I consider it a high privilege to stand before you to speak the word of God. I don’t take it lightly. The act of preaching to me is sacred, serious, and very precious. What shall I say? Your leaders gave me the option: choose your own text in the Bible or continue with our Colossians…
Category: Health
He Came to a World in Darkness: O Day-Spring
O come, thou Day-Spring, come and cheer,Our Spirits by thine Advent here;Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,And death’s dark shadows put to flight. Rejoice! Rejoice! ImmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel. I love this beautiful stanza from one of the most beloved Christmas hymns because I love to speak of Jesus and to Jesus as…
Reviving Germany: Signs of Life in the Land of Luther
Many tourists to Germany love to visit the stunning old churches and cathedrals that can be found in every city, town, and even village. The oldest church in Germany is the cathedral in Trier. Its construction began in AD 340. More impressive are the cathedrals in Cologne, Ulm, Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt, Munich, and Berlin, to…
The Greatness of Christ-Exalting Truth: 1 Timothy 3:14–16, Part 2
What is Look at the Book? You look at a Bible text on the screen. You listen to John Piper. You watch his pen “draw out” meaning. You see for yourself whether the meaning is really there. And (we pray!) all that God is for you in Christ explodes with faith, and joy, and love.…
How Does God Deliver Me from Pain by Pain?
Audio Transcript Good Monday morning. We start this new week deep in Job, if you are reading the Navigators Bible Reading Plan with us. If so, you’re in Job 36:1–15 today, which includes a line that raised two perplexing questions in the mind of Chloé, a listener. “Pastor John, hello and thank you for APJ.…
He Came to a World Barred from Heaven: O Key of David
O come, thou Key of David, comeAnd open wide our heav’nly home;Make safe the way that leads on high,And close the path to misery. Rejoice! Rejoice! EmmanuelShall come to thee, O Israel. Very early in the story of mankind, our door to Paradise was double-locked and bolted. Cool was the day when God walked among…
See Your Way Through Worry: Four Sights for Anxious Minds
As I prepared for this message on Matthew 6:25–34, I found myself thinking about a story that Jesus tells in Matthew 13: the parable of the sower. Over the course of my life, I’ve read that story and typically responded by giving thanks: the seed of my faith could have fallen on the path. I…
The Quiet Strength of Godly Fear: Lessons from the Life of Sarah
History was repeating itself. As the king took Sarah’s trembling hand, leading her away from her husband and into yet another foreign place, she wondered with a furrowed brow, Why would Abraham do this to me — again? He was meant to protect her. He was supposed to fight for her, as he had for…
Partnering to Plant: Seven Ways Churches Can Collaborate
Church planting is one-half asking people for favors and one-half asking for money. I exaggerate, but not by much. Church planters are needy. By God’s grace, Trinity Baptist Church of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, recently covenanted as a church. We’re up and running but still in startup mode. Ultimately, of course, we look to God…
Every Gift Points Us to Christ
We’re just two weeks from Christmas. Presents are still being purchased, wrapped, and shipped. Christmas cards still need to be signed and mailed. Loose ends on travel details are getting sorted. Family event-planning is getting finalized. Perhaps you’re multitasking right now and gift-wrapping while you listen. We all feel the holiday pressures, of course, Pastor…