Observers weigh in on participating in or watching sports and violence. Joe Carter, Ted Kluck, and Matt Morin | posted 1/25/2012 It’s Imprudent Joe Carter is a Marine Corps veteran and an editor at The Gospel Coalition. A century ago, a novel called In His Steps convinced generations of Christians that Jesus would, among other [...]

December 1, 1977 | by John Piper | Topic: Life of the Mind Prepared for the Bethel College Pre-Seminary Group (1977) The only reason for living is the achievement of what you value. Nobody should ever sacrifice a higher value to a lower one. You should always aspire to deciding what you value. Until that [...]

December 1, 1977 | by John Piper | Topic: Life of the Mind Prepared for the Bethel College Pre-Seminary Group (1977) The only reason for living is the achievement of what you value. Nobody should ever sacrifice a higher value to a lower one. You should always aspire to deciding what you value. Until that [...]

Let it be a settled principle in our minds that the true Christian must always enter the kingdom of God “through much tribulation” (Acts 14:22). Their best things are yet to come. This world is not our home. If we are faithful and decided servants of Christ, the world will certainly hate us, as it [...]

Hold fast to Christ. For you He became temporal so that you might partake of eternity. – Saint Augustine

Vespers Vespers is the sunset evening prayer service in the Western Catholic, Eastern (Byzantine) Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, and Lutheran liturgies of the canonical hours. The word comes from the Greek ἑσπέρα and the Latin vesper, meaning “evening.” The term is also in limited use in some Protestant denominations (such as the Seventh-day Adventist Church) [...]

Salvation All references are in the English Standard Version [Called to Be Holy] 1 Peter 1:13-19 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of [...]

J.C. Ryle’s Favorite Hymn: Rock of Ages According to Ryle’s biographers, Peter Toon and Michael Smout, J.C. Ryle’s favorite hymn was “Rock of Ages”, a hymn composed by Augustus M. Toplady, an Anglican clergyman and hymn-writer, in 1775. This hymn was also sung at Ryle’s funeral. Enjoy the video below, sung by the Antrim Mennonite [...]

“Sin forsaken is one of the best evidences of sin forgiven.” – J.C. Ryle

“The judgment day will prove that the King of kings will reckon with all who insult His servants.” ~ J.C. Ryle

The atheist says that he does not believe in God; he denies His existence, but he can’t help setting up some other god in His place. – D.L. Moody

The Lord can take the feeblest among us and make him like David, the champion of Israel. Lord, do this with me! – Charles Spurgeon

So long as we live in this fragile body, we can neither be free from sin nor live without weariness and sorrow. – Thomas Kempis

[Commenting on Ephesians 1:2: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."] Peace, according to how the corresponding Hebrew word is used, means well-being in general. It includes all blessings flowing from the goodness of God. The apostle prays to Christ and seeks from him blessings which only God [...]

Indeed the world will be friendly enough with the Church if the Church will not do her duty. – Charles Spurgeon

“A holy believer is a walking sermon. They preach far more than a minister does, for they preach the entire week long.” ~ J.C. Ryle

“The true Christian does not need to be reminded that they have a crucified Master. They often think of Him.” ~ J.C. Ryle

2. Jesus’ intercession for the apostles (17:6-19). Jesus prayed for His disciples before He chose them (Luke 6:12), during His ministry (John 6:15), at the end of His ministry (Luke 22:32), here (John 17:6-19), and later in heaven (Rom. 8:34; Heb. 7:25). This prayer of intercession reveals Jesus’ concern and love for His apostles. 17:6-8. [...]

A Political Question about Justice (Luke 13:1–9) Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor, did not get along with the Jews because he was insensitive to their religious convictions. For example, he brought the official Roman ensigns into Jerusalem and infuriated the Jews who resented having Caesar’s image in the Holy City. Pilate threatened to kill the [...]

“Mighty to save.” — Isaiah 63:1 By the words “to save” we understand the whole of the great work of salvation, from the first holy desire onward to complete sanctification. The words are multum in parro: indeed, here is all mercy in one word. Christ is not only “mighty to save” those who repent, but [...]