Earnestly consider your role in completing the Great Commission.

That was John Piper's overarching plea when he delivered a biographical message on Adoniram Judson in 2003.

Judson was America's first foreign missionary and an example of one who considered, and executed on, his own uniquely strategic role in the completing of the Commission.

Though warned not to go to Burma, he entered the country almost 200 years ago — in July of 1813 — and there invested the next 38 years of his life preaching Christ where he had not been named.

And the cost was very high. But in God's perfect economy, his suffering had a plain purpose. As Piper explains, "I am persuaded from Scripture and from the histor…

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Paul's burden for Timothy is straightforward: Embrace suffering for the gospel instead of running away from it.

In this last letter before his death, the apostle grounds Timothy's endurance in five unshakable foundations — foundations that all Christians should build at the bottom of their lives.

1. Jesus Christ, the son of David, is risen from the dead and reigns over the world forever.
2. Preachers may be bound. The word of God is not.
3. God has his elect in this world, and your ministry will be the instrument that brings them to eternal glory.
4. God cannot deny himself. Trust him and your salvation is as sure as his commitment to his name.
5. A double-sided seal: “The Lord knows those who are his.” …

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Justin Buzzard summarizes his new book: "If you want to change the marriage, change the man. Jesus changes the man." He explains more in this seven-minute video:

Watch the trailer and get the book from Amazon or WTS Books.

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Interview with Justin Buzzard:

• A Clear Job Description: Date Your Wife
• The Problem with Commitment

John Piper and Tim Keller's discussion on sanctification continues in this 15-minute video, including some practical guidance for in-the-moment motivations for holiness.

Time-markers:

0:01 — When action is enticed by a blessing.

3:00 — Looking for the past and future for sanctification now.

4:44 — How pleasure relates to our motives.

7:10 — The battle against pornography and being a "John Owen guy."

11:10 — Three levels of motivation for holiness.

11:29 — Strategies and means of grace for holiness.

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Sanctification and the everyday pursuit of holiness is the theme of our 2012 National Conference in Minneapolis, September 28–30. We're thrilled to engage this topic and would …

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Marriage is not maintenance mode. Justin Buzzard, author of Date Your Wife, explains that the biblical vision for marriage means more than mere commitment. Husbands are to love their wives like Jesus loves his church, and that means sacrifice. It means pursuit.

Watch the trailer and get the book from Amazon or WTS Books.

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Interview with Justin Buzzard:

• A Clear Job Description: Date Your Wife

Earlier this Spring John Piper and Tim Keller sat down to discuss the biblical vision of sanctification. In this 14-minute video they touch on how justification and sanctification relate, along with the psychological dynamics of faith.

(Part 2 of the discussion)

Time-markers:

00:20 — How Keller talks about sanctification.

2:25 — What are we conforming to in sanctification?

3:45 — How does justification relate to sanctification?

6:40 — The psychological dynamics of faith.

9:00 — What does it mean to "owe God everything"?

11:20 — "I'm going to work my tail off for Jesus, and it's all of grace."

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Sanctification and the everyday pursuit of holiness is the theme of our 2012…

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How does the cross and victory of Jesus affect your everyday sanctification?

Over the past 30 years John Piper has preached several messages that equip listeners to apply the Bible in their daily lives. Stretching three decades, this e-book includes three of those sermons that intend to mobilize the church in the fight against sin and the walk of faith. In addition to these sermons, there is a practical appendix of acronyms Pastor John uses in his own life and commends to others.

Whether fighting a specific sin or walking by faith amid stressful circumstances, the aim of this e-book is to add to your arsenal for the everyday work of sanctification, for the glory of God.

To downlo…

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We recently had the opportunity to ask J. I. Packer a few questions related to sanctification, including how the Puritans have influenced him personally. He noted in his answer, "This is a question I welcome, because in fact, it was as helps in sanctification that I first came to appreciate the Puritans. And I believe now, nearly 70 years after, this is the best way into Puritan study for anybody."

Watch his complete answer in this three-minute video:

He also recommends three Puritans who he says "excel in teaching about sanctification" —

• John Bunyan, The Pilgrim's Progress
• John Owen, Mortification of Sin, Indwelling Sin, Temptation, (see Overcoming Sin and Temptation)
• Richard …

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Here are some helpful quotes from Jonathan Dodson's new ebook, The Unbelievable Gospel (GCD Books, 2012).

"Too many Christians look to clear their evangelistic conscience by simply mentioning the name of Jesus or saying that he died on the cross for sins. Saying Jesus' name in conversation earns us a √. Mentioning what Jesus did (on the cross) earns us a √+. This performance-based approach to evangelism is incredible because it fails to embody the truth we preach." (8)

"The gospel is both bigger and smaller than we think. Sometimes we can't imagine the scope of the gospel, as news so good that it changes everything — society, culture, and creation. People really need to hear this. This …

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R W Glenn is one of the seminar speakers at our upcoming National Conference. Read his latest post and learn more about the conference at the events page.

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Recent posts related to our National Conference:

• Sanctified By Doing Your Job (R W Glenn)
• Jumpstart Your Stalled Sanctification (David Mathis)
• Power in Weakness: Living Out the Miracle of Sanctification (Ed Welch)