Born Again by the Word

not by perishable seed like a husband not by perishable seed like a husband could deposit [music] in a wife, but by could deposit [music] in a wife, but by could deposit [music] in a wife, but by imperishable seed that the word deposits imperishable seed that the word deposits imperishable seed that the word deposits in a soul. in a soul. in a soul. That's how it happens. That's how it happens. That's how it happens. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by Faith comes by hearing and hearing by Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God and faith is the first the word of God and faith is the first the word of God and faith is the first cry of the newborn soul. cry of the newborn soul. cry of the newborn soul. >> There's something humbling about >> There's something humbling about >> There's something humbling about realizing that nobody drifts [music] realizing that nobody drifts [music] realizing that nobody drifts [music] into the kingdom of God. Nobody is into the kingdom of God. Nobody is into the kingdom of God. Nobody is talked into [music] spiritual life by talked into [music] spiritual life by talked into [music] spiritual life by intellectual arguments. God has to act. intellectual arguments. God has to act. intellectual arguments. God has to act. God has to give life. God has to give life. God has to give life. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper episode of Light and Truth, John Piper episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens John chapter 3, verses 1 [music] opens John chapter 3, verses 1 [music] opens John chapter 3, verses 1 [music] to 18, to show that the new birth comes to 18, to show that the new birth comes to 18, to show that the new birth comes through the Spirit working by the very through the Spirit working by the very through the Spirit working by the very word of God. This message [music] was word of God. This message [music] was word of God. This message [music] was originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on November 18th, 2007. Baptist Church on November 18th, 2007. Baptist Church on November 18th, 2007. [music] >> This is 1 Peter 1:23 and 25. Since you >> This is 1 Peter 1:23 and 25. Since you have been born again, now watch this have been born again, now watch this have been born again, now watch this carefully. Since you have been born carefully. Since you have been born carefully. Since you have been born again, not of perishable seed again, not of perishable seed again, not of perishable seed but imperishable but imperishable but imperishable through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of through the living and abiding word of God, God, God, this word is the good news that was this word is the good news that was this word is the good news that was preached to you.

preached to you. preached to you. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. John Piper, don't you take lightly John Piper, don't you take lightly John Piper, don't you take lightly what's about to happen here. not by perishable seed like a husband not by perishable seed like a husband could deposit in a wife, but by could deposit in a wife, but by could deposit in a wife, but by imperishable seed that the word deposits imperishable seed that the word deposits imperishable seed that the word deposits in a soul. in a soul. in a soul. That's how it happens. That's how it happens. That's how it happens. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by Faith comes by hearing and hearing by Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God and faith is the first the word of God and faith is the first the word of God and faith is the first cry of the newborn soul. So, how we should pray So, how we should pray >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> that not only will the term be clarified >> that not only will the term be clarified >> that not only will the term be clarified over against our culture, over against our culture, over against our culture, and not only will Christians fall in and not only will Christians fall in and not only will Christians fall in love with what has happened to them, but love with what has happened to them, but love with what has happened to them, but be amazed every day that they discover be amazed every day that they discover be amazed every day that they discover more about what God has done in their more about what God has done in their more about what God has done in their lives, but that also those who are dead lives, but that also those who are dead lives, but that also those who are dead in trespasses and sins in trespasses and sins in trespasses and sins will find the word of God will find the word of God will find the word of God and there's life.

So, God uses the instrument of his word. So, God uses the instrument of his word. He doesn't leave us without some sense He doesn't leave us without some sense He doesn't leave us without some sense of how does this happen in the world? It of how does this happen in the world? It of how does this happen in the world? It happens by the instrument of his word. happens by the instrument of his word. happens by the instrument of his word. My word cannot make it happen, but when My word cannot make it happen, but when My word cannot make it happen, but when the Holy Spirit takes my word, if my the Holy Spirit takes my word, if my the Holy Spirit takes my word, if my word is faithful to this word, word is faithful to this word, word is faithful to this word, then the Holy Spirit makes a right pier then the Holy Spirit makes a right pier then the Holy Spirit makes a right pier out of it. It goes right to the heart. out of it. It goes right to the heart. out of it. It goes right to the heart. People find themselves laid open and People find themselves laid open and People find themselves laid open and life and suddenly they see Christ in life and suddenly they see Christ in life and suddenly they see Christ in holy new ways and they cast themselves holy new ways and they cast themselves holy new ways and they cast themselves upon him for mercy. Now, Now, there are three there are three there are three aims for why I would like to do those aims for why I would like to do those aims for why I would like to do those two things of have Christians understand two things of have Christians understand two things of have Christians understand better what's happened to them and have better what's happened to them and have better what's happened to them and have unbelievers unbelievers unbelievers dead in trespasses and sins come alive. dead in trespasses and sins come alive. dead in trespasses and sins come alive. Why do I want those two things to Why do I want those two things to Why do I want those two things to happen? I want you to I want you to uh as you grow in your of what's uh as you grow in your of what's uh as you grow in your of what's happened to you, happened to you, happened to you, I want you to enjoy your fellowship with I want you to enjoy your fellowship with I want you to enjoy your fellowship with God God God and your assurance of salvation.

and your assurance of salvation. and your assurance of salvation. Those who know the dynamics Those who know the dynamics Those who know the dynamics of the new birth, who know what happened of the new birth, who know what happened of the new birth, who know what happened to them. You may not know when it to them. You may not know when it to them. You may not know when it happened to you. happened to you. happened to you. My guess is in this room, most people My guess is in this room, most people My guess is in this room, most people don't know when it happened to them. don't know when it happened to them. don't know when it happened to them. Say more about that later. Say more about that later. Say more about that later. But, to know because you're reading the But, to know because you're reading the But, to know because you're reading the Bible and you see him describe what Bible and you see him describe what Bible and you see him describe what happened to you, to know that rises happened to you, to know that rises happened to you, to know that rises raises raises raises your sweet communion with him your sweet communion with him your sweet communion with him and your deep settled assurance that and your deep settled assurance that and your deep settled assurance that you're his child. you're his child. you're his child. And and dozens of you in this room And and dozens of you in this room And and dozens of you in this room struggle with assurance. struggle with assurance. struggle with assurance. You get up in the morning and you don't You get up in the morning and you don't You get up in the morning and you don't feel saved. You don't feel new. feel saved. You don't feel new. feel saved. You don't feel new. And you go to bed at night and just And you go to bed at night and just And you go to bed at night and just you've done some stupid thing with your you've done some stupid thing with your you've done some stupid thing with your mouth and you don't feel mouth and you don't feel mouth and you don't feel new. new. new. We need to work with that. We need to We need to work with that. We need to We need to work with that. We need to figure this out. figure this out. figure this out. How does knowing about what God has done How does knowing about what God has done How does knowing about what God has done in the new birth cause the tide of our in the new birth cause the tide of our in the new birth cause the tide of our soul assurance so that all the little soul assurance so that all the little soul assurance so that all the little boats of doubt don't rule. The tide boats of doubt don't rule. The tide boats of doubt don't rule. The tide rises, the boats of doubt sink, and rises, the boats of doubt sink, and rises, the boats of doubt sink, and there's this beautiful calm there's this beautiful calm there's this beautiful calm in our souls.

So, that's my first reason for why I So, that's my first reason for why I want to do this for us want to do this for us want to do this for us and for the and for the and for the folks who need to be born again. Number folks who need to be born again. Number folks who need to be born again. Number two, if God would be pleased to bring a bring if God would be pleased to bring a bring about a about a about a an awakening in this church and across these cities. in this church and across these cities. If he would If he would If he would if he would be pleased to do that, the if he would be pleased to do that, the if he would be pleased to do that, the world world world would get the real deal. would get the real deal. would get the real deal. Not the fake go to church evangelical Not the fake go to church evangelical Not the fake go to church evangelical nominal worldly Christian that makes the nominal worldly Christian that makes the nominal worldly Christian that makes the statistics. statistics. statistics. Don't you want the world to get the real Don't you want the world to get the real Don't you want the world to get the real deal? Wouldn't you like the church to deal? Wouldn't you like the church to deal? Wouldn't you like the church to have a reputation that is radically have a reputation that is radically have a reputation that is radically loving and sacrificial and committed to loving and sacrificial and committed to loving and sacrificial and committed to all the right deep glorious biblical all the right deep glorious biblical all the right deep glorious biblical things like love and justice and faith things like love and justice and faith things like love and justice and faith and righteousness.

and righteousness. and righteousness. Wouldn't you like people to think when Wouldn't you like people to think when Wouldn't you like people to think when they see some horrible news thing like I they see some horrible news thing like I they see some horrible news thing like I saw on CNN saw on CNN saw on CNN web deal yesterday about the web deal yesterday about the web deal yesterday about the disabled people and the way they're disabled people and the way they're disabled people and the way they're cared for in Serbia? And I just sat there crying, God, it And I just sat there crying, God, it can't stay that way. can't stay that way. can't stay that way. Tying these children with their wrists Tying these children with their wrists Tying these children with their wrists into these cages year after year while into these cages year after year while into these cages year after year while they go for years. It can't stay that way. for years. It can't stay that way. Wouldn't you like it if the first thing Wouldn't you like it if the first thing Wouldn't you like it if the first thing that came into the world's mind is that came into the world's mind is that came into the world's mind is Christians go first? Christians go first? Christians go first? Instead of bigger houses, more boats, Instead of bigger houses, more boats, Instead of bigger houses, more boats, MORE STUFF. MORE STUFF. MORE STUFF. WHY WHY wouldn't we be known that way? WHY WHY wouldn't we be known that way? WHY WHY wouldn't we be known that way? It's cuz so many of us are not born It's cuz so many of us are not born It's cuz so many of us are not born again. Scary, right? Scary, right? We're just worldly.

So, that's number two. I would like the So, that's number two. I would like the world to get the real deal. Jesus told world to get the real deal. Jesus told world to get the real deal. Jesus told us, let your light so shine before men us, let your light so shine before men us, let your light so shine before men that they may see your what? Tell me. that they may see your what? Tell me. that they may see your what? Tell me. Good works. What are those? It's Serbia. Good works. What are those? It's Serbia. Good works. What are those? It's Serbia. Or you're sitting in Minneapolis, Or you're sitting in Minneapolis, Or you're sitting in Minneapolis, or your neighbor whose teenager is or your neighbor whose teenager is or your neighbor whose teenager is strung out on drugs while the dad makes strung out on drugs while the dad makes strung out on drugs while the dad makes $300,000 a year and you're the only $300,000 a year and you're the only $300,000 a year and you're the only person who seems to care. person who seems to care. person who seems to care. That too. That too. That too. Let Let the world see your good deeds Let Let the world see your good deeds Let Let the world see your good deeds and give glory to your father. That's and give glory to your father. That's and give glory to your father. That's what we're about, getting glory to God what we're about, getting glory to God what we're about, getting glory to God and Jesus says it'll happen when my and Jesus says it'll happen when my and Jesus says it'll happen when my people are spending their lives doing people are spending their lives doing people are spending their lives doing good works rather than getting richer good works rather than getting richer good works rather than getting richer and richer and richer and more and more and richer and richer and more and more and richer and richer and more and more secure and more and more comfortable and secure and more and more comfortable and secure and more and more comfortable and more and more like the world in the way more and more like the world in the way more and more like the world in the way they think about retirement, the way they think about retirement, the way they think about retirement, the way they think about their house, the way they think about their house, the way they think about their house, the way they think about their neighborhood, the they think about their neighborhood, the they think about their neighborhood, the way they think about black and white and way they think about black and white and way they think about black and white and red and yellow people.

That's number two. I want the world to That's number two. I want the world to get the real deal. I want them to get it get the real deal. I want them to get it get the real deal. I want them to get it better from me. better from me. better from me. I want to validate my new birth I want to validate my new birth I want to validate my new birth with greater authenticity in my family with greater authenticity in my family with greater authenticity in my family and my neighborhood and this church and and my neighborhood and this church and and my neighborhood and this church and and this world. and this world. and this world. Number three, Number three, Number three, the third reason which is already the third reason which is already the third reason which is already implicit in number two. implicit in number two. implicit in number two. If you really know what happened to you If you really know what happened to you If you really know what happened to you in your new birth, in your new birth, in your new birth, you will treasure God you will treasure God you will treasure God and you will treasure his spirit which and you will treasure his spirit which and you will treasure his spirit which caused you to be born again and you will caused you to be born again and you will caused you to be born again and you will treasure his son who purchased it for treasure his son who purchased it for treasure his son who purchased it for you and you will you and you will you and you will treasure his word treasure his word treasure his word like you never treasured it before. like you never treasured it before. like you never treasured it before. And when God and the spirit and the son And when God and the spirit and the son And when God and the spirit and the son and his word are treasured, he's and his word are treasured, he's and his word are treasured, he's glorified. And so we want to live for the glory of And so we want to live for the glory of God. There are There are several crucial questions that we will several crucial questions that we will several crucial questions that we will be asking along the way. Now, let me be asking along the way. Now, let me be asking along the way. Now, let me mention a few more.

mention a few more. mention a few more. One is One is One is what is the new birth? what is the new birth? what is the new birth? And I'll try to tackle that probably And I'll try to tackle that probably And I'll try to tackle that probably next week. Just what is it? next week. Just what is it? next week. Just what is it? What do we mean? What actually happened? What actually happened? What's it like? What does it change? What's it like? What does it change? What's it like? What does it change? What's there and not there before and What's there and not there before and What's there and not there before and after? after? after? What comes into being? What comes into being? What comes into being? Here's the second question we'll deal Here's the second question we'll deal Here's the second question we'll deal with. with. with. How does it relate to the other things How does it relate to the other things How does it relate to the other things that the Bible says God does to bring us that the Bible says God does to bring us that the Bible says God does to bring us to himself and save us? to himself and save us? to himself and save us? For example, For example, For example, how does it relate to God's effectual how does it relate to God's effectual how does it relate to God's effectual calling? Those whom he called, he calling? Those whom he called, he calling? Those whom he called, he justified. Where's new birth in there? Where's new birth in there? Romans 8:30. Romans 8:30. Romans 8:30. Or the new creation. If anyone is in Or the new creation. If anyone is in Or the new creation. If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. Or God's drawing us to Christ. No one Or God's drawing us to Christ. No one can come to me unless the Father who can come to me unless the Father who can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. How does the drawing sent me draws him. How does the drawing sent me draws him. How does the drawing work of God relate to the new birth?

work of God relate to the new birth? work of God relate to the new birth? Or Or Or God's giving people to the Son. God's giving people to the Son. God's giving people to the Son. All that the Father All that the Father All that the Father gives me will come to me. gives me will come to me. gives me will come to me. So, what's this giving business? How's So, what's this giving business? How's So, what's this giving business? How's that relate to the new birth? that relate to the new birth? that relate to the new birth? Or God's opening our hearts. Last Or God's opening our hearts. Last Or God's opening our hearts. Last Sunday, the Lord opened her heart to Sunday, the Lord opened her heart to Sunday, the Lord opened her heart to give attention to what was said by Paul. give attention to what was said by Paul. give attention to what was said by Paul. What's that? Is that like Is that What's that? Is that like Is that What's that? Is that like Is that different or the same? The Lord opened different or the same? The Lord opened different or the same? The Lord opened her heart. her heart. her heart. Lydia. Lydia. Lydia. Or God's illumining our hearts. We sang Or God's illumining our hearts. We sang Or God's illumining our hearts. We sang about that. about that. about that. Second Corinthians 4:6, God has shown in Second Corinthians 4:6, God has shown in Second Corinthians 4:6, God has shown in our hearts to give the light of the our hearts to give the light of the our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the knowledge of the glory of God in the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. How's that relate to the face of Christ. How's that relate to the face of Christ. How's that relate to the new birth? new birth? new birth? Or God's taking the heart of stone out Or God's taking the heart of stone out Or God's taking the heart of stone out and putting the heart of flesh in, and putting the heart of flesh in, and putting the heart of flesh in, Ezekiel 36:26. Ezekiel 36:26. Ezekiel 36:26. And I will remove the heart of stone And I will remove the heart of stone And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and I will give you a from your flesh and I will give you a from your flesh and I will give you a heart of flesh.

heart of flesh. heart of flesh. Or God's making us alive, Ephesians 2:5. Or God's making us alive, Ephesians 2:5. Or God's making us alive, Ephesians 2:5. Even when we were dead in our Even when we were dead in our Even when we were dead in our trespasses, God made us alive together trespasses, God made us alive together trespasses, God made us alive together with Christ. Or with Christ. Or with Christ. Or finally, finally, finally, God's adopting us into his family. God's adopting us into his family. God's adopting us into his family. You have received the spirit of adoption You have received the spirit of adoption You have received the spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba Father." as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba Father." as sons, by whom we cry, "Abba Father." Is adoption Is adoption Is adoption and new birth the same? Two ways in? Two ways in? Same way in? Same way in? Same way in? To the family? Another question we will ask is, Another question we will ask is, "Why is it necessary?" John 3:7, when "Why is it necessary?" John 3:7, when "Why is it necessary?" John 3:7, when Jesus says to Nicodemus, "You must be Jesus says to Nicodemus, "You must be Jesus says to Nicodemus, "You must be born again." He is not saying, "I born again." He is not saying, "I born again." He is not saying, "I suggest this for Pharisees." Or Or "Add it to your life.

"Add it to your life. "Add it to your life. A little little little religious A little little little religious A little little little religious spirituality would spirituality would spirituality would help a Pharisee." No. No. Verse 3, he says, "Unless one is born Verse 3, he says, "Unless one is born Verse 3, he says, "Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of again, he cannot see the kingdom of again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." And he said that to the most God." And he said that to the most God." And he said that to the most religious man religious man religious man in his day. in his day. in his day. That's why I called him Pastor Nicodemus That's why I called him Pastor Nicodemus That's why I called him Pastor Nicodemus at the beginning. So, that's one of the things we'll be So, that's one of the things we'll be dealing with is why why do we need this? dealing with is why why do we need this? dealing with is why why do we need this? Why is this must there? Must be born Why is this must there? Must be born Why is this must there? Must be born again. It is remarkable how It is remarkable how remedies remedies remedies for a disease for a disease for a disease sheds light on the nature of the sheds light on the nature of the sheds light on the nature of the disease. disease. disease. You might think it would kind of be the You might think it would kind of be the You might think it would kind of be the other way around like, "Tell me, doctor, other way around like, "Tell me, doctor, other way around like, "Tell me, doctor, how bad my disease is and then how bad my disease is and then how bad my disease is and then we'll figure out the remedy."

Doesn't usually happen like that. Doesn't usually happen like that. Or it might, but consider this Or it might, but consider this Or it might, but consider this possibility. This is the way the sermon possibility. This is the way the sermon possibility. This is the way the sermon will work. will work. will work. Because nobody knows how bad they are. Because nobody knows how bad they are. Because nobody knows how bad they are. Nobody knows our need. Nobody knows our need. Nobody knows our need. So, you go to the doctor and you've got So, you go to the doctor and you've got So, you go to the doctor and you've got this sore on your ankle. this sore on your ankle. this sore on your ankle. Kind of angry-looking sore. Kind of angry-looking sore. Kind of angry-looking sore. And uh he looks at it and says, "Hmm. And uh he looks at it and says, "Hmm. And uh he looks at it and says, "Hmm. Let me Let me just take a little Let me Let me just take a little Let me Let me just take a little thing there and thing there and thing there and we'll do some tests. You come back we'll do some tests. You come back we'll do some tests. You come back tomorrow." And you go back in tomorrow tomorrow." And you go back in tomorrow tomorrow." And you go back in tomorrow and he looks at you and he says, and he looks at you and he says, and he looks at you and he says, "Um this is not going to be easy to hear, this is not going to be easy to hear, but but but we have to take your leg off just below we have to take your leg off just below we have to take your leg off just below the knee." "Well, I'm the doctor. "Well, I'm the doctor. We're taking your leg off or We're taking your leg off or We're taking your leg off or you'll die." you'll die." you'll die." That's what we should feel when we hear That's what we should feel when we hear That's what we should feel when we hear "You must "You must "You must be born again." be born again." be born again." I can imagine Nicodemus, "I'm a I can imagine Nicodemus, "I'm a I can imagine Nicodemus, "I'm a Pharisee. Pharisee. Pharisee. I just I know the Old Testament."

I just I know the Old Testament." I just I know the Old Testament." Jesus doesn't think he knows the Old Jesus doesn't think he knows the Old Jesus doesn't think he knows the Old Testament. And and you, unless the Holy Spirit And and you, unless the Holy Spirit is at work in your life, will hear me is at work in your life, will hear me is at work in your life, will hear me say to every person in this room, you say to every person in this room, you say to every person in this room, you must be born again. And and you will must be born again. And and you will must be born again. And and you will say, say, say, >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> "Why? >> "Why? >> "Why? I mean, God, I just I mean, God, I just I mean, God, I just I'm as good as anybody. I just I pay my I'm as good as anybody. I just I pay my I'm as good as anybody. I just I pay my taxes. I haven't killed anybody. I taxes. I haven't killed anybody. I taxes. I haven't killed anybody. I haven't shot anybody. I I don't haven't shot anybody. I I don't haven't shot anybody. I I don't You don't get it. You don't get it. You don't get it. He's going to take your leg off or He's going to take your leg off or He's going to take your leg off or you're going to die. you're going to die. you're going to die. Or he's going to give you a whole new Or he's going to give you a whole new Or he's going to give you a whole new heart heart heart or you going to die. So, So, we need to talk about the necessity of we need to talk about the necessity of we need to talk about the necessity of the new birth. And then the last question probably that And then the last question probably that we'll deal with is, we'll deal with is, we'll deal with is, "How does new birth happen?" "How does new birth happen?" "How does new birth happen?" How does it happen? How does it happen? How does it happen? If it's the work of God, which it is, If it's the work of God, which it is, If it's the work of God, which it is, how do you experience it?

And the final question, And the final question, "What effects "What effects "What effects are there of being born again?" of being born again?" What effects in your life are there of What effects in your life are there of What effects in your life are there of being born again? being born again? being born again? What's it like to live as a born-again What's it like to live as a born-again What's it like to live as a born-again person? So, here we are now back at the Barna So, here we are now back at the Barna Group. Born-again Christians Born-again Christians are so worldly and so sinful are so worldly and so sinful are so worldly and so sinful that they are indistinguishable from the that they are indistinguishable from the that they are indistinguishable from the world on count after count. world on count after count. world on count after count. I don't think so. 1 John 5:4 1 John 5:4 Everyone who has been born of God Everyone who has been born of God Everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. overcomes the world. overcomes the world. This is the victory that overcomes the This is the victory that overcomes the This is the victory that overcomes the world, world, world, our faith. But my conviction, as you know, is not But my conviction, as you know, is not rosy for the church. rosy for the church. rosy for the church. It implies that there are millions It implies that there are millions It implies that there are millions of church attenders who are not born of church attenders who are not born of church attenders who are not born again.

So, with those of you who are born So, with those of you who are born again, again, again, those of you who have the Holy Spirit those of you who have the Holy Spirit those of you who have the Holy Spirit abiding in you, abiding in you, abiding in you, those of you who love God, those of you who love God, those of you who love God, those of you who care about lost people, those of you who care about lost people, those of you who care about lost people, be on your knees with me for the next 5 be on your knees with me for the next 5 be on your knees with me for the next 5 or 6 weeks or 6 weeks or 6 weeks that God would that God would that God would blow here, blow here, blow here, blow in your homes, and blow in our blow in your homes, and blow in our blow in your homes, and blow in our neighborhoods, and blow in other neighborhoods, and blow in other neighborhoods, and blow in other churches. Church is desperately needy today. Church is desperately needy today. The world is not the least impressed The world is not the least impressed The world is not the least impressed with us. with us. with us. Let's pray. Let's pray. Let's pray. Father in heaven, Father in heaven, Father in heaven, how thankful we are that by grace alone that by grace alone the Holy Spirit blew once upon a time the Holy Spirit blew once upon a time the Holy Spirit blew once upon a time and quickened us and quickened us and quickened us and awakened us to hate our sin and awakened us to hate our sin and awakened us to hate our sin and to see Christ as our and to see Christ as our and to see Christ as our all-sufficient all-sufficient all-sufficient treasure, savior, lord, king, friend.

treasure, savior, lord, king, friend. treasure, savior, lord, king, friend. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And now, Lord, in these days, And now, Lord, in these days, And now, Lord, in these days, blow again. blow again. blow again. Blow with reviving, and blow with Blow with reviving, and blow with Blow with reviving, and blow with refreshing and refreshing and refreshing and blow with conviction and blow on your blow with conviction and blow on your blow with conviction and blow on your church and on this city. church and on this city. church and on this city. Oh, free wind of God, Oh, free wind of God, Oh, free wind of God, have mercy upon us, I pray. have mercy upon us, I pray. have mercy upon us, I pray. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. In Jesus' name. Amen. >> Thank you for listening to this episode >> Thank you for listening to this episode of Light and Truth, where we [music] are of Light and Truth, where we [music] are of Light and Truth, where we [music] are committed to providing God-centered committed to providing God-centered committed to providing God-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. Dan Cruver. Dan Cruver. On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper continues our 15-part series Born from continues our 15-part series Born from continues our 15-part series Born from Above with a message titled [music] The Above with a message titled [music] The Above with a message titled [music] The Dead Live. I hope you'll join us. Dead Live. I hope you'll join us. Dead Live. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, visit For more resources, visit For more resources, visit desiringgod.org.