Ask Pastor John

Don’t delight in delight, glorify God by rejoicing in him, and three more safeguards against idolizing joy for Christian Hedonists.

Jesus surpasses whatever good the world has to offer. So rather than worship those good things, disciples of Jesus receive them as gifts.

Some tire of listening to sermons, as though they were lectures. But a preacher is not a professor, but a herald of God, proclaiming the good news to the church.

God’s sovereign working in the gospel assures his people that no hardship is wasted and no wrongdoing will slip by unnoticed. He will settle every account.

God’s joy in himself bears up his self-sufficient, sovereign work in the world. Pastor John unpacks God’s infinite, trinitarian joy.

Christians celebrate interracial marriage, but black-white marriage especially touches sensitive cultural nerves. Pastor John identifies five of them.

In light of two regrettable tweets, Pastor John shares the lessons he learned about how, when, and where to speak online.

When catastrophes hit, pastors should lead their churches toward a healthy response — filled with mourning and worship.

While God calls us to spend most of our time in the thick of regular life and ministry, occasional retreats are good for refreshing the soul.

Pastor John reflects on his move to Tennessee — both his motives for moving and the projects he hopes to accomplish while living there.

Eternal life is sure for the bride of Christ. But prayers and exhortations of Christian community may be the very means God uses to preserve his people.

Pastor John encourages Christian loners — even those who have been hurt by the church — to pursue God in Christ-exalting friendships.

Our affections move us to not only eat, but savor; not only avoid what is evil, but despise it; not only sing by rote, but worship God with delight.

Pastor John shares his personal list of influencers — people who contributed significantly to shaping his mind.

The one gospel does two things: It feeds the saints week by week and it calls unbelievers to repent and believe in Jesus for salvation.

If God is absent, life is meaningless; if he is helpless, we have no hope. But if he is sovereign, he works even evil for the good of his children.

If no single evil act falls outside of God’s control, how can God be completely good?

God may choose to extend the influence of a pastor beyond the church doors, but his call remains the same: Faithfully feed your flock.

A born-again person cannot be unborn again. If God has called you by name, he is faithful to keep you until the end.

If the promise in Jeremiah 29:11 was made to exiles in Babylon, what business do Christians have claiming it for themselves?

In their friendships with non-Christians, are believers loving and transforming, or conforming and being transformed?

What three books would you want with you if you were stranded on a desert island? Pastor John shares his three picks.

God does not restrict believers from marrying someone with a different skin color. He only requires that they be a Christ-follower.

If you feel tempted to cuss, ask, “Is it going to build this person up? Will it make them stronger? Will it make Christ more beautiful in their eyes?”

God does not intend for us to forget about our earthly lives when we enter heaven. We will be singing about the trophies of his grace for all eternity.

A local pastor does not need to compete with Tim Keller, John Piper, and Matt Chandler. He simply needs to faithfully expound the Bible to his people.

The internet has flooded believers with solid biblical content. But it can never replace a pastor whom God has called to shepherd a local church.

In this special edition, John Piper explains the meaning and motive of his poem, “Grace Forfeited.”

Although more people will abandon and defile the truth as the end approaches, God may still bring a mighty outpouring of his grace before Christ returns.

God will condemn homosexual practice just as he does thievery and greed. All our broken desires deserve God’s wrath as their punishment.

When death draws near, God’s word assures believers that God will not withhold any good from them, even when it feels they are losing so much.

Moms, don’t assume that only dad can show their son what it means to be a man. Moms have a unique role in helping sons grasp manhood.

Faculty matters more than buildings when you are deciding what seminary to attend. You need to find a place where everyone cherishes the Bible.

Lewis has helped Pastor John shape what he calls Christian Hedonism, but does he believe that C.S. Lewis was himself a Christian Hedonist?

C.S. Lewis can help us see the beauty of the creation around us because he knew that this beauty points us to the more satisfying Creator.

C.S. Lewis build conceptual categories for John Piper. Jonathan Edwards set the content on fire with Bible.

God’s sovereign ability to stop tragedies never undoes our calling to weep with those who weep, to help however we can, and to lament the evil in it all.

Couples often set physical boundaries, but overlook the spiritual and emotional lines we cross in relationships. How, then, can we guard ourselves from going too far before marriage?

Lewis awakened a teenage pastor John to the wonder of the world. He taught him that rigorous logic and romantic language can go together.

C.S. Lewis has made a lasting impact on pastor John because of his ability to be lucid, logical, illuminating, large-hearted, and joyfully longing.

C.S. Lewis’s writing has continued to affect millions today, but should we ever host an entire Christian conference focused on a person other than Christ?

The Bible calls believers to give to the one who begs, but how can we obey this commandment without being ripped off or feeding someone’s bad habits?

Hard work is not a consequence of the fall, but a gift. If we are going to fight laziness, we need to develop a good theology of work.

Christians and Jehovah’s Witnesses have major differences that we can’t ignore when they visit. But how can you love them well if you don’t have time to debate?

Marijuana continues to become legal in more and more states. As the drug becomes more common, how should we think about it from a biblical worldview?

Anyone can use their power to command others, but there is a unique greatness and power found in those who chose to serve through Christ.

As Pastor John preached his farewell sermon, he wanted to point Bethlehem to the great shepherd who would be with them long after he was gone.

Because teachers have been given more, God will hold them more accountable. He will judge them on how they used the opportunity they were given.

God designed sex to bring joy, and he reserved this gift for marriage. How can we guard ourselves to avoid awakening sexual feelings outside marriage?

Fasting only adds to our hunger for God. Through fasting, we put our stomach where our hearts are to give added intensity to our ache for Jesus.