Christ Over Every Calamity

What I'm speaking to you is like child What I'm speaking to you is like child babbling compared to what you will know babbling compared to what you will know babbling compared to what you will know someday concerning someday concerning someday concerning Jesus Christ. And yet Jesus Christ. And yet Jesus Christ. And yet God has not been silent. God has not been silent. God has not been silent. Second Chronicles is in the Bible. Second Chronicles is in the Bible. Second Chronicles is in the Bible. Colossians is in the Bible and he means Colossians is in the Bible and he means Colossians is in the Bible and he means for us to know these things and love for us to know these things and love for us to know these things and love these things and live by these things these things and live by these things these things and live by these things and not tip over and not tip over and not tip over in this troubled world when the waves in this troubled world when the waves in this troubled world when the waves batter our lives. batter our lives. batter our lives. >> One of the most encouraging things about >> One of the most encouraging things about >> One of the most encouraging things about the Bible is [music] that it never asks the Bible is [music] that it never asks the Bible is [music] that it never asks us to pretend we understand everything. us to pretend we understand everything. us to pretend we understand everything. In fact, it reminds us [music] again and In fact, it reminds us [music] again and In fact, it reminds us [music] again and again that God's ways are higher than again that God's ways are higher than again that God's ways are higher than ours. ours. ours. But it also tells us [music] what we But it also tells us [music] what we But it also tells us [music] what we most need to know. most need to know. most need to know. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. In this episode of Light [music] and In this episode of Light [music] and In this episode of Light [music] and Truth, John Piper shows how the Truth, John Piper shows how the Truth, John Piper shows how the supremacy of Christ gives [music] supremacy of Christ gives [music] supremacy of Christ gives [music] stability and hope in a world marked by stability and hope in a world marked by stability and hope in a world marked by sin and suffering.

sin and suffering. sin and suffering. This message was originally delivered This message was originally delivered This message was originally delivered outside in the parking lot at Bethlehem outside in the parking lot at Bethlehem outside in the parking lot at Bethlehem Baptist Church on August 12th, [music] Baptist Church on August 12th, [music] Baptist Church on August 12th, [music] 2007. >> Let's >> Let's >> pray together. >> pray together. >> pray together. Father, I ask for your help now as we come from come from the praises of your name to the to the preaching of your word. preaching of your word. preaching of your word. And I ask that it would have its And I ask that it would have its And I ask that it would have its powerful effect in our lives. You would make us strong You would make us strong in our witness, in our witness, in our witness, loving and humble [snorts] and loving and humble [snorts] and loving and humble [snorts] and broken and courageous broken and courageous broken and courageous in our service in our service in our service of our fellow man, of our fellow man, of our fellow man, and effective and effective and effective in the way we magnify your son, Jesus in the way we magnify your son, Jesus in the way we magnify your son, Jesus Christ. Christ. Christ. So, Father, don't leave me to myself So, Father, don't leave me to myself So, Father, don't leave me to myself or any of us sitting here to our own or any of us sitting here to our own or any of us sitting here to our own resources, but by your spirit, resources, but by your spirit, resources, but by your spirit, grant me to be faithful to your word.

grant me to be faithful to your word. grant me to be faithful to your word. Grant us to feel affections that Grant us to feel affections that Grant us to feel affections that correspond to the worth of Christ. And grant that a work would be done in And grant that a work would be done in our hearts and in our minds and in our our hearts and in our minds and in our our hearts and in our minds and in our lives lives lives that would make a difference for Christ that would make a difference for Christ that would make a difference for Christ and his glory in this city and his glory in this city and his glory in this city and around the world. and around the world. and around the world. I pray that the ripple effect of our I pray that the ripple effect of our I pray that the ripple effect of our gathering this morning would be beyond gathering this morning would be beyond gathering this morning would be beyond what any of us can imagine what any of us can imagine what any of us can imagine in terms of decades till Jesus comes, in terms of decades till Jesus comes, in terms of decades till Jesus comes, in terms of in terms of in terms of miles to the other side of the globe, miles to the other side of the globe, miles to the other side of the globe, in terms of depths of reconciliation and in terms of depths of reconciliation and in terms of depths of reconciliation and healing and good that will be done in healing and good that will be done in healing and good that will be done in marriages and marriages and marriages and parents and single people and old people parents and single people and old people parents and single people and old people and young people. and young people. and young people. Take this little Take this little Take this little five five five loaf message loaf message loaf message and multiply it to affect to feed and multiply it to affect to feed and multiply it to affect to feed thousands, I pray. Magnify yourself Magnify yourself in this moment of our service.

in this moment of our service. in this moment of our service. Bring us to the end of this message Bring us to the end of this message Bring us to the end of this message ready to lay down our lives ready to lay down our lives ready to lay down our lives for Christ for Christ for Christ and serve him and serve him and serve him in one of these 55 in one of these 55 in one of these 55 ways that are highlighted in this ways that are highlighted in this ways that are highlighted in this building here or others. building here or others. building here or others. This This the first of a in a series This This the first of a in a series This This the first of a in a series under the title Spectacular Sins and under the title Spectacular Sins and under the title Spectacular Sins and their global purpose in the glory of their global purpose in the glory of their global purpose in the glory of Christ. Christ. Christ. So, let me tell you where it's coming So, let me tell you where it's coming So, let me tell you where it's coming from, the impulses that have fed into from, the impulses that have fed into from, the impulses that have fed into this topic. this topic. this topic. There are four impulses There are four impulses There are four impulses that came together in my thinking and that came together in my thinking and that came together in my thinking and praying that brought me to this praying that brought me to this praying that brought me to this seven-part message. seven-part message. seven-part message. Number one, Number one, Number one, sitting on a porch in Asheville, North sitting on a porch in Asheville, North sitting on a porch in Asheville, North Carolina, Carolina, Carolina, end of July, end of July, end of July, reading Second Chronicles with many of reading Second Chronicles with many of reading Second Chronicles with many of you who are who are reading through the you who are who are reading through the you who are who are reading through the Bible Bible Bible on the Bible reading plan that some of on the Bible reading plan that some of on the Bible reading plan that some of us are on. Now, once a year, us are on. Now, once a year, us are on. Now, once a year, I read Second Chronicles.

I read Second Chronicles. I read Second Chronicles. And every time I do, I get hit between And every time I do, I get hit between And every time I do, I get hit between the eyes the eyes the eyes by the amazing truth that story after by the amazing truth that story after by the amazing truth that story after story story story describes faithful, describes faithful, describes faithful, sinful behaviors of kings sinful behaviors of kings sinful behaviors of kings which are under the control of God which are under the control of God which are under the control of God Almighty for his good purposes. Almighty for his good purposes. Almighty for his good purposes. For example, For example, For example, Jeroboam Jeroboam Jeroboam rejected the wisdom of the old men. rejected the wisdom of the old men. rejected the wisdom of the old men. Remember that? Remember that? Remember that? And he said, "My father disciplined you And he said, "My father disciplined you And he said, "My father disciplined you with whips. with whips. with whips. I will discipline you with scorpions." I will discipline you with scorpions." I will discipline you with scorpions." He said that to his own people. He said that to his own people. He said that to his own people. And then the writer, And then the writer, And then the writer, the inspired writer, the inspired writer, the inspired writer, says, says, says, "The king did not listen to the people, "The king did not listen to the people, "The king did not listen to the people, for it was a turn of affairs brought for it was a turn of affairs brought for it was a turn of affairs brought about by God about by God about by God that the Lord might fulfill his word."

that the Lord might fulfill his word." that the Lord might fulfill his word." So, he didn't listen to the good advice So, he didn't listen to the good advice So, he didn't listen to the good advice of the old man of the old man of the old man because God because God because God didn't let him. didn't let him. didn't let him. King Ahab King Ahab King Ahab enticed by false prophets to go up and enticed by false prophets to go up and enticed by false prophets to go up and fight against the Syrians fight against the Syrians fight against the Syrians was a stupid move. Then Then Micaiah Micaiah Micaiah the true prophet comes the true prophet comes the true prophet comes and says this, and says this, and says this, "Now therefore behold, the Lord has put "Now therefore behold, the Lord has put "Now therefore behold, the Lord has put a lying spirit in the mouth of these a lying spirit in the mouth of these a lying spirit in the mouth of these your prophets. The Lord has declared your prophets. The Lord has declared your prophets. The Lord has declared disaster concerning you." Third example, Third example, Joash Joash Joash the king of Israel the king of Israel the king of Israel gave wise counsel to Amaziah, king of gave wise counsel to Amaziah, king of gave wise counsel to Amaziah, king of Judah, "Do not go out to battle against Judah, "Do not go out to battle against Judah, "Do not go out to battle against your own people, Israel."

your own people, Israel." your own people, Israel." And Amaziah refused to listen to the And Amaziah refused to listen to the And Amaziah refused to listen to the good counsel. good counsel. good counsel. And the inspired writer says, And the inspired writer says, And the inspired writer says, "But Amaziah would not listen, "But Amaziah would not listen, "But Amaziah would not listen, for it was of God in order that he might for it was of God in order that he might for it was of God in order that he might give them into the hands of their give them into the hands of their give them into the hands of their enemies because they had sought the gods enemies because they had sought the gods enemies because they had sought the gods of Edom." of Edom." of Edom." So, once a year I sit on porches and I So, once a year I sit on porches and I So, once a year I sit on porches and I read Second Chronicles read Second Chronicles read Second Chronicles and get hammered between my eyes with and get hammered between my eyes with and get hammered between my eyes with this amazing God who somehow this amazing God who somehow this amazing God who somehow inscrutably, unfathomably inscrutably, unfathomably inscrutably, unfathomably governs the sinful acts of his kings governs the sinful acts of his kings governs the sinful acts of his kings without himself sinning without himself sinning without himself sinning or doing anything unholy or unwise. or doing anything unholy or unwise. or doing anything unholy or unwise. That's the first impulse that feeds into That's the first impulse that feeds into That's the first impulse that feeds into this message. You sit there and you read this message. You sit there and you read this message. You sit there and you read that year after year and you say that year after year and you say that year after year and you say Why do you want us to know this? Why do you want us to know this? Why do you want us to know this? This is just trouble.

This is just trouble. This is just trouble. THIS IS JUST A PROBLEM. Why is this in THIS IS JUST A PROBLEM. Why is this in THIS IS JUST A PROBLEM. Why is this in your Bible? Why don't you just conceal your Bible? Why don't you just conceal your Bible? Why don't you just conceal this and just tell us easy things? this and just tell us easy things? this and just tell us easy things? That's the impulse number one. Number That's the impulse number one. Number That's the impulse number one. Number two, two, two, whether it's July on a porch or any whether it's July on a porch or any whether it's July on a porch or any other month of the year, other month of the year, other month of the year, calamity calamity calamity fills the news fills the news fills the news both at home both at home both at home and around the world. Newark, New and around the world. Newark, New and around the world. Newark, New Jersey, Jersey, Jersey, since 1998, a 50% increase in murder since 1998, a 50% increase in murder since 1998, a 50% increase in murder rate. And last week, an execution-style rate. And last week, an execution-style rate. And last week, an execution-style murder of four teenagers I looked this morning to see if there I looked this morning to see if there was any breakthrough. I don't think so was any breakthrough. I don't think so was any breakthrough. I don't think so yet. Six miners 1,800 ft underground. yet. Six miners 1,800 ft underground. yet. Six miners 1,800 ft underground. No word from them. No word from them. No word from them. Every effort being expended. Praise God.

Every effort being expended. Praise God. Every effort being expended. Praise God. May they be found alive. May they be found alive. May they be found alive. May we celebrate as a nation, but May we celebrate as a nation, but May we celebrate as a nation, but maybe not. Heartland, Heartland, Minnesota, Minnesota, Minnesota, 35W bridge and day by day we taste the 35W bridge and day by day we taste the 35W bridge and day by day we taste the fuller extent of its painful effects. fuller extent of its painful effects. fuller extent of its painful effects. And then, And then, And then, because because because we are so insular as a people we are so insular as a people we are so insular as a people and are so consumed with our own news, and are so consumed with our own news, and are so consumed with our own news, has anybody even read has anybody even read has anybody even read that 20 million people have been that 20 million people have been that 20 million people have been displaced from their homes in displaced from their homes in displaced from their homes in Bangladesh, northern India, and Nepal, Bangladesh, northern India, and Nepal, Bangladesh, northern India, and Nepal, and dozens have been swept away, most of and dozens have been swept away, most of and dozens have been swept away, most of them little children them little children them little children in the last 2 weeks. whether it's July on a porch or whether whether it's July on a porch or whether it's reading 2 Chronicles it's reading 2 Chronicles it's reading 2 Chronicles or whichever, across the world and across our nation, across the world and across our nation, there is suffering.

there is suffering. there is suffering. And I have to ask, And I have to ask, And I have to ask, does that have anything to do with Jesus does that have anything to do with Jesus does that have anything to do with Jesus Christ, who said, "All authority in Christ, who said, "All authority in Christ, who said, "All authority in heaven and on earth is mine"? Third impulse. Third impulse. The Bible says that in the last days, The Bible says that in the last days, The Bible says that in the last days, times are going to be very difficult. times are going to be very difficult. times are going to be very difficult. Let me read that to you. 2 Timothy 3:1, Let me read that to you. 2 Timothy 3:1, Let me read that to you. 2 Timothy 3:1, "Understand this, that in the last days, "Understand this, that in the last days, "Understand this, that in the last days, there will come times of difficulty." there will come times of difficulty." there will come times of difficulty." The word is unusual. It is severity. The word is unusual. It is severity. The word is unusual. It is severity. Severe times will come before Jesus Severe times will come before Jesus Severe times will come before Jesus returns. returns. returns. "For people will be lovers of self, "For people will be lovers of self, "For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, abusive, disobedient to their parents, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, unappeasable, unappeasable, slanderous, slanderous, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving without self-control, brutal, not loving without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen good, treacherous, reckless, swollen good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the than lovers of God, having the than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness."

appearance of godliness." appearance of godliness." >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> [laughter] >> How can he say that after that list? "Having the appearance of godliness, but "Having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. denying its power. denying its power. Now, I Now, I Now, I I can't see my role as a pastor I can't see my role as a pastor I can't see my role as a pastor in such days in such days in such days as entertaining you. as entertaining you. as entertaining you. I simply can't do it. as as trying to help you have a superficial trying to help you have a superficial trying to help you have a superficial cheerfulness so that you just like to cheerfulness so that you just like to cheerfulness so that you just like to come to church. It's a little bit of a come to church. It's a little bit of a come to church. It's a little bit of a relief relief relief from the severity of the times. That from the severity of the times. That from the severity of the times. That cannot be my goal. cannot be my goal. cannot be my goal. Not if I care. Rather, Rather, as I understand my job, as I understand my job, as I understand my job, my calling in this church as the main my calling in this church as the main my calling in this church as the main preacher preacher preacher is to put ballast, is to put ballast, is to put ballast, the ballast of truth, the ballast of of the ballast of truth, the ballast of of the ballast of truth, the ballast of of weighty glorious doctrine in the belly weighty glorious doctrine in the belly weighty glorious doctrine in the belly of your little boat so that as you try of your little boat so that as you try of your little boat so that as you try to navigate these strange days and these to navigate these strange days and these to navigate these strange days and these kinds of winds batter your life, you kinds of winds batter your life, you kinds of winds batter your life, you won't capsize, but rather you will make won't capsize, but rather you will make won't capsize, but rather you will make it all the way to the harbor called it all the way to the harbor called it all the way to the harbor called heaven with your faith intact and your

heaven with your faith intact and your heaven with your faith intact and your joy overflowing. That's my job. That's my job. Ballast in your boat. Ballast in your boat. Ballast in your boat. Others can decorate the decks. Others can decorate the decks. Others can decorate the decks. I don't have time to do it all. I I I do I don't have time to do it all. I I I do I don't have time to do it all. I I I do hope the decks are clear and the sun hope the decks are clear and the sun hope the decks are clear and the sun shines on us from time to time. shines on us from time to time. shines on us from time to time. Those are easy days. Those are easy days. Those are easy days. I'm here to help the ballast keep the I'm here to help the ballast keep the I'm here to help the ballast keep the boat from tipping in the hard days, boat from tipping in the hard days, boat from tipping in the hard days, taking on too much water so that it goes taking on too much water so that it goes taking on too much water so that it goes down. That's impulse number three. down. That's impulse number three. down. That's impulse number three. Here's impulse number four. It's the one Here's impulse number four. It's the one Here's impulse number four. It's the one we're going to focus on from Colossians we're going to focus on from Colossians we're going to focus on from Colossians 1. In the last 2 weeks, I have spent a lot In the last 2 weeks, I have spent a lot of time of time of time last part of vacation, first week back last part of vacation, first week back last part of vacation, first week back writing a paper. It's about 18 pages now writing a paper. It's about 18 pages now writing a paper. It's about 18 pages now on a vision for Bethlehem for the next 8 on a vision for Bethlehem for the next 8 on a vision for Bethlehem for the next 8 years.

years. years. I'll meet on on Wednesday with the lead I'll meet on on Wednesday with the lead I'll meet on on Wednesday with the lead team and lay it before them. team and lay it before them. team and lay it before them. One of the things I have done to think One of the things I have done to think One of the things I have done to think through what God might call us to for through what God might call us to for through what God might call us to for the next 8 years as a church, three the next 8 years as a church, three the next 8 years as a church, three campuses now, more God willing, campuses now, more God willing, campuses now, more God willing, is to go back over the last is to go back over the last is to go back over the last 27 years. I went into my 28th year here 27 years. I went into my 28th year here 27 years. I went into my 28th year here in July. in July. in July. And uh amazingly, And uh amazingly, And uh amazingly, it's [snorts] so embarrassing sometimes, it's [snorts] so embarrassing sometimes, it's [snorts] so embarrassing sometimes, you can listen to me preach 27 years ago you can listen to me preach 27 years ago you can listen to me preach 27 years ago and I went to my first candidating and I went to my first candidating and I went to my first candidating sermon, January 27, 1980, sermon, January 27, 1980, sermon, January 27, 1980, and I listened to an excerpt at and I listened to an excerpt at and I listened to an excerpt at desiringgod.org desiringgod.org desiringgod.org because I remembered the text. because I remembered the text. because I remembered the text. And I wanted to see what did I say about And I wanted to see what did I say about And I wanted to see what did I say about it? Because it has to do with the glory it? Because it has to do with the glory it? Because it has to do with the glory of Christ. The text was Matt Philippians of Christ. The text was Matt Philippians of Christ. The text was Matt Philippians 1 1 1 verses verses verses 20 following.

My eager expectation and hope. This is My eager expectation and hope. This is what I was laying before 300 people, what I was laying before 300 people, what I was laying before 300 people, most of whom are in heaven today. It is my eager expectation and hope It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not at all be ashamed, but that I will not at all be ashamed, but that I will not at all be ashamed, but that now, as always, Christ will be that now, as always, Christ will be that now, as always, Christ will be magnified in my body whether by life or magnified in my body whether by life or magnified in my body whether by life or by death. by death. by death. And I thought to myself as I'm writing And I thought to myself as I'm writing And I thought to myself as I'm writing this paper, nothing has changed this paper, nothing has changed this paper, nothing has changed in my heart about that. Nothing has in my heart about that. Nothing has in my heart about that. Nothing has changed. changed. changed. It is my eager expectation at 61, not It is my eager expectation at 61, not It is my eager expectation at 61, not 34, 34, 34, that now, as always, I might never be that now, as always, I might never be that now, as always, I might never be ashamed of the Bible, ashamed of the Bible, ashamed of the Bible, but cherish this book, love to preach but cherish this book, love to preach but cherish this book, love to preach this book, and if by any means Christ this book, and if by any means Christ this book, and if by any means Christ might be magnified might be magnified might be magnified in this church and in my life, whether in this church and in my life, whether in this church and in my life, whether by life or by death in the severest of by life or by death in the severest of by life or by death in the severest of times.

times. times. Nothing has changed. So, the fourth Nothing has changed. So, the fourth Nothing has changed. So, the fourth impulse remains after 27 years, how impulse remains after 27 years, how impulse remains after 27 years, how shall we so minister, how shall we so shall we so minister, how shall we so shall we so minister, how shall we so love, how shall we so witness, how shall love, how shall we so witness, how shall love, how shall we so witness, how shall we so do 55 we so do 55 we so do 55 ministries such that Jesus Christ is ministries such that Jesus Christ is ministries such that Jesus Christ is magnified, magnified, magnified, made to look glorious in these Twin made to look glorious in these Twin made to look glorious in these Twin Cities and beyond? So, that's the fourth Cities and beyond? So, that's the fourth Cities and beyond? So, that's the fourth impulse. impulse. impulse. And now, And now, And now, I want us to turn I want us to turn I want us to turn to Colossians chapter 1 to Colossians chapter 1 to Colossians chapter 1 for the first message in the seven-part for the first message in the seven-part for the first message in the seven-part series. series. series. How is it How is it How is it that Christ can be magnified in the that Christ can be magnified in the that Christ can be magnified in the Second Chronicles world, Second Chronicles world, Second Chronicles world, in Newark, in Newark, in Newark, in Utah, in Utah, in Utah, in Bangladesh, in Minneapolis, in Bangladesh, in Minneapolis, in Bangladesh, in Minneapolis, in the fall of Satan from his first in the fall of Satan from his first in the fall of Satan from his first perfect position, perfect position, perfect position, from the fall of from the fall of from the fall of Adam Adam Adam and the whole human race coming down, and the whole human race coming down, and the whole human race coming down, in the Tower of Babel and the fracturing in the Tower of Babel and the fracturing in the Tower of Babel and the fracturing of all of the of all of the of all of the languages in humanity, languages in humanity, languages in humanity, the sale of Joseph into the sale of Joseph into the sale of Joseph into slavery in Egypt, the treason of God's slavery in Egypt, the treason of God's slavery in Egypt, the treason of God's people asking for a king to be like the people asking for a king to be like the people asking for a king to be like the nations when God is their king, and

nations when God is their king, and nations when God is their king, and finally the betrayal of Judas. These finally the betrayal of Judas. These finally the betrayal of Judas. These spectacular spectacular spectacular sins, all of which serve the glory of Jesus Christ. serve the glory of Jesus Christ. How can that be? That's where we're How can that be? That's where we're How can that be? That's where we're going. going. going. God has not answered all the questions God has not answered all the questions God has not answered all the questions that we have about sin and misery in the that we have about sin and misery in the that we have about sin and misery in the world. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The world. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The world. Deuteronomy 29:29 says, "The secret things belong to the Lord." secret things belong to the Lord." secret things belong to the Lord." There are secrets that you will not There are secrets that you will not There are secrets that you will not know. know. know. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, "Now we Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, "Now we Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13, "Now we see in a mirror dimly, see in a mirror dimly, see in a mirror dimly, then face to face. Now we know in part, then face to face. Now we know in part, then face to face. Now we know in part, then we shall know fully, even as we are then we shall know fully, even as we are then we shall know fully, even as we are fully known." You sit there and you are fully known." You sit there and you are fully known." You sit there and you are only looking in a mirror. What I'm only looking in a mirror. What I'm only looking in a mirror. What I'm speaking to you is like child babbling speaking to you is like child babbling speaking to you is like child babbling compared to what you will know someday compared to what you will know someday compared to what you will know someday concerning concerning concerning Jesus Christ. And yet Jesus Christ. And yet Jesus Christ. And yet God has not been silent.

God has not been silent. God has not been silent. 2 Chronicles is in the Bible. 2 Chronicles is in the Bible. 2 Chronicles is in the Bible. Colossians is in the Bible, and he means Colossians is in the Bible, and he means Colossians is in the Bible, and he means for us to know these things and love for us to know these things and love for us to know these things and love these things and live by these things these things and live by these things these things and live by these things and not tip over and not tip over and not tip over in this troubled world when the waves in this troubled world when the waves in this troubled world when the waves batter our lives. Colossians chapter 1, and he begins to Colossians chapter 1, and he begins to pray for the church in verse 9. I hope pray for the church in verse 9. I hope pray for the church in verse 9. I hope you all memorize you all memorize you all memorize Bible prayers so that you don't just Bible prayers so that you don't just Bible prayers so that you don't just pray your own pray your own pray your own worn rut prayers, which is what I do if worn rut prayers, which is what I do if worn rut prayers, which is what I do if I don't use the Bible to pray. I don't use the Bible to pray. I don't use the Bible to pray. I fall into ruts again and again and I fall into ruts again and again and I fall into ruts again and again and again, say the same thing over and over again, say the same thing over and over again, say the same thing over and over again with a mindless chatter. But if I again with a mindless chatter. But if I again with a mindless chatter. But if I start taking Bible prayers on my lips, start taking Bible prayers on my lips, start taking Bible prayers on my lips, then I feel myself caught up into God's then I feel myself caught up into God's then I feel myself caught up into God's purposes for the church and the world, purposes for the church and the world, purposes for the church and the world, and you will, too. So, he begins to pray and you will, too. So, he begins to pray and you will, too. So, he begins to pray for them. He prays that they would be for them. He prays that they would be for them. He prays that they would be filled.

filled. filled. You see this? Verse 9 10. You see this? Verse 9 10. You see this? Verse 9 10. They would be filled with the knowledge They would be filled with the knowledge They would be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and of his will in all spiritual wisdom and of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding understanding understanding to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work, increasing every good work, increasing every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God. in the knowledge of God. in the knowledge of God. And when he's done praying And when he's done praying And when he's done praying that they would increase in the that they would increase in the that they would increase in the knowledge of God and lead lives that are knowledge of God and lead lives that are knowledge of God and lead lives that are Christ-exalting and people-loving then he begins to extol Jesus. then he begins to extol Jesus. And that's what we've been doing all And that's what we've been doing all And that's what we've been doing all morning. morning. morning. And he does it in 15 statements. And I'm And he does it in 15 statements. And I'm And he does it in 15 statements. And I'm just going to read them to you and just going to read them to you and just going to read them to you and number them. And I'll number them so number them. And I'll number them so number them. And I'll number them so that they'll that they'll that they'll mount up like they do for me when I mount up like they do for me when I mount up like they do for me when I write them down. write them down. write them down. Number one, verse 14. Number one. Number one, verse 14. Number one. Number one, verse 14. Number one. In him In him In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of we have redemption, the forgiveness of we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Number two, verse 15. He is the sins. Number two, verse 15. He is the sins. Number two, verse 15. He is the image of the invisible God. Number image of the invisible God. Number image of the invisible God. Number three, he is the firstborn of all three, he is the firstborn of all three, he is the firstborn of all creation.

creation. creation. Number four Number four Number four by him all things were created in heaven by him all things were created in heaven by him all things were created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, and on earth, visible and invisible, and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers whether thrones or dominions or rulers whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. We'll come back to that. or authorities. We'll come back to that. or authorities. We'll come back to that. Number five, all things were created Number five, all things were created Number five, all things were created through him. through him. through him. Number six, all things were created for Number six, all things were created for Number six, all things were created for him. Number seven, he is before all him. Number seven, he is before all him. Number seven, he is before all things. Number eight, in him all things things. Number eight, in him all things things. Number eight, in him all things hold together. hold together. hold together. Nine, he is the head of the body, the Nine, he is the head of the body, the Nine, he is the head of the body, the church. 10, he is the beginning. 11, he church. 10, he is the beginning. 11, he church. 10, he is the beginning. 11, he is the firstborn from the dead. 12, in is the firstborn from the dead. 12, in is the firstborn from the dead. 12, in everything he is preeminent. Nine everything he is preeminent. Nine everything he is preeminent. Nine [snorts] 13, verse 19, in him all the [snorts] 13, verse 19, in him all the [snorts] 13, verse 19, in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell. fullness of God was pleased to dwell. fullness of God was pleased to dwell. 14, verse 20, he reconciles all things 14, verse 20, he reconciles all things 14, verse 20, he reconciles all things to himself to himself to himself whether on earth or in heaven. And 15, whether on earth or in heaven. And 15, whether on earth or in heaven. And 15, he makes peace by the blood of his he makes peace by the blood of his he makes peace by the blood of his cross.

This is probably This is probably the most dense, concentrated the most dense, concentrated the most dense, concentrated acclamation of the Son of God in all the acclamation of the Son of God in all the acclamation of the Son of God in all the Bible. Bible. Bible. And I commend you to memorize it. And I commend you to memorize it. And I commend you to memorize it. I do. I do. I do. If that's one takeaway from today's If that's one takeaway from today's If that's one takeaway from today's message, it would be message, it would be message, it would be verses 14 to 20 of Colossians. Memorize verses 14 to 20 of Colossians. Memorize verses 14 to 20 of Colossians. Memorize it. it. it. So that So that So that if any person if any person if any person or any power or any wisdom or any love or any power or any wisdom or any love or any power or any wisdom or any love awakens your admiration or your awakens your admiration or your awakens your admiration or your amazement or your joy, let it be the amazement or your joy, let it be the amazement or your joy, let it be the greatest person and the greatest wisdom greatest person and the greatest wisdom greatest person and the greatest wisdom and the greatest love and the greatest and the greatest love and the greatest and the greatest love and the greatest power, Jesus Christ. Everybody on this power, Jesus Christ. Everybody on this power, Jesus Christ. Everybody on this parking lot is moved at sometime or parking lot is moved at sometime or parking lot is moved at sometime or other to be admiring or amazed about other to be admiring or amazed about other to be admiring or amazed about somebody or something. somebody or something. somebody or something. You all have capacities for amazement You all have capacities for amazement You all have capacities for amazement and admiration and love.

and admiration and love. and admiration and love. And I just want to plead with you, And I just want to plead with you, And I just want to plead with you, memorize those 15 things about Jesus so memorize those 15 things about Jesus so memorize those 15 things about Jesus so that your heart will rise with that your heart will rise with that your heart will rise with affections for him that correspond in affections for him that correspond in affections for him that correspond in some measure to the worth that he has as some measure to the worth that he has as some measure to the worth that he has as our treasure. We naturally get amazed at television or We naturally get amazed at television or movies or bridge collapses movies or bridge collapses movies or bridge collapses or great natural phenomena. or great natural phenomena. or great natural phenomena. We do not by nature feel amazement at We do not by nature feel amazement at We do not by nature feel amazement at the most amazing reality in the universe the most amazing reality in the universe the most amazing reality in the universe which was just described to you. which was just described to you. which was just described to you. That means we have to pray. That means we have to pray. That means we have to pray. We have to meditate. We have to deny We have to meditate. We have to deny We have to meditate. We have to deny ourselves. We have to plead for new ourselves. We have to plead for new ourselves. We have to plead for new hearts. hearts. hearts. >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> [snorts] >> 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 [music] committed [music] committed [music] to providing God-centered preaching to to providing God-centered preaching to to providing God-centered preaching to help you see Christ clearly and treasure help you see Christ clearly and treasure help you see Christ clearly and treasure him truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver.

him truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. him truly. I'm your host, Dan Cruver. On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper On our next episode, John Piper continues [music] our 13-part series, continues [music] our 13-part series, continues [music] our 13-part series, The God Who Orders Evil, with a message The God Who Orders Evil, with a message The God Who Orders Evil, with a message [music] titled, Your Worst Enemies Serve [music] titled, Your Worst Enemies Serve [music] titled, Your Worst Enemies Serve Christ. I hope you'll join us. Christ. I hope you'll join us. Christ. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, [music] visit For more resources, [music] visit For more resources, [music] visit desiringgod.org.