Human history swings on the hinge of a Palestinian Jew. They can call it “Common Era” if they wish, but every event known to man is recorded as occurring (approximately) before or after the birth of Jesus of Nazareth.

And no single event in recorded history is more influential than his execution. Because of Jesus’s death nearly 2,000 years ago, over 2 billion people now call themselves Christians. Most statisticians agree that over 100,000 are killed every year because they take that name.

Why? Why is Jesus’s death so influential? And why are a million people killed in a decade because Jesus was killed?

Why is precisely the right question to ask. Everything hangs on why Jesus died.

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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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Future Grace is one of John Piper’s most important books. Here’s how he explains it in the new preface of the revised edition.

In my own effort to live the Christian life in a way that magnifies the worth of Christ, the message of this book is central.

In the battle against my own sin, this book is my war manual.

In the quest to become a more sacrificial, servant-hearted lover of people, this book is my coach and my critic.

In the never-ending question of how Christians, who are counted righteous in Christ by faith alone, should nevertheless pursue righteousness, this book is my answer. It is my fullest attempt to explain why the faith that justifies also sanctifies, without mingl…

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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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But [Jesus] would withdraw to desolate places and pray. (Luke 5:16)

A retreat might just be what you need in order to not waste your life.

Note that Jesus, in the middle of very busy ministry, would withdraw to desolate places to pray and listen to his Father. Think about that. Jesus only had a public ministry of three years. He didn’t have any life to waste in planting the gospel seed that would change human history (Mark 4:30–32). So he would withdraw from activity to pray.

Obviously Jesus’s example exhorts us to daily set time aside to soak in prayer and the Word, especially in the morning (Mark 1:35). But, if you’re like me, an hour or so a day helps me in my daily fight of faith…

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Grace was given to you, Christian, before the universe was made. And it was given to you in Jesus Christ.

In this video, looking at Ephesians 1:5 and 2 Timothy 1:9, John Piper explains God's plan for our redemption before the ages began.

This excerpt is taken from the recent sermon, "Why Did God Create the World?"

It took 40 years for John Piper to write a book on marriage. Still too much to learn, he’d say to himself when considering the project. But maybe someday.

At long last, the dream became a reality in recent years. As Piper approached his fortieth wedding anniversary, he realized the time was right. Not that he had marriage totally figured out. There’s still more learning to do, he admits. But hopefully after four decades of walking hand-in-hand with his wife Noël through life’s ups and downs, and standing firmly in the pages of the Scriptures, he has some helpful things to say.

Here are three ways to get your hands on the decades of reflection and lessons stored up in This Momentary Marr…

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Preparing well for marriage means asking hard questions.

Getting to know that special someone includes learning about family and friends and schooling and athletics, favorite pastimes, books, movies, life’s best moments and worst, the brightest places in our background and the darkest.

But what about theology? Ever think to ask about that?

We hope our free Preparing for Marriage ebook can be of some assistance.

With Help from Piper

At Desiring God, one of our most accessed pages online is a set of questions John Piper put together for couples preparing for marriage (chapter 1 in our new free ebook). There is some of the typical stuff — like friends and entertainment and lifestyle …

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Thanks to all who have been a part of the 2012 National Conference, whether by attendance or the live-stream. The audio and video of each session will be available for streaming and download by Friday, October 5.

Piper's Concluding Message

John Piper concludes the conference with his message, “Act the Miracle: Future Grace, the Word of the Cross, and the Purifying Power of God’s Promises” (the full manuscript is now available).

Here's a key excerpt:

The beauty of holiness in God’s children is the harmony, or the concord, between our lives and the infinite value of all God is. And that God predestined us to holiness because his aim is that earth be filled with the beauty of holiness —…

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The glory of God is the most important thing in the universe. But what about the most magnificient aspect of his glory?

John Piper explains in this three-minute video:

This excerpt is from the latest sermon, "Why Did God Create the World?"

Join us this weekend for the free live-stream of our National Conference.

You can also read the full manuscript of John Piper's Friday night message, "Prelude to Acting the Miracle: Putting Sanctification in Its Place."