excerpt from sermon on singleness - John Piper

[MsOlkina]

I do not see how people in a church just automatically become mothers, children and so on to single people. I would recommend the following to pastors and other clergy. Take a sabbatical if you can and go to a place where people do not know you and live a single life say for six months (even a month will do probably)... Then I would like to hear your ceremon on the topic of singlness. A married friend of mine was falling apart just because her husband was out of town for a couple of weeks...

[Thetickler7]

I love this video, but can anyone help me understand something?

I wanted to post this on Marriage is not about staying in love Part #1 but comments were dissabled.

I can't understand, in matthew Jesus says Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate

Matt 19:6 (NKJV)

Here is my question. Why does He then go on to say."And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, """"except for sexual immorality"""", and marries another, commits adultery;

"Excepton?!"

Matt 19:9 (NKJV)

[MrRoycelong]

One issue Christianity has never adequately dealt with is the delay of marriage. People in bible cultures typically got married in their early teen years.  People today delay marriage until their late 20's. Hardly anybody wants to talk about it, but it's a completely different standard to expect people to be 13 year-old virgins like in the bible and to expect people to be 30 year-old virgins today.

[James5877]

It is very difficult being single sometimes, but I think maybe God wants me single at this time so I can serve Him and share the Gospel with others, without distraction. One day we'll be in Heaven, and it will no longer matter whether or not we were married.

[MsGroovalicious]

Dear Sir, some of us verily would love to be married in Godly relationships, but do not find mates. Some of us cannot/should not have children, but can be just as effective to the Kingdom. We want to have a human love as well as God. I cannot hug, have a face to face, or express my sexual/romantic desires with God. Some of us have an orphan spirit and have lack human love that God cannot meet. He is everything, but for me, I so struggle to have the love I never had. Please be kind to singles.

[MrRoycelong]

@MsGroovalicious When people feel "stuck" in their marriage, sometimes they choose to take their frustrations out on singles; as if singles were some sort of "bad people" living off in another country. Their life is so consumed with marital frustration they just don't stop to think about how many singles and divorcees they personally know. Sadly their misguided attitudes and poorly chosen words often alienate themselves from singles and divorcees who are just trying to do the best they can.

[cdp5005]

It is nice to know that If I get caught somewhere in like a broken down car or am out of state and need money for whatever reason... my church is just a phone call away...

[Tomsedated]

is john piper married?

[LinkD3]

listen to the entire clip... He didn't say marriage was bad. he said God gives some joys to single people which he does NOT give to married people. That's in scripture, not Pipers opinion...

[Aaron637]

Marriage is temporary...thats what makes it so valuable. It can only be experienced her in this vapors breath...there is no marriage in heaven....except the church to Christ.

[sonifrostie]

amen

[treya21]

i am a Christian but this guy is pure evil

[ripefortheharvest]

How is he 'pure evil'? Please explain.

[lewecca]

@treya21 can you define evil?

[HopeMonkey]

good stuff, but Piper is married, with children and grand children

[Revinius]

anyone know which passage this is on?

[Philos2006]

John Piper enjoys a posh living, doing nothing. God must be good to him !!

[kamaujackson811]

Did you know that he's put a cap on the amount of income he can make in a year? So that he won't be corrupted by money.

[dragonfist25]

Give it a rest already!!! Sheeeeeesh......

[Jugheadr2]

Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

[scriptureplease]

Some people are tired of the misquoted verses taken out of context to have honest people believe that Christian evangelists are not abusing God's words for their own purpose. Right now, as always, 94% of the world's conflicts are caused by religions. I guess it's not bad enough. Christian evangelists use fear to have people believe that their misquoted verses are supported by God. Curse is the world for putting the words of the religious leaders above God.

[CRHE]

"Right now, as always, 94% of the world's conflicts are caused by religions."

LOL. Where did you get this number? Also, "As always...?" Huh? I mean, you not only somehow know the exact number today, you're saying that it's always been 94% throughout history?

[HatTricksInc]

(4)

I use to see it literally.

I remain a big fan of a handful of the great Christian Thinkers out there in the world today. Amongst my favorites are John Piper, Wayne Jacobsen and John Eldredge.

Their writings amongst others changed my theology and changed my life.

I remain thankful for that.

[HatTricksInc]

(3)

I don't believe it literally. I think it says something about humanity though and we do well to ponder and make the most of whatever it is, as however is most helpful for the journey of the human race.

[HatTricksInc]

(2)

It's powerful. Where Christianity and the Bible have gotten things "right" - I see it as revealing of what metaphors are viable and powerful in how they resonate with people and give larger sense of meaning and value to their lives.

[HatTricksInc]

(1)

Story is a vital and powerful force in human culture and the human conscience. It speaks deeply and meaningfully to people. Their is enough consensus, although not perfect, in the Bible, that can be used to tell a pretty dramatic and satisfyingly whole story. It's compelling on a lot of levels.

See (2)

[bufantas]

angels in heaven? I doubt it Mr Piper. Christianity is the temporary institution which will be superceded eventually (I hope) when people realise that it is pure superstition. NO ONE knows where the universe came from. this is just a fantasy

[ReformedLou]

Being a former positivist and atheist, I should point out that you can't prove your thesis. :) Have you ever read the full testimony of scripture you claim is a fantasy? Have you explored its numerous propositions? BTW, have you read the Plantingas of the world, or just the Dawkinses?

[bufantas]

well , I confess to only having read some of the bible. I studied physics however which has led me to conclude that men with wings are not a good mechanism for flight , and if you try to walk on water you will sink.

[bufantas]

Isn`t one of the propositions you speak of Mr Lou , that I will be judged on my moral conduct when my physical body dies , by the Creator of the universe? You may choose to believe that ,with zero evidence. I do not

[DividerLine]

Answer this: was the physics calculus based? If not, you have no reason for placing faith in physics because you have not seen the proofs. Oh, it was calculus based? Did you see the proof for every theorem and lemma from calculus? Did you meticulously analyze each logical step in each of the proofs with scrutiny? Have you taken classes on formal reasoning/logic? Did you know that one minuscule mistake in any logical proof could be used to proove that 1 = 2? You have a lot of faith my friend.

[bufantas]

That doesnt mean we are not going to all kill each other unless we change our heart tho.

love buf

[DividerLine]

You see, I took calc physics, got about 4.0 avg. And I promise, that your faith in those books are foolish. Placing faith in Christ and giving your all to God, is the only way for you to see the Truth- ever. I promise on everything my friend. God will change your entire reality. You will see how blinded you are. Trust me, because I've been there. I could try to reason with you about how God can defy physics, but it gets old. If you give yourself to Christ as a servant, he will show you.

[bufantas]

hi mr divider. question ; why that God? Why not Zeus , Odin or the Spaghetti Monster? It seems arbitrary to me. I DO have more faith in science because it is based on tested observational , peer reviewed scrutiny.

[DividerLine]

check ur pm.

:)

[wurlybird9]

HAHAHA "faith in science." Your words prove what is true for many. It's a religion. They are not applying the scientific method to their own lives. They are trusting the scientists to work miracles for them. And you trust in gravity. Which is really just massive electrical attraction. What if gravity reverses itself? What will you do then? You have faith in gravity. You can have faith in God too. It's the same. Intelligent design. And the design can change without notice...

[sixfigures1]

If only the church carried itself that way.

[ReformedLou]

I agree, the single person is shut out of some cliques, within the visible church, if that's what you meant. But that's why the pastor's teaching this. I'm finally coming to grips with such behavior, and, by God's grace, will persevere in unmitigated worship and brotherly love from now into eternity.

[SinceretheProblem]

"Don't elevate natural things, like marriage to be bigger than what they are, namely, for procreation and illustrations of Christ on the church." Whoa...that was huge! That is a very different world view, a Biblical one, I think!

[ReformedLou]

Single or married, we've one true bridegroom. Praise God, it's Jesus Christ! Thank you, Dr. Piper.