How the Spirit Persuades Us

The testimony of God to the gospel The testimony of God to the gospel is this. is this. is this. He gives us life. In that moment, as the He gives us life. In that moment, as the He gives us life. In that moment, as the gospel is shining through your natural gospel is shining through your natural gospel is shining through your natural eyes into your natural brain, processed eyes into your natural brain, processed eyes into your natural brain, processed by reasoning, grammatical, syntactical, by reasoning, grammatical, syntactical, by reasoning, grammatical, syntactical, logical faculties, nothing is happening. logical faculties, nothing is happening. logical faculties, nothing is happening. And suddenly, And suddenly, And suddenly, God witnesses God witnesses God witnesses to it. to it. to it. Not meaning he whispers a voice, Not meaning he whispers a voice, Not meaning he whispers a voice, but that he gives you life. >> I've often thought about the fact that >> I've often thought about the fact that two people can sit side by side, hear two people can sit side by side, hear two people can sit side by side, hear the same sermon, and walk away with the same sermon, and walk away with the same sermon, and walk away with completely different reactions. One is completely different reactions. One is completely different reactions. One is drawn in, and the other can't wait for drawn in, and the other can't wait for drawn in, and the other can't wait for it to end. What makes the difference? it to end. What makes the difference? it to end. What makes the difference? I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this episode of Light and Truth, John In this episode of Light and Truth, John In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper reflects on the miracle that lies Piper reflects on the miracle that lies Piper reflects on the miracle that lies beneath genuine faith, and explains how beneath genuine faith, and explains how beneath genuine faith, and explains how God's Spirit persuades people of the God's Spirit persuades people of the God's Spirit persuades people of the truth by making them alive. The seminar truth by making them alive. The seminar truth by making them alive. The seminar was originally delivered at Bethlehem was originally delivered at Bethlehem was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church in September 2001.

>> So, here's my Here's my approach, and >> So, here's my Here's my approach, and I'm going to take my starting point from I'm going to take my starting point from I'm going to take my starting point from the Westminster Catechism. the Westminster Catechism. the Westminster Catechism. And I'm going to take it apart piece by And I'm going to take it apart piece by And I'm going to take it apart piece by piece to see whether its argument for piece to see whether its argument for piece to see whether its argument for the validity of the scriptures as a the validity of the scriptures as a the validity of the scriptures as a whole whole whole is true. This is a This is not building is true. This is a This is not building is true. This is a This is not building upon what we just saw from Paul. That upon what we just saw from Paul. That upon what we just saw from Paul. That was one approach. Now, I'm taking was one approach. Now, I'm taking was one approach. Now, I'm taking another approach. This is another approach. This is another approach. This is The Westminster Catechism, set in 1646, The Westminster Catechism, set in 1646, The Westminster Catechism, set in 1646, roughly, roughly, roughly, was developed was developed was developed as a summary of the scriptures, and it's as a summary of the scriptures, and it's as a summary of the scriptures, and it's written for the church. It's written for written for the church. It's written for written for the church. It's written for lay people. It's written by people who lay people. It's written by people who lay people. It's written by people who with way more experience than me, with way more experience than me, with way more experience than me, experience things like me, experience things like me, experience things like me, about God's truth and authority in the about God's truth and authority in the about God's truth and authority in the word and in experience, and wanted to word and in experience, and wanted to word and in experience, and wanted to to develop a warrant for the scriptures to develop a warrant for the scriptures to develop a warrant for the scriptures that laymen would have access to. that laymen would have access to. that laymen would have access to. See, I I know perfectly well that if I See, I I know perfectly well that if I See, I I know perfectly well that if I developed the most sophisticated, developed the most sophisticated, developed the most sophisticated, historically controlled, historically controlled, historically controlled, scholarly reasoning for the resurrection scholarly reasoning for the resurrection scholarly reasoning for the resurrection and the authentication of the ministry and the authentication of the ministry and the authentication of the ministry of the Apostle Paul, and I developed a of the Apostle Paul, and I developed a of the Apostle Paul, and I developed a 10-week seminar on it, and I got 10-week seminar on it, and I got 10-week seminar on it, and I got everybody in the church to come, and I everybody in the church to come, and I everybody in the church to come, and I did it, and I wowed them with my with my did it, and I wowed them with my with my did it, and I wowed them with my with my ability to to reason and know, ability to to reason and know, ability to to reason and know, a year later, a year later, a year later, they wouldn't have it.

they wouldn't have it. they wouldn't have it. They would not They would just remember, They would not They would just remember, They would not They would just remember, "That was good." "That was good." "That was good." But they wouldn't have enough memory But they wouldn't have enough memory But they wouldn't have enough memory of the facts to reconstruct the argument of the facts to reconstruct the argument of the facts to reconstruct the argument so that in a moment of conflict or so that in a moment of conflict or so that in a moment of conflict or threat or death or torment or torture, threat or death or torment or torture, threat or death or torment or torture, it would work. it would work. it would work. I I tried for years to I I tried for years to I I tried for years to to to live mainly to to live mainly to to live mainly on historical arguments. on historical arguments. on historical arguments. I never, in all my German experience, in I never, in all my German experience, in I never, in all my German experience, in all my Fuller experience, in all my all my Fuller experience, in all my all my Fuller experience, in all my subsequent dealing with people at subsequent dealing with people at subsequent dealing with people at Bethel, I Bethel, I Bethel, I as I was teaching, I never as I was teaching, I never as I was teaching, I never found myself close to doubting found myself close to doubting found myself close to doubting or close to jettison or close to jettison or close to jettison the historical reliability of the Bible. the historical reliability of the Bible. the historical reliability of the Bible. The arguments, once I gave myself to The arguments, once I gave myself to The arguments, once I gave myself to them, were always good enough. But you them, were always good enough. But you them, were always good enough. But you know what? know what? know what? I had to rebuild them every time I I had to rebuild them every time I I had to rebuild them every time I taught it. taught it. taught it. I had to go back and relearn them every I had to go back and relearn them every I had to go back and relearn them every time. So, to prepare this seminar, time. So, to prepare this seminar, time. So, to prepare this seminar, I couldn't do this off the cuff.

I couldn't do this off the cuff. I couldn't do this off the cuff. I had to go back and reread all these I had to go back and reread all these I had to go back and reread all these things, rethink, look up a few texts, things, rethink, look up a few texts, things, rethink, look up a few texts, reconstruct the arguments in my head so reconstruct the arguments in my head so reconstruct the arguments in my head so that I would remind myself of how that I would remind myself of how that I would remind myself of how compelling they were. compelling they were. compelling they were. Well, existentially, I can't live that Well, existentially, I can't live that Well, existentially, I can't live that way. way. way. I simply can't live that way. I simply can't live that way. I simply can't live that way. Reconstructing compelling arguments that Reconstructing compelling arguments that Reconstructing compelling arguments that I forget won't work in the World Trade I forget won't work in the World Trade I forget won't work in the World Trade Tower. Tower. Tower. With about 5 minutes to go, With about 5 minutes to go, With about 5 minutes to go, going to burn or fall out. going to burn or fall out. going to burn or fall out. I mean, you just I mean, you just I mean, you just So, as a pastor, So, as a pastor, So, as a pastor, the more I've come close into people's the more I've come close into people's the more I've come close into people's lives, the more I deal with real people, lives, the more I deal with real people, lives, the more I deal with real people, the more I deal with various kinds of the more I deal with various kinds of the more I deal with various kinds of people at all ages of life, I say, "If people at all ages of life, I say, "If people at all ages of life, I say, "If the Bible is going to be trusted, the Bible is going to be trusted, the Bible is going to be trusted, and God wants us to trust it, he must and God wants us to trust it, he must and God wants us to trust it, he must have made a way have made a way have made a way to see its trustworthiness to see its trustworthiness to see its trustworthiness different different different than that." than that." than that." And that's what I want to talk about, And that's what I want to talk about, And that's what I want to talk about, now. Question four in the Larger Catechism, Question four in the Larger Catechism, "How doth it appear that the scriptures "How doth it appear that the scriptures "How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God?"

are the word of God?" are the word of God?" Answer: Answer: Answer: "The scriptures manifest themselves "The scriptures manifest themselves "The scriptures manifest themselves themselves themselves themselves to be the word of God by their majesty to be the word of God by their majesty to be the word of God by their majesty and purity, and purity, and purity, by the consent by the consent by the consent That means agreement. That means agreement. That means agreement. of all the parts, of all the parts, of all the parts, and the scope of the whole, and the scope of the whole, and the scope of the whole, which is to give glory to God, which is to give glory to God, which is to give glory to God, by their light and power to convince by their light and power to convince by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, and convert sinners, and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto to comfort and build up believers unto to comfort and build up believers unto salvation. salvation. salvation. But, But, But, so that's that's all the kinds of traits so that's that's all the kinds of traits so that's that's all the kinds of traits that the scripture has that would compel that the scripture has that would compel that the scripture has that would compel you to yield, but you to yield, but you to yield, but the spirit of God bearing witness by and the spirit of God bearing witness by and the spirit of God bearing witness by and with that's very crucial. I'm going to with that's very crucial. I'm going to with that's very crucial. I'm going to talk about the testimony of the Holy talk about the testimony of the Holy talk about the testimony of the Holy Spirit almost the rest of our time here.

Spirit almost the rest of our time here. Spirit almost the rest of our time here. Please don't understand me Please don't understand me Please don't understand me or the Westminster Divines or John or the Westminster Divines or John or the Westminster Divines or John Calvin to mean Calvin to mean Calvin to mean a voice telling you the Bible is true. a voice telling you the Bible is true. a voice telling you the Bible is true. So many people when they think internal So many people when they think internal So many people when they think internal testimony of the Holy Spirit they they testimony of the Holy Spirit they they testimony of the Holy Spirit they they look at the Bible and then they look look at the Bible and then they look look at the Bible and then they look away and say, "Okay, Holy Spirit, is it away and say, "Okay, Holy Spirit, is it away and say, "Okay, Holy Spirit, is it true? true? true? Tell me." Tell me." Tell me." That's not the way he does it. That's not the way he does it. That's not the way he does it. It is It is It is by and with the spirit of God bearing by and with the spirit of God bearing by and with the spirit of God bearing witness by and with by and with. It's as witness by and with by and with. It's as witness by and with by and with. It's as you keep looking as you keep looking, you keep looking as you keep looking, you keep looking as you keep looking, you see. you see. you see. So, we'll talk about that in a minute. So, we'll talk about that in a minute. So, we'll talk about that in a minute. In the heart of man is alone able fully In the heart of man is alone able fully In the heart of man is alone able fully to persuade it heart that they are the to persuade it heart that they are the to persuade it heart that they are the very word of God. very word of God. very word of God. Now, I think that is a Now, I think that is a Now, I think that is a true answer to the question true answer to the question true answer to the question and want to spend the rest of my time and want to spend the rest of my time and want to spend the rest of my time talking about each of those pieces talking about each of those pieces talking about each of those pieces starting right here starting right here starting right here with majesty.

with majesty. with majesty. So, let's just go through it. We'll take So, let's just go through it. We'll take So, let's just go through it. We'll take it a piece at a time. The scriptures it a piece at a time. The scriptures it a piece at a time. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of manifest themselves to be the word of manifest themselves to be the word of God. First he says God. First he says God. First he says by their majesty. by their majesty. by their majesty. Here's Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 Here's Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 Here's Paul in 1 Corinthians 2:6-9 saying saying saying I'll just take verse 9. I'll just take verse 9. I'll just take verse 9. As it is written As it is written As it is written eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither eye hath not seen nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man have entered into the heart of man have entered into the heart of man the things which God had prepared the things which God had prepared the things which God had prepared for them that love him. for them that love him. for them that love him. I think I think what the majesty of the I think I think what the majesty of the I think I think what the majesty of the scriptures refers to scriptures refers to scriptures refers to is the is the is the consistently exalted consistently exalted consistently exalted subject matter with which it deals. subject matter with which it deals. subject matter with which it deals. Now, none of these quite by themselves Now, none of these quite by themselves Now, none of these quite by themselves is Oh, clearly it's then the word of is Oh, clearly it's then the word of is Oh, clearly it's then the word of God. Well, it's not like that. God. Well, it's not like that. God. Well, it's not like that. It's each piece building on the other It's each piece building on the other It's each piece building on the other piece. piece. piece. Is there another book anywhere like it Is there another book anywhere like it Is there another book anywhere like it in calling us up and out of our in calling us up and out of our in calling us up and out of our human, low, trivial human, low, trivial human, low, trivial worldly concerns and presenting us over worldly concerns and presenting us over worldly concerns and presenting us over and over again with unspeakable and over again with unspeakable and over again with unspeakable glories?

glories? glories? In a world view that just blows the mind In a world view that just blows the mind In a world view that just blows the mind away over and over again. I think that's away over and over again. I think that's away over and over again. I think that's the gist of what it means by the gist of what it means by the gist of what it means by majesty. majesty. majesty. It's unique. It seems to set itself It's unique. It seems to set itself It's unique. It seems to set itself apart. And then the next word is by its apart. And then the next word is by its apart. And then the next word is by its purity. purity. purity. And I Frankly, I I should What? That is And I Frankly, I I should What? That is And I Frankly, I I should What? That is an interesting word to describe the an interesting word to describe the an interesting word to describe the scriptures. scriptures. scriptures. Psalm 12:6, "The words of the Lord are Psalm 12:6, "The words of the Lord are Psalm 12:6, "The words of the Lord are pure pure pure words as silver tried in a furnace in words as silver tried in a furnace in words as silver tried in a furnace in the earth purified seven times." Or the earth purified seven times." Or the earth purified seven times." Or Psalm 19 Psalm 19 Psalm 19 verse 8, "The statutes of the Lord are verse 8, "The statutes of the Lord are verse 8, "The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The right, rejoicing the heart. The right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is commandment of the Lord is commandment of the Lord is pure and lightening the eyes." Pure pure and lightening the eyes." Pure pure and lightening the eyes." Pure means undefiled, clean, means undefiled, clean, means undefiled, clean, no contamination. no contamination. no contamination. And it seems to me that the What they're And it seems to me that the What they're And it seems to me that the What they're getting at here is this. getting at here is this. getting at here is this. I'm dirty. I'm dirty. I'm dirty. I'm dirty.

I'm dirty. I'm dirty. I'm contaminated as a human being. I'm I'm contaminated as a human being. I'm I'm contaminated as a human being. I'm born with dirt. born with dirt. born with dirt. I pick up dirt like a magnet. I generate I pick up dirt like a magnet. I generate I pick up dirt like a magnet. I generate dirt. dirt. dirt. I'm unclean. I'm unclean. I'm unclean. I go to this book I go to this book I go to this book and it just and it just and it just over and over again over and over again over and over again exposes me. exposes me. exposes me. It's so clean. It's so clean. It's so clean. It's so right. It's so high. It's so It's so right. It's so high. It's so It's so right. It's so high. It's so pure. It exposes me. pure. It exposes me. pure. It exposes me. There's something about the Bible that's There's something about the Bible that's There's something about the Bible that's not quite like any other book in its not quite like any other book in its not quite like any other book in its its effective its effective its effective convicting convicting convicting cleanliness. cleanliness. cleanliness. I think that's what they're getting at. I think that's what they're getting at. I think that's what they're getting at. Thirdly, they refer these Westminster Thirdly, they refer these Westminster Thirdly, they refer these Westminster divines, they refer to the consent of divines, they refer to the consent of divines, they refer to the consent of all its parts. all its parts. all its parts. Now, of course Now, of course Now, of course the skeptical read last night in the the skeptical read last night in the the skeptical read last night in the Tribune said innumerable contradictions.

And here the Westminster divines are And here the Westminster divines are arguing that the consent of all its arguing that the consent of all its arguing that the consent of all its parts is an evidence of its divinity. parts is an evidence of its divinity. parts is an evidence of its divinity. Somebody's missing something, you know. Somebody's missing something, you know. Somebody's missing something, you know. You just got to settle that one You just got to settle that one You just got to settle that one yourself. You got to read this book yourself. You got to read this book yourself. You got to read this book through enough times. I hope you read it through enough times. I hope you read it through enough times. I hope you read it through once a year. through once a year. through once a year. Wouldn't it be wonderful to to be like Wouldn't it be wonderful to to be like Wouldn't it be wonderful to to be like Müller? Müller? Müller? I think he came in the '70s or I think he came in the '70s or I think he came in the '70s or something. He and he and he wrote in his something. He and he and he wrote in his something. He and he and he wrote in his diary, "I have this morning completed diary, "I have this morning completed diary, "I have this morning completed reading the Bible through for the 40th reading the Bible through for the 40th reading the Bible through for the 40th time." time." time." Once a year for the last 40 years. You do that enough You do that enough you will be confronted, yes, with you will be confronted, yes, with you will be confronted, yes, with problems. We've all got problems. How to problems. We've all got problems. How to problems. We've all got problems. How to figure things out. figure things out. figure things out. But they will start to fit together. So But they will start to fit together. So But they will start to fit together. So many things that a unity and a harmony many things that a unity and a harmony many things that a unity and a harmony and a depth of agreement. and a depth of agreement. and a depth of agreement. Oh, it's wonderful to walk with the Oh, it's wonderful to walk with the Oh, it's wonderful to walk with the Bible long enough to experience that. I Bible long enough to experience that. I Bible long enough to experience that. I I I I I specialize in spotting problems in the I specialize in spotting problems in the I specialize in spotting problems in the Bible. Not for you, but for me, mainly.

Bible. Not for you, but for me, mainly. Bible. Not for you, but for me, mainly. For this reason. For this reason. For this reason. I'm wired that way for one thing, so I I'm wired that way for one thing, so I I'm wired that way for one thing, so I have to live with it. have to live with it. have to live with it. But I exploit it in this way. But I exploit it in this way. But I exploit it in this way. I find something written here that seems I find something written here that seems I find something written here that seems out of sync with something here. I'm out of sync with something here. I'm out of sync with something here. I'm watching for them. I'm not trying to watching for them. I'm not trying to watching for them. I'm not trying to avoid them. I'm looking for them. avoid them. I'm looking for them. avoid them. I'm looking for them. Because my Because my Because my 55 years has taught me 55 years has taught me 55 years has taught me that when you take the apparent that when you take the apparent that when you take the apparent dislodgement or contradiction and start dislodgement or contradiction and start dislodgement or contradiction and start pushing pushing pushing down down down down down down down down down down down down you find a root where they're not at you find a root where they're not at you find a root where they're not at odds anymore. odds anymore. odds anymore. Oh, Oh, Oh, I see. I see. I see. I mean, things about love and hate in I mean, things about love and hate in I mean, things about love and hate in the Bible. You're supposed to hate your the Bible. You're supposed to hate your the Bible. You're supposed to hate your enemies? enemies? enemies? Why do these psalmists seem to hate Why do these psalmists seem to hate Why do these psalmists seem to hate their enemies? I hate them with pure hatred, Psalm 19. I hate them with pure hatred, Psalm 19. Love your enemies. So, we can do that. Love your enemies. So, we can do that. Love your enemies. So, we can do that. Oh, I've spent years working on those Oh, I've spent years working on those Oh, I've spent years working on those things. And every time I bump into them things. And every time I bump into them things. And every time I bump into them again in the Bible, I start all over again in the Bible, I start all over again in the Bible, I start all over again and I go back and I get out my again and I go back and I get out my again and I go back and I get out my journals and I think to them again of journals and I think to them again of journals and I think to them again of how hatred and love work in the Bible.

how hatred and love work in the Bible. how hatred and love work in the Bible. And what I usually wind up with is is And what I usually wind up with is is And what I usually wind up with is is roots and depths of unity and the roots and depths of unity and the roots and depths of unity and the relationships of hatred and love that I relationships of hatred and love that I relationships of hatred and love that I never seen before. never seen before. never seen before. And they have never pushed me away from And they have never pushed me away from And they have never pushed me away from the Bible, but only drawn me deeper into the Bible, but only drawn me deeper into the Bible, but only drawn me deeper into a a profound respect for the consent of a a profound respect for the consent of a a profound respect for the consent of what Paul calls in Acts 20:27, the whole what Paul calls in Acts 20:27, the whole what Paul calls in Acts 20:27, the whole counsel of God. As if there's a unity to counsel of God. As if there's a unity to counsel of God. As if there's a unity to it, a wholeness it, a wholeness it, a wholeness to it. Here's a major one. This is to it. Here's a major one. This is to it. Here's a major one. This is really major. really major. really major. It may consume a lot of our time. Let us It may consume a lot of our time. Let us It may consume a lot of our time. Let us see. see. see. The next thing the Westminster divines The next thing the Westminster divines The next thing the Westminster divines say that compels us to give credit to say that compels us to give credit to say that compels us to give credit to the Bible as God's word is the scope of the Bible as God's word is the scope of the Bible as God's word is the scope of the whole. the whole. the whole. Which is Which is Which is to give all glory to God. to give all glory to God. to give all glory to God. The scope of the whole The scope of the whole The scope of the whole which is to give all glory to God.

What does that mean? What does that mean? It means that when you when you read It means that when you when you read It means that when you when you read this Bible as a whole you say, "What's this Bible as a whole you say, "What's this Bible as a whole you say, "What's the What's the whole point? What's the whole point? What's the What's the What's the the the large scope?" And I think scope the the large scope?" And I think scope the the large scope?" And I think scope here means what's it aiming at? What here means what's it aiming at? What here means what's it aiming at? What what is it all oriented on and focused what is it all oriented on and focused what is it all oriented on and focused on? Focus might be another word for on? Focus might be another word for on? Focus might be another word for scope there. scope there. scope there. And the answer is And the answer is And the answer is to give God all the glory. to give God all the glory. to give God all the glory. Now, why should that compel us to Now, why should that compel us to Now, why should that compel us to believe it? John 7:16, Jesus therefore believe it? John 7:16, Jesus therefore believe it? John 7:16, Jesus therefore answered them and said, "My teaching is answered them and said, "My teaching is answered them and said, "My teaching is not mine, not mine, not mine, but his who sent me. If any man is but his who sent me. If any man is but his who sent me. If any man is willing willing willing to do his will, he shall know." Oh, to do his will, he shall know." Oh, to do his will, he shall know." Oh, there's a profound statement. That's there's a profound statement. That's there's a profound statement. That's worth about a year's worth of worth about a year's worth of worth about a year's worth of meditation. meditation. meditation. If you're willing, you'll know. If If you're willing, you'll know. If If you're willing, you'll know. If you're willing, you'll know. The will you're willing, you'll know. The will you're willing, you'll know. The will and the intellect, how do they relate? and the intellect, how do they relate? and the intellect, how do they relate? How does the corruption and and How does the corruption and and How does the corruption and and insubordination and rebellion of the insubordination and rebellion of the insubordination and rebellion of the human will prevent knowing?

And if the Holy Spirit were to break the And if the Holy Spirit were to break the will will will such that it would be yielded to what is such that it would be yielded to what is such that it would be yielded to what is truly true and truly true and truly true and authoritative authoritative authoritative knowing could happen. Oh, that's worth a knowing could happen. Oh, that's worth a knowing could happen. Oh, that's worth a lot of thinking. lot of thinking. lot of thinking. Whether it is of God, you'll know, or Whether it is of God, you'll know, or Whether it is of God, you'll know, or whether I speak from myself. He who whether I speak from myself. He who whether I speak from myself. He who speaks from himself seeks his own glory. speaks from himself seeks his own glory. speaks from himself seeks his own glory. This is how it relates up here to give This is how it relates up here to give This is how it relates up here to give all glory to God. Seeks his own glory, all glory to God. Seeks his own glory, all glory to God. Seeks his own glory, but he who is seeking the glory of the but he who is seeking the glory of the but he who is seeking the glory of the one who sent him, he is true. one who sent him, he is true. one who sent him, he is true. How do you credit Jesus as true? Is the scope of his life the glory of Is the scope of his life the glory of God? God? God? Or how do you credit the credit the Or how do you credit the credit the Or how do you credit the credit the Bible as true? Is the scope of the whole Bible as true? Is the scope of the whole Bible as true? Is the scope of the whole to give glory to God? Another text on this issue, same same Another text on this issue, same same point. point. point. John 5:41, "I do not receive glory from John 5:41, "I do not receive glory from John 5:41, "I do not receive glory from men, men, men, but I know you that you do not have the but I know you that you do not have the but I know you that you do not have the love of God in yourselves.

love of God in yourselves. love of God in yourselves. I have come I have come I have come in my Father's name, in my Father's name, in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another and you do not receive me. If another and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, comes in his own name, comes in his own name, you'll receive him. Why?" you'll receive him. Why?" you'll receive him. Why?" Why won't you receive one who comes in Why won't you receive one who comes in Why won't you receive one who comes in God's name, but you will you will God's name, but you will you will God's name, but you will you will welcome somebody comes in his own name? welcome somebody comes in his own name? welcome somebody comes in his own name? Answer, because the person who comes in Answer, because the person who comes in Answer, because the person who comes in his own name has the same mindset you his own name has the same mindset you his own name has the same mindset you do. do. do. And it fits. And it fits. And it fits. It's your world view. It's your world view. It's your world view. Whereas a person who's living utterly Whereas a person who's living utterly Whereas a person who's living utterly for the glory of God indicts you, makes for the glory of God indicts you, makes for the glory of God indicts you, makes you feel guilty. You don't want him you feel guilty. You don't want him you feel guilty. You don't want him around. Exposes your own around. Exposes your own around. Exposes your own self-exaltation. Which is why he says now in verse 44, Which is why he says now in verse 44, "How can you believe "How can you believe "How can you believe when you receive glory from one another when you receive glory from one another when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that's from and do not seek the glory that's from and do not seek the glory that's from the one and only God?" That's a the one and only God?" That's a the one and only God?" That's a rhetorical question, the answer is rhetorical question, the answer is rhetorical question, the answer is clear. You can't. You can't believe. Why can't What's You can't believe. Why can't What's holding you back from believing me? From holding you back from believing me? From holding you back from believing me? From believing my word as the words of God?

believing my word as the words of God? believing my word as the words of God? What's holding you back? What's holding you back? What's holding you back? Answer, you love human praise. You love human praise. You love human praise. That's why you can't believe the gospel. That's why you can't believe the gospel. That's why you can't believe the gospel. You see how how deep is the issue of You see how how deep is the issue of You see how how deep is the issue of apologetics? apologetics? apologetics? What's keeping these students? I mean, What's keeping these students? I mean, What's keeping these students? I mean, here comes a strong apologist or here comes a strong apologist or here comes a strong apologist or evangelist, preach the gospel, evangelist, preach the gospel, evangelist, preach the gospel, compelling historical reasons, compelling historical reasons, compelling historical reasons, evidences. evidences. evidences. We don't want that. We don't want that. We don't want that. Why? Why? Why? The reasons are all there. It's not an The reasons are all there. It's not an The reasons are all there. It's not an intellectual thing. intellectual thing. intellectual thing. I love I love I love praise. praise. praise. And Jesus And Jesus And Jesus is going to destroy the possibility of is going to destroy the possibility of is going to destroy the possibility of my living for me. I ain't giving it up. I ain't giving it up. I ain't I am not giving it up. I ain't I am not giving it up. I ain't I am not giving it up. Of course, we don't articulate it like Of course, we don't articulate it like Of course, we don't articulate it like that. We don't even know that's that. We don't even know that's that. We don't even know that's happening to us. We suppress the truth happening to us. We suppress the truth happening to us. We suppress the truth in unrighteousness.

in unrighteousness. in unrighteousness. Cannot believe. Cannot believe. Cannot believe. Now, they come to the end. Now, they come to the end. Now, they come to the end. Near the end. By their light and power, Near the end. By their light and power, Near the end. By their light and power, still reading in the answer to the still reading in the answer to the still reading in the answer to the Westminster Confession, by their light Westminster Confession, by their light Westminster Confession, by their light and power, and power, and power, they are able to convince and convert they are able to convince and convert they are able to convince and convert sinners, sinners, sinners, to comfort and build up the believers to comfort and build up the believers to comfort and build up the believers unto salvation. unto salvation. unto salvation. This is the last sentence in the answer This is the last sentence in the answer This is the last sentence in the answer to the fourth question of the to the fourth question of the to the fourth question of the Westminster Catechism. Westminster Catechism. Westminster Catechism. But the Spirit of God, But the Spirit of God, But the Spirit of God, bearing witness by and with the bearing witness by and with the bearing witness by and with the Scriptures Scriptures Scriptures in the heart of man, in the heart of man, in the heart of man, the soul the soul the soul is alone able is alone able is alone able fully to persuade it, the heart, that fully to persuade it, the heart, that fully to persuade it, the heart, that they are the very word of God. Now, what Now, what what does what does what does this mean? this mean? this mean? The Spirit of God bearing witness by and The Spirit of God bearing witness by and The Spirit of God bearing witness by and with the scriptures.

with the scriptures. with the scriptures. 1 John 5:7-11. 1 John 5:7-11. 1 John 5:7-11. It is the spirit It is the spirit It is the spirit who bears witness. So, there's So, there's warrant for the terminology. warrant for the terminology. warrant for the terminology. Witness of the spirit. It is the spirit Witness of the spirit. It is the spirit Witness of the spirit. It is the spirit who bears witness who bears witness who bears witness because the spirit because the spirit because the spirit is the truth. I'm not sure that I know all that John I'm not sure that I know all that John means right there. John is is the most means right there. John is is the most means right there. John is is the most deceptively simple writer. deceptively simple writer. deceptively simple writer. I don't mean he deceives. I mean the I don't mean he deceives. I mean the I don't mean he deceives. I mean the simplicity simplicity simplicity deceives as something that veils deceives as something that veils deceives as something that veils profundity like no other writer. profundity like no other writer. profundity like no other writer. And I just wonder whether the spirit is And I just wonder whether the spirit is And I just wonder whether the spirit is the truth the truth the truth doesn't mean some kind of correlation doesn't mean some kind of correlation doesn't mean some kind of correlation between spirit and truth such that you between spirit and truth such that you between spirit and truth such that you should never try to separate the two. Eight. Verse eight. For there are three Eight. Verse eight. For there are three that bear witness, the spirit, the that bear witness, the spirit, the that bear witness, the spirit, the water, and the blood. Perhaps the water, and the blood. Perhaps the water, and the blood. Perhaps the baptism of Jesus, the beginning of his baptism of Jesus, the beginning of his baptism of Jesus, the beginning of his life, and the blood of Jesus shed at the life, and the blood of Jesus shed at the life, and the blood of Jesus shed at the end of his life, and this end of his life, and this end of his life, and this referring to the historical referring to the historical referring to the historical nitty-gritty nitty-gritty nitty-gritty witness of the incarnate Christ witness of the incarnate Christ witness of the incarnate Christ alongside the work of the spirit.

alongside the work of the spirit. alongside the work of the spirit. But, we don't need to come don't need to But, we don't need to come don't need to But, we don't need to come don't need to deal with that in detail. And deal with that in detail. And deal with that in detail. And the three are in agreement. If we the three are in agreement. If we the three are in agreement. If we receive the witness of men, receive the witness of men, receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater. So, I the witness of God is greater. So, I the witness of God is greater. So, I want to know what that is. God, are you want to know what that is. God, are you want to know what that is. God, are you witnessing? witnessing? witnessing? So, I say, "I need a witness here. I So, I say, "I need a witness here. I So, I say, "I need a witness here. I need a witness as to what I can believe. need a witness as to what I can believe. need a witness as to what I can believe. Somebody see something happen? Come on, Somebody see something happen? Come on, Somebody see something happen? Come on, I want a witness to know what really I want a witness to know what really I want a witness to know what really happened. I wasn't there. Give me a happened. I wasn't there. Give me a happened. I wasn't there. Give me a witness." And a man steps forward and witness." And a man steps forward and witness." And a man steps forward and says, "I saw it happen." I said, "What says, "I saw it happen." I said, "What says, "I saw it happen." I said, "What happened?" He says, "This happened." happened?" He says, "This happened." happened?" He says, "This happened." Now, is there another witness? I saw Now, is there another witness? I saw Now, is there another witness? I saw this happen. This happened. Well, they this happen. This happened. Well, they this happen. This happened. Well, they agree this is probably true. Is there agree this is probably true. Is there agree this is probably true. Is there another witness? And they agree and then another witness? And they agree and then another witness? And they agree and then okay, we got enough going on here. We okay, we got enough going on here. We okay, we got enough going on here. We can believe this. He says, "If you can believe this. He says, "If you can believe this. He says, "If you receive that sort of thing, then the witness of God then the witness of God is greater. So, I now Oh, so God steps is greater. So, I now Oh, so God steps is greater. So, I now Oh, so God steps up and does some witnessing. What's up and does some witnessing. What's up and does some witnessing. What's that? What's that? Where's that that? What's that? Where's that that? What's that? Where's that experience? God does some witnessing experience? God does some witnessing experience? God does some witnessing and not just man.

and not just man. and not just man. What's that? What's that? What's that? The witness of God is greater. The witness of God is greater. The witness of God is greater. For the witness of God is this. And then you got this And then you got this John-like John-like John-like that he has borne witness concerning his that he has borne witness concerning his that he has borne witness concerning his son. son. son. The witness of God is this. That he has borne witness concerning his That he has borne witness concerning his son. So, is the witness that he's borne son. So, is the witness that he's borne son. So, is the witness that he's borne witness? witness? witness? The witness is that he's borne witness? The witness is that he's borne witness? The witness is that he's borne witness? Probably not. Probably it's This is a Probably not. Probably it's This is a Probably not. Probably it's This is a definition of the witness. The witness definition of the witness. The witness definition of the witness. The witness that he's talking about of God is the that he's talking about of God is the that he's talking about of God is the witness concerning his son. So, let's witness concerning his son. So, let's witness concerning his son. So, let's just say the witness of God that we want just say the witness of God that we want just say the witness of God that we want is a witness about Jesus. is a witness about Jesus. is a witness about Jesus. That's a fair handling of verse nine. That's a fair handling of verse nine. That's a fair handling of verse nine. 10. 10. 10. The one who believes in The one who believes in The one who believes in the Son of God the Son of God the Son of God has the witness has the witness has the witness in him.

The one who does not believe God The one who does not believe God has made him a liar. has made him a liar. has made him a liar. So, if you don't believe what God said So, if you don't believe what God said So, if you don't believe what God said about the Son, about the Son, about the Son, you're a liar. you're a liar. you're a liar. You make him a liar. You make him a liar. You make him a liar. Because he has not believed in the Because he has not believed in the Because he has not believed in the witness that God has born concerning his witness that God has born concerning his witness that God has born concerning his son. son. son. Now here comes the key. Now here comes the key. Now here comes the key. And the witness is this. God has given us eternal life God has given us eternal life in his son. Now that's really heavy and Now that's really heavy and and and and and very strange. But here's my read and very strange. But here's my read and very strange. But here's my read of verse 11. of verse 11. of verse 11. If you say, If you say, If you say, "Okay, "Okay, "Okay, what is the witness of God that's what is the witness of God that's what is the witness of God that's different from the witness of man or in different from the witness of man or in different from the witness of man or in and through the witness of man?" and through the witness of man?" and through the witness of man?" I think he says, I think he says, I think he says, "It is this.

"It is this. "It is this. God God God gives gives gives life life life in his son. That's his witness." in his son. That's his witness." in his son. That's his witness." What What do you mean? What What do you mean? What What do you mean? That's his witness. God gives life. That's his witness. God gives life. That's his witness. God gives life. I think he means I think he means I think he means when you read the gospel or hear the when you read the gospel or hear the when you read the gospel or hear the gospel preached, gospel preached, gospel preached, God's witness God's witness God's witness is your life, is your life, is your life, which happens under the preaching of the which happens under the preaching of the which happens under the preaching of the word, so that as a living spiritual word, so that as a living spiritual word, so that as a living spiritual being now and not a natural being, being now and not a natural being, being now and not a natural being, you see light and truth in the gospel. you see light and truth in the gospel. you see light and truth in the gospel. The witness of God is the creation The witness of God is the creation The witness of God is the creation of of of seeing faith. Second Corinthians Second Corinthians 4 and I skipped it and I don't think 4 and I skipped it and I don't think 4 and I skipped it and I don't think I'll be able to put my hand on it.

I'll be able to put my hand on it. I'll be able to put my hand on it. Where it says The god of this age has blinded the The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from minds of unbelievers to keep them from minds of unbelievers to keep them from seeing seeing seeing the light the light the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ who of the gospel of the glory of Christ who of the gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God. is the image of God. is the image of God. The god of this age has blinded your The god of this age has blinded your The god of this age has blinded your minds to keep you from seeing the light minds to keep you from seeing the light minds to keep you from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ. of the gospel of the glory of Christ. of the gospel of the glory of Christ. In the who is the image of God. So, what In the who is the image of God. So, what In the who is the image of God. So, what is the witness? is the witness? is the witness? What's the witness of God that's What's the witness of God that's What's the witness of God that's compelling? It's greater than the compelling? It's greater than the compelling? It's greater than the witness of man. The witness of man is witness of man. The witness of man is witness of man. The witness of man is coming, preaching, the gospel is being coming, preaching, the gospel is being coming, preaching, the gospel is being preached, and you're not seeing preached, and you're not seeing preached, and you're not seeing anything. anything. anything. It's foolishness. You're not believing It's foolishness. You're not believing It's foolishness. You're not believing it. You're not seeing it. it. You're not seeing it. it. You're not seeing it. The light is not landing on any The light is not landing on any The light is not landing on any retina that has any sensitivity to it at retina that has any sensitivity to it at retina that has any sensitivity to it at all, the spiritual light. all, the spiritual light. all, the spiritual light. And he says, the testimony of God to the And he says, the testimony of God to the And he says, the testimony of God to the gospel gospel gospel is this.

is this. is this. He gives us life. He gives us life. He gives us life. In that moment, as the gospel is shining In that moment, as the gospel is shining In that moment, as the gospel is shining through your natural eyes into your through your natural eyes into your through your natural eyes into your natural brain, processed by reasoning, natural brain, processed by reasoning, natural brain, processed by reasoning, grammatical, syntactical, logical grammatical, syntactical, logical grammatical, syntactical, logical faculties, nothing is happening. faculties, nothing is happening. faculties, nothing is happening. And suddenly And suddenly And suddenly God witnesses God witnesses God witnesses to it. Not meaning he whispers a voice, but Not meaning he whispers a voice, but that he gives you life. that he gives you life. that he gives you life. And the life And the life And the life is the life of the eye, the life of the is the life of the eye, the life of the is the life of the eye, the life of the heart, the life of the ear. heart, the life of the ear. heart, the life of the ear. Seeing they do not see, hearing they do Seeing they do not see, hearing they do Seeing they do not see, hearing they do not hear, and suddenly they are hearing, not hear, and suddenly they are hearing, not hear, and suddenly they are hearing, and they are seeing, and it is glory. It and they are seeing, and it is glory. It and they are seeing, and it is glory. It is the glory of Christ, and it's is the glory of Christ, and it's is the glory of Christ, and it's self-evidencing, and self-evidencing, and self-evidencing, and when you go to preach this to your when you go to preach this to your when you go to preach this to your friends the next day, you don't say, friends the next day, you don't say, friends the next day, you don't say, "God told me it's true. God told me it's "God told me it's true. God told me it's "God told me it's true. God told me it's true." true." true." I wouldn't believe you in a minute if I wouldn't believe you in a minute if I wouldn't believe you in a minute if you said that. you said that. you said that. What you'll say is, "Do you see it? What you'll say is, "Do you see it? What you'll say is, "Do you see it? Do you see it?"

Do you see it?" Do you see it?" And of course they'll say, "No." And of course they'll say, "No." And of course they'll say, "No." And then you'll realize you got to pray And then you'll realize you got to pray And then you'll realize you got to pray like crazy to do your evangelism as like crazy to do your evangelism as like crazy to do your evangelism as well. well. well. And you'll find some say, "Do you see And you'll find some say, "Do you see And you'll find some say, "Do you see it? It's glorious. It's beautiful. He's it? It's glorious. It's beautiful. He's it? It's glorious. It's beautiful. He's God. Look." God. Look." God. Look." And then you'll spend the rest of your And then you'll spend the rest of your And then you'll spend the rest of your life unpacking the glory. The rest of life unpacking the glory. The rest of life unpacking the glory. The rest of your life unpacking the self-evidencing your life unpacking the self-evidencing your life unpacking the self-evidencing beauty of the gospel that from time to beauty of the gospel that from time to beauty of the gospel that from time to time might win people. Happens in this time might win people. Happens in this time might win people. Happens in this church all the time. People are drawn to church all the time. People are drawn to church all the time. People are drawn to the beauty and the glory of God because the beauty and the glory of God because the beauty and the glory of God because God comes down and he witnesses in and God comes down and he witnesses in and God comes down and he witnesses in and through, in and by is what the through, in and by is what the through, in and by is what the Westminster Divines meant by with and by Westminster Divines meant by with and by Westminster Divines meant by with and by the scriptures the Holy Spirit the scriptures the Holy Spirit the scriptures the Holy Spirit testifies. >> Thank you for listening to this episode >> Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are of Light and Truth, where we are committed to providing God-centered committed to providing God-centered committed to providing God-centered teaching to help you see Christ clearly teaching to help you see Christ clearly teaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. and treasure him truly. and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. On our next episode, John Piper begins a On our next episode, John Piper begins a On our next episode, John Piper begins a 13-part series titled The God who orders 13-part series titled The God who orders 13-part series titled The God who orders evil. I hope you'll join us.

evil. I hope you'll join us. evil. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, visit For more resources, visit For more resources, visit desiringgod.org.