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John Piper

John Piper is founder and teacher of Desiring God and chancellor of Bethlehem College and 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 Foundations for Lifelong Learning: Education in Serious Joy.

Who Are the Elders?

Then and Now

Congregational authority and strong leadership under that authority are not incompatible. They are biblical, and they are vital.

Conference Message

Unsparing Pain, Unsparing Pleasure

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? The passage of Scripture that I would like to open with you tonight is found…

Summer Faithfulness Is Better Than December Desperation

How to Have a Clear Conscience on Vacation

Sometimes a fourth of our budget is given in December! This makes cash flow in the summer very difficult. This year especially. The reserves we have used for a cushion are being paid out to their designated ministries and SPAN…

The Leading of the Lord in Personal Evangelism

The Leading of the Lord in Personal Evangelism

God has yet more wonders to show us in the work of evangelism and world missions than we can imagine.

How the Elder Candidates Were Chosen and How They Will Be Presented

The first nominees for the eldership of Bethlehem Baptist Church are Rollin Erickson, Ronn Kreps, David Livingston, Tom Rogstad, Daniel Runion, Tom Schreiner, Dennis Smith, Gene Sprinkel, Tom Steller, John Piper, Marty Wade. I say first nominees because the constitution…

What Does It Mean to Receive the Holy Spirit?

Luke expects the receiving of the Holy Spirit to be a real, identifiable experience, not just a logical inference from a human act of will.

Did You Say "Amen" for Children?

I love to dedicate children. It is an exhausting mental challenge to remember all those names. But the immensity of the importance of what is happening makes it very satisfying. How I pray that the investment of my life at…

Simon's Perversion of Signs and Wonders

There is a "faith" or a "believing" that does not save, even though it rises in the presence of true preaching and true miracles.

Is God Calling You to Join the Team at Immanuel?

I can’t get over these numbers when applied to the Twin Cities. When revival came to Alliance, Nebraska in the spring of 1990 over half of the 9,000 population attended special evangelistic meetings, and one tenth of the population (900)…

Spreading Power Through Persecution

God makes persecution and suffering serve the unstoppable mission of the church.

Dream with Us About Taking Our City for God

What unique things would your city contribute to the cause of Christ if his Lordship were established more fully there?

The Lord Is Great and Does Wondrous Things

God is more powerful than all the gods and he is more powerful than all the nations. On God's side you cannot lose.

Do You Ever Fast for More of God’s Power?

The absence of fasting probably means the absence of deep longings for God’s power. And the absence of deep longing is one reason he waits to bless us.

The Death of a Spirit-Filled Man

Death is not just defeated and kept from destroying us; it is enslaved and made the servant of God's people.

Would You Accept Execution for Being a Christian?

Can you honestly say with the psalmist, “the steadfast love of the Lord is better than life”?

What Is God Saying to Us in the ‘SPAN III’ Pledges?

In October 1987 we voted to build a new worship center. For over 100 years Bethlehem had worshipped in the present sanctuary which holds 450 comfortably and 500 crowded. In March of 1981 we went to two Sunday morning services…

The Story of a Stiff-Necked People

God is not eager to punish; he is eager to forgive. But there is an end to his patience.

Whatever Happened to That "Free" Book You Promised?

It’s here. And I am excited about it. It’s called Recovering Biblical Manhood and Womanhood: A Response to Evangelical Feminism. The book has 22 authors, 26 chapters and 566 pages. Wayne Grudem and I edited the book, and I…

Six Gifts of the Resurrection

Six Gifts of the Resurrection

Easter Sunday

The greatest news in all the world is in order to make you happy and glorify Jesus, God raised him from the dead to reign forevermore.

They Gave It Their Best Shot—In Vain

When it looks like he is buried for good, Jesus is doing something awesome in the dark.

Stephen's Crime: "Jesus Will Destroy the Temple"

Palm Sunday

How did Jesus destroy the temple? Why did saying so cost Stephen his life?

Getting to Know the Recipient of $828,387 of Your Dollars

Most of our new, young members know almost nothing about the Baptist General Conference. Yet it is our primary arm of outreach beyond Minneapolis. It is a fellowship of 800 churches in the United States. Together we are aiming to…

Serving Widows, Preaching the Word, and Winning Priests

A major threat to the Christian movement is whatever threatens the ministry of the Word.

Thoughts on Our ‘SPAN III’ Commitments Before I Know the Results

It is five o’clock Sunday afternoon, March 10. After this morning’s service at Northwestern I came home, ate some of Noël’s world-class spaghetti, and went to bed. I have just gotten up from that nap What a morning the Lord…

If It Is of God, It Will Not Be Overthrown

What does building a new worship building have to do with real worship?

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