Desiring God Blog

4 Questions to Help Us Think About Missions

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 01:18:40 -0500

(Author: Bill Walsh)

Lon Allison's article "A GPS for Global Mission" from Lausanne World Pulse sums up well the current questions and issues relevant to the global changes underway in the church. At this stage, I think questions are more helpful than anything. Here are four that Dr. Allison raises,

Since the demographic shift to the Global South is at hand, how do Western mission agencies and churches respond?
Resources, both financial and human, have, in general, not shifted. When should they? More importantly, how should they?
How does the Church in the West welcome missionaries from the Global South and East to re-evangelize our continents?
What role is there for ongoing mission to the Global South and East from the West?

These ought to keep us thinking for quite some time. They will be key in the discussion that takes place at the 2010 Third Lausanne Congress on World Evangelization in Cape Town, South Africa.

Please pray for John Piper who will be speaking at the event and for the Desiring God team who will be traveling there next year.

When Harsh Words Are Kind

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 01:29:02 -0500

(Author: Jon Bloom)

Missionary to India, William Carey, once exhorted a Baptist gathering in England by saying, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." I love that quote.

But we must heed the Bible's warning through Simon the Magician: if we attempt great things so that others will see us as great, we are in grave spiritual peril.

After Stephen had been brutally stoned to death, intense persecution broke out against the Christians in Jerusalem. Many were driven off to the towns and villages of Judea and Samaria.

Philip, Stephen's co-servant to the Hellenistic widows, landed in a Samaritan town and preached and performed signs and wonders there. Large numbers of Samaritans professed faith and were baptized. And Simon was one of them.

Simon was a local celebrity, a magician of sorts. He had mesmerized the locals with his arts. And they had given him the title The Great Power of God. And he loved it. He basked in his reputation and fed off the admiration and respect he received.

But when Philip arrived, the game changed. Simon watched with covetous awe as the real, great power of God flowed through Philip; a power that far out-classed him.

Then Peter and John showed up from Jerusalem. And when they prayed, people were filled with the Holy Spirit. This drew even more crowds. Everyone was talking about them. Everyone was mesmerized by them (or so it seemed to Simon).

No one was mesmerized by Simon anymore. He was a diminishing star. And like many who have once experienced the euphoric drug of other people's adoration, he wanted that rush again.

If he could somehow get this Jesus power, then once again he could be great. Once again people would hold him in awe. He was willing to pay a high price for that drug.

So at a discreet moment, he approached Peter and John with a proposition. If they would let him in on the secret they possessed, if they would share their power with him, a small fortune in silver would be theirs and no one would ever know.

In a split second Simon knew he had miscalculated. Peter's eyes seemed to burn right into his heart. And then Peter's words seemed to slice him open:

May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. (Acts 8:20-23)

Simon cringed and said meekly, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said will come upon me."

Peter's words to Simon might have sounded harsh. But they were full of mercy. The love of self-glory is an extremely dangerous cancer of the soul and is spiritually fatal if not addressed. This cancer requires a straightforward, serious diagnosis. Both Peter and John had benefited from the Great Physician's graciously severe rebukes. Maybe Simon would repent and be delivered.

The Bible does not tell us if he did. Early church literature suggests that Simon later became a heretic, which, if true, means he tragically ignored Peter's warning.

But God does not want us to ignore the warning. This account is in the Bible so that we will remember that God's power is not a commodity to be traded. It's not a means for us to pursue our own greatness or wealth.

We can all relate to Simon. We are all are tempted to pursue our own glory, even in the work of the kingdom. When we recognize that familiar craving we need to deal severely with it. We must confess it (often to others, not just God), repent, and resist. Because, if left alone, it can develop into a spiritual cancer that can blind us to real glory, and may ultimately kill us.

So, let us expect great things from God and attempt great things for God. But let us take Peter's advice and do so "by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 4:11).

What Can We Gain from Calvin Today?

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:53:52 -0500

(Author: Abraham Piper)

Several of the speakers from our upcoming conference answer the question, "What can we gain from Calvin today?"

Mark Talbot

We can gain an awareness that the best theology comes from ministering to people.

Sam Storms

We can gain a deep appreciation for the Lord's Supper.

John Piper

We can gain an orientation on the majesty and holiness of God.

Doug Wilson

We can gain a rock solid, absolute confidence in the Bible.

Marvin Olasky

We can gain an understanding that it's important to write clearly without losing depth.

* * *

Learn more about DG's conference, "With Calvin in the Theater of God":

45 Books DG Staff Are Reading Right Now

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:24:15 -0500

(Author: Abraham Piper)

Register for Our Conference Soon for Lowest Rates

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:41:44 -0500

(Author: Abraham Piper)

Register for our national conference today or tomorrow to get the early registration discount. You'll save $40 off a full-price ticket.

Not in This or That Mount, but in Spirit and Truth

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:51:00 -0500

(Author: Nathan Miller)

This week's message: "Not in This or That Mount But in Spirit and Truth"

When things get uncomfortable, we love changing the subject. But as the Samaritan woman in John 4:20-26 finds out, a shift in the conversation doesn't distract Jesus from pursuing a new God-worshiper.

In their brief exchange, Jesus roots worship in a person—God the Father—not a place—some Middle Eastern mountain.

As the Son of God, Jesus offers himself as the difference between true religion and false religions.

Jesus tells her and us that only those who trust him as Savior and Messiah have the Spirit (John 3:6) and know the truth that makes true worship possible (John 4:23-24).

The Loving Meaning of the Leftovers

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 02:26:10 -0500

(Author: John Piper)

After Jesus had fed both the 5,000 and the 4,000 with only a few loaves and fish, the disciples got in a boat without enough bread for themselves.

When they began to discuss their plight, Jesus said, "Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand?" (Mark 8:17). What didn't they understand?

They did not understand the meaning of the leftovers, namely, that Jesus will take care of them when they take care of others. Jesus said:

"When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" They said to him, "Twelve." "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?" And they said to him, "Seven." And he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?"

Understand what? The leftovers.

The leftovers were for the servers. In fact the first time there were twelve servers and twelve basketfuls left over (Mark 6:43). The second time there seven basketfuls left over—the number of abundant completeness.

What didn't they understand? That Jesus would take care of them. You can't outgive Jesus. When you spend your life for others, your needs will be met.

Why Julius Kim Is Speaking at DG's Fall Conference

Sun, 28 Jun 2009 07:47:00 -0500

(Author: Abraham Piper)

The last national conference speaker to introduce is Julius Kim. John Piper talks about why he invited him:

Learn more about DG's conference, "With Calvin in the Theater of God":

Why Shout When Preaching

Sat, 27 Jun 2009 10:32:01 -0500

(Author: Abraham Piper)

Tope Koleoso writes about why he shouts when he preaches. Here's an excerpt.

This means that during the sermon, any one of the mentioned emotions, (Anger, Joy or Love), spill out without warning or apology...

Therefore, I shout, I laugh, I cry, and I dance. Therefore, I use my voice, my hands, my legs and my eyes. Therefore, I will do it with utter conviction and passion for if I will not do it from the heart, I will not do it at all...

(via Adrian Warnock)

Why Marvin Olasky Is Speaking at DG's Fall Conference

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:49:03 -0500

(Author: Abraham Piper)

John Piper talks about inviting Marvin Olasky to our national conference:

You can also watch Olasky's testimony:

Learn more about DG's conference, "With Calvin in the Theater of God":

Goldsworthy on Why the Reformation Was Necessary

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 01:06:00 -0500

(Author: John Piper)

In March, 2008, Graeme Goldsworthy delivered a lecture at Southern Baptist Theological seminary titled "Biblical Theology and its Pastoral Application."

In it he gave one of the clearest statements of why the Reformation was needed and what the problem was in the way the Roman Catholic church had conceived of the gospel.

Both Catholicism and allegorical interpretation of Scripture involved the dehistoricizing of the Gospel. The Reformation rehistoricized both the Gospel and the Old Testament.

The prime focus recovered in the Reformation was the justification of the sinner on the basis of the objective, historic work of Christ for us.

Catholicism had reversed the vision so that the prime focus was on the work of Christ or his Spirit within us.

This meant the reversal of the relationship of sanctification to justification. Infused grace, beginning with baptismal regeneration, internalized the Gospel and made sanctification the basis of justification. This is an upside down Gospel.

I would add that this "upside down" gospel has not gone away—neither from Catholicism nor from Protestants who equate our faithfulness (sanctification) with faith (understood as a receiving of Christ's faithfulness as the sole ground of God being 100% for us).

When the ground of justification moves from Christ outside of us to the work of Christ inside of us, the gospel (and the human soul) is imperiled. It is an upside down gospel.

Why I Don’t Have a Television and Rarely Go to Movies

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:41:19 -0500

(Author: John Piper)

Now that the video of the Q&A at Advance 09 is available, I can look at it and feel bad all over again. Here's what I regret, indeed what I have apologized for to the person who asked the question.

The first question to me and Mark Driscoll was, "Piper says get rid of my TV, and Driscoll says buy extra DVRs. How do you reconcile this difference?"

I responded, "Get your sources right. . . . I never said that in my life."

Almost as soon as it was out of my mouth, I felt: "What a jerk, Piper!"...

Read the rest of the article.

Enter to Win Free Sunday School Curriculum

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 13:15:57 -0500

(Author: Abraham Piper)

Tony Kummer is giving away an "ABC's of God," Sunday school curriculum for 1st - 3rd graders from Children Desiring God.

This is about a $215 value and all you have to do to enter is comment.

Update: Sorry I was unclear. Please comment at his site to enter.

Why Mark Talbot Is Speaking at DG's Fall Conference

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 10:53:41 -0500

(Author: Abraham Piper)

John Piper talks about why he invited Mark Talbot to speak at our upcoming conference on Calvin :

For more from Mark Talbot, check out the message he gave at our 2005 conference, "Seeing God's Gracious Hand in the Hurt Others Do Us."

You can also watch his testimony:

Learn more about DG's conference, "With Calvin in the Theater of God":

Hope for Sexual Strugglers

Thu, 25 Jun 2009 01:30:51 -0500

(Author: David Mathis)

David fell in 2 Samuel 11. He saw that Bathsheba was "very beautiful," and he followed his lusts down the slope to adultery—and then even to having her husband killed.

But by 1 Kings 1, David is able to be attended to by Abishag the Shunammite, who the text also says was "very beautiful," and yet "the king knew her not" (verse 4).

Maybe aging was a factor, but my guess is that there's much more going on here than merely getting old. Such a change sure seems like God's purifying hand in some regard—if not mostly. It's a real-life example of victory.

There's no need to be captive for the rest of your life, if God would so move. Be hopeful and lean on him for help.

Desiring God Blog

4 Questions to Help Us Think About Missions

When Harsh Words Are Kind

What Can We Gain from Calvin Today?

Mark Talbot

Sam Storms

John Piper

Doug Wilson

Marvin Olasky

45 Books DG Staff Are Reading Right Now

Theology

Fiction

Art

Business

Prayer and Devotional Life

Reading

Sociology

Missions and Evangelism

Poetry

Philosophy

Science

Biography

Counseling

Register for Our Conference Soon for Lowest Rates

Not in This or That Mount, but in Spirit and Truth

The Loving Meaning of the Leftovers

Why Julius Kim Is Speaking at DG's Fall Conference

Why Shout When Preaching

Why Marvin Olasky Is Speaking at DG's Fall Conference

Goldsworthy on Why the Reformation Was Necessary

Why I Don’t Have a Television and Rarely Go to Movies

Enter to Win Free Sunday School Curriculum

Why Mark Talbot Is Speaking at DG's Fall Conference

Hope for Sexual Strugglers