John Piper and his translator in Bonn, Germany.

John Piper is back in Germany for the first time since he finished his doctoral studies in Munich. Yesterday, he opened his 3-part series at the Hirten Konferenz (Shepherds Conference) with a message titled “Feel Christ.”

The Konferenz began in 2001 and has been in Berlin until this year. The organizers moved the event to Bonn to be further West where most of the attendees live and minister.

Last night's message is to be followed by “Think Christ” this evening and “Preach Christ” tomorrow morning.

John Piper gave his opening remarks in German, then gave 4 clarifications on feelings:

  1. The emotions we’re talking about are internal, not various physical manifestations.
  2. We are emphasizing feeling over thinking because right thinking is a means to right feeling.
  3. Right behavior without right feeling is not really right behavior.
  4. How emphasizing feeling relates to God: God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him.

After showing from the Bible that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him, he looked at the implications this has on a pastors' people, work, and preaching.

He concluded with a discussion of some of the challenges in the wider evangelical world.

You can listen to the audio for more.

John Piper will speak again this evening on what right doctrine is and why it matters.

David Mathis (@davidcmathis) is an elder at Bethlehem Baptist Church, Twin Cities, and works as executive pastoral assistant to John Piper. He and his wife Megan have twin sons (Carson and Coleman) and live in Minneapolis. David is co-editor (with John Piper) of Thinking, Loving, Doing, most recently, and Finish the Mission, forthcoming. Yep, he plays rec softball and went yard in his last game.