New John Piper sermons

After 3 weeks off on holiday, I’m back today. I found these new sermons by Piper a really energising and enthusing launchpad into my own study and prep. They were preached at the EMA last month, you can download other talks from the conference here.

Will we risk? Venturing in ministry

Will we risk? Enduring in ministry

Whilst Piper was in the UK he also preached a message on ‘The Gospel and Racial Harmony’ at Jubilee Church in London. You can find that message on Adrian Warnock’s blog here.

South African sermon - PJ Smyth

 The eyes of the world will turn to South Africa today as Holland and Spain battle to be crowned world champions. It's been interesting to see so much of the television coverage devoted to the politics and history of South Africa, and so I was fascinated to listen to this sermon from PJ Smyth. It's entitled 'What would God say to president Zuma', apparently with Zuma in attendance.

HT- Mark Driscoll

Pastor - die with your boots on

You're either going to go out like Judas or Jesus—that's how your life is going to end. You're going to go out like Jesus, faithful to the end, whatever the cost, or you're going to go out like Judas, prematurely, tragically, rebelliously, shamefully. I want you to keep your boots on, finish strong, run your race, see it through to the end, be a completer, a finisher, a closer of the things God has given you to do.

Mark Driscoll from 11 Leadership Lessons from the 12 Disciples

'Tell Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord."'

Colossians 4:17

'For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.'

2 Timothy 4:6-8

Pastor - give thanks for the gift of your gospel ministry

Only when we ask why Christ has appointed a Gospel ministry can we begin to appreciate what the call to the ministry is. Then, having been called to the greatest office in the world, how can a man stoop to become a king?

Paul O’Driscoll (borrowing a bit of Spurgeon!)

'I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God's grace given me through the working of his power.'

Ephesians 3:7

Pastor - suffer well

None of us takes to the cross naturally. Sacrifice hurts, and the hurt is real. But there is a deeper desire in us than that of simply avoiding pain. We want to do the will of God…

 

… Many people do not think about suffering when they think of Christian service. This is a big mistake. All through the New Testament we are told that if we are faithful to God, we will suffer. When we do Christian ministry, we take on the mantle of Jesus, the suffering servant. The long list of of his sufferings for Christ that Paul gives in his epistles are very vivid. In fact, he describes his personal sufferings as Christ’s own sufferings (Phil 3:10, Col 1:24-25) indicating that suffering was an aspect of his union with Christ. IF we do not anticipate suffering, we could be disillusioned when it comes or try to avoid it through disobedience.

 

But suffering is not easy. Those who make love their goal in life are going to hurt deeply when they are rejected, unappreciated, exploited, or opposed by the very people they seek to love. But that is the lot of God’s servants.

 

However as we face the prospect of suffering, God will remind us that, just as Christ’s sufferings produced great glory, our sufferings will also bring great glory to God.

Ajith Fernando in Jesus Driven Ministry (p52-53)

'Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.'

2 Timothy 2:3