when heroes point you to christ

i began my short biographical series a few weeks ago with the words
"these men have been some of the most influential men i have never met."

john piper (who i wrote about here and here in the series) was at southern seminary this week.
(photos by timmy brister and andrew lindsey)


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as one person described it, "a gospel bomb detonates at southern seminary"

he goes on to write:

Last week I mentioned reading George Whitefield’s
biography. I mentioned how, just before he died,
people were begging him to preach the gospel.
However, I failed to mention that this was not a
rare occurrence in Whitefield’s life. Often the people
who heard him preach begged for more. Begged.
And, when I think about that, my thought is usually,
“Did this really happen? Did people actually beg to hear
him preach again? It seems a bit far-fetched and fanatical.”
And as I sat today under the preaching of John Piper in
chapel, I thought to myself, “It’s not so far-fetched…not
so fanatical.” I knew that if he would have rattled on for
hours I would have sat there and soaked it all up.

i couldn't agree more.

but it wasn't more "piper" i (or, im sure the author of the above) wanted, it was more of the glory of christ that he showed from scripture.

i greatly encourage you to listen to thursday's message here (tuesday's is available as well)

after the message on thursday, i sat in a state of wonder, awe, and humility at the glory and goodness of god.

because i sat for awhile, i was the last person to leave, so i was able to chat with dr. piper for a brief minute or two. i found him to be incredibly and authentically humble, warm, and inviting.

and shorter than i had thought.

in my own life, i am often wary of "man" worship, thinking more of the man than his message and the god who he represents.

however, it was refreshing to find that after i heard piper preach, that though i was blown away by his passion, his presentation, and his command with the scriptures, i walked away with a greater love for god and the wonder of the gospel.

on thursady i met john piper, but more importantly i grew closer to the one true god.