Peaceful Relations Are Precious, Not Ultimate: 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18, Part 1
Peace is precious. Peace is to be prized. But peace is not to be pursued at any cost.
Apr 11, 2023
Look at the Book
Look at the Book is John Piper's ongoing series of 8-12 minute videos to help you learn to read the Bible for yourself.
Episodes
How Long Are We Patient with the Idle? 2 Thessalonians 3:11–16, Part 3
The aim of holy ostracism is to cause shame in a fellow believer so that they might turn and walk in the light.
Apr 08, 2023
Five Implications of ‘Eat Your Own Bread’: 2 Thessalonians 3:11–16, Part 2
There are at least five significant implications from Paul’s command to the Thessalonian church to “eat your own bread.”
Apr 06, 2023
As New Creatures, Eat What You Earn: 2 Thessalonians 3:11–16, Part 1
God created mankind for good works. When he makes us new in Christ, his purpose remains the same.
Apr 04, 2023
Does ‘No Work, No Food’ Mean No Mercy? 2 Thessalonians 3:6–10, Part 3
When someone sins against us, Christians are not always called to turn the other cheek.
Apr 01, 2023
Why Did Paul Refuse Gifts of Food? 2 Thessalonians 3:6–10, Part 2
Pastors ought to be paid for their labors, but they should never give the impression that they labor for money.
Mar 30, 2023
Sometimes Ostracism Brings Reconciliation: 2 Thessalonians 3:6–10, Part 1
Christians must have a category for shaming other Christians so that they might repent and be reconciled.
Mar 28, 2023
Prayer as an Answer to Prayer: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5, Part 5
Hearts that remain firm through trials don’t depend on their own strength, but hang on the steadfastness of Christ.
Mar 25, 2023
An Obedient Church Deals with Disobedience: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5, Part 4
Disobedient churches deal lightly, if at all, with flagrant disobedience. Obedient churches consistently practice church discipline.
Mar 23, 2023
What Is the Faithfulness of God? 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5, Part 3
The deepest ground of God’s faithfulness, to his word and to his people, is his faithfulness to his own self.
Mar 21, 2023
God Is Decisive in Obedience — So Why Pray? 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5, Part 2
God works through prayer to establish and guard us in the faith. Prayer is the lifeline by which he holds us fast.
Mar 18, 2023
Offense and Defense in Prayer for the Word: 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5, Part 1
Prayer is an offensive weapon and a defensive weapon. Do you utilize it in both ways?
Mar 16, 2023
How Paul Prays Eternal Comfort into Heart Comfort: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, Part 7
The apostle Paul wants Christians to subjectively experience the comfort that is already objectively ours in Christ.
Mar 14, 2023
Are Traditions Good or Bad? 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, Part 6
The church ought to preserve traditions that evidence biblical fidelity — and discard those that elevate our ways over Scripture.
Mar 11, 2023
Stand! The Command. The Prayer. The Promise.: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, Part 5
Christians stand firm by holding to the truth, depending on God in prayer, and hoping in his promise to keep us.
Mar 09, 2023
Called to Holiness, Called to Glory: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, Part 4
God’s call to his people is not merely a call to salvation. God’s call is for us to share in his glory.
Mar 07, 2023
How Sanctification Confirms Saving Faith: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, Part 3
Are we becoming more like Jesus by the power of the Spirit? If not, we have reason to question whether our faith is real.
Mar 04, 2023
God Won’t Leave Salvation to Chance: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, Part 2
True salvation entails both faith in the truth and sanctification by the Spirit. God choosing us doesn’t render either irrelevant.
Mar 02, 2023
Chosen Before Creation for Salvation: 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17, Part 1
The particular, electing love of God from before the foundation of the world is the reason why anyone becomes a Christian.
Feb 28, 2023
Why Does God Decree Carnage for the Church? 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, Part 5
Scripture says that the church will face terrible pain and opposition at the end. Why would God allow his people to suffer?
Feb 25, 2023
God Is Not Absent in the Great Apostasy: 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, Part 4
Satan’s efforts to lead people astray from the truth do not happen apart from God’s plan and design. And yet, many will fall away.
Feb 23, 2023
Saving Faith Involves Loving the Truth: 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, Part 3
The alternative to belief in the gospel is not merely unbelief, but a deep love for unrighteousness which opposes truth.
Feb 21, 2023
The Lie All Satanic Power Serves: 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, Part 2
Satan wants all of us to yawn at truth and salivate for sin. We must persistently resist him and cling to Christ.
Feb 18, 2023
Real Signs and Wonders Serving Unreality: 2 Thessalonians 2:9–12, Part 1
Signs and wonders can serve both truth and deception. We should trust what we see in the Bible above what we witness with our eyes.
Feb 16, 2023
Lawlessness Doomed by Truth and Beauty: 2 Thessalonians 2:6–8, Part 2
The man of lawlessness has an appointed time and an appointed end which Jesus will bring when he returns.
Feb 14, 2023
“Lawlessness” Can’t Come Until Its Appointed Time: 2 Thessalonians 2:6–8, Part 1
God sets the times and seasons. He has appointed a time for the man of lawlessness to appear. He is in full control.
Feb 11, 2023
The Man of Lawlessness Sits in the Temple: 2 Thessalonians 2:3–5, Part 4
What is the temple of God in which the man of lawlessness takes his seat? This lab explores two possible answers.
Feb 09, 2023
Who Is the Man of Lawlessness? 2 Thessalonians 2:3–5, Part 3
Lawlessness is the rejection of any authority. It exists in every sinful heart, and it will reach full expression in the man of lawlessness.
Feb 07, 2023
The Rebellion Must Come Before Christ Returns: 2 Thessalonians 2:3–5, Part 2
Rebellion and lawlessness characterize every age in a fallen world, but they will crescendo before the return of Christ.
Feb 04, 2023
Will Christ Return Seven Years After the Rapture? 2 Thessalonians 2:3–5, Part 1
The blessed hope for which we wait is not a secret rapture, but the terrible, awful, and glorious event of Christ’s return.
Feb 02, 2023