Ask Pastor John

The differences between male and female are not obstacles to overcome or facts to ignore. They are distinct glories that God calls “very good.”

If we want to follow Jesus, we will need to give up more than just sins. We will also need to give up everything that dulls our hearts for him.

How can children who come from dysfunctional or abusive families begin to embrace the perfect fatherhood of God?

Why might God allow his children to endure years, or even decades, of unremitting suffering? How does such chronic pain bring him glory?

The deepest cure for lust never comes from strategies or accountability. The deepest cure comes from seeing the soul-staggering grandeur of God.

Joy isn’t just a nice byproduct of the Christian life, but an essential part of it. From propitiation to glorification, joy animates our life in Christ.

Christ’s resurrection secures our future hope that we too will rise one day. In the meantime, it also grants us spiritual power for everyday life.

Everything good in the Christian life grows in the soil of rich, deep, and happy humility.

The cross of Christ accomplished everything we need to glorify God by being eternally happy in him. But is there anything the cross didn’t accomplish?

When you have the privilege of caring for dying people, how can you minister to their souls in addition to meeting their physical needs?

Forgiveness, justification, adoption, and eternal life are all a means to something even greater: enjoying God himself.

Christians rest on Jesus not only for justification, but also for sanctification. Both are blood bought. Both are certain.

If I feel called to missions, should I be open to dating a Christian who doesn’t share the same calling?

God determines the direction of history down to the smallest detail. But what is his ultimate goal in all his providence?

God is the most important and most valuable reality in the entire universe. Who has he revealed himself to be?

Before we can ask who God is, we need to know where to find the answer. Where can we go to learn the truth about who God reveals himself to be?

God’s providence isn’t an obstacle to evangelism and missions. It is, instead, our only hope to see the good news of the gospel reach all nations.

We dishonor God when we love the gifts more than the Giver. But we also dishonor him when we forget all the gifts he has given.

John Piper’s newest book, ‘Providence,’ celebrates the all-embracing, all-pervasive, invincible providence of God.

If Jesus knew that Judas would betray him in the end, why did Jesus choose Judas as a disciple to begin with?

The doctrine of God’s all-governing providence is not a problem for our prayers. It is our only hope for our prayers coming to pass.

Where is God when I face life-changing consequences for my sin? Can he really work for my good, even in a punishment as severe as prison?

Can we pursue our own dreams while also obeying God? Or do we need to give up our dreams in order to follow what Jesus is really calling us to?

Joyful faith in the all-governing providence of God immunizes us against false teaching that exalts man and detracts from the glory due to God alone.

The question “Who wrote the Bible?” has a double answer: God and man. Humans held the quill, but God ultimately inspired their words.

When life just doesn’t seem to make sense, or even when it seems void of any meaning at all, what can help us to know our purpose again?

God’s providence not only governs all things, but it gives us hope in our suffering. We can trust that our all-good God will turn every sorrow to joy.

Jesus commands the church not only to make disciples, but also to baptize them. But why is baptism so important?

What can Christian parents do if they discover that one of their children is living in serious sexual sin? Pastor John offers counsel on where to begin.

God’s all-pervasive providence is the key that unlocks enduring patience. He is always working more good than we can ever see.

Peter tells us that a husband’s prayers are hindered if he dishonors his wife. Is this just a marriage principle, or does sin always obstruct our prayers?

Does the presence or absence of happiness say anything about us morally, or is happiness simply a nonmoral state of affairs?

In a culture filled with silliness and superficiality, seeing and savoring the providence of God protects our hearts from trifling with divine things.

Pornography distorts our souls. But with the transformation of the Holy Spirit and a hard, honest fight, there is still hope for godly intimacy in marriage.

Social media feeds are often infernos of insults and anger. How can Christians engage online in ways that make much of Christ?

Even the tiniest details of history move forward under the providential care of our sovereign, all-good God. Nothing is random. Nothing is meaningless.

If God doesn’t need anything in this world in order to be who he is, then why did he create the world at all?

God has given us a high and holy calling in Christ. But can a Christian ever be too hard on himself as he strives to live up to that calling?

Seeing and savoring God’s providence in our redemption fills us with wonder and trembling joy. We owe everything to his grace.

Christian citizenship expands far beyond the country on our passport. We share a citizenship with those from every nation who call upon the name of Jesus.

Is listening to the Bible just as good as reading it? Or do we risk missing something if our Bible intake comes mainly through listening?

When we see and savor the providence of God, lukewarm worship gives way to wonder, awe, and holy reverence before our majestic God.

Faithful pastors long to see their churches grow up in faith, hope, and love. So, how does a pastor bear with those who seem to be going backward?

The Bible instructs believers to examine themselves, but does it tell us to what extent or how often we should question our salvation?

What difference does seeing and savoring the providence of God make? Pastor John explains why providence overflows with practical implications.

Several vaccines in current use are developed from the cells of aborted babies. Can Christians use these vaccines in good conscience?

Regular, disciplined Bible intake is not optional for God’s people. It is God’s plan for preserving us and bringing us safely to glory.

At the end of another year, Pastor John reflects on 2020, the world of Ephesians, and the need for a new tidal wave of God-centered teaching.

In the Gospels, Jesus repeatedly tells people to follow him. But why doesn’t that call ring out in the rest of the New Testament?

Christmas offers an opportunity to look upon the incarnation with fresh amazement. But does the timing of our celebration just reflect pagan tradition?