The Pleasure Trap

[music] [music] >> It's not hard to imagine, so just >> It's not hard to imagine, so just >> It's not hard to imagine, so just imagine with me for a moment. You're 25 imagine with me for a moment. You're 25 imagine with me for a moment. You're 25 years old, a Christian. years old, a Christian. years old, a Christian. Uh you want to be a good Christian. You Uh you want to be a good Christian. You Uh you want to be a good Christian. You you want to cultivate a tender soul. You you want to cultivate a tender soul. You you want to cultivate a tender soul. You want to avoid what will deaden your want to avoid what will deaden your want to avoid what will deaden your affections for God. affections for God. affections for God. And you take inventory of your life and And you take inventory of your life and And you take inventory of your life and everything that has been offered to you everything that has been offered to you everything that has been offered to you by this world. by this world. by this world. A lot of it's fun. It's enjoyable. You A lot of it's fun. It's enjoyable. You A lot of it's fun. It's enjoyable. You can fly to just about any Instagram spot can fly to just about any Instagram spot can fly to just about any Instagram spot on the planet. You can have endless on the planet. You can have endless on the planet. You can have endless hobbies. hobbies. hobbies. The digital things you can watch or read The digital things you can watch or read The digital things you can watch or read or listen to can all be enjoyed in the or listen to can all be enjoyed in the or listen to can all be enjoyed in the time it takes to download it. Physical time it takes to download it. Physical time it takes to download it. Physical things you can buy online can be things you can buy online can be things you can buy online can be delivered to your door by the end of the delivered to your door by the end of the delivered to your door by the end of the day. day. day. You can wear new clothes every week. You can wear new clothes every week. You can wear new clothes every week. Enjoy great coffee every day. Enjoy great coffee every day. Enjoy great coffee every day. Even on a tight budget, there's an Even on a tight budget, there's an Even on a tight budget, there's an abundance available beyond what our abundance available beyond what our abundance available beyond what our grandparents could even imagine. grandparents could even imagine. grandparents could even imagine. Then Then Then you open your Bible you open your Bible you open your Bible and read cautionary tales like the two and read cautionary tales like the two and read cautionary tales like the two that we just read today in our Bible that we just read today in our Bible that we just read today in our Bible reading plan. In 2 Timothy 4, Demas fell reading plan. In 2 Timothy 4, Demas fell reading plan. In 2 Timothy 4, Demas fell away by falling in love with this world.

away by falling in love with this world. away by falling in love with this world. In Luke 18, the rich young ruler refused In Luke 18, the rich young ruler refused In Luke 18, the rich young ruler refused to part with his wealth to follow to part with his wealth to follow to part with his wealth to follow Christ. Christ. Christ. Love for this world will separate your Love for this world will separate your Love for this world will separate your heart from God heart from God heart from God forever. forever. forever. And it all raises a very hard question. And it all raises a very hard question. And it all raises a very hard question. Today on Ask Pastor John Today on Ask Pastor John Today on Ask Pastor John the pleasure trap. the pleasure trap. the pleasure trap. The question is from an anonymous woman, The question is from an anonymous woman, The question is from an anonymous woman, 25 years old, reading her way through 2 25 years old, reading her way through 2 25 years old, reading her way through 2 Timothy. Pastor John, thank you for this Timothy. Pastor John, thank you for this Timothy. Pastor John, thank you for this podcast which is part of my every week podcast which is part of my every week podcast which is part of my every week rotation. rotation. rotation. As I look over the list of sins for the As I look over the list of sins for the As I look over the list of sins for the last days, I find it terrifying. Paul last days, I find it terrifying. Paul last days, I find it terrifying. Paul groups lovers of pleasure rather than groups lovers of pleasure rather than groups lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God right next to people who lovers of God right next to people who lovers of God right next to people who are abusive and heartless in 2 Timothy are abusive and heartless in 2 Timothy are abusive and heartless in 2 Timothy 3, verses 3 and 4. 3, verses 3 and 4. 3, verses 3 and 4. A little later, he drops the news that A little later, he drops the news that A little later, he drops the news that Demas deserted his gospel mission Demas deserted his gospel mission Demas deserted his gospel mission because he was in love with this present because he was in love with this present because he was in love with this present world in 2 Timothy 4:10. world in 2 Timothy 4:10. world in 2 Timothy 4:10. My honest problem is that sometimes this My honest problem is that sometimes this My honest problem is that sometimes this present world feels way more satisfying present world feels way more satisfying present world feels way more satisfying to me than the hope of the coming of to me than the hope of the coming of to me than the hope of the coming of Jesus. Jesus. Jesus. If Christian hedonism says I'm supposed If Christian hedonism says I'm supposed If Christian hedonism says I'm supposed to pursue maximum satisfaction in God, to pursue maximum satisfaction in God, to pursue maximum satisfaction in God, how do I know when my love for a hobby how do I know when my love for a hobby how do I know when my love for a hobby or a relationship has crossed the line or a relationship has crossed the line or a relationship has crossed the line into the sin of deemus?

into the sin of deemus? into the sin of deemus? Wouldn't it be more spiritually safe to Wouldn't it be more spiritually safe to Wouldn't it be more spiritually safe to just kill just kill just kill all my capacity to enjoy any earthly all my capacity to enjoy any earthly all my capacity to enjoy any earthly thing? thing? thing? >> I think it would not be an exaggeration >> I think it would not be an exaggeration >> I think it would not be an exaggeration to say to say to say that every Christian has struggled with that every Christian has struggled with that every Christian has struggled with what this young woman expresses when she what this young woman expresses when she what this young woman expresses when she says, "My honest problem is that says, "My honest problem is that says, "My honest problem is that sometimes this present world feels way sometimes this present world feels way sometimes this present world feels way more satisfying to me than the hope of more satisfying to me than the hope of more satisfying to me than the hope of the coming of Jesus." the coming of Jesus." the coming of Jesus." >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I just think that's probably a universal >> I just think that's probably a universal >> I just think that's probably a universal temptation and experience and struggle. temptation and experience and struggle. temptation and experience and struggle. And one of the reasons And one of the reasons And one of the reasons why that is a universal battle, why that is a universal battle, why that is a universal battle, first, first, first, it's because this present world has it's because this present world has it's because this present world has access to our souls through bodily access to our souls through bodily access to our souls through bodily senses. We can taste this world with our senses. We can taste this world with our senses. We can taste this world with our physical tongues. We can hear this world physical tongues. We can hear this world physical tongues. We can hear this world with our physical ears. We can see this with our physical ears. We can see this with our physical ears. We can see this world with our physical eyes. We can world with our physical eyes. We can world with our physical eyes. We can touch this world with our physical touch this world with our physical touch this world with our physical fingers. We can smell this world with fingers. We can smell this world with fingers. We can smell this world with our physical noses. That's not the case our physical noses. That's not the case our physical noses. That's not the case with the risen Christ.

with the risen Christ. with the risen Christ. Peter says in his first letter, "Though Peter says in his first letter, "Though Peter says in his first letter, "Though you have not seen him, you love him. you have not seen him, you love him. you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you Though you do not now see him, you Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that believe in him and rejoice with joy that believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and is inexpressible and is inexpressible and glorified." glorified." glorified." So, Peter believes So, Peter believes So, Peter believes that by the spirit of God and the word that by the spirit of God and the word that by the spirit of God and the word of God, our experience of Jesus can be of God, our experience of Jesus can be of God, our experience of Jesus can be so real in this present world that we so real in this present world that we so real in this present world that we love him with inexpressible love him with inexpressible love him with inexpressible and glorified joy. That's possible for and glorified joy. That's possible for and glorified joy. That's possible for for Christians, for ordinary people who for Christians, for ordinary people who for Christians, for ordinary people who are full of the Holy Spirit. But, what are full of the Holy Spirit. But, what are full of the Holy Spirit. But, what if we don't? What if the world is so if we don't? What if the world is so if we don't? What if the world is so strong? We have more pleasure in the strong? We have more pleasure in the strong? We have more pleasure in the world than in Christ. world than in Christ. world than in Christ. So, this young woman wonders whether the So, this young woman wonders whether the So, this young woman wonders whether the solution to that battle solution to that battle solution to that battle is that she should just kill all my is that she should just kill all my is that she should just kill all my capacity to enjoy any earthly thing.

capacity to enjoy any earthly thing. capacity to enjoy any earthly thing. Now, Now, Now, the answer to that question is no. the answer to that question is no. the answer to that question is no. >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> It's not That's not the strategy to take >> It's not That's not the strategy to take >> It's not That's not the strategy to take for several reasons. One, for several reasons. One, for several reasons. One, it's impossible. it's impossible. it's impossible. God designed the tongue to taste, the God designed the tongue to taste, the God designed the tongue to taste, the skin to feel, the nose to smell, the skin to feel, the nose to smell, the skin to feel, the nose to smell, the eyes to see, the ears to hear. You eyes to see, the ears to hear. You eyes to see, the ears to hear. You cannot stop these senses from sensing cannot stop these senses from sensing cannot stop these senses from sensing things that are pleasant or unpleasant. things that are pleasant or unpleasant. things that are pleasant or unpleasant. You can't. Things are going to register You can't. Things are going to register You can't. Things are going to register with you virtually automatically as with you virtually automatically as with you virtually automatically as pleasant or unpleasant through your pleasant or unpleasant through your pleasant or unpleasant through your senses, and you can't stop it. God made senses, and you can't stop it. God made senses, and you can't stop it. God made you that way. No matter how much of an you that way. No matter how much of an you that way. No matter how much of an ascetic you try to be, you'll go live in ascetic you try to be, you'll go live in ascetic you try to be, you'll go live in a cave somewhere and wear clothes with a cave somewhere and wear clothes with a cave somewhere and wear clothes with scratchy things on the inside. scratchy things on the inside. scratchy things on the inside. Some Some pleasures going to sneak Some Some pleasures going to sneak Some Some pleasures going to sneak through on you through one of your through on you through one of your through on you through one of your senses or your imagination. That's the senses or your imagination. That's the senses or your imagination. That's the first reason. You You shouldn't try to first reason. You You shouldn't try to first reason. You You shouldn't try to kill [snorts] every possible pleasure kill [snorts] every possible pleasure kill [snorts] every possible pleasure because because because it won't work. It's impossible. It's a it won't work. It's impossible. It's a it won't work. It's impossible. It's a dead-end street.

dead-end street. dead-end street. God made you to sense these things is as God made you to sense these things is as God made you to sense these things is as pleasant or unpleasant. The second pleasant or unpleasant. The second pleasant or unpleasant. The second reason is more important. Namely, you reason is more important. Namely, you reason is more important. Namely, you shouldn't try to do that because the shouldn't try to do that because the shouldn't try to do that because the Bible teaches that the pleasures of this Bible teaches that the pleasures of this Bible teaches that the pleasures of this world are in their proper measure a gift world are in their proper measure a gift world are in their proper measure a gift from God to be enjoyed for God's sake. from God to be enjoyed for God's sake. from God to be enjoyed for God's sake. That's the basic biblical, theological, That's the basic biblical, theological, That's the basic biblical, theological, spiritual reason. For example, 1 Timothy spiritual reason. For example, 1 Timothy spiritual reason. For example, 1 Timothy 6:17, "As for the rich in this present 6:17, "As for the rich in this present 6:17, "As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor age, charge them not to be haughty, nor age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on uncertainty of to set their hopes on uncertainty of to set their hopes on uncertainty of riches, but on God who richly provides riches, but on God who richly provides riches, but on God who richly provides us with everything us with everything us with everything to enjoy." That's God's design. to enjoy." That's God's design. to enjoy." That's God's design. He's the one He's the one He's the one who created the things, and he created who created the things, and he created who created the things, and he created the pleasure that the things elicit. In the pleasure that the things elicit. In the pleasure that the things elicit. In fact, Paul says it it can be demonic to fact, Paul says it it can be demonic to fact, Paul says it it can be demonic to turn against the pleasures that he has turn against the pleasures that he has turn against the pleasures that he has given us. For example, in 1 Timothy given us. For example, in 1 Timothy given us. For example, in 1 Timothy 4:1-5, 4:1-5, 4:1-5, he says that it's a teaching of demons.

he says that it's a teaching of demons. he says that it's a teaching of demons. It's just amazing. A teaching of demons It's just amazing. A teaching of demons It's just amazing. A teaching of demons to forbid marriage and require to forbid marriage and require to forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created abstinence from foods that God created abstinence from foods that God created to be received with Thanksgiving to be received with Thanksgiving to be received with Thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. by those who believe and know the truth. by those who believe and know the truth. That's Christians. That's Christians. That's Christians. For everything created by God is good. For everything created by God is good. For everything created by God is good. Nothing is to be rejected Nothing is to be rejected Nothing is to be rejected if it is received with Thanksgiving if it is received with Thanksgiving if it is received with Thanksgiving for it is made holy for it is made holy for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. by the word of God and prayer. by the word of God and prayer. So, some were teaching in in Paul's So, some were teaching in in Paul's So, some were teaching in in Paul's situation, some were teaching that sex situation, some were teaching that sex situation, some were teaching that sex in marriage and food were to be avoided. in marriage and food were to be avoided. in marriage and food were to be avoided. They were They were trying to do what They were They were trying to do what They were They were trying to do what our young friend is asking whether she our young friend is asking whether she our young friend is asking whether she should do. should do. should do. You wouldn't it be better just to kill You wouldn't it be better just to kill You wouldn't it be better just to kill all my capacity to enjoy any earthly all my capacity to enjoy any earthly all my capacity to enjoy any earthly thing? That's basically what they were thing? That's basically what they were thing? That's basically what they were saying. And Paul's answer in 1 Timothy 4 saying. And Paul's answer in 1 Timothy 4 saying. And Paul's answer in 1 Timothy 4 and 6 is no. and 6 is no. and 6 is no. These pleasures are God's gifts These pleasures are God's gifts These pleasures are God's gifts to be received with Thanksgiving.

to be received with Thanksgiving. to be received with Thanksgiving. In other words, they are meant to send In other words, they are meant to send In other words, they are meant to send our hearts Godward. our hearts Godward. our hearts Godward. That's the point. That's the point. That's the point. Every Every Every pleasant thing that you taste during the pleasant thing that you taste during the pleasant thing that you taste during the day day day is meant to send your heart Godward, not is meant to send your heart Godward, not is meant to send your heart Godward, not away from God, toward God. They are not away from God, toward God. They are not away from God, toward God. They are not an end in themselves. They They an end in themselves. They They an end in themselves. They They communicate something of God. And we are communicate something of God. And we are communicate something of God. And we are to know him to know him to know him and worship him through earthly and worship him through earthly and worship him through earthly pleasures. If we can't, we're doing it pleasures. If we can't, we're doing it pleasures. If we can't, we're doing it wrong. They have become an idol. wrong. They have become an idol. wrong. They have become an idol. So, here's the way Paul So, here's the way Paul So, here's the way Paul put it in Acts 14:17. He said, "God did put it in Acts 14:17. He said, "God did put it in Acts 14:17. He said, "God did not leave himself without a witness." not leave himself without a witness." not leave himself without a witness." So, what's his witness? So, what's his witness? So, what's his witness? To himself. He's witnessing to himself. To himself. He's witnessing to himself. To himself. He's witnessing to himself. "For he did good by giving you rains "For he did good by giving you rains "For he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons and from heaven and fruitful seasons and from heaven and fruitful seasons and satisfying your hearts with food and satisfying your hearts with food and satisfying your hearts with food and gladness."

gladness." gladness." Paul calls Paul calls Paul calls food and gladness a witness of God to food and gladness a witness of God to food and gladness a witness of God to God. This is God's witness to God. Hey, God. This is God's witness to God. Hey, God. This is God's witness to God. Hey, heads-up, folks. You're feeling glad heads-up, folks. You're feeling glad heads-up, folks. You're feeling glad because of something you just ate? because of something you just ate? because of something you just ate? That's my witness to you. It's about me, That's my witness to you. It's about me, That's my witness to you. It's about me, folks. Wake up. folks. Wake up. folks. Wake up. It's not good to ignore God's witness to It's not good to ignore God's witness to It's not good to ignore God's witness to God. God. God. We are supposed to receive God's witness We are supposed to receive God's witness We are supposed to receive God's witness and send our hearts Godward and send our hearts Godward and send our hearts Godward because of every earthly pleasure. because of every earthly pleasure. because of every earthly pleasure. Which brings us then to the Which brings us then to the Which brings us then to the question she asked, "How do I question she asked, "How do I question she asked, "How do I know when my love for a hobby or a know when my love for a hobby or a know when my love for a hobby or a relationship has crossed the line into relationship has crossed the line into relationship has crossed the line into the sin of Demas, the sin of Demas, the sin of Demas, whose love for the world led him away, whose love for the world led him away, whose love for the world led him away, away from God, away from the Christian away from God, away from the Christian away from God, away from the Christian faith, rather than to God. And I think faith, rather than to God. And I think faith, rather than to God. And I think Paul gives us a way to think about this Paul gives us a way to think about this Paul gives us a way to think about this in 1 Corinthians 10:23. He says, "All in 1 Corinthians 10:23. He says, "All in 1 Corinthians 10:23. He says, "All things are lawful, things are lawful, things are lawful, but not all things are helpful. All but not all things are helpful. All but not all things are helpful. All things are lawful, but not all things things are lawful, but not all things things are lawful, but not all things build up." So, what he's saying is build up." So, what he's saying is build up." So, what he's saying is things can be legitimate and yet things can be legitimate and yet things can be legitimate and yet unhelpful.

unhelpful. unhelpful. Legitimate and yet unedifying. Legitimate and yet unedifying. Legitimate and yet unedifying. They don't build faith. They don't make They don't build faith. They don't make They don't build faith. They don't make you stronger. They make you weaker. So, you stronger. They make you weaker. So, you stronger. They make you weaker. So, what that points to is this. You can You what that points to is this. You can You what that points to is this. You can You can test can test can test your pleasures your pleasures your pleasures by whether they are helpful and by whether they are helpful and by whether they are helpful and edifying. For example, edifying. For example, edifying. For example, you mention a hobby and a relationship. you mention a hobby and a relationship. you mention a hobby and a relationship. Does the hobby and relationship help you Does the hobby and relationship help you Does the hobby and relationship help you love Christ more? love Christ more? love Christ more? Does it help you with the intensity and Does it help you with the intensity and Does it help you with the intensity and authenticity of your prayers? Does it authenticity of your prayers? Does it authenticity of your prayers? Does it help you help you help you in the clarity and boldness of your in the clarity and boldness of your in the clarity and boldness of your witness to Christ? Does it intensify or witness to Christ? Does it intensify or witness to Christ? Does it intensify or diminish diminish diminish your affections for Jesus? your affections for Jesus? your affections for Jesus? Does it cause Bible reading to feel more Does it cause Bible reading to feel more Does it cause Bible reading to feel more desirable desirable desirable or more burdensome? or more burdensome? or more burdensome? Does it undermine your peace with God Does it undermine your peace with God Does it undermine your peace with God or does it nurture that peace? or does it nurture that peace? or does it nurture that peace? Does it make the fruit of the Spirit Does it make the fruit of the Spirit Does it make the fruit of the Spirit more natural and pleasing and and more natural and pleasing and and more natural and pleasing and and prevalent in your life or does it hinder prevalent in your life or does it hinder prevalent in your life or does it hinder them? Love, joy, peace, patience, them? Love, joy, peace, patience, them? Love, joy, peace, patience, meekness, meekness, meekness, kindness, faithfulness, self-controlled.

kindness, faithfulness, self-controlled. kindness, faithfulness, self-controlled. Does it push wholesome thoughts out of Does it push wholesome thoughts out of Does it push wholesome thoughts out of your mind and replace them with thoughts your mind and replace them with thoughts your mind and replace them with thoughts that trouble your conscience? Does it that trouble your conscience? Does it that trouble your conscience? Does it make you more or less desirous make you more or less desirous make you more or less desirous of godly company or less godly company? of godly company or less godly company? of godly company or less godly company? And the questions, of course, And the questions, of course, And the questions, of course, could go on. could go on. could go on. If those tests convict you, If those tests convict you, If those tests convict you, then there are two things you might try. then there are two things you might try. then there are two things you might try. One is a partial fast One is a partial fast One is a partial fast from the activity, like we fast from from the activity, like we fast from from the activity, like we fast from food for a season, fast from the food for a season, fast from the food for a season, fast from the activity. Noel and I build as it were activity. Noel and I build as it were activity. Noel and I build as it were fasts into our lives where certain fasts into our lives where certain fasts into our lives where certain activities we enjoy, and we could just activities we enjoy, and we could just activities we enjoy, and we could just do them do them do them morning and night, uh day after day, and morning and night, uh day after day, and morning and night, uh day after day, and we just don't. We we we set in we set in we just don't. We we we set in we set in we just don't. We we we set in we set in limits to just check our hearts. Do it limits to just check our hearts. Do it limits to just check our hearts. Do it less often to break what may be an less often to break what may be an less often to break what may be an excessive hold on you. The other thing excessive hold on you. The other thing excessive hold on you. The other thing that you can try is to make a studied that you can try is to make a studied that you can try is to make a studied effort to let the innocent pleasures effort to let the innocent pleasures effort to let the innocent pleasures that it gives you your hobby gives you, that it gives you your hobby gives you, that it gives you your hobby gives you, let it turn your heart Godward.

let it turn your heart Godward. let it turn your heart Godward. Focus on that, so that the pleasures are Focus on that, so that the pleasures are Focus on that, so that the pleasures are changed, transformed, transposed changed, transformed, transposed changed, transformed, transposed from temptations to idolatry on the on from temptations to idolatry on the on from temptations to idolatry on the on the one side to occasions of worship the one side to occasions of worship the one side to occasions of worship on the other side. on the other side. on the other side. >> Yes, idolatry or worship. >> Yes, idolatry or worship. >> Yes, idolatry or worship. The options with the things of this The options with the things of this The options with the things of this world, because turning off our senses world, because turning off our senses world, because turning off our senses isn't the answer. isn't the answer. isn't the answer. God designed the tongue to taste, skin God designed the tongue to taste, skin God designed the tongue to taste, skin to feel, the nose to smell, the eyes to to feel, the nose to smell, the eyes to to feel, the nose to smell, the eyes to see, the ears to hear. You can't stop see, the ears to hear. You can't stop see, the ears to hear. You can't stop these senses from sensing things that these senses from sensing things that these senses from sensing things that are pleasant or unpleasant. You just are pleasant or unpleasant. You just are pleasant or unpleasant. You just can't. can't. can't. Exactly, right. And it would be futile Exactly, right. And it would be futile Exactly, right. And it would be futile to try. The question is whether those to try. The question is whether those to try. The question is whether those pleasures send our hearts towards God or pleasures send our hearts towards God or pleasures send our hearts towards God or away from him. If what you buy on Amazon away from him. If what you buy on Amazon away from him. If what you buy on Amazon today draws your heart closer to God, today draws your heart closer to God, today draws your heart closer to God, great. great. great. If it pulls you away from him, If it pulls you away from him, If it pulls you away from him, it's problematic. Because as Pastor John it's problematic. Because as Pastor John it's problematic. Because as Pastor John has explained elsewhere, the soul tends has explained elsewhere, the soul tends has explained elsewhere, the soul tends to shrink to the size and quality to shrink to the size and quality to shrink to the size and quality of its pleasures. of its pleasures. of its pleasures. He said that in the realm of sexual sin, He said that in the realm of sexual sin, He said that in the realm of sexual sin, but it's true in all of life. For more but it's true in all of life. For more but it's true in all of life. For more on that, see the Espacio John book on on that, see the Espacio John book on on that, see the Espacio John book on pages 160 and 317 to 320.

pages 160 and 317 to 320. pages 160 and 317 to 320. Uh pages 160 and 317 to 320 in the Uh pages 160 and 317 to 320 in the Uh pages 160 and 317 to 320 in the Espacio John book on the soul shrinking Espacio John book on the soul shrinking Espacio John book on the soul shrinking to the size and quality of his to the size and quality of his to the size and quality of his pleasures. pleasures. pleasures. Really important point. Really important point. Really important point. Great question today. Another great one Great question today. Another great one Great question today. Another great one up next time. Can my silence with the up next time. Can my silence with the up next time. Can my silence with the gospel cost souls eternally? If I don't gospel cost souls eternally? If I don't gospel cost souls eternally? If I don't share the gospel, will it be the reason share the gospel, will it be the reason share the gospel, will it be the reason some people do not go to heaven? some people do not go to heaven? some people do not go to heaven? And John Piper's answer is yes, it is. And John Piper's answer is yes, it is. And John Piper's answer is yes, it is. And I bet you didn't think a Calvinist And I bet you didn't think a Calvinist And I bet you didn't think a Calvinist would say yes to that question. He does. would say yes to that question. He does. would say yes to that question. He does. We'll find out why next time. I'm Tony We'll find out why next time. I'm Tony We'll find out why next time. I'm Tony Reinke. We'll see you back here on Reinke. We'll see you back here on Reinke. We'll see you back here on Thursday.