John Piper:

Christian fasting is not only the spontaneous effect of a superior satisfaction in God; it is also a chosen weapon against every force in the world that would take that satisfaction away.

The greatest enemy of hunger for God is not poison but apple pie. It is not the banquet of the wicked that dulls our appetite for heaven, but endless nibbling at the table of the world. It is not the X-rated video, but the prime-time dribble of triviality we drink in every night. For all the ill that Satan can do, when God describes what keeps us from the banquet table of his love, it is a piece of land, a yoke of oxen, and a wife (Luke 14:18-20). The greatest adversary of love to God is not h…

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"The doctrine of Scripture is rooted in a triune God who wants to be known and knows how to be known," explains Kevin DeYoung in the latest episode of Theology Refresh. This podcast for Christian leaders, led by David Mathis, is aimed at short segments keying on the most vital biblical doctrines.

Today's focus features the "nuts and bolts" of what Scripture is, including the four main attributes of sufficiency, clarity, authority, and necessity, and a concluding exhortation for pastors.

Stream or download this 15-minute podcast.

Recommended resources on Scripture:

• "Fundamentalism" and the Word of God, J. I. Packer
• Truth and Power, J. …

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God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him. This idea, called "Christian Hedonism" by some, is a massive and pervasive biblical truth that changes everything.

Perhaps the apostle Paul makes it clearest in Philippians 1:12–26.

So, taking up this text — the same as his January 1980 candidating sermon — John Piper clears the table for the biblical feast of pursuing God's glory and our joy, concluding with 11 illustrations from Scripture on how this looks in real life.

It's an understatement to say this is a very important message.

Stream or download this week's sermon.

Chances are your church gathering isn't all you want it to be. . . This or that should be different, so and so should talk less, he and she should be on time — and why can't we just get some better aesthetics in here?

Actually, though, this mode of critcism says more about our hearts than it does our local church. Perhaps we've forgotten what the church is. Perhaps we've mistaken it to be just another social club. Or maybe we've confused this gathering to be just another event on the calendar. Or, quite possibly, we've assumed the worship of the Triune God is supposed to meet our consumer wants rather than our greatest needs.

Let Dietrich Bonhoeffer have a word:

If we do not give…

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Do we really know what's going on when we pray? When we bow our heads at the dinner table? When we whisper quietly during our morning commute? Or when, like dragging our feet along a well-worn path, we ask again for God to do what he hasn't yet? Do we know what's happening?

The Bible tells us in Revelation 8:1–5.

Here's the picture: The seventh seal — the last page in the scroll of history — has been opened. And there is silence. Seven angels stand before God and each are given seven trumpets. Then another angel approaches the altar carrying a bowl (or censor). This angel is given incense to offer before the throne, with the prayers of the saints. Imagine, then, on this altar are piles o…

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We're working on a new "Sermon of the Day" feature and need your help.

We want you to be able to simply open the Desiring God app and, with a single touch, listen to one of John Piper's best messages while you're on the move. The point is utter simplicity and accessibility to a daily sermon that you don't have to spend time looking for and deciding on.

But not just any message will do. 

We want to feature the messages that have proven most impacting over the years — the 365 sermons, one for each day on the calendar, that have collected the most stories of life-change. So we need your help picking the right ones.

From our own experience, and the many testimonies sent to us, we know th…

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"Harmonious complementarian marriage speaks forth the cosmic victory of Christ over evil," says Tony Reinke, speaking about the thesis of his upcoming JBMW article. In this latest episode of Behind the Blog, we discuss biblical complementarity, Trillia Newbell's newly posted review, and some takeaways from the National Conference.

You can also listen here.

Once again, thank you for reading and your partnership in spreading our resources online. If you have any suggestions or ideas, contact us at blog@desiringGod.org.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Audio and video from the 2012 National Conference
• Wise Words: Family Stories That …

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It was a beautiful Saturday morning, the kind nobody in Minnesota takes for granted. The sun was running strong, the air was happy, the sky had never been more blue. My family and I were finishing up breakfast outside when I opened the Bible for some kid-friendly devotional thoughts.

On this particular morning our four-year-old was digging it. Maybe it was the change of scenery, or maybe the Fruit Loops, but something had her leaning forward, all ears. I was sharing about what it means to be messengers for Jesus in 2 Corinthians 5:20–21. The reason we had moved here, I explained, is because God wants our neighbors to know him. Plain and simple. We have good news, really good news — the ki…

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It was a memorable weekend (view the slideshow) for nearly 3,000 of us last Friday to Sunday, as we gathered for the Desiring God 2012 National Conference. We promised there that we'd aim to have the audio and video ready by today, and in God's kind providence, we're ready to deliver.

Below you'll find the plenary and breakout audio and video for streaming and download.

May God be pleased to use it in empowering you to "act the miracle" of sanctification.

Plenary Sessions

John Piper
"Prelude to Acting the Miracle: Putting Sanctification in Its Place"

Kevin DeYoung
"Incentives for Acting the Miracle: Fear, Rewards, and the Multiplicity of Biblical Motivations"

Ed Welch
"…

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No topic is more enduringly relevant. Everyone encounters suffering one way or another and Christian leaders are called to help them understand its meaning.

David Platt, pastor at the Church at Brook Hills and author of Radical, sits down with David Mathis to discuss how he counsels individuals in the midst of affliction. He highlights five essential truths: 1) the sovereignty and goodness of God; 2) a humble view of man; 3) the ultimate reason that suffering exists is to exalt the glory of God's grace in the sacrifice of his Son for sinners; 4) God has a variety of good purposes in suffering; and 5) suffering is a means through which God leads the church to fulfill the Great Commissio…

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