John Piper

Teaching the truth about God is compassionate. “Jesus saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” Mark 6:34

“Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?” Psalm 85:6 For there is no true glorification of God where his people rejoice in other things more than God.

“Let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.” 1 Peter 4:19 1. God’s sovereign will decrees suffering for his child. 2. A Christian suffers. 3. The suffering Christian trusts God. 4. The suffering, trusting Christian does good deeds.

“Gideon said to him, ‘Please, my lord, if the Lord is with us, why then has all this happened to us?’ . . . And the Lord turned to him and said, ‘Go in this might of yours and save Israel from the hand of Midian.’” Judges 6:13–14 Gideon to God: We have a problem. God to Gideon: Become the solution.

“These things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they desired.” 1 Corinthians 10:6 The issue is desire. Desiring evil is evil.

“Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. . . . I pommel my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” 1 Corinthians 9:25–27 With the body we run for the wreath. Or. With the body we stumble into ruin.

“I present the gospel free of charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.” 1 Corinthians 9:18 Paul did not demand payment for his preaching. Instead, he paid with suffering. Then he was supported from the overflow of salvation.

It’s not too late to join us at Spring Preview Day and Theology for Everyone Weekend ‘26 this Friday and Saturday! bcsmn.edu/preview bcsmn.edu/everyone

I have heard it said, “God didn’t die for frogs. He died for humans, implying we were worth the sacrifice.” This turns grace on its head. We are less deserving than frogs. They have not sinned. They have not rebelled and treated God with the contempt of being inconsequential in their lives. God did not have to die for frogs. They aren’t bad enough. We are. Our debt is so great, only a divine sacrifice could pay it.

“We endure anything rather than put an obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 9:12 Enlarging access to the gospel is more to be desired than all earthly comforts.

“Has been”! This perfect tense is a theological watershed. “If anyone loves God, he has been known (ἔγνωσται) by God.” 1 Corinthians 8:3 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born (γεγέννηται) of God.” 1 John 5:1

“The wind and the sea obey him.” Mark 4:41 So physical compliance with God’s will is not a moral virtue in itself. What is? “You have become obedient from the heart.” Romans 6:17

“. . . to love the Lord your God . . . to cling to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Joshua 22:5 Cling. With all your heart.

“The cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word.” Mark 4:19 What then? Make your worries, wealth, and wishes crave the word.

“Let the groans of the prisoners come before you; according to your great power, preserve those doomed to die.” Psalm 79:11

“‘All things are lawful for me,’ but not all things are helpful. ‘All things are lawful for me,’ but I will not be dominated by anything.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 I will use my freedom for maximum benefit and minimal bondage. Seize every moment. Suffer no addictions.

Amazing. “Their heart was not steadfast toward him; they were not faithful to his covenant. Yet he, being compassionate, atoned for their iniquity and did not destroy them; he restrained his anger often and did not stir up all his wrath.” Psalm 78:37–38

It is a great outrage not to trust our Creator, Sustainer, Redeemer. “His anger rose against Israel, because they did not believe in God and did not trust his saving power.” Psalm 78:21–22

Sexually immoral, idolaters, adulterers, men who practice homosexuality, thieves, the greedy, drunkards, revilers, swindlers . . . “Such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:9–11

“The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.” Mark 2:20 They will. A hunger for his return.