DG @ GC

Guest writer: Sue Weaver

A TOP TEN THOTS LIST from chapter two in John Piper’s Desiring God

1. Most Amazing:

The pursuit of joy in God is not optional! Until your heart has hit upon this pursuit, your “faith” does not please God. Page 73

(Hebrews 11:6  …whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek Him.)

2. Most Unexpected:

Sin comes from not putting supreme value on the glory of God – this is the very essence of sin. Page 57

3. Most Poignant:

Hell is just. Page 59

4. Most Pithy:

Hell is one way to settle accounts with sinners and uphold his justice. But there is another way. The death of the Son of God for sinners! Page 61

5. Most Clarifying:

“For those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28)—but not for everyone. There are sheep and there are goats (Matthew 25:32). There are wise and there are foolish (Matthew 25:2). There are those who are being saved and those who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18). Page 54

6. Most Painful:

We are surrounded by unconverted people who think they do believe in Jesus… Page 54

7. Most Convicting:

Once we had no delight in God, and Christ was just a vague historical figure. What we enjoyed was food and friendships and productivity and investments and vacations and hobbies and games and reading and shopping and sex and sports and art and TV and travel…but not God. He was an idea—even a good one—and a topic for discussion; but He was not a treasure of delight.  Then something miraculous happened. Page 71

8. Most Startling:

Saving faith is the cry of a new creature in Christ. And the newness of the new creature is that it has a new taste. What was once distasteful or bland is now craved. Christ Himself has become a Treasure Chest of holy joy…the heart…craves the supreme gift that Christ died to give: not health, not wealth, not prestige – but God! Test yourself here. There are many professing Christians who delight in God’s gifts, but not God.

Pages 72 & 73

9. Most Remarkable:

Conversion is no mere human decision. It is a human decision – but, oh, so much more! Page 68

10. Most Delightful:

…God joins us in our pursuit of everlasting joy… Page 54

Guest writer: Sue Weaver