John Piper's Blog, page 357

Cancer Update

Do unto others, not just as you would that they do to you, but as they did to you. Read about Alistair Begg's prostate cancer and then pause and pray for him. For those of you who have wondered about the outcome of my own radical robotic laparoscopic prostatectomy last Valentine's Day [!] (2006), I feel very good and the readings so far indicate no cancer.

 

But we trust God not the odds. There may be another disease lurking ready to take me out tomorrow. But, as we sang tonight at church: "He never failed me yet" and according to Hebrews 13:5-6 ("Be content with what you have, for he has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we can confidently say, 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?'") he never will.

Pastor John

Upcoming Sermon on Marriage

This weekend's message at Bethlehem will try to answer:


Why were Adam and Eve naked and not ashamed (Genesis 2:25)?
Is it possible on this side of the fall to be naked and not ashamed?
Is public nudity a return to innocence?
What does it mean that after the fall "they knew that they were naked" (Genesis 3:7)?
Does our clothing only have a negative message for us--you blew it?
When God clothes Adam and Eve is he confirming their flight from reality?
Is the ideal answer to dressing to impress a return to nakedness?
What is it about marriage that makes nakedness all right?
How does marriage as covenant-keeping display Christ in creating a new context for unashamed nakedness?

Please pray for me that Scripture would permeate and control this message. Pray that the Holy Spirit would guard me from error, grant me power, and give listeners a mind to understand and a heart to embrace and live the truth. May many people discover glorious realities of Christ and his covenant of love, and the undiscovered depths of the "mystery" of marriage.

How and Why Bethlehem Pursues Ethnic Diversity

The aim of this article is information and solicitation. First, I want to inform the people of Bethlehem (and anyone else who cares to listen) how the staff and elders think about ethnic diversity in hiring pastoral staff and choosing elders. Second, I want to solicit the help of any friend of Bethlehem or Desiring God in helping us know about African-American, Asian, Latino, Native, or any other ethnic persons who might be a part of the pastoral staff at Bethlehem.

We realize that this kind of intentionality in seeking staff is controversial. Some would say, “Never consider ethnicity in hiring. Always be color blind and focus only on competencies, doctrine, and faith.” Here is the problem we see with that....Read the whole article.

Upcoming Sermon on Staying Married

I am not beginning a new series yet. I am seeking the Lord for a few special messages in view of present realities at BBC and in our culture.
Title: Staying Married Is Not About Staying in LoveText: Genesis 2:18-25

If you would like to prepare, here are some things to read that may be helpful:

Ephesians 5:22ff Section 4.2 from the Desiring God Affirmation of Faith (PDF)Kill Anger Before It Kills Your Marriage