Ask Pastor John

Will Christians be raptured before the tribulation? Or will we rise to meet the Lord only at his final coming?

We often say that our dead loved ones are with Jesus now. But Paul seems to say that Christians will meet Jesus at the second coming. Which is right?

Colossians 1:20 says that Christ will reconcile “all things” to himself. Does that include demons and unbelievers?

Gift giving, done rightly, doesn’t distract from the meaning of Christmas. Pastor John puts Christmas gifts in biblical context.

If we think Christ cannot compete with Santa in the hearts of our children, we don’t know the real Christ.

When we say “Jesus Christ,” we should be thinking “Jesus the Messiah”: the promised Priest, King, and Prophet, the one God anointed to redeem us.

When the prognosis is an early death, how can we live in a courageous manner that honors God and refuses to be jaded toward him?

What do you say when a professing Christian is ready to embrace the gay lifestyle? Pastor John offers a place to start.

Instead of seeing introversion as a fatalistic limitation, ask, “How can I make my peculiar personality bent a means of grace to others?”

Why did Pastor John name his book and ministry “Desiring God” instead of “Enjoying God,” “Delighting in God,” or “Rejoicing in God”?

What will happen to Christian Hedonism in generations to come? Pastor John shares eight dangers for young Christian Hedonists.

Christian Hedonism does not revise Reformed theology. Rather, it clarifies one of the central assumptions of Reformed theology.

Is there an alternative between empty, duty-driven worship and spontaneous, joyful worship? Pastor John gives six marks of a middle way.

We all want to know we are making the right decisions. To decide wisely, do we need to hear from God beyond what he has already written?

All of us experience harassing thoughts. Where do these thoughts come from? And how do we respond?

This podcast could bring life and joy, or it could be a deadly weapon in the enemy’s hands. Pastor John explains how not to use Ask Pastor John.

Does our obedience or our joy come first? Pastor John explains that joy-driven obedience is the only obedience worth pursuing.

Our greatest hope in prayer is not getting what we asked for, but rather in the goodness of our Father, who always gives what is best for his children.

Our past sexual sin is not beyond the reach of God’s forgiveness — unless we don’t give it up. It’s not too late to turn and receive God’s mercy.

What was Jesus commending in the parable of the dishonest manager, and what are the implications for Christians today?

God designs all our weaknesses — even those that leave us unable to do anything. And one of his purposes in our weaknesses is to sanctify the strong.

God designed us as male and female for his glory. And he intends for us to reflect him in every relationship, not just marriage.

What does it mean to be united to Christ? Pastor John shows how we can begin to mine the riches of this doctrine from Scripture.

Gambling your money — whether at a slot machine or with your fantasy team — is not just unwise. It is sin. Pastor John gives seven reasons why.

When the teenage years come, we get to teach our kids how to move from reading the Bible to studying it. Here are seven places to start.

How do we approach the deathbeds of professing Christians whose faith we are not sure is real? Pastor John offers four ways to love them.

Treasuring Christ is a key ingredient to saving faith. But what if you don’t remember treasuring him when you were converted?

A premarital pregnancy means a couple has chosen sin over God. But it doesn’t mean they need to continue to make that choice.

God clearly calls believers to marry only believers. But does a premarital pregnancy introduce an exception?

In general, Pastor John avoids talking about politics, breaking news, and hot trends. Why doesn’t he address such cultural issues more often?

God does not require any of us to keep a journal. But journaling may help some of us see Christ, love Christ, and become like Christ.

At what point, if any, does depression or joylessness disqualify a pastor from ministry? Pastor John gives several factors to consider.

Many of us spend our days running around with few breaks. So how do we repent of our sins when we find it hard to pause even for a moment?

How does our passion for happiness fit with God’s passion for glory? Pastor John lived with this tension for years, until he found Christian Hedonism.

Should we focus on fighting against our sin? Or should we focus on fighting for pleasure in God, which will in turn kill our sin?

Should we lift our hands during musical worship, or keep them in our pockets? Pastor John shares some principles from Scripture and his own experience.

What can parents do to protect their children from pornography? Pastor John shares eleven ways to guard our families.

If my funding dries up, is this God’s sign that I should leave the mission field? Pastor John suggests three ways to interpret a lack of funding.

When good happens in society — a government is fixed, slavery is abolished, or minorities are given equality — is God secretly at work?

Whether we attend the wedding of a couple living together or decide to stay home, we are saying something. So what exactly should we say?

Children don’t need to use the label “Christian Hedonism,” but parents can help them grasp what it means to be happy in God.

Peace and calm are not the only factors in determining what we should do. Pastor John explains what else should govern our decisions.

How do Christians know which Old Testament laws apply to them? Pastor John explains five ways Jesus shapes our approach to the Old Testament.

When God consistently answers prayers with “no,” many of us wonder if our faith is the problem. So what role does faith play in unanswered prayers?

God promises hope to the downcast, fullness of life to the broken, and joy to the depressed. Here are five passages to turn to when darkness falls.

R.C. Sproul went home to be with the Lord on December 14, 2017. Burk Parsons shares what it’s like to live and minister without him.

Pastors are not merely teachers or lecturers. They are shepherds to needy sheep. Burk Parsons describes the kind of sermons a shepherd should give.

If Christ is not our supreme treasure, something else will gladly take his place. So how do we preserve our joy in God through the day?

Millions of books compete for our attention, but only a fraction of them are worth reading. So where do we start when trying to grow our library?

How do people not waste their lives if a chronic illness has stolen their strengths, taken their time, and put them in bed all day?