God is self-sufficient. Theologians refer to this attribute as "the aseity of God." In his classic book Knowldge of the Holy, A. W. Tozer writes:

Almighty God, just because He is almighty, needs no support. The picture of a nervous, ingratiating God fawning over men to win their favor is not a pleasant one; yet if we look at the popular conception of God, that is precisely what we see.

Twentieth Century Christianity has put God on charity. So lofty is our opinion of ourselves that we find it quite easy, not to say enjoyable, to believe that we are necessary to God. But the truth is that God is not greater for our being, nor would He be less if we did not exist. That we do exist is altoget…

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R. C. Sproul has written a beautiful hymn that you might consider using in your personal, family, or congregational worship:

Fallen race in Eden fair, exposed and full of shame. Fled we naked from Thy sight, far from Thy holy name.

Sent from the garden to the east, outside of Eden's gate, Banished there from Thy pure light were Adam and his mate.

Scarlet souls are now like snow by Thy atoning grace. Crimson hearts become like wool for Adam's fallen race.

No work of ours is good enough for evil to atone. Your merit, Lord, is all we have. It saves and it alone.

Chorus
Clothe us in your righteousness, hide filthy rags of sin, Dress us in Your perfect garb, both outside and within.

The shee…

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In this morning's message at the Ligonier Confernece, Pastor John recommended checking out Joshua Project as one tool to help engage our hearts and minds in the cause of world missions.

If you aren't familar with Joshua Project, it is a leading research initiative that highlights the most unreached ethnic people groups of the world. By identifying these people groups and the progress of evangelism, the Church is guided in fulfilling the Great Comission mandate to make disciples of all nations.

A couple of really helpful tools that Joshua Project provides is a complete listing of ethnic people groups represented in the world, and an active list (updated weekly!) of the unreached ethnic pe…

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Isaiah 66:2 —

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

I.O.U.S is one prayer that helps us to humble ourselves before reading God's Word. You might consider printing it out and sticking it in your Bible.

Piper explains:

Ask God to Incline our hearts to him, not to money or fame or power (Psalm 119:36),

and to Open our eyes to see wonderful things in his Word (Psalm 119:18),

and to Unite our hearts in the fear of God rather than let them be fragmented over a dozen concerns (Psalm 86:11),

and to Satisfy us with his steadfast love (Psalm 90:14).

At our 2008 National Conference, Sinclair Ferguson connects the way we talk to the ministry of the Word in our lives:

Here's an excerpt:

The most important single aid to my ability to use my tongue for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ is allowing the word of God to dwell in me so richly that I cannot speak in any other accent.

Dear brothers and sisters, that's why it is so important for you at the practical level to be under a ministry of the Word where the Word of God is really preached, and preached in the grace and truth of the Holy Spirit.

Watch, listen, or download the whole sermon, "The Tongue, the Bridle, and the Blessing: An Exposition of James 3:1-12." 

In this video excerpt, John Piper clarifies Christian Hedonism:

Sign up to read through Desiring God with John Piper beginning March 31.

Desiring God has Jonathan Edwards's and C.S. Lewis's fingerprints throughout its pages.

But John Piper's thinking on Christian hedonism is echoed in a sermon preached over sixty years ago titled "Saved, Safe, and Satisfied." It was preached by a clear—but often overlooked—influence on Piper: his father Bill Piper.

Here's an excerpt:

Yes, [Christ] satisfies. Satisfies because God with him gives us all things. He satisfies because though him every need is abundantly met. His peace, joy, love, grace and power are perfect and we share them. Furthermore, he never leaves nor forsakes us. There can be no empty days in the life of a trusting Christian. His presence fills and satisfies.

Read …

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In 2002 John Piper delivered a powerful challenge to men and women who are responsible for leading youth and college ministries:

I want to begin by asking you a question that comes from the book of Acts. When your present generation of students graduates will you be able to say what the Apostle Paul says in Acts 20:26, "I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all of you. For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole counsel of God."

Have you even set a tone where a statement like that could even be heard with any seriousness?

Listen or download "Imparting A Passion: A Challenge to Youth Workers."

LIFE International understands that the horror of abortion is a global tragedy. Their mission is to multiply life-giving ministries wherever abortion is provided around the world. To see a little more of the heart that drives their mission, Kurt Dillinger responds to a few questions I recently asked him.

What biblical truth is the primary foundation for your ministry's approach to the global mission field created by abortion?

Jesus says in John 10:10 that "the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." Our enemy is attacking God by destroying his image-bearers, the pre-born, along with the potential they have to be worsh…

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At Passion 2011 in Atlanta, Pastor John gave a message titled “Getting to the Bottom of Your Joy.” In it John clarifies if and how God makes much of us:

Let it be said loud and clear: John Piper does not deny and and never has denied that God makes much of us. The question is ranking—what’s at the bottom of your joy. Where does it finally rest?

Yes, those amazing truths—that God makes much of you—should thrill your soul!  But why? The answer to that question makes all the difference.

If the answer is, "Because I'm at the bottom, and I love to be made much of," you're not born again. If the answer is, "Because it reveals more of God and makes me know him, treasure him, love him, be satisfi…

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