Don’t Waste Your Pulpit

This video is encouraging to me as a pastor and no doubt will be to many of you who pastor or otherwise love the Word. His conclusion is a walk-off shot:

“I think the reason why pastors don’t do that is because they themselves do not live off the Bible everyday.” (Piper)

Possibly Related posts:

1. The Supremacy of Christ
2. Considering breadth and depth in ministry
3. Emotion in the pulpit
4. John Piper on Christian “decisions”
5. Having the ‘ticket’ but missing the point

19 Responses to “Don’t Waste Your Pulpit”

1. Kim in ON says:

   May 1, 2008 at 7:27 am

   That was an excellent clip.
2. by grace says:

   May 1, 2008 at 8:56 am

   John Piper is the man…that was excellent.
3. Edward says:

   May 1, 2008 at 9:00 am

   So very true the shepherds of the flock are the ones who bear the greatest responsibility to lead the people. Pastors definitely need to see their mission of bringing people to Christ as one that is first and foremost. Not just telling stories to attract a crowd. Give people something that will satisfy the hunger and the desire for GOD in peoples hearts a pastor can’t do that if it isn’t a passionate desire of his own heart.
4. erik says:

   May 1, 2008 at 9:07 am

   Absolutely Edward. This is both an evidence of a national famine and a swift kick in the clerical pants to get our nose into the book….we need it and so do our people!
5. Joshua says:

   May 1, 2008 at 9:28 am

   great clip

   I BTW just mentioned this clip at:

   http://rr-bb.com/showthread.php?p=564172
6. Dave D. says:

   May 1, 2008 at 10:03 am

   I wonder if this is a prelude to another book to piggyback Don’t Waste Your Life . I hope so. Thanks for finding and sharing the clip. It is always needed.
7. Toby says:

   May 1, 2008 at 12:40 pm

   (This comment ties in with the Young, Restless and Reformed post.)

   One advantage of this time we live in is the value Biblical preaching carries today. It stands in sharp contrast, so it is becoming more easily identified. The people who preach the Word are being set apart not only by God, but by evangelical America as well. People who hear Biblical preaching can tell of what it is to eat of the Bread, for they have tasted it regularly. Their palates are refined and their stomachs won’t be filled with lesser offerings.

   What hasn’t been seen from the Biblical preaching is great revival. The preaching seems to be reaching the people of God and refining their pastors and their parishoners, but not the communities around them. This points more to God strengthening His church for persecution more than revival. Not to be pesamistic, far from, for I know that whatever is to come is by God’s hand for our good and His glory.

   Those who are faithful, I encourage to continue to glorify Christ, allowing Him to rule his local church through the preaching of His word. For those who do not I encourage you to examine your self. Are you preparing your people for what may come, revival or persecution?

   More impressed with Christ daily,

   toby
8. erik says:

   May 1, 2008 at 12:55 pm

   Toby,

   Good thoughts. It may be that in some pockets there are a great number of people getting converted, however, it is not like we read in the history books and journals of some of the great preachers of yesteryear. One encouragement we have seen are the number of people who come craving something more in church and then end up getting converted through God’s kindness. The means he almost always uses is biblical preaching to unsettle the heart and then trials to reveal the heart’s treasure.

   You wouldn’t happen to be interested in helping out with a church plant would you?

   Erik
9. Passionate About God's Word | Scripture Zealot says:

   May 1, 2008 at 2:28 pm

   [...] Don’t Waste Your Pulpit on Irish Calvinist’s blog (not just for pastors) [...]
10. Toby says:

    May 1, 2008 at 3:17 pm

    Amen.

    Looking forward to it.
11. Dana in Dublin says:

    May 2, 2008 at 12:13 am

    What a great video. Thanks for sharing. I would that all pastors would be so faithful in sharing the word with their flocks!
12. Robin says:

    May 2, 2008 at 7:55 am

    When God speaks, quasars come into being! Amen.

    Thank you, Erik, for finding this video. I think my Bible studying this morning will mean even more to me because of Piper’s reminder of exactly what God’s word truly does!
13. Erik Kowalker says:

    May 3, 2008 at 12:29 am

    Piper hits the hammer on the nail big time. I like his comment to “be radically Bible saturated, not just Bible based”. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard sermons where the Bible is just the diving board to other things the preacher wants to get to. Martyn Lloyd-Jones said it best regarding preachers who pay token reference to the Bible: “It is always a bad sign when men read a text and then shut the Bible and put it on one side, and proceed to preach their prepared sermon.” May more men like Lloyd-Jones and Piper stand to bring the Word of God to bear upon the congregation.
14. roger mugs says:

    May 4, 2008 at 6:58 pm

    i waste event he pulpit of my blog… far too often.
15. Don’t Waste Your Pulpit « Already Not Yet says:

    May 6, 2008 at 3:45 am

    [...] (HT: Irish Calvinist) [...]
16. Don’t Waste Your Pulpit « Pursuing the Truth says:

    May 6, 2008 at 10:40 pm

    [...] HT: Irish Calvinist [...]
17. Joshua says:

    May 7, 2008 at 10:14 am

    Dana I agree.
18. Jon Wymer says:

    May 14, 2008 at 9:58 am

    This video was played at T4G 08 prior to Piper’s message. It is incredible that evangelicals today are dividing not on doctrine but methodology. The old battles were over doctrine, but now even if we disagree with someone we are relieved simply to find those who value the Bible in any fashion. In this climate, it will be increasingly difficult to maintain a confessional stance in the evangelical church. Far better to have a tough road than to waste our pulpits!
19. Joshua says:

    May 14, 2008 at 11:32 am

    related video worth mentioning:

    Todd Friel of Way of the Master Radio on Rick Warren and his Twisting of Scripture

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVth6gtHBNk

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA6O0kL0uEg

    I am mentioning cause Piper’s video that is above is referenced during the 2 clips

    and Todd agrees with John Piper.