A Message From God Foundations Of The One True Gospel

God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6 This book is a cry from the heart of John Piper. He is pleading that God himself, as revealed in Christ's death and resurrection, is the ultimate and greatest gift of the gospel. None of Christ's gospel deeds and none of our gospel blessings are good news except as means of seeing and savoring the glory of Christ. Forgiveness is good news because it opens the way to the enjoyment of God himself. Justification is good news because it wins access to the presence and pleasures of God himself. Eternal life is good news because it becomes the everlasting enjoyment of Christ. All God's gifts are loving only to the degree that they lead us to God himself. That is what God's love is: his commitment to do everything necessary (most painfully the death of his only Son) to enthrall us with what is most deeply and durably satisfying-namely, himself. Saturated with Scripture, centered on the cross, and seriously joyful, this book leads us to satisfaction for the deep hungers of the soul. It touches us at the root of life where practical transformation gets its daily power. It awakens our longing for Christ and opens our eyes to his beauty. Piper writes for the soul-thirsty who have turned away empty and in desperation from the mirage of methodology. He invites us to slow down and drink from a deeper spring. "This is eternal life," Jesus said, "that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." This is what makes the gospel-and this book-good news.

God has provided a way for all people, not just scholars, to know that the Bible is the Word of God. John Piper has devoted his life to showing us that the glory of God is object of the soul’s happiness. Now, his burden in this book is to demonstrate that this same glory is the ground of the mind’s certainty. God’s peculiar glory shines through his Word. The Spirit of God enlightens the eyes of our hearts. And in one self-authenticating sight, our minds are sure and our hearts are satisfied. Justified certainty and solid joy meet in the peculiar glory of God.

All over the world, a common question being asked by all is, Does God really love me? People often feel rejected and are terrified of God. There is bitterness in their hearts toward God, and so they avoid coming to Him. Yet the real reason is we are not truly aware of His love. Often we try to measure Gods love with the standards of human love. We ask questions such as, If God loves me, then why I am hurting? Why have I lost my job? Why is my marriage breaking? Why I am suffering with deadly sickness? Why is this happening to me? Why holocaust, sudden death, loss due to natural calamities, 9/11, and shootings in schools? Then we always try to see where God is in that situation, and we feel that if God loves me, why did I get hurt? Does God still love me when I sin? People all over the world are too guilty of what they have done or are still doing. This guilt leads them to stay away from God, since they think God is not going to accept them because of what they have done. This book is a fresh new revelation of God to answer the questions of your life.

The Life Application Bible Commentary series is the only commentary to offer sermon and lesson applications alongside stirring commentary. This volume provides in-depth explanation, background, and application for every verse in the books of 1 & 2 Thessalonians. Perfect for sermon preparation and lesson planning, this one-of-a-kind reference provides excellent quotes and a bibliography for additional commentary. Additional features include: Charts, diagrams, and maps on the same page as their related verses Quotes from various versions, such as the NIV, NRSV, and NLT Key information graphically highlighted

The Life Application Bible Commentary series is the only commentary to offer sermon and lesson applications alongside stirring commentary. This volume provides in-depth explanation, background, and application for every verse in the books of 1 & 2 Corinthians. Perfect for sermon preparation and lesson planning, this one-of-a-kind reference provides excellent quotes and a bibliography for additional commentary. Additional features include: Charts, diagrams, and maps on the same page as their related verses Quotes from various versions, such as the NIV, NRSV, and NLT Key information graphically highlighted

Based on the best-selling Life Application Commentary series, this single, handy volume holds practical, concise insight on every verse in the New Testament. A key resource for anyone who wants to understand the New Testament and how it applies to real life.

Understanding love is the key element of successful marriages, long-lasting friendships, a caring society, and the sharing of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Without the clear understanding of its meaning, anger, hate, hostility, un-forgiveness and resentment will attach themselves like leeches and viruses to the fabric of our society. These parasites could cause divorces, wars, contentions, divisions, and other ills that contribute to the destruction of lives, and to putting society on a roller coaster ride. In Matthew chapter 24, the disciples asked Jesus about what signs to look for as we approach the time of His return. He explained to them about the wars, divisions, hate, etc., that will escalate because of the erosion of love in the final days on earth. We are witnessing and experiencing these occurrences daily in our life's journey. It seems as if love has been totally swallowed up by hate and selfish ambitions all around us. According to the 1998 United Nations Census on religions, there were about 23,000 Christian denominations at that time, and they all believe somewhat differently. Jesus said that a divided house will never stand (Luke 11:17). From Old Testament times to this present time, the people of God have always focused more on formulating their own self-centered and exclusive doctrines, denominations and cliques, and have ignored the true inclusive message and gospel of the love of God. That is why the religious leaders did not recognize or receive Jesus when He first came. If Christ should appear today preaching the gospel, He would still not be recognized or received by many Christians. A lack of the understanding love will cause spiritual amnesia and vision impairment. I am not advocating a one-world church, but a unified message of the Gospel of God (Romans 1:1-3). Many Christians are divided by race, color, denomination, social standing, economic status, skin shade, hair texture, culture, and region, just to name a few. Racial, social, and class discrimination is practiced by many misled people of every racial and cultural groups across the world. We have condemned sin and sinners, and blamed them for the demoralization of our society. We have also blamed them for the pending doom of our nations. We must realize that if they are sinners, we should not expect examples of righteous living emanating from them. That is why we must take the Gospel of Salvation to them in love so that they could also be changed. We have the answer; Jesus Christ. We should also realize that many Christians who claimed to be changed find it difficult to live righteously. Keep in mind, that the Bible said that judgment must first begin with us in the house of the Lord. At the end of this study you will see clearly that there is only one kind of love, that is, the God-kind-of-love. Love is the Foundation of the Gospel and the Gateway to Heaven, and love could only be truly proven in the face of adversity.