Loving Darkness, Hating Light

So he's describing the mind apart from So he's describing the mind apart from the Holy Spirit, that is the mind of the the Holy Spirit, that is the mind of the the Holy Spirit, that is the mind of the flesh, the natural mind. And here's what flesh, the natural mind. And here's what flesh, the natural mind. And here's what he says about it. That natural mind that he says about it. That natural mind that he says about it. That natural mind that you're born with is hostile to God. It you're born with is hostile to God. It you're born with is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it cannot. cannot. cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please Those who are in the flesh cannot please Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. God. God. We must be born again. We must be born again. We must be born again. It's possible to underestimate the new It's possible to underestimate the new It's possible to underestimate the new [music] birth because we underestimate [music] birth because we underestimate [music] birth because we underestimate what we are apart from Christ. Scripture what we are apart from Christ. Scripture what we are apart from Christ. Scripture doesn't describe us as [music] doesn't describe us as [music] doesn't describe us as [music] spiritually sick people who just need a spiritually sick people who just need a spiritually sick people who just need a little help. It describes us as people little help. It describes us as people little help. It describes us as people who cannot and will not submit to God who cannot and will not submit to God who cannot and will not submit to God from the heart unless the spirit gives from the heart unless the spirit gives from the heart unless the spirit gives us life. I'm your host Dan Kruever. In us life. I'm your host Dan Kruever. In us life. I'm your host Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light and Truth, John this episode of Light and Truth, John this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens Ephesians 2:es 1:10 to show Piper opens Ephesians 2:es 1:10 to show Piper opens Ephesians 2:es 1:10 to show us why being born again is not optional.

us why being born again is not optional. us why being born again is not optional. It's our deepest need. This message was It's our deepest need. This message was It's our deepest need. This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church on December 9th, 2007. Baptist Church on December 9th, 2007. Baptist Church on December 9th, 2007. [music] John 3, the Gospel of John, Jesus. John John 3, the Gospel of John, Jesus. John 3:19 and 20. This is the judgment that 3:19 and 20. This is the judgment that 3:19 and 20. This is the judgment that light has come into the world, and light has come into the world, and light has come into the world, and people love the darkness people love the darkness people love the darkness rather than the light because their rather than the light because their rather than the light because their works were evil. works were evil. works were evil. For everyone who does For everyone who does For everyone who does wicked things wicked things wicked things hates the light and does not come to the hates the light and does not come to the hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his work should be exposed. light, lest his work should be exposed. light, lest his work should be exposed. So Jesus is simply unfolding here some So Jesus is simply unfolding here some So Jesus is simply unfolding here some of what our deadness looks like. Apart from the new birth, we're not Apart from the new birth, we're not neutral. When spiritual light neutral. When spiritual light neutral. When spiritual light approaches, we resist it.

approaches, we resist it. approaches, we resist it. When darkness approaches, When darkness approaches, When darkness approaches, we embrace it. We're very alive we embrace it. We're very alive we embrace it. We're very alive in all the wrong ways. in all the wrong ways. in all the wrong ways. Embracing darkness, stiff arming light. Embracing darkness, stiff arming light. Embracing darkness, stiff arming light. We can love, we can hate. I don't need We can love, we can hate. I don't need We can love, we can hate. I don't need to be born again. I can love and hate. to be born again. I can love and hate. to be born again. I can love and hate. All the wrong things. Hate would ought All the wrong things. Hate would ought All the wrong things. Hate would ought to be loved. Love would ought to be to be loved. Love would ought to be to be loved. Love would ought to be hate. You need a new birth. Number four, Number four, apart from the new birth, our hearts are apart from the new birth, our hearts are apart from the new birth, our hearts are hard like stone. We saw this last time hard like stone. We saw this last time hard like stone. We saw this last time from Ezekiel 36. I will take out from from Ezekiel 36. I will take out from from Ezekiel 36. I will take out from you the heart of stone, put in the heart you the heart of stone, put in the heart you the heart of stone, put in the heart of flesh. of flesh. of flesh. Ezekiel 36:26. Ezekiel 36:26. Ezekiel 36:26. But turn over with me if you got your But turn over with me if you got your But turn over with me if you got your Bible open still to Ephesians to chapter Bible open still to Ephesians to chapter Bible open still to Ephesians to chapter 4:1 18. It's one of those amazingly rich 4:1 18. It's one of those amazingly rich 4:1 18. It's one of those amazingly rich layered verses that's worth about a half layered verses that's worth about a half layered verses that's worth about a half an hour meditation an hour meditation an hour meditation or a lifetime.

Ephesians 4:18, they are darkened. Now, Ephesians 4:18, they are darkened. Now, this is talking about the Gentiles in this is talking about the Gentiles in this is talking about the Gentiles in general. That's all of us basically. general. That's all of us basically. general. That's all of us basically. They are darkened in their They are darkened in their They are darkened in their understanding. Now, trace this back. understanding. Now, trace this back. understanding. Now, trace this back. He's got four levels here from darkness He's got four levels here from darkness He's got four levels here from darkness to alienation to ignorance to hardness. to alienation to ignorance to hardness. to alienation to ignorance to hardness. They are darkened in their They are darkened in their They are darkened in their understanding. understanding. understanding. alienated from the life of God alienated from the life of God alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in because of the ignorance that is in because of the ignorance that is in them. And you might stop there and say, them. And you might stop there and say, them. And you might stop there and say, "Oh, I see our problem is ignorance." "Oh, I see our problem is ignorance." "Oh, I see our problem is ignorance." Don't stop there. Don't stop there. Don't stop there. Due to the hardness of their heart, Due to the hardness of their heart, Due to the hardness of their heart, at the bottom is not ignorance. at the bottom is not ignorance. at the bottom is not ignorance. Ignorance is not the main problem. Ignorance is not the main problem. Ignorance is not the main problem. Underneath my ignorance is hard Underneath my ignorance is hard Underneath my ignorance is hard resistance to knowledge. Romans 1, I resistance to knowledge. Romans 1, I resistance to knowledge. Romans 1, I suppress the truth in unrighteousness. I suppress the truth in unrighteousness. I suppress the truth in unrighteousness. I could hear it on the radio. I could hear could hear it on the radio. I could hear could hear it on the radio. I could hear it from Billy Graham. I could read it in it from Billy Graham. I could read it in it from Billy Graham. I could read it in a book. I could hear it at church. I a book. I could hear it at church. I a book. I could hear it at church. I could pick up a track and could pick up a track and could pick up a track and it's going down. I'm going to resist it's going down. I'm going to resist it's going down. I'm going to resist this truth. Ignorance is not my problem.

this truth. Ignorance is not my problem. this truth. Ignorance is not my problem. Hardness is my problem. Which means the Hardness is my problem. Which means the Hardness is my problem. Which means the ignorance is guilty ignorance. There is innocent ignorance and guilty There is innocent ignorance and guilty ignorance. ignorance. ignorance. This is guilty ignorance because it's This is guilty ignorance because it's This is guilty ignorance because it's rooted in resistance, hardness. rooted in resistance, hardness. rooted in resistance, hardness. Number five, Number five, Number five, apart from the new birth, we are unable apart from the new birth, we are unable apart from the new birth, we are unable to submit to God or please God. to submit to God or please God. to submit to God or please God. Romans 8:7 and 8. For the mind that is set on the flesh, For the mind that is set on the flesh, literally the mind of the flesh, literally the mind of the flesh, literally the mind of the flesh, is hostile to God. is hostile to God. is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law. Indeed, It does not submit to God's law. Indeed, It does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it cannot. it cannot. it cannot. That's a serious word.

And those who are in the flesh cannot And those who are in the flesh cannot please God. please God. please God. That's terrifying. We know what he means by mind of the We know what he means by mind of the flesh because of verse 9. Next verse. flesh because of verse 9. Next verse. flesh because of verse 9. Next verse. You are not in the flesh You are not in the flesh You are not in the flesh but in the spirit but in the spirit but in the spirit if the spirit of God dwells in you. In if the spirit of God dwells in you. In if the spirit of God dwells in you. In other words, if you've been born again. other words, if you've been born again. other words, if you've been born again. So he's describing the mind apart from So he's describing the mind apart from So he's describing the mind apart from the Holy Spirit. That is the mind of the the Holy Spirit. That is the mind of the the Holy Spirit. That is the mind of the flesh. The natural mind. And here's what flesh. The natural mind. And here's what flesh. The natural mind. And here's what he says about it. That natural mind that he says about it. That natural mind that he says about it. That natural mind that you're born with is hostile to God. It you're born with is hostile to God. It you're born with is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it does not submit to God's law. Indeed, it cannot. cannot. cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please Those who are in the flesh cannot please Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. God. God. We must be born again.

In other words, we are so resistant In other words, we are so resistant to God's authority to God's authority to God's authority that we will not that we will not that we will not and therefore and therefore and therefore cannot cannot cannot say a little more about that in just a say a little more about that in just a say a little more about that in just a minute. minute. minute. If we cannot submit to him, then we If we cannot submit to him, then we If we cannot submit to him, then we cannot please him. cannot please him. cannot please him. That's how dead and dark and hard every That's how dead and dark and hard every That's how dead and dark and hard every human being is apart from the new birth. human being is apart from the new birth. human being is apart from the new birth. Which is why we must be born again. Which is why we must be born again. Which is why we must be born again. Number six, Number six, Number six, apart from the new birth, we are unable apart from the new birth, we are unable apart from the new birth, we are unable to accept the gospel. to accept the gospel. to accept the gospel. 1 Corinthians 2:14 goes like this. goes like this. The natural person, in other words, that The natural person, in other words, that The natural person, in other words, that which is born of the flesh is flesh. which is born of the flesh is flesh. which is born of the flesh is flesh. Unregenerate person not born again. The Unregenerate person not born again. The Unregenerate person not born again. The natural person, what we all are by natural person, what we all are by natural person, what we all are by nature, nature, nature, does not accept the things of the spirit does not accept the things of the spirit does not accept the things of the spirit of God, for they are folly to him.

of God, for they are folly to him. of God, for they are folly to him. That's an important ground clause. So read again. The natural person does So read again. The natural person does not accept the things of the spirit of not accept the things of the spirit of not accept the things of the spirit of God because they are foolishness to him God because they are foolishness to him God because they are foolishness to him and he is not able to understand them and he is not able to understand them and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. because they are spiritually discerned. because they are spiritually discerned. The problem is not that they're over his The problem is not that they're over his The problem is not that they're over his head. head. head. The problem is that they hit him square The problem is that they hit him square The problem is that they hit him square in the head and his heart hates them so in the head and his heart hates them so in the head and his heart hates them so much his head says stupid. much his head says stupid. much his head says stupid. Our heads before the new birth Our heads before the new birth Our heads before the new birth warrant the desires of our heart, warrant the desires of our heart, warrant the desires of our heart, justify the desires of our heart. If our justify the desires of our heart. If our justify the desires of our heart. If our heart doesn't like the authority of God, heart doesn't like the authority of God, heart doesn't like the authority of God, our head thinks of five good reasons why our head thinks of five good reasons why our head thinks of five good reasons why he doesn't have it he doesn't have it he doesn't have it and makes him look foolish. Makes the and makes him look foolish. Makes the and makes him look foolish. Makes the gospel look foolish. gospel look foolish. gospel look foolish. One of the first things that happens in One of the first things that happens in One of the first things that happens in the newborn soul is the gospel doesn't the newborn soul is the gospel doesn't the newborn soul is the gospel doesn't look foolish anymore. It looks look foolish anymore. It looks look foolish anymore. It looks gloriously beautiful to me. It's what gloriously beautiful to me. It's what gloriously beautiful to me. It's what happens in the new birth. It's it's not happens in the new birth. It's it's not happens in the new birth. It's it's not stupid anymore. It's not wasted anymore.

stupid anymore. It's not wasted anymore. stupid anymore. It's not wasted anymore. It's essential. It's at the heart of the It's essential. It's at the heart of the It's essential. It's at the heart of the universe now and my need. universe now and my need. universe now and my need. So So So we are unable to understand them because we are unable to understand them because we are unable to understand them because we regard them as foolish and they are we regard them as foolish and they are we regard them as foolish and they are spiritually spiritually spiritually discerned. Now mark this. When it says discerned. Now mark this. When it says discerned. Now mark this. When it says we cannot understand them we cannot understand them we cannot understand them or we cannot please God in Romans 7, or we cannot please God in Romans 7, or we cannot please God in Romans 7, that's a moral cannot, not a physical cannot. not a physical cannot. It's not a hard distinction to think of. It's not a hard distinction to think of. It's not a hard distinction to think of. A physical cannot would be somebody A physical cannot would be somebody A physical cannot would be somebody who's big and strong. He's got his arms who's big and strong. He's got his arms who's big and strong. He's got his arms around you and won't let you do what you around you and won't let you do what you around you and won't let you do what you deeply want to do. deeply want to do. deeply want to do. You're not responsible You're not responsible You're not responsible when that happens because your want to when that happens because your want to when that happens because your want to is what you're responsible for.

What I mean by impossible and what I What I mean by impossible and what I think Paul means by you cannot please think Paul means by you cannot please think Paul means by you cannot please God and you cannot understand the gospel God and you cannot understand the gospel God and you cannot understand the gospel is you resist it, hate it, dislike it so is you resist it, hate it, dislike it so is you resist it, hate it, dislike it so much it is morally impossible for you to much it is morally impossible for you to much it is morally impossible for you to embrace it. embrace it. embrace it. That's a real impossibility. The heart can be so resistant to The heart can be so resistant to something that when the word comes, something that when the word comes, something that when the word comes, embrace it. You cannot embrace it. You cannot embrace it. You cannot and you're blamew worthy for it and you're blamew worthy for it and you're blamew worthy for it because the resistance is here. It's my because the resistance is here. It's my because the resistance is here. It's my corruption. It's my depravity. It's my corruption. It's my depravity. It's my corruption. It's my depravity. It's my pride. It's my desire to be somebody. pride. It's my desire to be somebody. pride. It's my desire to be somebody. It's my fear of man. It's all the It's my fear of man. It's all the It's my fear of man. It's all the ugliness of me ugliness of me ugliness of me that's keeping me from doing what I that's keeping me from doing what I that's keeping me from doing what I ought to do. And therefore, I'm guilty ought to do. And therefore, I'm guilty ought to do. And therefore, I'm guilty for not doing what I cannot do. for not doing what I cannot do. for not doing what I cannot do. Because my cannot is a moral cannot. I'm Because my cannot is a moral cannot. I'm Because my cannot is a moral cannot. I'm not inside saying everything in me wants not inside saying everything in me wants not inside saying everything in me wants that and something's keeping me from it.

that and something's keeping me from it. that and something's keeping me from it. That doesn't happen. If everything in That doesn't happen. If everything in That doesn't happen. If everything in you wants it, it's yours. you wants it, it's yours. you wants it, it's yours. Apart from the new birth, we are unable Apart from the new birth, we are unable Apart from the new birth, we are unable to come to Christ to come to Christ to come to Christ or embrace him as Lord. Listen to this or embrace him as Lord. Listen to this or embrace him as Lord. Listen to this simple word. You've read it many times. simple word. You've read it many times. simple word. You've read it many times. 1 Corinthians 12 verse three, Paul says, 1 Corinthians 12 verse three, Paul says, 1 Corinthians 12 verse three, Paul says, "No one can say Jesus is Lord except by "No one can say Jesus is Lord except by "No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit." 1 Corinthians 12:3. No one can say Jesus 1 Corinthians 12:3. No one can say Jesus is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Now, is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Now, is Lord except by the Holy Spirit. Now, there's two things that does not mean. there's two things that does not mean. there's two things that does not mean. One, it doesn't mean that actors on a on One, it doesn't mean that actors on a on One, it doesn't mean that actors on a on a stage cannot say the words Jesus is a stage cannot say the words Jesus is a stage cannot say the words Jesus is Lord when they're unbelieving. Of Lord when they're unbelieving. Of Lord when they're unbelieving. Of course, they can. So can robots. course, they can. So can robots. course, they can. So can robots. Computers can say it. Computers can say it. Computers can say it. They don't have the Holy Spirit. They don't have the Holy Spirit. They don't have the Holy Spirit. It also doesn't mean there's no such It also doesn't mean there's no such It also doesn't mean there's no such thing as hypocrites.

Namely, somebody who says Jesus is Lord Namely, somebody who says Jesus is Lord and he's not in their lives. So, what and he's not in their lives. So, what and he's not in their lives. So, what does it mean? It just means you can't does it mean? It just means you can't does it mean? It just means you can't say it and mean it. say it and mean it. say it and mean it. That's all. It's not complicated. That's all. It's not complicated. That's all. It's not complicated. No one can from their heart see the No one can from their heart see the No one can from their heart see the authority of Jesus Christ over the authority of Jesus Christ over the authority of Jesus Christ over the universe and say yes I embrace him as my universe and say yes I embrace him as my universe and say yes I embrace him as my king. Nobody can say that from their king. Nobody can say that from their king. Nobody can say that from their heart apart from the Holy Spirit. That's heart apart from the Holy Spirit. That's heart apart from the Holy Spirit. That's what he means. We must be born again. John chapter 6 is one of those chapters John chapter 6 is one of those chapters that's that's that's pushing on this. Verse 37 Verse 37 of John 6, all that the father gives me of John 6, all that the father gives me of John 6, all that the father gives me will come to me. will come to me. will come to me. Verse 44, Verse 44, Verse 44, no one can come to me unless the father no one can come to me unless the father no one can come to me unless the father who sent me draws him.

who sent me draws him. who sent me draws him. Verse 65. Verse 65. Verse 65. No one can come to me unless it is No one can come to me unless it is No one can come to me unless it is granted him by my father. So you've got granted him by my father. So you've got granted him by my father. So you've got a drawing, a granting, a giving. All of a drawing, a granting, a giving. All of a drawing, a granting, a giving. All of them describing them describing them describing regeneration. regeneration. regeneration. When God draws us into union with Jesus When God draws us into union with Jesus When God draws us into union with Jesus Christ, he's regenerating us. [snorts] Christ, he's regenerating us. [snorts] Christ, he's regenerating us. [snorts] And nobody comes unless the father does And nobody comes unless the father does And nobody comes unless the father does that. that. that. So, I want to end on this amazingly So, I want to end on this amazingly So, I want to end on this amazingly hopefilled hopefilled hopefilled set of verses. We're back at the text set of verses. We're back at the text set of verses. We're back at the text now. Ephesians 2:es 4 and 5. Please love now. Ephesians 2:es 4 and 5. Please love now. Ephesians 2:es 4 and 5. Please love these verses. these verses. these verses. They have meant so much to me in the They have meant so much to me in the They have meant so much to me in the last couple of days. I paused a few times in my preparation. I paused a few times in my preparation. I closed my eyes and I said, "Thank you I closed my eyes and I said, "Thank you I closed my eyes and I said, "Thank you that I'm alive. been at the bottom of a pool, have a been at the bottom of a pool, have a wave knock the feet out from under you wave knock the feet out from under you wave knock the feet out from under you when you're a little kid, when you're a little kid, when you're a little kid, just miss a speeding car by quarter of just miss a speeding car by quarter of just miss a speeding car by quarter of an inch. How do you feel an inch. How do you feel an inch. How do you feel if your dad sweeps you up and grabs you if your dad sweeps you up and grabs you if your dad sweeps you up and grabs you out of the wave or you make it to the out of the wave or you make it to the out of the wave or you make it to the top of the pool or top of the pool or top of the pool or took a layer of pain off but didn't kill took a layer of pain off but didn't kill took a layer of pain off but didn't kill me?

me? me? How do you feel? How do you feel? How do you feel? That's what I want you to feel. That's what I want you to feel. That's what I want you to feel. Only way more. Only way more. Only way more. God being rich in mercy out of the great God being rich in mercy out of the great God being rich in mercy out of the great love. So rich in mercy, great in love, love. So rich in mercy, great in love, love. So rich in mercy, great in love, made us alive. made us alive. made us alive. By grace, you have been saved. So if By grace, you have been saved. So if By grace, you have been saved. So if you've ever wondered where's a verse you've ever wondered where's a verse you've ever wondered where's a verse where I can always go to make sure I where I can always go to make sure I where I can always go to make sure I understand the word mercy, the word understand the word mercy, the word understand the word mercy, the word love, and the word grace. There it is. love, and the word grace. There it is. love, and the word grace. There it is. Let's go there. [laughter] Let's go there. [laughter] Let's go there. [laughter] It just is so clear. I was dead. It just is so clear. I was dead. It just is so clear. I was dead. Mercy was rich. Mercy was rich. Mercy was rich. Grace was free. Starts sound like a Grace was free. Starts sound like a Grace was free. Starts sound like a gospel song. Mercy there was grace and gospel song. Mercy there was grace and gospel song. Mercy there was grace and grace was free. Pardon there was grace was free. Pardon there was grace was free. Pardon there was multiplied for me. Grace, mercy, love because he made us Grace, mercy, love because he made us alive.

There are two responses you could have There are two responses you could have to that in this as we close. Two to that in this as we close. Two to that in this as we close. Two responses. One response could be responses. One response could be responses. One response could be but what about but how could he but I but what about but how could he but I but what about but how could he but I don't don't don't theoretical impersonal trying to fit it theoretical impersonal trying to fit it theoretical impersonal trying to fit it in trying to make sense trying to that's in trying to make sense trying to that's in trying to make sense trying to that's one kind of response one kind of response one kind of response the other one's the one I'm praying for the other one's the one I'm praying for the other one's the one I'm praying for if you need to go through that first one if you need to go through that first one if you need to go through that first one got patience we've been there got patience we've been there got patience we've been there but the other one is the one I'm after but the other one is the one I'm after but the other one is the one I'm after God is after I believe would go God is after I believe would go God is after I believe would go something like Yes, God. I'm in this room tonight for a God. I'm in this room tonight for a reason. If if you exist at all, reason. If if you exist at all, reason. If if you exist at all, I'm here hearing this word about how I'm here hearing this word about how I'm here hearing this word about how needy I am. I'm here needy I am. I'm here needy I am. I'm here and I assume that's not a mistake. and and I assume that's not a mistake. and and I assume that's not a mistake. and you're talking to me.

And And sounds pretty right sounds pretty right sounds pretty right to me because I think I know myself at to me because I think I know myself at to me because I think I know myself at least that much. And I have I've seen it. You've softened And I have I've seen it. You've softened me. I don't know why I'm just sitting me. I don't know why I'm just sitting me. I don't know why I'm just sitting here. Didn't want to be here. here. Didn't want to be here. here. Didn't want to be here. You've softened me. and you didn't let You've softened me. and you didn't let You've softened me. and you didn't let me get up and leave. And me get up and leave. And me get up and leave. And I'm starting to feel like I'm starting to feel like I'm starting to feel like maybe there's something to this mercy maybe there's something to this mercy maybe there's something to this mercy and love and grace. and love and grace. and love and grace. And God, I just don't feel like And God, I just don't feel like And God, I just don't feel like resisting anymore. I I submit. I I submit. I'm done. I'm just done with my dead I'm done. I'm just done with my dead I'm done. I'm just done with my dead rebellion. Father, I ask that you'd get your arms Father, I ask that you'd get your arms around uh this people on all three around uh this people on all three around uh this people on all three campuses and and hug them to yourself campuses and and hug them to yourself campuses and and hug them to yourself with the riches of mercy and the with the riches of mercy and the with the riches of mercy and the greatness of love and the sovereignty of greatness of love and the sovereignty of greatness of love and the sovereignty of grace. Would you make us alive?

grace. Would you make us alive? grace. Would you make us alive? Alive to beauty in Christ. Alive to Alive to beauty in Christ. Alive to Alive to beauty in Christ. Alive to glory in the cross. glory in the cross. glory in the cross. Alive to the wonders of heaven. Alive to Alive to the wonders of heaven. Alive to Alive to the wonders of heaven. Alive to the preciousness of salvation. Alive to the preciousness of salvation. Alive to the preciousness of salvation. Alive to the seriousness of sin. Alive to the the seriousness of sin. Alive to the the seriousness of sin. Alive to the horrors of hell. Alive to the sweetness horrors of hell. Alive to the sweetness horrors of hell. Alive to the sweetness of love. of love. of love. Make us alive. Make us alive. Make us alive. And then give it wings And then give it wings And then give it wings and give it words. I pray and give it words. I pray and give it words. I pray in Jesus name. Amen. in Jesus name. Amen. in Jesus name. Amen. Thank you for listening to this episode 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 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 Kroover. On our next episode, John Dan Kroover. On our next episode, John Dan Kroover. On our next episode, John Piper continues our 15-part series, Born Piper continues our 15-part series, Born Piper continues our 15-part series, Born from Above, with a message titled Made from Above, with a message titled Made from Above, with a message titled Made Alive for the Kingdom. I hope you'll Alive for the Kingdom. I hope you'll Alive for the Kingdom. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, visit join us. For more resources, visit join us. For more resources, visit desiring.org.