hotel? Should they? Pastor John gives three reasons why they shouldn’t.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Human Technologies Ever Threaten Divine Sovereignty? from 2019-06-10T01:02

At any moment, God can put a complete stop to the plans of man. Rebellious human plans never threaten a sovereign God. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Was Job a Man or a Myth? from 2019-06-07T01:02

Job is a profound book on human suffering, worthy of a lifetime of study. But was Job himself a real, historical character? And does it matter?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does God Discipline Some Christians with Death? from 2019-06-05T01:02

Why would God take some of his children home as a means of discipline when he could have prevented their sin another way? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Kill My Pride? from 2019-06-03T01:00

Faith kills pride by forcing us to look away from ourselves to God to receive the gift of salvation that we could never earn on our own.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do I Need to Love Myself More? from 2019-05-31T01:02

Jesus said we should love our neighbors as ourselves. How is this kind of self-love different from the mantra we hear in advertising and social media?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much Authority Does Satan Have in the World? from 2019-05-29T01:02

All Satan’s power is by permission. He has no authority to do anything God does not permit for infinitely wise purposes. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Christians Righteous or Unrighteous? from 2019-05-27T01:02

Are Christians righteous or unrighteous? Pastor John explains two forms of righteousness in Scripture that get to the core of the gospel.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Postpone Children While I Finish My Degree? from 2019-05-24T01:02

Deciding when to start a family can be complex. Pastor John shares how he and Noël decided, and what biblical truths should inform the process.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is It Better That Christ Went Away (John 16:7)? from 2019-05-22T01:02

It’s better for us that Jesus is gone. He said so when he left. But why is Christ’s physical absence from us better for us than his physical presence?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will Marriage Cure My Lust? from 2019-05-20T01:02

Sex in marriage, just like other physical gifts from God, is not an absolute cure for lust, but it can be a great help in the battle. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can an Elect Person Die Without Hearing the Gospel? from 2019-05-17T01:02

Letting the truth of election deter evangelism isn’t only illogical, but unbiblical. Pastor John shows how election moves us to action, not inaction.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should a Gay Couple, Once Converted, Stay ‘Married’? from 2019-05-15T01:02

The union of two men or women is not “gay marriage.” It’s no marriage. When they come to Christ, that former relationship has no binding authority.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful to Want to Die? from 2019-05-13T01:02

Pain surrounds us in this world, and for those in Christ, the exact opposite awaits us after we die. Is it sinful to want to die and be with Jesus?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Expect Revival or More Social Decay? from 2019-05-10T01:02

Scripture tells us that the last days will bring an upsurge of evil in the world. Does that mean we should stop expecting revivals to take place?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does the Gospel Speak to Self-Hate? from 2019-05-08T01:02

The Bible has a lot to say about the issue of self-hate. Where should we begin if we’re talking to a non-Christian who struggles in this area?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Christ’s Righteousness Cover My Joylessness? from 2019-05-06T01:00

Jesus is our substitute, the one who became sin so we might be saved. So does his righteousness also cover our joylessness? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Direct All the Details of My Life? from 2019-05-03T01:02

God’s sovereign control is complete, not partial. He governs every aspect of nature, every aspect of history, and every aspect of personal life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does It Mean to Live ‘in the Flesh’? from 2019-05-01T01:02

Over ninety times, Paul speaks of “the flesh.” So what does this word mean to the apostle? Pastor John forms a definition from two key passages.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Cremation Okay If I Give My Body to Science? from 2019-04-29T01:02

We testify to the hope of resurrection when we choose burial over cremation. But if we first donate our body to science, is cremation okay then?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Junk Food Dishonor God? from 2019-04-26T01:02

When it comes to food, many of us are in greater danger of judging people where we shouldn’t than of eating what we shouldn’t. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Want Jesus to Be My Treasure — Is the Wanting Enough? from 2019-04-24T01:02

Our satisfaction in God will be in measure, not in fullness, until the day we see him face-to-face.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
My Joy Is So Short-Lived — How Do I Make It Last? from 2019-04-22T01:02

God promises lasting joy. But what should we do when we feel full on Sunday but empty by Monday?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What’s the Significance of Simon Carrying Jesus’s Cross? from 2019-04-19T01:02

Matthew, Mark, and Luke all tell us that Simon of Cyrene helped carry Jesus’s cross. What’s the significance of this story? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Where Was the Holy Spirit on Good Friday? from 2019-04-17T01:02

At the cross, the triune God was at work, securing our redemption. But what role did the Holy Spirit play in Jesus’s crucifixion? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is There Any Place for Fear in the Christian Life? from 2019-04-15T01:02

Fear does not govern the Christian life. But we have a skewed view of the Christian life if we exclude fear.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Does God Answer Today’s Skeptics? from 2019-04-12T01:02

Many of today’s skeptics ask questions that God himself has already addressed. Sometimes, we just need to hear how God responds to his critics.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do Christians Survive in Middle-Class America? from 2019-04-10T01:00

“Woe to you who are rich. Woe to you who are full now. Woe to you who laugh.” What do Jesus’s woes mean for middle-class Americans? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Sovereignty of God? from 2019-04-08T01:02

God’s sovereignty over all creation is one of the grandest themes in the Bible. Pastor John overviews some of the basics. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Have Kids If They Might End Up in Hell? from 2019-04-05T01:02

Every child is an eternal being, someone who will live forever. So if our children may end up in hell, would we be better off not having kids?Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Eager to Pastor Now — Should I Skip Seminary? from 2019-04-03T01:02

With so many urgent spiritual needs in the world, is it wise to spend years of life in a seminary classroom? If someone is eager for ministry, why wait?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did Jesus Need to ‘Become Superior’ to Angels? from 2019-04-01T01:02

If Jesus is God, why does the Bible say that he “became” superior to angels? Hasn’t he always been superior to angels? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much Can Christians Learn from Non-Christians? from 2019-03-29T01:02

Christians can learn many important facts from non-Christian teachers. But they cannot learn the most important facts — or how to love them.Listen

Ask Pastor John
He Killed His Wife and Children — Can He Really Be Forgiven? from 2019-03-27T01:02

Chris Watts murdered his pregnant wife and two daughters. A few months into his prison sentence, he said he found God. Can he really be forgiven?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does the Old Testament Alienate the Disabled? from 2019-03-25T01:02

In the Old Testament, the disabled were excluded from the holy place. In the New Testament, Jesus touched and healed the disabled. Why the difference?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does God Choose Some and Not Others? from 2019-03-22T01:02

God could have chosen all to inherit eternal life, but he didn’t. So why would God choose some and not choose others? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Money, Mardi Gras, and Something Far Better: Stories from South America from 2019-03-20T01:02

Dozens of countries are experiencing a resurgence of biblical Christianity. Pastor John shares several stories from his recent trip to Brazil and Argentina.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Resist Smartphone Overuse? from 2019-03-08T01:02

Your smartphone is changing you, whether you realize it or not. Tony Reinke explains the costs of smartphone overuse, and how we can resist. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can a Coin Flip Reveal God’s Will for My Life? from 2019-02-27T01:00

Making a decision with a coin flip glorifies chance. But making a decision from a renewed mind glorifies God.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
My Girlfriend Affirms Homosexual Love — Is This a Deal-Breaker? from 2019-02-25T01:02

“My girlfriend affirms homosexual love — is this a deal-breaker?” Yes. Pastor John gives five reasons why.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What Does Jesus Mean by ‘I Never Knew You’? from 2019-02-22T01:00

When Jesus says, “I never knew you,” he means, “I don’t recognize you as my disciple, as my follower. You are a spiritual stranger to me.”Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Husband Is Passive — What Can I Do? from 2019-02-20T01:00

God may use you to change your spouse. But if you press in to him, no matter how disappointed you are in marriage, he will certainly change you.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Break My Entertainment Addiction? from 2019-02-18T01:00

As God’s child, you are not enslaved to entertainment or anything else. Christ has purchased a way out for you.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Much Entertainment Is Too Much? from 2019-02-15T01:00

Watching a movie, playing a board game, reading a novel — is God disappointed if we use free time for these instead of reading Scripture and praying?Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m an Anxious Person — How Do I ‘Rest in Christ’? from 2019-02-13T01:00

In Jesus, God has given us what we need to rest — even while we work. To every anxious soul, Jesus says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest.”Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I See the Beauty of God? from 2019-02-04T01:00

Seeing and loving art and seeing and loving divine glory are not the same. They require different ways of seeing. So how can we see the beauty of God?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Street Evangelism Better Than Building Relationships? from 2019-02-01T01:00

God has not given us a formula for when to share the gospel quickly and when to share over time in the context of a relationship. Both are needed.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Global Missions Requires Healthy Churches from 2019-01-30T01:01

The Great Commission isn’t disconnected from the church — it’s given to the church. God designed the local church and missions to be wed together.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Hell Motivate Our Missionaries? from 2019-01-28T01:00

We cannot afford to ignore hell. Christians must care about suffering, but especially eternal suffering. And it must mobilize us to go and to send.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Feel Trapped in My Job — What Should I Do? from 2019-01-25T01:00

We were made to work, and we are happy only if we do work. But what should we do if our job makes us feel trapped, not fulfilled? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Your Career Could Crush You from 2019-01-23T01:00

If we are not finding purpose in our work from God, then we will likely turn our job into a means of self-fulfillment and self-advancement.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Investing in Stocks Any Better Than Gambling? from 2019-01-21T01:00

Wherever we put our money, we are accepting risk. So is there any difference between educated sports gambling and investing in stocks? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Jesus Endorse Polygamy in the Parable of the Ten Virgins? from 2019-01-18T01:00

“The bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast.” Did Jesus endorse polygamy here? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is God Withholding Marriage from Me? from 2019-01-16T01:00

How can single people who desire marriage keep those desires in proper perspective? Pastor John offers six ways to cultivate godly desire.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Calvinists Inconsistent with Romans 9? from 2019-01-14T01:00

God sends the wicked to hell because they deserve it. God welcomes the humble to heaven because Christ secured it. This isn’t inconsistent. This is the gospel.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can We Prioritize Our Marriage over Work and Kids? from 2019-01-11T01:00

Marriages die from neglect but grow with God-centered time and attention. Pastor John gives six ways to feed your marriage the time it needs.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Does Bible Neglect Become Sinful? from 2019-01-09T01:00

When does diminishing time in God’s word become sinful? Pastor John identifies five symptoms of Bible neglect.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
I’m Tired and Busy — How Do I Make Time for the Bible? from 2019-01-07T01:00

We wake up every day needing to meet God in his word. Don’t leave the word to fill the cracks. Force other things into the cracks. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Have an Hour a Day to Read — How Much Should Be Bible? from 2019-01-04T01:00

If I have only an hour a day to read, how should I divide my time between the Bible and great Christian books?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Three Reasons to Read the Bible Every Day in 2019 from 2019-01-02T01:00

As we begin another year of Bible reading, Pastor John takes us back to the basics: feed your motivation, grow in skill, and pray for illumination.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Make the Most of Daily Bible Reading? from 2018-12-31T01:00

As you plan your Bible reading for 2019, know yourself, know your tendencies, but know most of all that you desperately need God’s word.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can a Christian Survive in Silicon Valley? from 2018-12-28T01:00

Can the Christlike virtues of patience, forgiveness, and gentleness survive in a cutthroat technology sector like Silicon Valley? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Welcome Christ at Christmas? from 2018-12-25T01:00

The famous hymn calls every heart to “prepare him room.” But what does it mean to receive Christ this Christmas?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What Makes Christmas So Controversial? from 2018-12-23T01:00

The wrath of God is our biggest problem. If it didn’t exist, we wouldn’t need the gospel, and we wouldn’t need Christmas. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Rapture? from 2018-12-21T01:00

Will Christians be raptured before the tribulation? Or will we rise to meet the Lord only at his final coming?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Will We Meet Jesus as Soon as We Die? from 2018-12-19T01:02

We often say that our dead loved ones are with Jesus now. But Paul seems to say that Christians will meet Jesus at the second coming. Which is right?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Will Christ ‘Reconcile’ Unbelievers to Himself? from 2018-12-17T01:00

Colossians 1:20 says that Christ will reconcile “all things” to himself. Does that include demons and unbelievers?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Why Do We Give Christmas Gifts? from 2018-12-14T01:00

Gift giving, done rightly, doesn’t distract from the meaning of Christmas. Pastor John puts Christmas gifts in biblical context. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Should I Tell My Kids About Santa? from 2018-12-12T01:00

If we think Christ cannot compete with Santa in the hearts of our children, we don’t know the real Christ.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Do We Know Jesus Is the Messiah? from 2018-12-10T01:00

When we say “Jesus Christ,” we should be thinking “Jesus the Messiah”: the promised Priest, King, and Prophet, the one God anointed to redeem us.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Will Die Young — How Do I Fight for Hope? from 2018-12-07T01:00

When the prognosis is an early death, how can we live in a courageous manner that honors God and refuses to be jaded toward him? Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Friend Claims She’s Gay — What Do I Say? from 2018-12-05T01:02

What do you say when a professing Christian is ready to embrace the gay lifestyle? Pastor John offers a place to start. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do Introverts Guard Against Selfishness? from 2018-12-03T01:00

Instead of seeing introversion as a fatalistic limitation, ask, “How can I make my peculiar personality bent a means of grace to others?”Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is the Ministry Called ‘Desiring God’? from 2018-11-30T01:00

Why did Pastor John name his book and ministry “Desiring God” instead of “Enjoying God,” “Delighting in God,” or “Rejoicing in God”? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Will Become of Christian Hedonism After You’re Gone? from 2018-11-28T01:00

What will happen to Christian Hedonism in generations to come? Pastor John shares eight dangers for young Christian Hedonists. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does Christian Hedonism Add to Reformed Theology? from 2018-11-26T00:00

Christian Hedonism does not revise Reformed theology. Rather, it clarifies one of the central assumptions of Reformed theology. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Ever Go Through the Motions in Worship? from 2018-11-23T01:00

Is there an alternative between empty, duty-driven worship and spontaneous, joyful worship? Pastor John gives six marks of a middle way.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do I Need to ‘Hear from God’ Before I Make a Decision? from 2018-11-21T01:00

We all want to know we are making the right decisions. To decide wisely, do we need to hear from God beyond what he has already written?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Respond to Blasphemous Thoughts? from 2018-11-19T01:00

All of us experience harassing thoughts. Where do these thoughts come from? And how do we respond?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Seven Ways This Podcast Will Kill Your Joy from 2018-11-16T01:00

This podcast could bring life and joy, or it could be a deadly weapon in the enemy’s hands. Pastor John explains how not to use Ask Pastor John.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Comes First: My Obedience to Jesus or My Joy in Jesus? from 2018-11-14T01:00

Does our obedience or our joy come first? Pastor John explains that joy-driven obedience is the only obedience worth pursuing. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Pray for Healing and Honor God’s ‘No’? from 2018-11-12T01:00

Our greatest hope in prayer is not getting what we asked for, but rather in the goodness of our Father, who always gives what is best for his children.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does My Sexual Past Make Me Unsavable? from 2018-11-09T01:00

Our past sexual sin is not beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness — unless we don’t give it up. It’s not too late to turn and receive God’s mercy.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Jesus Commend Dishonesty in Luke 16? from 2018-11-07T01:00

What was Jesus commending in the parable of the dishonest manager, and what are the implications for Christians today? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can God Be Sovereign and Good and Allow Suffering? from 2018-11-05T01:00

God designs all our weaknesses — even those that leave us unable to do anything. And one of his purposes in our weaknesses is to sanctify the strong.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Gender Roles Apply Beyond Marriage? from 2018-11-02T00:00

God designed us as male and female for his glory. And he intends for us to reflect him in every relationship, not just marriage. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is Union with Christ? from 2018-10-31T00:00

What does it mean to be united to Christ? Pastor John shows how we can begin to mine the riches of this doctrine from Scripture. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful to Gamble on Fantasy Sports? from 2018-10-29T00:00

Gambling your money — whether at a slot machine or with your fantasy team — is not just unwise. It is sin. Pastor John gives seven reasons why. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Read the Bible for Teenagers from 2018-10-26T00:00

When the teenage years come, we get to teach our kids how to move from reading the Bible to studying it. Here are seven places to start.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Question Someone’s Salvation at the End of His Life? from 2018-10-24T00:00

How do we approach the deathbeds of professing Christians whose faith we are not sure is real? Pastor John offers four ways to love them.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Didn’t Treasure Christ When I First Believed — Was I Unsaved? from 2018-10-22T00:03

Treasuring Christ is a key ingredient to saving faith. But what if you don’t remember treasuring him when you were converted?Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Girlfriend Is Pregnant — What Do I Do Next? from 2018-10-19T00:00

A premarital pregnancy means a couple has chosen sin over God. But it doesn’t mean they need to continue to make that choice.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Premarital Pregnancy Nullify ‘Unequally Yoked’? from 2018-10-17T00:00

God clearly calls believers to marry only believers. But does a premarital pregnancy introduce an exception?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Why Does Piper Avoid Politics and What’s Trending? from 2018-10-15T00:00

In general, Pastor John avoids talking about politics, breaking news, and hot trends. Why doesn’t he address such cultural issues more often?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does John Piper Journal? from 2018-10-12T00:00

God does not require any of us to keep a journal. But journaling may help some of us see Christ, love Christ, and become like Christ. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Depression Disqualify a Pastor? from 2018-10-10T00:00

At what point, if any, does depression or joylessness disqualify a pastor from ministry? Pastor John gives several factors to consider.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When You Sin at Home: Learning to Pause and Repent from 2018-10-08T00:00

Many of us spend our days running around with few breaks. So how do we repent of our sins when we find it hard to pause even for a moment?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How John Piper Became a ‘Christian Hedonist’ from 2018-10-05T00:00

How does our passion for happiness fit with God’s passion for glory? Pastor John lived with this tension for years, until he found Christian Hedonism.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are We Fighting Against Sin or for Joy? from 2018-10-03T00:00

Should we focus on fighting against our sin? Or should we focus on fighting for pleasure in God, which will in turn kill our sin? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Raise Our Hands in Worship? from 2018-10-01T00:00

Should we lift our hands during musical worship, or keep them in our pockets? Pastor John shares some principles from Scripture and his own experience.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Raise Children in a Pornographic Culture from 2018-09-28T00:00

What can parents do to protect their children from pornography? Pastor John shares eleven ways to guard our families. Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Funding Dried Up — Is This My Sign to Leave the Ministry? from 2018-09-26T00:00

If my funding dries up, is this God’s sign that I should leave the mission field? Pastor John suggests three ways to interpret a lack of funding.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Part Does God Play in Positive Social Change? from 2018-09-24T00:00

When good happens in society — a government is fixed, slavery is abolished, or minorities are given equality — is God secretly at work?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Attend the Wedding of a Couple Already Living Together? from 2018-09-21T00:00

Whether we attend the wedding of a couple living together or decide to stay home, we are saying something. So what exactly should we say?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Teach ‘Christian Hedonism’ to My Kids? from 2018-09-19T00:00

Children don’t need to use the label “Christian Hedonism,” but parents can help them grasp what it means to be happy in God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Ever Take an Action I Don’t ‘Have Peace’ About? from 2018-09-17T00:00

Peace and calm are not the only factors in determining what we should do. Pastor John explains what else should govern our decisions. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Five Ways Jesus Changes Our Relationship to the Old Testament from 2018-09-14T00:00

How do Christians know which Old Testament laws apply to them? Pastor John explains five ways Jesus shapes our approach to the Old Testament.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Place of Faith in My Unanswered Prayers? from 2018-09-12T00:00

When God consistently answers prayers with “no,” many of us wonder if our faith is the problem. So what role does faith play in unanswered prayers?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Hope Does God Offer in My Depression? from 2018-09-10T00:00

God promises hope to the downcast, fullness of life to the broken, and joy to the depressed. Here are five passages to turn to when darkness falls.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Ministering Without R.C. Sproul from 2018-09-07T00:00

R.C. Sproul went home to be with the Lord on December 14, 2017. Burk Parsons shares what it’s like to live and minister without him. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Real Sermons Are Not Lectures or Moral Stories from 2018-09-05T00:00

Pastors are not merely teachers or lecturers. They are shepherds to needy sheep. Burk Parsons describes the kind of sermons a shepherd should give.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Feed My Joy in Jesus Every Morning? from 2018-09-03T00:00

If Christ is not our supreme treasure, something else will gladly take his place. So how do we preserve our joy in God through the day?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Choose Good Books and Grow My Library? from 2018-08-31T00:00

Millions of books compete for our attention, but only a fraction of them are worth reading. So where do we start when trying to grow our library?Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Have Chronic Fatigue — How Do I Not Waste My Life? from 2018-08-29T00:00

How do people not waste their lives if a chronic illness has stolen their strengths, taken their time, and put them in bed all day? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Self-Esteem Ruins Bible Reading from 2018-08-27T00:00

A relentless pursuit of self-esteem can increase your confidence and soothe your emotions. And it can also ruin your Bible reading. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Has Social Media Changed Bible Reading? from 2018-08-24T00:00

Hand-lettered verses on Instagram may comfort and encourage us, but they will never suffice. We need more than devotional tidbits to survive.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Women of the Word: Reading the Bible for Ourselves from 2018-08-22T00:00

Comprehension, interpretation, and application — these three steps from Jen Wilkin have helped thousands of women dive deep into God’s word.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Wrong for Men to Have Long Hair? from 2018-08-20T00:00

Long hair may be acceptable for men today, but that doesn’t mean we can ignore what Paul was saying to the Corinthians. Pastor John explains why.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Respect Others While Rejecting Their False Beliefs? from 2018-08-17T00:00

How do we respect Buddhist priests? How about imams? Pastor John helps explain how to treat everyone with respect but still make our differences known.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Piper’s Reflections After a Mainline Church Service from 2018-08-15T00:00

Pastor John shares six tragic observations from a mainline church, and a helpful report card to check our tendencies to make assumptions about God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Can We Learn from the Jordan Peterson Phenomenon? from 2018-08-13T00:00

Jordan Peterson has a bestselling book and a fast-growing following, especially among young men. What should Christians learn from him?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is My Child Disabled? from 2018-08-10T00:00

God could have prevented every disability we know today, but he didn’t. And he has ten thousand reasons why.

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Ask Pastor John
Three Threats to the Joy of This Generation from 2018-08-08T00:00

God wants his people to have serious joy. But at least three obstacles threaten the joy and the seriousness of this generation. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Point of My Life? from 2018-08-06T00:00

All people want to be a part of something larger than themselves. This is no accident. God designed you to join him in his goal of global glory.Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Most-Used Promises from 2018-08-03T00:00

We kill sin with superior promises. Pastor Piper shares his most-used promises and how they have served him over the decades.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Win the War for Morning Devotions from 2018-08-01T00:00

When you wake up more interested in Twitter than God’s word, the battle is not lost. It has just begun. Fight to get into his word. Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Miracle of Waiting Faithfully from 2018-07-30T00:00

Whether we’re hoping for a job, a spouse, or something else, no one likes to patiently wait. But God transforms us in our waiting. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Cling to God — When Life Feels Easy? from 2018-07-27T00:00

We’re needy people. But when life’s going well, we often forget just how needy we really are.

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Ask Pastor John
How Much Joy Can We Really Expect in This Life? from 2018-07-25T00:00

In this life, our indwelling sin clouds our joy in God. But every Christian has the promise of never-ending, ever-increasing joy in God’s presence.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Make War on Your Urge to Sulk from 2018-07-23T00:00

We all know that anger will only wound those around us. But its silent brother, sulking, can be just as deadly.

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Ask Pastor John
When God Answers ‘No’ to Our Prayers from 2018-07-20T00:00

How do we not let a no from God squelch our joy in him? John Piper offers two anchors of hope to help us remain steady in the struggle.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Navigate Conversations About Sexual Identity from 2018-07-18T00:00

A harvest awaits Christians in the gay community. Sam Allberry shares how he engages LGBT students with the message of Jesus.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Am I Less Human If I’m Sexually Unfulfilled? from 2018-07-16T00:00

You don’t need sex to be happy. Jesus never married, never had a romantic relationship, never had sex, and he was the most complete man to ever live.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Christian Debate over Sexual Identity from 2018-07-13T00:00

Sam Allberry, who has been attracted to the same sex his whole life, gives an insider’s take on the current debates over sexual identity.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Want Me to Be Happy or Holy? from 2018-07-11T00:00

Does God want us to be happy or holy? How are holiness and happiness not at odds, but work together?

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Ask Pastor John
Did Paul and Moses Prioritize Mission over Joy in God? from 2018-07-09T00:00

If Moses and Paul wished to be personally damned so others could be saved, didn’t they prioritize mission for others over joy in God? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does John Piper Add (Joy) to the Gospel? from 2018-07-06T00:00

We don’t receive Jesus in a saving way when we receive him as a ticket out of hell. He’s not a ticket. He’s a treasure — the greatest treasure.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Universalism Distorts the Grace of God from 2018-07-04T00:00

When everyone gets grace, no one actually gets grace. Michael McClymond explains how universalism expels the biblical view of grace. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Universalism Is ‘Alive and Well’ — How Do We Oppose It? from 2018-07-02T00:00

What is Christian universalism, and how should we respond? Michael McClymond, author of a new book on the topic, details the basics. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did C.S. Lewis Warn Against Christian Hedonism? from 2018-06-29T00:00

Do Christian Hedonists call people to experience a level of joy now that will be available only in heaven?

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Ask Pastor John
What Does It Feel Like to See the Beauty of Christ? from 2018-06-27T00:00

We often miss Christ’s beauty in his word because our hearts are out of sync. Pastor John explains how he prepares his heart to meet God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is God Glorified in Those Who Reject Him? from 2018-06-25T00:00

We know God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. But is God at all glorified in those who reject him? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What 40-Year-Old David Platt Would Say to His 20-Year-Old Self from 2018-06-22T00:00

David Platt, like all of us, has past regrets and future hopes. Here’s what he would say to his 20-year-old self.

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Ask Pastor John
Isn’t the Joy-Centered Life Just an Emotional Roller Coaster? from 2018-06-20T00:00

If our affections are the thermometer of our relationship with God, how can we remain stable through all our emotional ups and downs? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Find God’s Will for My Life? from 2018-06-18T00:00

Security, comfort, and wealth aren’t the primary guides for our job decisions. God is. But how do we discern his will? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Scripture Forbid Entrepreneurs from Raising Big Money? from 2018-06-15T00:00

A bank account with seven, eight, or nine zeros is not necessarily sinful. But it is dangerous for hearts that easily treasure dollar signs.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Overcome Crippling Self-Consciousness? from 2018-06-13T00:00

An excessive self-focus leads to either discouragement or pride. So what steps can we take to conquer the curse of self-consciousness? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Where Is Satan Most Visibly Active Today? from 2018-06-11T00:00

Wherever saving truth is hated, distorted, and muted, Satan is at work. Our best weapon against him is to tell and live the truth. Listen

Ask Pastor John
A Word to Strengthen Parents of Disabled Children from 2018-06-08T00:00

Caring for a disabled child often goes unthanked and unrecognized in this world. But God sees every sacrifice, and he will reward you. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Overcome My Fear of Death? from 2018-06-06T00:00

Everything we need in life and death was bought by the blood of Jesus. We have nothing to fear — not even death.

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Ask Pastor John
Should Christians Save for Retirement? from 2018-06-04T00:00

The Bible doesn’t have a category for retiring from ministry. We may retire from a paid vocation, but never from loving and serving others.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Drug Users and Christian Hedonists — Aren’t Both Just Chasing the Next High? from 2018-06-01T00:00

Both drug users and Christians feel ups and downs. But the parallels end there. Pastor John gives five reasons why the experiences are different.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can We Tweet to the Glory of God? from 2018-05-30T00:00

Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat — they allow us to say more words to more people than ever before. So how can we use them for an eternal purpose?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Secret to Fighting Anxiety from 2018-05-28T00:00

Worry gains us nothing. As soon as we discover we have a problem, God has already been working on it, and the solution is on the way. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Sing of God’s ‘Reckless Love’? from 2018-05-25T00:00

Is the term “reckless” too reckless? Pastor John offers pastors, worship leaders, and congregations ways to think about the popular lyrics.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is My Joy Essential in Glorifying God? from 2018-05-23T00:00

Our enjoyment of God is not only a response to God’s glory — it is the way we glorify him. Therefore, joy in God is not optional. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Reflections on the Seashells Sermon, 18 Years Later from 2018-05-21T00:00

Eighteen years after OneDay 2000, Pastor John reflects on a sermon that roused thousands of young people to not waste their lives. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Know If a Sermon Is Too Long or Too Short? from 2018-05-18T00:00

Is there an ideal sermon length? Pastor John gives five factors to consider when trying to decide how long to preach. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Place of Eloquence in Christian Preaching? from 2018-05-16T00:00

From alliteration and assonance to metaphors, imagery, and illustrations — what role does creativity, imagination, and rhetoric have in preaching?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Read the Bible — and Preach It from 2018-05-14T00:00

Good sermons and good Bible reading push into a writer’s words, grammar, and logic to embrace all the glorious realities behind them. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Piper’s Six-Stage Process for Writing Books from 2018-05-11T00:00

After writing over fifty books, Pastor John explains his six-stage process, from gathering the initial idea to seeing the project come to life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does God’s Sovereignty Not Violate Our Decision-Making? from 2018-05-09T00:00

How does God’s sovereignty not make us robots? Pastor John explores the relationship between God’s sovereignty and the human will in seven steps.Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Body: Friend or Foe? from 2018-05-07T00:00

True freedom from body hatred does not come from finally liking what we see in the mirror. It comes from being swept up in the greatness of God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Isn’t God Most Glorified in Me When I Am Most Self-Giving? from 2018-05-04T00:00

Enjoying God and loving our neighbors are not competing goals. True love is the overflow of joy in God that meets the needs of others. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Keep Your Faith When You Lose Confidence in a Local Church from 2018-05-02T00:00

Christian community is a precious gift from God. But our love for the community must never replace our love for the Lord of the community.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do We See So Few Miracles Today? from 2018-04-30T00:00

There were fewer miracles in the Bible than many of us think, and there are more miracles today than many of us know. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Where the Gospel of Roman Catholicism Fails from 2018-04-27T00:00

Protestants insist that God imputes Christ’s righteousness to believers, while the Catholic Church claims that he imparts it. What’s the difference?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Paul’s Missions Leave Us with a Geographic Pattern to Follow? from 2018-04-25T00:00

Paul’s missionary journeys do not mandate how we should do missions today, but we can certainly learn from the methods he used. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Will Some of Us Get Fewer Rewards in Heaven? from 2018-04-23T00:00

There will be no envy in heaven. Perfect love will reign. Those who have more will have humility; those who have less will rejoice in others’ gifts.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will Profanity Make Us More Relevant in Reaching Our Culture? from 2018-04-20T00:00

Crude language won’t transform the culture. It won’t convict sinners. It may make us more relatable, but in the end it will backfire. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can We Skip the Parts of the New Testament Not in the Original Manuscripts? from 2018-04-18T00:00

The first manuscripts of the Bible no longer exist, but that doesn’t need to shake Christians’ faith. Pastor John gives three reasons why.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do the Biblical Warnings Against Riches Apply to Most Americans? from 2018-04-16T00:00

The aim of wartime simplicity is not to be as poor as possible, but to use all of our resources for the advancement of the gospel. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Have I Really Forgiven Someone If I Keep Remembering Their Wrong? from 2018-04-13T00:00

The sign of forgiveness is not that you forget the pain another caused you, but that you relinquish the desire to punish, and instead seek their good.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Avoid the Pitfalls of Too Little Introspection and Too Much? from 2018-04-11T00:00

Self-examination can quickly turn into self-condemnation. Pastor John offers three strategies to keep introspection in its proper place.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Do We Intervene in Other People’s Conflicts? from 2018-04-09T00:00

God calls Christians to be peacemakers. But when and how should we intervene in other people’s conflicts?

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Ask Pastor John
Does the Bible Portray Women as Emotional and Men as Rational? from 2018-04-06T00:00

Our culture often stereotypes women as hyperemotional and men as rational. But is this a biblical dichotomy?

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Ask Pastor John
How Do I Show Kindness to My Children and Expect Them to Obey? from 2018-04-04T00:00

How do we teach our children to respect our God-given authority, while also treating them with Christlike humility and servant leadership?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is the Great Commission for Every Individual Christian? from 2018-04-02T00:00

God may not call you to move to another country to join the Great Commission, but he has called you to play a significant part. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Reformed Theology Impede Racial Reconciliation? from 2018-03-30T00:00

Some have suggested Reformed theology is a hurdle to racial harmony. Pastor John explains why the opposite has been true over decades of urban ministry.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Dating: Good Jealousy and Bad from 2018-03-28T00:00

Is all jealousy bad? No, God models perfect jealousy, and calls us to have the same zeal for his glory in all we do — even in dating. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful for My Husband and Me to Pray Against Pregnancy? from 2018-03-26T00:00

God’s highest priority is not for us to have children, but for us to have Christ-exalting faith that overflows in meeting the needs of others.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Isn’t It Loving to My Family to Prepare for Doomsday? from 2018-03-23T00:00

Has a husband and father failed in his God-given responsibility if his family is suffering when he could have prevented it? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Climb the Corporate Ladder — for Jesus’s Sake from 2018-03-21T00:00

How can we glorify God in our jobs? Pastor John offers ten reflections to help Christians integrate their Christian life with their working life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Midlife Crisis — and Counsel for Yours from 2018-03-19T00:00

Some men may avoid a midlife crisis, but many of us will face one. Pastor John describes his own midlife crisis, and how God carried him through. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Sex-Abuse Allegations and the Egalitarian Myth from 2018-03-16T00:00

For fifty years, our culture has denied that men have any unique responsibility to care for and protect women. It was a myth, and it isn’t working.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When God Feels Distant, He May Want Us to Grow Up from 2018-03-14T00:00

When God feels distant, he may be calling us away from a flimsy faith to a tough, unshakable allegiance to Jesus.

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Ask Pastor John
God’s Sovereign Plans Behind Your Most Unproductive Days from 2018-03-12T00:00

God’s priorities for efficiency in this life are not ours. His aim is not to provide the most direct route, but to sanctify the traveler.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Avoid Over-Thinking (or Under-Thinking) the Christian Life? from 2018-03-09T00:00

The Bible calls us not to over-think, under-think, think poorly, or think falsely. So how can we avoid slipping into these ruts? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Christians Carry More Emotional Stress Than Non-Christians? from 2018-03-07T00:00

Many believers experience deep emotional stress over the sin and pain in the world. When these emotions become paralyzing, what should we do?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Christians Are Marrying Later — How Do I Wait in Faith? from 2018-03-05T00:00

Although some singles are delaying marriage for the wrong reasons, many are not. What does God say to those who yearn to marry but have no prospects?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will We Be Finally ‘Saved’ by Faith Alone? from 2018-03-02T00:00

Protestants have long championed justification by faith alone. But we distort this truth when we confuse justification and final salvation.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Reproductive Technologies Oppose God’s Design? from 2018-02-28T00:00

What encouragement does God give to those who are the product of reproductive technology and feel like they were abandoned by a biological parent?Listen

Ask Pastor John
In What Way Will Christians Judge Angels? from 2018-02-26T00:00

In the new heavens and new earth, Christians will sit with Jesus on his throne. Ordinary believers will join God in judging the universe.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Cessationists Miss Out on the Full Joys of Christianity? from 2018-02-23T00:00

God calls us to pursue our fullest joy in him. Will we fall short if we don’t pursue the extraordinary supernatural gifts like tongues and prophecy?Listen

Ask Pastor John
On the Day Billy Graham Died from 2018-02-21T23:59

In this special episode, Pastor John reflects on the life and legacy of Billy Graham.

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Ask Pastor John
Can a Devout Roman Catholic Be Genuinely Born Again? from 2018-02-21T00:00

Roman Catholic teaching has led many astray, even into destruction. But are there some genuine Christians in the Roman Catholic Church?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does ‘Willful Sinning’ Threaten My Salvation? from 2018-02-19T00:00

All sin involves the will. But continuing to sin deliberately — with eagerness and persistence — will destroy the soul. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Isn’t Veganism Closer to God’s Original Design? from 2018-02-16T00:00

Bacon, ground beef, sausage — God allows us to eat meat. But he didn’t always allow it. Is it wise to return to a pre-fall diet? Listen

Ask Pastor John
In What Sense Did Christ Die for the Non-Elect? from 2018-02-14T00:00

Don’t let the truth of God’s electing love prevent you from declaring that Christ died for all. Whoever believes in him will have eternal life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Avoiding Pride in a World of Selfie Sticks and Social Media Platforms from 2018-02-12T00:00

Instagram selfies, Facebook updates, and endless Snaps feed off our self-focus and self-exaltation. But the sins behind the technology are not new.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Jesus Advocate Castration to Break Sex Addiction? from 2018-02-09T00:00

If you pluck out your right eye to fight lust, your left eye will pick up the slack. We need more than self-mutilation to fight this enemy.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Important Is It to Confess My Sin to Someone Other Than God? from 2018-02-07T00:00

The New Testament teaches that Christians should confess their sins regularly — not only to God, but also to each other. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Jesus Say I’d Be Healthier If My Faith Were Stronger? from 2018-02-05T00:00

If you have a mustard seed of faith and mountains aren’t moving, you may have the wrong kind of faith — or God may have a better plan. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Fight Pride When Competing in School, Business, and Sports? from 2018-02-02T00:00

Grading on a curve, competing for a job against others, sports-team tryouts — how do we seek the good of others when they are our rivals?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Two Strategies to Win the War on Lust from 2018-01-31T00:00

God calls us to not only resist lustful thoughts, but to fill our minds with the beauties of Christ so that our desires gradually conform to his.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Following Christ Is Costly — But How Do You Count the Cost? from 2018-01-29T00:00

We don’t get to negotiate the cost of following Christ. But there is no cost you can pay that won’t be made up a thousandfold in the resurrection.Listen

Ask Pastor John
“Let Your Light Shine” — Should I Instagram My Good Works? from 2018-01-26T00:00

Jesus commands us to do our good deeds in secret, but he also commands us to let our good deeds shine before others. How can we do both?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is This Life Too Short to Determine Our Eternal Destiny? from 2018-01-24T00:00

God would be just to condemn us even if we only sinned for five seconds. The time it takes us to sin does not measure the gravity of the offense.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is There a Place for Female Professors at Seminary? from 2018-01-22T00:00

Seminary professors need to be more than competent exegetes, linguists, or theologians. They need to embody the pastoral office. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God’s Happiness Depend on Mine? from 2018-01-19T00:00

When one sinner repents, God and his angels rejoice in heaven. Does that mean that God’s happiness depends on ours?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Value Is the Old Testament to the Christian Life? from 2018-01-17T00:00

All Scripture is profitable — not just the pages of the New Testament. But how should Christians read the Old Testament in light of Christ’s coming?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Love the Non-Elect? from 2018-01-15T00:00

God has a special love for his adopted children, but that does not mean he has no love for those who reject him.

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Ask Pastor John
Do Non-Christians Ever Please God? from 2018-01-12T00:00

Can a non-Christian ever please God? If not, how should we understand the account of Cornelius in Acts 10?

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Ask Pastor John
What’s Wrong with Dressing Immodestly for Attention? from 2018-01-10T00:00

When billboards, TV commercials, and even dolls tell women that beauty comes from tight, trim-cut clothing, how can we cultivate beauty in the heart?Listen

Ask Pastor John
To Discouraged Pastors and Their Wives from 2018-01-08T00:00

What should a pastor do if he feels discouraged, defeated, and almost ready to quit? Pastor John gives a series of diagnostic questions.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why ‘Falling Out of Love’ Never Justifies Divorce from 2018-01-05T00:00

Staying married is not first about staying in love. It’s about keeping a covenant that reflects Jesus’s own commitment to his bride — the church.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Deep Bible Reading Strategies for the Tired and Busy from 2018-01-03T00:00

Deep study of Scripture yields deep payoffs, but many of us can’t engage in rigorous study every day. So how do we strike a proper balance?Listen

Ask Pastor John
A New Year, A New Bible Reading Plan from 2018-01-01T00:00

We need to read large sections of Scripture and stop to meditate on short passages. Pastor John recommends a reading plan that allows you to do both.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Retired and Want to Do Missions — What’s My First Step? from 2017-12-29T00:00

Retirees, what a glorious exchange it would be to give up our golf game and bridge club for the mission field. But where should we start?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Where Is Heaven Right Now? from 2017-12-27T00:00

We can say with confidence God does not dwell in a geographic place we could go to in a spaceship. So what can we say about the location of heaven?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did Jesus Need to ‘Learn Obedience’? from 2017-12-25T00:00

Why does Hebrews tell us that Jesus needed to “learn obedience” and “be made perfect” if the Bible also says he never sinned?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Christmas Never Lives Up to the Buildup from 2017-12-22T00:00

Christmas may fall short now, but one day our delight will be full — and it will go on increasing for all eternity. This is what Christmas is all about.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do I Love God for His Gifts or for Who He Is? from 2017-12-20T00:00

Every good gift we receive comes through the death of Christ. So every gift from God is an opportunity to enjoy God himself.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Jesus Diminish His Divine Power to Become Human? from 2017-12-18T00:00

Jesus is one hundred percent God, one hundred percent man. This union of divinity and humanity may be mysterious, but it’s the only hope for sinners.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Keep Close to the Heart of Christmas from 2017-12-15T00:00

Let’s stay close to the heart of Christmas: God took on flesh that he might die to destroy our enemies, deliver us from sin, and give us eternal life.Listen

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To Live Is Christ — What Does That Mean? from 2017-12-13T00:00

The key to magnifying Christ in life and in death is to find him more precious and more satisfying than everything we lose in death. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the ‘Sin Not Leading to Death’ in 1 John 5? from 2017-12-11T00:00

The only kind of sin that does not lead to death is the sin that we confess, repent of, and resolve to fight by God’s grace.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can I Leave and Cleave If We Live with My Parents? from 2017-12-08T00:00

In many cultures, married couples live with the husband’s family. But does “leaving and cleaving” mean they should move out and get their own place?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Live Wisely in the End Times from 2017-12-06T00:00

George Ladd has done more to shape our view of the end times than almost any other theologian. Pastor John explains the man and his influence.Listen

Ask Pastor John
We Are Accountable for What We Know from 2017-12-04T00:00

“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required.” Did Jesus intend this warning for believers or nonbelievers?Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Do Christians Resist a Government That Kills Its Citizens? from 2017-12-01T00:00

By default, Christians should submit to public officials. But how should Christians respond to rampant injustice in government? Listen

Ask Pastor John
To Whom Did Jesus Pay Our Ransom? from 2017-11-29T00:00

If Christ died to pay our debt, whom did he pay? Did he pay Satan in order to free us from captivity, or did he pay God to free us from our penalty?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Public Controversy over the Nashville Statement Hurt the Cause? from 2017-11-27T00:00

The Bible’s view of human sexuality is a beautiful truth that we should set on a pedestal — even if that means others hate us for it. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Hebrews Tell Us to “Grow Up” Beyond the Gospel? from 2017-11-24T00:00

We don’t ever outgrow the gospel. So why does Hebrews call us to “leave behind the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity”?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do You Structure Your Prayer Life? from 2017-11-22T00:00

On any given day, innumerable needs surround us that all call for prayer. So how do we navigate these endless needs and decide what to pray for?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Decree Events He Doesn’t Want to Happen? from 2017-11-20T00:00

If nothing happens outside of God’s control, then why is this world filled with events that clearly oppose God’s revealed will? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Glorify God in My Job? from 2017-11-17T00:00

Most of us spend at least forty hours a week at work. So how do we leverage our time there to bring honor and praise to God?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Process Personal Criticism? from 2017-11-15T00:00

Aim to be humble rather than defensive when it comes to criticism. Only then will we be able to listen to their words and change if we’re wrong.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does Gossip Feel So Good? from 2017-11-13T00:00

Spreading damaging reports about others feels so good and comes so naturally. But why is this impulse so natural? And how do we fight it?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Am I Wrong to Prepare for a Nuclear Doomsday? from 2017-11-10T00:00

Under the threat of nuclear war, we could easily start preparing for the worst by stocking up on food and building a bomb shelter. But should we?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does God’s Sovereignty Make Some Ambitious and Others Apathetic? from 2017-11-08T00:00

Why do some hear of God’s sovereignty and run into the mission field with confidence, while others passively say, “What will be will be”?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Love God More Than My Entertainment? from 2017-11-06T00:00

What should we do if the thrills of TV, movies, video games, and sports feel more interesting than spending time with God? Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Dignity of Those with Dementia from 2017-11-03T00:00

Dementia may turn God’s people into frail shadows of their former self, but these saints are sitting on the brink of a glory and power we can’t imagine.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Six Common Ways Preachers Dishonor God’s Word from 2017-11-01T00:00

The stakes are high when pastors do not root their points plainly from the text in front of them. Here are six consequences.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Know If I’m Loving My Wife Well? from 2017-10-30T00:00

The Bible calls husbands to lead their wives. But where should you go for help if you’ve never seen anyone model Christlike leadership in the home?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Church Membership Has Left Me Relationally Jaded from 2017-10-27T00:00

Even the best churches and friendships can leave us feeling relationally jaded. So how can we persevere in love when others disappoint us so much?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is God a Megalomaniac? from 2017-10-25T00:00

God seeks our worship, not because it meets his need, but because it meets ours. God is the only one beautiful enough to satisfy us forever.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much of My Happiness Is Settled by Factors Outside My Immediate Control? from 2017-10-23T00:00

Someone recently claimed that 88% of our happiness is outside of our control. How should a Christian hedonist evaluate this theory? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Martin Luther Built a Brand That Changed the World from 2017-10-20T00:00

The Reformation spread when an unknown monk leveraged a rudimentary piece of technology developed by a devout Roman Catholic.Listen

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What Are the Best Reformation Biographies? from 2017-10-18T00:00

Good biographies expose us to times, people, and thinking outside of our own day. Here are some of the best biographies of Reformation figures.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why the Reformation Remains Relevant After 500 Years from 2017-10-16T00:00

Choosing which of the five ‘solas’ is most important is like choosing which wing of an airplane matters most. All the ‘solas’ stand or fall together.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Anyone Born a Racist? Or Is It Learned? from 2017-10-13T00:00

Racism, hate, and anger have all erupted in fresh ways this last year. Are we born with these ethnic prejudices, or do we learn them? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Knowing God’s Sovereignty Important to My Daily Life? from 2017-10-11T00:00

The Bible not only recognizes that God controls everything. It also demands that we build our lives around that truth. Listen

Ask Pastor John
God Is Holy and Righteous — Are Those the Same? from 2017-10-09T00:00

What is the difference between God’s holiness and his righteousness? And what does that mean for us?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Ephesians 1:18: Who Will Receive the Riches of Heaven? from 2017-10-06T00:00

Is Ephesians 1:18 about God inheriting believers, or is it about believers inheriting God’s glory? Pastor John offers a few defenses for his view.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Confronting Emotional and Verbal Abuse in the Home from 2017-10-04T00:00

God did not design marriage for outbursts, verbal putdowns, or raised voices. If this describes your marriage, here’s some advice from Pastor John.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Harmful to Date in High School? from 2017-10-02T00:00

Falling in love is a wonderful gift, but for most the maturity to handle a relationship of that depth doesn’t come in high school. Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Great Marriage Killer from 2017-09-29T00:00

Anger destroys relationships, but the Bible has a category for righteous anger. So what’s the difference between the good version and the deadly one?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Reading Is Agonizing for Me — How Can I Study the Bible in Small Bits? from 2017-09-27T00:00

Hearing the word of God is not a mere discipline — it is a matter of life and death. But how can we take in God’s word when reading feels like a chore?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Lord’s Supper — Somber or Cheerful? from 2017-09-25T00:00

Communion calls to mind the most tragic event in the history of the world and the greatest hope ever offered. Only mature believers can set that tone.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does It Mean to ‘Abide in Christ’? from 2017-09-22T00:00

Jesus is clear that abiding in him is not optional. But what does it actually mean to daily remain attached to him?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Origin of Desiring God’s Slogan? from 2017-09-20T00:00

This slogan became the heartbeat of Pastor John's life and the hallmark of Desiring God’s ministry. So where did it come from? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Adam and Eve Sin Before the Bite? from 2017-09-18T00:00

The ultimate sin in the garden was not eating the fruit. Adam and Eve lost their taste for God’s beauty before they reached for the tree.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Control All Things All the Time? from 2017-09-15T00:00

We know that God has the ability to control everything, but does he always choose to exercise his full sovereignty?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Popular Author Stumbles — What Should We Do With His Books? from 2017-09-13T00:00

All authors are flawed, but what should we do with an author’s work when a public failure discredits them as a sound teacher?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are We Called to Thank God for Our Severest Suffering? from 2017-09-11T00:00

We don’t have to pretend we don’t feel pain from our losses. Grieving with hope means something far greater than moving on from the pain.Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Prayer in the Path of Hurricanes from 2017-09-09T12:00

God doesn’t mean for us to forget him or minimize him when hurricanes devastate human life. Pastor Piper turns Godward and prays in the path of hurricanes.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Kingdom of God? from 2017-09-08T00:00

Jesus focused a lot on the kingdom of God. But what is the kingdom? And why does the rest of the New Testament hardly mention the theme?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Small Churches Less Fruitful? from 2017-09-06T00:00

A pastor’s job is not to count how many people come on Sunday, but to make faith-filled, self-denying, fruit-bearing disciples. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Did I Fail My Unbelieving Children? from 2017-09-04T00:00

Parents will fail hundreds of times as they strive to raise their kids biblically. So how can we find hope in the midst of these many shortcomings?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Has Marriage Become My Idol? from 2017-09-01T00:00

God never designed marriage to be our ultimate treasure. Here are some signs that we have made our marriage into something God never intended it to be.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did God Choose Me Because He Loved Me or Love Me Because He Chose Me? from 2017-08-30T00:00

God’s love and election work hand and hand. There’s no election that is not loving, and there’s no initiating love that is not electing.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Six Questions to Ask Before You Binge on Netflix from 2017-08-28T00:00

When thinking about TV, music, or movies, don't ask, “What’s wrong with this?” but, instead, “Will it maximize my holiness?”Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Wartime Living the Same as Minimalism? from 2017-08-25T00:00

Wartime lifestyle seeks to glorify God — not to live with the least amount of stuff. It simply admits that life must be different during a battle.Listen

Ask Pastor John
If Someone Doesn’t Like Me, Have I Ruined My Christian Witness? from 2017-08-23T00:00

When is it right to please people? When is it wrong to please people? Motive matters.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Am I Single Because I’m Defective? from 2017-08-21T00:00

God has designed marriage to bring about a kind of cherishing that emerges nowhere else. But that doesn’t mean you are uncherishable if your single.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Local Atheist or Modern Pharisee — Who Is the Greater Threat? from 2017-08-18T00:00

Jesus faced more opposition from the Pharisees than the Romans. Are religious formalists a greater threat to the church today than our secular neighbors?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Stay Christian in College from 2017-08-16T00:00

Students, attending college means stepping out into the front line of the war for your faith. In order to hold fast, arm yourself for battle.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Our Wedding Date Is Set — Why Not Have Sex Now? from 2017-08-14T00:00

God created sex for marriage. He designed it as beautiful gift and placed it precisely where he knew it should be.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Is God’s Grace Really Free, or Does It Cost Me Everything? from 2017-08-11T00:00

We by nature don’t delight in God but in his gifts. New cars, our job, even our phones all compete for our supreme joy unless God transforms our hearts.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Retirement Homes and Caring for Aging Parents from 2017-08-09T00:00

One way to honor our parents is to love them as we love ourselves. If we would hope to be helped in our old age, we should find ways to help our parents.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Worship Lyrics Miss the Mark from 2017-08-07T00:00

Members of our churches learn truth not only from the sermons they hear, but also from the songs they sing. Lyrics on Sunday morning matter.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do All Religions Lead to God? from 2017-08-04T00:00

Jesus provides the litmus test for all religions. Any religion that refuses to worship him is a false religion.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Should a Single Parent Get Married? from 2017-08-02T00:00

Two parents are better than one. But does God require a single parent to marry if he or she doesn’t desire marriage? Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Best Life Now? from 2017-07-31T00:00

Following Jesus brings suffering we could have avoided. But the alternative is losing your soul while only gaining the cheap pleasures of the world.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does John Piper Overplay Bible Literacy? from 2017-07-28T00:00

Was Piper right to say, “You don’t have a chance against the devil unless you know how to read and understand God’s word”? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Memorize Catechisms or Scripture? from 2017-07-26T00:00

A catechism can help children interpret the Bible, point them to important Scriptures, and capture the whole counsel of God’s word. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why the Coming Kingdom of Christ Is Really Bad News from 2017-07-24T00:00

For millions of people, the future reign of God is terrible news. His rule will not be an invitation to eternal joy, but a final verdict: eternal damnation.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Glorifying God in Unshakable Grief from 2017-07-21T00:00

Joy will come, even when it feels like the pain will never end. In the meantime, God promises to be near you in ways you can’t feel outside of suffering.Listen

Ask Pastor John
“My Life Feels Pointless” from 2017-07-19T00:00

Our aging bodies and nearness to death need not sap the joy that God gives us while we remain on earth. He still has a purpose for us. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does My Sex Life Affect My Prayer Life? from 2017-07-17T00:00

When couples temporarily suspend sexual intimacy for the purpose of prayer, they say with their bodies how desperate they are for God to answer.Listen

Ask Pastor John
“I Had an Abortion” from 2017-07-14T00:00

Those who have had an abortion should own the guilt, but they should not stop there. God has more than enough grace reserved at the cross.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Soul Care for Exhausted Young Mothers from 2017-07-12T00:00

Moms, your walk with God is as essential for the good of your children as the milk you feed them and the diapers you change.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God’s Pursuit of His Glory Ever Detract from His Love? from 2017-07-10T00:00

Our deepest, sweetest joy will not come from God making much of us, but from God freeing us to make much of him forever. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I “Dream Big” for God When I Have a Huge Ego? from 2017-07-07T00:00

Egos do not shrink when we stop dreaming big. With big, small, and even stagnant dreams, we will need to kill our self-promoting instinct.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Much Sleep Is Too Much Sleep? from 2017-07-05T00:00

Sleep shatters our God complex because we have to put down our tools, take off our boots, and remember that God is the decisive worker, always. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can I Remarry If My Spouse Dies? Should I? from 2017-07-03T00:00

Widows and widowers should feel no pressure to rush into a remarriage, but they shouldn’t exclude the possibility either. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Would You Lead an Overly Patriotic Church? from 2017-06-30T00:00

The goal of any change in a local church is to shepherd people into a deeper love for God. We must not lose sight of that in our zeal to align with God’s word.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Patriotism Have a Place in Church? from 2017-06-28T00:00

A Christian’s first identity is with the King of the universe, not with any country or nationality or political party or governmental regime.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Is Jesus Both Joy and Master? from 2017-06-26T00:00

The Bible calls us to serve God, but we must remember that we can only do that because God first came to serve and help us. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Study a Specific Topic in the Bible? from 2017-06-23T00:00

Studying the Bible does not need to be complex. Simple tools can help us glean amazing insights from the word.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Jesus Said He’d Return Soon, So Where Is He? from 2017-06-21T00:00

A careful study of New Testament prophecy should never lead us to assume that Jesus and the apostles were wrong about the timing of Jesus’s return.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Better Study a Bible Passage? from 2017-06-19T00:00

“Think over what I say,” commands the Lord. How can a faithful student of the Bible do this without leaning on commentaries and scholars? Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Can We Say to Friends Facing Suffering? from 2017-06-16T00:00

When suffering drones on and on, what can we do to stay steadfast in our call to share in this suffering?

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Do I “Give My Life to God”? from 2017-06-14T00:00

Settle it in your mind and heart whether you believe Christ purchased you. If so, you are utterly dependent on God for life, meaning, and satisfaction. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Know God Loves Me, but Does He Like Me? from 2017-06-12T00:00

If you live in the flesh, you will never please God. But those who have the Spirit delight God as they bear fruit. Even the small harvests please him.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did Israel’s King Consult with a Witch? from 2017-06-09T00:00

God’s people must not consult with mediums — not because there’s no such thing as communication with the dead, but because it is an abomination to do so.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Do I Unfollow My Pastor? from 2017-06-07T00:00

To be united to God is to be united in principle and in love to the people of God. We don’t choose between belonging to God and belonging to his people.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Escape Regret over Hurt I’ve Caused? from 2017-06-05T00:00

Don’t be paralyzed by feelings of regret. Rather let those very feelings empower you with a sense of greater grace, gratitude, and joy in God’s grace.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Follow Big Sections of Scripture? from 2017-06-02T00:00

As you study the Bible, study larger portions by looking for similarities in the sections that fit together.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
The Only Solution to Spiritual Blindness from 2017-05-31T00:00

Spiritually dead and blind people are willfully dark. It’s what they prefer. Therefore, they can only be rescued by a divine miracle. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Point of Your New Trilogy of Books? from 2017-05-29T00:00

John Piper believes nothing is more important for his remaining years than to focus on the authority and the meaning and the heralding of God’s word.Listen

Ask Pastor John
God’s Work in Your Depression from 2017-05-26T00:00

Depression is not simply black and white. There are many degrees of discouragement, and God is able to provide help in them all. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will You Ever Write a Piper Bible Commentary? from 2017-05-24T00:00

Good commentaries should ask and answer questions that enable people to see things for themselves, and probe into reality, not just verbal relations.Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Sin Feels Good in the Moment — Why Stop? from 2017-05-22T00:00

God commands us not merely to flee evil, but to hate evil — not merely to do mercy, but to love mercy.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Can We Be Legalistic About Not Being Legalists? from 2017-05-19T00:00

Christ’s righteousness is the sole ground of our acceptance into God’s favor, but our new life of holiness is necessary to demonstrate that we are truly in him.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Body Image My Idol? from 2017-05-17T00:00

Pursuing physical fitness becomes sinful self-glorification when we no longer do so to overcome our own sin, serve others, and glorify Christ.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will You Write More Biographies? from 2017-05-15T00:00

Tell stories of Christians to inspire others to love Jesus, give them insight into perplexing difficulties, and motivate them to follow him no matter what.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Difference Between ‘Foolish’ and ’Sinful’? from 2017-05-12T00:00

Foolishness in the Bible is always sinful. To act foolishly is sin, and to sin is to act foolishly.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Can I Forgive Someone Who Doesn’t Confess Wronging Me? from 2017-05-10T00:00

Renounce revenge, trust your cause to God, and return good for evil. You can do that whether your adversary admits wrong or not. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Homosexuality Really the Worst Sin? from 2017-05-08T00:05

The blood of Christ is sufficient to wash away every sin and remove all judgment and bring us to everlasting healing and joy.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does John Piper Complicate Saving Faith? from 2017-05-05T00:00

To come to true saving faith, you have to experience the miracle of spiritual sight of the supremely valuable glory of Christ, the image of God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Explaining Hell to Our Children from 2017-05-03T00:00

God intends for our real and wise fear of hell to be a means of clarifying and establishing his glory and truth in our hearts. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Will God Judge What I Do Today? from 2017-05-01T00:00

Teachers need to be vigilant over what they teach, and all Christians need to be vigilant over what they do with what they are taught. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is John Piper Happy? from 2017-04-28T00:00

The promise of future joy penetrates back into the present and sustains us with joy now in the midst of sorrow.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Three Strategies for Overcoming the Superficial Life from 2017-04-26T00:00

Our tragic loss of wonder and amazement is epidemic, especially in our age of ever-present distraction by superficial input from every manner of media.Listen

Ask Pastor John
God Made Me — So Doesn’t He Owe Me Salvation? from 2017-04-24T00:00

Thinking that God owes us naturally leads to arrogant abuse. But knowing that we deserve nothing good from God naturally leads to brokenhearted love.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does the Bible Prescribe Alcohol to the Depressed? from 2017-04-21T00:00

Don’t open your mouth to alcohol to numb your pain. Open your mouth to speak right things that would deliver you from misjudgment. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Male Headship a Lost Cause? from 2017-04-19T00:00

There will always be complementarians willing to die for the truth who will give their lives rather than conform to an unbiblical culture.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Love My Unbelieving Spouse? from 2017-04-17T00:00

The key to persevering in a discouraging marriage is hope and faith from God’s word that he can overcome the divide. Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Glory of Good Friday from 2017-04-14T00:00

Christ was a just and merciful substitute for sinners. When he died for his elect, he bore their punishment. They experience no condemnation.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Horror of Crucifixion from 2017-04-12T00:00

Studying the historical and physical realities of crucifixion shows how deplorable and inhumane that form of human extermination is. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Last Thing You Would Tweet? from 2017-04-10T00:00

Jesus, God’s Son, died in the place of sinners and rose so that all who love him supremely might be forgiven all and have eternal joy in God.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Campus Ministry and the Local Church — Do They Work Together? from 2017-04-07T00:00

When parachurch campus ministries are an extension of the local church, they can strategically reach and disciple the lost together. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do Finite Beings Worship an Infinite God? from 2017-04-05T00:00

God does not require finite man to love him infinitely. But he does require total and supreme love.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Was Calvin a Christian Hedonist? from 2017-04-03T00:00

Because John Calvin loved the glory of God and our pursuit of happiness in him, John Piper believes he would have been a Christian Hedonist.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Christians Vacation to Religious Shrines? from 2017-03-31T00:00

It is a terrible sign of spiritual obliviousness to visit religious shrines and not feel heartbreak and caution for demonic powers of deception.Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Parents Say Missions Is a Waste of American Blessings from 2017-03-29T00:00

If your parents think pursuing missions is a waste, win them to your vision and show them that Christ is sufficient to satisfy your soul.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Appeal of Heavenly Rewards Other Than Getting Christ? from 2017-03-27T00:00

Christ is our reward — as is everything else that more fully reveals him and more fully enables us to enjoy him.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Should We Baptize the Dead? from 2017-03-24T00:00

Baptism demonstrates and symbolically reenacts our spiritual death, burial, and resurrection in Christ. But it does not save anyone. Listen

Ask Pastor John
I’m Confused — Are We to Pray with Few Words or Without Ceasing? from 2017-03-22T00:00

Pray to God at all times, but don’t think you can twist God’s arm by repeating your requests. He seeks heartfelt, authentic fellowship.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can My Difficult Marriage Glorify Christ? from 2017-03-20T00:00

A faithful, covenant-keeping spouse can display the truth of Christ’s covenant with us — even after a failed marriage. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do We Really Need Musical Worship? from 2017-03-17T00:00

Qualified leaders should help God’s people come together to express his infinite value by lifting their voices and hearts in song. Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Should Christians Use Satire? from 2017-03-15T00:00

While satire, irony, sarcasm, and ridicule all have their place in exposing evil and harm, Christians should patiently seek to win others in love.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does the New Testament Cite Extrabiblical Sources? from 2017-03-13T00:00

Sometimes biblical authors drew in material from outside the Bible in order to strengthen their points for their audience. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is Revival and Where Do We Find It? from 2017-03-10T00:00

Revival is a concentrated work of God where Christians in various churches earnestly desire more of Christ, boldness in witness, and commitment to missions.Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Benedict Option and American Politics: 12-Minute Audio with Don Carson from 2017-03-09T00:00

Christians are called to be different from the world, but engaged with the world. That’s not comfortable, but it is essentially Christian.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why I’m Baptist from 2017-03-08T00:00

First, be a Bible-guided Christian. Second, embrace the Bible-rooted doctrines of grace. Third, come to your convictions on baptism. Listen

Ask Pastor John
My Prodigal Left Home — Should I Give Him Money? from 2017-03-06T00:00

If you have a prodigal, immerse yourself in the Bible and pray with your spouse for wisdom, love, boldness, and joy. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is God Ever Surprised? from 2017-03-03T00:00

God is never ignorant about the future or about anything. He is never uncertain about what is coming. He is God.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
What If Life Turns Out to Be Pointless? from 2017-03-01T00:00

Christianity and nihilism are exclusive, because God himself is the meaning and purpose and value of human existence. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Am I Really Ready for Heaven? from 2017-02-27T00:00

Receive Christ, the one who did all the doing that had to be done as the foundation of our acceptance with God.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Does God Know the Exact Day I Will Die? from 2017-02-24T00:00

God determines when everybody dies. He decided so before the world existed.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Soon Is Christ’s Return? from 2017-02-22T00:00

If Christ’s millennial reign comes after his second coming, Jesus could come very, very quickly.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Can We Ever See God or Not? from 2017-02-20T00:00

There are some senses in which God’s people can see him, and other senses in which they cannot.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Will Every Jew Be Saved? from 2017-02-17T00:00

Not all Israelites will be saved, and no Jews who are waiting for a Messiah but rejecting Jesus while they wait will be saved. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Many Bible Versions Should I Read? from 2017-02-15T00:00

Use multiple Bible translations for increased general understanding, and use one main translation for meditation and memorization. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Pain Punishment for My Sin? from 2017-02-13T00:00

The purpose and design of God’s justice in punishment is infinitely different than his purifying discipline in pain. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Pets Distract the Christian Life? from 2017-02-10T00:00

While pets, like other good things, can distract us from the glory of God, they can also provide God-saturated fascination and joy. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Never Send Nude Selfies: Seven Reasons from 2017-02-08T00:00

Nudity belongs in marriage, and nowhere else — not in dating, not in engagement, and certainly not on your phone. Pastor John gives seven reasons why.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Pray the Bible? from 2017-02-06T00:00

Praying the Bible keeps us from focusing on our immediate private concerns to the exclusion of God’s larger purposes. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Was Jesus a Christian Hedonist? from 2017-02-03T00:00

Jesus lived to glorify his Father by enjoying him as the sustaining power for all his life, including his greatest suffering.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Can I Be Faithful to God and Popular at School? from 2017-02-01T00:00

Imitate Christ and ask yourself, “How can I serve somebody today?” not, “How can I get somebody to like me today?”

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Will Some People in Heaven Have More Joy Than Others? from 2017-01-30T00:00

The greatness of our rewards in the age to come correspond with the life of obedience that we have lived here.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Grape Nuts — Hot or Cold? from 2017-01-28T00:00

The secret to enjoying Grape Nuts is so special, John Piper wrote a limerick to explain.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Can Loved Ones in Heaven Look Down on Me? from 2017-01-27T00:01

Although we don’t know how much our loved ones in heaven can watch us, we do know that they would encourage us to fix our eyes on Jesus.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Was Any Biblical Writer Aware He Was Inspired? from 2017-01-25T00:00

The Bible is God’s word not simply because the authors said so, but because of the way God’s glory shines through it. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What If I Ruin My Kids? from 2017-01-23T00:00

When God calls a woman to be a mother, it is a glorious calling, and such women should consider and embrace those glories. Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Prayer for President Trump from 2017-01-20T21:00

Listen to John Piper’s heart and Godward hopes for the 45th presidency of the United States.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Christ Reigns over All: Biblical Survey of God’s Kingdom from 2017-01-20T00:00

The ultimate hope for all Christians is the new heaven and the new earth, where everyone will see God as King over all. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Help! My Teen Is Abandoning Christ from 2017-01-18T00:00

If your child has turned from Christ, don’t despair. God loves to hear your prayers and can meet your situation with power. Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does It Mean That God Will Glorify Me? And How? from 2017-01-16T00:00

If you find praise from other people more satisfying than praise from God, you will not be able to believe on Jesus. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Are Men Superior to Women? from 2017-01-13T00:00

With every difference between men and women, there is a kind of counterpoint of indispensability.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
I’m Exhausted — How Do I Recharge My Body Without Neglecting My Soul? from 2017-01-11T00:00

If you are a weary pastor, ask God to protect you from wasted leisure and to help you pursue God-honoring refreshment. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Don’t Waste Your Engagement: How to Prepare for Marriage from 2017-01-09T00:00

Engagement is a golden opportunity for men to set patterns of spiritual leadership and talk with their ladies about biblical and spiritual realities.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did John the Baptist Advocate Divorce? from 2017-01-06T00:00

Some people use Matthew 14:4 to justify divorce. But Piper shares three uncertainties in the text that should keep us from doing so. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Am I Holy Enough to Take Communion? from 2017-01-04T00:00

If you are a member in good standing at your local church, renounce sin, and treasure Christ, then you should eat the Lord’s Supper with hope.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Will I Be Single for the Rest of My Life? from 2017-01-02T00:00

God promises to give his single children an everlasting monument and name better than sons and daughters.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful to Seek Fame Online? from 2016-12-30T00:00

We must not find satisfaction in the praise of men, but in God himself and in helping others find that same satisfaction. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Are Women More Eager Missionaries? from 2016-12-28T00:00

More single women serve in missions than single men, but God is able to give grace for every circumstance.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
How Does a ‘Man’s Man’ Sing to a ‘Beautiful’ Jesus? from 2016-12-26T00:00

When we see all of Jesus’s virtuous capacities and magnificent achievements, it is natural, not awkward, to call him beautiful. Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Sacrifice of Christ in the Season of Christmas from 2016-12-23T00:00

We must see how sacrifice works as a theme in all of the Bible in order to fully appreciate the cross of Christ.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Favorite Hymn from 2016-12-21T00:00

And it’s a rather obscure German hymn you’ve probably never heard — until now.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Tragic Distraction? from 2016-12-19T00:00

If being Jesus-focused is a killjoy for your Christmas, you don’t know him well.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Will We Fear God in Heaven? from 2016-12-16T00:00

We should not exclude the prospect of trembling in and of itself from our glorified state in the age to come.

Listen
Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful to Be Pregnant Before Marriage? from 2016-12-14T00:00

A pregnancy outside of marriage exposes a previous sin, but pregnancy itself is not sin. Pastor John gives three reasons why.Listen

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Can Christians Benefit from Books by Nonbelievers? from 2016-12-12T00:00

It is wise to pursue a measured use of wide reading and listening — including non-Christian authors.

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Can We Do Whatever We Want in Heaven? from 2016-12-09T00:00

In the age to come, when there will be no more sorrow or sin, we will experience perfect freedom for the first time. Listen

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I’m Paralyzed by Indecision — What Should I Do? from 2016-12-07T00:00

As you make plans, know that when God works for you, the goal of his work is to fit you for enjoying God himself.

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Ask Pastor John
Am I Quenching the Holy Spirit? from 2016-12-05T00:00

Quenching the Spirit means despising or neglecting his gifts, refusing to express spiritual emotion, and resisting his fruit.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Promise to Feed and Clothe Christians? from 2016-12-02T00:00

God will give us everything we need to do his will and to glorify him most fully, even if it means death.

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Ask Pastor John
Which Old-Testament Promises Apply to Me? from 2016-11-30T00:00

We are heirs of all God’s promises. But they are fulfilled differently today because of the work of Jesus.

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Ask Pastor John
Talk to Your Wife About Lust from 2016-11-28T00:00

Only Christ-centered commitment enables spouses to be honest with each other about their sexual purity.

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Ask Pastor John
Are We Overdoing the Anti-Prosperity Gospel Theme? from 2016-11-25T00:00

God does not mean to remove suffering in this life, but assure us in suffering that nothing can separate us from his love. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Yes to Hating Sin, No to Hating Self from 2016-11-23T00:00

Remember your corruption enough to humble yourself, but forget whatever keeps you back from pressing on toward Christ. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Encourage Interracial Marriage? from 2016-11-21T00:00

Your conscience should be clear in marrying a godly, Christ-exalting spouse, whatever his or her race.

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Ask Pastor John
How to Read a Bible Full of Promises from 2016-11-18T00:00

The Bible portrays the unfolding of history under the sovereignty of God to bring about his purposes in line with his promises. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Is Christ My Advocate If His Saving Work Is Finished? from 2016-11-16T00:00

Christ’s advocacy is the ongoing presentation of our union with him established at the cross through faith by the Spirit. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Did My Lust Cause Our Miscarriage? from 2016-11-14T00:00

God wills a new humility and submission and faith through our sin and the pain of loss.

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Ask Pastor John
Should We Obey Old Testament Law? from 2016-11-11T00:00

The prohibition of eating pork is a refusal to submit to God’s plan for the fulfillment of the Law in Jesus.

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Ask Pastor John
What Is “Fullness of Joy” and Do I Have It? from 2016-11-09T00:00

The fullness of our joy in God will climax when we delight in the Son with the very delight that the Father has in him. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Isn’t Unlimited Atonement More Glorious Than Limited Atonement? from 2016-11-07T00:00

Definite atonement triumphs over unbelief and hardness of heart and brings to pass salvation and all the purposes of God that depend on it.Listen

Ask Pastor John
A Little Introduction to Covenants from 2016-11-04T00:00

We think of our Bibles as two testaments, but the notion of covenant shapes much of how God has shaped the Scriptures. Listen

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The Heart of Christian Hedonism — and the Bible and Creation and Everything from 2016-11-02T00:00

The greatest happiness God pursues is the delight he takes in the echoes of his excellence in the supremely happy praises of the saints.Listen

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Why Do We Celebrate the Protestant Reformation? from 2016-10-31T00:00

The Reformation celebrates how embracing Christ as our supreme treasure in faith is how we enjoy God’s fellowship.

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Ask Pastor John
Contrary to Roman Catholics, the Bible Is Our Sufficient Authority from 2016-10-28T00:00

If the Bible is God’s word, by definition no human authority can serve alongside it with equal authority.

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Ask Pastor John
Is It Sinful to Watch Porn with My Spouse? from 2016-10-26T00:00

It is inconceivable that the pleasures Christ has in the church would be stimulated by his imaging a prostitute to get his juices flowing. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Does God Regret and Repent in the Bible? from 2016-10-24T00:00

God is capable of bringing something about and both lamenting that act in one regard, while affirming it as best in another. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is It Love If I Don’t Feel It? from 2016-10-21T00:00

Our loving behavior must always include gladness in God that overflows in the hope of including other people in our joy. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Is the Law Written on Every Heart? from 2016-10-19T00:00

Real obedience to God, even though imperfect, is made possible through the work of Christ for all who believe in him. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Did Jesus Delay So Long Before Entering Human History? from 2016-10-17T00:00

Given the way he chose to make the gospel clear in the world, God’s preparations for Christ were necessary and fitting. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Little Ears, “Big Church,” and Sensitive Sermons from 2016-10-14T00:00

Pastors should notify parents when they need to address difficult topics so they can decide if they want their children present. Listen

Ask Pastor John
As a Pastor, Did You Use Church Growth Strategies? from 2016-10-12T00:00

There should be a never-ending stream of creativity in helping our people reach the lost, but theological faithfulness is essential. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Prepare Our Children for Suffering? from 2016-10-10T00:00

Help your children prepare to suffer by teaching them a biblical worldview, disciplining them, and modeling joy through your own sorrow.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Fight Sin, Find Rest from 2016-10-07T00:00

The fight, the striving, the narrow, the hard, the work, the warfare is not a striving to get Christ. It is a striving precisely to rest. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Porn Use Disqualify a Pastor? from 2016-10-05T00:00

If a pastor looks at porn once, restore him with his wife and fellow elders. But if it is a pattern, he is unqualified for eldership. Listen

Ask Pastor John
You Cannot Glorify God If You Find Him Boring from 2016-10-03T00:00

God created the world to present himself as glorious, not boring. Therefore, we must move beyond knowing and believing to joy. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Test My Interpretations of the Bible? from 2016-09-30T00:00

There are many dangers that teachers like John Piper must guard against, but also many practices which help guard them. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Minister to My Classmates This Year? from 2016-09-28T00:00

Students, you can be ready to tell someone why you have hope in Jesus.

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Ask Pastor John
Is the Missionary Greater Than the Artist? from 2016-09-26T00:00

While God requires faithfulness from everyone, some vocations are worth twice the honor as others.

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Ask Pastor John
Should I Confront Sin in My Non-Christian Friends? from 2016-09-23T00:00

The longer you wait to share Christ with your friends, the more perplexed they will be. Befriend and confront others in love, as Jesus did.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Christian Hedonism Only for Complementarians? from 2016-09-21T00:00

Egalitarians can also embrace Christian Hedonism, though not all the relational details will look the same.

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Ask Pastor John
Five Strategies for Avoiding Intellectualism from 2016-09-19T00:00

A warm, practical, affectionate relationship with the living Christ really matters.

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Ask Pastor John
Can I Be Sure I’m Saved If Persevering Is the Proof? from 2016-09-16T00:00

God intends for his children to take heart from his promises to preserve them to the end.

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Ask Pastor John
Why Did Jesus Not Seek His Own Glory? from 2016-09-14T00:15

Jesus does not seek private glory apart from the Father’s glory, but he does seek his glory through the Father after his redemptive work is done.Listen

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Does God Love His Enemies? from 2016-09-12T00:15

Both God and his people love their human enemies, but not in the same way, since God is all-wise and all-governing, and we are finite. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Can I Soften My Own Heart? from 2016-09-09T00:15

God causes the miracle of unhardening our hearts, and we act the miracle of unhardening them.

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Ask Pastor John
Jesus Is My Brother — But What Does That Mean? from 2016-09-07T00:15

Christ shared in our suffering as fallen mortals so that we could be included in the divine family, with Christ as our superior older brother.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Pray Without Ceasing? from 2016-09-05T00:15

The command to “pray without ceasing” should motivate rather than intimidate us. Armed with joy and thankfulness, we can overflow in prayer.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Meet in House Churches? from 2016-09-02T00:15

Nowhere in the New Testament is it commanded or forbidden that local churches meet in homes. Leaders must use other factors to make that decision.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do You Pray in Public, Without Performing? from 2016-08-31T00:15

Pastors must affirm the absolute power, goodness, and wisdom of God during the most tragic of circumstances to give their people comfort and hope.Listen

Ask Pastor John
“I Go to Church to See Miracles” — Is That Reason Legit? from 2016-08-30T00:15

Jesus’s miracle of fish and bread proves it. An appetite for miracles is no proof one is a Christian. As John Piper explains, “Seeing the mere event of an external physical miracle should never be ...

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Ask Pastor John
Can We Overdo Christian Hedonism? from 2016-08-29T00:15

Yes, we can overdo Christian Hedonism, “because it is possible to overemphasize anything,” says John Piper. So what are the warning signs? Listen

Ask Pastor John
God’s Glory Illustrated — for Kids from 2016-08-26T00:15

When you want God over everything else, you glorify the value of God.

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Ask Pastor John
Red, Yellow, Black, and White — Could Every Race Come from Adam, Eve, and Noah? from 2016-08-25T00:15

“The division of humanity into languages and ethnicities was a judgment from God,” says John Piper. And yet it was also part of his unfolding plan to save the nations.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is the Role of Pentecostalism in the World? from 2016-08-24T00:15

Evangelicalism’s global growth is mainly Pentecostal, says John Piper. This is cause for celebration, and for concern, because the growth is often entangled by prosperity theology. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Tragedy Overload in the Digital Age: How Do We Handle All the Bad News? from 2016-08-23T00:15

In the digital age, needs surround us. So how do we avoiding inactivity paralysis? We return to God, says John Piper, whose shoulders alone can bear the crushing weight of global suffering. <...

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Ask Pastor John
If I’m Dead to Sin, Why Must I Kill It Every Day? from 2016-08-22T00:15

If Christians are born again and have therefore died to sin, why do we need to fight so hard to put sin to death?

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Ask Pastor John
Prepare for Suffering Now from 2016-08-18T00:15

Personal suffering should not surprise us (1 Peter 4:12). The Bible not only promises it, it also teaches us how to “squeeze as much Christ-exalting meaning out of our suffering as we can.” John Pi...

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Ask Pastor John
What Makes My Life Significant? from 2016-08-17T00:15

What drives John Piper? “This is one of the greatest discoveries of my life,” he recent told an audience in Italy, “that God’s purpose to be glorified and my passion to be satisfied are not at odds...

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Ask Pastor John
Divorce, Remarriage, and Honoring God from 2016-08-16T00:15

If you’re married, keep your promise. If you’re divorced and remarried, keep your promise. Don’t break your word a second time. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Children Sit Through ‘Big Church’? from 2016-08-15T00:15

The greatest stumbling block for children in worship is parents who don’t cherish their own worship. We can’t impart what we don’t possess.Listen

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Transgenderism: Hopes, Tensions, and Biological Roadblocks from 2016-08-12T00:15

“Until we find our rest in Christ, we will be trying to invent ourselves in ways that will only end in tears.” Rob Smith on the hopes, tensions, and roadblocks of the transgender movement. Listen

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Is Technology Outpacing Our Ethics? from 2016-08-11T00:15

“Transgender surgery often contradicts the Hippocratic principle of ‘Do no harm,’” says theologian and ethicist Rob Smith in today’s episode. “You are now perhaps mutilating a perfectly healthy bod...

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Ask Pastor John
What Gives Us the Right to Label Transgender Impulses as Wrong? from 2016-08-10T00:15

“Christians should get as good a grasp on questions about transgender, whether or not we have transgender friends,” says theologian and ethicist Rob Smith. “Because when a person hurts themselves, ...

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Ask Pastor John
What Causes Gender Dysphoria? from 2016-08-09T00:15

“God has given us distinct body and soul, but they exist in psychosomatic unity,” says theologian and ethicist Rob Smith. “The two are knit together (Psalm 139:13).” So what does this mean in the t...

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Ask Pastor John
Why Did the Transgender Revolution Catch Us by Surprise? from 2016-08-08T00:15

“Gender dysphoria ought to evoke our compassion,” says Rob Smith, our guest this week on the podcast. “It is a horrific affliction to bear.” Smith is a theologian and ethicist at Sydney Missionary ...

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Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Funeral Prayer for a Family of Five from 2016-08-06T15:40

What John Piper prayed at the funeral of Jamison and Kathryne Pals, 29, and their three children, 3-year-old Ezra, 23-month-old Violet, and 2-month-old Calvin.Listen

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Exodus: Understanding One of the Bible’s Major Themes from 2016-08-05T00:15

“Here is the greatest redemptive event in the Old Testament to which subsequent revelation points to again and again and again,” says Don Carson. It’s worth understanding well.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Paying Pastors, Church Buildings, and Weekly Sermons? from 2016-08-04T00:15

Any given Sunday — thinking biblically about pastor salaries, buildings, and the place of preaching.

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Ask Pastor John
Three Steps to Stop Wasting Your Life from 2016-08-03T00:15

If you trust God, renounce self-reliance, and bring him into every life situation, he will make your paths straight. Listen

Ask Pastor John
If the Bible Has Been Added To, Can We Trust It? from 2016-08-02T00:15

The same criteria we use to discern which passages don’t belong in the Bible are the same criteria we use to discern which passages do belong.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Pursue Marriage If I Doubt My Salvation? from 2016-08-01T00:15

Pastor John helps a listener who doubts his salvation discern when to seek a wife.

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“I Want Kids. My Husband Doesn’t” from 2016-07-29T00:15

Pastor John advises a married couple who disagree on whether or not to have kids.

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Ask Pastor John
When Does Humor Become Sinful? from 2016-07-28T00:15

Is humor appropriate in the Christian life? Pastor John gives 5 thoughts.

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Ask Pastor John
The World Is Full of Glory, But Only One Glory Can Save from 2016-07-27T00:15

Pastor John explains a "peculiar" glory in this message excerpt.

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Ask Pastor John
Does John Piper Hate Fun? from 2016-07-26T00:15

In an age when many of us are infected with the vocabulary of entertainment and amusement, we need to see models of serious joy. Listen

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How Do I Know Paul’s Epistles Are Relevant for My Life? from 2016-07-25T00:15

Pastor John gives reasons from the Scriptures on why the Epistles are still relevant to us today.

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Ask Pastor John
Why Is My Delight in God So Short Lived? from 2016-07-22T00:15

We all long for enduring joy, but we often forgot a simple step: start by praying for your Bible reading before you begin. Listen

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Can a Christian Blaspheme the Holy Spirit? from 2016-07-21T00:15

Blasphemy against the Spirit is a willful, determined opposition to the present power of the Holy Spirit. Christians cannot commit that kind of sin.Listen

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Miracles Surround Your Life from 2016-07-20T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John preaches on the glory of God and the miracles that surround our life.

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Ask Pastor John
Can We Overthink the Christian Life? from 2016-07-19T00:15

It's possible to overthink the Christian life, but the majority of the Christian life is spontaneous.

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Ask Pastor John
What’s the Goal of Our Union with Christ? from 2016-07-18T00:15

We are not made to find ultimate joy in being glorious. We are made to find ultimate joy in God.

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Ask Pastor John
Welcomed into the Family of God: Sonship in the Bible from 2016-07-15T00:15

Tony Reinke continues his interview with guest, D.A. Carson on the topic of sonship.

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Ask Pastor John
Is Love Fake If Motivated by Reward? from 2016-07-14T00:15

Pastor John urges Christians to remember the reward when loving others.

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Ask Pastor John
Can Satan ‘Devour’ True Christians? from 2016-07-13T00:15

Can true, born-again Christians be devoured by Satan? No. Pastor John explains.

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Ask Pastor John
What Is “the Joy of the Lord” and Where Can I Find It? from 2016-07-12T00:15

The joy of Jesus in us is the presence of the Holy Spirit himself. Pastor John explains.

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Ask Pastor John
How Do I Survey All the Deep Wonders of the Cross? from 2016-07-11T00:15

Pastor John helps Christians drink deeper of the glories from the cross of Christ.

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Ask Pastor John
Should Christians Be Patriotic? from 2016-07-01T00:15

Conflicts will come between how Christ our King calls us to live and how our homeland expects us to live. Christians are first pilgrims, not patriots.Listen

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How Did Jesus ‘Learn Obedience’ and ‘Become Perfect’? from 2016-06-30T00:15

Christ was sinless, but he learned obedience while on earth. Pastor John explains.

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Ask Pastor John
The End Is Near — Are You Ready? from 2016-06-29T00:15

The hour is coming. No one knows the time or day, but God has promised that Jesus is coming back. Are you ready?

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Ask Pastor John
Does Medicine Impede God’s Plan for My Suffering? from 2016-06-28T00:15

Pastor John encourages Christians to seek the Lord for wisdom when it comes to medical treatment.

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Ask Pastor John
Must I Wait for My Parents to Approve of My Future Spouse? from 2016-06-27T00:15

God has given us parents for a reason, but that does not mean that their word is the final and binding authority. That belongs to God. Listen

Ask Pastor John
A Short History of Bible Clutter from 2016-06-24T00:15

Tony Reinke’s interview with Glenn Paauw dives into the pros and cons of contemporary Bible design.

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Ask Pastor John
A Theology of Summer Vacations from 2016-06-23T00:15

God created man to have need for rest. Jesus' example provides us a framework for thinking theologizing rest and recreation.Listen

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Bikinis and Modesty from 2016-06-22T00:15

Until we supremely value Christ, our attitude toward clothing will be controlled by forces that don’t honor God.

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Ask Pastor John
How Do I Delight Myself in the Trinity? from 2016-06-21T00:15

Tony Reinke interviews Michael Reeves on delighting in the Trinity.

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Our Triune God Among the False gods from 2016-06-20T00:15

Tony Reinke interviews guest Michael Reeves on the Trinity.

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Envisioning Fatherhood from 2016-06-17T00:15

Tony Reinke interviews guest, Eric Mason, on fatherhood.

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Perfect Manhood on Display from 2016-06-16T00:15

Tony Reinke interviews guest, Eric Mason, on manhood.

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What You Admire Is What You’re Becoming from 2016-06-15T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John preaches that what you admire is what you become.

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Should I Finish School Before I Marry? Six Options to Consider from 2016-06-14T00:15

Pastor John gives advice to a dating couple who are considering marriage.

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Ask Pastor John
Spanking Is Illegal in My Country — Now What? from 2016-06-13T00:15

Pastor John gives encouragement to parents who live in countries where spanking is illegal.

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What Is the Difference Between ‘Called’ and ‘Chosen’? from 2016-06-10T00:15

God gives a general call for the whole word to hear and heed his gospel, but he calls only some to come to life.

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My Six Favorite Books on Romans from 2016-06-09T00:15

Pastor John shares the commentaries that he referenced in his study of Romans.

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The Outrage of History from 2016-06-08T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John explains why we, and the universe, exist.

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Ask Pastor John
Weddings: Don’t Break the Bank from 2016-06-07T00:15

Plan weddings at one fourth of the cost and one fourth of the stress — and double the focus on the glory of Christ.Listen

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No Cremation — But Should I Gift My Body to Science? from 2016-06-06T00:15

Pastor John answers a follow-up question to the cremation question. Should Christians donate their bodies to science? Listen

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How Can I Share Conflicts with My Spouse Without Gossiping? from 2016-06-03T00:15

Pastor John addresses relational conflict, and if and when to share with your spouse.

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Ask Pastor John
Are the First and Last Commandments the Same? from 2016-06-02T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John invites us to consider the 10 commandments, and the correlation between idolatry and covetousness. Listen

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How Our Sex Life Manifests Our Soul Health from 2016-06-01T00:15

Our sexual brokenness is a result of a broken exchange — we have traded God’s glory for lesser delights.

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Ask Pastor John
I Don’t Like My Job — Now What? from 2016-05-31T00:15

Tony Reinke interviews Tim Keller on work and doing it well.

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Why Grumpiness at Work Lies About God from 2016-05-30T00:15

Guest, Tim Keller, discusses the Gospel and work with Tony Reinke.

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The Bible Often Mentions God’s Wrath — Why Does It Matter? from 2016-05-27T00:15

Guest, Don Carson, discusses the theme of the wrath of God.

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I’m a Complementarian Married to an Egalitarian — Who Compromises Now? from 2016-05-26T00:15

Pastor John continues the discussion on couples who hold different theological views.

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Why Hell Exists from 2016-05-25T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John preaches on the existence of Hell.

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How Do My Unbaptized Children Relate to the New-Covenant Promises? from 2016-05-24T00:15

As a baptist, Pastor John shares how we should view our children within the church covenant.

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How Do I Feed My Soul in the Hard Books of the Old Testament? from 2016-05-23T00:15

Pastor John gives encouragement for reading the Old Testament.

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Ask Pastor John
My Friend Honored God and His Parents — Why Did He Die Young? from 2016-05-20T00:15

Does God promise long life to his children? Pastor John discusses.

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Ask Pastor John
I See a Church Leader Living in Sexual Sin — Should I Expose Him? from 2016-05-19T00:15

Pastor John urges Christians to expose sin, and gives advice how.

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Ask Pastor John
Why Do I Need Forgiveness? Beware of the Wrong Answers from 2016-05-18T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John preaches on the ultimate aim of the cross for us in the forgiveness of our sins. Listen

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“May I Have Two Wives?” Six Vetoes from 2016-05-17T00:15

Pastor John gives 6 vetoes to accepting polygamy.

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Will You Use Target’s Transgender Bathroom? from 2016-05-16T00:15

How should Christians respond to cultural evil? Not mainly by criticizing the culture, but by building a grand alternative vision of reality.Listen

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What the Whole Bible Says About Sin from 2016-05-13T00:15

Guest, Don Carson, gives us a brief biblical theology of sin.

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Ask Pastor John
Why Can’t God Eternally Love Those Who Don’t Believe in Him? from 2016-05-12T00:15

Pastor John gives 3 responses to "why can God not eternally love those who don’t believe him?"

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Leading with Words from 2016-05-11T00:15

Guest, Al Mohler, shares principles of leading with words in the digital age.

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Conviction, Humility, and Self-Confidence in the Workplace from 2016-05-10T00:15

Guest, Albert Mohler, speaks on conviction, humility, and self-confidence in the workplace.

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Ask Pastor John
The Power of Storytelling in Leadership from 2016-05-09T00:15

Guest, Al Mohler, shares with us how he sees the church has failed businesspeople.

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Ask Pastor John
What Can We Learn from ‘Black Lives Matter’? from 2016-05-06T00:15

Pastor John shares what he has learned from Black Lives Matter.

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Ask Pastor John
How Do Money, Sex, and Power Expose the Real Me? from 2016-05-05T00:15

Money, sex, and power are God-given means that show what we value. Pastor John explains.

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Ask Pastor John
How Our Loves Bind Our Will from 2016-05-04T00:15

In this conference message excerpt, Pastor John argues that the debate over the freedom of the will was central to the Reformation. Listen

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Can Pleasure in God Really Compete with the Pleasures of Porn? from 2016-05-03T00:15

Pastor John argues that spiritual pleasure in Jesus can be intense enough to conquer ungodly physical pleasure. Listen

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Correcting My Mistake with Money, Sex, and Power from 2016-05-02T00:15

Pastor John discusses the mistake he made with his new book, "Living in the Light: Money, Sex, and Power".

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Ask Pastor John
What Is Worship? from 2016-04-29T00:15

Right worship depends on a right grasp in our minds of the way God really is, and a right response in our hearts to his worth. Listen

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I’ve Already Wasted My Life — Now What? from 2016-04-28T00:15

What we’ve done isn’t the measure of what God can do through us in the future. Pastor John offers five ways forward for those who feel stuck.Listen

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Why Jesus Needed a Body from 2016-04-27T00:15

In this 1995 sermon excerpt, Pastor John tells why Jesus needed a body.

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Should Christians Partner with Non-Christians on Social Issues? from 2016-04-26T00:15

Pastor John gives his opinion on partnering with non-Christians on social issues.

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Ask Pastor John
What Is the Line Between Courage and Foolishness? from 2016-04-25T00:15

Pastor John discusses risk and the difference between courage and foolishness.

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Spoil the Grandkids? A Better Way Forward from 2016-04-22T00:15

Pastor John addresses the popular idea of grandparents spoiling their grandchildren.

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Ask Pastor John
‘Please Help! — I’m Wandering Away from God’ from 2016-04-21T00:15

No matter how deep your sin, God’s grace is greater. God always stands ready to pardon those who would come to him through Christ. Listen

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Is the Christian Life Peace or War? from 2016-04-20T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John preaches about the Christian life of rest and war.

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Ask Pastor John
Do We Have Joy or Fight for It? from 2016-04-19T00:15

Pastor John talks about his fight for joy.

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Ten Principles for Personal Productivity from 2016-04-18T00:15

How can we approach our responsibilities so that we make the most of life for Christ? Pastor John provides ten principles for personal productivity.Listen

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When Worldly “Freedoms” Become Sinister Shackles from 2016-04-15T00:15

Pastor John addresses Christian freedom for marriage and singleness.

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Sneak Peek of John’s Next Book from 2016-04-14T00:15

Pastor John gives us a sneak peek of his upcoming book.

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Jesus Is Real, Living, Precious, and Present from 2016-04-13T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John preaches on what it means to be "in" the Word, and having a closeness with Christ. Listen

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Will God Hurt Me and Call It Good? from 2016-04-12T00:15

Pastor John connects the goodness of God with the wisdom of God, and how we can trust God when his goodness seems arbitrary. Listen

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My Young Life Has Been Physically Ruined — Now What? from 2016-04-11T00:15

Pastor John encourages young people who have a life-altering disability.

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Gospel Hope for Self-Haters from 2016-04-08T00:15

In this special episode, Tony Reinke interviews David Powlison about self-hate among Christians.

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Ask Pastor John
Does My Soul Sleep After Death? from 2016-04-07T00:15

What happens after we die? Do we go directly to be with Christ, or do our souls sleep until Christ returns at the second coming? Listen

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To Spiritually Float Is to Dangerously Drift from 2016-04-06T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John addresses the dangers of a drifting Christian.

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Look at the Book — Should Preachers Draw on Texts During Their Sermons? from 2016-04-05T00:15

Pastor John explains why he does not use or recommend visual media during preaching.

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My Pastor Uses Pre-Made Sermons — Should I Be Concerned? from 2016-04-04T00:15

Secondhand sermons will not suffice. Preaching requires pastors who see the beauty of truth and express the value of it for themselves.Listen

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How Do You Use Your iPhone and iPad in Christian Growth? from 2016-04-01T00:15

Pastor John shares how he uses technology for his Christian life.

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I Slept with My Girlfriend — Now What? from 2016-03-31T00:15

Unmarried couples who sleep together lose something precious. But if Christ is their treasure, his grace still reigns over their shame.Listen

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Social Justice on Purpose from 2016-03-30T00:15

In a 2008 sermon, Pastor John preaches on loving God by loving others.

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How Our Faith and Law-Keeping Work Together in the Christian Life from 2016-03-29T00:15

Pastor John explains how our faith and law keeping work together in the Christian life

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Should Christians Swear on the Bible? from 2016-03-28T00:15

Pastor John explains why he would not swear on the Bible.

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A Biblical Theology of Resurrection from 2016-03-25T00:15

Guest Don Carson helps us understand and appreciate the Bible’s theology of resurrection.

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Ten Ways Easter Changes Everything from 2016-03-24T00:15

To say the resurrection changes everything may fell extreme. But as you read the Bible, you see it is no exaggeration to say that it truly changed everything.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Stop Living a Half-Life with God from 2016-03-23T00:15

God alone secured our salvation. We can take no credit. This biblical view of salvation keeps us humble and grounded. Listen

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Seven Simple Tips to Refresh Your Prayer Life from 2016-03-22T00:15

God loves when his children pray. Pastor John shares seven practical ways to refresh your prayer life.

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A Plea for a Radical Christian Wartime Lifestyle in the Retirement Years from 2016-03-21T00:15

Pastor John gives his plea for radical Christian wartime in retirement.

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Did Biblical Writers Mature over Time? from 2016-03-18T00:15

Pastor John shares his principles on Bible interpretation related to Paul's maturity over time.

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Gospel Hope for Cultural Pessimists from 2016-03-17T00:15

Pastor John gives gospel hope for cultural pessimists.

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You Were Made to Celebrate from 2016-03-16T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John preaches that celebration comes naturally to us because we were made to rejoice. Listen

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Gospel Wisdom for Approval Junkies from 2016-03-15T00:15

Pastor John shares wisdom for approval junkies.

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Ask Pastor John
Is My Dating Relationship Idolatrous? from 2016-03-14T00:15

Pastor John gives counsel to a young woman who fears her relationship with her boyfriend is idolatrous.

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Ask Pastor John
A Theology of Creation in 12 Points from 2016-03-11T00:15

Guest, Don Carson, focuses on the implications of Creation in the first two chapters of Genesis.

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Ask Pastor John
May Christian Doctors Help Patients Die If the Law Permits? from 2016-03-10T00:15

Pastor John discusses physician assisted suicide.

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Ask Pastor John
Jesus Is Not Dead, Absent, Boring, or Predictable from 2016-03-09T00:30

Jesus is not dead, boring, or predictable as John Piper explains from the conversion of Paul.

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Ask Pastor John
Is Oprah Right on Psalm 37:4? from 2016-03-08T00:15

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.” Oprah missed the most important part of the verse: God himself.Listen

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Jerry Bridges (1929–2016): Five Lessons from a Remarkable Life of Faith from 2016-03-07T02:20

Life lessons from Jerry Bridges, who passed away at the age of 86.

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Ask Pastor John
Does Sin Have a Necessary Place in God’s Plan for the Universe? from 2016-03-07T00:05

Pastor John shares why sin is part of God’s ultimate plan.

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Why Casinos Always Win in the End from 2016-03-04T00:15

Guest, Vern Poythress, explains why casinos don't lose money.

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Ask Pastor John
Should We Flip a Coin to Find God’s Will? from 2016-03-03T00:15

Guest, Vern Poythress discusses chance and the sovereignty of God.

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Ask Pastor John
Why Going to Church Does Not Make You a Christian from 2016-03-02T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Piper recounts when he discovered his desire for Christ was too weak.

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Ask Pastor John
‘My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?’ Didn’t Jesus Already Know? from 2016-03-01T00:15

Why did Jesus cry out, “Why have you forsaken me?” if he already knew why? Pastor John gives three reasons.

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Has My Sexual Sin Made Me Unsavable? from 2016-02-29T00:15

Pastor John extends biblical counsel to those who struggle with sexual sin and worry that they may be beyond repentance. Listen

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How Do I Wisely Tell a Professing Believer I Don’t Think He Is Saved? from 2016-02-26T00:15

Many profess, but not all believe. Pastor John offers seven ways to approach someone who does not display the fruits of the Spirit. Listen

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Four Reasons to Share Your Personal Struggles with Non-Christians from 2016-02-25T00:15

Pastor John counsels Christians, in wisdom, to share their weaknesses with unbelievers.

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Jesus Did Not Stop at Making Salvation Possible from 2016-02-24T00:15

In this sermon excerpt, Pastor John preaches that "the cross was not a tragic event God turned for good. It was a loving event God planned for good.” Listen

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Help Me Trust in God’s Sovereign Goodness over My Wearisome Life from 2016-02-23T00:15

When the burdens and monotony of life in a fallen world cloud our view of Christ, where can we turn and what can we do to see more clearly again?Listen

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How Do I Live the Authentic Christian Life? from 2016-02-22T00:15

The authentic Christian life is the obedient Christian life. Pastor John shares an acronym that helps him to walk in the power that God supplies.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Could a Complementarian / Egalitarian Marriage Work? from 2016-02-19T00:15

Can a complementarian and an egalitarian ever get along in a marriage? Or is the difference of belief too fundamental to for the relationship to work?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Are God’s Attributes “Clearly Perceived” by Everyone? from 2016-02-18T00:15

Romans 1 tells us that the existence of God, along with his attributes, are evident to everyone. Does this mean that even atheists have some knowledge of God?Listen

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The Christian’s Great Vocation from 2016-02-17T00:15

Every believer is written in the Lamb’s book of life. That’s not just a privilege for eternal life later but a humble, happy, and satisfied life now.Listen

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Doesn’t the Bible Tell Christians to Put Homosexuals to Death? from 2016-02-16T00:15

Putting practicing homosexuals to death belonged to a particular season in the history of God’s dealings with his people. Listen

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Should Christians Tolerate False Religious Beliefs? from 2016-02-15T00:15

Christians should tolerate other belief systems not because we think we are all correct, but because we desire people to come freely — not under coercion — to understand the truth. Listen

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An Overview of the Whole Bible from 2016-02-12T00:15

If we are going to understand specific parts of the Bible, then we need to understand the flow of redemptive history. Special guest, D.A. Carson, walks us through the entire Bible in half an hour. ...

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Ask Pastor John
May I Split My Giving Between My Church and Another Ministry? from 2016-02-11T00:15

Opportunities abound for Christians to give money and resources, but should we prioritize giving to our churches first and foremost? Listen

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We Will Sing Bloody Songs Forever from 2016-02-10T00:15

The song of the redeemed will resound forever in heaven because of the Lamb whose slaying was planned before the foundation of the world. Listen

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Why Do Christians Worship Together on Sundays? from 2016-02-09T00:15

If Christians have the freedom to gather and worship on any day of the week, why have we traditionally assembled on Sundays?Listen

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Why Do Christians Fast? from 2016-02-08T00:15

Fasting is a way of saying with our stomach and our whole body how much we need and want and trust Jesus.

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Romantic Love Is a Wonderful Gift — and a Terrible God from 2016-02-05T00:15

Romance can neither ground nor sustain a good marriage. We need something deeper, and much more steadfast to stand on. Listen

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My Child’s Greatest Need from 2016-02-04T00:15

Awe is an important principle for parenting. We can cast most of our struggles with our children as helping our kids redirect their awe to the proper place. Listen

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The Single Aim of All Ministry from 2016-02-03T00:15

We should never keep our awe in God to ourselves. So how can we—especially ministry leaders—experience a depth of awe that overflows others?Listen

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The Spiritual Battle with Weight Loss from 2016-02-02T00:15

Diets and quick-fix programs for weight loss don’t work because weight loss is actually a spiritually battle that requires us to get our hearts right first.Listen

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God’s Glory Must Enchant Us from 2016-02-01T00:15

God’s astounding glory and majesty should awe us. If we don’t live with a fearful sense of his glory, then we miss one of our greatest paths to intimacy with God. Listen

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How Do You Humbly Receive Harsh Feedback? from 2016-01-29T00:15

We all need constructive criticism to help us grow and mature. But how do we respond to feedback that seems harsh, and perhaps downright rude?Listen

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If We Have the Holy Spirit, Do We Need Other Teachers? from 2016-01-28T00:15

God has granted us his word and his Spirit to guide us into all truth. Does that mean we don’t really need anyone to teach or instruct us in the ways of the faith.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is ‘Glorified Joy’ and Can I Get It? from 2016-01-27T00:15

The Bible speaks not only about joy but “inexpressible joy” and “glorified joy.” Is it really possible for us to experience such bliss on this side of heaven?Listen

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How Do You Synthesize Your Simple Lifestyle and Speaking at Expensive Conferences? from 2016-01-26T00:15

Christian ministries often spend significant amounts of money on conferences, marketing, and other things that can seem excessive. Do such expenses align with a wartime lifestyle?Listen

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What Is Discipleship and How Is It Done? from 2016-01-25T00:15

We all know the call to make disciples of all nations, but where do we start? And how do we know if we have actually succeeded? Listen

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What Truths Do We Need from Outside the Bible? from 2016-01-22T00:15

Scripture is sufficient, and yet there is a lot that we can learn from natural revelation. How do we evaluate those truths not contained in the Bible?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do We Know We Cannot Sin in Heaven? from 2016-01-21T00:15

If Adam and Eve sinned in the paradise of Eden, how do we know we won’t sin in the next paradise of the new heavens and the new earth? Listen

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How Christ Sensitizes Us to Reality from 2016-01-20T00:15

In a 2015 message, Pastor John preaches that the gospel brings life, and in this life comes sensitivity to reality, and there is great sadness in reality.Listen

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Can I Be Blotted from the Book of Life? from 2016-01-19T00:15

Several passages in Scripture mention being blotted out of the book of life. Does this mean genuine believers can lose their salvation?Listen

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Is God Sovereign over My Free Will? from 2016-01-18T00:15

We do not have ultimate self-determination, but we will all give an account to God for our choices.

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Why Was Jesus Baptized? from 2016-01-15T00:15

Jesus clearly stated that he needed John to baptize him. But why would Jesus need to go through the waters of baptism if he had not sinned? Listen

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Humbly Handling the Offense of the Gospel with Non-Christians from 2016-01-14T00:15

In a pluralistic world, Christianity faces all sorts of backlash against its exclusive claims. How can we respond well to the claims of other religions?Listen

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Who Is Jesus to You? from 2016-01-13T00:15

Jesus Christ is the Alpha and the Omega. He never had a beginning and will have no end. He is fully and completely God. Listen

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Four Ways to Kill the Sin of Habitual Suspicion from 2016-01-12T00:15

Sometimes it’s too easy to question others’ motives, especially if we think they want something from us. How do we fight that tendency to suspicion?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Does It Mean for a Man to Lead His Family Spiritually? from 2016-01-11T00:15

Husbands take their cues from Christ, who gave himself up for the church. How can Christian men serve their wives and kids while leading them?Listen

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Will God Call Me to a Career I Don’t Enjoy? from 2016-01-08T00:15

Can a believer ever be called to a lifelong career that they do not enjoy? Pastor John explains why we should ask a different question.Listen

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Strategies for When Life Seems Aimless from 2016-01-07T00:15

When seasons of waiting make you feel aimless and without purpose, what truths from Scripture can keep you moving forward. Listen

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What’s the Most Neglected Spiritual Discipline? from 2016-01-06T00:15

Which spiritual discipline can help awaken our appetite for God, but is rarely practiced well today?

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What Spiritual Disciplines Are Most Important? from 2016-01-05T00:15

Taking in the word of God and talking to him in prayer are the most basic, fundamental disciplines. But is there a way to do both of those better?Listen

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How Do I Know If I’m Doing the Spiritual Disciplines Right? from 2016-01-04T00:15

Discipline is a mark of a believer in Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us new desires to see and savor Jesus Christ wherever we can find him. Listen

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Why We Need Personal and Congregational Disciplines from 2016-01-01T00:15

The spiritual disciplines are habits to be engaged in personally and corporately. We need time alone with God, and we need time together with his people. Listen

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What Are Spiritual Disciplines? from 2015-12-31T00:15

What makes a discipline spiritual, and what makes a spiritual practice a discipline? Don Whitney addresses six characteristics of Christian spiritual disciplines.Listen

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What Are the Biggest Challenges Facing the Evangelical Church in 2016? from 2015-12-30T00:15

Every generation faces unique issues, but the most pressing, most urgent Christians remain the same year in and year out. Listen

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Why Sexual Metaphors of Jesus and His Bride Embarrass Us from 2015-12-29T00:15

Marriage — including sexual intimacy — portrays Jesus’s relationship with the church. Pastor John explains how.

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Are We Saved by Belief in God or by Delight in God? from 2015-12-28T00:15

Faith, defined biblically, not only believes in Jesus Christ but also treasures him as the supreme value of all the universe.Listen

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The Key to Experiencing Christmas Peace in Your Life Today from 2015-12-25T00:15

Christmas is a time for relishing in the peace that God offers the whole world through Jesus Christ, but we will only have it if we put our faith in the one who took on flesh that first Christmas. ...

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Glory to God and Peace on Earth from 2015-12-24T00:15

The birth of Jesus at Christmas enables glory to ascend forever to God and peace to descend on his people forever. Listen

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Santa Claus: Harmless Fun or Christmastime Diversion? from 2015-12-23T00:15

Compared to all the riches of knowing Jesus Christ, even the best gift Santa could bring is little more than a lump of coal. Listen

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Truth or Fiction: Did Herod Really Slaughter Baby Boys in Bethlehem? from 2015-12-22T00:15

Matthew’s Gospel recounts Herod’s infanticide of baby boys in Bethlehem, but no other historical sources appear to mention this tragedy. Did it really happen?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Missionaries Fundraise? from 2015-12-21T00:15

Lots of missionaries raise their own support for ministry. Does the Bible have any examples of this kind of support-raising that we can look to as a model?Listen

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Does the Cross Show How Valuable I Am? from 2015-12-18T00:15

Does the cross of Christ show how valuable we are? Or how enormous sin is that we need a Savior?

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Ask Pastor John
Four Signs Food Has Become an Idol from 2015-12-17T00:15

When our contentment in God fades, food quickly takes its place. Pastor John focuses on the secret to winning the war for our desires. Listen

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I Will Not Leave Jesus — But I’m Done with the Church from 2015-12-16T00:15

“I’m done with the organized church, but I still love Jesus.” If you walk away from the church, you walk away from Jesus. Listen

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Should I Hate Satan? from 2015-12-15T00:15

We know Satan has been working evil since the beginning. But should we actually hate him? Pastor John explains why we should.Listen

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Where Did Satan’s First Desire for Evil Come From? from 2015-12-14T00:15

We may not be able to explain how Satan became evil, but we do know that God did not compromise his goodness or glory in allowing Satan’s fall.Listen

Ask Pastor John
I Read the Bible and Feel Nothing — What Should I Do? from 2015-12-11T00:15

Never settle for passionless Bible reading. Lean in, pray for God to open your eyes, and keep searching for treasure for your heart. Listen

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Do I Own My Art? On Intellectual Property Rights from 2015-12-10T00:15

Are property and intellectual rights selfish, or do they actually match up with clear biblical principles?

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You Have a Lawyer in Heaven’s Court from 2015-12-09T00:15

Our salvation isn’t just a once-and-done event, but a lifetime of drawing near to God through Jesus Christ, our high priest.Listen

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What Does It Mean to Live in God’s Presence? from 2015-12-08T00:15

For Christians indwelt by the Spirit, God is always in us and with us. But sometimes, he exerts his influence for our good in unique, unmistakeable ways.Listen

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How Do I Know God’s Calling for My Life? from 2015-12-07T00:15

Should I stay and send, or should I go to the mission field? Pastor John gives seven factors to keep in mind when weighing a calling to missions.Listen

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Counsel for Online Shopping Addicts? from 2015-12-04T00:15

Shopping today is more convenient than ever, especially online. But what should we do when online shopping becomes more than just a convenience?Listen

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The Holy Kiss — Relevant Today or Not? from 2015-12-03T00:15

The New Testament mentions greeting one another with a kiss four times. Is that just an outmoded cultural practice, or is there something we can learn from it today?Listen

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Your Suffering Is Working for You from 2015-12-02T00:15

For every believer, we can know with complete confidence that God is not only with us sin our pain, but is producing glory through every ounce of our suffering.Listen

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Is God Directing My Life Through My Anxieties? from 2015-12-01T00:15

God can use anything he wants — even sin — to lead and guide his people. But that doesn’t mean we should seek out sinful means just because God can sovereignly use them.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Am I Ready to Become a Christian? from 2015-11-30T00:15

I’ve heard the gospel, but how can I be sure that I am truly ready to surrender my whole life to Jesus Christ?

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What Will My Happiness Look Like in Heaven? from 2015-11-27T00:15

God offers all of his children joy in Christ now. But compared to heaven, those are just mere glimpses of what is to come. Listen

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Christian Joy and Feasting from 2015-11-26T00:15

Throughout the Scriptures, God’s people feast as an expression of their joy in the Lord. What would it look like for the church to be known for celebration and joy?Listen

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The Two Sworn Enemies of Our Joy from 2015-11-25T00:15

Sin and anxiety threaten to still our happiness every day. Thankfully, Jesus offers us greater pleasure than sin and an antidote to all our worry.Listen

Ask Pastor John
If God Is Happy, Why Does He Seem Bad-Tempered? from 2015-11-24T00:15

As we read the Bible, we see a God who is righteously angry at sin. But we can’t let that overshadow the reality that God is a fundamentally happy being.Listen

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Is Happiness Different from Joy? from 2015-11-23T00:15

We often hear that joy and happiness are fundamentally different. But does this idea actually hold up to the way the Bible presents the concepts of happiness and joy to us?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Point of Thinking Deeply About God? from 2015-11-20T00:15

If we are inclined to embrace emotion more than thinking, what biblical truths might help us embrace a balance between passion and intellect?Listen

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When Should Non-Quitters Quit? from 2015-11-19T00:15

Do I dishonor God when I quit something that I have committed to? What if that commitment prevents me from doing other things that honor the Lord?Listen

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Even in Setbacks, God Is Lacing Your Life into an Infinite Storyline from 2015-11-18T00:15

So much of our lives seem ordinary, or even trivial. But the truth is that nothing done for Christ’s sake is ever ordinary. Listen

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Four Key Ways We Enjoy God in Our Work from 2015-11-17T00:15

Our vocation isn’t something we do apart from efforts to know and enjoy God. Rather, our work should be the very sphere where we publicly enjoy and show off the glory of God.Listen

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Articulating the Glorious Cross to an Atonement-Rejecting Culture from 2015-11-16T00:15

Substitutionary atonement may not appeal to modern sensibilities, and even seems unjust to some. But if we lose Christ in our place, we lose the gospel.Listen

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Am I Righteous Enough to Enjoy the Promises in the Psalms? from 2015-11-13T00:15

The psalmists regularly plead their own righteousness before God. Can Christians today do the same, even though we know just how sinful we really are?Listen

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Do I Delight in God or in Others Being Impressed by My Discovery About God? from 2015-11-12T00:15

In our personal communion with the Lord, we want the highlight of our time to be worship an adoration, not just more ideas and notes for our next sermon or Bible study.Listen

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What Does It Mean to Receive Jesus into My Life? from 2015-11-11T00:15

If God gave his only Son, then that means that we must receive him. But what does it really mean to receive Jesus Christ? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Nine Forceful Warnings to Confront Your Friend’s Adultery from 2015-11-10T00:15

Pursuing romance outside of marriage might seem like it offers a path to pleasure and joy, but in the end, it obscures the only way to life and sets you on a road to destruction.Listen

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Six Ways Parents of Rebellious Children Fight for Faith from 2015-11-09T00:15

Every believing parent longs to see their children walking with the Lord. But what can a mom or dad do when their son or daughter rebels?Listen

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Gun to Your Head, Will You Deny Christ? from 2015-11-06T00:15

Would we really stand for Christ in the moment our life is on the line? What if we’re really not sure?

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Ask Pastor John
Is Tardiness and Punctuality a Christian Witness Issue? from 2015-11-05T00:15

Tardiness may not seem like a big deal, but when it becomes a habit, it can really disrupt someone’s life. So how can brothers and sisters in Christ help each other deal with chronic lateness? Listen

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Hope in Eternal Purity, Aim at Daily Purity from 2015-11-04T00:15

The new birth changes our status before God and how we act in the world. We now fight for purity as adopted children of the Most High. Listen

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Can My Life Be Plagued by Generational Sins, Hexes, or Curses? from 2015-11-03T00:15

Christ has freed all his people from any and every Christ. All who take refuge in him need no longer fear any generational sin, hex, curse, or anything else.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Praise Others but Avoid Flattery? from 2015-11-02T00:15

The Bible calls us to encourage one another, but how do we prevent encouragement and praise from devolving into flattery? Listen

Ask Pastor John
No Creed But the Bible? from 2015-10-30T00:15

If Scripture is the Christian’s primary guide, then why do we need confessions of faith? Shouldn’t we just stick to the Bible? Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Major Obstacle in Forgiving Others from 2015-10-29T00:15

Even when others won’t acknowledge the wrong they have committed, Jesus still calls his people to love, forgive, and forebear. Listen

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Would You Settle for One Million Dollars? from 2015-10-28T00:15

The inheritance we have in Christ far outvalues anything this world can offer. Our eternal treasure is safe and secure in him. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Do Non-Christian Novelists Know the Human Condition So Well? from 2015-10-27T00:15

When we reject God, we suppress the truth. But we can never escape all that is true, good, and beautiful in our Father’s world. Listen

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Knowledge Exists Because God Exists from 2015-10-26T00:15

God has known himself perfectly for all eternity, and now he knows every aspect of his world perfectly. So as we come to learn and discover, we are simply thinking God’s thoughts after him. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does God Delight in Destroying Sinners? from 2015-10-23T00:15

The Bible seems to say that God does not take pleasure in death, and yet that he takes delight in executing his wrath. Is this a contradiction, or can they both be true?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Everything About God Is About Everything from 2015-10-22T00:15

Nothing exists that does not relate directly to God. In other words, everything about God is also about everything in this world. Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Depression Descends, Do the Next Thing from 2015-10-21T00:15

Do not underestimate the power of preaching to your soul and singing to God when you can’t shake spiritual darkness. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Should Christians Think About Socialism? from 2015-10-20T00:15

How does socialism borrow from the Bible? And how does socialism differ from biblical principles on compassion and justice? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is the Refugee Crisis an End-Times Event? from 2015-10-19T00:15

As peoples spread and migrate across the globe, Christianity ebbs and flows. But there is no reason to believe that God won’t use the movement of peoples to advance the gospel.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should I Care at All What People Think of Me? from 2015-10-16T00:15

Christ frees every believer from being overly concerned with what others think. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t care at all. Listen

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God Wrote a Book — That Changes All Other Books from 2015-10-15T00:15

Good books have so much to offer for the Christian life. Pastor John describes seven ways books have shaped him personally. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Loving Money Is Suicide from 2015-10-14T00:15

We all need money and we all use money. But when we begin to seek happiness in money, we are taking steps toward destruction.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What’s the Difference Between Self-Love and Self-Esteem? from 2015-10-13T00:15

Jesus commands us to love others as we love ourselves. Does that mean he wants us to have high self-esteem?

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Ask Pastor John
Eight Promises to Students Facing Ridicule at School from 2015-10-12T00:15

How can a student face persecution from their peers at school? What promises can they hold on to when all seems to be shaking? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Arminians Preach a Sufficient Gospel? from 2015-10-09T00:15

Spurgeon seemed to say that Arminians preach an insufficient gospel. But can our theological commitments really ruin our gospel presentation to the point that it’s completely defective?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is God Only Glorified by People Who Love Him? from 2015-10-08T00:15

God will receive glory from every part of his creation, even from those who rebel against him. But he receives most glory from the believer when our hearts find our fullest satisfaction in him. Listen

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Consistent Spiritual Discipline Is Not Legalism from 2015-10-07T00:15

Consistent spiritual discipline is Christian living and is not legalistic.

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Ask Pastor John
Does the Bible Say True Christians Never Sin? from 2015-10-06T00:15

Some texts in the Bible, like 1 John 5:18, may seem difficult to understand at first. But with a little digging, nuggets of gold are sure to surface.Listen

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Doesn’t the Cross Display God’s Wrath Better Than Hell? from 2015-10-05T00:15

If Christ already bore the wrath of God on the cross, then is hell just redundant? Does hell take away from the glory of what Christ accomplished?Listen

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Don’t Neglect the Work of Speck Removing from 2015-10-02T00:15

Before correcting a brother or sister in Christ, how certain must we be that our own outlook is free from sin and deceit? Listen

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Can God Be Sovereign over All Sin and Still Be Good? from 2015-10-01T00:15

How we talk about God’s absolute sovereignty, right down to our word choice, makes a big difference in how people receive this precious truth. Listen

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Does Netflix Make Christ More Precious to You? from 2015-09-30T00:15

The accommodations of our modern world aren’t all inherently sinful. But unless they serve our faithfulness to Jesus, what good are they? Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Christians Start Revolutions or Just Live Quietly? from 2015-09-29T00:15

First Thessalonians 4:11 says that we should “live a quiet life.” Do Jesus’s and Paul’s lives measure up to that instruction?Listen

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Will God Ever Give Us More Than We Can Handle? from 2015-09-28T00:15

Many Christians say, “God will never give us more than we can handle.” But the truth of that statement depends on two key words. Listen

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What’s the Difference Between Peace and Joy? from 2015-09-25T00:15

God desires that we have both peace and joy as we walk with him. How to joy and peace relate, and how do they differ? Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Should We Pray for God to Take Us Home? from 2015-09-24T00:15

When we learn that our time on this earth is short, what truths can help us live out our last days with joy?

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Truths You Will Need When Cancer Hits from 2015-09-23T00:15

The Bible speaks to our toughest moments.

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Seven Tips for College Students from 2015-09-22T00:45

Do what you have to do to be radically devoted to Jesus and his holiness.

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Ask Pastor John
The Joy Project from 2015-09-21T00:20

The doctrines of grace invite us to discover the endless fountain of all joy. Let The Joy Project guide you on a journey to uncover those riches of happiness.Listen

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How to Help Friends Escape the Prosperity Gospel from 2015-09-20T00:15

The prosperity gospel may be easy to critique from a distance, but what about when it comes home? How can you talk to close friends and loved ones who have accepted the so-called prosperity “gospel...

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How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse from 2015-09-18T00:15

What if zombie stories and movies weren’t just mindless horror but could actually teach us about the true nature of our world? Listen

Ask Pastor John
If My Work Can Be Used for Evil, What Should I Do? from 2015-09-17T00:15

If my work can be corrupted by others for evil purposes, does that cancel out any good that I achieve?

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Ask Pastor John
The Only Escape from Our Boasting from 2015-09-16T00:15

We love to enjoy the benefits of the gospel, but the gospel is actually not an end in itself. So what is the ultimate goal of the gospel?Listen

Ask Pastor John
If My Government Funds Abortions, Why Pay Taxes? from 2015-09-15T00:15

Our tax dollars inevitably end up at places like Planned Parenthood — an organization that takes innocent life. Is it wrong to continue contributing taxes to a government that underwrites sin? Listen

Ask Pastor John
If Babies Go to Heaven, Why Oppose Abortion? from 2015-09-14T00:15

Some argue, “If aborted babies go to heaven, why is abortion such a big deal?” Pastor John gives six reasons why Christians must never compromise.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Kim Davis Right to Refuse Marriage Licenses? from 2015-09-11T00:55

In August 2015, Kim Davis, a county clerk in Kentucky, refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Was she right to do so? Listen

Ask Pastor John
How to Engage Culture and Swim Against It from 2015-09-11T00:15

As you swim in the culture, be a dolphin that cuts through the currents, not a jellyfish that goes with the flow.

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Are Comfortable Christians Compromisers? from 2015-09-10T00:15

When everything in life is going well, should we be worried because we are not experiencing the suffering Scripture promises?Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Love You’ll Never Get from Hollywood from 2015-09-09T00:15

The love of God in the Bible can sometimes be difficult to understand, like when Jesus lets Lazarus die because he loves him. What is love in a passage like that?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Hope for Hard Marriages from 2015-09-08T00:15

If you are in a discouraging marriage, don’t focus on whether your marriage is pleasing to the Lord. Focus on whether you are. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Energy Drinks Fuel the Christian Life? from 2015-09-07T00:15

When thinking about energy drinks, we need to ask if the stimulant is masking a deeper problem, becoming a new master in our lives, or harming other people. Listen

Ask Pastor John
The Passions That Prevent Adultery from 2015-09-04T12:00

New passions, new affections, produce new conduct. I am a Christian Hedonist for theological reasons. I am after people’s affections because all of our behaviors come from this.Listen

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How Does God’s Forgiveness Free Us from Idols? from 2015-09-04T00:15

In a fallen world, we will never rid ourselves completely from the threat of and allure of idols. But the gospel has the power to free us to live from security and stability.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Are Relationships Thin in the Digital Age? from 2015-09-03T00:15

Social media allows us to connect with high numbers of people, but often those relationships remain thin. For security in our identity, we need depth, not just breadth.Listen

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Has My Phone Become My Idol? Three Diagnostic Questions from 2015-09-02T00:15

How do I know if my smartphone plays too prominent a role in my life? Dr. Richard Lints offers pointed questions to help you diagnose your screen time habits.Listen

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Why Are Control Freaks Prone to Idols? from 2015-09-01T00:15

We all desire control. But when we realize that we are far from having any real control over our lives, we look for something we can easily manipulate — like a smartphone.Listen

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Why We Never Find Our Identity Inside of Ourselves from 2015-08-31T00:15

In an individualistic era, we like to think that we can just be who we are. But in fact, we are only who we are in relation to others — and most especially in relationship to God himself.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Often Should We Voice Our Views on Homosexuality Online? from 2015-08-28T00:15

When addressing contentious cultural issues like homosexuality, Christians should never merely voice our opinions. We are stewards of God’s very grace and truth.Listen

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When Should We Vent over Social Sins? from 2015-08-27T00:15

Outcries over social ills say something about God, but so does silence. So when should we vent over social sins?

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Ask Pastor John
How Is God Directing My Life? from 2015-08-26T00:15

God’s words lead us to the path of life. They help us see that God is sovereign, a shelter for the needy, and a treasure to those who love him.Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Should I Get Rid of My Smartphone? from 2015-08-25T00:15

Our smartphone will not destroy us. But our love for it can. Ask the Lord to make it plain when the time has come to get rid of your smartphone.Listen

Ask Pastor John
If I Fail to Forgive Others, Will God Not Forgive Me? from 2015-08-24T00:15

The love and forgiveness every believer experiences from God came at the highest price of God’s own Son. How could we ever hold back that grace and mercy from others?Listen

Ask Pastor John
John Piper’s Prayer at Planned Parenthood from 2015-08-22T00:15

On August 22, 2015, Christians and others gathered around the country to protest Planned Parenthood and government funding for the organization. Listen to Pastor Piper’s prayer from the gathering i...

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Ask Pastor John
The Case for Satan from 2015-08-21T00:15

Satan is real. He has massive influence all over the world, and he never tires of wreaking havoc wherever he is able. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Proverbs Promise My Child Will Not Stray? from 2015-08-20T00:15

The Bible never promises that the children of believers will grow up and still follow Jesus. But that doesn’t mean parents are helpless in shepherding their littles ones to the Lord.Listen

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Our Theology Is Meant to Flatten Us from 2015-08-19T00:15

How do you stay humble when God blesses you? How do we guard against pride when others notice that blessing too?

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What’s the Difference Between Types and Analogies? from 2015-08-18T00:15

The Bible uses types to teach us about the single stream of redemptive history that culminates in Christ. But are types really any different than analogies?Listen

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You Are More Sinful Than You Know, More Loved Than You Imagine from 2015-08-17T00:15

Our sin can overwhelm us, leaving us depressed and feeling stripped of value. How do we face our sin honestly without falling into hopelessness?Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Culturally Up-to-Date Must My Pastor Be? from 2015-08-14T00:15

A pastor can’t be an expert on every news trend, but he can help shape a biblical worldview in his people so they can wrestle with the issues on their own. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should Women Be Police Officers? from 2015-08-13T00:15

The Bible prescribes different roles for men and women, but are those roles just for the home and the church?

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Ask Pastor John
The God Who Commands Our Emotions from 2015-08-12T00:15

If telling someone to be happy doesn’t make them happy, then why does the Bible constantly command us to feel a certain way?Listen

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Watershed Differences Between Calvinists and Arminians from 2015-08-11T00:15

The five points tease out the differences between Calvinists and Arminians, but how can parents teach them to their kids simply and clearly?Listen

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Am I Overworking? from 2015-08-10T00:15

The Bible presents a pattern for six-day labor. Whether we follow that same pattern today depends on what we mean by sabbath and how we define our work. Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Do I Choose Between Two Good Things? from 2015-08-07T00:15

Every person experiences disordered desires. The only hope we have to align ourselves with God’s desires is to pursue God in his word through prayer, all in the context of a community of saints. Listen

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Biblical Hope for Breakups from 2015-08-06T00:15

The identity Christ gives to us guards us from devastation when painful breakups happen. We are secure in Jesus no matter what. Listen

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The Single Key to Personal Change from 2015-08-05T00:15

We can all benefit from practical examples of applying Scripture, but what really drives us toward change is a fresh sight of God’s glory and our place in his world.Listen

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Why I Chose ‘God Is Most Glorified’ Not ‘Christ Is Most Glorified’ from 2015-08-04T00:15

The New Testament clearly teaches that Christ should be preeminent in all things. So then why does Desiring God’s slogan not even name him?Listen

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A Mysterious Naked Guy in Gethsemane, and a Lesson in Bible Interpretation from 2015-08-03T00:15

Why does a naked man show up at Jesus’s arrest, and then flee the scene completely naked? Pastor John offers some hermeneutical principles for interpreting seemingly strange texts like this one. Listen

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How Christian Is ‘Pay It Forward’? from 2015-07-31T00:15

The call to “pay it forward” may promote kindness and goodwill, but is it Christian?

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Battling Doubt and Cynicism in Our Bible Reading from 2015-07-30T00:15

Doubt can hijack our time in the word, turning our Bible reading into a battle, not a delight. Where can we turn when this discouragement bombards us?Listen

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Holiness Is a Race, Not a Prohibition from 2015-07-29T00:15

God doesn’t just call his people to avoid sin. He wants us to run our race for righteousness by throwing off anything that holds us back from reaching him.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Is Love? from 2015-07-28T00:15

The most beautiful love is God’s love, which paid the highest price — the life of the Son — to give undeserving enemies the greatest happiness.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is Yoga Sinful? from 2015-07-27T00:15

When it comes to yoga or anything else, don’t simply ask, “What’s wrong with this?” Ask the much fuller question, “Will this make me more Christlike?”Listen

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Living Out God’s Design for Marriage in Today’s World from 2015-07-24T00:15

When we enter into the covenant of marriage, we inevitably bring baggage with us. But God gives grace for us to learn and grow and flourish together.Listen

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How Do I Explain Sin to Someone for the First Time? from 2015-07-23T00:15

In a pluralistic, postmodern culture, the concept of sin can prove difficult to understand. Where should we begin in helping others understand this essential tenet of the faith?Listen

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Why We Must Understand the Temple in God’s Plan Today from 2015-07-22T00:15

“Temple” is a theme that runs throughout the entirety of the Scriptures. How do we trace it, and how does this thread help us understand the whole Bible?Listen

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What Is Biblical Theology? And Do We Need It? from 2015-07-21T00:15

Biblical theology isn’t just theology derived from the Bible, but is a discipline that helps us understand the unique contribution of each part of Scripture to the unified whole. Listen

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Should We Learn to “Forgive Ourselves”? from 2015-07-20T00:15

We no longer have to bear the burden of our guilt. God offers the verdict of no condemnation to all who are in Christ. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should My Spouse Talk to Others About Our Marriage Struggles? from 2015-07-17T00:15

Every marriage has struggles, but how open should we be in sharing those problems with others close to us?

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He or She? How Should I Refer to Transgender Friends? from 2015-07-16T00:15

Does love demand that we agree to call our transgender friends by their preferred gender title?

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What About Soft Cussing? from 2015-07-15T00:15

What we speak with our mouths ought to reflect the purity we strive for with our bodies and the love for God and neighbor we want to exude with our whole being.Listen

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A Song for Sufferers from 2015-07-14T00:15

Under God, none of our suffering is ever meaningless. Whatever comes our way, yet shall we hope in him.

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Should We Prep Our Testimony or Let It Flow? from 2015-07-13T00:15

When the opportunity comes to testify to Christ’s goodness, we don’t always need a rhetorically sound presentation. We need to overflow from faith-filled communion with our Lord and Savior. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Don’t Waste Your Mornings from 2015-07-10T00:15

Checking our phones first thing in the morning won’t prepare us for the day ahead. Our routine should set our eyes on, and strengthen us in, God alone.Listen

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Why Not to Check Your Phone in the Morning from 2015-07-09T00:15

Every morning we wake up with a craving — a craving our phone is eager to satisfy. But this temporary snack cannot feed us like the bread of life.Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Are We Saved for? from 2015-07-08T00:15

In the gospel, we receive forgiveness and salvation, but also so much more. The end point of the good news is pure joy in the presence of God forever.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Is My Bible Reading Too Academic? from 2015-07-07T00:15

Rigorous study of the Bible doesn’t have to be cold and detached. Rather, intense intellectual work can fuel worship for God and love for others.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Put Your Phones Away at the Dinner Table from 2015-07-06T00:15

Mealtimes should offer a time for families to enjoy one another’s company. But what if phones get in the way?

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Why Are Old Testament Commands No Longer Binding? from 2015-07-03T00:15

Christians refrain from keeping the Old Testament law code not because we ignore Scripture, but because Jesus Christ fulfills the whole law. Listen

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Can Souls Be Scared into Heaven? from 2015-07-02T00:15

If we come to Christ simply to receive his gifts, then we have actually missed the greatest gift God can bestow: himself. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Where Do All Our Prayers Go? from 2015-07-01T00:15

Pray is not only a means for us to commune with our Creator, but is God’s appointed means by which his kingdom will come and have victory.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Does Hebrews 6 Say the Gospel Is Only for Beginner Christians? from 2015-06-30T00:15

The cross is the ground of all that God does in redemptive history, which means that the cross should be the basis for all that we preach and teach in our churches.Listen

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How Should We Respond to Calamity in the News? from 2015-06-29T00:15

When tragedy strikes, Christians have need to know how to respond. So how does the Bible guide us to think, feel, and act in the face of calamity?Listen

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Don Carson Responds to the SCOTUS Ruling on (So-Called) Same Sex Marriage from 2015-06-26T05:05

How will the Supreme Court’s decision to legalize so-called “same-sex marriage” impact Christians and our churches? Scholar and Theologian D.A. Carson weighs in just after the ruling was announced....

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What Is the Daily Aim of Parenting? from 2015-06-26T00:15

In the trenches of day-to-day parenting, we need to remember the big picture — namely, that we have the unique opportunity, under God, to shape a form a human soul. Listen

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Do I Love Money? One Simple Test from 2015-06-25T00:15

Money may allow us to buy stuff, but it can never buy contentment. If we try to use money to purchase our happiness, it will fail us every time.Listen

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God Takes Away to Display Christ’s Beauty from 2015-06-24T00:15

The Lord takes away not so that we experience loss, but so that we know the fullness of hope and joy only Jesus Christ offers. Listen

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Flee from Delusions of Strength from 2015-06-23T00:15

God’s grace is sufficient for our every weakness — even the subtle weakness of taking pride in our own “strength.”

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The Church’s Role in Sexual Mythology from 2015-06-22T00:15

Sex isn’t a topic the church should be embarrassed about. In fact, our God-given sexuality offers us an opportunity to display fundamental truths about God and his world. Listen

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What Porn-ified Culture Does to Marriage from 2015-06-19T00:15

When sex becomes all about “my pleasure,” it corrupts a pleasure that God intended to be shared and enjoyed in close, intimate relationship.Listen

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What Sex Outside Marriage Says About You from 2015-06-18T00:15

God has set boundaries for sex not because he wants to deny us some hidden pleasure, but because he wants us to experience the best joy possible.Listen

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Postmodern Nonsense Meets Palpable Evil from 2015-06-17T00:15

What happens when a postmodern perspective on good and evil collides with a breathtaking tragedy like the holocaust? Listen

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Life Is One Big Glory War from 2015-06-16T00:15

Our hearts have a natural drive to seek glory. But unless we find that desire in God, we will never experience the satisfaction we so crave.Listen

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Pleasure Is Only Protected by Pleasure from 2015-06-15T00:15

Unless our pursuit of pleasure has proper boundaries, we’ll always come up short of the lasting joy we’re looking for. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Should We Pray for ISIS to Be Saved or Destroyed? from 2015-06-12T00:15

Jesus tells us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. But what about enemies who constantly kill and destroy innocent life like ISIS?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Blind to the Glory of Sex from 2015-06-11T00:15

Sex may be a natural, physical act, but the union of a man and woman is from God himself. Only those with eyes to see can truly know the wonders of the marriage bed. Listen

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The Emotional Complexity of the Christian Life from 2015-06-10T00:15

God has deep purposes in our most searing pains. We don’t always know what he is doing, but we can experience joy in the sorrow when we trust him. Listen

Ask Pastor John
Has God Called Me to Write? from 2015-06-09T00:15

To write with a calling from God isn’t simply to enjoy putting pen to paper, but to have an insatiable drive to awaken delight in God with whatever you say.Listen

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Don’t Conversations Illuminate Truth Too? from 2015-06-08T00:15

The process of writing — putting thoughts into words and sentences and paragraphs — clarifies our thinking in ways that dialogue simply cannot.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Do Bad Ethics Qualify as Heresy? from 2015-06-05T00:15

Doctrine and ethics are never far apart. The beliefs and views that lead distort one will inevitably corrupt the other. Listen

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Hope in Heaven Changes Today from 2015-06-04T00:15

The hope of heaven not only grants us comfort when we think of eternity, but also empowers our love for God and Neighbor today. Listen

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The Key to Ministry Longevity from 2015-06-03T00:15

The resolve to keep moving forward in ministry doesn’t come from mere determination, but daily dependence on God’s amazing grace. Listen

Ask Pastor John
When Scripture Demolishes Your Theology from 2015-06-02T00:15

Sometimes the Bible confronts us and tears down our longstanding opinions. And although the process may hurt, being refined by God’s word is always worth the cost.Listen

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Can We Trust the Bible? from 2015-06-01T00:15

God’s world shines with his glory — and so does his word. Just as the heavens declare God’s greatness, so his word overflows with the beauty of his majesty.Listen

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How Much of My Decision-Making Is Emotional? from 2015-05-29T00:15

When it comes to making God-honoring decisions, our greatest problem isn’t necessarily that we don’t think enough, but that we don’t have hearts and emotions that treasure God above all else. Listen

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How Do I Study Bible Verses and the Bible Storyline Together? from 2015-05-28T00:15

As we study the Bible, we want to go deep into the details of specific texts, and we want to get a broad overview of the whole. How can we do both in a limited amount of time?Listen

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Getting the Tough/Tender Balance Right from 2015-05-27T00:15

We need more pastors with both theological backbones of steel and compassionate hearts of warmth. In short, we need more pastors like our Lord Jesus Christ.Listen

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How Much of My Sinful Past Should I Tell My Children? from 2015-05-26T00:15

Should a parent share their past sins with a child to comfort or warn them? Or are parents better off just keeping their sins to themselves?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What Qualifies as Worldly Music? from 2015-05-25T00:15

The Bible repeatedly calls Christians to set their minds on what is above — on what is true and good and beautiful. But does that mean we need to avoid anything that isn’t obviously Christian? Listen

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The Books That Most Shaped @TripLee from 2015-05-22T06:00

As a writer and musician, Trip Lee reads regularly to spark his creativity. So what three books have influenced his life most? Listen

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Procrastination Is Pride from 2015-05-21T06:00

We may assume that we can always just do something later, but God never guarantees a “later.” We must make the most of the time we have now.Listen

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How to Be Insecure for the Rest of Your Life from 2015-05-20T06:00

We will never find security if we think we have what it takes to make it through life. Only God himself can provide the fullness of hope we desperately long for. Listen

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Don’t Be a Jerk When the World Doesn’t Like You from 2015-05-19T06:00

God calls Christians to stand firm in the truth, but that doesn’t excuse us for being jerks when our culture turns against us. Listen

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Avoiding Smartphone iDolatry from 2015-05-18T06:00

Our phones offer us plenty of convenience, but it comes at the price of distraction. Sometimes we need to step back and make sure we control our phones and that they haven’t mastered us.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Watching On-Screen Nudity Is Not Worth It from 2015-05-15T06:00

Explicit sexuality and nudity are pervasive in our culture. And because it’s everywhere, Christians need to guard their souls more than ever. Listen

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Joy, Faith, and Self-Denial from 2015-05-14T06:00

We may sometimes be tempted to think that God is just a cosmic killjoy with lots of rules. But in reality, he is working for our highest joy, even when he asks us to deny ourselves.Listen

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Why Fame Cannot Make You Happy from 2015-05-13T06:00

We can use social media as a tool for good, but all too often, the likes and retweets can consume us. How do we get sucked in so easily?Listen

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The Daily Fight for Joy in Christ from 2015-05-12T06:00

Joy in the Christian life doesn’t usually come without a struggle. We have to fight to delight in the Lord on a daily basis. Listen

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When Trials Kill Your Dreams from 2015-05-11T06:00

True strength doesn’t come from having the energy to do everything we want to accomplish. According to the Bible, when we are weak, then we are strong.Listen

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Can Jesus Really Understand My Temptations? from 2015-05-08T06:00

Jesus did not have a sinful nature like ours, but that doesn’t mean he can’t identify with our temptation. He was tempted as we are, but had to remain without sin to save us forever.Listen

Ask Pastor John
How Does God ‘Deliver Us from Evil’? from 2015-05-07T06:00

Jesus teaches us to pray that the Father would deliver us from evil. But what exactly does God deliver us from, and does he do it? Listen

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Spend Your Life to Build a Risk-Taking Church from 2015-05-06T06:00

The world around us isn’t impressed with a church that lives just like everyone else. What they need to see are people who daily breathe the air of another world.Listen

Ask Pastor John
Have I Cast My Anxieties or Hoarded Them? from 2015-05-05T06:00

First Peter calls us to cast our anxieties on the Lord. But how can we know if we have really given over all our stresses and burdens to him?Listen

Ask Pastor John
Why Is Radical Islam Alluring to Westerners? from 2015-05-04T06:00

The human heart longs to be part of a God-sized cause, and radical movements like ISIS tap into those innate desires to lure and recruit.Listen

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Does God Favor Boys over Girls? from 2015-05-01T06:00

God values men and women alike, and so should his people. So does that mean we shouldn’t pray specifically to have a boy or girl when expecting a child?Listen

Ask Pastor John
What to Say to a Pastor Who Wants to Officiate a Gay Wedding from 2015-04-30T06:00

Same-sex “marriage” is simply not permissible according to Scripture. And for a pastor to marry a same-sex couple is to bless eternal suicide.Listen

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The Fear That Haunts Humanity from 2015-04-29T06:00

We may not always know it consciously, but the fear of death motivates much of how we live. But what if we could be liberated from that primal fear and live to the full?Listen

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Is Marriage Eternally Futile? from 2015-04-28T06:00

In 1 Corinthians 7, Paul commends singleness for the sake of the Lord. But does that mean that the married life is somehow less than the single, missionary calling?Listen

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The New Book John Piper Wrote from 2015-04-27T06:00

The Scriptures not only tell us about God and his works, but shine with their own peculiar glory that open our eyes to vistas of majesty.Listen

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How John Piper Writes Books from 2015-04-24T06:00

Just because John Piper has written so many books doesn’t mean they come easily. In this episode, he offers more tips for the writing process.Listen

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How John Piper Prepares to Write Books from 2015-04-23T06:00

John Piper has written dozens of books, but that doesn’t mean the process is easy. So how does he begin laboring on a book project? Listen

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Life Is Hard. God Is Good. from 2015-04-22T06:00

The clouds of suffering may darken the light for a time, but the steadfast love and mercy of the Lord never ever ceases. Listen

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Your Job Is Not Your Savior from 2015-04-21T06:00

Sabbath is not only a principle for rest, but the context from which we live. We work and play and have our being from the grace of rest in God.Listen

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iPhone Fasting from 2015-04-20T06:00

In a digital age, a constant barrage of information can crowd out what matters most. Maybe we could all benefit from a break every once in a while.Listen

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How Facebook and Twitter Change Us from 2015-04-17T06:00

The digital frontier presents countless opportunities, but also sobering dangers. Christians need wisdom to think through how technology shapes and impacts our faith.Listen

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A Battle Plan Against Pornography from 2015-04-16T06:00

We can fight pornography, but we have to want to battle it. We need a plan and some backup from fellow soldiers if we hope to see victory.Listen

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Can My Good Works Outweigh My Bad? from 2015-04-15T06:00

Not even the greatest good deed earns us anything with God apart from faith. We have favor with God on the basis of Jesus Christ alone. Listen

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Fear, Anxiety, and Growth in Godliness from 2015-04-14T06:00

When fear and anxiety creep up, we can cling to the most precious promise of all: God is with us, and he hears us.

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Can I Grow in Holiness Without the Church? from 2015-04-13T06:00

The local church is essential to our growth in holiness. We need our brothers and sisters in Christ to spur one another on to love and good works.Listen

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The Root of Sinful Anger from 2015-04-10T06:00

Anger creeps up when we try to take God’s place. He is the only judge and lawgiver, and so we can relax our grip a bit on what pains and troubles us.Listen

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Battling Anxiety Is a Blessed Struggle from 2015-04-09T06:00

To our fears, God speaks beautiful promises. And the most precious of all may just be that he is with us, always and forever.Listen

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Sin Prefers Anything to God from 2015-04-08T06:00

God deserves our highest allegiance, but too often, all we do is belittle him by choosing to find our hope in joy in something else. Listen

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Vision for the Local Church in Exile from 2015-04-07T06:00

Christians may live in exile, but we still have opportunities to serve and seek the welfare of wherever God has placed us. Listen

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Strategy for Social Media from 2015-04-06T06:00

Social media often draws out division and gossip — but it doesn’t have to. Christians can use their platforms to encourage and sustain.Listen

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Easter Breaks Our Mediocrity from 2015-04-03T06:00

The gospel isn’t just a solution to our sin, but a key that unlocks the fullness of life and joy that God desires for all his people. Listen

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Easter Breaks Our Sin from 2015-04-02T06:00

Jesus Christ not only came to rescue us, but in his humanity, he identifies with his people and paves the way for us to know God’s redeeming grace. Listen

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Easter Breaks Our Heartbreak from 2015-04-01T06:00

Sin and suffering can set us back and even break our hearts. But in our risen Lord Jesus Christ, we have a hope that shines through even the darkest night.Listen

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Why Gossip Destroys from 2015-03-31T06:00

We may like to think that words can never hurt us, but in fact, Proverbs tells us that “death and life are in the power of the tongue.”Listen

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Helping Our Children Feel Loved by God from 2015-03-30T06:00

Parenting can feel exhausting and tough. But our homes should overflow with the glorious goodness of God, because that is the ultimate foundation of reality.Listen

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How to Regain Your Joy in Christ from 2015-03-27T06:00

God beckons his children to cast every care upon him, and to feel afresh the good news of the gospel in the communion of saints. Listen

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You Will Submit to Something, Why Not Scripture? from 2015-03-26T06:00

The Bible is no mere book. For Christians, the Scriptures are the scepter of the King: how he rules and reigns among us. Listen

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The Heart of Screen Addiction from 2015-03-25T06:00

Sin not only suppresses the light of the truth, but also exchanges true glory for the false hope of idols — which, in our age, are often found on a screen.Listen

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The Secret to Marriage (Word to Husbands) from 2015-03-24T06:00

The secret of lasting marriages is the biblical call to "rejoice in the wife of your youth." Remembering the spouse you feel in love with produces thankfulness for who God gave you.Listen

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Word of the Day from Jonathan Edwards from 2015-03-23T06:00

Jonathan Edwards wrote frequently about the “excellency” of God and of Christ. But what does “excellency” mean, and how does it help us understand God?Listen