If I haven't said it yet, shame on me, but John Piper might be the best Pastor in America, the opposite of Joel Osteen. The focus of Piper's sermons is never to better yourself or to make yourself happy or to find ways to fit your faith into your very busy life. His sermons are about how God is the center of all things, and how we need to figure out how our lives fit into our faith.
In a recent sermon series, Piper confronts the true meaning of being born again. Rather than wonder why believers look so much like the world, or trying to figure out how to make small inroads into a congregation's behavior, Piper is willing to take on the pathetic state of American churches by telling the truth: the majority of Christians are not born again.
Piper's passion won't put him on the NYTimes bestseller list like Osteen, or bring him to Larry King like Rick Warren, or even make him popular with his own congregation. But it will make real disciples, true disciples, people whose lives are changed by the gospel of Jesus Christ. Did I say "might be" the best Pastor? Take away the lack of certainty. No doubt about it.
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2 comments:
Hey, I take exception to your comment that "Piper's passion won't...even make him popular with his own congregation." :)
I (as one of his flock) find that Piper's telling us the truth with passion is attractive to us, because through Pastor John we are graciously getting what we need -- a big vision of God that is driven by bible truth.
Agreed. I should have stated "may not make him popular with his own congregation." Certainly believers in his flock who are indeed born again will always be pleased that their shepherd speaks the truth over populism. I meant to imply that Piper doesn't seek popularity. I think you and I do agree, though, that Piper is the very best.
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