Ask Pastor John

Psalm 73 declares that God’s people desire nothing on earth besides God. Why then was it “not good” that Adam was alone with God?

If you feel any measure of fear of judgment, or horror for your sin, turn to Jesus and repent — it’s not too late.

God still speaks today through his living, active word. All other revelation must be tested against Scripture (and hopefully alongside wise believers).

Christians are like farmers who, in reading God’s word, tend their gardens day by day, even when the fruit is not yet visible.

Marriage is a lifelong, God-wrought covenant. God did not create it to break — even when one partner goes back on their vows by viewing pornography.

Pastor John explains how complaining not only diminishes the light of God’s power and goodness, but also the light of his reward for his children.

Complaining snuffs out the light that believers hold — the light of God’s goodness, his power, and his wisdom in the midst of a dark world.

Some psalms relate to specific events in the life of David or Israel, so how should Christians take the promises in those psalms?

Pastor John identifies some of the reasons why evangelicals go to the Catholic Church, along with some of the issues with Catholic teaching.

Pastor John discusses the similarities and differences between the Holocaust and abortion, ending with this certainty: God will settle every account.

Gossip springs up from a proud and negative heart that hides beneath a veneer of concern and love.

Pastor John shares the story of his testimony. He can’t remember it, yet it is still amazing.

The word “legalism” is not found in the Bible. So what do people mean when they contrast legalism with the gospel?

God equips women to minister mightily in this world. Pastor John clarifies 1 Timothy 2 and calls women to endless possibilities.

Pastor John examines how God can both remember and forget sins according to what will work the most for our good.

It is difficult, even strange, to turn workplace conversations from football and fashion to the gospel. How then should believers approach evangelism at work?

Sin defaces the image of God, but it doesn’t destroy it. Pastor John explains what it means to be made in the image of God in this age of redemption.

The jealousy of God is both righteous and loving; often, our jealousy is sinful and selfish. How can Christians distinguish these jealousies?

Envy rises up out of a resentful, discontent hearts. Therefore, trust in God’s goodness is the believer’s secret weapon in the battle against envy.

The Holy Spirit testifies that believers are God’s children by working good fruit in their lives and a cry in their hearts: “Father! Lord!”

Behind sexual scenes in entertainment swirls a sea of lust, adultery, and hate — sexual sin that killed Jesus, and that Jesus died to kill.

The four steps of biblical discipline are designed to keep the church holy and pure while it loves the unrepentant back to Jesus.

Pastor John defines selfishness and discusses the holy pursuit for joy in prayers.

Pastor John talks about God’s plan to take his glory to the nations, the spreading of his name.

Self-satisfied hearts that don’t see their desperate need for the all-satisfying Christ are the seedbed for lukewarm Christianity.

Many of us marry with little idea of the gifts and hardships ahead. So what would Pastor John tell his newly married self?

Work, play, and sleep like a Calvinist — outproduce, outplay, and outdream everyone by trusting in your sovereign God.

Pastor John shares eight practical counsels to avoid ministry burnout, starting with, “Love what you do.”

When a lie would win approval and favor from others, a Christian’s truth-telling hinges on contentment in the approval and favor of God.

If we don’t understand that God finds us hateful and loathsome in our sin, we won’t be as stunned by the depth of his love for us.

Believers know their own sin all too well. How can they know they are saved? Pastor John offers encouragement for those struggling with assurance.

Though a great thinker, Jonathan Edwards was blind on the issue of slavery. Pastor John offers five sobering responses to those who read him.

The Bible accommodates strong, godly emotions, but how do we know when godly anger or discouragement has become sinful?

Pastor John explains how God actually does make much of us, so that we might make much of him.

How can Christians pursue a childlike faith while growing mature in their thinking like the Bible commands?

In this special episode of APJ, Pastor John weighs into the non-guilty verdict of George Zimmerman.

Although God loves his people with a special, electing love, he loves all people by freely offering his Son for them to receive.

God delights in all of his works in the grand scope of God’s redemptive plan. But in the day-to-day sins and struggles of his image-bearers, God grieves.

The heart of evil lies in its desire for other things above God. When evil looks out at all that is, it chooses creation over Creator.

By memorizing and reciting Scripture before others, believers become emissaries of grace who make mundane moments explode with significance.

Pastor John walks through Psalm 107 to call Christians who have sinned grievously and foolishly to cry out to the God of steadfast, enduring love.

Properly attributing people's work is a matter of honesty. God wants us to give credit where it's due.

Delight in God as most admirable. Delight in God as Savior and friend. Delight in God through his gifts. And you will delight yourself in the Lord.

If you struggle in your Bible reading, Pastor John commends copying down the Scriptures each day and gives four reasons why.

Spontaneous and memorized prayers teach families important aspects of a real, dynamic relationship with God.

God’s people are Christians before they are patriots, but they still work for the good of their homelands.

Prayers at meals, even when we don't feel like making them, form soul-nourishing habits of joy that can pass from generation to generation.

Food and sex easily turn from gifts into gods. Pastor John encourages believers to dethrone false gods by thanking the true God for his gifts.

Porn ravages souls. Porn demeans women. Porn destroys love. So should porn use be a marriage deal-breaker?

Christian hedonism does not ignore pain for the sake of joy. Rather, it exclaims that God is satisfying enough to give you joy in the midst of pain.