Grace Reigns Through Christ

We know the term grace of God. Love it. We know the term grace of God. Love it. Seldom do we think of the phrase the Seldom do we think of the phrase the Seldom do we think of the phrase the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. It's the grace of God appearing in the It's the grace of God appearing in the It's the grace of God appearing in the world. That's the way Paul talks about world. That's the way Paul talks about world. That's the way Paul talks about it in Titus 2:1. For the grace of God it in Titus 2:1. For the grace of God it in Titus 2:1. For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation or 2 has appeared, bringing salvation or 2 has appeared, bringing salvation or 2 Timothy 1:9, his own grace which he gave Timothy 1:9, his own grace which he gave Timothy 1:9, his own grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus. So this sovereign us in Christ Jesus. So this sovereign us in Christ Jesus. So this sovereign triumphant grace rescuing us from our triumphant grace rescuing us from our triumphant grace rescuing us from our adamic curse is the grace that came to adamic curse is the grace that came to adamic curse is the grace that came to us in Christ Jesus. us in Christ Jesus. us in Christ Jesus. Most of us understand grace as something Most of us understand grace as something Most of us understand grace as something God gives and that's true. But have you God gives and that's true. But have you God gives and that's true. But have you ever stopped to think about how that ever stopped to think about how that ever stopped to think about how that grace reaches [music] us? The New grace reaches [music] us? The New grace reaches [music] us? The New Testament says it comes through a person Testament says it comes through a person Testament says it comes through a person and that [music] person is the Lord and that [music] person is the Lord and that [music] person is the Lord Jesus Christ. I'm your host [music] Dan Jesus Christ. I'm your host [music] Dan Jesus Christ. I'm your host [music] Dan Kruever. In this episode of Light and Kruever. In this episode of Light and Kruever. In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens Romans 5 12- 21 Truth, John Piper opens Romans 5 12- 21 Truth, John Piper opens Romans 5 12- 21 to show how the grace of God triumphs to show how the grace of God triumphs to show how the grace of God triumphs over Adam's curse through the obedience over Adam's curse through the obedience over Adam's curse through the obedience of the [music] one man, Jesus Christ.

of the [music] one man, Jesus Christ. of the [music] one man, Jesus Christ. This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at This message was originally delivered at Bethlehem Baptist Church [music] on Bethlehem Baptist Church [music] on Bethlehem Baptist Church [music] on August 26th, 2007. the book the book named the book of life of the lamb that named the book of life of the lamb that named the book of life of the lamb that was slain was slain was slain slain slain slain before Adam fell. Is it hard Is it hard to see to see to see that this type was God's idea? was God's idea? God didn't arrive on the scene in the God didn't arrive on the scene in the God didn't arrive on the scene in the Garden of Eden and say, "What have you Garden of Eden and say, "What have you Garden of Eden and say, "What have you done? done? done? I totally did not know this was going to I totally did not know this was going to I totally did not know this was going to happen. I totally had no plan for a son happen. I totally had no plan for a son happen. I totally had no plan for a son dying for sinners like this. Now you've dying for sinners like this. Now you've dying for sinners like this. Now you've wrecked it all. And then he begins to wrecked it all. And then he begins to wrecked it all. And then he begins to think, okay, I got to figure out how to think, okay, I got to figure out how to think, okay, I got to figure out how to make my son make my son make my son a a a typified. This is going to be a type.

typified. This is going to be a type. typified. This is going to be a type. This is totally not the way the Bible This is totally not the way the Bible This is totally not the way the Bible talks. talks. talks. The Bible says the son is seen as slain The Bible says the son is seen as slain The Bible says the son is seen as slain before the foundation of the world. The before the foundation of the world. The before the foundation of the world. The Bible says this is a type against which Bible says this is a type against which Bible says this is a type against which Christ will be greatly glorified. Christ will be greatly glorified. Christ will be greatly glorified. And therefore, this type was in the And therefore, this type was in the And therefore, this type was in the plan. plan. plan. It's in the plan. Nobody, It's in the plan. Nobody, It's in the plan. Nobody, not the devil and not Adam, takes God not the devil and not Adam, takes God not the devil and not Adam, takes God off guard. off guard. off guard. You remember I said last week, last week, what God permits, [snorts] he permits what God permits, [snorts] he permits what God permits, [snorts] he permits for a reason. And what God permits for a reason, he And what God permits for a reason, he pit permits for an infinitely wise pit permits for an infinitely wise pit permits for an infinitely wise reason. reason. reason. He's never fumbling the ball. He's never He's never fumbling the ball. He's never He's never fumbling the ball. He's never saying oops. He's never playing catchup.

saying oops. He's never playing catchup. saying oops. He's never playing catchup. He has plans. He has plans. He has plans. Everything is folded into them. And he's Everything is folded into them. And he's Everything is folded into them. And he's infinitely powerful in his providence infinitely powerful in his providence infinitely powerful in his providence over the world. over the world. over the world. And so the way he sets it up in chapter And so the way he sets it up in chapter And so the way he sets it up in chapter 5 is to say we have in Adam a type of 5 is to say we have in Adam a type of 5 is to say we have in Adam a type of Christ. And it's the best news in all Christ. And it's the best news in all Christ. And it's the best news in all the world that Christ lines up in the world that Christ lines up in the world that Christ lines up in opposite ways to Adam with superior opposite ways to Adam with superior opposite ways to Adam with superior strength. So let's just look briefly at strength. So let's just look briefly at strength. So let's just look briefly at the three superiorities that are in this the three superiorities that are in this the three superiorities that are in this text. Number one is text. Number one is text. Number one is the abundance of grace. Number two is the abundance of grace. Number two is the abundance of grace. Number two is the perfection of obedience. And number the perfection of obedience. And number the perfection of obedience. And number three is the reign of life. First verse three is the reign of life. First verse three is the reign of life. First verse 15. But the free gift, namely the gift 15. But the free gift, namely the gift 15. But the free gift, namely the gift of righteousness, according to verse 17, of righteousness, according to verse 17, of righteousness, according to verse 17, the free gift is not like the trespass. the free gift is not like the trespass. the free gift is not like the trespass. For if many died through the one man's For if many died through the one man's For if many died through the one man's trespass, much more trespass, much more trespass, much more have the grace of God and the free gift have the grace of God and the free gift have the grace of God and the free gift by grace of that one man, Christ Jesus, by grace of that one man, Christ Jesus, by grace of that one man, Christ Jesus, abounded for many. Notice two things.

abounded for many. Notice two things. abounded for many. Notice two things. The grace of God is much more powerful The grace of God is much more powerful The grace of God is much more powerful than the trespass of Adam. We are not than the trespass of Adam. We are not than the trespass of Adam. We are not stuck. stuck. stuck. You may feel like you're stuck. You may feel like you're stuck. You may feel like you're stuck. You may feel like my grandfather was You may feel like my grandfather was You may feel like my grandfather was this way. My father was this way. I'm this way. My father was this way. I'm this way. My father was this way. I'm this way. My son looks like he's going this way. My son looks like he's going this way. My son looks like he's going to be this way. I'm stuck. No. to be this way. I'm stuck. No. to be this way. I'm stuck. No. Much more is grace penetrating this Much more is grace penetrating this Much more is grace penetrating this fallen world of adamic corruption and fallen world of adamic corruption and fallen world of adamic corruption and rescuing people, changing people, rescuing people, changing people, rescuing people, changing people, cleansing people, justifying people. cleansing people, justifying people. cleansing people, justifying people. Second thing to notice is how Christ Second thing to notice is how Christ Second thing to notice is how Christ relates to this grace. I love this relates to this grace. I love this relates to this grace. I love this phrase, phrase, phrase, the grace the grace the grace of that one man, Jesus Christ. of that one man, Jesus Christ. of that one man, Jesus Christ. We know the term grace of God. Love it.

We know the term grace of God. Love it. We know the term grace of God. Love it. Seldom do we think of the phrase the Seldom do we think of the phrase the Seldom do we think of the phrase the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. grace of the one man, Jesus Christ. It's the grace of God appearing in the It's the grace of God appearing in the It's the grace of God appearing in the world. That's the way Paul talks about world. That's the way Paul talks about world. That's the way Paul talks about it in Titus 2:11. For the grace of God it in Titus 2:11. For the grace of God it in Titus 2:11. For the grace of God has appeared bringing salvation or 2 has appeared bringing salvation or 2 has appeared bringing salvation or 2 Timothy 1:9, his own grace which he gave Timothy 1:9, his own grace which he gave Timothy 1:9, his own grace which he gave us in Christ Jesus. So this sovereign us in Christ Jesus. So this sovereign us in Christ Jesus. So this sovereign triumphant grace rescuing us from our triumphant grace rescuing us from our triumphant grace rescuing us from our Adamic curse is the grace that came to Adamic curse is the grace that came to Adamic curse is the grace that came to us in Christ Jesus. Now go to the second us in Christ Jesus. Now go to the second us in Christ Jesus. Now go to the second superiority. superiority. superiority. Not just abundant grace, but perfect Not just abundant grace, but perfect Not just abundant grace, but perfect obedience. And this is the way the grace obedience. And this is the way the grace obedience. And this is the way the grace is going to work for us. Verse 19, for is going to work for us. Verse 19, for is going to work for us. Verse 19, for as by one man's disobedience, that's as by one man's disobedience, that's as by one man's disobedience, that's Adam, the many were made sinners, so by Adam, the many were made sinners, so by Adam, the many were made sinners, so by one man's obedience, one man's obedience, one man's obedience, that's Christ's, the many will be made that's Christ's, the many will be made that's Christ's, the many will be made righteous.

righteous. righteous. So grace appears in Jesus Christ. And So grace appears in Jesus Christ. And So grace appears in Jesus Christ. And what does it do for us? what does it do for us? what does it do for us? Oh, this is important. Listen carefully. Oh, this is important. Listen carefully. Oh, this is important. Listen carefully. What does the grace of God do for us What does the grace of God do for us What does the grace of God do for us when it appears in Jesus Christ 2,000 when it appears in Jesus Christ 2,000 when it appears in Jesus Christ 2,000 years ago as a Jewish rabbi in Israel? years ago as a Jewish rabbi in Israel? years ago as a Jewish rabbi in Israel? One of the things, the thing focused on One of the things, the thing focused on One of the things, the thing focused on here is that it enables him to perfectly here is that it enables him to perfectly here is that it enables him to perfectly keep the law. keep the law. keep the law. He never sins. His obedience is [snorts] He never sins. His obedience is [snorts] He never sins. His obedience is [snorts] flawless from the inception, conception flawless from the inception, conception flawless from the inception, conception in his mother's womb forever. Jesus in his mother's womb forever. Jesus in his mother's womb forever. Jesus never sins. And Paul And Paul says says says that relates to you. He did that for that relates to you. He did that for that relates to you. He did that for you. You see that in verse 19. So by one you. You see that in verse 19. So by one you. You see that in verse 19. So by one man's obedience, man's obedience, man's obedience, many many many will be made righteous.

will be made righteous. will be made righteous. Now, I got to pause here and stress Now, I got to pause here and stress Now, I got to pause here and stress something. something. something. This is This is This is the gospel. It's not the only way to the gospel. It's not the only way to the gospel. It's not the only way to talk about the gospel. It's just the way talk about the gospel. It's just the way talk about the gospel. It's just the way Paul's talking about it here. Our job as Paul's talking about it here. Our job as Paul's talking about it here. Our job as believers believers believers among many other jobs but ultimately is among many other jobs but ultimately is among many other jobs but ultimately is to spread the gospel to everybody who to spread the gospel to everybody who to spread the gospel to everybody who doesn't know the gospel all the people doesn't know the gospel all the people doesn't know the gospel all the people groups of the world. This is called groups of the world. This is called groups of the world. This is called missions if you cross cultures missions if you cross cultures missions if you cross cultures to try to get the news to them. Now to try to get the news to them. Now to try to get the news to them. Now what's the news? Now, the reason I'm what's the news? Now, the reason I'm what's the news? Now, the reason I'm asking this is because so many people asking this is because so many people asking this is because so many people make missions so complicated. Endless make missions so complicated. Endless make missions so complicated. Endless discussions of contextualization and way discussions of contextualization and way discussions of contextualization and way over the top in my judgment on some of over the top in my judgment on some of over the top in my judgment on some of them. Now, picture this way of thinking them. Now, picture this way of thinking them. Now, picture this way of thinking about the gospel. The first thing we see about the gospel. The first thing we see about the gospel. The first thing we see here is that it is universally and here is that it is universally and here is that it is universally and absolutely relevant for every human absolutely relevant for every human absolutely relevant for every human being on the planet. No exceptions with being on the planet. No exceptions with being on the planet. No exceptions with barely any contextualization.

There was an Adam. You say to somebody There was an Adam. You say to somebody who doesn't know what is Adam? The very who doesn't know what is Adam? The very who doesn't know what is Adam? The very first human being. You are a descendant first human being. You are a descendant first human being. You are a descendant from him. He sinned. You're dead because from him. He sinned. You're dead because from him. He sinned. You're dead because of his sins. of his sins. of his sins. That is understandable. You may not That is understandable. You may not That is understandable. You may not agree with it, but you can say as a agree with it, but you can say as a agree with it, but you can say as a human, you're inherited that. The reason human, you're inherited that. The reason human, you're inherited that. The reason you die is because he sinned. You're a you die is because he sinned. You're a you die is because he sinned. You're a sinner. You're all gonna die. Second sinner. You're all gonna die. Second sinner. You're all gonna die. Second stage in the gospel presentation. The stage in the gospel presentation. The stage in the gospel presentation. The son of God is like that Adam. He came to son of God is like that Adam. He came to son of God is like that Adam. He came to start a new humanity by rescuing people start a new humanity by rescuing people start a new humanity by rescuing people from this old humanity. And he came into from this old humanity. And he came into from this old humanity. And he came into the world and he never sinned like your the world and he never sinned like your the world and he never sinned like your and my forefather sin. Never. Perfect and my forefather sin. Never. Perfect and my forefather sin. Never. Perfect obedience. [snorts] We will one day obedience. [snorts] We will one day obedience. [snorts] We will one day stand with him before an infinitely holy stand with him before an infinitely holy stand with him before an infinitely holy God to face him because we've all God to face him because we've all God to face him because we've all sinned. His righteousness was performed sinned. His righteousness was performed sinned. His righteousness was performed in order that you might be counted as in order that you might be counted as in order that you might be counted as obedient and righteous and perfect obedient and righteous and perfect obedient and righteous and perfect through faith in him. So just as you through faith in him. So just as you through faith in him. So just as you were united to Adam and died because of were united to Adam and died because of were united to Adam and died because of his sin, you may be united to Christ and his sin, you may be united to Christ and his sin, you may be united to Christ and live because of his obedience.

live because of his obedience. live because of his obedience. That word That word That word must be told must be told must be told everywhere everywhere everywhere with barely any contextualization. with barely any contextualization. with barely any contextualization. Got to learn the language. Man, Got to learn the language. Man, Got to learn the language. Man, father father father origin. origin. origin. It'll blow their world view out of the It'll blow their world view out of the It'll blow their world view out of the water. Of course, just like it blows water. Of course, just like it blows water. Of course, just like it blows your world view out of the water. You your world view out of the water. You your world view out of the water. You think, well, we white folks, think, well, we white folks, think, well, we white folks, Americans been here 300 years and Americans been here 300 years and Americans been here 300 years and absorbed Puritanism that we got the absorbed Puritanism that we got the absorbed Puritanism that we got the world view figured out. Our our brain world view figured out. Our our brain world view figured out. Our our brain set in America just fits perfectly with set in America just fits perfectly with set in America just fits perfectly with this book. It's just like a hat this book. It's just like a hat this book. It's just like a hat wrong. This book blows American brains wrong. This book blows American brains wrong. This book blows American brains and every other culture. and every other culture. and every other culture. And our job is to say it And our job is to say it And our job is to say it because every human being you meet is in because every human being you meet is in because every human being you meet is in chapter 5. Your family is in chapter 5. chapter 5. Your family is in chapter 5. chapter 5. Your family is in chapter 5. Your kids are in chapter 5. Your Your kids are in chapter 5. Your Your kids are in chapter 5. Your parents, your colleagues at work are in parents, your colleagues at work are in parents, your colleagues at work are in chapter 5. Every human you see on the chapter 5. Every human you see on the chapter 5. Every human you see on the street is in chapter 5. And the same street is in chapter 5. And the same street is in chapter 5. And the same truth is true about every one of them.

truth is true about every one of them. truth is true about every one of them. And the same gospel applies to every one And the same gospel applies to every one And the same gospel applies to every one of them. And it isn't complicated. It's of them. And it isn't complicated. It's of them. And it isn't complicated. It's just mind-blowing. superiority number one, abundance of superiority number one, abundance of grace. Superiority number two of this grace. Superiority number two of this grace. Superiority number two of this great Christ is perfect obedience great Christ is perfect obedience great Christ is perfect obedience performed on our behalf. And finally, performed on our behalf. And finally, performed on our behalf. And finally, superiority number three is the reign superiority number three is the reign superiority number three is the reign re-en re-en re-en the reign of life, the triumph of life, the reign of life, the triumph of life, the reign of life, the triumph of life, the sovereignty of life. Verse 21. the sovereignty of life. Verse 21. the sovereignty of life. Verse 21. So that as sin reigned in death, So that as sin reigned in death, So that as sin reigned in death, grace grace grace might reign through righteousness. So might reign through righteousness. So might reign through righteousness. So there are first two points, grace and there are first two points, grace and there are first two points, grace and righteousness. righteousness. righteousness. And now the third leading to eternal And now the third leading to eternal And now the third leading to eternal life. All of it through Jesus Christ our life. All of it through Jesus Christ our life. All of it through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Death flows from Adam. Life flows from Death flows from Adam. Life flows from Christ. Christ. Christ. Death flowed because of sin. Life flows Death flowed because of sin. Life flows Death flowed because of sin. Life flows because of righteousness. You're not because of righteousness. You're not because of righteousness. You're not righteous. righteous. righteous. And so you're dead. Unless And so you're dead. Unless And so you're dead. Unless there can become there can become there can become a connection, a union with perfect a connection, a union with perfect a connection, a union with perfect righteousness. righteousness. righteousness. This is called justification. When by faith we receive When by faith we receive Christ as our substitute, Christ as our substitute, Christ as our substitute, our representative our representative our representative righteousness, righteousness, righteousness, sacrifice, treasure, all that he is. sacrifice, treasure, all that he is. sacrifice, treasure, all that he is. We in him We in him We in him are are are righteous and will have eternal life. Let me close by pointing you to verse 17 Let me close by pointing you to verse 17 and asking you if you have received it and asking you if you have received it and asking you if you have received it the way this verse describes it.

the way this verse describes it. the way this verse describes it. Verse 17. For if because of one man's Verse 17. For if because of one man's Verse 17. For if because of one man's trespass, trespass, trespass, death reigned through that one man death reigned through that one man death reigned through that one man much more. much more. much more. There's that superiority of Christ There's that superiority of Christ There's that superiority of Christ again. Much more. But now watch this again. Much more. But now watch this again. Much more. But now watch this carefully. This is a question for you. carefully. This is a question for you. carefully. This is a question for you. Much more will those who receive Much more will those who receive Much more will those who receive the abundance of grace the abundance of grace the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness and the free gift of righteousness and the free gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus reign in life through the one man, Jesus reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ. Christ. Christ. So my question on God's behalf, So my question on God's behalf, So my question on God's behalf, have you received have you received have you received this grace, this obedience this life? this grace, this obedience this life? this grace, this obedience this life? It's free grace. It's free obedience It's free grace. It's free obedience It's free grace. It's free obedience performed by another, offered to you for performed by another, offered to you for performed by another, offered to you for the having the having the having and free life.

and free life. and free life. We close with a warning. In my experience [snorts] of talking In my experience [snorts] of talking with unbelievers and reading about those with unbelievers and reading about those with unbelievers and reading about those who do talk with unbelievers most who do talk with unbelievers most who do talk with unbelievers most it appears that one of the greatest it appears that one of the greatest it appears that one of the greatest obstacles for people to actually become obstacles for people to actually become obstacles for people to actually become full-blooded Christians to move from full-blooded Christians to move from full-blooded Christians to move from death to life and unbelief to belief death to life and unbelief to belief death to life and unbelief to belief from non-Christian to Christian from non-Christian to Christian from non-Christian to Christian is the thought is the thought is the thought I could never do I could never do I could never do I I could never do it. I I I can't I I could never do it. I I I can't I I could never do it. I I I can't measure up. I I can't I've read enough measure up. I I can't I've read enough measure up. I I can't I've read enough of the Bible to know supposed to love of the Bible to know supposed to love of the Bible to know supposed to love your enemies and you're supposed to uh your enemies and you're supposed to uh your enemies and you're supposed to uh put to death the deeds of the body and put to death the deeds of the body and put to death the deeds of the body and like lust and I can't. like lust and I can't. like lust and I can't. And that keeps millions of people from And that keeps millions of people from And that keeps millions of people from being saved. And here's the the reason being saved. And here's the the reason being saved. And here's the the reason that's a satanic lie.

that's a satanic lie. that's a satanic lie. The gospel is set up in a way by God The gospel is set up in a way by God The gospel is set up in a way by God to remove that objection. to remove that objection. to remove that objection. God has come into the world and set up a God has come into the world and set up a God has come into the world and set up a gospel that says gospel that says gospel that says you don't get yourself ready at all for you don't get yourself ready at all for you don't get yourself ready at all for salvation. Anybody that thinks I got to clean up my Anybody that thinks I got to clean up my act. You don't know what I did last act. You don't know what I did last act. You don't know what I did last night. night. night. God does God does God does and it's irrelevant. We are saved We are saved by an alien obedience performed by by an alien obedience performed by by an alien obedience performed by Christ Christ Christ counted as ours counted as ours counted as ours by receiving it. And receiving, that's by receiving it. And receiving, that's by receiving it. And receiving, that's another word for faith. Receiving is another word for faith. Receiving is another word for faith. Receiving is saying, "I can't. And I'm wicked and I'm saying, "I can't. And I'm wicked and I'm saying, "I can't. And I'm wicked and I'm dirty. And if you touch me, Jesus, dirty. And if you touch me, Jesus, dirty. And if you touch me, Jesus, you're going to get dirty. you're going to get dirty. you're going to get dirty. And faith says, "But if you're coming And faith says, "But if you're coming And faith says, "But if you're coming with grace and with obedience and with with grace and with obedience and with with grace and with obedience and with life, life, life, I want it. I'll receive it. I'll bank on I want it. I'll receive it. I'll bank on I want it. I'll receive it. I'll bank on it. I'll rest in it."

it. I'll rest in it." it. I'll rest in it." At that point, At that point, At that point, you are saved. you are saved. you are saved. You are counted righteous. You are a You are counted righteous. You are a You are counted righteous. You are a child of God forever. child of God forever. child of God forever. And because you're righteous in Christ, And because you're righteous in Christ, And because you're righteous in Christ, the wrath of God is removed. And when the wrath of God is removed. And when the wrath of God is removed. And when the wrath of God is removed, guess what the wrath of God is removed, guess what the wrath of God is removed, guess what happens? He is totally for you happens? He is totally for you happens? He is totally for you and will move into your life by the Holy and will move into your life by the Holy and will move into your life by the Holy Spirit and begin to help you conquer Spirit and begin to help you conquer Spirit and begin to help you conquer some of that junk you thought you had to some of that junk you thought you had to some of that junk you thought you had to get rid of before you believed. I hope you heard that because if you get I hope you heard that because if you get it backwards, [snorts] you'll never be it backwards, [snorts] you'll never be it backwards, [snorts] you'll never be saved. saved. saved. you'll become a fake legalistic you'll become a fake legalistic you'll become a fake legalistic Christian or you'll stay an unbeliever. Christian or you'll stay an unbeliever. Christian or you'll stay an unbeliever. But if you turn it around and get it But if you turn it around and get it But if you turn it around and get it right, grace, obedience, and life were right, grace, obedience, and life were right, grace, obedience, and life were wrought for you in Jesus. You don't work wrought for you in Jesus. You don't work wrought for you in Jesus. You don't work it. He did it. And then you receive him.

it. He did it. And then you receive him. it. He did it. And then you receive him. And that union by faith alone. Faith And that union by faith alone. Faith And that union by faith alone. Faith alone. The great reformation alone. The great reformation alone. The great reformation herald. Faith alone herald. Faith alone herald. Faith alone makes you one with him. His obedience is makes you one with him. His obedience is makes you one with him. His obedience is yours. His grace is yours. His life is yours. His grace is yours. His life is yours. His grace is yours. His life is yours. And now his spirit will be yours. yours. And now his spirit will be yours. yours. And now his spirit will be yours. And little by little we stumble toward And little by little we stumble toward And little by little we stumble toward heaven together. heaven together. heaven together. Let's pray. Oh God, we love the gospel. We love Oh God, we love the gospel. We love Christ. We love grace. We love his Christ. We love grace. We love his Christ. We love grace. We love his obedience and our stumbling arrival of obedience and our stumbling arrival of obedience and our stumbling arrival of obedience. obedience. obedience. And we love life. And we love life. And we love life. And I pray now that as we close, you And I pray now that as we close, you And I pray now that as we close, you would grant help to us to believe would grant help to us to believe would grant help to us to believe and that you would make our worldview and that you would make our worldview and that you would make our worldview not wimpy but strong and deeply rooted.

not wimpy but strong and deeply rooted. not wimpy but strong and deeply rooted. Put fiber in the spine of our faith Put fiber in the spine of our faith Put fiber in the spine of our faith and make us able to stand in the evil and make us able to stand in the evil and make us able to stand in the evil day. day. day. 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 Kruever. On our next episode, John Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Dan Kruever. On our next episode, John Piper continues our 13-part series, The Piper continues our 13-part series, The Piper continues our 13-part series, The God Who Orders Evil, with a message God Who Orders Evil, with a message God Who Orders Evil, with a message [music] titled Scattered Nations, United [music] titled Scattered Nations, United [music] titled Scattered Nations, United Praise. I hope you'll join us. For more Praise. I hope you'll join us. For more Praise. I hope you'll join us. For more resources, [music] visit desiring.org.