Here is a list of my posts on Piper's new book, Finally Alive. This book is now available at WTS Books for $8.99 (40% retail).It is my prayer that this book gain wide popularity.
Showing posts with label New Birth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Birth. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Finally Alive by John Piper
Here is a list of my posts on Piper's new book, Finally Alive. This book is now available at WTS Books for $8.99 (40% retail).
Monday, February 09, 2009
The Last Chapter is the Best
I must say that the last chapter of Finally Alive is the most helpful to me. After explaining the nature of the new birth for 14 chapters, Piper asks, "How can we help others be born again?" It is basically a chapter on personal evangelism.
His short answer is: "Tell them the good news of Christ from a heart of love and life of service."
After making clear that only God can open blind eyes, Piper writes (pp. 180-181):
"Don't stop because you can't do this. Of course you can't. Only God can open the eyes of the blind (2 Cor. 4:6). But the fact that you can't make electricity or create light never stops you from flipping light switches. The fact that you can't create fire in cylinders never stops you from turning the car key. The fact that you can't create cell tissue never stops you from eating your meals. So don't let the fact that you can't cause the new bith stop you from telling the gospel. That is how people are born again--through the living and abiding word, the good news of Jesus Christ."
He then gives 10 encouragements for speaking the gospel:
1. Know this: God uses clay pots.
2. Get resources to share.
3. Know that God may use many influences.
4. Be a lavish giver.
5. Find people interesting.
6. Invite people to church.
7. Fill the city with gospel teaching.
8. Use your giftings.
9. Read books on evangelism (see the particular books he recommends here).
10. Pray for boldness.
"If you feel average or below average in your fitness to share the gospel treasure, you are closer to the truth than someone who feels powerful and wise and self-sufficient."
His short answer is: "Tell them the good news of Christ from a heart of love and life of service."
After making clear that only God can open blind eyes, Piper writes (pp. 180-181):
"Don't stop because you can't do this. Of course you can't. Only God can open the eyes of the blind (2 Cor. 4:6). But the fact that you can't make electricity or create light never stops you from flipping light switches. The fact that you can't create fire in cylinders never stops you from turning the car key. The fact that you can't create cell tissue never stops you from eating your meals. So don't let the fact that you can't cause the new bith stop you from telling the gospel. That is how people are born again--through the living and abiding word, the good news of Jesus Christ."
He then gives 10 encouragements for speaking the gospel:
1. Know this: God uses clay pots.
2. Get resources to share.
3. Know that God may use many influences.
4. Be a lavish giver.
5. Find people interesting.
6. Invite people to church.
7. Fill the city with gospel teaching.
8. Use your giftings.
9. Read books on evangelism (see the particular books he recommends here).
10. Pray for boldness.
"If you feel average or below average in your fitness to share the gospel treasure, you are closer to the truth than someone who feels powerful and wise and self-sufficient."
Friday, February 06, 2009
11 Evidences of the New Birth
In chapter 10 of Finally Alive, John Piper draws out 11 evidences of the new birth in 1 John.
Those who are born of God...
1. Keep his commandments (2:3-4; 3:24)
2. Walk as Christ walked (2:5-6)
3. Don't hate other but love them (2:9; 3:14; 4:7-8; 4:20)
4. Don't love the world (2:15)
5. Confess the Son and receive (have) him (2:23; 4:15; 5:12)
6. Practice righteousness (2:29)
7. Don't make a practice of sinning (3:6; 3:9-10; 5:18)
8. Possess the Spirit of God (3:24; 4:13)
9. Listen submissively to the apostolic Word (4:6)
10. Believe that Jesus is the Christ (5:1)
11. Overcome the world (5:4)
Those who are born of God...
1. Keep his commandments (2:3-4; 3:24)
2. Walk as Christ walked (2:5-6)
3. Don't hate other but love them (2:9; 3:14; 4:7-8; 4:20)
4. Don't love the world (2:15)
5. Confess the Son and receive (have) him (2:23; 4:15; 5:12)
6. Practice righteousness (2:29)
7. Don't make a practice of sinning (3:6; 3:9-10; 5:18)
8. Possess the Spirit of God (3:24; 4:13)
9. Listen submissively to the apostolic Word (4:6)
10. Believe that Jesus is the Christ (5:1)
11. Overcome the world (5:4)
Thursday, February 05, 2009
What Happens in the New Birth
Here is John Piper's answer to the question, "What happens in the new birth?"
1. What happens in the new birth is not getting new religion but getting new life.
2. What happens in the new birth is not merely affirming the supernatural in Jesus but experiencing the supernatural in yourself.
3. What happens in the new birth is not the improvement of your old human nature but the creation of a new human nature--a nature that is really you, and is forgiven and cleansed; and a nature that is really new, and is being formed by the indwelling Spirit of God.
Finally Alive, p. 28.
1. What happens in the new birth is not getting new religion but getting new life.
2. What happens in the new birth is not merely affirming the supernatural in Jesus but experiencing the supernatural in yourself.
3. What happens in the new birth is not the improvement of your old human nature but the creation of a new human nature--a nature that is really you, and is forgiven and cleansed; and a nature that is really new, and is being formed by the indwelling Spirit of God.
Finally Alive, p. 28.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)