Light + Truth

What is Christ’s work of purification? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Malachi to show how purity is the purpose of Christ’s coming.

What difference should it make to us that God keeps his promises? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Micah for a closer look at the God who keeps his word.

How did the writers of Scripture understand the unfolding nature of God’s plan to save? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper explores the Old Testament book of Zechariah as one example.

How can God’s promise of glory encourage us in the smallness of our lives? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Haggai for an encouraging word from this prophetic book.

How does God’s compassion overcome human resistance? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Jonah 2 to show how mercy conquered the prophet.

How should God’s sovereignty stabilize our hearts when the world seems out of control? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Obadiah to help us find rest by faith.

What does it mean that the just shall live by faith? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Habakkuk to unpack the heart of the gospel.

How do we prepare to meet the holy God who judges sin? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens the book of Amos to show how we can be ready to face the final judgment.

How do we move out from under God’s judgment and into God’s eternal joy? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Zephaniah 3:14–17 to encourage us with amazing grace.

What is God’s purpose in executing justice and showing mercy in the world? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens the book of Joel to look at why God does all that he does.

Does God really delight in doing us good? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Luke 12:32 to explore the pleasure God takes in his children.

Why would God delight in ordinary lives like ours? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Proverbs 11:1 to show why God finds pleasure in righteous living in the nonreligious areas of life.

Why is God’s delight in our obedience good news? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 1 Samuel 15:22–23 to show how God takes pleasure in our glad efforts to obey him.

Why is God delighted when we pray? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Proverbs 15:8 to show how our prayerful dependence magnifies the glory of God’s wealth.

Why does God delight in people who hope in him? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Psalm 147:10–11 to show how our dependence magnifies his infinite worth and power.

Why did God delight in bruising his Son? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks to Isaiah 53:10 for Scripture’s profound answer to a challenging question.

Why does God delight in loving you? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Zephaniah 3:17 to reveal why God sings over the redeemed with great joy.

Why did God choose you? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Deuteronomy 10:14–15 for a look at the foundational reason.

Why is God’s delight in his own name the foundation for his delight in us? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to 1 Samuel 12:22 to show how God’s commitment to his own glory is our confidence.

Why should it matter to us that God delights in his creation? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Psalm 104:31 to show how God’s joy in what he has made overflows into our lives.

What difference does it make that God does whatever he pleases? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Psalm 135:6 to look at God’s delight in all that he does.

Why is it important that God eternally delights in his Son? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Matthew 17:5 to show how this joy is the very foundation of our salvation.

Why is the pursuit of joy such a serious matter? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper explores the wonder of C.S. Lewis’s conception of eternal joy.

What’s the relationship between objective truth and the experience of joy? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks to the life of C.S. Lewis to show where true joy is found.

What can we, as Christians, learn from C.S. Lewis? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper explores what the storyteller has to teach us.

How does God’s sovereign grace rescue us from the sin we inherited from Adam? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens John 3:31–36 to show how Jesus changed everything.

Why did people leave John the Baptist for Jesus? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to John 3:22–30 to show what drew them away.

What is it that filled John the Baptist with such joy towards the end of his short life? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens John 3:22–30 for a look at the source of John the Baptist’s surprising happiness.

In Jesus, the light of God has broken into the darkness and split our world in two. In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks to John 3:16–21 to show how God’s light divides humanity.

When someone does not believe the gospel, why is that? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to John 3:16–21 to examine the reality of unbelief.

What is God’s covenant love for you as his child? In this episode of Light + Truth, beginning with John 3:16, John Piper looks at the wonderful love of the Father for those he has adopted in Christ.

How do we come to know Jesus as the great quencher of our soul’s thirst? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper takes us to John 3:16 to glory in God’s provision of our satisfying Savior.

What do we mean when we say that the Spirit’s work in the new birth is irresistible? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks at John 3:1–10 to explore the beauty of this aspect of the Spirit’s sovereign work.

How does the wind help us understand how the Spirit of God works? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to John 3:1–10 for Jesus’s own explanation of the third person of the Trinity.

What does it mean to look at Jesus and live? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens John 3:1–15 to explore how Moses lifting up the serpent in the wilderness helps us understand how the death of Jesus changes us.

What is the spiritual sight of glory that saves a person? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to John 2:23–25 for a cross-centered answer to our greatest need.

How can Jesus’s infinite knowledge of us possibly be good news to us? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to John 2:23–25 to help us admire just how much Christ understands us.

Why is it good news that Jesus himself has become our new meeting place with God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks to John 2:12–22 for an answer to that thought-provoking question.

How has Christ loved the church? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens John 2:1–11 to see the lengths the Son has gone to have his bride.

What happens when the glory of Jesus is revealed through the preaching of the gospel? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to John 2:1–11 to unfold how God works through the good news.

In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 11:36 to put the glory of God on display for our satisfaction.

How does God become our treasure when we could never deserve him? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Romans 11:33–36 for a deeper look at the gospel.

What should happen in us when we are confronted with the depths of God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper expounds Romans 11:33–36 to explore how unfathomably great our God is.

How much are you currently relying on the nourishing milk of the word? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Hebrews 5:11–14 to help us understand just how much we need the Bible in order to grow to maturity.

Why is the eternality of Christ’s priesthood so important? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks at Hebrews 5:4–10 to examine the significance of Christ’s never-ending ministry on our behalf.

What gives us confidence, in the face of all our sin, that Christ is our source of eternal salvation? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Hebrews 5:4–10 to strengthen our assurance.

What does it mean for us to have a great high priest in the presence of God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Hebrews 4:14–5:3 to encourage us with the superior ministry of Jesus.

Why must we understand who Jesus is and what he’s done for us on the Bible’s terms? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks to Hebrews 4:14–5:3 for the categories Scripture provides for knowing Christ.

Why must we be diligent with the word of God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Hebrews 4:12–13 to show us how the Scriptures help us battle an unbelieving heart.

What is the future rest that God has promised his people? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper considers that coming day in Hebrews 4:1–11.

What makes our security in salvation eternal? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper tackles the question of eternal security from Hebrews 3:12–19.

What makes our union with Christ so utterly important? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Hebrews 3:7–19 to show just how dependent on him we really are.

Why does it matter that Jesus is called both the apostle and high priest of our confession? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Hebrews 3:1–6 to show how these two titles meet our two greatest needs.

Why do we desperately need to hear God’s word of mercy? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Malachi 4:4–6 to answer that question.

Why did Jesus come into the world? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper answers the most important question in the world from Malachi 4:1–3.

How do we trust the promises in the Bible when we’re worried they won’t come true? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Malachi 3:13–18 for a look at our infinitely gracious and trustworthy God.

How does our relationship to money change when we experience the infinite generosity of God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper tackles that ever-relevant question from Malachi 3:7–12.

What does it mean to trust in the purifying mercy of God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Malachi 2:17–3:6 to encourage us to trust God’s power to transform our lives.

What enables us to keep the covenants we make? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Malachi 2:10–16 for a look at how God’s faithfulness transforms and sustains our faithfulness.

What are the essential qualities of successful pastoral ministry? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Malachi 2:1–9 to highlight the characteristics of a faithful shepherd.

What happens when pastors fail in the ministry of the word? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Malachi 2:1–9 for a needed word of warning.

Genuine worship treasures God above all things and fuels God-centered passion in people. What if our worship doesn’t look or feel like that? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper addresses this still relevant question from Malachi 1:6–14.

Knowing that God is our Father is one thing; understanding how we should relate to him as such is another. In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Malachi 1:6–14 to demonstrate how knowing God as Father should lead us to honor him.

What does it mean for God to love us with a free, sovereign, unconditional, electing love? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Malachi 1:1–5 to see how God himself answers that very question.

What is the blessing of justification? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 4:6–8 to sketch out the wonders of what it means to be made right with God.

Why is the doctrine of justification by faith alone such good news? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper takes us to Romans 4:1–5 to expound the heart of the gospel.

How should rescued sinners respond to the oneness of God, especially in his work of salvation? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 3:29–30 to examine this timely question.

How does justification by faith not only free us from having to earn God’s favor but also empower us to love? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Romans 3:27–31 to answer this important question.

If faith does not look to itself for salvation, where does it look? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 3:27–31 to show how saving faith looks only to grace.

If the law is not a way for man to get right with God, how should we understand its purpose? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper tackles that critical question from Romans 3:27–31.

Why is God’s mercy to sinners a massive problem? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 3:21–26 to explain the crisis and outline Paul’s solution.

What does it mean to be justified by God’s grace? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Romans 3:21–26 to explore how we are saved.

Can you actually articulate what makes the good news of Christianity good? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 3:21–26 to explain how God justifies the ungodly.

Why is the verdict of no condemnation at the very center of the Christian faith? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 8:34 to revisit the best news in the world.

How does knowing what the law cannot do help us better understand what only the gospel can? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Romans 3:19–20 to explain how the law brings us to the end of ourselves.

How does the law of God reveal our need for the gospel? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper explains how from Romans 3:19–20.

What makes Christianity Christianity? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 3:9–18 to detail Paul’s glorious explanation of our faith.

A diagnosis as bad as ours makes the gospel infinitely precious. In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Romans 3:9–18 to bring the good news to bear on our profound need.

Does the unfaithfulness of man nullify the faithfulness of God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 3:1–8 where Paul addresses that potential crisis.

How do we keep going when life gets really hard? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10 to help us endure in difficult times.

How does the hope of the gospel make us bold as Christians? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 2 Corinthians 3:1–12 to find fresh courage for our souls.

Why is our great hope as Christians something to rejoice in now? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper tackles that question in Romans 5:1–5.

What truths can we teach the coming generations so that they might set their hope in God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Psalm 78 to answer this ever-important question.

When the apostle Paul says that Christians “eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness,” what specifically are we waiting for? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Galatians 5:1–12 to unfold what’s to come for those who believe.

What is the future hope of glory for which all Christians eagerly await? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Romans 8:18–25 to explore what awaits all who believe in Jesus.

Why is the return of Christ a blessed hope for Christians? And why shouldn’t Christians fear his coming? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Titus 2:11–13 to answer those pressing questions.

What sustains the Christian’s hope? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Romans 15:4 to show how God enables us to endure through the Scriptures.

Why does God bring people to life through the preaching of the gospel? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper explores the mystery of regeneration by looking at 1 Peter 1:22–25.

What is “the hope of the gospel,” and how does that hope steady the Christian life? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to Colossians 1:15–23 to answer that two-part question.

Our hope as Christians is built on grace. But what does that mean, and why does it matter? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 2 Thessalonians 2:16–17 to find answers to those two important questions.

What functional impact should biblical hope have on how we think about the future? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks to Hebrews 6:1–12 for an answer.

What connection do grace and truth have with the heart of God? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to John 1:14–18 to tackle that wonderful question.

Why does God use humanity to testify to the glory of his Son? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens John 1:6–8 to highlight the privilege we have in proclaiming Christ.

“Christ is the light that darkness cannot overcome.” What does that mean? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to John 1:1–5 for answers.

How might our lives change if we set our minds on the glory of the Lord that will be revealed in the new earth? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens Romans 8:18–25 to explore the transforming glories awaiting us.

How does the resurrection change how we think about our earthly bodies? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to 1 Corinthians 15:50–58 to encourage us with the truth of what we will be.

How can we keep from losing heart when life becomes extremely difficult? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper looks to 2 Corinthians 4:16–5:10 to provide strength in the midst of overwhelming circumstances.

When the word of the cross comes to us through faith, it enables us to love what God loves. In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper opens 1 Peter 2:21–25 and shines light on the transformative power of the gospel.

How can we follow Jesus’s example of not returning evil for evil? In this episode of Light + Truth, John Piper turns to 1 Peter 2:18–23 to help us overcome temptation.