John Piper | Desiring God

Most people in the world have no experience of lasting joy in their lives. We’re on a mission to change that. All of our resources exist to guide you toward everlasting joy in Jesus Christ.

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John Piper

John Piper is founder and teacher of desiringGod.org and chancellor of Bethlehem College & Seminary. For 33 years, he served as pastor of Bethlehem Baptist Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is author of more than 50 books, including Desiring God: Meditations of a Christian Hedonist and most recently Why I Love the Apostle Paul: 30 Reasons.

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Titus 2:11–14: The Christian Life Is Waiting

The Christian Life Is Waiting

Titus 2:11–14

A longing for heaven can’t help but eclipse longings for worldly pursuits because a longing for future glory produces in us a pursuit of glory today.

Message Excerpt

We Will Never Outgrow the Gospel

We Will Never Outgrow the Gospel

God’s word and gospel message are like oxygen for our souls. We won’t last long if we try to hold our breath.

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What Does Jesus Mean by ‘I Never Knew You’?

What Does Jesus Mean by ‘I Never Knew You’?

When Jesus says, “I never knew you,” he means, “I don’t recognize you as my disciple, as my follower. You are a spiritual stranger to me.”

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My Husband Is Passive — What Can I Do?

My Husband Is Passive — What Can I Do?

God may use you to change your spouse. But if you press in to him, no matter how disappointed you are in marriage, he will certainly change you.

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Titus 2:11–14: The Best (and Hardest) Life

The Best (and Hardest) Life

Titus 2:11–14

Our hope does not rest on ourselves, our neighbors, our politicians, or our kings, but on the one and only true and coming King.

Message Excerpt

How Every Father Can Bless His Home

How Every Father Can Bless His Home

God calls every father to protect and provide for his family. And this means taking the initiative for praying, setting standards, and initiating reconciliation.

The Best Leaders Remember Your Name: Why I Love the Apostle Paul

The Best Leaders Remember Your Name

Why I Love the Apostle Paul

You’ve heard it said, “It’s lonely at the top.” But not for the apostle Paul. No apostle had more authority. And none had more friends.

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How Do I Break My Entertainment Addiction?

How Do I Break My Entertainment Addiction?

As God’s child, you are not enslaved to entertainment or anything else. Christ has purchased a way out for you.

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Titus 2:11–14: Cheap Grace Is No Grace

Cheap Grace Is No Grace

Titus 2:11–14

Those who say they know grace while refusing to pursue holiness do not know God’s grace as taught by Paul.

Message Excerpt

Two Dangers in ‘Gospel-Centered’ Preaching

Two Dangers in ‘Gospel-Centered’ Preaching

Every biblical preacher wants to lift up the name of Jesus. But can we focus on justification too much?

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How Much Entertainment Is Too Much?

How Much Entertainment Is Too Much?

Watching a movie, playing a board game, reading a novel — is God disappointed if we use free time for these instead of reading Scripture and praying?

Message Excerpt

When Hospitality Hurts

When Hospitality Hurts

Hospitality isn’t always comfortable, safe, or convenient. But when we let strangers into our homes, we honor God, love others, and receive delight.

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I’m an Anxious Person — How Do I ‘Rest in Christ’?

I’m an Anxious Person — How Do I ‘Rest in Christ’?

In Jesus, God has given us what we need to rest — even while we work. To every anxious soul, Jesus says, “Come to me, and I will give you rest.”

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Titus 2:11–14: The Grace of God Appeared

The Grace of God Appeared

Titus 2:11–14

God’s grace didn’t appear in a note from heaven telling sinners not to worry about it. God’s grace came in the person of Jesus Christ.

Conference Message

Is It Right to Seek More Joy Than We Have Through Justification?

Is It Right to Seek More Joy Than We Have Through Justification?

Jesus not only paid for our full acceptance with God, but he also purchased grace for us to embrace obedience. This is the second message John Piper preached at the Bethlehem 2019 Conference for Pastors + Church Leaders in Minneapolis.

The Sovereign God Stirs Tears of Love: Why I Love the Apostle Paul

The Sovereign God Stirs Tears of Love

Why I Love the Apostle Paul

Paul celebrated God’s sovereignty, and he also felt compassion for those outside Christ. He preached election, and he wept for the lost.

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Genesis 50:16–21: Does God Rule over Sin?

Does God Rule over Sin?

Genesis 50:16–21

God rules over sin, but never sins. This truth does not come from John Piper’s ideals, but from the Bible.

Message Excerpt

Don’t ‘Dutifully Date’ Jesus

Don’t ‘Dutifully Date’ Jesus

God wants to capture our hearts, not just fill our heads. Our delight in him above all things shows that he is worth more than all things.

Message Excerpt

Reawaken Your Wonder for Jesus

Reawaken Your Wonder for Jesus

We will never really know God unless we know Jesus. And we will never know Jesus unless we know what the Scriptures say about him.

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Acts 4:23–30: God Planned the Death of Jesus

God Planned the Death of Jesus

Acts 4:23–30

Where was God when the worst evil in history took place? Right where he’s always been: seated on his throne, ruling over all.

Conference Message

What Kind of Heart Does Christ Deserve? The Call of Christian Hedonism

What Kind of Heart Does Christ Deserve?

The Call of Christian Hedonism

Jesus is worthy to be praised with our every thought and deed. But what about our feelings? The Bible’s clearest answer is also the best of news. John Piper preached this message at the Bethlehem 2019 Conference for Pastors + Church Leaders in Minneapolis.

Black History in the Making: What ‘White Evangelicals’ Can Learn

Black History in the Making

What ‘White Evangelicals’ Can Learn

In six acts, John Piper calls white evangelicals in America to follow the lead of our black brothers and sisters in reconsidering our own identity.

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Acts 4:23–30: Pray for Boldness

Pray for Boldness

Acts 4:23–30

The silent begin to speak, the timid become courageous, the army begins to march when the church prays for boldness.

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Is Street Evangelism Better Than Building Relationships?

Is Street Evangelism Better Than Building Relationships?

God has not given us a formula for when to share the gospel quickly and when to share over time in the context of a relationship. Both are needed.

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Why Global Missions Requires Healthy Churches

Why Global Missions Requires Healthy Churches

The Great Commission isn’t disconnected from the church — it’s given to the church. God designed the local church and missions to be wed together.